Spirituality of Inner Peace
August 2, 2023 Leave a comment
This past Summer of 2023 John Cooper took a Summer Institute of Spirituality course at Spring Hill College in Mobile, AL, a Jesuit institution. Click on link to view a copy of John’s notes:
See Link below to download notes:
December 30, 2022 Leave a comment
http://www.jcooperforpeace.org
“So He embraced our sorrows. The powers then
serving evil inflicted on Him all the suffering
human violence could think of. In more than one
sense, “ours were the sufferings he was bearing,
ours the sorrows he was carrying,” as Isaiah
prophesied about the Redeemer (Is. 53:4).
Now look: The Son of God, who is God, knows
what it is when we call on Him in our sufferings.
He hasn’t forgotten. He still has the wounds in
His flesh. They don’t hurt any more, though.
They’re a sign of glory
So will all of ours be.”
(Finding Christ in the World, A Twelve Week Ignatian Retreat in Everyday Life, Joseph A. Tetlow, S.J. & Carol Atwell Ackels, The Institute of Jesuit Sources, Chestnut Hill MA)
John Cooper
May 19, 2022 Leave a comment
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12, NIV.
Since returning to the Catholic Faith of my youth a few years ago, I have been looking for a good Cross with the body on it. I have Crosses without the body, and I have an Ignatian Cross that was given me at my Commissioning Mass after receiving a degree from Spring Hill College as a Spiritual Director. I am pretty picky about getting a realistic Cross. I don’t want an emaciated weak looking Jesus. I don’t want Jesus to be too “white.” I want the nails to be through his wrists, not his hands. I am also aware Jesus was in almost all probability crucified naked. I really have not found what I want, but the picture you are looking at is as close as I can get to being what I would like.
While there may not be any inherent shame in being naked in some cultures, In Jesus’ day being naked on the cross was the ultimate indignity often reserved for slaves while stoning and beheading were viewed as more “dignified.” The Scripture above, from Hebrews 12, speaks to the shame of the Cross, which Jesus endured for us. It is not my purpose at this time to write a scholarly treatise, but I have included some valuable links in case one might be inclined to do some independent research on the matter of Shame and the Cross at the end of this document.
So, what have I done? I have purchased a realistic Picture of Jesus on the Cross, with nails through his wrists, being fairly muscular, with a Crown of thorns, in the darkness of the day where the Sun retreated from the land, and yes, naked, with his private parts showing, just as I imagine they would have been. I had it framed, and draped a nice piece of cloth over the private parts in one of my downstairs offices and I intend to take the cloth off the picture on Good Fridays, AND also take it off when I sin and ask God’s forgiveness so I can sense the shame I caused Jesus and experience my own shame for missing the mark. I know Jesus sees me and loves me and forgives me and has endured the Shame of the Cross for my benefit and that of the whole world.
Just to let you know, that is what I have done.
I love you, Jesus, please forgive me of my shame.
John Cooper
Tuscaloosa, AL
Useful Links below:
https://catholicproductions.com/blogs/blog/crucifixion-the-shame-of-the-cross
https://www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/freeman/an_atonement_of_shame
December 3, 2021 Leave a comment
Since returning to the Catholic Church a few years ago, I have said the Rosary in a conventional way perhaps twice in a small group. However, I keep thinking of other ways to pray the Rosary. One way is a Rosary of breath, another is a Rosary of the dead, and today, I thought if a Thanksgiving Rosary. Using the Rosary Janelle Avery made for me I went right around thanking God for everything, and used the little crosses in the Rosary to thank him for my personal crosses to bear. I went around just once, but I have so much to be thankful for, I could easily have gone around many times. Say a prayer of thanks for what the Spirit brings to your mind on every bead, and on the big Cross, thank Jesus for what he has done for all.
October 23, 2021 Leave a comment
See Revised and updated Word File below and feel free to contact John Cooper for permission to use:
jcooperforpeace@gmail.com
January 16, 2021 Leave a comment
Choice Matching
Dear Rep. Terri Sewell, and Sen. Richard Shelby,
I write to you as a citizen of your district who has operated a business in Tuscaloosa, AL for 45 years, first known as Cooper Cabinets. I passed the business along a few years ago to a younger person and am now in private practice as a Spiritual Director, promoting Ignatian Spirituality. Although I have participated in many community organizations and faith based groups, and helped found some of them, I have all my life tried to be apolitical until last year when I registered to vote and voted for President Biden as a matter of conscience, believing he would better bring unity to our country than the main alternative, Ex-President Trump, and believing our nation is in serious decline and moral failure. I write to make a suggestion:
In view of the clear and present division in our country, I suggest that we attempt a program as a part of the 1.9 Trillion Dollar proposal President Biden is putting forth that may help heal our nation. One of the main dividing points of our political conundrum is the issue of abortion. I suggest this program be called “Choice Matching.” I regret that the previous administration has allowed so much national debt to pile up to the tune of 27 Trillion Dollars from the previous 19 Trillion Dollars of all other administrations combined in U.S. history. If I were to be seriously political, I believe my personal leanings would be somewhat Libertarian in nature. I personally believe in a small national government and a non-interventionist policy, although I try to be free to see the good in all types of governance’s including those of other nations.
To this end, I suggest that this program be promoted as a matching funds program whereas our government matches the funds “put up where their mouth is” of certain faith based groups, like the Catholic Church, Evangelical Churches, Mosques, and Synagogues, and in addition, Planned Parenthood, and other non-profit groups who would actually administer the program on a local level AND maintain a low percentage administration budget.
The goal would be to give young mothers a choice by having the host organization become a host family to see after their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs, not the United States Government. As to the spiritual needs part, I could suggest some ideas in more detail at another time. I feel many young mothers feel they do not have a choice regarding abortion and have nowhere to turn for physical, emotional, and spiritual companionship.
Making this a part of the new assistance program with President Biden, a Roman Catholic who should not believe in abortion as a solution, promoting the idea himself and our Senators and Representatives on both sides of the aisle joining together on this particular matter should bring healing and unity to our nation as never before. One might say this is an interreligious proposal and an interpolitical proposal. This is already too long, but I think both of you can see the vision behind this seed I am trying to plant and get this to President Biden and VP Harris and others more qualified to develop the idea than I.
Respectfully,
John Cooper
Tuscaloosa, AL
December 28, 2020 Leave a comment
Rosary of Breath…
(A Spiritual Exercise)
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prayer_beads
Psalm 5: 2-4
2 O Lord, listen closely to my words. Understand my outcry.
3 Attend to the voice of my prayer, my King and my God.
4 For to you, I will pray. In the morning, Lord, you will hear my voice. (CPDV)
Philippians 4: 6-7
6 Be anxious about nothing. But in all things, with prayer and supplication, with acts of thanksgiving, let your petitions be made known to God.
7 And so shall the peace of God, which exceeds all understanding, guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
“Verily I am Allah: there is no god but I: so serve thou Me, (only) and establish regular prayer for celebrating My praise.”(Taha, 14)
Our prayer is living our lives in your Presence, oh Lord, every breath in, every breath out, given in all places and at all times for Your praise and glory. Breathe on us, holy Spirit; ignite our hearts with Your love, grace, and mercy that we may be one with You!(John Cooper)
I choose one of the prayer texts above and silently think it at the Cross or the beginning of my Prayer Beads. From here on I touch each bead and breathe in and silently express with my slightly open mouth, using only my breath, Yahweh, or my sacred name, or I just concentrate on my breath for each bead. I think of NOTHING, nothing else and desire to join in union with the Divine Mystery.[1]
[1] “Thoughts will come. If you find yourself obsessed with one pressing down on you from above, trespassing between you and that darkness, and asking, ‘What are you looking for? What do you want?’ tell it you want only God – ‘I crave God. I seek him and nothing else.’ … For the love of God, dismiss these thoughts, even though they sound holy and helpful.” (The Cloud of Unknowing, Anonymous, Shambhala Publications, Inc., 2009, Translation by Carmen Acevedo Butcher, p. 23).
7. After this period of silence, if doing this exercise in a group, (for instance, a Zoom interreligious on-line Prayer Group) I gently share my thoughts and express my love for a person in need. I share any spiritual or other needs I have as appropriate. I ask to be included in the other person’s thoughts and prayers, and I ask out loud, “Will you please pray for me?”
8. I am silent again, this time hoping in a state of thoughtless contemplation, allowing God to do His work silently and passively in my heart and soul, that He may satisfy my spiritual needs…
9. I and others, if I am in a group, express thanks for this time of prayer, saying “Thank You, God!” I breathe in the Spirit of thankfulness and breathe out the Spirit of thankfulness and satisfaction for others to receive… God is everywhere, in the very air we breathe… God IS…
10. I read, myself or in my group in communion with others:
Our prayer is living our lives in your Presence, oh Lord, every breath in, every breath out, given in all places and at all times for Your praise and glory. Breathe on us, holy Spirit; ignite our hearts with Your love, grace, and mercy that we may be one with You!(John Cooper)
11. I am again silent, slowly breathing in the Spirit of thankfulness without comment or additional discussion, but I will if needed, later discuss what I have experienced with my Spiritual Director, Pastor, Imam, counselor or friends. I resolve to take this exercise again as often as needed and share this Exercise as appropriate in person or via electronic means with others in spiritual need.
Go in Peace, take time out of your life to receive this Exercise, to connect yourself with the inner image of God present in all mankind. When you see three dots…, it means to pause at that part of the Exercise in reflection.
John Cooper
Tuscaloosa, AL
November 20, 2020 Leave a comment
It was an invigorating Spring day, and I had just crawled up from the creek between the 20-acre and 15-acre McCulley fields where I saw you last Fall, hand picking the outside rows of corn to make way for the John Deere corn picker. You were working with your Uncle Bill last Fall. I have good hearing, and I heard you coming. Stepping in the crisp leaves, your feet crunched along the path leading to the larger creek. You often went this way, crossing the creek to reach the lower fields for hunting. I could smell you. Humans have an odd smell to possums like me.
I saw your 22-caliber semi-automatic rifle and recalled that many times you shot sparrows on the electric high wire, “just for the fun of it.” Oh no! I didn’t have time to crawl back to safety. At least rabbits have a chance. They can run fast and jump and dart around, but my only defense was to lie there, helpless, playing dead among the fallen leaves.
But you saw me and decided it would be “fun.” I heard a “crack” and instantly felt searing pain engulf my body. I think you thought I would just die instantly, like on Gunsmoke, like when Matt Dillon shot the “bad” men. Pain seared through my body, pain like I had never felt before, even birthing my new litter, my eight joeys, hidden in my pouch. What would happen to them? I realized they will die too, after suckling the last of the milk from my dead body. Please take care of my babies!
I was still playing dead when you poked my hairless stomach with the barrel of your rifle. I squirmed with the intense pain. You shot me again, you evil monster, with your weapon of destruction, towering over me with your testosterone-laden teenage body. Your power was absolute. As life seeped from my body, my spirit rose, and, for an instant, hovered over my lifeless body, and over you~~you heartless boy. Don’t you know that creatures suffer too? What have I ever done to you? Why? I have always done my duty in life, eating ants and ticks and taking care to offer balance to the environment.
As I watched you from above, I saw that you had tears in your eyes. You had seen my babies when you poked me in the stomach. I could see guilt and remorse on your face as you realized that they would die too, from starvation or prey to another of God’s creatures. I heard you moan, “Oh, no! What have I done?” I believe that you felt badly for taking my life for no good reason. But, why didn’t you bury me? You just left me to rot… I hope that my death will influence you to put away your rifle and live peacefully in this world with all of God’s creatures, and that we will meet again someday.
God told me I will be resurrected when you are, just at the right time, the same time as you, and I will be your pet possum, with my little babies again too, and with Pal, your boyhood dog, and Ossie, the cat you loved, and all your ancestors, your father and your mother, your brothers and sisters who have died, Faith, Hope, Paul, David, all of them, and we will live in peace in a Peaceable Kingdom, for evermore.
In Love,
Your possum, Mercy
p.s. Don’t think yourself better, dear Reader, you who pay other people to do your killing for you. You who go to Church and pray to your God. Your God is my God. He is in you, Brother or Sister just as God is in all things, and in me too.
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I was that teenager who thought shooting animals was “fun,” whose life changed forever that Fall day, as I stood over Mercy’s lifeless body and heard her pups mewling for milk. I have confessed my sin to others. Mercy was one of my greatest influences. I am thankful that Mercy had some little part in my putting my gun up for good. Mercy had a little part in my becoming a Conscientious Objector to killing and war. I am satisfied Mercy had some influence in changing my life. Thank you, Mercy, for all you have done for me. I think of you often and will always remember you, Mercy!
In Love and Mercy,
John Cooper
October 4, 2020 Leave a comment
I am inspired today to say something about the need for deep inner peace in relationship to Pope Francis latest Encyclical, Fratelli tutti. See: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-10/fratelli-tutti-pope-fraternity-social-friendship-short-summary.html for a brief summary which contains a link to the original document.
In conjunction I would like to share a Spiritual Exercise one can pray by themselves or with others written by Fr. Michael Hansen, S.J. of Australia. I have been sharing these Exercises on my Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/Let-God-In-One-Ignatian-Journey-108638330545262. I credit Fr. Hansen and the FSE Field Hospital for the adapted picture and text.
Praying this Exercise will help you breathe in deep inner peace which is needed to understand Pope Francis’ Encyclical.
John Cooper, Tuscaloosa, AL
THE CPR OF PEACE First Aid
As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts. Col3:12-16
See, Open my mouth; the tongue in my mouth speaks.
My words declare the uprightness of my heart, and what my lips know they speak sincerely. The spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life. Job 33:2-6
I touch the Heart of Peace.
I take a slow breath, in and out-a breath in to receive the Spirit of Peace, and a breath out to breathe out all the anxiety, agitation, fears and burdens I carry within me. This breath of body and Spirit, is life in every sense. I repeat, feeling peace settle in me.
I remember a small story of someone who gave me deep peace when I was afraid and lost in the demands of ever-changing distress. If praying alone I hold that memory, if I am praying in a group, I share it with them, listening in turn to their stories, feeling touched by the Spirit of Peace … I begin to understand how such peace
is so desirable in these unsettling times.
I desire the Gift of Peace.
I slowly and prayerfully read the prayer texts above.
I name all the places in my life where I desire the gift of peace …
I ask the Spirit for peace, serenity and harmony in my heart, and for the breath that gives me Life.
I breathe in the Spirit of Peace.
I imagine and feel the Spirit of Peace breathing deep, harmonious peace into me. I breathe it in deeply, wait, then breathe it out to into my agitations and worries, into my spiritual life, desires and relationships. And I pray this peace spreads far.
I repeat as desired – breathing, peaceful, in harmony …I conclude in thanks, considering two questions. Firstly, if possible, how might I make contact and reconnect with the one who brought me great peace? Secondly, to whom and how do I pass on this exercise – who urgently needs peace now? ·
PRAYER TIME: Go gently, using the generous time you have put aside for this prayer.
The three dots … indicate the places to pause.
If you are specially moved at any of the steps, remain there for the rest of the prayer.
FSE FIELD HOSPITAL © Michael Hansen SJ
Contact: field-hospital@fsecloud.life • www.fsecol ud.life • JISA ministries www.jisa.org.au
John Cooper was born in Paris, Illinois in January, 1949. He was born Roman Catholic and grew up on his father’s and uncles’ farms. After graduating from Marshall, IL High School he attended Samford University in Birmingham, AL. He left college and became a cabinet maker, having his own business for about 45 years. About 7 years ago he returned to the Catholic Church of his youth. Having recently passed along his business to a younger person, John attended Spring Hill College in Mobile, AL and obtained his CSD degree in Spiritual Direction.
jcooperFORpeace 
