In a season of fullness, to scale back requires faith and work; freedom to fully see. This Haiku was birthed during an online Advent Retreat (put on by Abbey of the Arts).
Tagged with Faith …
Pitching In
“Dear Jenny, just a thought, but what if you spent some of the time talking to God that you spend writing to me about boys in your class?” Those words, penned by my camp-counselor-turned-pen-pal, set me on a course of talking with God that has spanned my life to this point. As I grew to … Continue reading
Why so glum, Judas, I presume?
Why so glum, Judas, I presume? Sitting at the table, such a lonely countenance You have only to lift your eyes to your friend, breaking bread with you; open your eyes to the very bread of life. Why so glum, Judas, I wonder? So near to love, yet with a pout and scowl You … Continue reading
A “useless” hour with God
I had the opportunity to spend a one day retreat recently at the gorgeous Sisters of Notre Dame, in a lovely nearby town. I offer a few images from the day, and a thought on the importance of solitude from Henri Nowen. “True Christian discipline is the human effort to create the space in which the … Continue reading
Let the Son-shine in!
Praying the Hours
I’ve been using a great book during Lent: Praying the Hours in Ordinary Life. It’s an amazing tool, beautifully written. There are poems and artwork, an easy about each of the “hours” (there are eight, the traditional hours that monks will stop and pray). It’s incredibly accessible, easy to use and it’s been a true companion recently. … Continue reading
Let the Spirit in
The man who can articulate the movements of his inner life… is able slowly and consistently to remove the obstacles that prevent the Spirit from entering. -Henri Nouwen, The Wounded Healer, as quoted in Praying the Hours in Ordinary Life (the essay on “Terce,” the Third Hour)
in the corner
I’ve so been enjoying the February Beautiful series, I decided to keep it going with Lenten Beautiful. This photo is from some prayer time at my church (a 24/7 vigil between Ash Wednesday and First Sunday of Lent).
Final Beauty
Beauty will save the world. -Dostoevsky, The Idiot I read these words recently not in Dostoevsky, but in an article in Conversations Journal (no longer published, but its vol 14.2 if you are interested). The article was part of a whole issue entitled “Created to Create” (which has a beautiful array of pieces about art, beauty … Continue reading
Lent
Preparing for Lent this week (the penitential season of 40 days before Easter), I read the following words in our church’s weekly bulletin, written by our Deacon. A very simple explanation of a very profound experience, they capture how the church calendar mimics, defines and elevates the human experience. There’s a place in Christianity for … Continue reading
"That got me thinking..." 