Lately, I’ve been drawn to the idea of “stuff is not your friend.” Not in the minimalist way but in the fact that it is a distraction. It occupies space in my heart and mind requiring time, attention, and care, leaving less time for what really matters.
On a pilgrimage to Assisi a few years ago, Saint Francis encouraged me to live simply.
Continue reading “Clearing the Clutter”
I’m so lucky one of my favorite humans is also my daughter. Twenty-eight years ago I was given a gift. Little did I know that as I unwrapped the layers of this precious gift, it would make me a better person.
Continue reading “The Gift of a Daughter”
I recently came across the concept of the cosmic egg and have been contemplating this idea. This concept is a great visual of the transformation Christ is drawing us into. It is the path of the mystic or someone in a personal, intimate relationship with the divine. The person who lives within the total cosmic egg is the mystic, the prophet, the universal human, the saint, the whole one living in Christ.
True transcendence frees us from the tyranny of I am, the idolatry of we are, and the scapegoating of they are. When all four stories are taken seriously, as the Bible shows us very well, we have a full life—fully human and fully divine. – Richard Rohr
This path is what is meant by “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” The path of discipleship is the path of self-sacrificing love, and that means the path of suffering.
And the great paradox: “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the Gospel will save it.” Put that over on your screensaver. There is no better one-line guide to the happy life.
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8
Love isn’t just a feeling—it’s a deliberate act of the will. To love deeply means to love beyond mistakes, beyond faults, to love in a way that forgives and heals. This kind of love is robust; it doesn’t ignore sin but covers it in grace, offering forgiveness as freely as God offers it to us.
Continue reading “Building Bridges”
The word beatitude refers to a state of deep happiness or joy. The beatitudes are taught by Jesus as the foundation for a life of authentic Christian discipleship and the attainment of ultimate happiness.
Continue reading “Ultimate Happiness”
What is the guiding force in your life? Do you make plans for your day according to your desires and what you want to accomplish? Or do you invite God into the conversation and conform His desires to your day?
Continue reading “Doing What Matters”
In the gospel of Mark, he tells us the story of Jesus taking a deaf man him “off by himself away from the crowd.” Jesus “puts his finger into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched his tongue; then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, ‘Ephphatha!’ (that is, ‘Be opened!’).” Looking up to his Father and inserting his fingers into the man’s ears, Jesus establishes, an electrical current, literally plugging him into the divine energy, compelling him to hear the Word.
Continue reading “Can You Hear Gods Voice?”
Faith is a gift as well as a virtue. It’s a gift of God in that it’s a light infused by him into our souls. But it’s a virtue in that our soul must exercise itself to practice it.
Continue reading “A Lively Faith”
In just a couple weeks, we’ll enter the desert when Lent begins. It’s a season where we’re encouraged to quiet the distractions around us so that we can better hear the voice of God and grow closer to Him.
The Lord says, “My sheep know my voice.”
Continue reading “Knowing God’s Voice”
With lent around the corner starting on March 5, it’s time to start asking in prayer what small sacrifice we should make in order to tame our physical desires and symbolically share in Christ’s suffering. This biblically based practice comes from the 40 days Jesus went into the desert prior to his public ministry. All this is for the greater love of God.
This year I’ve been contemplating from what I need to fast. I wonder if this dish towel that caught my eye at Cracker Barrel is telling me something?
Smitten With Goodness 