Tag: faith
Life changes and the embracing of hope
There are many joys in life. For me, family, friends and the community I live in are the greatest, for they last a lifetime. True, relationships can be difficult, but imagine life without them. Perhaps one of the greatest tests we all must face is the loss of those we love and cherish. Living in… Read More ›
To seek is to find
Experience with a retreatant One day about two years ago we had a retreatant here who stood out among the others. She was perhaps in her late forties or early fifties, intelligent, with some piercings and a number of small tattoos on her arms. We talked a couple of times and I always found her… Read More ›
Living in a secular society
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall There are always advantages and disadvantages no matter in what time of history we live in. So it is no different today. People often pine for the good old days, but in fact I doubt there is any such thing. Back in the late 50’s I would hear people… Read More ›
Holy Saturday
This morning I got up at my usual time, made coffee for the retreatants and then did my morning Lectio. I went up to the abbey church a little early to sit. The church at this time has no sanctuary light, and the Eucharist is absent. I guess you would have to belong to a Christian… Read More ›
Faith and Surety
Becoming a disciple takes time. Sometimes I think I am just beginning to get it. Not even sure I’ve got it now, but certain things make more sense…years intervene while the convert (monk) struggles to become what he is. Michael Casey in an article on PATIENCE: Length of years is not that important when I think… Read More ›
The ‘Eternal Moment”
“Pray for all centuries, all peoples, all sinners” (16 January 1941–Para 3) He and I –Pauline Press In all religious traditions there is a sense of connection that deepens if what one professes is lived out from the heart. For Christians there can be a healthy sense of sin, in that it brings to mind… Read More ›
Though darkness and light, through confusion and loss you are with me O Lord
I have always said that I ‘enjoy aging. By that I don’t’ mean it is fun or pleasant, yet there are inner changes that make all of the others aspects of getting older well worth it. I do believe that this life is about how we choose to deal with challenging circumstances. I don’t think… Read More ›
God cannot be regarded with indifference
So loving and generous a God cannot simply be regarded with indifference, or be a matter for dispassionate, rational speculation. The Cistercians, therefore, are far readier to speak to God than about God: Now, therefore, Lord, in complete faith I worship you. You who are God, the one Cause of all that is, the Wisdom… Read More ›
Images of God
One of the greatest obstacles for most people when dealing with God, are the images that are operative, either in their conscious mind, or in the unconscious. I would suppose that our unconscious images could cause the most havoc, since they are deeply hidden, working behind the scenes, at times calling the shots in ones… Read More ›
Intuition and faith
I think that it is important on the spiritual path, to trust ones intuition when encountering some kind of problem with the faith, images of God, or simply what is told by Father, or some other spiritual authority. As we mature in the faith and also experience, we have more to draw from than is… Read More ›