Tag: Lent
John Climacus: “The Ladder”
John Climacus, who lived approximately between 575 and 650, became famous with his treatise on the spiritual life, called the “Ladder to Perfection.” . . . can the Ladder, a work written by a hermit monk who lived 1,400 years ago, say something to us today? Can the existential journey of a man who lived his entire… Read More ›
We are not so much called to do as to become
The work to which God directs us is not an external task waiting for someone to come along and do it. It is not as though God has a roster of duties with a name placed beside each one of them. The work God gives us is not primarily determined by external factors. The work… Read More ›
You are called to be a worker
Saint Benedict is saying “. . ., you are engaging in the spiritual art, not to receive something, but to give whatever you have. This endeavor will provide you with the opportunity to use your highest gifts in the service of something larger than yourself. You are called to be a worker, to give of… Read More ›
Annual Lenten Appeal for AIM
In a single ray of light Benedict saw the whole world! During Lent With a single act of generosity you can touch the whole world! By Contributing to the AIM Lenten Appeal Praying for Benedictine and Cistercians throughout the world Spreading the word about the work of AIM and the needs of our brothers and… Read More ›
The Observance of Lent: Rule of St. Benedict, Chapter 49
Although the life of a monk ought to have about it at all times the character of a Lenten observance, yet since few have the virtue for that, we therefore urge that during the actual days of Lent the brethren keep their lives most pure and at the same time wash away during these holy… Read More ›
We are the ones wounded
With what oil abounding was Christ anointed! From his bounty he poured oil into all our wounds! Yes, we are the wounded man who went down to Jericho, fell among brigands, was robbed, and wounded and left half dead. Too many passed by and there was not one to save his life. That great patriarch… Read More ›
Moral relativism paves way for Satanism
Rome, Italy, Apr 11, 2011 / 05:55 pm (CNA).- A society dominated by moral relativism “fosters the spread of Satanism,” an expert recently explained. Carlo Climati told CNA on April 5 that Satanism “destroys those universal values that are written in the hearts of each human being.” It creates “a society that is turned on… Read More ›
Lent
Lent can be a dreary time for me, Ash Wednesday, a day of inner cold and restless wandering, from one inner space to another. Bread and water, so hard for me to take, yet I do and try to pray, seeking to ignore the gnawing hunger . A time when my inner darkness becomes my… Read More ›
Reflecting on Lent
Tonight we are halfway through Lent. We have gone through twenty days and three Sundays. We have twenty days and three Sundays ahead. So it is a good moment to stop and look. What have we been doing with this Lent? Going back and listening to Benedict again: During these days, therefore, we will add… Read More ›
Reflecting on Lent
. . . we are halfway through Lent. We have gone through twenty days and three Sundays. We have twenty days and three Sundays ahead. So it is a good moment to stop and look. What have we been doing with this Lent? Going back and listening to Benedict again: During these days, therefore, we… Read More ›