Tag: mercy
A man with a problem and a gun
When I was guest master for a short time from late 1990 to early 1992 I had some interesting experiences with different types of visitors. The vast majorities were of course no problem, from different religious traditions and here seeking quiet and a time to reflect….or simply sleep. One early Monday morning, a man walked… Read More ›
The meeting of a wise gentle man
I had a doctor’s appointment yesterday. As I was sitting in the office reading, a man walked in, I guess he was a little younger than me, but in his 60’s. He seemed weary and brought in with him a cup of coffee. After a while we started talking to pass the time, for the… Read More ›
All that is poor deserves mercy
[The] self is not by nature evil, and the fact that it is unsubstantial is not to be imputed to it as some kind of crime. It is afflicted with metaphysical poverty: but all that is poor deserves mercy. So too our outward self: as long as it does not isolate itself in a lie,… Read More ›
Time for mercy, but deep mercy
It is a time for mercy, no question about that. It’s the “Year of Mercy,” so proclaimed by the Pope. Holy Doors of Mercy have been opened ceremoniously in dozens of important basilicas, shrines, and cathedrals around the world [here’s a list]. This Pope will be known as the “Pope of Mercy” — feeding and… Read More ›
A man serving three life sentences
Years ago my friend Marco asked me to accompany him to Federal Prison to talk to prisoners. I was nervous about it not knowing what to expect, but I found out that I felt very much at home with the men I talked to. Not sure what that says about me, but the men who… Read More ›
A man who broke through
(About the 5th step) Admitted to God, to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs 5th step We are having a 12th step group this weekend. It is called the ‘Serenity Retreat’ and the group has been coming since 1973. There are few old timers still around. As time went… Read More ›
Stories
(Written 10/30/14) Callistus is a very gifted man. He loves people and they love him back. He is very good with groups and he has enriched the community by his presence here and his creative approach to how we relate to the community around us. Yesterday he called me while here in the retreat house… Read More ›
Prayer and self knowledge
Self-knowledge does not always bring with it understanding. We can know something about ourselves, even the root of the issue, yet still not know what to do about it, if anything, to get rid of it. Prayer when thought about by many people, think about if it really works or not. If prayers or answered… Read More ›
Tit for tat
I often wonder what it would be like if I finally got it? If I understood what for many, is nonsense, absurd, even immoral if acted upon. Lives can often be weighed down by the sense of wrongs done, or injustices done to oneself. How to handle such a thing? The feelings; the angst, anger… Read More ›
Love, mercy, life and beginning again
The present moment is an important concept for those on the spiritual path, no matter what tradition is being followed. For it is in the moment that we are in touch with ‘now’ not worrying about the future or obsessing over the past. The concept of ‘mercy’ is also important, for it means that we… Read More ›