Instructions to the Monastic or the Pilgrim
A poem by Nicholas Samaras
Enter this room and call it a cell.
Fold yourself and put yourself away.
For your whole life, you will be an amateur.
But be an amateur striving.
Enter this room and call it vigilance.
Make your ego the threadbare rug you walk on.
Read MoreAn image, a metaphor, is a powerful tool to understand life and theology. For many years I had the wrong image in mind of what Jesus meant by “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me.” As I read and visualized this passage I could feel Jesus’ compassion in his words, but could not understand why he wanted me to take his yoke, and why it was going to be easy.
Read More“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” In Matthew 27:46 we hear Jesus on the cross say in Aramaic and Hebrew “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” How is it possible the the Son of God, knowing that He is fulfilling His Father’s plan, felt such despair? This is shocking.
Read MoreWhen we do the sign of the cross we are putting ourselves in the presence of God and are asking for His spiritual and physical protection. Yet, this simple prayer has a much more profound meaning.
Read MoreWhat we would like to do is change the world--make it a little simpler for people to feed, clothe, and shelter themselves as God intended them to do. And, by fighting for better conditions, by crying out unceasingly for the rights of the workers, the poor, of the destitute--the rights of the worthy and the unworthy poor, in other words--we can, to a certain extent, change the world; we can work for the oasis, the little cell of joy and peace in a harried world.
We can throw our pebble in the pond and be confident that its ever widening circle will reach around the world. We repeat, there is nothing we can do but love, and, dear God, please enlarge our hearts to love each other, to love our neighbor, to love our enemy as our friend. ~Dorothy DayRead More
With Ash Wednesday we begin the beautiful and important liturgical season of Lent. Even though Advent is such a happy season, full of light and joy, I actually prefer Lent. Perhaps because there are so many other distractions during Advent with parties, Christmas cards, gifts, special meals, etc. I like the simplicity of Lent, the reminder to repent, and the exhortation to imitate Jesus Christ. I appreciate the silence and self-reflection of the next 40 days. While our focus tends to be on what we are going to sacrifice, the real question needs to be what we need to change in our lives to become more holy, more Christ-like. Here are 7 things we should know about Lent.
Read MoreMerciful and loving Father, we beseech you, open our hearts so that we may provide hospitality and refuge to migrants who are lonely, afraid, and far from their homes.
Give us the courage to welcome every stranger as Christ in our midst...
Read More
We all crave happiness. It is a desire that God has placed in our hearts to draw us to Him, the true source of perfect and eternal happiness. But we get confused and try to fill this craving with wealth, power, pleasure, and honor. When Jesus saw the crowds He went up to the mountain and taught them how to achieve happiness, in fact, utmost bliss.
Read More“But there will be no gloom for those who were in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness— on them light has shined.” Isaiah 9:1-2. How does this passage from the 8th century B.C prophet helps us deal with a state of darkness, whether personal or societal? How do we reach a state of light and hope?
Read MoreThis week the Catholic Church celebrated the Feast of Corpus Christi, also known as the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. In this feast we celebrate the wonderful gift of Jesus’ real presence in the Eucharist. We honor His body, blood, soul, and divinity truly and substantially present in the Eucharist. After mass we had a meaningful Eucharistic Procession around the church.
Read MoreA Gospel reflection studying two passages where Jesus asks us to have an intimate relationship with Him, and then to bear fruits by expressing our love through faith
Read MoreYesterday I heard a radio program about Guardian Angels and today I read a July 15, 1913 letter from Padre Pio to Annita Rodote, to whom he gave spiritual direction. In the letter he gives her wonderful advice about her relationship with her Guardian Angel.
Read MoreThe story of "The walk to Emmaus" (Luke 24:13-35) is jam-packed with lessons to help us better live our lives as Christians. Through these words we learn about humility, spiritual awareness, and hope.
Read MoreWhat did Jesus look like after the Resurrection? Why is he hard to recognize? Was he physical or spiritual in appearance?
Read MoreThere are Bible passages that we read often and we may become used to them. This could be the case with the passages associated with the passion and crucifixion of Christ, as at a minimum, we read them once a year and there are countless movies and paintings about them. It is helpful to “see” the scenes from a different perspective every now and then.
Read MoreEvery week we may experience actions from others that may offend or hurt us. This could be as simple as another person cutting us off or a person saying something condescending. Often we are ready to forgive them after a few hours or a day, but there are times when the actions against us are extremely hurtful and forgiving is equally difficult. What then? Here are some steps we can take in the forgiveness process.
Read MoreThe transfiguration is one of my favorite scenes of the Gospels. In fact, I meditate on it and on Jesus’ manifested glory every week as a means to help me become closer to God and increase the virtue of Hope. As soon as Jesus asked Peter, John, and James to the mountain you knew something big was about to happen. After all, Moses received the Law on Mount Sinai, Jesus chose the 12 apostles on a mountain top, and He delivered the powerful Beatitudes sermon on a mount by the Sea of Galilee. God had revealed Himself on a mountain before and He was about to do it again.
Read MoreA prayer and act of consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Read MoreA prayer and act of consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Read MoreThis blog explores our spiritual growth, our journey seeking holiness in every day life.
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