the sensation of life
‘Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.Matthew … Continue reading Spiritual direction at the end of the world (2)
But when he came to himself he said, “How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no … Continue reading But when he came to himself
This time of plague is a desolation for many: loss of work, loss of income, loss of health, loss of life; traumatic, dangerous front-line work; and decimated support services. Those of us not so endangered still suffer desolation. There is overwhelming uncertainty: where will we be next year, or next week!? How are we to live now? What is God’s call now? … Continue reading
Here is an extended version of last week's Review of the day. When I used it for my own prayer again, I felt rushed. This 'long' version is identical to the 'longer' version but I have inserted some extra time for reflection and journaling between the questions. I hope it is helpful. Examen (long) Examen … Continue reading Audio Prayer: Review of the day++
I have been asked to record an Examen. Here are two! They are the same shape, with one shorter for when you are tired or don’t have much time. You may wish to try the longer one first. Examen (Short) Examen (short)Download Examen (longer) Examen (longer)Download Some lucky people seem to know exactly what they … Continue reading Audio Prayer: Review of the day
…there is still somewhere deep within you a beast shouting that the earth is exactly what it wanted… Mary Oliver, Morning Poem ‘I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.’Luke 19.40 For beauty is nothing but the beginning of terror…Rainer Maria Rilke, First Duino Elegy (tr. Stephen Mitchell) Prayer often begins … Continue reading … and joy
There ain't no good thing ever dies I'm gonna take it with me when I go Tom Waits: Take It With Me I have often talked about 'repetition', as Ignatius of Loyola calls it, in these writings, e.g. "Where to start?", "The Kingdom of Heaven", and "Repetition". He invites us to revisit significant moments, "noting … Continue reading Audio Prayer: Revisiting a God moment
Christ is risen. Alleluia. This is my third offering of recorded prayer. It is a version from the post, “The only 3 prayers you need,” in which I suggested that presence, gratitude, and kindness comprise the three important prayers. This audio file is longer than the others. Here it is one complete recording. Presence - … Continue reading Audio Prayer: Presence, Gratitude, and Kindness
I have decided to start making some audio recordings of prayers, meditations, and reflective exercises. Sometimes, when I wake in the night, I wish there were some guided prayers I could listen to, to settle me, to connect me with God, to remind me that, beneath it all, all is well and I am safe. … Continue reading Audio Prayer: Simple opening to God’s presence
We are all meant to be mothers of God. What good is it to me if this eternal birth of the divine Son takes place unceasingly but does not take place within myself? And what good is it to me if Mary is full of grace if I am not also full of grace? What … Continue reading Annunciation