Epiphany is my word of the week.Epiphany - even the sounds of this word roll off the tongue in smooth, grace-filled manner.Epiphany. January 6 is when the church celebrates Epiphany, also called Theophany in the Eastern Churches, recognizing the visit of the Wise Men to the Christ child.The word "epiphany" also means to have a sudden understanding or insight. Reading about epiphany this year did open my eyes with a new understanding of this long time Christian observance. It also brought back memories of my 2006 trip to Germany.Epiphany is an ancient feast, dating to the 3rd century in the East. In the East, the Epiphany feast pre-dates the Christmas feast, although the West knew of the Nativity Feast before the Epiphany feast. Originally the Epiphany celebrated the Baptism of Christ. The Church in Jerusalem celebrated Christ's Nativity on January 6 until AD 549.The Epiphany feast was introduced in the Western Church by the 4th century, but the connection between the feast and … [Read more...]
Thomas Merton’s Prayer and Abraham’s Faith – Lectio Divina January, 3, 2010
By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. Hebrews 11: 8Even though He did not know where he was going.I feel that way most of the time, Lord. Moving all the time yet not knowing where I am going.Reminds me of Thomas Merton's Prayer:My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you and I hope that I have that desire in all that I am doing. And I know that if I do this, you will lead me by the right road although I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death, I will not fear, for you are ever with me and you will never leave me to face my … [Read more...]
New Years Reflections
I love the turning of the calendar for a new year. This year, 2010, is special in several ways.One it is a new decade (though I understand some don’t agree that the new decade begins now, I chose to believe so). My personality loves to plan, so my mind races with one year and ten year dreams.Second, on this new year’s eve a rare blue month will grace the sky. The last time a blue moon occurred at the end of the year was in 1990. The phrase “once in a blue moon” means a rare or unlikely event. Blue moons are really not anything superstitious; just means the second full month occurring within one month. I just think it is neat: like a symbol of a rare and outstanding new year approaching.If you want to read a great column about this, I invite you to check out what Suzette Standring wrote. By the way she has a great book on the Art of Column Writing.I am optimistic for the coming year. I honestly believe things will be better for our country and the world. I believe one person can make … [Read more...]
GOD THE GARDENER AND HIS SEED CATALOG
They begin arriving at the same time every year - crispy new, chock full of colorful photographs and spilling over with new ideas - the seed catalogs, booklets containing exciting hope-filled glimpses of the future.Gardening blossomed as a hobby for me the last few years. I am far from being an expert, but I do like to experiment with new plants. One of the best parts is the middle of the cold winter planning - what seeds to consider, new ways to cultivate and nourish the soil and how best to nurture what is already planted to it fullest bloom.Much like spiritual growth.This is a very special week - the end and beginning of a year and actually the end and beginning of a decade. I take time this week to put my hopes and dreams for 2010 down on paper. Where do I want to be at the end of the year as a writer, a speaker, a spiritual director, and a retreat leader? More importantly where is God leading me spiritually?Same as the gardening plans: What seeds is God inviting me to consider to … [Read more...]
Weekend Reflections on the Word of God – December 27, 2009
Lectio Divina - a holy reading of the Bible slowly, savoring it, and enjoying it with the Lord – is the spiritual practice of sacred reading of the scriptures. The intention is not to learn or gain information but to deepen our relationship with God. St Benedict encourages us to “to listen with the ear of our hearts.”Join me once a week for Lectio Divina. I will share a verse and a word that spoke to my heart. Read and listen to the verses here. And gently ask God for a word or phrase that speaks to your heart for that day – that is what lectio means. Once we find that gift, we hold it, meditate, and savor its meaning. This step is called meditation.Then offer that word back to God in prayer or the third step of oratio. In prayer we allow our real selves to be touched and changed by the word of God.Finally, we simply rest in the presence of the One who has used His word as a means of inviting us to accept His transforming embrace. No one who has ever been in love needs to be reminded … [Read more...]
Christmas Meditations
Love, Peace and Joy Coming Down at ChristmasAnd there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[a] the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." Luke 2: 9-14“Love came down on Christmas Day so many years ago and brought the greatest happiness the world would ever know. Peace came down on Christmas Day to fill the hearts of men with all the sweet tranquility each Christmas brings again. Joy came down on Christmas Day as … [Read more...]
A Christmas Prayer by Robert Louis Stevenson
Most of the time when I pray I say my own words, but find slowly reciting what others have written often opens my eyes to see in new ways. May these words bring light to your Christmas season and joy to your heart.Loving God, Help us remember the birth of Jesus, that we may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and worship of the wise men.Close the door of hateand open the door of love all over the world. Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting. Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings,and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.May the Christmas morning make us happy to be thy children,and Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus' sake. Amen.-- Robert Louis Stevenson … [Read more...]
Gabriel’s Surprise Visit to Mary
In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." "How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?" The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called[c] the Son of God. Even Elizabeth … [Read more...]