Where do you find spiritual wisdom? I am a Jimmy Stewart fan. My favorite movie of all times is “It’s a Wonderful Life!” But another much loved one is Harvey. Harvey is a great black and white movie classic. Elwood P. Dowd’s best friend is a six-foot, three and half inch invisible white rabbit who accompanies him throughout his day helping him. It doesn’t take you long to fall in love with Elwood’s charming innocence. The movie also has some great spiritual lessons too: Spiritual Wisdom from Harvey Ponder these delightful quotes from Elwood: “Well, I’ve wrestled with reality for thirty-five years, Doctor, and I’m happy to state I finally won out over it.” “In this world, you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant. Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant.” “I always have a wonderful time, wherever I am, whoever I’m with.” “Harvey and I warm ourselves in these golden moments. We came as strangers - soon we have friends. They come over. They … [Read more...]
My Conditional Love and God’s Unconditional Love
A few years ago, as part of my work in spiritual formation, I helped to facilitate the education of a small group of people called to be spiritual directors. One book we used for discussion was Gerald May’s book Will and Spirit. This book fed my soul and mind in numerous ways, but one section in particular resonated in my heart concerning God's unconditional love. Understanding/Misunderstanding Unconditional Love Buried in the middle of May’s chapter on love, he lists ways we get confused about our understanding of love. One obstacle May writes is “expecting unconditional love from human beings” and the second one: “expecting conditional love from God.” Suddenly upon hearing those phrases, though among many, I sat alone with God. What does this mean, Lord? Why did those phrases so deeply touch my spirit? Expecting unconditional love from human beings will set us up for failure, anger, bitterness and discouragement. We just can’t do it as humans, yet I … [Read more...]
Holy Holy Holy
The hymn, Holy, Holy, Holy grabbed my attention this week, Last Sunday I led the liturgy and shared the children’s sermon. As the service began, to be honest I was preoccupied. If God called to me, He would have gotten a busy signal. “Sorry the party you are trying to reach is unavailable." Not quite the way to enter worship, is it? But then we sang. Our opening song was the traditional hymn, Holy, Holy, Holy.I was fiddling with the wireless mic, so just mouthed the first set of lyrics. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee; Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty! God in three Persons, blessèd Trinity! Second verse same as the first (yes Herman Hermits fans - some of you will understand that little joke) Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee, Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea; Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee, Who was, and is, and evermore shall be. The … [Read more...]
Do you know Julian of Norwich?
I posted a quote by Julian of Norwich a few weeks ago and several readers commented that they didn’t know her or much about her. I have invited her here today so we could get to know her better. One odd thing about Julian is that we really don’t know her name for sure. What we know about her is gleaned from her book, “Sixteen Revelations of Divine Love,” the first book written in English by a woman. She is referred to by the name of Dame Julian by Margery Kempe referring to the church, St. Julian’s in Norwich. She was born in 1342 during the time of the Black Death and lived until 1412. This was a very unpleasant age to live in England. The black death or plague led to very bad social conditions and the oppression of the poor. There was a shortage of labor, high taxes and bad harvests, prices were soaring and unrest. When she was thirty years old, she became gravely ill and most thought she would die. But on the seventh day the medical crisis passed and she saw a series of … [Read more...]
Two Days with a Master Teacher – Richard Rohr
A few weeks ago we visited New Mexico with wonderful lifelong friends. Yes of course we did all the fun tourist activities: toured old sections of Albuquerque and Santa Fe, road on Route 66, learned much about our Native Americans, and even this height fearing writer road up the tram to the 10,000 Sandia Peak. One highlight was wonderful lunch at Tim’s Place, theworld’s friendliest restaurant. They serve breakfast, lunch and hugs. Maybe you saw Tim featured on CBS. Attending a two-day conference by Richard Rohr (You can read a short bio on him here) was easily another highlight. This Franciscan priesteloquently expresses Christian spirituality that drives us deeper and wanting more. Rohr has written numerous books. Perhaps my favorite is Everything Belongs but his newest one Immortal Diamond, The Search for our True Self is another great one. I find I read Rohr with a highlighter and my journal near by. Often I sit for a while with just one of his sentences or … [Read more...]
The Gift of Disease
Ever consider the gift of disease? I have a good friend who has a slow growing cancer that will eventually be his cause of death. I enjoy listening to him as he tells me he is discovering unexpected gifts while traveling with this uninvited illness. He didn’t at first feel that way. At the beginning he was angry, then depressed. One day he said, he just sat there and felt like he was holding his cancer wrapped up as a present. He faced the gift of disease. That day his eyes and heart were open to all that this path in life taught him. He appreciates the small things. He enjoys the present moments. He smiles more. He listens deeply to family and friends. He experiences God in new ways. Being a nurse, most of my life I fought against disease. Even as I helped people at the end of life, I held onto quite of bit of resentment at the powerlessness of the situation. I never thought of disease as a gift. So join me in a little diversion today. Fire up your … [Read more...]
Springtime Squatters
We traveled last week and discovered with joy New Mexico. What a wonderful trip. Returning home to the crazy routines of daily life, we soon realized that uninvited squatters had taken over our backyard. Yes two robins built a nest in the short time we were gone, claiming the top ledge of the outside speakers for our music. I am sure they thought this was a quiet place with no visitors since there wasn’t any movement in the house for a week. Their twiggy nursery is located near my office window. Mrs. Robin keeps an eye on me but if I linger by the window too long watching her, she flies off to the nearby fence. I fretted that my activity would scare her from keeping those blue eggs warm, so slowly pass that window without sudden movements. I am pretty certain she thinks we are the squatters. We’ve decided to keep the music off so the noise doesn’t startle the little ones. I smile, as I know it won’t be long until I will see them feeding the babies and all too soon … [Read more...]
Sitting is my Only Option
I’m asking God for one thing, only one thing: To live with him in his house my whole life long. I’ll contemplate his beauty; I’ll study at his feet. Psalm 27:4 (The Message) His feet. Mary sat at Jesus’ feet. After her brother Lazarus died, she “came to where Jesus was waiting and fell at his feet.” (John 11: 32) Mary sat at Jesus’ feet while Martha fussed getting things ready. Jesus said Mary chose the better part. (Luke 10) Mary anointed Jesus’ feet in preparation for the passover, His Passover. (John 12) These verses called to me on my silent retreat this year. The invitation was clear to me: I was to sit at Jesus’ feet. I couldn’t deny it, so I literally sat on the floor off and on during that weekend. Now I am not as young as I used to be. I sat on pillows, leaned on cushions, and rested against the side of the bed. I dragged a chair over to place in front on me, imagining … [Read more...]