You Alone – Prayer of the Week – Thomas Merton

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Give me the strength that waits upon you in silence and peace. Give me humility in which alone is rest, and deliver me from pride which is the heaviest of burdens. Possess my whole heart and soul with the simplicity of love. Occupy my whole life with the one thought and the one desire of love, that I may love not for the sake of merit, not for the sake of perfection, not for the sake of virtue, not for the sake of sanctity, but for You alone.   Thomas Merton … [Read more...]

One Word for 2014

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    For the last few years I have focused on one word as a theme for each year. This is a phenomenon that many other people do, so not an original idea with me. And to be honest, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. One word is simple in a noisy world that is murky and complicated. One word grounds me and guides me back to God. Last year the word - Stretch - chose me. I am not one to remember my dreams but this word crept entered barged into my sleep one night and made itself at home within my heart. Stretch has been a good word for me this past year and described many of the adventures God offered me. And now let us welcome the New Year 'Full of things that nave never been. Rainer Maria Rilke   What will 2014 hold for me? I love this time of year. I take out my journal and review the past year. I write down a summary. Then I prayfully ask God to lead me into thinking where he might want me to grow in the New Year. Choosing a word … [Read more...]

The Second Day of Christmas – Boxing Day

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  Christmas isn't over yet. Many traditions celebrate the 12 days of Christmas (from the 25th to Epiphany on Jan. 6) with today being number two. Some people call this day Boxing Day. December 26 doesn't get its due other than the madness of after Christmas sales. In some countries this day is St Stephen's Day but many more people celebrate Boxing Day.  This tradition started as the day after Christmas was when servants and trades people received their gifts from their bosses called the Christmas box. The term, Boxing Day, has existed since the Middle Ages though no one knows for sure who it began.  One theory is that is referred to the Alms Box found in church to collect money to help the poor. One tale implies Boxing Day began with Good King Wenceslas. Remember that carol? Here are the first and last verses: Good King Wenceslas looked out
 On the feast of Stephen
 When the snow lay round about
 Deep and crisp and even
 Brightly shone the moon that … [Read more...]

What are Antiphons? – An Advent Tradition

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"It's time for the O's!" "I love the O's. They really get me ready for Christmas." "Oh, what are you two talking about?" I asked my friends. Not only did I hear the answer, but I learned a new Advent tradition. The O's they were referring to are the Antiphons or sometimes spelled O'Antiphones. These are seven prayers chanted in the evening the seven days before Christmas. Actually the Antiphons ritual begins December 17 until December 23. Their strange name, Antiphons, originates from the Greek language meaning responsive singing. What is special about these sentences is that each one is a title for the coming Messiah.  They are, O Sapientia (O Wisdom), O Adonai (O Lord), O Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse), O Clavis David (O Key of David), O Oriens (O Rising Sun), O Rex Gentium (O King of the Nations), and O Emmanuel. Each one refers to the prophecy of Isaiah of the coming of the Messiah. The Seven Antiphons December 17 
"O Wisdom, proceeding from the mouth of the Most … [Read more...]

Note to Readers

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Dear Friends,I won't be posting here the week of May 9 as I am helping a dear friend through some difficult health issues.Thank you for your understanding and hopefully I will "see" you next week.Jeanie … [Read more...]

New and Improved!

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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Springtime is the perfect time to spout a new and improved blog. I began this blog several weeks ago and have been posting about once a week. Next week I am increasing my entries to twice a week with the long term goal of expanding even more. One post (I am aiming for Tuesdays) will be on spiritual health and the second post will feature books and resources that feed the soul. (Friday) I am grateful for you reading my words and hopefully the expansion will glorify God and lead us all closer to Him. Here are some thoughts for you to inspire your new and improved spirituality and to thank you for reading my words: May God bless your journey now and into the unknown new and improved future. … [Read more...]