Christina Delaney

Trees Bridging Seasons

Bare branches are a lovely sight (to some!) in cold dreary months: Their exposure allows us to see a tree’s foundational skeleton. Winter can be a time to focus inwardly: What are we truly made of? Look at our naked complexity! As baby green leaves emerge in early spring months, we see two seasons inContinue reading “Trees Bridging Seasons”

Tangled

The bush grows green at the tips of branches, While twisted vines lurk below. How do we see others? From what’s on top or Do we see the tangles that may snake underneath? I dare say: Some days gnarly notions arise, Surprising even me – how could I have such thoughts?! How do I stopContinue reading “Tangled”

Humble Roots

Spring brings bright colors to neighborhood yards! Daffodils appear to reflect the sun’s yellow cheer in clusters. I passed by a lone daffodil, which had pushed through unraked brown crispy autumn leaves. It had bloomed, but its head bent downward moreso than other flowers, as if it longed to crawl back through those leaves intoContinue reading “Humble Roots”

Tasteless Faith

My favorite local restaurant meal lately is a Caesar salad, topped with a bourbon sauce grilled salmon filet. Since the pandemic, I have sometimes ordered this delicious meal as a “carry out,” to enjoy at home. It never disappoints! After 3 years of avoiding Covid, I finally got hit with it! Feeling better after 6Continue reading “Tasteless Faith”

Leaf’s Heart

waiting for a gentle hand

Thirsty!

As I was in music rehearsal this morning before the 11:00 Mass, I observed a very sweet moment between a father and child. The 9:00 Mass was ongoing, and as often happens, a parent came out of the sanctuary with their restless child. I stood outside the parish library down the hall, with tambourine inContinue reading “Thirsty!”

FamilyTree

Yesterday morning, as I read the daily Scripture passages, memories of baking Christmas cookies with my mother came to mind. The genealogy of Jesus is recounted at the beginning of the Gospel according to Matthew: “Abraham became the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. Judah…theContinue reading “FamilyTree”

Heartbeat of God

I still myself enough, My cheek against the ancient tree, cut in half by lightning, then trimmed by machine’s saw. I hear the roots cry up to the large wide stump: “Listen!” Lo and behold: I feel the heartbeat of God. “I will keep growing.” Smaller branches sprout from the sides, Tiny heartbeats with newContinue reading “Heartbeat of God”

Leaves and Life Lessons

Stepping gingerly onto fallen leaves under a quiet colorful canopy in autumn, I feel that I belong, though it’s my first visit on this mountain, through these woods, on this path. Yet it’s home. The unending grandeur surrounding me beckons participation. “Come deeper, further into this story of existence,” I hear Christ’s invitation. Every rockContinue reading “Leaves and Life Lessons”

WISDOM WAVES

Standing at the ocean sand’s edge, never-ending waves of Wisdom rush toward me. My feet stay dry on the sand, as I observe, inwardly silent, listening to loud beach sounds of crashing waves and calling gulls. The vast ocean houses hidden life. I know that there are fish, creatures, dolphins, underwater plants, and debris inContinue reading “WISDOM WAVES”