While hearing Genesis 8: 1-12 proclaimed at Mass, I felt Noah’s gentle hand on my heart.Noah opened the hatch of the ark at the end of 40 days during the great flood. He firstreleased a raven that “flew back and forth until the waters dried off from the Earth.” It’sunclear if the raven stayed awayContinue reading “Noah, God and me”
Tag Archives: Peace
Snow prints
Snow prints. They can tell the story of who visited this place, and show the chosen path. I see that deer stepped onto a frozen pond, just as far as the snow-covered ice ended. Did they drink from the exposed water circle, before jumping to solid ground? I see a grass-exposed hillside. The white groundContinue reading “Snow prints”
Presence
“It is good to be here,” in the quiet, dimly lit chapel, following a well-attended Mass. A few people light votive candles, then kneel to pray. A young man, having just gone to Confession, re-enters the chapel to pray his penance. Two sets of dark wooden pews line the walls, facing one another, offering individualContinue reading “Presence”
Who’s There?
I have the Merlin Bird app on my cell phone, and use it often. Sitting on the screened-in porch, I listen to birds call in surrounding trees. When curious about an unrecognized song, I use the app to record and identify the kind of bird who sings so beautifully. I’ve come to be able toContinue reading “Who’s There?”
MORNING STILLNESS
I sit and listen to singing birds surrounding my gazebo. I sit and listen for God’s voice. My mind struggles to be still. I want to hear God’s voice! I want to see each bird I hear. I gaze ahead to the woods, beyond the screen, but I don’t see any calling birds. The geeseContinue reading “MORNING STILLNESS”
Gentle Greeting
Blue spruce, Surprisingly soft to touch, Greets me upon arrival for a peaceful weekend. I walk toward the retreat center with a lighter step, Having reached out to briefly hold a branch’s end. “I’ve been waiting for you!” it seemed to convey. Time to return home days later, Walking past this magnificent tree, I reachContinue reading “Gentle Greeting”
Stay Awake!
Drowsy from little sleep, I sit to pray before you, LORD. Can I stay awake for one hour of Adoration? I nod off a few times, wake, then close my heavy eyes again. Head nods, jerking me awake as my neck catches the sudden droop. Somehow, I feel deeply rested. I open my eyes, andContinue reading “Stay Awake!”
What convinces you?
In the Gospel according to St. Luke 5:1-11, Jesus wows Simon. He had just cured Simon’s mother in law the day before. Simon was out fishing all night, as Jesus tended to the people who flocked to him. Word was getting around that Jesus could cure, as he lay hands on them to heal. ThatContinue reading “What convinces you?”
Prayer Song
Sitting in a screen-enclosed gazebo on this early Saturday morning, Searching stillness. A Carolina wren sings to my left. An echo reply song to my right. Again. Back and forth they sing and respond, As God and us in prayer. At one point, their songs overlapped: The union of hearts, of song, of prayer, WhenContinue reading “Prayer Song”
Scrapbook Lessons
This week, as our country celebrates its birth, I’m digitally transcribing what I have written in scrapbooks, recorded over 50 years ago the “old fashioned way”: parts of the story of my life, from birth through college years. Remembering people in events and pictures, forming who I have become. We remember our country through stories,Continue reading “Scrapbook Lessons”
Pondering Christ 