While at Mass the other day, one of my friends, Chris, was the lector. The priest and deacon were seated, and the 3rd chair next to Fr. Mike was vacant. After he finished reading, Chris headed to a seat, behind the 3 chairs where the priest and deacon were. Fr. Mike stopped Chris, patted theContinue reading “Be Seated”
Tag Archives: spirituality
Gazebo Prelude
“My” gazebo. 6:30 AM I’ve never been here this early, Waking with the birds’ morning praises. I listen. No Merlin app to tell me whose song. The Robin dominates – is she a morning person? A dove “coo coos” under a tree. Blue Jay calls from afar (when will he draw near?). A chipping sparrow,Continue reading “Gazebo Prelude”
Noah, God and me
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”
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”
HOPE
A trace of last night’s snow covered some of the ground, with tips of grass peeking through. Our first snowfall in over a year! The sun was out, and had melted most of the little white dusting. Two excited young brothers across the street were bundled up against the winter wind, swaying the barren trees.Continue reading “HOPE”
When Hearth Hits Home
Sitting near a beautiful large stone fireplace in a Franciscan Friary, I imagine its use in years past, heating the large high-ceilinged gathering space. Now it serves as decor. No more wood in its belly, presently filled with artificial green ferns. What a beautiful, stately hearth! The room is currently warmed by wall heaters, underContinue reading “When Hearth Hits Home”
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”
SO WE WILL BELIEVE
You did it for me. You raised Lazarus “So that all who see will believe” That You are the Christ, The Resurrection and the Life. I wasn’t there, But You did it for me, So that I would believe that You are the Christ, The Resurrection and the Life. Straight into my adult years, WithContinue reading “SO WE WILL BELIEVE”
Pondering Christ 