Tag Archives: desire
Freedom to Choose Life and Love
Spirituality and Addiction Freedom to Choose Life and Love Wednesday, November 17, 2021 Author and psychotherapist Gerald May (1940–2005) was a friend and early mentor of Father Richard. In this passage, May explores how addiction keeps us from living with the full love and freedom for which we were created: It seems to me that… Continue Reading Freedom to Choose Life and Love
Made in the Divine Image
Original Goodness Made in the Divine Image Wednesday, October 27, 2021 Father Richard views religion’s purpose as reminding us of who we truly are: The essential work of religion is to help us recognize and recover the divine image in ourselves and everything else too. Whatever we call it, this ‘image of God’ is absolute… Continue Reading Made in the Divine Image
Lost in the Secret of God’s Face
Living in God’s Great Story Lost in the Secret of God’s Face Wednesday, September 1, 2021 In an episode of his podcast Turning to the Mystics, James Finley shares how he first encountered the work of Thomas Merton (1915–1968) and how it changed the course of his life. He says: When I was at home… Continue Reading Lost in the Secret of God’s Face
Grace Fills in the Gaps
Everybody Grieves Grace Fills in the Gaps Friday, August 6, 2021 To experience grace is one thing; to integrate it into your life is quite another. —Christian Wiman, My Bright Abyss The following three paragraphs came to me clearly in a very short time while I was walking along the Pacific Ocean during my Lenten… Continue Reading Grace Fills in the Gaps
Doorways to Christian Contemplation: Weekly Summary
Doorways to Christian Contemplation Saturday, July 17, 2021 Week Twenty-Eight Summary and Practice Sunday, July 11—Friday, July 16, 2021 Sunday The diverse methods of contemplation are the many varied, fruitful, and life-giving practices and ways of praying that are nourished from the same root—the Sacred Presence. Monday Jesus said, “Judge not and you shall not… Continue Reading Doorways to Christian Contemplation: Weekly Summary
Incarnational, Queer Love
The Holiness of Human Sexuality Incarnational, Queer Love Wednesday, June 9, 2021 Presbyterian minister Mihee Kim-Kort came to identify as queer [1] after she was ordained, married, and a mother. Once considered a pejorative, “queer” has been reclaimed by some LGBTQ people to describe themselves—and it reflects many attributes of a Christian incarnational view of… Continue Reading Incarnational, Queer Love
Biblical Erotic Poetry
The Holiness of Human Sexuality Biblical Erotic Poetry Tuesday, June 8, 2021 Early Jewish scholars and Christian church fathers each debated whether the Song of Songs should be included in the Scriptures. We can understand why, because by any definition, it’s erotic poetry from beginning to end, while also surely a metaphor for God’s passionate… Continue Reading Biblical Erotic Poetry
A Sexual Morality Based on Love
The Holiness of Human Sexuality A Sexual Morality Based on Love Monday, June 7, 2021 In the area of sexuality, we all seem to have our sacrosanct areas that cannot be touched. Liberals will find some way to say that it is always good, and conservatives are determined to enforce rules and regulations. Both seem… Continue Reading A Sexual Morality Based on Love
Overcoming the Gap
The Holiness of Human Sexuality Overcoming the Gap Sunday, June 6, 2021 Incarnation is the overcoming of the gap between God and everything visible and concrete. It is the synthesis of matter and spirit. Without incarnation, God remains separate from us and from creation. Because of incarnation, we can say, “God is with us!” In… Continue Reading Overcoming the Gap
Spousal Prayer
Mystical Marriage Spousal Prayer Thursday, May 13, 2021 The soul who deeply desires to remain in Christ’s holy company, and is sincerely grateful for the intimacy with him that is possible, and finds herself truly in love with this Lord who does so much for us—is the soul whom I consider to be most evolved.… Continue Reading Spousal Prayer