Tag Archives: grief
Vulnerability: A Divine Condition
Everybody Grieves Vulnerability: A Divine Condition Sunday, August 1, 2021 We live in a finite world where everything is dying, shedding its strength. This is hard to accept, and all our lives we look for exceptions to it. We look for something certain, strong, undying, and infinite. Religion tells us that the “something” for which… Continue Reading Vulnerability: A Divine Condition
Jesus’ Upside-Down World
The Sermon on the Mount Jesus’ Upside-Down World Monday, July 19, 2021 What is called the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew’s Gospel (5:1–7:29) is called the Sermon on the Plain in Luke’s Gospel (6:20–49). What we call in Matthew the Eight Beatitudes, we call in Luke the Blessings and Woes (four of each). Today… Continue Reading Jesus’ Upside-Down World
Gazing on the Crucified Jesus
Trauma and Healing Gazing on the Crucified Jesus Friday, May 7, 2021 Those who “gaze upon” the crucified Jesus (John 19:37) long enough—with contemplative eyes—are always healed at deep levels of pain, unforgiveness, aggression, and victimhood. It demands no theological education at all, just an “inner exchange” by receiving the image within and offering one’s… Continue Reading Gazing on the Crucified Jesus
Grieving the Trees
The Contemplative Call to Nature Grieving the Trees Tuesday, April 20, 2021 Love and grief go hand in hand. Sometimes it is the deep grief we feel during loss that awakens us to the depth and sincerity of our love. As we witness the many ways the earth has been exploited and damaged beyond repair… Continue Reading Grieving the Trees
Joy and Sadness: A Lesson from Merton’s Hermitage
Thomas Merton: Contemplation and Action Joy and Sadness: A Lesson from Merton’s Hermitage Sunday, November 22, 2020 In 1985 my Franciscan “guardians” (as Francis called our superiors) gave me a year’s leave to spend in contemplation. It was a major turning point in my life, and ultimately led to the formation of the Center for… Continue Reading Joy and Sadness: A Lesson from Merton’s Hermitage
The Presence of Spirit
Liminal Space The Presence of Spirit Monday, April 27, 2020 Many things can bring us to the “threshold” of our ordinary ways of thinking and behaving, but even good rituals are merely “stand-ins” until Reality itself, often in the form of great love or great suffering, steps in and changes us forever. My friend Paula… Continue Reading The Presence of Spirit
The Abyss of Grief
Death and Resurrection: Week 2 The Abyss of Grief Monday, November 19, 2018 My friend and brilliant translator of many mystics, Mirabai Starr, who lives nearby in Taos, New Mexico, has encountered numerous deaths and losses, each cultivating in her a deeper spiritual practice and longing for God. But the death of her fourteen-year-old daughter,… Continue Reading The Abyss of Grief
Blessed Are Those Who Mourn
Sermon on the Mount: Week 1 Blessed Are Those Who Mourn Thursday, February 1, 2018 Blessed are those who mourn: they shall be comforted. —Matthew 5:4 Tears are therapeutic and healing, both emotionally and physically. Crying helps the body shed stress hormones and stimulates endorphins. Weeping is a natural and essential part of being human.… Continue Reading Blessed Are Those Who Mourn