Tag Archives: joy
The Cosmos Reveal God’s Great Love
Living Inside God’s Great Story The Cosmos Reveal God’s Great Love Thursday, September 2, 2021 Brian McLaren grew up, as I did, in a very religious home, where “our story” was defined by strict religious obligations, with clear insiders and outsiders. However, a mystical experience in nature opened Brian up to God’s Great Story. He… Continue Reading The Cosmos Reveal God’s Great Love
God is Entirely Intimate
Mystical Marriage God is Entirely Intimate Wednesday, May 12, 2021 Lie down in the Fire See and taste the Flowing Godhead through thy being; Feel the Holy Spirit Moving and compelling Thee within the Flowing Fire and Light of God. —Mechthild of Magdeburg, The Flowing Light of the Godhead 6.29 Mechthild of Magdeburg (c. 1212–c.… Continue Reading God is Entirely Intimate
God as Friendship
Friendship and Grace God as Friendship Friday, April 16, 2021 As I was preparing for The Shape of God conference on the Trinity in 2004, I discovered the teachings of Richard of St. Victor (1110–1173), a medieval philosopher and theologian. For years, people had been telling me, “Richard, read Richard!” So I finally did, and… Continue Reading God as Friendship
Sacred Relationship
Friendship and Grace Sacred Relationship Monday, April 12, 2021 Depth psychologist and author David Benner has been a great source of wisdom and kindness for me over the years. He highlights how modern forms of friendship rarely become the life-giving relationships that our souls desire: The ancients viewed friendship as the crown of life, the… Continue Reading Sacred Relationship
A Sacred Sweetness
All Will Be Well A Sacred Sweetness Wednesday, April 7, 2021 Today, treat yourself to reading directly from Julian. I am using Mirabai Starr’s wonderful translation of Julian’s Showings, which is also aptly called Revelations of Divine Love. This is from her Long Text, chapter 52. God rejoices that he is our Father. God rejoices… Continue Reading A Sacred Sweetness
Incarnation: Weekly Summary
Incarnation Saturday, December 26, 2020 Summary: Sunday, December 20—Friday, December 25, 2020 We do the Gospel no favor when we make Jesus, the Eternal Christ, into a perpetual baby, who asks little or no adult response from us. (Sunday) Christianity’s true and unique story line has always been incarnation. That means that the spirit nature… Continue Reading Incarnation: Weekly Summary
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
Lesson One: My Yoke Is Easy and My Burden Is Light
Reality Initiating Us: Part Two Lesson One: My Yoke Is Easy and My Burden Is Light Monday, April 6, 2020 Life is hard, and yet Jesus says, “My yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28). It is hard to bear God—but it is even harder not to bear God. The pain one… Continue Reading Lesson One: My Yoke Is Easy and My Burden Is Light