Tag Archives: poetry
The Devastation of Grief
Everybody Grieves The Devastation of Grief Monday, August 2, 2021 In the Hebrew Scriptures, we find Job moving through Elisabeth Kübler-Ross’s well-known stages of grief and dying: denial, anger, bargaining, resignation, and acceptance. The first seven days of Job’s time on the “dung heap” of pain are spent in silence, the immediate response matching the… Continue Reading The Devastation of Grief
Transformed in the Beloved
Mystical Marriage Transformed in the Beloved Friday, May 14, 2021 The infinite love that is the architect of our hearts has made our hearts in such a way that nothing less than an infinite union with infinite love will do. It’s the setup in the beginning. . . . That infinite love creates you as… Continue Reading Transformed in the Beloved
Trauma and Silence
Trauma and Healing Trauma and Silence Thursday, May 6, 2021 Today I share a contemplative poem from CAC friend and writer Felicia Murrell. Felicia’s words combine a deep awareness of God’s presence while clearly naming the collective trauma of police brutality and lynchings. It is worth remembering, as Black liberation theologian James Cone (1938–2018) points… Continue Reading Trauma and Silence
Love and Friendship
Friendship and Grace Love and Friendship Sunday, April 11, 2021 When you looked at me your eyes imprinted your grace in me; for this you loved me ardently; and thus my eyes deserved to adore what they beheld in you. . . . Let us go forth to behold ourselves in your beauty. —John of… Continue Reading Love and Friendship
Prophets as Poets
Prophetic Imagination Prophets as Poets Wednesday, March 24, 2021 One of the great scholars of the Jewish scriptures was Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel (1907–1972). In his in-depth study of the Hebrew prophets, he included this description of the prophets which is really rather surprising. We often think of prophets as scolds, rather judgmental and cranky,… Continue Reading Prophets as Poets
The Way of Unknowing
Unknowing The Way of Unknowing Friday, February 5, 2021 Descriptions of the “dark night of the soul” from the Spanish mystic John of the Cross (1542–1591) have become the marker by which many Christians measure their own experience of unknowing. He fits an entire life spent exploring God’s mystery into memorable poetry, and even dares… Continue Reading The Way of Unknowing
Christ Born in Us
Incarnation Christ Born in Us Friday, December 25, 2020 Christmas Day What I have seen is the totality recapitulated as one, received not in essence but by participation. Just as if you lit a flame from a flame, it is the whole flame you receive. —Symeon the New Theologian Symeon the New Theologian (949‒1022) was… Continue Reading Christ Born in Us
Everything Matters
Thomas Keating: The Secret Embrace, Part Two Everything Matters Thursday, October 29, 2020 Only the Divine matters, And because the Divine matters, Everything matters. … Continue Reading Everything Matters
An Interspiritual Guide
Thomas Keating: The Secret Embrace, Part Two An Interspiritual Guide Wednesday, October 28, 2020 Our true nature is stillness, The Source from which we come. . . . . The deep listening of pure contemplation Is the path to stillness. All words disappear into It, And all creation awakens to the delight of Just Being.… Continue Reading An Interspiritual Guide