Tag Archives: Suffering
God Uses Everything
Wounded Healers God Uses Everything Monday, September 14, 2020 Feast of the Triumph of the Cross The genius of Jesus’ ministry is that he embraces tragedy, suffering, pain, betrayal, and death itself to bring us to God. There are no dead ends. Everything can be transmuted, and everything can be used. Everything. It seems that everybody… Continue Reading God Uses Everything
Our Sacred Wounds
Wounded Healers Our Sacred Wounds Sunday, September 13, 2020 Ministry can indeed be a witness to the living truth that the wound, which causes us to suffer now, will be revealed to us later as the place where God intimated [God’s] new creation. —Henri J. M. Nouwen (1932–1996) Christianity, in its mature forms, keeps pushing us… Continue Reading Our Sacred Wounds
Going on the Full Journey
Order, Disorder, Reorder: Part Two Going on the Full Journey Friday, August 21, 2020 This journey from Order to Disorder must happen for all of us. It is not something just to be admired in Abraham and Sarah, Moses, Job, or Jesus. Our role is to listen and allow, and at least slightly cooperate with… Continue Reading Going on the Full Journey
It Must Happen to Us
Order, Disorder, Reorder: Part Two It Must Happen to Us Monday, August 17, 2020 Sooner or later, if we are on any classic “spiritual schedule,” some event, person, death, idea, or relationship will enter our lives that we simply cannot deal with using our present skill set, our acquired knowledge, or our strong willpower. It… Continue Reading It Must Happen to Us
Disorder: Stage Two of a Three-Part Journey
Order, Disorder, Reorder: Part Two Disorder: Stage Two of a Three-Part Journey Sunday, August 16, 2020 Last week’s Daily Meditations focused on Order as the first stage of healthy development. To continue growing, we must go through a period—or even many periods—of Disorder. The pattern of transformation involves at least some measure of suffering. Part… Continue Reading Disorder: Stage Two of a Three-Part Journey
The Wisdom of Job
Wisdom in Times of Crisis The Wisdom of Job Tuesday, July 7, 2020 Theology does not by itself provide wisdom in crisis. All theology must become a living spirituality to really change us or the world. It’s disappointing that we Christians have emphasized theology, catechism, and religious education much more than prayer and practice. The… Continue Reading The Wisdom of Job
Sustained in God’s Love
Wisdom in Times of Crisis Sustained in God’s Love Monday, July 6, 2020 In the light of eternity, we’re here for a very short time, really. We’re here for one thing, ultimately: to learn how to love, because God is love. Love is our origin, love is our ground, and love is our destiny. —James… Continue Reading Sustained in God’s Love
Dark Liminality
Liminal Space Dark Liminality Tuesday, April 28, 2020 When I am in that darkness, I do not remember anything about anything human. —Angela of Foligno (1248–1309) After working as a physician and bioethicist for decades, Living School alumna and chair of the CAC Board LaVera Crawley became a hospital chaplain and spiritual companion for patients… Continue Reading Dark Liminality
Courage in Times of Trouble
Teresa of Ávila and John of the Cross Courage in Times of Trouble Monday, April 20, 2020 Tessa Bielecki is a Christian hermit in the tradition of the Desert Mothers and Fathers. Co-founder of the Spiritual Life Institute, she was a Carmelite monk and Mother Abbess for almost 40 years, establishing experimental monastic communities of men… Continue Reading Courage in Times of Trouble