March 5, 2024 “If I speak in the tongues of people or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.” The Apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 1) As I reflect on this quotation today, I think of this morning’s headlines. Wars across the world. Clang, clang, clang. PoliticsContinue reading "Lenten Day Twenty-one: The Apostle Paul"
Lenten Day Twenty: Jesus of Nazareth
March 4, 2024 “Take up your cross and follow me.” Jesus of Nazareth, Matthew 16:24 On this twentieth day of Lent, halfway through the Lenten season, this invitation from Jesus to his followers feels appropriate. I admit, though, that this quotation is not in my collection or stuck on anything anywhere in my house. ItContinue reading "Lenten Day Twenty: Jesus of Nazareth"
Third Lenten Sunday: Wendell Berry
March 3, 2024 Because Sundays are excluded from counting the Lenten days(even though I count them for this blog series so I can keep up with where I am), I offer this Sabbath poem by Wendell Berry and his reminder that “What we need is here.” Sabbath blessings ~ Rosemary The Wild Geese Horseback onContinue reading "Third Lenten Sunday: Wendell Berry"
Lenten Day Eighteen: Betsie ten Boom
March 2, 2024 “There is no pit so deep that God is not deeper still.” Betsie ten Boom This quotation by Betsie ten Boom may be the most meaningful of all my collection though I don't have it written on a notecard. Instead, it is inscribed in my memory and heart. Betsie, sister of theContinue reading "Lenten Day Eighteen: Betsie ten Boom"
Lenten Day Seventeen: Lectio 365 and Poem
March 1, 2024 "The desire to be like someone else is an impossible task, and not from God." From the prayer app, Lectio 365. Lectio 365 is one of two prayer apps that I use and recommend to others. The other is Pray as You Go. Both apps come out of Great Britain, so theContinue reading "Lenten Day Seventeen: Lectio 365 and Poem"
Lenten Day Sixteen: Pierre Teilhard de Chardin
February 29, 2024 “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.” Pierre Teilhard de Chardin One might be tempted to think of someone as an overachiever if he had been a Jesuit priest, scientist, paleontologist, theologian, philosopher and teacher. Such were the roles of French priestContinue reading "Lenten Day Sixteen: Pierre Teilhard de Chardin"
Lenten Day Fifteen: Persian Proverb
February 28, 2024 “This too shall pass.” Persian proverb On this 15th day of Lent, I remember my mother. Whenever I found myself in moments of illness, disappointment, frustration, discomfort, or worry, she would say, “This too shall pass.” I don’t think she ever said, “I’m sorry, that must be tough,” or even, “Get overContinue reading "Lenten Day Fifteen: Persian Proverb"
Lenten Day Fourteen: Simone Weil
February 27, 2024 “To be rooted is perhaps the most important and least recognized need of the human soul.” Simone Weil I keep the quotations that aren’t taped to my desk, mirror, or fridge in a decorative box with the words “Prayer Cards” embossed on top. Funny thing is that the box contained a littleContinue reading "Lenten Day Fourteen: Simone Weil"
Lenten Day Thirteen: Mary Oliver
February 26, 2024 It is a serious thing just to be aliveon this fresh morningin the broken world. ~ Mary Oliver On this thirteen day of Lent, I stop to ponder why these particular lines from Mary Oliver’s poem, “Invitation,” touched me so much that I jotted them down and stuck them on my mirror. Continue reading "Lenten Day Thirteen: Mary Oliver"
Lenten Sabbath Two: A Poem
February 25, 2024 On this second Sunday of Lent, I turn once again from meditating on a daily quotation to rest in the quiet of Sabbath with this poem. Dawn Prayer Let my prayer be the geesewhose honking risesin raucous praise;let it be the black-capped chickadee,chitting in the bare limbs of the hickory,the pin-points ofContinue reading "Lenten Sabbath Two: A Poem"
Spirit Reflections 