Some fifteen or so years ago, I was fortunate to travel to the island of Lefkada, off the mainland of Greece, with a group of good friends. Lefkada, then, was still a mostly rural part of Greece where the village women wore black shawls and carried firewood on the backs of donkeys and the menContinue reading "Miltose and the Light"
Communal Light
An old, old story goes like this: Once upon a time, a young king desired to build the biggest, most magnificent, cathedral in all of Europe. He spared no cost in workmanship and in construction, and people came from far and near to watch the progress. Gold, marble, frescoes, mosaics, silver, the finest woods—all ofContinue reading "Communal Light"
The Vespers and a Poem for Advent
Many of us are familiar with the Advent hymn, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, composed as we know it in 1861 but with roots sunk as far back as the Roman Catholic monastic life of the 8th century. Not as many of us are familiar with the ancient O Antiphons, on which the hymn isContinue reading "The Vespers and a Poem for Advent"
Star Gazing during the Winter Solstice
Today is December 21, the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year with the longest night. It is also the occasion of a much-anticipated planetary event, the conjunction of two of the largest planets, Jupiter and Saturn, so low in the sky that they will look like one huge star, an event that hasn’tContinue reading "Star Gazing during the Winter Solstice"
Winter Lament
Faith traditions across the United States, perhaps across the world, are offering a special service this time of year as the longest night, December 21, approaches. These services are often called “The Longest Night” or “Blue Christmas,” and their intention is to recognize, not shy away from or deny, the pain, grief, and loneliness thatContinue reading "Winter Lament"
The Art of Waiting
The year of 2020 will no doubt go down in history with many different names, none very complimentary, but if I could name it, I’d call it “The Year of Waiting.” We have all waited to see how a pandemic would unfold, having never experienced one before. We have waited, and are waiting, to beContinue reading "The Art of Waiting"
Soul Song
Ancient guides, ancient paths, ancient stories. Winter seasons throughout the beginning of time have drawn humanity to seek solace in these places, to discern wisdom in the darkness of shadows. I have always found it to be Truth that when I am on a journey through the shadows, the Spirit somehow knows what I needContinue reading "Soul Song"
Loneliness at Christmas
Speaking for myself, two of the loneliest moments in my life occur annually: when I put the Christmas tree up and when I take the Christmas tree down. It wasn’t always that way, not when I had our two children in the house. We had a regular method of getting the tree ready: my husbandContinue reading "Loneliness at Christmas"
Keeping Hope in Hopeless Times
A neighbor in an adjoining subdivision to ours is Jewish. At least that is my supposition since the family keeps an 8’ metal menorah cemented to the ground in their front yard year-round. We pass this house when we head to town, and I’ve come to call it "The Menorah House." I am moved byContinue reading "Keeping Hope in Hopeless Times"
The Power of Stillness
In this sometimes bittersweet season, where joy can be so elusive because of all the activity, anxiety, and noise which surround us, I turn in this journey to the Light to the wisdom of a current guide, Brother David Steindl-Rast, an American monk born in 1926 who still is leading us forward. What draws meContinue reading "The Power of Stillness"
Spirit Reflections 