Tag Archives: spirituality

The Meaning of Joy in Advent

In the Christian tradition, the focus or theme of the third week of the four-week season of Advent is joy.  In this dark time of year, in a “holiday” season that for many of us will be different from what it has ever been before, where do we find joy?  If this is our firstContinueContinue reading “The Meaning of Joy in Advent”

Loss of a Mother in December

Today marks the sixth anniversary of my mother’s death.  Catherine H. Rice, as she always called herself, was 94 when she died due to complications from Parkinson’s and dementia.  Her illness was what a friend accurately called “the long goodbye” as this woman who was once the matriarch and centerpiece of the house slowly gaveContinueContinue reading “Loss of a Mother in December”

Sky Lights

If the stars should appear one night in a thousand years, how would men believe and adore; and preserve for many generations the remembrance of the city of God which had been shown! But every night come out these envoys of beauty, and light the universe with their admonishing smile. Ralph Waldo Emerson In this winter seasonContinueContinue reading “Sky Lights”

Invitation for Prayer Requests

In yesterday’s blog, I wrote about peace and how it is so often sung about in Christmas carols and proclaimed in scriptures.  At this point in history, the image of a lion lying down with a lamb is one for which we all long.  But for peace to become a reality in our lives, homes,ContinueContinue reading “Invitation for Prayer Requests”

What does “lectio divina” mean?

Traveling the ancient paths of the dark seasons in search of the light often requires depending on ancient practices for our tools and compasses.  One such tool is called “lectio divina,” which means “sacred reading.”  Instead of reading a piece of text for information, lectio divina invites us to read the text for transformation, whichContinueContinue reading “What does “lectio divina” mean?”