I Have Not Yet Made a Beginning
Reflections on the Sayings of the Desert Fathers
We live with the revolving internet outrage of the week. You know what I mean: a celebrity says something or does something, and everyone has an outraged opinion about it. We take sides; we have the story or video clip supporting our outrage. The President tweets something foolish, and we all line up in outrage or support, and we shout . . .
Go to Your Cell
Reflections on the Sayings of the Desert Fathers
Many years ago I was either brave enough or foolish enough to try solo backpacking, hiking and camping in the woods alone. On one hike I didn’t bring anything to read, and this was before the age of cellphones, so I was alone by the campfire at night. I remember reading the manual in my first-aid kit, but after I’d thoroughly gone through it . . .
Sorry for the Delay
Sorry for the little sabbatical from posting here. I’m always humbled when people say they read my writing and miss it when it’s gone. A couple of things happened. First, Brother Lawrence’s reflections stopped inspiring me. Many refer to The Practice of the Presence of God as one of the great spiritual classics, and I believe that’s true. I . . .
Never-Ending Prayer
Reflections on the Practice of the Presence of God
My morning prayer is one of the best parts of the day. The house is quiet.I set my cell phone to the side. The television, radio, and music are all off. I read the bible and pray, and I do my best to focus on God. I look forward to this time. I enjoy it. I miss it if I can’t do it.
If that time is all it is, though, that’s not . . .
Be Gentle With Yourself
Reflections on the Practice of the Presence of God
The Practice of the Presence of God contains not only conversations but letters from Brother Lawrence. He mentions he shares the letters (to whomever he was writing) on the terms that the recipient shares them with no one else (somebody dropped the ball on that one). Lawrence is asked about his methods for arriving at a “habitual sense . . .
Advent Silence
Imagine the lights dimmed in a monastery church. One light is kept on for those who need to find their way out. The rest of the room is dark.The spoken prayers are over, and those who stay in the room sit. No one takes out a phone. No one talks. No one moves from seat to seat. For a half an hour those who are there sit in silence. . . .
Teaching By Example
Reflections on The Practice of the Presence of God
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I had a professor in college whose class I loved. I looked forward to it; I never missed it; I was on the edge of my chair in our discussions. I just knew I loved the material and the professor’s teaching style, but I didn’t really know much about his life, though, other than he mentioned he was married and had kids. Late in the . . .