The Center for Contemplative Practice
A Lay Cistercian Looks at Spiritual Reality
Month: November 2017
HOLINESS IN THE MIDST OF ORGINAL SIN
The following excerpt is from a manuscript I am writing, entitled THRIVING IN THE PRESENCE OF PURE ENERGY: A Lay Cistercian reflects on invisible reality, the Mystery of Faith and Eucharistic Adoration. In my writings, I write about Christ as the Way, the Truth, and the Life.… Continue Reading “HOLINESS IN THE MIDST OF ORGINAL SIN”
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE
Several years ago, someone told me, “Thank you for your service,” when I told them I had been a U.S. Army Chaplain. No one had ever said that to me before. I can remember being very touched by the comments. Two days ago, I… Continue Reading “THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE”
MEETING CHRIST FOR BREAKFAST
On Sunday mornings, after going to church services, many people eat out at the favorite diner or restaurant. I like to see family eat together. This scenario reminded me of one of my Lectio Divina meditations on having a meal with Christ, a.k.a. The… Continue Reading “MEETING CHRIST FOR BREAKFAST”
BLACK FRIDAY REPLACES GOOD FRIDAY
It is one of those curious ironies of the secular age in which we live that Black Friday, the shopping day after Thanksgiving, is more important than Good Friday. Of course, Good Friday was never important, even before the rise of the electronic age,… Continue Reading “BLACK FRIDAY REPLACES GOOD FRIDAY”
PENANCE: Fast and Pray
We all live in a world that has been contaminated by Original Sin, the archetypal sin of Adam and Eve that defines the condition in which we live. Our theology tells us that we are all born with Original Sin which keeps us from… Continue Reading “PENANCE: Fast and Pray”
WHAT IS HEAVEN LIKE?
Do you have to use the restroom, when you die and go to Heaven? Do you have claustrophobia in Heaven? Will you be able to go to the Emergency Room? How can you travel from place to place? Who fixes your food? These and… Continue Reading “WHAT IS HEAVEN LIKE?”
BY THEIR FRUITS YOU SHALL KNOW THEM
At the core of what it means to be a follower of The Master is doing what he taught. Spirituality is not a head thing as much as a head and heart thing. St. Benedict, in his Chapter 4 of the Rule, wanted monks… Continue Reading “BY THEIR FRUITS YOU SHALL KNOW THEM”
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