The Center for contemplative practice
A Lay Cistercian Looks at Spiritual Reality
Month: July 2018
THE TIME YOU TAKE TO PRAY, THE DIFFICULTIES YOU ENDURE TO THINK ABOUT CHRIST IS ITSELF PART OF PRAYER
In the Catechism lessons of my Eighth Grade, I learned that prayer was a lifting of the heart and mind to God. During one of my Lectio Divina (Phil 2:5) meditations (on the way to contemplation), I thought about the high ceilings of St.… Continue Reading “THE TIME YOU TAKE TO PRAY, THE DIFFICULTIES YOU ENDURE TO THINK ABOUT CHRIST IS ITSELF PART OF PRAYER”
WHICH ONE WOULD YOU CHOOSE?
In one of my meditations on Phil 2:5, I thought of the great gift of love that God gave to all humans by taking on our human nature as Jesus to reconcile with the Father. I thought about my own life and how I… Continue Reading “WHICH ONE WOULD YOU CHOOSE?”
ST. MARY MAGDALENE
July 22nd is the feast of St. Mary Magdalene, according to the Canon of Saints. She is an example for all of us of one whom Christ touched in her heart and she was never the same. Saints are those whom the Church Universal… Continue Reading “ST. MARY MAGDALENE”
MORNING OFFERING AND DAILY INTENTIONS
The following prayers are those I say every day as soon as I get up in the monring. You may wish to copy this page and place it on your bathroom mirror. It only takes 60 seconds to read it but it allows you… Continue Reading “MORNING OFFERING AND DAILY INTENTIONS”
SUICIDE MAKES PERFECT SENSE
Wait! I am not advocating for suicide, assisted suicide, or murder. What I am doing is presenting you with one of my Lectio Divina meditations on Phil 2:5. Christ is like us in all things but sin. Who determines what sin is? You? The… Continue Reading “SUICIDE MAKES PERFECT SENSE”
I’ll Get By With a Little Help from My Friends
I need your help. I don’t need money, voluntering to do someting, or a big commitment. All I am asking is Just One thing. If you look at this website and think it is worthwhile and would like to join me in spreading contemplation… Continue Reading “I’ll Get By With a Little Help from My Friends”
LAY CISTERCIAN RESOURCES
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES THAT HAVE HELPED ME ON MY LAY CISTERCIAN JOURNEY (SO FAR) Here are some wonderful, contemplative websites in which you may find some rest for your soul. I admit my bias. http://www.trappist.net http://www.newadvent.com https://thecenterforcontemplativepractice.org http://www.cistercianfamily.org/ https://siena.org/ http://www.carlmccolman.net http://scotthahn.com http://www.cistercianpublications.org http://dynamiccatholic.com http://www.centeringprayer.com/cntrgpryr.htm http://www.monk.org… Continue Reading “LAY CISTERCIAN RESOURCES”
THE SPACE RACE
This is one of the most bizarre of Lectio Divina meditations I have ever had. I even hate writing it down because it sounds so implausible and totally out of the box. Yet, the more I think about it, it makes perfect sense, so… Continue Reading “THE SPACE RACE”
ARE YOU CALLED TO BE A LAY CISTERCIAN?
I asked this very same question seven years ago. Since I just made my final profession as a Lay Cistercian (May 6), my answer was “I hope so.” Every two years, the Lay Cistercians of Our Lady of the Holy Spirit Monastery (Trappist) in… Continue Reading “ARE YOU CALLED TO BE A LAY CISTERCIAN?”
ST. BENEDICT: THE LEGACY OF THE HEART
When I look back on my life and ask the question, “When I die, how will I be remembered?” I hope it will be that I was one who tried to love God with all my heart, all my mind, all my strength, and… Continue Reading “ST. BENEDICT: THE LEGACY OF THE HEART”
THE DOOR NO ONE WANTS TO UNLOCK
The place no one wants to look, according to my thinking, is the darkness inside each of us. It is a realm where many of the questions we ask may be answered. The question is, how can I get there? What door do I… Continue Reading “THE DOOR NO ONE WANTS TO UNLOCK”
THREE DIVORCES YOU WON’T BELIEVE HAPPENED
Like the boy who called wolf, many of the values we hold today are so commonplace that we don’t even realize the have special significance. Divorce is one of those happenings that has become so routine that it does not carry any negative consequences. … Continue Reading “THREE DIVORCES YOU WON’T BELIEVE HAPPENED”
INTERVIEW WITH BROTHER ELIAS
Carl McColman, Lay Cistercian from Our Lady of the Holy Spirit Monastery in Conyers, Georgia, send me this a while back. You might be interested in opening it. http://encounteringsilence.com/br-elias-marechal-ocso-the-silence-of-a-trappist-episode-15/ https://www.carlmccolman.com/
IS GOD LEFT HANDED?
The following reflections comes from one of my Lectio Divina episodes a few years ago. It is contained in my book, Who Does God Think He Is, Anyway? which you can purchase in this blog under the Store category. These are my own thoughts… Continue Reading “IS GOD LEFT HANDED?”
CAN YOU PASS THIS TEST?
I have never been good at taking tests. I could never figure out why but I learn a different way from most folks. I look at the big picture and like to see how things fit together. There is a test that all of… Continue Reading “CAN YOU PASS THIS TEST?”
WHAT DO YOU SEE?
WHAT DO YOU SEE? Being on the far side of 77 years of age, and an AARP member for many years, I look out on all that is around me and just marvel at all the good things I see happening Like baggage, I… Continue Reading “WHAT DO YOU SEE?”
CHAPTER 4: Place your hope in God alone.
Chapter 4: The Tools for Good Works 1 First of all, love the Lord God with your whole heart, your wholesoul and all your strength, 2 and love your neighbor as yourself (Matt 22:37-39; Mark 12:30-31; Luke 10:27). 3 Then the following: You are… Continue Reading “CHAPTER 4: Place your hope in God alone.”
PLANNING A CONTEMPLATIVE APPROACH TO PRACTICE
Many people with whom I speak about contemplation think that is is all about keeping your mouth shut for extended periods of time. It can be that. As a Lay Cistercian, I can vouch that I don’t practice silence just by keeping my mouth… Continue Reading “PLANNING A CONTEMPLATIVE APPROACH TO PRACTICE”
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