The Center for Contemplative Practice
A Lay Cistercian Looks at Spiritual Reality
Month: October 2018
MAKING RETIREMENT MEANINGFUL: Do you have the discipline to love others as Christ loves us?
You have heard of those who retire and then, very soon after retirement, they die unexpectedly. We do not know the day nor the hour when we will die but we can do something about living fully in retirement. Far be it to tell… Continue Reading “MAKING RETIREMENT MEANINGFUL: Do you have the discipline to love others as Christ loves us?”
THE SIXTY SECOND CATHOLIC: Don’t get too cocky.
Here are some thoughts about our preoccupation with exclusivity and elitism. Is there something beyond gender, male and female? Is there something beyond political status, such as king, senator, congressman, citizen? Is there something beyond race, color, nationality, or tribe? Is there something beyond… Continue Reading “THE SIXTY SECOND CATHOLIC: Don’t get too cocky.”
FUN WITH THE PSALMS
FUN WITH THE PSALMS I love to recite the following Psalm, #136, mainly because it is fun to say over and over, like a mantra. These Psalms with their responses are perfect for two choirs of people alternative sides. I share with you Psalm… Continue Reading “FUN WITH THE PSALMS”
THE CHRIST IMPERATIVES
Here are some of the commands that Jesus gave to us in order to help us to convert our lives from the World to the Spirit. Seeking perfection? LISTEN TO ME, FOR I AM MEEK AND HUMBLE OF HEART. Matthew 11:28-30 Thirsty? Drink of… Continue Reading “THE CHRIST IMPERATIVES”
FAST AND PRAY, THAT YOU MAY NOT ENTER INTO TEMPTATION
One of the ways to approach the Sacred is to follow a daily routine. Some people call it a habit. Do this every day for 30 days. If you are unable to do so, you might want to consider if your spirituality needs to… Continue Reading “FAST AND PRAY, THAT YOU MAY NOT ENTER INTO TEMPTATION”
THREE TALES OF WONDER FROM HURRICANE MICHAEL
I wanted to share with you that, thanks be to God, I made it through the Category 4 Hurricane named Michael. If you follow this blog, and I can’t say that I know anyone who does, you will know that my Lectio Divina (Philippians… Continue Reading “THREE TALES OF WONDER FROM HURRICANE MICHAEL”
ARE YOU ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTION?
I love escapist movies (don’t ask me why). Some movies these days stress the supremacy of the Devil over Good. I am thinking of the movie entitled The Last Witch Hunter. This is not a critique of any of these movies. I like the graphics… Continue Reading “ARE YOU ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTION?”
CONTEMPLATIVE THOUGHTS ABOUT LIFE AND LOVE FROM SAINTS AND SINNERS II
Here is my second iteration of quotes from people who had thoughts about Jesus. I wrote these for both of us as we stand watch before the Blessed Sacrament. IRENAEUS OF LYONS “Jesus Christ, in His infinite love, has become what we are, in… Continue Reading “CONTEMPLATIVE THOUGHTS ABOUT LIFE AND LOVE FROM SAINTS AND SINNERS II”
SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT, HERE.
A few weeks ago, I wrote a blog which you can access on my site entitled, Learning to Love. I liked the topic so much that I turned it into a book with almost the same title. Learning to Love: A Lay Cistercian reflects… Continue Reading “SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT, HERE.”
LEARNING HOW TO LOVE: A Lay Cistercian reflects on what it means to love others as Christ loved us.
In a recent Lectio Divina (Phil 2:5), I thought of the saying of Christ, love others as I have loved you. I asked myself, what does that “as I have loved you mean?” The only way we have to explore love is with our… Continue Reading “LEARNING HOW TO LOVE: A Lay Cistercian reflects on what it means to love others as Christ loved us.”
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