The Center for Contemplative Practice
A Lay Cistercian Looks at Spiritual Reality
Month: July 2021
SEEKING GOD EACH DAY: HOW FAITH IS RIPENED ON THE VINE
All living things need food and water to survive, in addition to the right environment. I have learned much from following the Rule of St. Benedict as interpreted by the councils and constitutions of the Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance (OCSO) and further… Continue Reading “SEEKING GOD EACH DAY: HOW FAITH IS RIPENED ON THE VINE”
TEN NEW IDEAS ABOUT THE MESSIAH FROM THE EDGE OF TIME
I admit to not taking the notion of Messiah more seriously than it deserves. Not brought up in the Jewish tradition, I just accept that Jesus is Lord and go on about my business. But, as of late, my Lectio Divina meditations (Philippians 2:5)… Continue Reading “TEN NEW IDEAS ABOUT THE MESSIAH FROM THE EDGE OF TIME”
DEEP DIVES INTO DIVINITY
I agree with St. Thomas Aquinas that God is “essentially unknowable.” Beneath that statement lies several assumptions: Human intelligence can never capture the essence of who God is. We are incapable of doing so. It makes sense that God loved us so much that… Continue Reading “DEEP DIVES INTO DIVINITY”
EVERYTHING IS LINKED TO EVERYTHING ELSE
I thought about the notion of a Divine Equation during one of my Lectio Divina (Philippians 2:5) while asking myself the series of questions around “If God did use science and mathematics to formulate all reality, then why did he not communicate the reality… Continue Reading “EVERYTHING IS LINKED TO EVERYTHING ELSE”
PAINTING WITH THE BRUSH OF CHRIST
St. Benedict teaches his monks that the monastery is a School of Charity or Love where we can learn how to love others as Christ loved us. It takes a lifetime to master the Art of Contemplative Practice. In one of my Lectio Divina… Continue Reading “PAINTING WITH THE BRUSH OF CHRIST”
HOW TO BAKE A LAY CISTERCIAN?
If you think the Holy Spirit doesn’t have a sense of humor, then you will not appreciate this blog that I wrote down for my Lectio Divina (Philippians 2:5). I like to focus these end days (of my life) on how all things move… Continue Reading “HOW TO BAKE A LAY CISTERCIAN?”
WHO MADE YOU POPE?
There is a controversy in the Church over the use of the Latin language in the Mass. As usual, almost everyone misses the point. This points out a phenomenon that has plagued the Church all the way back to Moses and the Ten Commandments.… Continue Reading “WHO MADE YOU POPE?”
traveling with the holy Spirit
Isn’t the Holy Spirit everywhere? Next time you travel with anyone in the car or truck, try this contemplative practice. Ask those in the car to think of one idea only as you read this passage. Read Scriptures from Philippians 3:5-12 outloud (not the… Continue Reading “traveling with the holy Spirit”
watching lucifer just for the hell of it
Usually, my tastes in television movies and sitcoms goes from following Jason Statham movies to that of Father Brown Mysteries. I came across a television series entitled Lucifer. I thought it would be about the usual fodder fed by sensationalists to sell movies.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yK5lZTPHozs I… Continue Reading “watching lucifer just for the hell of it”
LIFTING THE HEART AND MIND TO GOD USING ARCHITECTURE AND GREGORIAN CHANT
One characteristic of love is to want to share what is critical with those whom you value most. I wanted to share an aspect of prayer that is part of our Benedictine/Cistercian/Carthusian heritage. I came across this YouTube of a Cistercian monastery, one which… Continue Reading “LIFTING THE HEART AND MIND TO GOD USING ARCHITECTURE AND GREGORIAN CHANT”
READINGS FROM ST. BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX
BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX,Parable One: The Story of the King’s Son1.Once upon a time, there was a rich and powerful king, God the almighty. And he caused Man,whom he had created, to become his son. And because he was a delicate boy, he delegated Lawand… Continue Reading “READINGS FROM ST. BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX”
the three principles of existence
I was never very good at academics in school, having the curse to have a slow mind that seems to dwell on how things fit together rather than their composition. I seem to gravitate toward the bigger picture. The problem is that the bigger… Continue Reading “the three principles of existence”
the christ imperatives
THE CHRIST IMPERATIVES Here are some of the commands that Jesus gave to us 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 •… Continue Reading “the christ imperatives”
WHERE IS EVERYBODY?
Somehow, this made its way into my Lectio Divina meditations (not contemplation) for this morning. I have so many wonderful and inspiring thoughts from the Holy Spirit about linking all reality with the Christ Principle. Even thoughts about where my classmates are somehow part… Continue Reading “WHERE IS EVERYBODY?”
HOW DO YOU ANSWER THIS?
What would be your answer to the following four questions that I received from the Holy Spirit during my last two Lectio Divina meditations? I don’t have answers as much as further questions about these ideas. I want you to think about them in… Continue Reading “HOW DO YOU ANSWER THIS?”
OBEDIENCE BY RELINQUISHING MY WILL TO A POWER OUTSIDE MYSELF: THE GREATEST OBSTACLE TO SPIRITUAL RESONANCE
My last couple of Lectio Divina’s has centered on how my Lectio (Philippians 2:5) influences resonance. I don’t take credit for this way out of thoughts as they apply to Holy Scripture. They just come, and I take them down for you to decipher.… Continue Reading “OBEDIENCE BY RELINQUISHING MY WILL TO A POWER OUTSIDE MYSELF: THE GREATEST OBSTACLE TO SPIRITUAL RESONANCE”
LIFT UP YOUR HEARTS TO THE LORD
In the following YouTube musical meditations, listen “with the ear of your heart.” Block out words and just sit on a park bench in the dead of winter and wait for your heart to prepare the way for the Lord. Just listen. Praise be… Continue Reading “LIFT UP YOUR HEARTS TO THE LORD”
CHAPTER 4: CONVERSION FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE
55 Listen readily to holy reading,56 and devote yourself often to prayer.57 Every day with tears and sighs, confess your past sins to God in prayer58 and change from these evil ways in the future. https://christdesert.org/prayer/rule-of-st-benedict/chapter-4-the-tools-for-good-works/ This passage is from the Rule of St.… Continue Reading “CHAPTER 4: CONVERSION FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE”
IT IS MERCY I SEEK, NOT SACRIFICE.
Mystical Death and Resurrection.*1If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.a2Think of what is above, not of what is on earth.3For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ… Continue Reading “IT IS MERCY I SEEK, NOT SACRIFICE.”
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