The Center for contemplative practice
A Lay Cistercian Looks at Spiritual Reality
Month: February 2022
IT’S ALL A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE: What is hidden is most real.
When entering the realm of the heart from the realm of the mind, Phil 2:5 taught me to have perspective. I thought of humility and how much Christ had to become one of us, how strange it must have been to be God one… Continue Reading “IT’S ALL A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE: What is hidden is most real.”
THE WAITING ROOM
These days when I am at the mercy of my body, I found myself in the waiting room of my Internal Medicine physician, awaiting an appointment to examine pain in my upper right quadrant. As I always do, my thoughts go to my Lectio… Continue Reading “THE WAITING ROOM”
THE CHRIST PRINCIPLE: We are what we choose.
Once, a young man wanted to know the one question, that, if you asked it, all others depended upon it. He set out to find that one question, one that kept him up at night, not with worry but with curiosity. He went to… Continue Reading “THE CHRIST PRINCIPLE: We are what we choose.”
SIC TRANSEAT GLORIA MUNDI
Thus passes the glory of the world. What a profound saying as the whole world seems destined for hatred and power-grabbing. My thoughts in a Lectio Divina (Philippians 2:5) had to do with what doesn’t pass away, what is secure, what lasts forever, plus… Continue Reading “SIC TRANSEAT GLORIA MUNDI”
THE RAPE OF REASON AND FREE CHOICE
Recent events in our time have one country with considerable power and military take over another country, one who is sovereign and not provoking anyone in the name of nationalism. It is not just nor is it acceptable, yet many nation-states stand on the… Continue Reading “THE RAPE OF REASON AND FREE CHOICE”
THE CORRUPTION OF THE SPIRIT–Part II
In my last few years of being a Lay Cistercian, I have completely changed my viewpoint about being the center of my world, but not in the way you might expect. I have been tutored to avoid being self-centered and selfish all of my… Continue Reading “THE CORRUPTION OF THE SPIRIT–Part II”
OF GODS AND MEN: A Celebration of Love
One of the most impactful movies of my life is that of the martyrdom of the seven monks of Tibhirine (Algeria) in 1996. Here are some of the movies I watch during Lent as a way to lift my consciousness to how others live… Continue Reading “OF GODS AND MEN: A Celebration of Love”
LENTEN RESOURCES THAT WILL ASTOUND YOU
Look up the website called The Prodigal Catholic under resources. Astounding. This is in my top five all-time websites. https://prodigalcatholic.com/free-books-resources/
FLANNERY O’CONNOR: GOD’S PIT BULL
Very rarely does the Holy Spirit throw something at me out of the blue, so to speak. This is a topic I share with you without comment, which would only dilute this concentrated orange juice of Flannery O’Conner’s thoughts. Each of us can mix… Continue Reading “FLANNERY O’CONNOR: GOD’S PIT BULL”
A HOLY SPIRIT DUMP OF ENERGY
I offer to you what I myself received. I don’t know what to do with it, and you might or might not either. I warn you, linking up with the Holy Spirit and asking that the Spirit enlighten you with divine energy is risky.… Continue Reading “A HOLY SPIRIT DUMP OF ENERGY”
LAY CISTERCIAN LENTEN PRACTICES
I share with you the Lenten Practices I do as part of my habit of penance that comes with being a Lay Cistercian. I do not wish you to do as I do. I recommend that you do as Christ does as we prepare… Continue Reading “LAY CISTERCIAN LENTEN PRACTICES”
THE ABBOT’S TABLE
The Rule of St. Benedict has a Chapter that I just read for my spiritual reading last week. It is called The Abbot’s Table. Obviously, we don’t live in the time of St. Benedict in the 6th Century. However, the notion of hospitality is… Continue Reading “THE ABBOT’S TABLE”
LAY CISTERCIAN CONTEMPLATIVE PRACTICES: Custos Oculi
One of the first things monks and nuns, particularly those cloistered, do is to learn custody of the eyes. Here are some readings for you that I, myself, did, and which I share with you. During this time of Lent, when we recognize that… Continue Reading “LAY CISTERCIAN CONTEMPLATIVE PRACTICES: Custos Oculi”
PATIENTIA ATTINGIT OMNIA
With patience, you can achieve all things. (My loose translation). Patience is a virtue, so that saying goes. With patience, you can achieve all that you seek. I find it very important to achieve silence and solitude within myself. Every time I try to… Continue Reading “PATIENTIA ATTINGIT OMNIA”
THOMISTIC INSTITUTE
Here is a primary source for those wishing to delve deeper into the silence of their hearts. Be careful what you let into your mind, it may transform you or corrupt you. https://aquinas101.thomisticinstitute.org/st-ia#TOC17 Here are a few quotes from St. Thomas Aquinas, O.P. “We… Continue Reading “THOMISTIC INSTITUTE”
THE CORRUPTIBILITY OF THE SPIRIT: The effects on me as I live in a universe that is incorruptible, but I am corruptible.
How is it possible for the Spirit to be corruptible if God is incorruptible? It isn’t. What is possible is, once I am baptized, I am corruptible in my resolve to keep myself centered on The Christ Principle. I am continuing my reflections on… Continue Reading “THE CORRUPTIBILITY OF THE SPIRIT: The effects on me as I live in a universe that is incorruptible, but I am corruptible.”
GOD’S VALENTINE’S DAY CARDS
Did you get your Valentine Day’s card from God yet? You should have. God sent it to every human who ever lived. Reflect on them. What follows is the Valentine’s God sent us. John 3:16 gives us a glimpse of how much God loves… Continue Reading “GOD’S VALENTINE’S DAY CARDS”
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