The Center for contemplative practice
A Lay Cistercian Looks at Spiritual Reality
Month: October 2022
NEW SKINS FOR A BROKEN-DOWN, OLD TEMPLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
I won’t say I am an expert in anything except procrastination or forgetting my appointments. My Lectio Divina Reflections on Philippians 2:5 have recently been about the passage in the Scriptures, which speaks of new and old skins. Here it is for your reflection… Continue Reading “NEW SKINS FOR A BROKEN-DOWN, OLD TEMPLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT”
SCRIPTURAL READING: Sirach
Responsibilities to Parents* 1Children, listen to me, your father; act accordingly, that you may be safe. 2For the Lord sets a father in honor over his children and confirms a mother’s authority over her sons. 3Those who honor their father atone for sins; 4they… Continue Reading “SCRIPTURAL READING: Sirach”
10 TERRIFIC INSIGHTS INTO CONTEMPLATIVE SPIRITUALITY I LEARNED FROM WATCHING HARRY POTTER MOVIES
This is probably the last straw for those of you who think I have lost it (I never had it to lose). I love the Harry Potter set of books by J.K. Rowling. What a creative mind and certainly an enchanting look at life… Continue Reading “10 TERRIFIC INSIGHTS INTO CONTEMPLATIVE SPIRITUALITY I LEARNED FROM WATCHING HARRY POTTER MOVIES”
FRAGMENTS OF LEFT-OVER LECTIO DIVINA MEDITATIONS: Spiritual anarchy
Today’s Lectio Divina (Philippians 2:5) was about the Devil (it seems the Holy Spirit is on a series of ideas about the Devil). Here are some fragments left over in baskets from my Lectio Divina on Satan. Anarchy, using the Rule of Threes, means:… Continue Reading “FRAGMENTS OF LEFT-OVER LECTIO DIVINA MEDITATIONS: Spiritual anarchy”
IDEAS TO MAKE ALL THINGS NEW
Reading Sacred Scriptures is one of my Lay Cistercian practices that help me grow in my capacity for Christ within me. This happens because the Word of God produces that which it signifies. It is the energy of God that I assimilate into my… Continue Reading “IDEAS TO MAKE ALL THINGS NEW”
READINGS TO LIFT UP YOUR HEARTS
While looking at the nooks and crannies of the website: http://www.newadvent.org, I came across this encyclical that might interest you as much as it did me. Many, most prominently, my wife, tell me I don’t have enough to do. Actually, I like rummaging throughout… Continue Reading “READINGS TO LIFT UP YOUR HEARTS”
OUR CATHOLIC HALL OF FAME: St. Pio of Pietrelcina
Here are some quotes that I use to help me re-center myself on Christ Jesus. http://www.azquotes.com “Pray, hope and don’t worry. Anxiety doesn’t help at all. Our Merciful Lord will listen to your prayer.” ~ Pio of Pietrelcina “Prayer is the best weapon we… Continue Reading “OUR CATHOLIC HALL OF FAME: St. Pio of Pietrelcina”
THE PROCESS OF ASSIMILATING ENERGY FROM GOD
It is impossible to assimilate energy from God directly without a transformer. This transformer is the person of Jesus Christ as The Christ Principle. If it is true that no one can go to the Father except through Christ, that Jesus is the way,… Continue Reading “THE PROCESS OF ASSIMILATING ENERGY FROM GOD”
I AM A COMPLETE FAILURE
During my self cloistering with COVID-19 and beyond, I have had an abundance of time with which to explore Lectio Divina (Philippians 2:5). I find that I am doing Lectio three to four times a day, but they are shorter snatches of time than… Continue Reading “I AM A COMPLETE FAILURE”
FIVE PAIRS OF GLASSES TO SEE WHAT CANNOT BE SEEN
God gives you several gifts to commemorate the occasion when you are baptized. This is one of the most momentous events you will ever experience. Baptism is when Christ chooses you to be his disciple like he did to St. Peter and the other… Continue Reading “FIVE PAIRS OF GLASSES TO SEE WHAT CANNOT BE SEEN”
THE LIFE OF CHRIST
I have attached The Life of Christ, by the late Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. It is a must-read for me. https://fulton-sheen.catholic.edu/bio/index.html
THE DEVIL’S HANDBOOK: Possession and Q&A.
This entry is the second in a series on what I imagine the Devil might write as a handbook. They are the results of my Lectio Divina meditations (not contemplations) about my temptations and missteps. This might be Satan’s graduation address to those graduating… Continue Reading “THE DEVIL’S HANDBOOK: Possession and Q&A.”
THE HUMAN RAMIFICATIONS OF DARKNESS AND LIGHT –Part II
One of the characteristics of the Holy Spirit, as I observe our interaction, is being long-winded. If you remember, I spoke of at least four strings or patterns that cut across the physical, mental, and spiritual universes in Part I of the ramifications of… Continue Reading “THE HUMAN RAMIFICATIONS OF DARKNESS AND LIGHT –Part II”
CONTEMPLATIVE THOUGHT ABOUT LIFE AND LOVE FROM SAINTS AND SINNERS Part II
Here are some inspirational quotes for your reflection and meditation. St. Charles de Foucault “Above all, always see Jesus in every person, and consequently treat each one not only as an equal and as a brother or sister, but also with great humility, respect… Continue Reading “CONTEMPLATIVE THOUGHT ABOUT LIFE AND LOVE FROM SAINTS AND SINNERS Part II”
THE DEVIL’S HANDBOOK: Lessons on how to seduce humans.
This blog is the first series on the premise that if the Devil had a handbook to train demons in how to seduce the faithful, what would be in it. Of course, I made all of this up. Still, the content comes from my… Continue Reading “THE DEVIL’S HANDBOOK: Lessons on how to seduce humans.”
FIVE MUST-SEE CATHOLIC MOVIES
These are my five favorite movies. Your list might be different. The Left Hand of God starring Humphrey Bogart The Keys of the Kingdom starring Gregory Peck A Man for All Seasons starring Paul Scoffield Of Gods and Men (Seven Cistercians Martyrs) The Shoes of the… Continue Reading “FIVE MUST-SEE CATHOLIC MOVIES”
WHAT IT MEANS TO BE CATHOLIC: The neverending story.
My thoughts this morning are a reflection of, not only what I am, but more importantly, who I have and will become if I continue to profess my Faith through the Catholic approach to spirituality. I write this, not to apologize (defend) or try… Continue Reading “WHAT IT MEANS TO BE CATHOLIC: The neverending story.”
SAYINGS
Just because your road is rocky, doesn’t mean you are on the wrong road. All the rowers in the world won’t help you if your boat has a hole in it. Mud thrown is ground lost. You won’t break the commandment but they might… Continue Reading “SAYINGS”
SHOES OF THE FISHERMAN: THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY
One of the things I like about the Catholic Church is its vulnerability, tripping over the wrong pathways only to reconnect with the Holy Spirit and renew itself. It is a history of how the Church is Holy because Christ is Holy, but each… Continue Reading “SHOES OF THE FISHERMAN: THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY”
The Center for contemplative practice 