Tag Archives: Christmas Cactus

Advent 2: Trust

Life is a succession of dyings and risings. At the center of the Eucharist, we proclaim, “Christ has died, Christ is risen, and Christ will come again.”–Richard Rohr’s Daily Meditation, November 27, 2022 This morning I saw minuscule buds on my … Continue reading

Posted in Advent, Christmas, Poetry, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Root Rot

“You see these roots here? They’re brown and have no filaments on them.” My daughter, Heidi, sat on our balcony holding my poor, naked Christmas cactus and pulled away the old soil and dead roots. “No wonder the leaves are … Continue reading

Posted in compassion, Creation, Reflections, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Forgiveness

“I’m so sorry!” I said to my Christmas cactus when I brought it home from my book launch in November. I wanted to brighten the room by putting some flowers on a table behind me when I was being interviewed. … Continue reading

Posted in compassion, Reflections, Seed Cracked Open, Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Faithful Companion

See the whole universe, not only as something to love but as something that can love you back. –Pierre Teilhard de Chardin As many of you know, I have a Christmas cactus in the room where I pray, write, and … Continue reading

Posted in Creation, Homelessness, Reflections | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Silently Blooming

It’s this time of year, when the nights are long and the days cold and rainy, that I begin to accompany people through the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises Retreat in Daily Life. These retreatants embark on a nine-month journey with Christ, asking … Continue reading

Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Poverty of Spirit, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Glory Led Me Here

The last blossom on my Christmas cactus fell weeks ago. For forty days vibrant pink glory adorned the room where I pray, write, and offer spiritual direction. But now that glory is gone. I think of the Israelites. For forty years they beheld … Continue reading

Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Lent, Mystical, Reflections | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Epiphany

Mid-November one lone blossom adorned my Christmas cactus. By Advent it was fuller than ever. It continued to blossom during the Christmas season and into Epiphany. Directees commented on it when they came, and I sat beside this bush, which was burning with … Continue reading

Posted in Christmas, Popular Posts, Reflections | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments