Tag Archives: David L. Fleming SJ
The Fourth Event
On Sunday, we celebrate Pentecost, the fourth big event chronicled in the New Testament. Christmas names the first one: the incarnation of Christ. God comes into our lives–into our joy and suffering. They called him Immanuel, “God with us.” Reading the … Continue reading →
Calls to Prayer
Notice what you notice. You’ve heard me say that countless times in my book and blog. It’s become a contemplative practice for me ever since I prayed the Ignatian Exercises in 2012-13. I notice experiences that warm my heart. I … Continue reading →
Waking Up
I want to be fully awake to God. I’d like to live so aware of being in Christ that I rely on nothing other than God for my security or identity. A bird held by a single thread is still not … Continue reading →
God’s Salvific Love
“This helplessness, what’s it like?” asked my spiritual director. It took me a few minutes to let the feeling return to my body. It’s how I felt the night I was driving to a friend’s house in the rain. I … Continue reading →
Rescued
As I looked back on my eight-day retreat, I saw the through-line of a story. It began with God’s whispers of love and a gentle awareness that I had been guarding and protecting my heart from God. At the beginning of the retreat, … Continue reading →
What a Good Person Looks Like
I left my outer robe at the bottom of the sycamore and climbed into its branches. I had heard Jesus was coming this way and wanted to see what a good person looked like. Up in the tree with my bare … Continue reading →
God with Us to the End
I look at the naked, bloodied body next to me. “What’s he doing here?” A sinless man is being crucified beside us: me on his left, the other criminal on his right. The crucified always die in disgrace, our lives held up as negative examples. Yet, he is good. People call him rabbi, … Continue reading →
Balancing the Impossible
I’m becoming wary of my false self and its admirable intentions. Now, when I think about doing something good, I ask myself why I’m doing it. Is it to enhance my reputation, bring personal gain, or help me feel good? Or am … Continue reading →
DIY Prayer Retreat #2: God Is Love Loving
Read the introduction in DIY Prayer Retreat #1 for general instructions on how to facilitate a prayer retreat. 10:00- 10:30: Gather It is helpful to begin this retreat by sharing loving images of God. You may use artwork or a story like … Continue reading →
The Hand that Stilled the Storm
Lately Jesus has been inviting me to hold his hand as we walk through life together. That reminds me of something that happened when Heidi was born. She was delivered as planned by caesarean section a week before the due date. Since I … Continue reading →
