Tag Archives: Soul of Christ

Love Is Found Here

For love and freedom are only found when one enjoys each note as it arises,then allows it to go, so as to be fully receptive in the notes that follow.–Anthony de Mello, Stop Fixing Yourself, 130. Each note–this lovely one,that … Continue reading

Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Mindfulness, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in Christmas, community, Creation, Easter, Homelessness, Reflections, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in Advent, Homelessness, Ignatian Spirituality, Poverty of Spirit, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Return and Rest

“Keep noticing,” says Father James Martin, SJ at the end of his Daily Examen podcast. It’s an invitation to notice God’s demonstrative love in the events of our lives. It’s also an invitation to notice what we’re feeling physically and emotionally … Continue reading

Posted in Lent, Reflections | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

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

Posted in False Self, Ignatian Spirituality, Reflections | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

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

Posted in Helpful Images, Poverty of Spirit, Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

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

Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

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

Posted in Homelessness, Ignatian Spirituality, Poverty of Spirit, Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

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

Posted in Easter, Holy Week, Lent, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

As Good as It Gets

I don’t get to enjoy my spiritual growth spurt for long before I’m made aware of more shortcomings. And not imaginary ones either. I’m talking significant habits that drive people up the wall. My first reaction is to cocoon, my second is to draw … Continue reading

Posted in Poverty of Spirit | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments