Tag Archives: spiritual director Burnaby

Connected

I tried to lie back and relax in the underground saltwater pool but whenever I did, I began to drift toward people I didn’t know. I was afraid I’d bump against them and disturb their solace. The Nordik spa in Gatineau, … Continue reading →

Posted in Prayer, Reflections, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Awake

 Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” –-Matthew 28:9 Suddenly you meet us–on our way from the empty tomb, in the garden, on the road to Emmaus, in a locked room, by the sea, and in the dawn of our darkest night. Your … Continue reading →

Posted in Easter, Holy Week | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Good and Glory

It is finished. Jesus has died. His body is lowered down from the cross and taken to the tomb. On Easter Saturday, we hold vigil with everyone who is grieving the loss of Christ’s presence. Those bright days of miracles … Continue reading →

Posted in Easter, Holy Week, Lent | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

O Sacred Friend Now Wounded

Now you are lifted up and alone, O Sacred Friend. You are every person who has ever been condemned, battered, betrayed, or abandoned. You bear all our suffering and every consequence for the suffering we caused. “Father, forgive them; they don’t know what … Continue reading →

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

A Smelly, Sweet Encounter

Perhaps it wasn’t until Jesus and his disciples sat down to eat their evening meal that they noticed the unpleasant aroma of street and feet. I can imagine them all, tired from the day, edgy and irritated with each other, avoiding eye … Continue reading →

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

Hosanna!

How do we respond to such an exquisite display of love? Jesus, seated on a donkey, resolutely rides into Jerusalem knowing he will die there. Both he and the saint who is showing him the way are holding a scroll. The word … Continue reading →

Posted in Holy Week, Lent | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Cost of Being Known

“What was the most memorable meal you ever had?” a friend asked everyone at the dinner table. One by one each person described an experience of eating extravagantly prepared food in an exquisite setting. But it was hard for me to listen. … Continue reading →

Posted in False Self, Lent, Poverty of Spirit, Reflections, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Empty

Empty Before you go to bed, shake the dust off your feet. Open your front door and –with a shoe in each hand– smack those soles together. Like a TV preacher, tell those demons: “Be gone!” Before you go to … Continue reading →

Posted in Lent, Poetry, Poverty of Spirit | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

I Will Love. End of Story.

A pharisee once asked Jesus which commandment is the greatest.  Jesus said, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Lent, Reflections | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Guides from Beyond

“What are you feeling?” I ask people when they come for spiritual direction. If they’re experiencing a “negative” emotion, like anger, sadness or disgust, they often want to manage or get rid of it. They don’t like feeling that way. But the wise poet Rumi … Continue reading →

Posted in Lent, Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments