Christian contemplation thrown into the muddy highways of the world : encouragement : experiences : resources
This past week, in the quotes posted to social media (Facebook, Instagram, X) I continued on the theme of Christian eco-spirituality for Earth Month, and I honoured Jacques Maritain, one of the biggest influences on me and on this blog, who died 51 years ago today: As a spiritual work of mercy, care for our …
Continue reading "Exigencies of Contemplative Love for Creation and People (Quotes Vol. 38)"
You’d think that, if human beings were reasonable, the way we manage our home would correspond to the account we make of how the home functions. But when it comes to our common home, this isn’t the case. Etymologically, “ecology” means words about or an account of the oikos, the home. “Economics” means the laws …
Continue reading "Our Family Tree, Our Common Home, Our House Rules"
One of the paragraphs of the post-synodal apostolic exhortation Christus Vivit that has flown most unfortunately under the radar is the following: For those who are not called to marriage or the consecrated life, it must always be remembered that the first and most important vocation is the vocation we have received in baptism. Those …
Continue reading "Not Everyone “Has a Vocation” in the Narrow Sense: Roma locuta est"
This past week, all the quotes posted to social media (Facebook, Instagram, X) spoke of a Christian eco-spirituality for Earth Month, including a connection noted by Benedict XVI between contemplating nature and contemplating Christianized human nature: My soul, while enjoying the beauties of nature, was also tasting the sweetness of spiritual joys. — Marcel Văn …
Continue reading "Contemplating the Beauty of Nature and Transfigured Human Nature (Quotes Vol. 37)"
Yesterday, Pope Francis met with members of the Discalced Carmelite nuns and superiors who were gathered together with the purpose of revising their Constitutions. The remarks that he made are worth highlighting, at least in part. The Holy Father opens with a concern to “give greater impetus to the contemplative life” lived in the cloister …
Continue reading "Pope Francis’ Remarks on Contemplation to Discalced Carmelite Nuns"
Blessed John Soreth was a Carmelite of the fifteenth century who wrote an important commentary on the rule of that order. In it, he gives what I think is a good synthesis of a lot of pre-modern thought on Christian contemplation. I owe my knowledge of this summary to Saint Titus Brandsma: This treatment of …
Continue reading "John Soreth’s Three Loci of Contemplation in Perspective Today"
This past week, all the quotes posted to social media (Facebook, Instagram, X) all spoke of the Christian eco-spirituality for Earth Month, starting with a quote about the Annunciation (celebrated on Monday past) and continuing on to the connection between virtue and social justice with contemplation, as well as the virtues of moderation and contemplative …
Continue reading "Contemplation and Action in Earth Month (Quotes Vol. 36)"
Nothing brings out my passion more than talking about the place of Marcel Văn CSsR (1928–1959) in the ecclesial crisis of abuse. And at the same time, nothing causes me to boil over more than efforts which, intentionally or not, directly or indirectly, would put the light of his witness under a bushel basket. I …
This image hadn’t meant muchBut after yesterday I understand The Sun, the cynosure of my day sky,Can disappear—not o’er horizon,Nor cloud, nor any cause that’s close at hand;But because of reasons all celestial And a timing that I never could have planned.Without the shadows lengthened,Warmth is drained, the colours bland;After a momentary chaos, all birds …
This past week, all the quotes posted to social media (Facebook, Instagram, X) spoke of the Christian (i.e., Christic) character of contemplation, as well as transitioned into Earth Month, with a special focus on the silence of nature: There is no prayer, no contemplation, unless Christ be in the soul, and unless an imitation of …
Continue reading "Contemplation with Christ at the Start of Earth Month (Quotes Vol. 35)"
Contemplative in the Mud 