Christian contemplation thrown into the muddy highways of the world : encouragement : experiences : resources
In this fifth week of Lent, quotes posted to social media (Facebook, Instagram, X) followed up on the last quote of the previous week. The focus is the work that the dark night, contemplation, and our relationship with God in general accomplish: making us the one God created us to be, nothing less, nothing different, …
Continue reading "To Become the One God Made You to Be (Quotes Vol. 33)"
The images get taken away:Robed—but it’s the colour they mocked you in;“Here he is, here he is”—abuse of powerFrom the governor;“Hail, King!”—from the armed men who spitOn him saliva and the stain of abuse.The images get taken away;Yet—still they’re there, always there,Or more precisely—you are there, behindThe reality, greater than the thought,Than words—my God, in …
The spiritual writers of the Low Countries of the late Middles Ages are famous for their delicate sense of balance, particularly in contrast with some of the questionable writings that were circulated elsewhere in Europe at that time. Among the gems of the mediaeval Benelux, Blessed John of Ruusbroec has a special place in my …
Continue reading "Ruusbroec on the Non-Equilibrium of the Spiritual Life"
In this fourth week of Lent, quotes posted to social media (Facebook, Instagram, X) focused in one what contemplation is, how God is working in us to bring it about, and where we can find it. The elevator which must raise me to the heavens is Your arms, O Jesus! For that I do not …
Continue reading "God Does the Work and We Contemplate Him in this World (Quotes Vol. 32)"
Although the message seems to have been prepared well in advance, this past week Pope Francis gave an address to the participants of the third Latin American Congress “Vulnerability and Abuse.” There are a few points that I want to draw attention to, for my personal reference as much as to post about it on …
Continue reading "Pope Francis on Spirituality, Vulnerability, and Abuse"
In the writings of Marcel Văn, that little Vietnamese Redemptorist brother from the middle of the last century, we find a lot of similarities to the teaching of Pope Francis about Chistian contemplation. He connects contemplation to an experience of the transcendentals. In particular, what we contemplate is beauty. That beauty can especially be that …
Continue reading "Marcel Văn and Grateful Contemplation of Creation"
In this third week of Lent, quotes posted to social media (Facebook, Instagram, X) continued the duality of a Laudato Si’ Lent and a Lent of the way of the Cross. To love sufferings and afflictions for the love of God is the highest degree of holy charity. — Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange Contemplation, which leads us …
Continue reading "Between Natural Beauty and Supernatural Suffering (Quotes Vol. 31)"
There are many passages in Scripture that give us pause. Sometimes this happens because we don’t initially understand what is being said. Other times it happens because we misunderstand what is being said. In yet other cases, this happens because we do in fact understand what is being said. One of the most arresting passages …
When the Holy Spirit comes down upon us and animates our actions from within, this affects the dispositions of our body. Over time, these actions, in their unpredictable variety, begin to shape the features of our face and the comportment of our joints and muscles. Marie-Joseph Le Guillou, following quite a bit of the tradition, …
Continue reading "The Transfiguration that Captivated Marcel Văn: Smile and Gaze"
In this second week of Lent, quotes posted to social media (Facebook, Instagram, X) moved from a Laudato Si’ Lent, i.e., contemplation of God the Creator, to a Lent of mortification, i.e., the experience of the Cross. I am going back again to the water which pours itself out before me. It is also an …
Continue reading "From Niagara Falls to Golgotha (Quotes Vol. 30)"
Contemplative in the Mud 