Christian contemplation thrown into the muddy highways of the world : encouragement : experiences : resources
Introduction To close Earth Month, there is a 50-year-old essay that I want to reproduce in its entirety. The reason for this is that I think the text is a precursor to many of the contemplative and eco-spirituality themes of Pope Francis, and it is found in one of the authors he has remarked to …
Continue reading “Aestheticism vs. Contemplation of Beauty: Arturo Paoli and Pope Francis”
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)”
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)”
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)”
This past week, all the quotes posted to social media (Facebook, Instagram, X) spoke of the time we are in: Holy Week and Easter. Contemplation is paradise on earth, a crucified paradise. — Jacques Maritain Contemplation is not anesthesia, imperturbability, deliverance from all that might agitate a person, an ascent to the Sea of Tranquility. …
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)”
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)”
In this first week of Lent, quotes posted to social media (Facebook, Instagram, X) stick to a pattern: God invites us to contemplate him in gratitude as the Creator of creation, as well as in the people we meet. In fact, these are connected. I spoke to him in all simplicity, of the river when …
Continue reading “Contemplate Nature, Contemplate God’s People (Quotes Vol. 29)”
As we entered Lent this week, I shifted quotes posted to social media (Facebook, Instagram, X) to reflect the theme, which, around here, will include but not be limited to a Laudato Si’ Lent: Made holy by the Holy Spirit, we receive Christ as one who lives in our inmost selves, and with Christ we …
Continue reading “Walking into the Desert to Find God’s Beauty (Quotes Vol. 28)”
On social media (Facebook, Instagram, and X) this past week, the quotes are not exactly from the usual suspects (though they are not unusual around here either), and after an initial exhortation for last week’s Sunday of the Word of God, the overall focus is the efficacy of contemplation for our active life: Every little word Christ …
Continue reading “More Active Life with Contemplation than Without (Quotes Vol. 25)”
Contemplative in the Mud 