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“I will lead you into the desert and there I will speak to your heart.”-Hosea 2:14

What a wonderful passage and yet how often have I moaned and groaned about being in the desert? How often do I long to be constantly living in the land of milk and honey. Life is full of bumps and bruises and it’s during these times of trial that God often speaks to our hearts. In the past number of months I’ve been in another desert. It seems that I have a thirst to read, but every book I pick up turns dry in a few pages and I’m left wondering again. With the exception of the two books I read last month by Sue Monk Kidd, every other book has been just that. Finally today I sat down with a friend and shared my journey with him. He made some suggestions which I intend to follow. The past year has been a very rocky road at times, and yet it has also been a very enlightening period for me. I feel as though I am being led, but where I don’t know. One of the questions from Sue Monk Kidd’s book that I’m still pondering is, “who am I really?”
When all of what I am is stripped away, who am I really. I’m wrestling with that.

Now, I have a spiritual advisor. Up until now, Fr. Lou has been my confessor and a close friend. Now, we’ll spend some time each month examining where I’m going. Thank you for leading me into the desert and speaking to my heart. Peace.

If you’d like to support other monastic communities who produce a variety of goods then Monastery Greetings is a great online resource. I became aware of them about three years ago and since that time have made several orders. Their website boasts, “the website and catalog that sells only products from monasteries, religious communities and hermitages. Here you will find products from more than 50 different communities in the United States and abroad.”

Looking at their latest catalog is almost like making a retreat and as they continue to add new products I’ve become aware of more and more communities that I usually visit on the web.

Peace.

I received a note from the Buddhist community at nearby Alfred, New York that the Dalai Lama will be visiting the University at Buffalo in September of this year. I hope to attend. I have read a few of the Dalai Lama’s books and I am delighted that I will be able to see him at my alma mater. For more information about his visit follow this link. The theme of his visit will be “Promoting Peace across borders through education”.
Peace.

Today I am filled with hope as I spotted the first robin of the spring time. Spring was my grandmother’s favorite season. I can still hear her voice as she delightfully announced the sighting of her first robin. This has been a relatively easy winter in western New York. Still it is always a delight to welcome the robins home.

I was reading Steve Bogners’ blog, Catholicism, Holiness and Spirituality, this morning and came across a post for LaserMonks. A pastor friend of mine first recommended them to me several years ago. They have a great line of inks and toner and stand behind what they sell. Like other monastic communities their proceeds go to support their community. Buying from them can be an act of holiness.

Man does not live by bread alone, but if you’d like a loaf of heavenly bread I recommend that you get it from Abbey of the Genesee. This community of Trappist Monks has been making and selling bread since I was a little boy. They have a great product and you can order a box of six loaves of their bread from their online store if you don’t live in western New York or northwestern Pennsylvania where you can buy it in the grocery store.
This morning I had a bowl of granola that I purchased at Mt. Saviour Monastery in Pine City, New York on my recent visit there. The monks of Mt. Saviour offer a variety of products. They raise sheep which they shear and turn into lovely comforters, quilts and the like. They also have an apiary with some great honey for sale and they make their own beeswax candles. I recommend you visit the monastery and browse the bookstore, but if you can’t travel there by car, plane, train or bus I recommend a visit to Mount Saviour Monastery Online Store. Peace.

When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won. There have been tyrants, and murderers, and for a time they can seem invincible, but in the end they always fall, always.-Mahatma Gandhi

Gospel living can seem quaint, idealistic and naive. This is one of my favorite quotes by the Mahatma because it speaks truth and when I despair at times that all is spinning out of control I try to remember this sage advice. My mother used to tell me, “kill them with kindness.” She was right. I hope she reads this blog someday. What seems like the way of weakness is paradoxically the way of strength. In St. Matthew’s Gospel there is a quote I was thinking on yesterday, “resist not evil.” That’s a radical idea. You won’t hear that kind of thinking in any pop culture or popular wisdom. I’ll write more later. Peace.

Most High, glorious God, enlighten the shadows of my heart, and grant unto me right faith, certain hope and perfect charity, sense and understanding, Lord, so that I may accomplish Thy holy and true mandate.

This is one of my favorite Franciscan prayers. Enlighten the shadows of my heart and grant me a faith, hope and perfect charity to accomplish your holy and true command. How is my heart enlightened? Do I spend my day or even parts of my day in prayer. What do I read? What do I think about? There are lots of distractions. Blogs and even bloggers can be distracting, so too can television, email, and the hectic pace of communication. Where can I draw the line? How much time is necessary to listen to the still small voice that enlightens the darkness of my heart?

I decided this Lent not to give up anything per se, but to add more quiet time. I’m committing myself to at least ten minutes of centering prayer a day. “Be still and know that I am God”-Psalm 46:10.

Peace.

Today as I left work and was walking across the parking lot to my car I heard the sweet sound of Canada geese. My eyes misted up a bit and I gave thanks for hearing the sound of fellow aviators winging their way north. I looked to see if I could spot a flock and there about fifty feet above the tree tops was a flight of fifty or more geese. I love the sound of their voices as they wing their way north from their winter home in the Chesapeake Bay and make their way towards Quebec and their mating grounds.

Most High, all-powerful good Lord,
Yours are the praises, the glory and the honor, and all blessing
To You alone, Most High, do they belong
And no human is worthy to mention Your name.

Praised be You, my Lord, with all Your creatures…including the Canadian Geese who are returning home and reminding us of the beauty of your creation.

Peace and all Good.

I came across this poem saved in a file on my computer. It was good then and now.

Away from the glow of city lights
on a cloudless, moonless, night
have you ever looked up at the shining stars
and seen the space between?
Have you ever seen the space between the stars?
the dark from which they all emerged
to which they will all return,
The vast dark space that holds them in relationship,
as tiny points of moving light.
Have you ever seen the space between the stars?
Have you ever heard the space between the words?
the silence from which they all emerged,
to which they will all return.
The silent space that holds them in relationship,
as tiny specks of frozen thought,
Have you ever heard the space between the words?
Have you ever felt the space between us all?
The void from which we all emerged,
to which we will all return.
The love filled space that holds us in relationship,
as tiny specks of human life.
Have you ever felt the space between us all?
Have you ever sensed the space within yourself?
The emptiness from which you emerged,
to which you will return.
The still deep space that holds you in relationship,
a tiny part of all that is.
Have you ever sensed the space within yourself?
Have you ever seen the space between the stars?
– Philip Sheppard

I came across a great blog in my surfing today and I’ve added it to my links. It’s called SisterBloggers. I’ve really enjoyed reading the posts. Lots of great insights from some very holy ladies. The sisters describe themselves, “Catholic Sisters, Episcopal Sisters, women in formation, those discerning a religious vocation and others who want to join the conversation. We are women. Hear us blog.” Go for it!

There was a book sitting on the counter today at the Mountain. It’s a collection of the writings of Eric Doyle, OFM. I never heard of Eric until today, but he was described as a modern Duns Scotus. I’ve read a little bit of his work today and I found it very stimulating and insightful. If you’re a Catholic or Christian woman you might find Fr. Doyle’s writing insightful, hopeful and challenging.

Pax vobiscum.