Tag: prayer

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The Shack

On Sunday I noticed that Fr. Lou McCormick, OFM was reading a new book. It had a curious title, “The Shack.”  He said, “I want to talk about it at our fraternity meeting.” He gave the book a strong endorsement and said it was very Franciscan in its spirituality. Today, I found myself in Borders Books and near the front of the store I spied, “The Shack.” I took it off the shelf, sat down with a cup of Seattle’s Best Coffee and a snickerdoodle and started to read. I could not put the book down. Four hours later I finished reading it. I never left the store. I bought the book for my wife and the audio-book for a visually impaired friend. I highly recommend you read “The Shack.” It’s one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. I don’t want to take anything away from your enjoyment of the book so I won’t disclose the story.

Today was a personal day for an errand that never materialized, but it was no coincidence that I wound up in Borders reading that book. My faith had been shaken lately and this book was exactly what I needed to read. Reading this was like being on retreat. Do yourself a favor and get the book.

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Namaste

Today at Mass Fr. Bob’s homily was about how we are all brothers and sisters of the same father. That fundamental concept of the Incarnation is frightening to much of contemporary society. Subtle demonization of our brothers and sisters is a path to the point where their lives are viewed as worth less than our own. They are viewed not as the beloved of God, but as something less.

“I honor the place in you where Spirit lives
I honor the place in you which is
of Love, of Truth, of Light, of Peace,
when you are in that place in you,
and I am in that place in me,
then we are One.”

In each of us there is the spirit of God. Namaste is a greeting that invites us to consider the spark of the divine in those who we greet. It is a moment of mindfulness.

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La Posada



The resting place at the top of the mountain at Mt. Irenaeus. La Posada is one of my favorite places at Mt. Irenaeus although it has been many months since I hiked here. I decided to walk along the Mountain Road following brunch today. It was a great day to be in the woods. Everything really smells like fall and there were lots of chipmunks scurrying in front of me as I walked along the road. This hermitage is the most rustic at Mt. Irenaeus and the furthest from chapel and House of Peace. It was built in 1993 by Steve Andrews and an Amish fellow named Milt. There is a journal inside the hermitage and guests are invited to write a reflection. Today I read Steve Andrews’ reflection and it was very lovely. I’ve spent several nights here on many different occasions. As I walked along the Mountain Road I came to a fork in the trail. As I stood looking I thought of the words of a prayer that hangs in the House of Peace.

Grant me the ability to be alone.
May it be my custom to go outdoors each day.
Among the trees and grasses, among all growing things
And there may I be alone.
And enter into prayer
To talk with the one I belong to.

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Bogey man

Yesterday, President Bush told a reporter that he gave up golf to be in solidarity with the parents of loved ones who had been killed in Iraq. Soldiers, Sailors, Air Force and Marines who’ve been killed in an un-necessary and illegal war can draw solace that Mr. Bush has given up golf. What a guy? Do you think George Bush belongs in the same history books as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson or Abraham Lincoln? Does this poor man get it? What planet is the guy on? Tonight Keith Olberman lit into the President in a tongue lashing without peer. View it here.

Sadly this is too little too late for thousands of Americans and Iraqi people who have been killed by a person who cares little if anything about human life. I have to wonder what if any lessons we as a country have learned from this debacle in Iraq. Have we learned that war only begets war and that only peace can bring an end to terrorism. I wish the president had kept playing golf and given up lying. You want to engender solidarity, call the nation to shared sacrifice. There should be no tax cuts for the wealthy in war time. You want to promote solidarity, how about gas rationing or a call to use alternatives to fossil fuels. How about an end to no bid contracts for your buddies. How about less “bring’em on” speeches and less politicization of opponents of your failed strategy.

You want to show real solidarity with the troops, own up to your mistakes honestly. Admit you were way wrong and ask forgiveness for yourself and your wrong headed strategy. Instead of a presidential library how about taking the money and putting it towards a trust fund to help the widows and children of the four thousand dead military personnel and the countless thousands of wounded from this debacle. How about asking the war profiteers to give back some of the billions of tax payer dollars to establish the beginning of an international aid program. Start playing golf again and while you’re out there invite some of the orphans of Katrina, Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere to join you for lunch. Live with the victims of war and you’ll be a little less likely to start another one. Spend some time living with a military family, eat the food they eat, sit up with them while they worry and pray for their loved ones. When you’ve been in their shoes it’ll be a little tougher to start another war.

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Thoughts on prayer

Yesterday, I wrote about what makes a monk. It was a popular post and even invited a response. I am a contemplative and maybe could even claim to be a mystic or at the very least attracted to mysticism. I love to sit in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. Holy Thursday is approaching quickly. The celebration of the Liturgy of the Lord’s Supper is one of my favorites. I’ve often wished that I had been among the disciples that evening.

During Lent I try to do something positive. This year I’ve made a commitment to two periods of contemplative prayer each day. So far I’ve been able to sit. Sitting is not always easy and each time I’ve tried to stay with the sacred word I’ve chosen. In the past I’ve given up because I didn’t think I was accomplishing much, but I have noticed that I’m more upbeat and more relaxed and I’m drawn each morning and evening to stay with the practice.

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Ash Wednesday

Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent this year. Today many will return from Lenten services with ashes on their heads. I’ve been thinking about what I’m going to do for Lent this year. I’m going to spend more time in contemplative prayer. I’m being drawn more and more to silence and solitude. The more time I spend in silence the happier I am.  It’s funny but silence speaks to me. I’ve also been asked to pray for a couple trying to become a mother and father. Please pray for peace also. Pray for our country that is going to spend more on war and weapons than at anytime since World War II. Pray that this year we elect a leader that will bring change.

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Spoken text

I have a very good friend who is legally blind. He is 85 years old and gets around very well for someone who has difficulty seeing. He goes to work everyday and presides at family court. We visit a lot and he tells me about his grandson that he is very proud of and his five daughters and their families. Continue reading “Spoken text”