Editor’s note. Lightly edited copy of an email I sent to my spiritual director in advance of our monthly meeting for August. I email her every month, mostly to focus my mind before we meet, and I archive them here so I have a record of issues I’ve dealt with over time. Being able to consult them … Continue reading Spiritual direction, August 2022
New header picture — labyrinth in the rolling prairie at Jubilee Farm
A new background picture for Ordinary Times' header shows the center of a labyrinth at Jubilee Farm, the Dominican Sisters' center for ecology and spirituality. Jubilee Farm, on 147 acres of rolling prairie west of Springfield, bills itself as a "a home to farm animals and wildlife, an educational resource, a demonstration of living in an … Continue reading New header picture — labyrinth in the rolling prairie at Jubilee Farm
‘What am I doing for Christ?’: An Ignatian triple colloquy F2F with Jesus via Zoom
Third in an occasional series of Ignatian colloquies ... Christ Pantocrator, Haiga Sophia, Istanbul, ca. 1080-1100 (Wikimedia Commons) Editor's (admin's) note. One of a series of posts in which I journal my attempts to incorporate Jesuit imaginative prayer exercises into my own prayer life. In today's, I try what is often known as the triple … Continue reading ‘What am I doing for Christ?’: An Ignatian triple colloquy F2F with Jesus via Zoom
‘Lord, teach us to pray’: A spiritual mutt reflects on Abraham’s prayer for Sodom and Gomorrah (Pentecost VII)
Sodom and Gomorrah, Jacob Willemz. de Wet II, ca. 1680 (Wikimedia Commons) Genesis 18 (NRSV): 20 Then the Lord said, “How great is the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah and how very grave their sin! 21 I must go down and see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry that has come to me, and if not, I … Continue reading ‘Lord, teach us to pray’: A spiritual mutt reflects on Abraham’s prayer for Sodom and Gomorrah (Pentecost VII)
Learning to pray from George Burns and a young adult novel by Judy Blume
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6x0i-FfeA44 I know how hard it is in these times to have faith. But maybe if you could have the faith to start with, maybe the times would change. You could change them. Think about it. Try. And try not to hurt each other. There's been enough of that. It really gets in the way. … Continue reading Learning to pray from George Burns and a young adult novel by Judy Blume
Spiritual direction, May 2022
Editor’s (admin’s) note. Lightly edited copy of an email I sent to my spiritual director the night before our monthly meeting for May. I email her every month, mostly to focus my mind before we meet, and I archive them here so I have a record of issues I’ve dealt with over time. Here's my monthly … Continue reading Spiritual direction, May 2022
Another step in a spiritual mutt’s surprising journey — committing as a Dominican associate
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jx7-NvOCnv8&t=2631s Commitment Ceremony for Associate Candidates, Dominican Sisters of Springfield, Illinois, Sacred Heart Convent Chapel. Streamed live May 1, 2022. [YouTube at springfieldop.] Debi and I read our commitment statements at 41:15-43:40. About 15 years ago, Debi and I were talking about our lifestyle, and one of us -- I don't remember who, and it … Continue reading Another step in a spiritual mutt’s surprising journey — committing as a Dominican associate
Four Pillars of Dominican Life — videos from 2019 formation session for associate candidates
d r a f t https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3h7N7VyVBA&t=552s Posted to YouTube by the Springfield Dominican sisters at springfieldop with this explanatory note and links to other video clips: Sister Marilyn Jean Runkel, OP shred what the four pillars of Dominican life are to the 2019 associate candidate class on Sunday, October 13, 2019. The sharing and discussion … Continue reading Four Pillars of Dominican Life — videos from 2019 formation session for associate candidates
Spiritual direction, April 2022
Editor's (admin's) note. Lightly edited copy of an email I sent to my spiritual director the night before our April meeting. I email her every month, mostly to focus my mind before we meet, and I archive them here so I have a record of issues I've dealt with over time. This will be very … Continue reading Spiritual direction, April 2022
Early spring visit to Jubilee Farm and friendly rescue cat reawaken thoughts of stewardship and new beginnings
Grass beginning to green up at Jubilee Farm, Old Jacksonville Road. Genesis 2:8-9, 15 (NRSV) And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east; and there he put the man whom he had formed. 9 Out of the ground the Lord God made to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food, the … Continue reading Early spring visit to Jubilee Farm and friendly rescue cat reawaken thoughts of stewardship and new beginnings
Ordinary Time 