God, who is love itself, creates a universe that is good from the start (because God is good). Over time, people develop in the image and likeness of God and take their place in this ongoing project of God. Equipped with intelligence and free will, we humans are invited to be friends of God and … Read more
I was a city kid until I moved to rural Vermont in 1979, which is still home to more trees than people. The northeast corner of Vermont is known for its exquisite fall foliage. People from all over the world come to enjoy the rich reds and yellows and oranges of the leaves, the bright … Read more
“May you take the time to celebrate the silent miracles that don’t seek attention.” —John O’Donohue I recently attended the fourth week of St. Ignatius started. One of my first tasks was to spend some time reflecting on how Mary met Jesus after the resurrection. The fruits of this unique prayer experience took my breath … Read more
Last summer, I entered the time of the retreat on my annual retreat, unsure of what I wanted from God. Of course, I always wish to draw closer to Christ and be renewed for the year to come. I hope for the comfort a retreat can bring. But as the retreat went on, I didn’t … Read more
Navratri (or nine nights) is a Hindu holiday that honors Shakti or the Divine Feminine / Mother and seeks spiritual purification, guidance and enlightenment from her. It lasts nine nights and ten days. The nine nights are divided into groups of three and during each group there is meditation on a particular aspect of the … Read more
I read through essays my students submitted in response to the assignment of spending an hour outdoors, undisturbed by phones or to-do lists. They write about the vortex of stimuli that rush through their over-busy minds. You write about memories that have surfaced: of times at home with parents, grandparents or siblings, playing on the … Read more
This 96-minute documentary provides a multi-dimensional overview of China’s special kind of capitalism, consumerism and economic growth since 1978. In three well-structured sections, the director Jessica Kingdon covers the levels of the capitalist structure: from factory workers to aspiring middle and class entrepreneurs, to the newly wealthy elites and those who serve them. She begins … Read more
Everyone has intuitive skills. The way to develop them is to first understand how they work. Some people are born into families in which intuitive abilities are adopted while others are suppressed or believed to be nonexistent. Until people access training or information to develop their intuition, their skills remain hidden. To use our intuition … Read more
When I hear the word saint, the first image that comes to mind is not a Carmelite nun kneeling in a dark chapel and fingering her rosary. Well, I am sure that many Carmelites are saints, but they are not the first thing I think of. The first image that comes to mind is a … Read more
Honor everyone and everything Catholic wisdom Spiritual sensitivity increases when we know how to see, touch, and taste the physical world with exquisite awe and contemplative discipline.—Tessa Bielecki in Holy Daring Native American wisdom Isn’t it time to put the elders back in the middle of the village?– Joseph M. Marshall on a walk with … Read more