Belonging: Belonging in Relationships
My best friend and I recently spent a long weekend getaway in Michigan. We stopped by a local vineyard to sample the wine and ran into a married couple on a Sunday outing of their own. The husband immediately cracked a joke with the hostess, before pulling up a...
Ignatian Prayers for the New Year: Help Me See with New Eyes
When I look back at all that has changed due to the global pandemic, one thing that remained surprising and challenging for me was the drastic change in decision making. Instantly, every decision became much heavier, often with an added fear of a life or death...
Ignatian Prayers for the New Year: Retreating, Silently
It seems that the Ignatian emphasis on silence and especially the silent retreat is one that either appeals to people or puts fear into them. We really don’t like to be silent. But if you’ve been on a silent retreat, you know the beauty of it. If you’re one of...
Ignatian Prayers for the New Year: The Mirror in the Field
Have you ever wanted to go to God in prayer, but didn’t feel like you could? Maybe it’s been a while since you have prayed, maybe you’ve said or done something unkind to someone and you feel guilty for your actions, maybe your heart is broken from grief or from the...
Ignatian Prayers for the New Year: Becoming a “Fool for Christ” (Ignatius’ Prayer for Humility)
There are only a few times in my life in which I have willingly invited myself into poverty. Even when we lost everything in Hurricane Katrina, I still grasped for all things. I remember immediately venturing into a store to purchase baby clothes, wash cloths, and...
Ignatian Prayers for the New Year: Preparing to Pray
Ever feel like the quality of your prayer is a bit off? When my regular practice starts feeling dry or stale, or like I’m just going through the motions, I find it helpful to revisit some of St. Ignatius’ “Additional Directions” that he proposes “to help one to...
Ignatian Prayers for the New Year: Contemplation on the Incarnation
Have you ever wondered if God really sees you? Have you wondered if God is watching you right now? Have you wondered if God is aware of how much you are struggling? Have you wondered if God notices when you do well? If God rejoices when you rejoice? If God cries...
Ignatian Prayers for the New Year: Images of God in Prayer
One of my favorite images of God is one that I pray each morning with the Benedictus, “In the tender compassion of our God, the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the...
Advent: A Reflection on Luke 1:39-45
When I contemplated this familiar passage about Mary and Elizabeth to write this post, I found myself lingering on the very first line: “Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste…” To be honest, it was a part of the passage I had never stopped to...
Advent: A Reflection on Philippians 4:4-7
Brothers and sisters:Rejoice in the Lord always.I shall say it again: Rejoice!Your kindness should be known to all.The Lord is near.Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.Then the peace...
