The More Empty, the More Room

While we may not think of being "empty" as a good thing, we must realized that these moments of spiritual and physical "poverty" happen in life. Sometimes this emptiness comes to us like the widow in today's gospel (who gave all she had from her poverty) and sometimes someone like Fr Leger, a Cardinal of … Continue reading The More Empty, the More Room

Vanity of Vanities

Vanity of vanities, says Qoheleth, vanity of vanities! All things are vanity! (Ecc 1) I used to think these words were Shakespeare's, and even then, their truth rattled my ears.  Now knowing that these words are from the book of Ecclesiastes, they are even more sobering.  Indicating perhaps meaningless time and effort we waste in our lives on that … Continue reading Vanity of Vanities

Make Haste Not Bustle

Looking up "haste" on thesarus.com , ("extreme speed, hurry") I noticed an almost perfectly divided list of 43 synonyms that have nearly as many negative connotations as positive.   I was thinking about "haste" as I reflected on this upcoming gospel reading for the fourth Sunday in Advent, and I have to ask myself the question, … Continue reading Make Haste Not Bustle

Spiritual Muscle Memory

As a dancer, my daughter spends hours each day developing what is called "muscle memory".  Her muscles are being trained to engage together for a specific reactive form that becomes a skill which plays out on a stage as art.  Requiring thousands of hours of strengthening particular muscles so they create the perfect ballet form … Continue reading Spiritual Muscle Memory

These Belong To You

I once read a beautiful story about a woman who was very attractive.  She received many compliments during her days.  Graciously, she took each compliment and imagined it was a lovely rose.  She envisioned putting each complimenting "flower" to her nose, luxuriating in its sweet scent. Next, she added the "flower" to a "bouquet" of … Continue reading These Belong To You