When I was 6 months old, I cried for the moon. My mother could not convince me that the moon was not an accessible "ball to play with," as I insisted. Since then, I have realized that many religious seem to have some voice inside that nudges them to "cry for the moon." We're idealists. We want to re-create a better world in which to play.
The panelists shared a variety of approaches that help bring them into union with God: eucharistic adoration, poetry, Scripture, yoga, dancing, drawing, and centering prayer. But all approaches ultimately involve a personal encounter of love, a contemplative experience with the Divine. They described unique individual encounters with God as they responded to this question: "What is your favorite type of prayer? Why?"
The cathedrals represented the space where God became present — mediated by the clergy through the sacraments. The clergy were the teachers of the faith, using stained glass windows and other iconography to tell salvation history. The architecture made order and geometric design a priority as well as conveying a sense of stability and permanence.
Horizons - I always love the Scripture readings during the first week of Easter, when the church prays with the appearance stories of the resurrected Jesus. What I especially appreciate is the human reality.
From A Nun's Life podcasts - In this Random Nun Clip, Sister Maxine and her guests talk about how faith helps us in the ups and downs of life.
Notes from the Field - As full-time volunteers, we are going to struggle to define what we need, what success or failure looks like, to define when we are overindulging in self-care.
As I enjoyed Kalyani Nagar Joggers Park, there was a wonderful interplay of words of prayer like Rabindranath Tagore's poem and reading from the primordial sacred book called nature.
From Where I Stand: No doubt about it: The seventh degree of humility in the Rule of Benedict was meant for us. It's impossible, of course, to lead the world in everything. But tell any lie long enough and people are prone to believe it. And claim it. And assume it. And we do.
Recalling Jesus' death on the cross, Pope Francis led thousands on Good Friday in reflecting on the crosses of loneliness, fear and betrayal that crucify countless men, women and children in the world. In the annual Way of the Cross in Rome's Colosseum April 19, the meditation for each station reflected the suffering and pain of people exploited and marginalized.
Amid habitat loss and diminishing biodiversity, I'm watching a new species evolve in a curious new habitat: the birds of Home Depot. Why does my heart ache when I hear them calling from the plastic shelves of paradise?
Like what you're reading? Sign up for GSR e-newsletters!