Blog Archives

Praying in Florence~

2/28/2015

Where to catch up? You can find bits and pieces about my time here in Florence on my cottage-by-the-sea blog.
     Here I sit on this Saturday morning at one of my favorite writing places, the Oblate Library. It’s rather chilly so I’m inside the cafe rather than at my usual spot on the loggia. What hasn’t changed is the view of the Duomo.
      I spent the first three nights in Florence at a B&B convent (I’ll write about that another time) but now I am settled into an apartment overlooking the Cathedral of Santa Maria dei Fiori, which I refer to as the Duomo. The location is perfect for all the usual tourist and gastronomic reasons, but also for prayer.
        The south side entrance opens at 7AM for mass and prayer. I just say ‘La Messa’ or ‘Per preghari’ and in I go and sit in the middle chapel of the apse, which is designated for prayer, not Mass.
     At home my morning prayer begins in the Angel Room at 5:30, but here it’s closer to 8:30. Although my routine varies, the essential component of intercessory prayer continues. If I am called to pray for people, I’d better do it, and that means every day. This commitment keeps me grounded. Wherever I am, whether at home or traveling, God is present and I am content.

Boston to Florence~

2/24/2015

I made it to Florence with ease and am settled into the convent B & B. It is peaceful. Will write more tomorrow. This was written two days ago from Boston.

At the airport, finally. Sun glaring in my face as I walked to Gate A14. Very quiet here. Just a few waiting to board for Amsterdam but there is time. All the time in the world. It came to me today that this trip is about letting go of what gets in my way of being with God. I won’t dismiss my top ten prayer list or all my other prayer lists, but I’m not going to concentrate so hard on them. You’d think it is all up to me, that God isn’t listening or paying attention, that God is just my pawn.

So on this trip I’m going to spend more time being with God, walking, sitting in churches, looking at all the art treasures, and less time reminding God about all the people on my lists. I’ll give them over to Jesus, let Jesus carry the burdens that I feel so heavy but that Jesus says are so light.

P.S. The news is on at the airport. Once again I’m reminded of the reasons I don’t watch it very much.

Stop, Pray, Work, Play, Love

2/18/2015

Lent has begun. It’s time to … Stop, Pray, Work, Play, Love.

www.SSJE.org/time

Church wasn't closed today~

2/15/2015

My church from my upstairs window.

Church wasn’t closed today: we just went on line instead of into the sanctuary. Rev. Thomas O’Brien of the Congregational Church of Sudbury and Rev. Marjorie Matty of First Parish Sudbury had planned a pulpit swap, but due to the snow storm, they created a joint worship service and conversation on Google Hangouts. Along Rev. Marta Valentine of First Church Unitarian Littleton, they shared thoughts about civility and loving our neighbor. In summary, they agreed that the golden rule is at the foundation of all religions, and that civility is based on active listening and honesty with self and others.

      Community involvement was limited to comments sent in by parishioners and read by Rev. Marjorie. Although there was music and prayer at the start and end, I’d have to say the service was heavy on sermon/message and light on worship.

     No question we need to think outside the box about church. This is a start, an awesome one. I am very grateful to the these three ground breakers.

     The sun is now out, but you can still go to church. Give it a try at:



https://plus.google.com/events/csubjktdlde8o56svasjfu10gn0

Forgiveness~

2/12/2015

I’ve been thinking about forgiveness. We know how fundamental it is to Jesus’ message: God forgives, we must forgive, too. I notice that Jesus never says that my forgiveness is contingent on the other person giving me. That is his/her responsibility and personal relationship with God. All I must do is forgive myself for the part I have played, which usually involves ways I have judged, blamed, and envied.

The other day during a prayer program at church, we were led through an exercise to pray for an enemy. I was surprised that the person who came up as my enemy is someone who had never done me wrong. I had to forgive myself for projecting my inadequacies onto her.

How do I do forgive myself, or anyone else? As Jesus said, “This can only be done through prayer.”

From head to heart~

2/9/2015

“Why do I desire things that are not God?”

I’ve been pondering this quote by Thomas Merton that I posted on ‘Daily Quotes’ a few days ago. Here’s a quick list off the top of my head of possible responses.

• I forget God.
• I want immediate gratification.
• I like things that are not God.
• I am used to things that are not God.
• I am human.

Ah, off the top of my head. That is where the things that are not God reside. I forget to go into my heart where I will find the things that are God. I know it is not that simple, but it’s a start.

Society of St. John the Evangelist Lenten Series

2/7/2015

With Lent just 11 days away, here is my second reminder about the Society of Saint John the Evangelist on-line Lenten series. I can’t emphasize enough how grateful I am to the SSJE Brothers for sharing the message of Christ through their daily “Brother, Give Us A Word” email. Often at night, when I’m too tired to read, I lower the lights and listen to one of the Brother’s sermons. And now, I look forward to wresting with the idea of time as I walk day by day through Lent with them. “Join the Brothers as we wrestle with questions of time and discover how to experience the joy of the present moment.”

“This series starts on 5am local time Ash Wednesday: February 18, 2015 and is designed so that everyone in your community can participate. Everyone is busy. Time is at a premium. It is hard for all to come together to deepen our faith.

     Here’s what they wrote about this year’s Lenten Series on Time.

     “Each theme is introduced with a video of a Brother priming us for the week’s theme. The theme is then explored in depth in six short reflection videos (around 2 minutes each). A compilation video is also available each Sunday.

     “Each reflection video ends with a thought-provoking question for you to ponder over the course of the day, then answer on the worksheet.”

Get the accompanying workbook:

Download the free PDF booklet

Buy from Forward Movement

http://www.ssje.org/

Praying to release depression~

2/3/2015

As I’ve been praying for someone who is hospitalized with depression. I know that many people are ‘keeping him in their thoughts and prayers’, but I’m wondering how many are intentionally praying for him. At it worst, the expression about thoughts and prayers is thrown-away, similar to ‘have a good day,’ when said without thought. At best it is offers care and compassion.

As a Christian who feels called to pray, I believe that my prayers for my friend really do matter. Of course I want his depression to lift so he can enjoy the life God wants for him, but how that will happen, and what it will look like is not up to me. I am certain, however, that wrapping him in God’s light, calling the Holy Spirit to enter his mind/body/spirit, and imaging Jesus walking with him, will offer him peace that passes all understanding.