Category:

Prayer walk

12/28/2021

Since returning from Florence on the 17th, the weather for walking as been superb. In Florence, I walked about 7 miles; here at home, my walk is 2 or 3. That’s okay.
I’m committed to paying attention to the moment on these walks, noticing the surroundings, especially the trees; being aware of God’s creation and God’s gift to me to be living in this moment and in this beautiful space. God invites me to look up. And here is what gratitude I am blessed to enjoy and share with you.

Walking around Florence with God

9/29/2021

I’m in Italy, ten nights in Florence, three in Rome. I tell people that I’m here walking around with God. And, that is true, although I also like walking around to find good restaurants, and of course I walk around museums, churches, and parks.
   I’m writing this in the Gardino delle Scuderie Reali, adjacent to the Boboli Gardens. A grandmother is enjoying two grandchildren; a group of students is having class; two people are walking hand in hand; a woman is sitting on a bench texting. Life is happening in Italy.
   What does this have to do with walking around with God? Well, it implies that God is with me, which means I am bringing God to these people who happen to be here this afternoon. Of course God is with them, but in case they don’t know it, I’m sending his presence to them through the Holy Spirit.
   If that sounds mysterious, well it is! Don’t try to figure it out. Instead, go somewhere nearby and send out love and peace to whoever is there. You will feel loving and peaceful, which a good thing for you, and it will become less mysterious. In believing that you are making a difference to them, you will grace. God’s grace is there for the asking. That’s the way it works.

Walking around with God

12/12/2018

This is my last day in Florence walking around with God. Of course, I can walk around with God anywhere, because God is everywhere.
Walking around with God is not a white privilege; you don’t have to afford be in such a beautiful place as Florence; God walks with everyone, everywhere, all the time--God shows no partiality.
God is always there to walk with me. I just have to notice.

Morning in Florence with God

9/16/2018

I’m more conscious of walking around with God in the early morning, at least when I’m in Florence. There are fewer distractions to draw my thoughts away. The streets are relatively clear of traffic, the sidewalks sparse save for a few runners; I don’t have to concentrate on maneuvering my way from spot to spot, from café to cafe. And then there is the heat; even in September there is the omnipresent sun.
Very grateful for this morning.

Morning walk with God in Florence

9/9/2018

If you name it a prayer walk, it will becomes one—it happens when t the mind goes to the heart. On this Sunday in Florence the temperature may reach 90, and for sure the streets will be crowded, but right now the early morning is cool and the streets relatively clear. So I start my best prayer walk, inviting my mind into my heart.
My walk began quietly as I wandered across the Piazza della Signoria, along the Arno, over the Ponte Vecchio, and down some side streets. Life picked up at Piazza Santo Spirito, where an antique show was getting underway and where my go-to café was bustling. Final stop, Sung High Mass at St. Mark’s English Church.

With God in Florence

9/6/2018

It’s been a while since I’ve posted anything more than a Daily Quote or Word & Image. It’s not that I haven’t been praying, but I couldn’t pull together anything I felt worthy of sharing. Maybe I should have told you that I was all over the place mentally and physically getting ready for this moment when I would be sitting in the garden of the art institute adjacent to the Boboli Gardens in Florence. Maybe I should have told you that I was too involved in the non-stop breaking news to ever imagine that I would be taking a two week vacation from it all.
     The leaves are turning and there is a soft breeze here in the park. How easy it is to feel God’s presence in God’s natural creation and in God’s people enjoying themselves! I say that I go to Florence to walk around with God, because that is truly what I want to do, although I often forget. When I do remember, however, God is clearly present whether I am walking the streets, visiting a church or museum, enjoy delicious food, or watching people (and their dogs) in the park.
    Traveling alone simplifies things; it’s just God and me, no one else. Traveling alone helps me practice what I’d like to have happen all the time—be aware of God. I’m reminded of St. Paul’s suggestion that we pray without ceasing, and the way of the pilgrim repeating the Jesus Prayer.
    I am very grateful that solitary travel works out so well for me, but it’s not the only way to travel or to be in solitude, nor the only way to be in God’s presence. When we follow Jesus, however, we see that a little solitude time with God is part of God’s plan. If Jesus traveled off by himself to be with God, why shouldn’t we?

Being both human and divine

8/27/2018

It is said that Jesus was both human and divine--a concept I easily resonated with on my walk this morning. I set out with the intention of walking with God—to meditate and be in God’s presence by letting go of all my everyday thoughts—the monkey mind, as it is called. At varying intervals I was able to do this, to be with the divine Jesus.
     However, I was also present to the human Jesus. How could I not, with sweat dripping down the back of my neck, with my legs letting me know they were working hard, and with thoughts of thirst?
     I’m glad my faith celebrates both the human and the divine, not just in Jesus but in each one of us humans. Without thought or commitment we all participate in the human. But although the divine is there, we have to chose it and practice bringing it into our consciousness and actions.
     So did Jesus. He was out and about in Galilee walking and talking with people, but he there were times when went off to walk and talk with God. And then there was the cross, where he was fully human, and then in some mysterious, unfathomable way, showed us how also to be fully divine.

With God, alone or in community~

12/9/2017

     Further observations on yesterday’s festivities for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. In spite of the rain, folks were out and about on the streets with umbrellas. The weather was no determent. Long lines formed to attend Mass at the Duomo. Crowds gathered to witness the lighting of the Christmas tree.
     All wonderful. I noticed, however, that I had no desire to participate actively as part of this joyful community. Maybe it’s because I’m not Roman Catholic; maybe because I have chosen to travel alone; maybe because I could watch the tree lighting from my apartment window—probably all three.
     Thinking further for this prayerdiary blog, I notice that when traveling alone I have little interest in attending a church service, whereas at home, Sunday worship is part of my routine. One reason I travel alone is to step away from community. Here in Florence I walk around with God and spend time in churches. God in Trinity is very present to me. I guess I don’t need community and ritual for these two weeks.

Walking around with God in Florence~

12/6/2017

     I’m writing an article entitled ‘Walking Around with God in Florence.’ In it I tell about the morning walks that I take to the most prominent churches, my visits to a few of my favorite churches, and those that offer an atmosphere for prayer and meditation. My dilemma: where to post it? Definitely on this blog, but what about acottagebythesea, or a public site such as the Lonely Planet? *
      This quandary underlies an issue that people of faith like me experience these days. We don’t want to be misunderstood as bigots, political conservatives, or stupid. So, we don’t say a word about our faith.
     This is definitely our problem. We had better own it, speak out and stop worrying about what others might think. The good news is the miraculous chance that others may get an inkling that our faith helps us be loving and compassionate.

* Does anyone know of a religious public site where I might post the article?

Walking around with God

12/3/2017

As I prepare to leave for Italy, I’m reminded that Jesus sent his disciples out in twos to heal, and to take nothing for their journey, and to proclaim the kingdom of God. How can Jesus speak to me when I’m going by myself with every intention to be alone, and, although I’m taking very little, I do have a suitcase packed?
It’s the idea of the kingdom of God that resonates with me. I’m not proclaiming it out loud, but I’m planning to the walk around with God. That feel like a proclamation even if no one I meet or pass on the street knows what I’m doing. Whenever we are in a state of peace, that peace spreads to others, especially those in our physical sphere. If I don’t believe this, I’m left in despair. The prophet Micah tells us what the Lords requires of us: to justice, act kindly and walk humbly with God. I’m walking with God, trying to do it humbly.