Talking About The Faith Path

The Early Morning Hours and Silence I remember from the years I lived in Panama, from 1958-1967, how much I loved to go to bed early, very early. If it was raining, even if it was only 8 PM I would go to my room and just lie there listening to the rain, the wind, and the swaying of the sawgrass. Panama was a good place to do that if your house was ‘sort-of’ in the jungle. Even in the Navy, if I was not out and about, I would go to bed earlier than most of my comrades. So I have always...

Faith and the Unconscious The truth is that our unconscious minds are active, purposeful, and independent. Hidden they may be, but their effects are anything but, for they play a critical role in shaping the way our conscious minds experience and respond to the world.---Leonard Mlodinow ++++++++++ In order to grow in self-knowledge, the unconscious has to be accessed. When this is done, the injunction of Jesus to take care of the log in one's eye before you point to the splinter in...

Razor's Edge Lord, we are always on the edge, we can hide from it, keeping busy, yet no one is so special that we are not vulnerable, what a boon this short life with its valleys and hills and occasional mountain view. What a gift, is a life, both in its fullness, as well as its brevity. --Br.MD

Hope To hope is to reach upward when all is dark, when one is alone, yet propelled to reach for grace, God's love is beyond our emotions, feelings, and even our deepest misunderstandings of Infinite Love. Just reach.--Br.MD

Our Spiritual Path I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God's heavenly calling in Christ Jesus. --Philippians 3:14 When people speak to me, more than a few when sharing their spiritual path, and frustrations can overlook what is the most obvious. For they will often complain that they have so many obstacles to overcome that they can’t get started. It would seem that they think that all of the ‘obstacles’ have to be gotten rid of before they can begin. Yet, it is those very...

The Monastic Journey (Chapter talk 11/14/2020) The world tells us to seek success, power, and money; God tells us to seek humility, service, and love.--Pope Francis ++++++++++ The human journey from my experience is not a simple affair. There is an old saying “What you see is what you get”, which implies that some people are more truthful to what they present to others. While I believe that there is a certain truth to the cliché, for the most part, is simply not true. Who am I? Who am I...

How else can we love ourselves? God is always at work, in ways that can't be comprehended, or even seen. When Jesus was in the tomb, for a time, it seemed that evil had won, yet that was not the case, nor is it now. As Christians, when we gain understanding more deeply what it means to be in Christ, or as St. Paul said: It is not I who live, but Christ Jesus who lives in me, it is then that Jesus can work through us. We can become Christ's hands and feet, his heart in an often cold world....

All Souls Day 2020 "The more one longs for a thing, the more painful does deprivation of it become. And because after this life, the desire for God, the Supreme Good, is intense in the souls of the just (because this impetus toward him is not hampered by the weight of the body, and that time of enjoyment of the Perfect Good would have come) had there been no obstacle; the soul suffers enormously from the delay."-Saint Thomas Aquinas, The Angelic Doctor ++++++++++ . There are many aspects...

All Saints Day 2020 “If God is for us, who is against us?” (Rom 8:31): this is the source of the peace found in the saints. Such inner strength makes it possible for us, in our fast-paced, noisy and aggressive world, to give a witness of holiness through patience and constancy in doing good. It is a sign of the fidelity born of love, for those who put their faith in God (pístis) can also be faithful to others (pistós). They do not desert others in bad times; they accompany them in their...

It is in giving that we receive O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.—St. Francis of Assisi When Christ Jesus was accosted in the garden of Gethsemane, betrayed, manhandled, and arrested, in the midst of all that chaos, Peter drew his sword and cut...

Show respect for all people The climate in the United States is pretty ugly at this time. It would seem that Christians could be the worst offenders in how they attack one another and even condemn them to hell. I recently wrote a piece on 'Silence' and posted it on a Catholic site. The response I got was strange, over the top, irrational, and condemning. Even though the area that I posted in was the thread on 'Prayer', he took it upon himself, without checking with me, that I was writing...

"We become what we hate". There is an old saying "We become what we hate". It is a paradox, absurd, yet when I attack someone on whatever grounds, I tend to become the very thing I am fighting. It is as if we have seeds laying within, more or less dormant, and they only take root when watered by someone who is out front with their opinions that I do not agree with You have to fight fire with fire, which only makes a very big bonfire. It is all very intimate, yet based on something other...

I got my ballot I got my ballot in the mail today. There have already been 21 million votes, I guess that is a record. I am weary of it all but hopeful. I hope that when this over, whoever wins, perhaps the next four years can be used to actually doing their jobs instead of all this partisan infighting. It is not about power, but about service. Yet I guess power is a strong drug, the cocaine of the spirit. It is up to us, the people, not our so-called leaders. When we fight each other,...

Silence There are many layers to silence. Silence allows rest, both for the mind and the heart. Silence allows deeper areas in the soul to become known, which would otherwise be impossible to experience. Silence helps when the inner world is in turmoil, or filled with anxiety, it allows a place to stand from to form in our interior. It helps with the human tendency to be 'personally infallible', which can lead to all kinds of trouble in the community. In silence, we come face to...

What is life all about? (Community remembrance for Br. Alan) “Think of Me in My human life more often, for in this way you will draw the power to imitate Me. You must take all the means: look at Me, call Me, love Me.” December 11—Holy Hour. Bossis, Gabrielle. He and I (Kindle Locations 3083-3085). Pauline Books and Media. Kindle Edition. ++++++++++ When a community member dies, after a few days, the community will gather to talk about the departed brother, and to share experiences...

The sacredness of the human person “I wish to restate as firmly as I can that abortion is a grave sin, since it puts an end to an innocent life. In the same way, however, I can and must [state] that there is no sin that God’s mercy cannot reach and wipe away when it finds a repentant heart seeking to be reconciled with the Father.” (Apostolic Letter, 2016) ++++++++++ A sin is an act of self-destruction. Something that lessens our humanity, which I believe as a Christian, Jesus calls us...

Br. Alan, RIP Br. Alan went to the Lord (died) at 11:30 PM on Sunday night. Today (Tuesday) as is our custom, we will receive his body at 5:15 PM from the funeral home, and he will be laid out in our church until his funeral mass tomorrow at 7:30 AM, right after Lauds. The monks will take turns sitting with Br. Alan through the night. I never have gotten used to receiving the body of a newly deceased member of our community. I guess we each experience the death of a community member...

Faith, not a given, and absurdity August 3—Le Fresne church. Holy Hour. While I was doing a hundred and one things I was thinking, “But I must look after my beloved.” “Your beloved does so much for you. When you are absorbed in other things He is there. When you are putting forth great efforts because your faith is dim, He is there. When you no longer feel His presence, He is with you. And when you think you are deserted, He is right in your very center, alive, watchful, loving. Knowing...

We are called to share, not force change We are living in a time of 'endings'. Structures are falling, perhaps even some structures in the Catholic Church. I believe we must speak the truth without worrying about convincing. When we do not do that it leads to arguments, which is not really communication. We all plant seeds, and we receive seeds that if we allowed them to grow could be harmful, others leading to new life. When we speak truth calmly, understanding that we are not called to...

It is not about judging those who have an abortion This Act is an extreme measure, allowing for the abortion of unborn life at any stage of pregnancy and for any reason. It sends a message to everyone in our state that life is cheap. This is a truly sad day for Illinois. We will continue to make our case against such callous disregard for human life whenever it appears in society. Catholic Conference Statement on House Passage of “Reproductive Health Act” I talked to a good friend last...

Writing prisoners and using discernment (But never giving up on them) I was writing to one of the prisoners I correspond with this morning. I always learn a lot from them. While it is true that from time to time I get a con-man, they soon give themselves away, and then I challenge them, and for the most part, they stop writing to me. Walter, is a middle-aged man, who is in for a long stretch. When I searched his records there was not much there, so I do not really know what he is in for. I...

Janet RIP Janet lived for 82 years, of those decades I knew her for three, long years it sounds like, yet now that she is gone, it seems like a flash in the pan. Lots of memories of her laugh, as well as her many anxious concerns, most of which never came true. Also her easy smile, and how she never let go of hope. She was deeply wounded, and yes she did hurt others, perhaps a legacy we all share, but not cruel by intent. Within her world, she learned to love what she had, and had...

Prayer, the hidden thread September 14—Le Fresne church. Holy Hour. “Take My heart and press the blood upon France, upon the world, so that its purifying power may change the face of the earth. Everything can work together for good, you know, even evil. And I can make even those who seek disorder and violence contribute to My glory. But you must pray. You see how I am always asking you to work with Me. There again, don’t leave Me alone. Don’t you love to help Me? Try. You will discover that...

A Lovely Baptist Lady Who Loved the Rosary Mary joins us, she fights at our side. She supports Christians in the fight against the forces of evil. Especially through prayer, through the rosary. Hear me out, the rosary... Do you pray the Rosary each day? --Pope Francis ++++++++++ Over the years, because I love to read, I had gotten used to the many misunderstandings that people have about the Rosary. I once read an article by a well-meaning Baptist minister, warning his flock of the...

Janet, at Journeys End I do believe that people come into our lives that we are supposed to take care of. Most of us have people come in and out of our lives, some we help for a short time, and then they move on. Which is as it should be. Then there are others, perhaps a very few that we know that we should help them over the long-haul. They can be people who drive us crazy, but we freely help them, without compulsion. Janet (not her real name) is one such person. I met her in our retreat...

Just stop doing it! One day I was wondering why it is so easy to judge others harshly. I know I can fall into that trap, especially when it is a 'group'. Again, I wondered, what would Jesus say to me about this: So I begin: My son, Christians have a habit of judging those harshly who sin in ways that they do not. In doing this they forget their own sins and failures. Any kind of judgment that comes from a place of anger, resentment, and yes hypocrisy is often the greater sin. I meant...

The more love, the less need to argue and judge Lord, why do we fight and argue so much? So again, I pretended the Lord was speaking to me and this is what came up: My son, beliefs are very emotional, not based on reason. I have given mankind the power of reason to be able to communicate with one another. When respect for the other, your neighbor, no matter who they are, is missing, being reasonable, which is also being loving and understanding is often lost. When you draw near to...

Br. Alan’s question that made me stop and think Over the years, before 2013, when I was placed in the retreat house, and was still working in our infirmary, I would at times be brought front and center from either a statement or a question that was asked me by one of the men I was taking care of. So I find that it is happening again now that I am back taking care of Br. Alan. About two weeks ago, during the morning shift, I was starting to wake up Br. Alan. He is easy to wake up, and...

Bishop Baron is a great speaker, this is a great homily. I believe that it is well worth watching. His insights are something that I believe will help all Christians to understand the Christian way of life.

Breathe in Him, move in Him June 22— . . . “If you knew what the love of God is, it would be impossible for you not to abandon everything to Him and let yourself be lost in Him. You would not dream of not counting on Him in life and death. Even on earth, you prefer to love a superior person, don’t you? Aren’t you attracted by intelligence, warmth, kindness? Multiply by infinity all the gifts that you look for in those you love; God is more. For there are depths of tenderness in Me that...

A good question about how to love God A woman came to me one day and asked me "How do I love God with my whole heart, mind, and soul? How is it even possible So I pretended the Lord was speaking through me, for I have few answers to anything. This is what followed: "When a soul begins to seek me, even at the very beginning when filled with conflicts and inner contradictions,even then, they begin to love me as much as they are able. So even a drop of love for me is complete. Then as they...

What would Jesus say: "Your emotions and feelings constantly change, like waves on the ocean. My love is deeper than any ocean, for I am infinite my child."-Br.MD

The ‘Eternal Moment' “Pray for all centuries, all peoples, all sinners” (16 January 1941--Para 3) He and I --Pauline Press In all religious traditions, there is a sense of connection, which deepens, if what one professes, is lived out from the heart. For Christians there can be a healthy sense of sin, in that it brings to mind our calling to become freer and more deeply human….in order to continue the life of Christ Jesus on the earth. Sin is a way we often seek to escape our calling....

I have a new philosophy. I'm only going to dread one day at a time. Charles M. Schulz “One day at a time”, can seem to be a cliché, but in reality, it brings to mind a deep truth. One so understood and known, yet in spite of that can easily be forgotten. Just today, that is all we have, and every day is ‘just today’. We can get ourselves in trouble (well I do) when I start to think of all the days that are in the future when I do that things can weigh on me. It is however an illusion, for...

A way of life A friend of mine on Facebook, a beautiful soul, as well as a regular retreatant here, sent me a plaque which I liked at once and found it cheerful and encouraging. It is very colorful and has a very wise message said in very simple language. Trust God Clean House Help Others I hung it up just behind our serving line so it could be enjoyed by all who pass through. You could say it a philosophy of life that looks simple and probably is, but may take some discipline to live...

The loss of a community friend/employee Even if I know someone who has a lot of health problems, and has been sick for a long time, it always takes me by surprise. So John D. worked for us for quite a few years. I am guessing about 15 years. He was one of our main drivers for taking people to their doctor appointments. As well as on occasion sitting with monks who were in the emergency room. He was a good driver and for the most part very gentle and kind with the monks that he drove. For a...

Cough it up and out One day a woman asked me why she needed to forgive her parents, who were very 'cruel' parents. In responding, I decided to use a very graphic image. "To forgive is like spitting up a hairball I told her. 'There is some healing in doing that. Over time, as you have to forgive over and over, the hairball gets smaller, and your pain becomes less. Your parents no longer have a hold on you". Then we talked about praying for her parents. Why (?), she asked again. So I...

Facing our own inner ‘demons’ Life is in reality a marathon for us. There are unexpected pressures that arise. Today you can say that many are being asked to face their own inner darkness so that a conscious choice can be made to allow in the light. This world is not a kind place to live, though there is much beauty as well. It is only in the human heart that kindness and compassion can be experienced that overflows from those who seek to become more loving towards themselves as well as...

The virus is a big threat The reason I believe that the COVID-19 virus is not overblown is that in a matter of a few months we have had over 150,000 deaths. Also, perhaps we are at the beginning of second-wave, or the end of the first, I am not sure. Unless people stop fighting over the 'mask' issue I believe we will lose many more people. In every country where they opened back up, there was a surge, a big one, the United States is a case in point. I do not believe that wearing a mask or...

The cliché (Though it need not be) There are many clichés that are used in our culture today. We hear them every day ad nauseum. Yet they can be true for all that; in fact they can get to the heart of the matter they speak of, if pondered and their over-familiarity defeated. So that the wise center can be understood and inner balance and healing accomplished. For me, the most difficult obstacle I face on my journey towards inner wholeness is the relationship I have with myself, one that...

Meeting a dying Beetle This morning I was watering the plants here in the Monastery Retreat House. Most of the plants I have I simply put in water and just watch them grow. Each plant is a work of art. As I was going out onto the Retreat House back porch, that overlooks our garden, I spied a beetle struggling. It was a beautiful specimen, with a long sleek body and long antennae. It was dying. I am always surprised to see an insect actually dying since I am sure the odds of living that long...

This comedian is really brilliant and very funny. I do believe that his satire gets people to think. As well as to laugh at themselves, I believe that is his point when he does video like this.

Letter to a Godly man, in pirson Below, is a letter I have written to a prisoner, whose name is, Joseph. He has been in prison for 25 years and there is no chance for him to be paroled. It is of course difficult. He was very young when he was first imprisoned, but over the years he has come a long way. I have been writing him for a few years and my respect for him grows every time we communicate. He is open about his struggles, how his faith is deepening, and how the Lord is using him...

Each day a new beginning Silence is beautiful, yet I still struggle. Prayer the life of the soul, sill I am at the beginning, I stumble, fail, yet continue, failure common, I am still called, I often respond in weakness, God gives the strength and desire to endure, Each day a new beginning everything is a call to conversion, to take the next step in trust and love. Never give up….despair not an option-Br.MD

This is a beautiful talk on our desire for intimacy, leading into the Eucharist, well worth the watch. This is a good video for Catholics, but also for non-Catholics to grow in understanding of what the Eucharist means.

I can dance I can dance Lord, or used to when young, those magic moments, (not nearly enough) when my body was light as air, yet overwhelmed with an inner fire, that put my fragile ego aside and I just let myself fly, sometimes I thought my heart would explode, but I did not stop the movement, allowing my soul to soar. Now that I am old, my body seems heavy, I can still move, but can't dance as I did back then, yet when I die, I will not sing, but dance before you for eternity expressing...

It is all grace, gift My poverty is complete, my failures many, my joy is knowing that your mercy, love, and compassion, are infinite. Lord help me to know myself so as not to judge others. It is a great grace to be allowed to see and experience one's poverty, and to trust in God's mercy. We must love ourselves in Christ Jesus.--Br.MD

At the end of our lives, we will be judged by Love --St. John of the Cross Prayer is not just asking, it is about waiting in silence, learning to just be, not as easy as it sounds. Keep it simple, honest, childlike, even in the midst of deep inner suffering, confusion, and doubt. We are upheld in the hands of an infinite lover, God became man to show us, to tell us of that reality, embrace it, dive deeply into life, all things pass only love remains,--BrMD

This moment Each moment is precious lord. I often squander it. A moment once past will never return again. To embrace each moment is to embrace life. To embrace your quiet, hidden presence that upholds all.-Br.MD

The Journey into Silence Silence is more than a lack of noise or outer agitation. Quiet does not always lead one to go inward but to sleep, or dream, or to let one’s mind just float. While this can be good, restful, and necessary, the call of silence is to go deeper. When we start to listen to the silence we sooner or later discover a presence waiting for us. In silence, we learn that the Infinite has a personal relationship with us. It is when we are silent that we can respond to this...