Contemplative practice allows us to see the glory of simply being. The great Jesuit poet Gerard Manley Hopkins certainly recognized the Divine Presence in the “dappled things” as they are. Parishioner and contemplative practitioner Joy Kleucker offers this selection in the hopes of aiding our own recognition: PIED BEAUTY Glory be to God for dappled things -- For skies as couple-colored as a...
“Martha, Martha, you are anxious about many things. One thing is needed. Mary has chosen the better part and it shall not be taken from her.” (Luke 10:41-42) One of the greatest gifts of Contemplative Prayer is that it teaches us to...
So many times, we come to prayer looking for something in particular: healing, comfort, reconciliation, knowledge, insight, an answer, a miracle. All of these desires are good, for in any meaningful relationship we make known the desires of our heart in one way or another. Our relationship with God should be no different. Yet, any mutually enriching relationship should be...
How happy, how carefree, how joyful you are if you have a friend with whom you may talk as freely as with yourself, to whom you neither fear to confess any fault nor blush at revealing any spiritual progress, to whom you...
Last week’s Corner reviewed the Four Guidelines of Centering Prayer. Recall that the guidelines direct practitioners of centering prayer to use a “sacred word.” Per the first guideline, the sacred word is...
Joy Kleucker wonders: ARE YOU PRAYING CONTEMPLATIVELY --AND JUST DON'T REALIZE IT??? I believe MOST -- if not ALL -- members of Mary Mother DO. Contemplative prayer can flow from...
This week we return to Ordinary Time, the season of growth, and one thing’s for sure: real growth is a slow process, requiring patience and trust. With that in mind, MMOC Contemplative Core Team member Joy Kleucker offers the following selection from Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, SJ: Above all, trust in the...
Andy Dapron reflects: Iconographer Andrei Rublev’s work The Trinity presents a rather striking image of the three Persons of the Godhead engaged in table fellowship. Looking at the image, I am reminded of...
As we celebrate the first disciples and the Church receiving the Holy Spirit, Joy Kleucker offers this prayer, often used at contemplative prayer gatherings, as another perspecti0ve on what it means to “receive” God. LET YOUR GOD LOVE YOU by Edwina Whately Be silent Be still Alone Empty Before Your God Say ...
This week’s Corner comes from parishioner and MMOC Contemplative Core Team member Carolyn Hebenstreit: St. Teresa when asked what contemplative prayer is answered, 'Contemplative prayer in my opinion is nothing else than a close sharing between friends; it means...
Saralou Hendrickson reflects: Father Richard Rohr, OFM, founded the Center for Action and Contemplation out of the need he saw for the integration of action and contemplation. When asked which word is the more important, he will say...