"Whenever God gives a person the grace and courage to strive for this blessing with all her heart and soul, he is bestowing the greatest mercy. God does not deny himself to anyone who perseveres. Little by little, he increases her courage, ensuring that she will reach her goal." Teresa of Avila, The Book of My Life (1562)
Here is my "little by little" Friday prayer report for the week of March 7-11:
Monday 1
Tuesday 1
Wednesday 1
Thursday 1
Friday 1
Grace and courage to you and to me!
Friday, March 11, 2011
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Your Own Wisdom Will Increase
"I believe that when you discuss the trials and joys of the spiritual life for the sake of your friendship with God, you will benefit yourself and whomever you are sharing them with. Your own wisdom will increase, and without even knowing how you did it, you will contribute to the wisdom of your friends." Teresa of Avila, The Book of My Life (1562)
Well, we made it! Today is my 53rd birthday, and The Wisdom Project will be complete after my prayer report on Friday.
When I started this experiment, one year of reading, writing and praying seemed like a formidable commitment. I wondered if I would have the ability to keep the steady pace required all year long. Not only have I been keeping up with the reading, writing and praying each week, but I have found myself blessed by doing these activities. It has been a life-changing project.
On Sunday I spent some time re-reading entries, and I remembered some of the trials and joys of the past year: my prayer chair, a young man carrying groceries, fresh blueberry pie, dipping my bucket on dry-well days, Amelia the puppy, zipping through St. Scholastica’s cloister walk, Cheryl Husby’s prayer mugs, returning to the word, balcony companions, coffee, caramel rolls, transient global amnesia, Holy Mystery, praying on paper, Charlotte’s wisdom gift, the harbor of light in soaking prayer, ringing bells for 35 seconds, the earth’s hush on a snowy day, and Sister Timothy Kirby’s lovelovelove.
Last year I was inspired to begin The Wisdom Project and started with these words from Teresa: “I believe that when you discuss the trials and joys of the spiritual life for the sake of your friendship with God, you will benefit yourself and whomever you are sharing them with. Your own wisdom will increase, and without even knowing how you did it, you will contribute to the wisdom of your friends.” Now my heart is overflowing with gratitude to God, to Teresa and to all my dear friends who have read, prayed and shared wisdom with me. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Well, we made it! Today is my 53rd birthday, and The Wisdom Project will be complete after my prayer report on Friday.
When I started this experiment, one year of reading, writing and praying seemed like a formidable commitment. I wondered if I would have the ability to keep the steady pace required all year long. Not only have I been keeping up with the reading, writing and praying each week, but I have found myself blessed by doing these activities. It has been a life-changing project.
On Sunday I spent some time re-reading entries, and I remembered some of the trials and joys of the past year: my prayer chair, a young man carrying groceries, fresh blueberry pie, dipping my bucket on dry-well days, Amelia the puppy, zipping through St. Scholastica’s cloister walk, Cheryl Husby’s prayer mugs, returning to the word, balcony companions, coffee, caramel rolls, transient global amnesia, Holy Mystery, praying on paper, Charlotte’s wisdom gift, the harbor of light in soaking prayer, ringing bells for 35 seconds, the earth’s hush on a snowy day, and Sister Timothy Kirby’s lovelovelove.
Last year I was inspired to begin The Wisdom Project and started with these words from Teresa: “I believe that when you discuss the trials and joys of the spiritual life for the sake of your friendship with God, you will benefit yourself and whomever you are sharing them with. Your own wisdom will increase, and without even knowing how you did it, you will contribute to the wisdom of your friends.” Now my heart is overflowing with gratitude to God, to Teresa and to all my dear friends who have read, prayed and shared wisdom with me. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Friday, March 4, 2011
Friday Prayer Report 53
"Whenever God gives a person the grace and courage to strive for this blessing with all her heart and soul, he is bestowing the greatest mercy. God does not deny himself to anyone who perseveres. Little by little, he increases her courage, ensuring that she will reach her goal." Teresa of Avila, The Book of My Life (1562)
Here is my "little by little" Friday prayer report for the week of February 28 – March 4:
Monday 1
Tuesday 1
Wednesday 1
Thursday 1
Friday 1
Grace and courage to you and to me!
Here is my "little by little" Friday prayer report for the week of February 28 – March 4:
Monday 1
Tuesday 1
Wednesday 1
Thursday 1
Friday 1
Grace and courage to you and to me!
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Connection and Companionship, Part 3
"This is why I would advise anyone who practices prayer, at least in the beginning, to cultivate connection and companionship with like-minded souls. This is very important, because we can help each other make progress on the path of prayer and bring each other greater benefits." Teresa of Avila, The Book of My Life (1562)
At dinner tonight my daughter Rebecca and I were talking about how next week will be my 53rd birthday which means The Wisdom Project will soon be coming to an end. Rebecca was teasing me that it was easy for her to remember how old I’d be on Tuesday because last year I wrote it would be “Teresa and me all the way to year 53."
If you were with me in the beginning, you might remember that I started this project because one of the requirements of the Shalom Program is to do a culminating activity that encompasses learnings, experience and overall growth. Teresa’s advice to “cultivate connection and companionship with like-minded souls” appealed to me very much, and I was hoping that I could find a group of spiritual friends willing to journey with me.
Teresa says, “[W]e can help each other make progress on the path of prayer and bring each other greater benefits.” I am not sure how much benefit I have brought others, but I definitely have benefited all year from the many people who have supported me in my writing and praying. I have appreciated every kindness, and I thank you most sincerely.
At dinner tonight my daughter Rebecca and I were talking about how next week will be my 53rd birthday which means The Wisdom Project will soon be coming to an end. Rebecca was teasing me that it was easy for her to remember how old I’d be on Tuesday because last year I wrote it would be “Teresa and me all the way to year 53."
If you were with me in the beginning, you might remember that I started this project because one of the requirements of the Shalom Program is to do a culminating activity that encompasses learnings, experience and overall growth. Teresa’s advice to “cultivate connection and companionship with like-minded souls” appealed to me very much, and I was hoping that I could find a group of spiritual friends willing to journey with me.
Teresa says, “[W]e can help each other make progress on the path of prayer and bring each other greater benefits.” I am not sure how much benefit I have brought others, but I definitely have benefited all year from the many people who have supported me in my writing and praying. I have appreciated every kindness, and I thank you most sincerely.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Friday Prayer Report 52
"Whenever God gives a person the grace and courage to strive for this blessing with all her heart and soul, he is bestowing the greatest mercy. God does not deny himself to anyone who perseveres. Little by little, he increases her courage, ensuring that she will reach her goal." Teresa of Avila, The Book of My Life (1562)
Here is my "little by little" Friday prayer report for the week of February 21-25:
Monday 1
Tuesday 1
Wednesday 1
Thursday 1
Friday 1
Grace and courage to you and to me!
Here is my "little by little" Friday prayer report for the week of February 21-25:
Monday 1
Tuesday 1
Wednesday 1
Thursday 1
Friday 1
Grace and courage to you and to me!
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
All the Courage God Gave Me
"They say that I am an exceptionally brave woman, far braver than most, but I sometimes had to gather all the courage God gave me to show up and pray." Teresa of Avila, The Book of My Life (1562)
For the Shalom Program this month, I am reading Radical Amazement: Contemplative Lessons from Black Holes, Supernovas, and Other Wonders of the Universe by Judy Cannato. The book focuses on how new research in physics shows the universe is more fluid and connected than scientists once believed and that the universe is expanding as it evolves. Cannato begins Radical Amazement with a quote by Rabbi Abraham Heschel: “Awareness of the divine begins with wonder.”
Have you ever felt wonder when you’ve seen a photograph of the earth taken from space? I know I certainly have experienced awe by earth's beauty and the mystery of creation. That bright blue ball with its swirls of white and large chunks of unmarked land is the only home we’ve ever known, and what an amazing thing it is to glimpse our earthly home in the vast darkness of space. Yet how did all this come to be? How did we come to be? No one quite knows, and the work of the scientists continues. In the meantime, contemplatives live in “radical amazement” at all that exists—trusting that the Holy Mystery will continue to be revealed.
Almost 450 years ago Teresa of Avila wrote, “They say that I am an exceptionally brave woman, far braver than most, but I sometimes had to gather all the courage God gave me to show up and pray.” Teresa's reasons for needing courage are different from mine, but I certainly understand the feeling. When I start studying the universe and become alert to all the wonder of the divine, it sometimes causes me to become afraid because the Holy One is so powerful and mysterious. Sometimes I don’t want to connect with God; instead, I’d rather hide. On the days I find myself hiding, it’s more important than ever to follow Teresa’s lead: she looked for all the courage available to her, she sat down in the prayer chair, and she steadfastfully continued to pray.
For the Shalom Program this month, I am reading Radical Amazement: Contemplative Lessons from Black Holes, Supernovas, and Other Wonders of the Universe by Judy Cannato. The book focuses on how new research in physics shows the universe is more fluid and connected than scientists once believed and that the universe is expanding as it evolves. Cannato begins Radical Amazement with a quote by Rabbi Abraham Heschel: “Awareness of the divine begins with wonder.”
Have you ever felt wonder when you’ve seen a photograph of the earth taken from space? I know I certainly have experienced awe by earth's beauty and the mystery of creation. That bright blue ball with its swirls of white and large chunks of unmarked land is the only home we’ve ever known, and what an amazing thing it is to glimpse our earthly home in the vast darkness of space. Yet how did all this come to be? How did we come to be? No one quite knows, and the work of the scientists continues. In the meantime, contemplatives live in “radical amazement” at all that exists—trusting that the Holy Mystery will continue to be revealed.
Almost 450 years ago Teresa of Avila wrote, “They say that I am an exceptionally brave woman, far braver than most, but I sometimes had to gather all the courage God gave me to show up and pray.” Teresa's reasons for needing courage are different from mine, but I certainly understand the feeling. When I start studying the universe and become alert to all the wonder of the divine, it sometimes causes me to become afraid because the Holy One is so powerful and mysterious. Sometimes I don’t want to connect with God; instead, I’d rather hide. On the days I find myself hiding, it’s more important than ever to follow Teresa’s lead: she looked for all the courage available to her, she sat down in the prayer chair, and she steadfastfully continued to pray.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Friday Prayer Report 51
"Whenever God gives a person the grace and courage to strive for this blessing with all her heart and soul, he is bestowing the greatest mercy. God does not deny himself to anyone who perseveres. Little by little, he increases her courage, ensuring that she will reach her goal." Teresa of Avila, The Book of My Life (1562)
Here is my "little by little" Friday prayer report for the week of February 14-18:
Monday 0
Tuesday 0
Wednesday 1
Thursday 1
Friday 1
Grace and courage to you and to me!
Here is my "little by little" Friday prayer report for the week of February 14-18:
Monday 0
Tuesday 0
Wednesday 1
Thursday 1
Friday 1
Grace and courage to you and to me!
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