Mama Mondays

The  Welcoming  Prayer   (by  Father  Thomas  Keating)  Welcome,  welcome,  welcome.  I  welcome  everything  that  comes  to  me  today,  because  I  know  it's  for  my  healing.  I  welcome  all  thoughts,  feelings,  emotions,  persons,  situations,  and  conditions. I  let  go  of  my  desire  for  power  and  control.  I  let  go  of  my  desire  for  affection,  esteem,  approval,  and  pleasure. I  let  go  of ...

Psalm 73:21-28/ New International Version 21  When my heart was grieved     and my spirit embittered, 22  I was senseless and ignorant;     I was a brute beast before you. 23  Yet I am always with you;     you hold me by my right hand. 24  You guide me with your counsel,     and afterward you will take me into glory. 25  Whom have I in heaven but you?     And earth has nothing I desire besides you. 26  My flesh and my heart may fail,     but God is the strength of my heart     and my portion forever. 27  Those who are far from you will perish;     you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. 28  But as for me, it is good to be near God.     I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge;     I will tell of all your deeds.   Psalm 73:21-28/ English Standard Version 21  When my soul was e...

(from a reflection I wrote last Thursday from our Lectio group  starting back up again for fall last Wednesday)  💛

I am reading this beautiful book right now, and it's all I can do to not just skip all my work commitments and cozy up with this book all day.  Last night, I read a passage about Padraig's time as a chaplain at the De La Salle Pastoral Center in West Belfast where he led day long retreats for schools. He talked about a simple prayer time that he shared with the students using the gift of imagination. It usually lasted only about 4-5 minutes total.  In essence, this is what he invited them to do below,  and I would encourage you to follow along with the invitation too:  Imagine yourself taking a walk in a lovely place of your own choosing.  Picture the scenery in your mind with the colors, sights, and smells around you.  At one point on your walk, you see a stranger coming towards you,  and on closer inspection,  you realize it is Jesus.  He greets you by your name:  Janie... and you all engage in a conversation.  Imagine what yo...

Mom, I saw this video on the plane when we were coming back from Taize, loved it, and thought of you.  https://scottishballet.co.uk/discover/our-repertoire/haud-close-tae-me/ It is a reflection on the connection between our younger and older selves.   This is a short dance film directed by Scottish Ballet’s filmmaker Eve McConnachie and choreographed by CEO/Artistic Director Christopher Hampson, featuring a specially commissioned poem by Scotland’s former Makar Jackie Kay. The poem is narrated by Kay herself with music by Alex Menzies.   It was created as part of Scottish Ballet’s 2017 Digital Season,  Under The Skin .   An article in the Scotsman said that it is "a celebration of our endless capacity to embrace what comes next, regardless of age, Kay's words are like a third dancer in this deeply moving duet... (between a woman and her younger self).