Sunday-Ps. 107 starts the last book of the psalms. It seems to extend the exodus to the current conditions of trouble and, at the end, continues to seek signs of blessings. Have you had an exodus experience? I sit a spiritual habit to pray in times of troubles but also to be alert to blessings?
Monday-Something of the light of God already lies deep in each of our hearts. At times, this is to be felt only in a deep longing for goodness, justice, purity, or faithfulness. But if such a longing turns to faith, we will find God. The early Christians said that if we seek God we will find him, because he is everywhere. There is no boundary that cannot be crossed, no hindrance that cannot be overcome, to find him. We cannot excuse ourselves for not finding faith. If we knock at the door, it will open. E. Arnold (Plough)
Tuesday-Christine Valters Paintner, PhD -On acedia-What do you do when you realize that your spiritual practice is waning? Do you judge yourself critically, distancing yourself even further from your deep longings for peace and rest? Or can you follow in the footsteps of the monks who knew that the only response to acedia is to continue to practice?
Wednesday-"The soul seeks the ultimate unity or oneness of the world, which is conceived variously as a spiritual or an intellectual entity. The soul seeks this One, which is permanence, unity, foundation of the universe, Being beyond all being, ultimate Mind. Its method of seeking is to strip itself of all distractions that turn the attention to anything lower in the scale of value, that is, everything not the One." (Chadwick, Cassian, p. 3).
Thursday-Philip Britts-Work requires a lively inner life. To straggle along with empty hearts is just as disastrous as to carry on with empty stomachs. We will be most productive in work if we are mentally and spiritually active; searching and struggling for clarity in all questions, and always seeking a deeper understanding of what it means to follow Jesus.
Friday-As we grow older we have more and more people to remember, people who have died before us. It is very important to remember those who have loved us and those we have loved. Remembering them means letting their spirits inspire us in our daily lives. They can become part of our spiritual communities and gently help us as we make decisions on our journeys. Parents, spouses, children, and friends can become true spiritual companions after they have died. Sometimes they can become even more intimate to us after death than when they were with us in life. Remembering the dead is choosing their ongoing companionship.—Henri J. M. Nouwen, B
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Saturday-Tolkein-in God's kingdom the presence of the greatest does not depress the small...The Christian has still to work, with mind as well as body, to suffer, hope, and die; but he may now perceive that all his bents and faculties have a purpose, which can be redeemed.
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