When we were at Tulane, and I went to daily Mass at the Tulane Catholic Center, there was an elderly gentlemen who came sometimes whom I only knew as “Captain”. I don’t know his name, or any part of his story. His face looked like he had been injured during his service, or it could have been scars from surgery, or cancer, I don’t know because I never asked. He walked with a cane, and when he finally stopped coming to Mass I think I remember hearing that it was because the steps to the upper room chapel had finally become too much for him.
Tag Archives: prayer
Merton and Day
So I finally did it. I went out and got myself a spiritual director. And as I was explaining to her what I’ve been doing recently in my prayer life (this was difficult and guilt inducing!) I mentioned that I had been reading a lot of Merton, and before that some Dorthy Day. Which Sister thought was an odd combination. And for half a second or so, I nearly began to correct her, and say that it wasn’t odd at all, actually, but I thought better of that and moved on. But I have kept thinking about it, and I think I was right (though the ideas are rough and not backed by specific texts at the moment – my Tulane degree is cringing as I write this!), they are really not far removed when you get down to what they each preached. Simply, love your neighbor. And that means everyone. Both felt senses of guilt for the state the world was in, based mostly on their pre-conversion lifestyles. Both argued that love of God comes to fruition in caring for other people as well and as sacrificially as we can. Merton did this with prayer behind closed doors, but there seem to be times in his writing where the thinks that if her were worth his salt, he would be out doing exactly what Dorthy Day was doing. On the other hand, Day emphasizes the need for spiritual grounding to survive the sort of work she engaged in. The two complement each other clearly. The fact that both felt they had been forgiven so much stirred both of them to charity and forgiveness, though neither ever shied to name and denounce sin wherever they found it. The honesty, often the bluntness of both of their writings shines of the desire to know and be known, to open themselves and to thereby lead their readers further down whatever their personal paths might be. Merton felt he needed the cloister to keep him from the temptations of the world, and that that sort of solitude was necessary for his salvation. But he repeats that it does not free him from the necessity of loving his neighbor, within the monastery walls or without them. The two have different methods, because of their different gifts and struggles, but one message. Love greatly, for you are greatly loved.
Pirate Prayer
Ah, it’s been a while. Things have been slightly crazy. Dad had his third chemo treatment, and that is still going as well as can be expected. He’s tired and sick, but still in good spirits.
Craig’s mom needs prayers now, too. She had a biopsy done Tuesday and will find out September 9 if is it something they will have to treat. In the meantime, she’s recovering from the biopsy and the anesthesia, and trying not to worry too much about what the test results will be. When it rains around here, it pours!
Feast of St. Dominic
Happy feast of St. Dominic, especially to those of you affiliated with the Order of Preachers! (And those of you with O.P. leanings!) Here is the little prayer from our Picture Book of Saints:
O God, let St. Dominic help Your church by his merits and teaching. May he who was an outstanding preacher of truth become a most generous intercessor for us. Amen!
Another Year
Craig has started teacher orientation again. This summer flew by, especially since we were out of town most of the month of July. His return to work, and my non-return, have raised a number of questions for me again. ”Can we really afford to live on one income? Why did we get such a nice car so now we have those payments to keep up with? Where can I spend a few less dollars? Can I really handle two little girls all day?”
Novena
Since my dad starts his chemo tomorrow, I thought it would be a good time to start a novena for him. I picked St. Joseph, since Dad used to teach industrial arts and enjoyed carpentry until he got sick. Maybe in a few months he will be able to get back to his shop!
Here is the novena I’m doing, but I found several others, so if you want to pray any of them along with me I would love the company!
Holy Housework
I had been wondering where the burst of cleaning and ordering energy that I’ve had for the last couple of weeks had come from, and I now have a couple of theories. (For two pregnancies I looked forward to the “nesting” phase when I would actually want to clean – it never came. Maybe this is what it feels like!) Freedom from the requirements of a job has certainly helped, since I have hours back in my days with no commute, no papers to grade or lessons to plan, not to mention the time I actually spent teaching.
Silence
“Those who love God should attempt to preserve or create an atmosphere in which He can be found. Christians should have quiet homes. Throw out television, if necessary — not everybody, but those who take this sort of thing seriously. Radios useless. Stay away from the movies — I was going to say ‘as a penance’ but it would seem to me to be rather a pleasure than a penance, to stay away from the movies. Maybe even form small agrarian communities in the country where there would be no radios, etc.
Month of Merton
I have officially declared June the “Month of Merton” for the sake of my spiritual reading. I was looking for something new to start on when Craig showed up with a pile of free spirituality books, including Pray to Live, which is Henri Nouwen explaining the life and thought of Thomas Merton. I’ve tried a couple of Merton’s works unsuccessfully, so this struck me as a perfect starting place. If this goes well, the Month of Merton may become the Summer of Merton. : ) Quotes and reflections should be forth coming soon, provided I am able to make my way to the computer for any extended period of time. Anyone more experienced with his work, feel free to suggest which book I should pick up next!
Prayers, please
My mom will be having both knees replaced this Friday (5/29) at 7:30 AM. Please pray for a sucessful surgery and a speedy recovery! (If you want to leave her a message here, that would be cool. I know it would make her feel better to know there are lots of prayers being offered for her on Friday morning!)
