“Even the word ‘God’ is problematic because it carries with it so many interpretations and limits based on our cultural understandings. We are called to let go of ‘God’ in the service of meeting the Great Mystery of the divine beyond our understanding.”
–Christine Valters Paintner, PhD, A Different Kind of Fast: Feeding Our True Hungers in Lent
What images of God do you hold? Are they open enough to allow space for Divine Unknowing and Mystery?
To register for the self-study companion retreat to the book with extra resources and guidance click here.
Since conditions that favor the outbreak of wars are once again increasing, I can only reiterate that war is the negation of all rights and a dramatic assault on the environment. If we want true integral human development for all, we must work tirelessly to avoid war between nations and peoples. — Against War: Building A Culture Of Peace, p. 25
…there are those who seek solutions in war, frequently fueled by a breakdown in relations, hegemonic ambitions, abuses of power, fear of others, and a tendency to see diversity as an obstacle. War is not a ghost from the past but a constant threat. — Against War: Building A Culture Of Peace, p. 25
“St. Cuthbert would stand in the sea and pray all night long, and when he came out in the morning, the otters would be there to dry off his feet and keep them warm.”
–Christine Valters Paintner, PhD, Virtual Celtic Pilgrimage: The Wisdom of Saints Colman, Sourney, and Patrick — A Self-Study, Online Retreat
Pay attention to the way creation and creatures venture to be in relationship with you. How you might offer friendship in return?
The voice is very sensitive. It can be very quiet. It is sometimes hard to hear. But the voice of love is already in you. You may have already heard it. Start trying to hear that voice. Get quiet and spend some time trying to hear it. Listen. It says, “I love you,” and calls you by name. It says, “Come, come. Follow me.” — Following Jesus: Finding Our Way Home in an Age of Anxiety
“Sometimes our resistance to slowness is not primarily because of a physical response but a fear of what we’ll encounter within ourselves when we slow our busy distracted minds enough to listen to what is happening deep within.”
–Christine Valters Paintner, PhD, Sacred Time: Embracing an Intentional Way of Life
What shadows, regrets, and sorrow are you afraid of meeting if you slow down? What love can you offer all you encounter?
To register for the self-study companion retreat to the book with extra resources and guidance click here. Use code SACREDTIME20 to take 20% off through March 31st.
Verse of the day
I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; my justice was like a robe and a turban. I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame. I was a father to the needy, and I championed the cause of the stranger.
– Job 29:14-16
Voice of the day
They told me we cannot wait for governments. / There are no peacekeepers boarding planes. / There are no leaders who dare to say / every life is precious, so it will have to be us.
– Aurora Levins Morales, “Summons”
Prayer of the day
Anointed One, enwrap us with your protection as we join the cries for justice and say what remains unsaid about strangers who are suffering.
May the strength of God pilot us, may the wisdom of God instruct us, may the hand of God protect us, may the word of God direct us. Be always ours this day and for evermore. — Saint Patrick
To threaten others is to lower them to the status of objects and to deny their dignity. This is why we state once more that an escalation of intimidation, and the uncontrolled proliferation of arms, is contrary to morality and the search for true peace. Terror exerted over those who are most vulnerable contributes to the exile of entire populations who seek a place of peace. Political addresses that tend to blame every evil on migrants and to deprive the poor of hope are unacceptable. Rather, there is a need to reaffirm that peace is based on respect for each person, whatever his or her background, on respect for the law and the common good, and on respect for the environment entrusted to our care and for the richness of the moral tradition inherited from past generations. — Against War: Building A Culture Of Peace, p. 23-24
Those who wage war, those who provoke war, forget humanity. They do not start from the people, they do not look at the real life of people, but place partisan interests and power before all else. They trust in the diabolical and perverse logic of weapons, which is furthest from the will of God. And they distance themselves from ordinary people, who want peace, and who are the real victims in every conflict, who pay for the follies of war with their own skin. — Against War: Building A Culture Of Peace, p. 19
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