6. What you are

I have a spiritual director; we meet once a month. He asks me about my prayer life, and what parts of the Bible are striking my heart. Every month, he always asks me if there is a scripture passage that I would like to use for meditation. Sometimes I pick one that comes readily toContinueContinue reading “6. What you are”

The best laid Advent plans

So well laid. Such Advent plans. Early, early morning gym. Early morning mass. Get holy and stuff. And then, day one of Advent-week, Monday itself…I came down with a violent stomach flu for a couple days. Today was the first time back at work. Le sigh. I’m working on a new linocut for Christmas. IContinueContinue reading “The best laid Advent plans”

Advent Tuesday #4 | All is calm. All is weird.

That night there were homeless, abiding in the alleys and crevices of buildings, keeping watch over their assorted plastic grocery bags by night. And they weren’t your down-on-their-luck homeless who just need a stroke of good fortune and they’ll be back in a good job and an apartment again. No, these are the kind whoContinueContinue reading “Advent Tuesday #4 | All is calm. All is weird.”

4 Unconventional Advent Actions

I went to fifteen stores on Saturday. FIFTEEN. Want to know why? Because I hadn’t done any Christmas shopping prior to that, and at this point time is of the essence! 🙂 What do I have to show for that? Well, a few blisters. But also, I was just like, “I don’t want to doContinueContinue reading “4 Unconventional Advent Actions”

Advent Tuesday #2– Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

Back in high school we were instructed to make “five-year” and “ten-year” plans, and I was never any good at those, which is OK, because between five and ten years ago I consecrated myself to Jesus through Mary and effectively ditched any personal plans for myself. Does that sound terrifying? I guess it is. JumpingContinueContinue reading “Advent Tuesday #2– Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception”

Advent Monday #2

There is a line in an Advent song that sings like, “O Come, O rod of Jesse’s stem” And today’s reading is about the desert and the parched land and the steppe blooming “with abundant flowers.” But I’m just over here like, “Yeah, and I’ll bet that those were watered by our collective tears.” “MourningContinueContinue reading “Advent Monday #2”

Advent Sunday #1

I usually sleep straight through the night. This is a grace, I know, And I am thankful for the blessing. To readers with restless legs and insomnia: I’m sorry. But a few night ago I was startled awake. I looked around frantic, Trying to determine what had shocked me alert. Half-awake, I roughly brushed myContinueContinue reading “Advent Sunday #1”