Fruit Is Born: Prayer
What do I do? I get irritated. I get mean. I fall into self-pity. I get scared. I worry a lot. I don’t want these feelings or experiences. This is … Continue Reading Fruit Is Born: Prayer
Hope Blossoms: Prayer
My problem is trust. I can no longer be transferred from wheelchair to bed and bed to wheelchair in my usual way. With progressive motorneuron disease, adaptations are always occurring, … Continue Reading Hope Blossoms: Prayer
Crosses Carry: Prayer
I feel hesitant and awkward about this quote from Saint John Vianney: “Why not love our crosses, and make use of them to carry us to heaven?” I don’t really … Continue Reading Crosses Carry: Prayer
Sorrows Melt: Prayer
While conversing with a family member (via text messaging), she sent me two quotes that she likes. I confess, the first one embodies everything that I find difficult and challenging … Continue Reading Sorrows Melt: Prayer
Flash Fiction: Obsolescence
Now for something completely different… I’m sharing a very, very short story written for a writer’s group that I joined last year. Each month, we’re given a prompt upon which … Continue Reading Flash Fiction: Obsolescence
The Advent Wreath
Waxen pillars tipped with fire in a ring of evergreen; like our souls, the flames lift higher with our prayers to God unseen. Remember, remember in the bleak of December… Waiting … Continue Reading The Advent Wreath
Hope in the Midst of Despair
It’s rare to find hope in the midst of despair, especially as despair seems prevalent everywhere in our day. Teenagers committing suicide, doctors prescribing suicide, mass shootings, and terrorist attacks; … Continue Reading Hope in the Midst of Despair
Books and Veils
In August, I had the privilege and pleasure of pre-reading a book about Blessed Margaret of Castello — excuse me, Saint Margaret of Castello. Through a process I’m calling “What … Continue Reading Books and Veils
There’s Something about Mary
There sure are a lot of titles for Mary, the mother of Jesus — more than I can list, or even know and remember. Virgin Mary. Blessed Mother. Our Lady. … Continue Reading There’s Something about Mary
Eternal Passion
Is all human suffering the same suffering — the suffering of God who is a man? Did he not exist before all of us? Did he not live in the … Continue Reading Eternal Passion
Sloth
I’m a generally content person. Considering my debilitating disease, that’s a very good thing. Except when it isn’t. Looking Back When I was 11 years old, I stopped physically attending … Continue Reading Sloth
Greed
“I don’t care too much for money, money can’t buy me love.”[i] But it can buy a lot of nice stuff. Knowing that love is more valuable than any possession … Continue Reading Greed
Gluttony
Weighing all of 70 pounds, I doubt that anyone would accuse me of the sin of gluttony. But I don’t have to overeat to be a glutton. Looking Back When … Continue Reading Gluttony
Love Your Neighbor?
Why should you love your neighbor? Many may reply, “Because God told you to do so. It’s in the Bible.” Although this is a true answer, those of us who … Continue Reading Love Your Neighbor?
Make All Things New
Many of us are very glad to see the end of 2020 and the beginning of a new year. We hope and pray that this new year will be better … Continue Reading Make All Things New
Merry Christmas?
Maybe you’re not feeling very merry this Christmas, in this year of pandemic, economic recession, social unrest, and division. We seem to be social-distancing in more ways than one. Not … Continue Reading Merry Christmas?
Christina Chase 