Loathsome Worm
I’m not a loathsome worm. Am I? When I read St. Teresa of Avila’s Interior Castle, I had a visceral reaction to her continually calling herself, and each one of … Continue Reading Loathsome Worm
Helpless
What do you see when you look upon a Nativity scene?
I share a very personal story in this reflection on Jesus in the manger. Merry Christmas…
A Wanting God
The journey of a Christian, the journey of a writer… What follows is the reflection of a “new” Catholic (me) from early July, 2003 — ten years before I consecrated … Continue Reading A Wanting God
All Is Well
This is a year of pandemic, recession, protests, riots, bitter contest, and division. This also happens to be the year that began with my decision to read works by mystics … Continue Reading All Is Well
Loved.
Religious statues usually don’t move me beyond deep, aesthetic stirrings of appreciation for art. Statues of Jesus don’t move me at all. I find them to either be overly saccharine … Continue Reading Loved.
Daughter
On the most recent Solemnity of Corpus Christi, I heard something in the familiar Gloria that I had never heard before. What struck me was calling the first Divine Person … Continue Reading Daughter
Pain
“It was our pain that he bore, our sufferings he endured.”[i] I love being alive, body and soul. Sometimes, though, I think that my diseased, crippled body looks like it’s … Continue Reading Pain
Beautiful and Unchangeable
A moment of beauty and truth. Still taking my online enrichment course on evolution and human dignity while also busy with the marketing of my book (gulp), this week’s reflection … Continue Reading Beautiful and Unchangeable
Christ Is Fully Human: Heart
As we enter into the rhythm of the Advent season, let us consider the reasons that we are decorating, cooking, and preparing for great celebration: the coming of God in … Continue Reading Christ Is Fully Human: Heart
Answered Prayers
Recently, I was telling my friend that I have difficulty “hearing” God when I pray. Often finding it difficult to make decisions in my life, I will turn to God … Continue Reading Answered Prayers
Celebrating the Gift of You
Today, one of my friends is celebrating a birthday. This young man (young enough to be my son, and yes that makes me feel old) lives with cerebral palsy and … Continue Reading Celebrating the Gift of You
Where the Light Enters You
“There’s a crack in everything… that’s how the light gets in.” — Leonard Cohen, songwriter. I know about cracks. I suffer from a seriously disabling disease, Spinal Muscular Atrophy. My … Continue Reading Where the Light Enters You
Was or Is? Life after Death
This week, a woman from my parish died of cancer. When I was thinking about the best way to describe how I know her, I found myself struggling with verb … Continue Reading Was or Is? Life after Death
Holy Week
It’s that time of year again. The time of year when I regret not having been harder on myself, when I’m disappointed that the season of subdued quiet and intense … Continue Reading Holy Week
Lent: Finding Yourself and Getting over Yourself
Here’s an oldie but goodie. As Lent begins, we Catholics may look like a bunch of doleful, down-on-ourselves people, but we are simply realistic. And essentially joyful. After all, we … Continue Reading Lent: Finding Yourself and Getting over Yourself
To the Rescue
I’m physically drained this week, so not only is my assignment for my online class late, but it is also a little cheap. And since my recent posts have been … Continue Reading To the Rescue
Christina Chase 