Speaking of Seasons....

My below “favorite things” post on seasons reminded me of this recent reflection from Blessings of the Daily….

“As we journey along the pleasant and sometimes unpleasant rhythm of the season, we become more and more aware of the immutable wisdom of the seasons and of their Creator. We become more attentive to the questions of living in harmony with nature’s cycles, of looking deep into the seasons which shape our daily lives. From then, we glean inspiration and inner sustenance.

Ultimately, our lives become fully integrated only when we accept the guidance of God and harmonize with the cycles of nature, the cycles of the heart, the cycles of the liturgy, and the cycles of life and death.”

Taken from: Blessing of the Daily: A Monastic Prayer Book by Brother Victor-Antoine d’Avila-Latourette (September 22 entry)

Simplicity & the Present Moment

“Simplicity, letting go of opinions and cravings, is an act of compassion for ourselves. When we let go of yearnings for the future, preoccupations with the past, and strategies to protect the present, there is nowhere left to go but where we are. To connect with the present moment is to begin to appreciate the beauty of simplicity.” ~Jack Kornfield & Christiana Feldman

 Taken from: Blessing of the Daily: A Monastic Prayer Book by Brother Victor-Antoine d’Avila-Latourette (October 20 entry)

First Five Favorite Things…Buenos Aires Style

In my ongoing desire this year is to deepen stability and my call to place, I have been sharing a list of favorite things I love about life in Buenos Aires. This is a result of my January reflection on “Attentiveness and Call to Place,” posted on This Ignatian Life blog. You can read the reflection here: http://ignatianlife.org/attentiveness-and-call-to-place/.

I hope to identify my top ten (in no particular order) by the end of the year. I have some catching up to do. But for now, here are my First Five…click below.

#1 – Fiestas! 
#2 – Walking in the City!
#3 – Mate!
#4 – My Hood!
#5 – My Community of Faith!

Living in the Present Moment

“Let us strive to make the present moment beautiful.” 

~ Saint Francis de Sales

“In the past, we would speak of ‘centering’ as the ‘sacrament of the present moment.’ In truth, we know that that we only have today, the present moment, the now; yesterday is gone, and tomorrow is not yet here. The exact moment is holy and uniquely beautiful. Keeping alive the awareness and wonder of the present moment in the continuous flow of time, and throughout all its cycles, enhances our daily lives. We know that the moment will never be recaptured again, but we will keep within us its lovely memory. To live fully and deeply each day is to participate consciously in the mystery and succession of each present moment. The end result will be a positive one, shaped by the wonder, the beauty, and the holiness of each part of the day.”

Taken from: Blessing of the Daily: A Monastic Prayer Book by Brother Victor-Antoine d’Avila-Latourette (September 7 entry)

Suggestions for Sabbath-Living (Everyday)

This afternoon while searching for a file on my computer, I stumbled upon this list of Sabbath-living suggestions in a newsletter from the Henri Nouwen Society (Winter 2008). Good reminders to make space for Sabbath rest throughout the week.

He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. 

 ~ Psalm 23 

• Light candles -at dinner, when you read or during a bath. Say a blessing as you light it and let it remind you of the Holy Spirit’s presence and comfort.
• Set aside thirty minutes each day for Sabbath. Do something restful or nourishing during this time--pray, read scripture or other sacred texts, walk outdoors, nap, or enjoy a favorite drink. Spend this time in a place of beauty.
• Spend a few moments outside each day just looking and noticing God’s creation.
• Don’t answer the phone between 5 and 8pm.
• When you wake up in the morning, give yourself time to review your dreams before getting out of bed.
• Turn off the radio and the phone when driving your car.
• Take a monthly retreat day at a local monastery or retreat center.
• Set aside one evening a week to have a Sabbath meal. Invite friends over. Make the food yourself. Light candles. Say a prayer of blessing and gratitude. Make it a joyful time of conversation and good food.
• Declare a “silent hour” at some point during the day.  Spend the time in silence alone, or with others, reading, praying, or doing other creative activities.
• Set designated evenings as “television-free.”
• Consecrate one day a week as a Sabbath day. Spend the day resting, playing, praying and enjoying your family. Turn off the TV and other entertainment devices. Don’t work or run errands. Nap. Take walks. Eat good food. Read. Spend time with friends.

Dear God, Speak gently in my silence. When the loud noises of my surroundings and the loud inner noises of my fears keep pulling me away from you, help me to trust that you are still there even when I am unable to hear you. Give me ears to listen to your small, soft voice saying “Come to me, you who are overburdened, and I will give you rest . . . for I am gentle and humble of heart.” Let that loving voice be my guide. Amen
~ Henri J. M. Nouwen, With Open Hands

Taken from: Henri Nouwen Society Newsletter (Winter 2008)
http://www.henrinouwen.org/

Favorite Things…Buenos Aires Style (#5 – My Community of Faith!)

My ongoing desire this year is to deepen stability and my call to place. One way I am doing this is by blogging my favorite things in Buenos Aires. I hope to identify my top ten (in no particular order) by the end of the year. Looks like I have some catching up to do…so here is #5!

This past week I have found myself reflecting on community and friendship. My pastor here in Buenos Aires, Juan Jose Barreda, recently wrote a reflection on friendship that is now posted on our WMF website here…"Friendship Along the Way.” This morning I watched another new video from Jean Vanier on community here…“Loved As You Are.” 

Both of these reflections reminded me how grateful I am for my church community, my community of faith here in Buenos Aires! I have attended Iglesia Evangelica Bautista Constitucion since my arrival to Argentina almost 3 ½ years ago. Since then the community has become family for me here. They partner with our WMF community in many valuable ways. They warmly welcome our short-term teams, our family and friends who come to visit with open arms (along with some besitos and abrazos). They have accompanied me with such love and care this past year, as I have been away from my mom during her cancer recovery and treatments.

The community continues to demonstrate how to welcome one another, to love one another, to accompany one another, to offer hospitality to one another and those who are poor, to grieve together, to celebrate together, to grow and learn together…and so much more! I am thankful for the many ways I have grown and all I have learned from my friends in my community of faith. When I made my decision to renew my commitment to WMF Argentina, having a church community here that I love was a significant part of my decision.

This year I have taken some steps to get more involved in the church community. I am teaching the preschool Sunday school class every Sunday (los chiquitos!). I also am helping out with various children’s special activities. Last month I began attending a neighborhood home fellowship group just a few blocks from my apartment. It has been good to connect weekly with this group of neighbors, learn and share in some Bible reflections, and, of course, share some mate (see #3 on my list below)!

This month ahead I am looking forward to the annual all-church retreat and the annual epic costume party to welcome spring! Good times!

Gracias por todo, hermanas y hermanos!

To check out favorite things 1, 2, 3 & 4 click below.
#1 – Fiestas! 
#2 – Walking in the City!
#3 – Mate!
#4 – My Hood!

Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals

This month I have been breaking in my new Kindle with the prayer book, Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals by Shane Claiborne, Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove and Enuma Okoro. While these liturgies are best prayed and shared in community, I have also found them to be a valuable and enriching way to begin my mornings alone. Here is a sample that was included in this morning’s liturgy…

Lord, enable us today to see our neighbor in those whom the world rejects — the guilt-ridden, the foreigner, the unprotected, and the refugee. Open our eyes and make us present to these neighbors both in our various expressions of community and in the wider world. Amen.

Co-compiler, Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove, recently wrote an article in "Christianity Today" sharing how the practice and rhythms of liturgy have enriched and formed his life and the community he is a part of. You can check out the article here…

Joining the Eternal Song
How liturgical prayer is saving our community from burnout
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2011/may/joiningeternalsong.html

You can also check out the Common Prayer website here: 
http://commonprayer.net/

Favorite Things…Buenos Aires Style! (#2 – Walking in the City)

As a response to my desire to be more attentive to my call to place, I am blogging on my favorite things in Buenos Aires. (See my January 22 post by clicking here.) These favorites are in no particular order of “favoriteness.”

I have always enjoyed walking. Back in California several times a week I would regularly walk my neighborhoods of Los Alamitos, Seal Beach and Long Beach. When possible walking near the water is definitely preferred. The Seal Beach pier and the waterfront harbor in downtown Long Beach are still favorites when I am back for a visit. Walking is life-giving, restful and refreshing for me. It is often a time to clear my head. Many of my best times of prayer, attentiveness and reflection happen when I am walking. In many ways, it is a spiritual practice for me.

It is no different here in Buenos Aires! These past few weeks I have had some foot issues that have made walking pretty painful. I, finally, found a podiatrist here and, hopefully, I am now on the right track! But, in the meantime, I am realizing how much I miss my regular times to walk some of my favorite places in the city. I took a retreat day this past week and had to cut my plans short, which included a little walking in a park and visiting a museum. I was over ambitious and my foot just couldn’t hack it.

This all made me realize how much I really enjoy walking in Buenos Aires….another favorite thing! I enjoy my short walks (5-6 blocks) through my La Boca neighborhood to visit the Deans and Forcattos. I look forward to my 20-minute walk to church on the unusually quiet streets on Sunday mornings. I can take a 20-minute bus ride to Puerto Madero where there is a long stretch of walking along the old river docks of the city. There are many parks and plazas that are nice to walk through. The stretch of blocks on Avenida de Mayo between the government buildings of Plaza de Mayo/Casa Rosado and Congreso is another favorite stretch of walking. The beautiful architecture, the tree lined streets and the people watching are all part of the experience for me.

So, today I am grateful to live in a place where I can enjoy walking.

An Evening Prayer

Each Thursday night our community continues to go through the Evening Prayers written by Christine Sine in the prayer book, Light for the Journey. Here is a portion of the Evening Prayer liturgy we prayed tonight.

As this night descends, Christ be with us.

Be in our hearts and in our minds,

Be in our souls and in our spirits,

Be in our thoughts and in our dreams.

As the night descends, Christ be our friend and our companion.

Show us the love only you can give,

Show us the light only you can provide,

Show us the wholeness only you can reveal,

As this night descends, Christ surround us.

Circle us with your presence,

Keep protection near and danger far,

Bring us the assurance of your love.

The God of life with guarding hold you;

The loving Christ with guarding fold you;

The Holy Spirit, guarding mould you;

Each night of life to aid, enfold you;

Each day and night of life, uphold you.

Christ our protector, guard us this night.

We commit our bodies, and our spirits into your hands.

Christ our companion, shield us this night fill us with your peace,

May your Cross keep us from harm and protect us as we sleep.

Christ our rescuer, bring us this night to the nearness of your love.

The peace of the Creator of joy be yours,

The peace of the Christ of hope be yours,

The peace of the Spirit of grace be yours,

The peace of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit be yours,

The peace of all peace be yours this night and evermore.

Taken from: Light for the Journey: Morning and Evening Prayers for Living Into God’s World by Chrisine Sine. (“Christ and the Call to Love and Compassion,” Evening Prayer)

To read a little more, click here:

http://wheresdavebayne.blogspot.com/2010/09/light-for-journey.html

To order the book, click here:

http://msainfo.org/promo/available-now-new-prayer-book-by-christine-sine-light-for-the-journey

A Morning Prayer for Sabbath

The below prayer is a portion of a morning prayer liturgy for Sabbath (Living Into a Resurrection-Created World). It is taken from the book Light for the Journey: Morning and Evening Prayers for Living Into God’s World by Chrisine Sine. This week our community started going through the seven themes, prayer and liturgies of faith shared in this book. I will probably share highlights from these prayers in the weeks ahead.

Risen Christ, we live today in anticipation of your resurrection-created world,
We live in the hope of your forgiveness,
We live in expectation of your healing,
We live in the assurance of your salvation,
Risen Christ, we will live in anticipation of your resurrection-created world.
Risen Christ, we take on your life today,
A life of loving and caring,
A life of healing and wholeness,
A life of sharing and giving,
Risen Christ, we take on your life today.

We will go into the week with compassion and love,
Knowing we are touched by the God of life,
May our lives shine with the holiness of God,
May our hearts be transformed by the glory of Christ,
May our ways be filled with the joy of the Spirit.
The love of almighty God surround you,
The peace of the risen Christ indwell you,
The fellowship of the Spirit unite you,
The life of the Triune God be yours,
This day and evermore,
Amen.

To read a little more, click here.

To order the book, click here:
http://msainfo.org/promo/available-now-new-prayer-book-by-christine-sine-light-for-the-journey

Attentiveness & Call to Place

As many of you probably notice, two reoccurring themes on my blog are the church liturgical year and Ignatian spirituality. Both themes continue to deepen and encourage my relationships with God and neighbor. Late last year I began contributing regular reflections to This Ignatian Life, a blog dedicated to exploring how to live Ignatian spirituality.

“This Ignatian Life is dedicated to exploring how to live Ignatian Spirituality. We believe that among the spiritual traditions of the Christian Church, Ignatian spiritual practice is particularly helpful to busy, active people who, at the same time, experience a profound desire to live a God-centered and authentic life.”

My lasted post this past week reflects on attentiveness and call to place, as disciplines to grow in stability. You can read the reflection here:
http://ignatianlife.org/attentiveness-and-call-to-place/

For other reflections on Ignatian spirituality, click here.

Advent 2010 ~ Getting Ready!

I know, I know…I can hear some of you now, “Advent?? It’s not even Thanksgiving!”

Well, the first Sunday of Advent is Thanksgiving weekend…just two weeks away. So, as you all are making preparations for Turkey Day, it might also be time to begin preparing for Advent. As in rhythm of life, Sabbath, and retreats, I find it valuable to get ready and make space for Advent ahead of time. Especially in what can be a super hectic time of year, I desire to make space to listen, space to be still, and space to be nourished in this season of Advent.

This past week I started considering what Advent might look like for me this year, as well as our community. I am also contributing a few Advent reflections to some blogs with early deadlines, which has also nudged my need to get ready.

So, I will kick things off with sharing my annual list of Advent resources and links. Wow, this list gets longer every year. Please share any additional Advent resources or ideas that have been helpful to you in comments to this blog post!

CRI/Voice - The Season of Advent: Anticipation and Hope

This is a helpful introduction and summary of Advent.

http://www.crivoice.org/cyadvent.html

Mustard Seed Associates Advent Resource

http://msainfo.org/blog/november-seed-sampler-2010

Christine Sine’s Annual Advent meditation video for 2010

Christ Is Coming

http://godspace.wordpress.com/2010/11/04/christ-is-coming-an-advent-meditation-for-2010/

GodSpace Blog

This Advent Christine Sine will host a blog series, “Jesus is Near – How do We Draw Close?” It will include blog posts and reflections from a variety of contributors.

http://godspace.wordpress.com/

Songs for Advent

Last year I discovered this Advent worship digital download. It has quickly become a favorite! http://www.sojournmusic.com/2007/12/05/advent-songs-2007/

Book of Common Prayer

Daily Scripture Readings for Advent (Year One)

http://www.crivoice.org/advent1.html

Revised Common Lectionary

Sunday Scripture Readings for Advent (Year A)

http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/lections.php?year=A&season=Advent

Ignatian Spirituality Advent Resources

http://ignatianspirituality.com/advent/

Sacred Space Advent

Includes Advent Retreat & Other Links

http://www.sacredspace.ie/advent/

Praying Advent

Creighton University’s Online Ministries offers a selection of materials to help people prayerfully enter into Advent, from short prayers to longer reflections and retreats.

http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/Advent/

Modern Sacred Family Advent Resources

This website offers resources and suggestions for observing Advent with kids.

http://www.modernsacredfamily.com/category/advent/

Advent Collects for Southern Hemisphere

http://www.liturgy.co.nz/churchyear/adventc.html

Word Made Flesh Advent Reflections

Last but not least! This year WMF will post daily Advent reflections from staff and friends of the community. Check it out beginning Sunday, November 28!

http://www.wordmadeflesh.org/learn/contemplate/

Reflecting on Ignatian Spirituality

The practices and posture of Ignatian spirituality continue to impact and shape my life and formation. I have recently reflected on themes of Ignatian spirituality in two recent articles. One was published in the most recent issue of WMF’s advocacy publication, The Cry. The second reflection is my first post on This Ignatian Life, a blog dedicated to exploring how to live Ignatian spirituality. I will join other bloggers and contribute to TIL blog every six weeks.

“Attentive to brokenness”
The Cry, Fall 2010
http://www.wordmadeflesh.org/the-cry/attentive-to-brokenness/

“Hopeful”
This Ignatian Life, October 24, 2010
http://ignatianlife.org/hopeful/

"Roots of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love"

This Ignatian Life, December 5, 2010

http://ignatianlife.org/roots-of-hope-peace-joy-and-love/

If you are interested in learning more about the practice of Examen, I have some resources I can pass your way. Just shoot me an email or comment here.

Light for the Journey

I recently received my copy of Christine Sine’s new book, Light for the Journey: Morning and Evening Prayers for Living Into God’s World. If you follow my blog or the Prayers & Creeds blog, you know that Sine’s Godspace blog is a favorite of mine and I often share her beautiful prayers and liturgies. Our Word Made Flesh Argentina community often utilizes Sine’s liturgies during our weekly community formation and worship gatherings. We translated one of her Advent liturgies in Spanish to share with our Argentine friends. One of Sine’s liturgies focusing on hospitality has become a regular part of our community rhythm whenever we have visitors in Buenos Aires.

I am excited to now have this latest collection of morning and evening prayers in a book format. I look forward to sharing them with our community in the months ahead, as we seek to live more fully into God’s resurrection created world. I trust these morning and evening prayers, along with the suggested exercises, questions and prayer topics, will enrich our community formation and rhythm of life. Thank you, Christine, for sharing this gift with us all!

Here is an excerpt from the introduction:

“In Light for the Journey: Morning and Evening Prayers for Living Into God’s World, you are invited to journey together with sisters and brothers from around the world into a rhythm of morning and evening prayer. This rhythm is intended to help us connect our daily prayers to the values of God’s resurrection world in a way that strengthens our foundational beliefs and equips us to become part of God’s mustard seed conspiracy, making a kingdom difference in God’s world.”

To check out the book and order it, click here.

Breath Prayer

Our WMF Staff Gathering begins in just one week in Nebraska. Whoo hooo! I am packing up and getting ready to head to the U.S. tomorrow night. Looking forward to some sweet times with WMF friends serving around the world. Following the Gathering, I will head to Toronto to visit my sister, bro-in-law, nieces, and nephew. Then a final few weeks in California enjoying time with family and friends.

In addition to organizing a prayer room space at our WMF Gathering, I will be facilitating a few directed times of meditative prayer, like Lectio Divina and Examen. It was also suggested that I introduce Breath Prayer. A month ago I was unfamiliar with the prayer practice of Breath Prayer. So, I decided to learn more and put it into practice in my own life these recent weeks. I’m glad I did!

I highly recommend the book Spiritual Disciplines Handbook by Adele Ahlberg Calhoun as a helpful starting place to learn more about specific spiritual practices and exercises. It is an excellent resource. It’s usually where I go first. The Handbook introduces Breath Prayer in this way….

"Breath prayer is a form of contemplative prayer linked to the rhythms of breathing: (1) breathe in, calling on a biblical name or image of God, and (2) breathe out a simple God-given desire.” ~Adele Ahlberg Calhoun

To practice breath prayer, ponder the nearness of God. Settle deeply into the truth that Christ is in you. Deeply breathe in, repeating any name of God that is dear to you. As you exhale, voice a deep desire of your heart. When you exhale offer up the desire of your heart. You may also breathe in and out a beloved phrase of scripture. The brevity of the prayer allows it to be repeated over and over again throughout the day.

Just a few examples of Breath Prayers:

• breathe in “Abba,” breathe out “I belong to you.”

• breathe in “Holy One,” breathe out “keep me true.”

• breathe in Lord,” breathe out “here is am.”

• breathe in “Jesus,” breathe out “have mercy on me.”

I recently discovered the blog, Soul Shepherding. Here is a helpful link to more background and suggestions to practice Breath Prayer.

http://www.soulshepherding.org/articles/spiritual-disciplines/breath-prayers/

During these busy weeks, I have found Breath Prayer very helpful in quieting my often distracted and anxious mind and spirit, as well as praying my heart’s desires as I go throughout the day. I trust it will continue to serve as a helpful prayer practice during my full days in the U.S. I am, especially, interested in praying the Psalms and scriptures in this way.

Breath!

Well, I am about half way into the 31-Day Challenge. This morning I was starting to get down on myself for not following through with some of my goals. Busy days and cold weather have not inspired bike riding and outdoor activity. I have a lot on my mind these days as I prepare to head to the U.S. in a couple weeks. There is always something on my to do list to accomplish. I find myself preoccupied much of the time, which too often prevents me from being present in the now! This morning I started my day with two blog posts that, hopefully, will help reset my posture these days ahead.

Alan Fadling is sharing a new Classic Prayers series on his blog. This prayer from the eighth century helped start my day today....click here. I’m looking forward to following along with Alan and he shares more classic prayers in the days and weeks ahead. Thanks Alan!

Then I was catching up with the 31-Day Challenge blog. Jara shared this helpful breathing exercise...click here. I think I better keep this handy these days ahead. Thanks Jara!

In other news, World Cup fever is alive and well here in Argentina! Thursday was a big game day here! Argentines have been somewhat guarded going into the World Cup this time around. The national team did not play to well in the qualifying games and barely made it into the World Cup. But, Thursday’s big win really seems to have revived hope in Argentina’s prospects. It’s super fun to be here and experience World Cup excitement and passion. As Cora Forcatto says about her classmates, “Todos estan locos para el mundial!” That pretty much sums it up...everyone is crazy for the World Cup! Fun times!

Plus, to top off game day on Thursday….THE LAKE SHOW CONTINUES! Go Lakers!

Today I am off to see Toy Story 3D with the Forcatto girls.

31-day challenge – week one

I week ago, I took on the 31-day challenge. Jara has asked some some good questions along the way. Here are some answers on how it's going for me. See my original post below.

What has been the most difficult, surprising part of the challenge?

Just taking on the challenge in baby steps has caused me to be more mindful of my eating and exercise (or lack of it). So, that is a good thing!

I made Garbanzo Bean Curry this week. I got two dinners and a lunch out of it…so I actually ended up eating vegetarian three times. And I enjoyed the meals without meat… imagine that! Next week, split pea soup. (minus the chunks of ham).

The walking and riding my bike goals have not been as easy this week. My busy

week made it difficult. And it is getting colder and colder here, as we move into winter. Plus, it is getting darker earlier, so it limits some of my window of time for bike riding. Feeling a little sick has not helped either. Excuses, excuses…I will stick with it and find creative ways/times to make it happen.

So, what have you noticed in your body so far?

Flu season has hit in full force these recent weeks. I am surrounded by sick people, coughing and sniffling. This week I have felt like my body is fighting something. Extra tired, a little achy, and a scratchy throat. But, so far, I have avoiding a full on knock out.

What would you add/delete from your list of 31...

Still have 11 more things to add to my list. Here’s five more…

21) Learn more names of vegetables in Spanish. Better then pointing and saying “este” at the Farmer’s Market.

22) Weigh myself weekly at the local farmacia.

23) Wash my hands and use hand sanitizer more often during this flu season!

24) Drink OJ

25) Be more attentive and notice new things about myself, others, and nature.

What's the biggest thing you've noticed in the past two weeks...it could be about yourself, your friends, the weather...I noticed my first firefly yesterday!!!

Good question, Jara! I need to open my eyes and be more attentive (see #25).

What do you love about this part of the year?

It’s coming up on winter here, so the temptation some days is to stay indoors near the space heater. But, I love getting out in this city of Buenos Aires and exploring and taking in the awesome city that this is! Early-June is my birthday, so I always look forward to celebrating with friends. Also, the NBA Finals (Let’s Go, Lakers!) and the World Cup give me extra joy this June!

31 Days Till Summer Challenge

A few weeks back Jara, our WMF Advocacy Coordinator, introduced a “31 Days till Summer” health challenge. I kept reading the Facebook and Twitter updates, as more and more people joined in. And a kept ignoring the challenge as not for me right now. After all, we aren’t counting down the days to summer as the temps chill down towards winter here in the Southern Hemisphere. Plus, I already have a pretty long to do list before leaving for my visit to the U.S. in July. I didn’t want to add more things to “should” on myself about. This past week I was communicating with Jara in some emails back and forth on some work stuff. I added a P.S. in one of the emails thanking her for the challenge and the inspiration she gives, but explaining why I wasn’t going to take on the challenge this time around.

She replied back with a super encouraging and understanding email. Then a couple days later I found this blog post from Jara…"Stop. Deep Breath." So, for the past couple of days I had second thoughts and decided to jump into the challenge! If nothing else, it will help me think more intentionally about my health and rhythm of life (physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually).

I am a little late in the game. Better late than never, I guess. And I will make up for lost time and keep up the challenge until I leave for the U.S. in early-July. I figure that is when I’ll find summer again up north anyway!

I started my list this morning. I’ve got 20! I’ll start with that and add more, as I am able. I’ll try to share some updates along the way on my blog. Big thanks to Jara and others who are taking on the challenge for the inspiration. (I stole some of your ideas.)

If you want to follow the challenge blog, click here….

http://31daycountdown.blogspot.com/

1) Stop. Deep Breath!

2) Complete the final three units of the Spiritual Exercises (Sacred Listening, James Wakefield).

3) Eat one vegetarian meal a week.

4) Learn and try simple vegetarian recipes.

5) Make an appointment with the dermatologist to have my skin checked over in the U.S. in August.

6) Ride my bike once a week.

7) Walk for pleasure and exercise at least once a week (beyond daily walking for necessity).

8) Walk or ride bike through ecological reserve once in June.

9) Write at least one note or email of gratitude once a week.

10) Finish reading Simply Christian by N.T. Wright.

11) Read Wisdom of Stability by Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove before the Staff Gathering (if it arrives in time).

12) Drink more water.

13) Floss more.

14) Take a day E.P.C. retreat in June (agenda free!)

15) Keep up with “31 days Til (l) Summer” blog for inspiration and ideas.

16) Practice examen once a week – consolation/desolation.

17) Do something life-giving every Sabbath.

18) Buy my veggies and chicken at the farmer’s market in Tuesdays.

19) Stay after church for lunch in the Living/Comedor once in June.

20) Visit a Museum.

Saint Benedict & Lent

This is a blog replay from 2008. As preparing for Lent this year, I find these themes from Saint Benedict helpful in posturing my heart and life for the season. I decided to go ahead and share it again.

The book, A Monastic Year: Reflections from a Monastery by Brother Victor-Antoine D’Avila-Latourrette, reflects on the seasons of the church year as lived out in the monastery. This particular monastery lives under the Rule of St. Benedict. The reflections on Lent begin by quoting St. Benedict, “the life of a monk ought always to have the character of a Lenten observance.” For St. Benedict, Lent was the model for the monastic life of those striving to live under the Rule.

St. Benedict proposes the following Lenten practices in the Rule. Perhaps these timeless Lenten principles from St. Benedict’s Rule can help us rediscover fresh and renewed meaning and experience in Lent.

1) Refraining from sin.

“Lent should be a time for us, to do battle, a time to fight not only the great temptations but, perhaps more importantly, our subtle faults, the seemingly small habitual sins we consent to every day….Lent is a propitious time to take inventory and a close look at our bare selves, to see the obstacles on out journey to God, things which should be eliminated from our lives.”

2) Prayer with tears.

The parable of the Pharisee and the publican is Luke 18:9-14 is significant to consider. “Jesus teaches that the Pharisees prayer, filled with arrogance and pride, is not pleasing to God. In contrast, the humble prayer of the publican, a tax collector, who recognizes his sinfulness and makes appeal to God’s mercy with inner tears, is the kind that touches the heart of God….Our Lenten prayer, like the publican’s, ought to then be a humble and tearful prayer of compunction, a prayer of simplicity and trust, not in ourselves, but in the loving-kindness and tenderness of our God.”

3) Holy reading.

We “should develop a continual hunger, almost an addiction, for the Word of God, for through the Scriptures the Holy Spirit never ceases to speak and educate us…Lent is this wonderful, particularly well-suited time for reading and listening to the voice of God in his Word.”

4) Repentance.

“At the threshold of Lent, when placing the ashes on our foreheads, the priest repeats the Gospel words, ‘Repent and believe in the Gospel’ (Mark 1:15)….Repentance, the work of the Holy Spirit in the innermost part of our hearts, implies a long sustained spiritual effort. It is true that conversion and repentance are lifelong tasks, but Lent provides us with an exclusive period to work on it intensely. Lent is indeed a “school of repentance.”

5) Abstinence from food.

“Christ used fasting, and encouraged his followers to practice fasting, as a way of learning the self-control and personal restraint we need to keep a humble and wise perspective on our Christian life….The process can be painful and wearying, but when carried out under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, it becomes life-giving and a source of powerful grace in our individual lives.”

Patience & Love

I am slowly (and I mean slowly!) making my way through Ignatius’s Spiritual Exercises. The Spiritual Exercises were, originally, designed as a month-long spiritual retreat back in the 1500’s. They served as a foundation for the Society of Jesus, the Jesuits. However, since then, the process of the Exercises has taken many shapes and forms. I am using the guide, Sacred Listening: Discovering the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola by James L. Wakefield. The introduction of this guide describes the Exercises in this way….

“…the Spiritual Exercises are an invitation to renew and deepen our relationship with Christ…primarily a series of meditations on the Gospels that help us clarify and deepen our commitments to Jesus Christ…The Spiritual Exercises often facilitate an intense examination of the disciple’s motives for ministry, and so prove to be an excellent tool for making vocational choices.”

All of these themes have proven beneficial during this season of life. I am grateful for the many ways Ignatian spirituality has impacted my life and helped me make space to listen and be attentive.

Now, back to the “Patience & Love” title of this post. Each unit in the Exercises has a theme and grace for contemplation and meditation. This last unit’s theme was, “Christ is patient with his disciples in the midst of growing adversity.” The grace to pray for was, “Lord, give me deep confidence in your patience and love.”

While not always realizing it this past month, this theme and grace of patience and love was just what I needed! When I experience discouragement with Spanish and living fully into my vocation here, God has given me deeper confidence in his patience and love for me. I am grateful for how that patience and love encourages and sustains me!