Faith & Life Inspirational Message

               Sometimes the inspiration for these pieces comes from very traditional and predictable sources.   I read a great deal in the spiritual literature, so that obviously is a marvelous resource.   I try to follow the lectionary of the Benedictine monastic community, so I know that is always a resources for readings from the Psalms and other biblical references.   I try to watch as my days unfold for those obvious or, even, subtle revelations of inspiring moments.   I find if I stay aware, a lot happens that hints at profundity.             Today’s inspiration came from a predictable place.   I regularly read a number of periodicals on line.   In the old days we would have called them magazines!   But I don’t receive magazines in the mail any more.   A few regularly come on the internet and it is there I find some inspi...

                 Recently I had a long flight.   It was not one of those thirteen or fifteen hour flights to Asia.   Those are killers.   But this flight was long enough.   I am one of those older folks who always want to tell people that flying today is not like it was!   That is not unusual.   Most things today are not like they used to be!   But older folks want to tell the story.             Of course, in the older days there was no security control.   Families would accompany the one taking the trip and often the whole gang would go right to the gate.   In fact, the family could almost walk into the plane, say good-bye and, then, leave.   At least, that is how I remember it!   The other thing I remember is that most people dressed up when they were to fly.   It was almost as if the journey was going ...

  “Learn to be alone,” is the title of a chapter in Thomas Merton’s book, New Seeds of Contemplation .   This is a favorite book of mine.   I find it particularly helpful during certain seasons, like Lent.   However, I also realize being alone is not just a Lenten theme.   It is a theme for all seasons in our lives.   For if we never choose to be alone, I would guess we really do not know ourselves.   We will only know ourselves in relation to others and to other things. This is not bad; it is just inadequate.          Early in that chapter Merton asks a penetrating question.   “How can people act and speak as if solitude were a matter of no importance in the interior life?” (80)   His answer is instructive.   He says, “Only those who have never experienced real solitude can glibly declare that it ‘makes no difference’ and that only solitude of the heart really matters.” It seem...

                 Sometimes I realize how lucky I am.   It is not the kind of luck; however, I would go to Las Vegas and try in the gambling venues.   I don’t think I would have any more success there or betting on horse races as any other average sucker.   And perhaps what I am calling luck is not even luck.   Often I think what we might call “luck” is little more than being prepared and available at opportunistic times.   Something good happens and we call it “luck.”             I admit that sometimes things happen that we do not deserve.   Something comes our way that we did not see coming and we are given a gift.   In theological terms this is called “grace.”   Grace is nothing more than an undeserved gift. I have been graced so many times…graced by people, by events, by God no doubt.   And all one can do in the face...

                 Some time ago, I finished Krista Tippett’s book, Becoming Wise: an Inquiry into the Mystery and Art of Living .   It is a fine book.   Much of what makes it such a good book are all the authors and sages Tippett interviews.   The range of people she introduces us to is remarkable.   The interviewees range from writers to prophets to paupers.   In the process we learn that wisdom is not the same thing as knowledge.   Of course, they can be related.   It is hard to imagine a wise person who does not anything.   But many people who are smart and know a great deal are not wise.               Because the people Tippett interview are so interesting, it is easy to overlook her own contribution to the book.   She does more than simply string together stories.   Sometimes it is her own interpretation t...

                 What if the title of this inspirational essay were really true, namely, that there was no meaning to express.   That would be sad!   It would be sad because that is a key distinguishing feature of what a human does: make meaning.   In fact, that is one way I like to talk about religion and spirituality; they are ways people make meaning.   Of course, they are not the only ways.   But they are key ways.             So if there were no meaning to express, then I would have serious questions about why we are living?   If there is no point to life, then why go through the motions?   Sure there are some short-term pleasures.   If we are lucky, nice things may happen to us along the way.   But at some point, life usually brings some share of suffering and, then, death.   Hopefully these are not the point...

                 I try to read a great deal in order to think more broadly.   And I try to read things outside of my ordinary realm of interests in order to have challenges to think differently.   I know that one of the keys to creativity and innovation is to hang out with people different than you are.   We almost never get new ideas hanging out with people who think just like we do.   Since I cannot always have coffee or a meal with different kinds of people, the easiest thing to do is to read something by people like this.   It is amazing how vast the possibilities are.             One such piece I recently looked at was the commencement address at Barnard College by Abby Wambach, famous women’s soccer player who is now retired from the sport.   Of course, I don’t personally know Wambach, but I do know about her.   I watched h...