Human Work as Cooperation with God “Now our work does not belong to us wholly. For even n the most personal work we use powers and strength that are given to us by God, the Creator of nature. This work does not belong to us, for its character is not only personal but social as well. Neither can we wholly divert our work toward ourselves. So when we speak of ‘our work’ we are allowing ourselves some exaggeration. It is... Read more
In Rosarium Virginis Mariae, Pope St. John Paul II proposed that the faithful take up a contemplative rosary. The meditations based on this way of praying are a little different than ones that may be traditionally used, but they are full of new insights and stir up the flame of love within hearts. As Christmas is upon us, here are reflections on the Joyful Mysteries. For more on the contemplative rosary and the other mysteries of the rosary, pick up a... Read more
The online life is still a real life I am online a lot. A lot. I spend a significant portion of my week either writing, sharing my writing, or connecting with people through social media and texting. I also consume a lot of media– television, movies, music, literature, news, podcasts; you name it and I’ve probably at least heard of it, if not have consumed some of it, or I’m a big fan of it. But these are really just... Read more
It’s a mortal sin was all I was told For as long as I can remember, I had struggled with masturbation. I’ve written a lot about my journey through this, addiction to it, and deliverance and healing from it. But one moment keeps standing out to me, one moment keeps popping back up in my life. It was the moment I learned that masturbation is (or, more accurately, can be) a mortal sin. I knew that masturbation isn’t good and I knew I... Read more
I would be most upset to lose my sense of hearing A fairly common get-to-know-you question is, “If you had to choose to keep either your sense of sight or your sense of hearing, which would you choose?” To be honest, I’d be upset to lose either of these senses. There is so much beauty in the world and I would struggle to not see it. I love reading and I would struggle to learn to read braille and use... Read more
There on the hill are the little children Clad in thick gloves and woolen hats Puffy suits to keep out snow Undershirts, knit socks, and long underwear And massive clunky boots There on the hill are the little children Tugging their sleds Made of brightly-colored plastic and unfinished wood Some with shiny metal runners Some long enough to hold them all There on the hill are the little children Racing to the bottom Swiftly dashing through the snow... Read more
It was a silly moment in my meditation I sat in the adoration chapel where I normally took my holy hour and prayed these spiritual exercises. It was a small chapel with two rows of kneelers of maybe four in each row and there was a small pew and extra kneeler at the back. I sat in an unexpected place in this chapel– on the floor in front of the pew and next to the kneeler; from that position I... Read more
Contemplatio Culture
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