A weekly collection of inspiration and resources for the journey, gathered from websites, books, and pass-alongs that have been shared with us. From Spirituality in the Wisdom Years.
Peace comes from living a measured life. Peace comes from attending to every part of my world in a sacramental way. My relationships are not what I do when I have time left over from my work . . . Reading is not something I do when life calms down. Prayer is not something I do when I feel like it. They are all channels of hope and growth for me. They must all be given their due.
Joan Chittister in Wisdom Distilled from the Daily: Living the Rule of St. Benedict Today
To Practice This Thought:
For one day, keep track of your activities and the approximate time you give them. What adjustments could you make to use your time more soulfully?
FROM: Spirituality and Practice
This Week:
to read or listen:
Seven Movements of the Second Half of Life
In the second half of life, says Fr. Ron Rolheiser of Oblate Seminary in San Antonio, our struggles are often very different than the first half of life. “And you can see this, biblically, in the parable of the prodigal son and the older brother. The younger son is struggling with all the things of the world – ambition, travel, lust, whatever – while the older brother is struggling much more with anger and coming to peace inside of himself. That’s a much greater struggle.” Rolheiser talks about seven movements to be adopted in the second half of life in a recent interview with Kolbe Times magazine.
FROM: Kolbe Times
Wisdom Cries Out
“How can I learn to be still? How can I make peace with a solitude I did not choose? How can I help my neighbor? How can I overcome the racism etched on my bones by my ancestors? How should we live? What does God desire? How is God involved? How can I love a God who is so mysterious? What is the Church called to become?” These are the questions we are asking today, the questions of those who hunger and thirst for wisdom, says Br. Keith Nelson of the Society of St John the Evangelist. “The signs of these times are causes and conditions calling for nothing less than the spiritual evolution of the human family: the full flowering of our capacity for Wisdom,” he says. Listen to the podcast or read the text of “The Vindication of Wisdom.”
e-courses
Bringing Back Elder Wisdom
In former times, our “elders” were keepers of wisdom and leaders through times of change and evolution. They held the stories that kept communities and society safe and provided touchstones for well-being and a sense of identity. True elders are soul travelers – not just chronologically, but also spiritually and intellectually: reaching back and reaching forward, reaching in and reaching out into the world and the human ecology that connects us. This online retreat from the Center for Courage and Renewal welcomes individuals seeking the opportunity for reflection and renewal as a means of illuminating their own life journey, or enhancing their leadership role in work, organizational or community settings. Learn more about the retreat.
FROM: Center for Courage and Renewal
practices
Through the Lens of Contemplation
If you enjoy reflecting on your experiences through the glimpses of life you discover by taking photos, then the Contemplative Photographers Practice Group may be for you. Now in its sixth year, this supportive community receives a theme suggestion every week, and members share photos, ideas, and inspiration with each other. Newcomers and returning members are welcome. Learn about it.
FROM: Spirituality and Practice
Put Yourself in the Story
Ignatian contemplation, also known as Composition of Place, involves “composing the place” by imagining yourself in the story of scripture. Using our imagination, we place ourselves in the scene of the story, engaging our senses with wonder. A post from Grow Christians does a walk-through of the Feeding of the 5,000, but this exercise is fruitful with any scripture. Engage the practice.
FROM: Grow Christians
watch for
Black Church Documentary Coming to PBS
A two-part PBS series hosted by Henry Louis Gates Jr is scheduled to run next year and look at the deep history of the Black church and culture of African American faith communities. Gates has said that the Black Church is a “story of grace and resilience, struggle and redemption, hope and healing.” The documentary will feature interviews with Oprah Winfrey, John Legend, Jennifer Hudson, Bishop Michael Curry, Cornel West, Pastor Shirley Caesar and the Rev. Al Sharpton. Gates is a literary critic and academic who’s become well known as the host of the popular Finding Your Roots series. Learn more.
FROM: Relevant Magazine
The Wisdom Years 