I painted the cross small, because I don't think I'm the only one who minimizes hard experiences at their outset.  One way of coping with coming pain is to tell ourselves that it's not going to be that bad.  And when we begin the journey to our own personal crosses, it often really isn't that bad at … Continue reading Jesus Takes Up His Cross

I had an idea for an image of the Holy Spirit, knowing that the very idea of an image of the Holy Spirit was foolish. Of the three persons of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit seems most resistant to description, both in words and images. A dove. A flame. But what else? When we try … Continue reading The Holy Spirit

Since I started thinking about the Holy Spirit I find references to it everywhere. Take, for instance, this quote from Richard Rohr, which I read yesterday: The Holy Spirit is that aspect of God that works largely from within and “secretly,” at “the deepest levels of our desiring,” as so many of the mystics have … Continue reading The Spirit Helps Us in Our Weakness

For a long time I avoided self-reflective forms of prayer.  I told myself it was because I thought that these forms were narcissistic.  Why spend time concentrating on the self, when we can concentrate on God?  I looked for God outside of myself, in the beauty of nature, in the depth of thought, in the … Continue reading Examination of Consciousness

The Song of Songs is about longing and passion, and rarely about consummation.  It’s about being fully present to the beloved, and if it’s carnal, it’s a carnality that includes all of the senses.  The lovers’ kisses are better than wine, more intoxicating, because they don’t deaden the senses, but bring them to life.  Often, … Continue reading Your Love is Better than Wine