The Rule of Benedict: A Spirituality for the 21st Century, by Sister Joan Chittister. I am reading it for the 4th time. It's meant to be read in small sections, one each day. Sister Joan's insights make the ancient rule relevant for today. I have highlighted so many passages that I may as well highlight the entire book.
Highly recommend Cherished Belonging: The healing power of love in divided times by Father Gregory Boyle. Listening to Fr. Boyle read this audiobook is an added treasure. I deeply loved and was greatly challenged by this book.
Forgive me for my lack of understanding but can you please offer some examples in everyday common life that might be a hopeful action or thing to do? The word hope is so elusive and I’m finding it difficult to put it into a practical action. Thank you
This is a great question, Donna! For me, I feel like it's a practice of seeing what I am despairing about at a large scale (like, anti-LGBT political rhetoric) and then look locally for what I could do about it (donate to or volunteer at a local organization that creates spaces of belonging and affirming for LGBT youth in my city).
Or, when I'm disappointed in the president--yet I have no control over that--I look to where I do have control, and I volunteer for the mayoral campaign in my city of someone I really believe in. It's things like that... taking a big thing down to a hyperlocal scale.
It could even be brought down to a relational scale--frustrated by the rhetoric of division, how can I practice in my relationships intentional, honest, heartfelt connections across difference? Related to this one, we have a practice of nonviolent communication up on Monasteries of the Heart right now, for our Good Work of the month. There are a lot of nonviolent-based practices that I think would fit into the category of small, hopeful actions.
I hope something in here resonates! Thank you again for asking, I would love to hear what you end up considering as a practical action for yourself.
I became to mesmerized by the first goal of the post, I missed completely the extensive list of favorite books. I am impressed with the reading you are able to accomplish. I did recently borrow the “Circle of Hope” book to listen on my long trip to Williamsburg VA last week. I admit it made me think of you, Katie. The author commented often on the many young “seekers”, looking for an authentic, modern path towards living out the radical call of the gospels to be for Jesus through love and commitment to community. You often mention that there is sooo much longing….I confess i picked out the book because i liked the title and it had plenty of hours to keep me entertained on my trip. I was surprised by the content. I had no idea this experiment in a progressive evangelical church building was going on in Philadelphia. The story of commitment, faith and community building caught me deeper attention. I am happy to see this was on your list!
So glad you found it as fascinating as me! I hadn't known about that experiment before the book either. It's so interesting to follow the story from the dream of what it could become, through the messy reality of its evolution. It definitely speaks to those of us with longings, who end up creating new communities, and how to be responsible spiritual leaders.
Thanks Marilyn--I ordered "All Creation Waits" for next year's Advent after you mentioned it a couple weeks ago! :) I got Gayle Boss's Lenten book too. Looking forward to it.
I will continue with the Fr Greg theme. I like his suggestion to go to the margins of neighborhoods, communities and society- not to solve something; instead go to learn something about the resiliency of the human spirit and God’s ever present and enduring love. That will be my hopeful journey for this new and promising year.
A gift to meet you this first week of Epiphany…to discover the wisdom you’ve embodied, and each of us may…by doing hopeful things!
The Rule of Benedict: A Spirituality for the 21st Century, by Sister Joan Chittister. I am reading it for the 4th time. It's meant to be read in small sections, one each day. Sister Joan's insights make the ancient rule relevant for today. I have highlighted so many passages that I may as well highlight the entire book.
That really is a classic. I don't think I would have understood the Rule of Benedict without it! So glad you too have found it meaningful.
Highly recommend Cherished Belonging: The healing power of love in divided times by Father Gregory Boyle. Listening to Fr. Boyle read this audiobook is an added treasure. I deeply loved and was greatly challenged by this book.
beautiful! I love a great audiobook, I added this to my list for 2025.
The Catholic Mass: Steps to Restore the Centrality of God in the Liturgy
Forgive me for my lack of understanding but can you please offer some examples in everyday common life that might be a hopeful action or thing to do? The word hope is so elusive and I’m finding it difficult to put it into a practical action. Thank you
This is a great question, Donna! For me, I feel like it's a practice of seeing what I am despairing about at a large scale (like, anti-LGBT political rhetoric) and then look locally for what I could do about it (donate to or volunteer at a local organization that creates spaces of belonging and affirming for LGBT youth in my city).
Or, when I'm disappointed in the president--yet I have no control over that--I look to where I do have control, and I volunteer for the mayoral campaign in my city of someone I really believe in. It's things like that... taking a big thing down to a hyperlocal scale.
It could even be brought down to a relational scale--frustrated by the rhetoric of division, how can I practice in my relationships intentional, honest, heartfelt connections across difference? Related to this one, we have a practice of nonviolent communication up on Monasteries of the Heart right now, for our Good Work of the month. There are a lot of nonviolent-based practices that I think would fit into the category of small, hopeful actions.
I hope something in here resonates! Thank you again for asking, I would love to hear what you end up considering as a practical action for yourself.
I became to mesmerized by the first goal of the post, I missed completely the extensive list of favorite books. I am impressed with the reading you are able to accomplish. I did recently borrow the “Circle of Hope” book to listen on my long trip to Williamsburg VA last week. I admit it made me think of you, Katie. The author commented often on the many young “seekers”, looking for an authentic, modern path towards living out the radical call of the gospels to be for Jesus through love and commitment to community. You often mention that there is sooo much longing….I confess i picked out the book because i liked the title and it had plenty of hours to keep me entertained on my trip. I was surprised by the content. I had no idea this experiment in a progressive evangelical church building was going on in Philadelphia. The story of commitment, faith and community building caught me deeper attention. I am happy to see this was on your list!
So glad you found it as fascinating as me! I hadn't known about that experiment before the book either. It's so interesting to follow the story from the dream of what it could become, through the messy reality of its evolution. It definitely speaks to those of us with longings, who end up creating new communities, and how to be responsible spiritual leaders.
The Not Yet God
Ilia Delio
All Creation Waits
Gayle Boss
Thanks Marilyn--I ordered "All Creation Waits" for next year's Advent after you mentioned it a couple weeks ago! :) I got Gayle Boss's Lenten book too. Looking forward to it.
I will continue with the Fr Greg theme. I like his suggestion to go to the margins of neighborhoods, communities and society- not to solve something; instead go to learn something about the resiliency of the human spirit and God’s ever present and enduring love. That will be my hopeful journey for this new and promising year.
Beautiful. Not to fix, but to love, and to be present. A wonderful intention for the year ahead!