A Young Seminarian ~

Poems about these boys.

A Change of Mind ~

We have learned what Social Distancing is. Now we should learn to apply it to God. We have to  learn to pull back, give Him room, show Him respect and reverence. There is a danger in being up too close.

Lost Here ~

In the search for God one is always alone. And we hardly know who we are looking for, or where to look.

De Diligendo Deo ~

God is Great— What do you do if your notion of God and Jesus conflict? The former seems for the most part confined by the latter.

 

Articles of Faith ~

And what if there is no afterlife in heaven, or the other places we are supposed to go to? Should that make me love You less? I cannot love You just to make sure I get into heaven.

Facing Reality ~

What ever became of all my good intentions and determination to center my life on God? Time is running out and I see I have devoted myself to other priorities.

Helps in Life ~

What this Carthusian monk does,

in silence and solitude,

is my constant strengthening inspiration.

La Grande Chartreuse, Grenoble, France

Deathbed ~

The priest came. The old man told him he didn't want to hear about Jesus and holy things, but he did want him to come back.

Going to God ~

He said: Do not use words! Just be quiet for a few moments and open yourself, and allow the spirit of God stream into you. 

De Diligendo Deo ~

Why all the unsurety involved in upholding "I believe" which falls away with the surety of "I know"?

Facets of Love ~

We were talking about love when he said: The novice and the 80 year old monk both love God but in quite different ways. You will never be able to keep on loving like the novice does.

What Is It All About? ~

I ask myself why I love God.

Constancy ~

. . . and even if I would betray You, You know that I still love You.

De diligendo Deo ~

At every corner of the day I am waylaid by things that distract me from You.

Thérèse of Lisieux

When she found out about a lady lavishing little attentions on her husband she wrote:

"Let it never be said that a woman in the world did more for her husband than I for my Beloved."

Grande Chartreuse ~

Possible scenario:

After 45 years in this Carthusian monastery spent in contemplation and loving piety, Alzheimer's disease sets in and he changes. He begins to hate the habit he wears and refuses to don it, he stops singing the office and going to chapter and remains pouting in his cell, and the last thing he wants is to bother himself with the things of God.

De Diligendo Deo ~

It is not hard to side up with God when we get old and infirm.

De Diligendo Deo ~

The Wise Old Monk told me: "Don't rely on the community in your search for God. You must learn to search alone."

De Diligendo Deo ~

I was a young seminarian who asked the Wise Old Monk how I could best learn to love God. He said: first learn to love a girl. I looked at him and creased my brow.

De Diligendo Deo ~

Why do You drive me crazy by planting Your love in me and then frustrating me by not even letting me know who You are? Let alone not being able to get close.