For me, when I am in the wilderness or tempted by Satan, I pick up my guitar and start playing and singing. For a while, I am no longer in the wilderness, and temptation loses its grip. I relate to your singing, Almut. It is a joy for me and seems to put things in perspective.
“Social anxiety after Covid years is still a real thing.” Yea, verily! I was an introvert before Covid. Now I am practically a hermit. Reengaging is hard, and I really appreciate you sharing your thoughts.
This “drew me back” … “Dancing in the wilderness, dancing amid the chaos, is the invitation I offer you this Lenten season” … this and my recent trip to Paris (only my second visit to Europe; the first being to Czechoslovakia in 1991 just after the Velvet Revolution). I had no desire to visit Paris, but my niece is living there for a year and it gave me an excuse. I read a book called Sacred Paris before hand, and was introduced to the centuries of atrocities that religion, wealth, poverty, egoism, etc., plagued the city. It was an experience to walk the streets and enter the buildings that have lived through so much, reinforcing the somewhat “myopic” experience of my lifelong Midwestern perspective. The trip was a pilgrimage of sorts that ended with a new pilgrimage sending me back home entering Lent and this year’s Jubilee Year Pilgrimage of Hope.
Yes, I am dancing in the wilderness, in the chaos of the many voices circling, but also straining those voices through my filter of hope and gathering the pieces like the bits of glass that came together to create the windows of Sainte-Chapelle (luckily we visited on a sunny day) … I do not know where the journey will go, but I do have my belief on where it will end! Easter!!! And that is enough for me!
Thank you for not giving up on voices who differ from your own; thank you for not silencing your voice! Blessed dancing!!!
So good to hear from you again, Susan! And thank you for your wonderful words. Dancing the streets of Paris sounds amazing. I have never been there. I do like your awareness of the history of the places you visit. I often feel like the stones are talking to us.
Once again, you have struck a deep chord in me. I find responding to your messages difficult because of the complex emotions I am feeling. I can say that sharing your story at this time in this country is helping. Thank you.
Et voila! Your first homily and it's magnificent. Looking forward to homily #2!. Here's the line (of many) that I penned in my notebook:
To live and be alive. To not be tempted by easy solutions or despair.
I love the quote "slow makes fast and fast makes slow" which was posted on a weighing scale in chemistry lab... so many times, easy solutions are the temptation to go fast.
Every day there are decisions to be made... what will I stand up for? what will I let go of? Which choices (or indecisions) make my day-to-day life easier right now yet what will be the long-term consequences of picking easy? Working in academia right now... many, many examples!
You pegged me with "hiding in the back row" -- fear to commit or stand forward -- for something "small" (if I bake something will my friend like it or be bothered or ???) or "huge" as the chaos and churlish selfishness imposed on the world these days... thank you... we need the focus and courage for both the small and the huge ways to care for others these days.
Thank you for this invitation. I am walking through this Lenten season with my father and father-in-law both progressing through Parkinson’s, feeling deep sadness. I have intended to fast from fear and feast on wonder this season. Now I will add dancing as well.
Dancing in the wilderness, dancing amid the chaos, is the invitation I offer you this Lenten season.
To live and to be alive. To not be tempted by easy solutions or despair.
To dance and to engage and to stay alert and alive.
Lovely words, Lynn, thank you so much. I love your motto to “fast from fear.” I think I will use it going forward.
I am sorry to hear about the difficult journey with your fathers, but I am glad you journey with them. May you feel held and blessed for the work you do.
Thank you, Almut—this was a wonderful piece without stirring too much controversy about Satan, which is more or less what good homilies aim for. I loved the idea of “dancing amid the chaos.”
I think the dance is already happening, even if we aren’t aware of it. It’s more about joining the dance than starting it. As we awaken to the reality of God in all things, we begin to hear the music, and our feet move to the rhythm of an ancient dance—predating time itself—called "perichoresis".
I’m reminded of this quote from Anthony de Mello, which offered the carrot of serenity and helped me find that dance:
“What is the secret of your serenity?”
The master replied: “Wholehearted cooperation with the inevitable.”
What an inspiring comment, Stephan 🙏. I read Anthony de Mello also, many years ago. Thank you for reminding me of him. He probably also offered me that “carrot” 😇
Thank you, Almut! Experiencing music is a gift that transcends the experience of just hearing words. Participating in making music requires our very breathing and our whole bodies, expressing together the meanings we collectively share in life. I am known to tell friends that St Olaf would not have had to pay me to teach there; I left a tenured position in Hawaii in order to live out my career hearing the music of St Olaf's gifted, dedicated ensembles. Beauty is.
Clear helpful articulate and real....your painful history is food for us here who are facing Satan in our country now
Thank you, Amy, and a hug for you :-)
For me, when I am in the wilderness or tempted by Satan, I pick up my guitar and start playing and singing. For a while, I am no longer in the wilderness, and temptation loses its grip. I relate to your singing, Almut. It is a joy for me and seems to put things in perspective.
Thank you, Jeffrey, I love your image of singing the devil away. Also, let’s talk about your retreat idea.
“We’re Gonna Tear this Kingdom Down!” The evil kingdom we’re living under in the U.S.! Thank you for the entire Cloister note💜
Thank you, Becky, for reading along.
“Social anxiety after Covid years is still a real thing.” Yea, verily! I was an introvert before Covid. Now I am practically a hermit. Reengaging is hard, and I really appreciate you sharing your thoughts.
Thank you, Anni, looks like we are friends :-)
This “drew me back” … “Dancing in the wilderness, dancing amid the chaos, is the invitation I offer you this Lenten season” … this and my recent trip to Paris (only my second visit to Europe; the first being to Czechoslovakia in 1991 just after the Velvet Revolution). I had no desire to visit Paris, but my niece is living there for a year and it gave me an excuse. I read a book called Sacred Paris before hand, and was introduced to the centuries of atrocities that religion, wealth, poverty, egoism, etc., plagued the city. It was an experience to walk the streets and enter the buildings that have lived through so much, reinforcing the somewhat “myopic” experience of my lifelong Midwestern perspective. The trip was a pilgrimage of sorts that ended with a new pilgrimage sending me back home entering Lent and this year’s Jubilee Year Pilgrimage of Hope.
Yes, I am dancing in the wilderness, in the chaos of the many voices circling, but also straining those voices through my filter of hope and gathering the pieces like the bits of glass that came together to create the windows of Sainte-Chapelle (luckily we visited on a sunny day) … I do not know where the journey will go, but I do have my belief on where it will end! Easter!!! And that is enough for me!
Thank you for not giving up on voices who differ from your own; thank you for not silencing your voice! Blessed dancing!!!
So good to hear from you again, Susan! And thank you for your wonderful words. Dancing the streets of Paris sounds amazing. I have never been there. I do like your awareness of the history of the places you visit. I often feel like the stones are talking to us.
And thank you for not giving up on me either 🙏
Once again, you have struck a deep chord in me. I find responding to your messages difficult because of the complex emotions I am feeling. I can say that sharing your story at this time in this country is helping. Thank you.
Thank you, Susan, glad to hear 🙏
I appreciate your message and know it took courage to join the choir!
Thank you, dear Tina, that is lovely said :-)
Et voila! Your first homily and it's magnificent. Looking forward to homily #2!. Here's the line (of many) that I penned in my notebook:
To live and be alive. To not be tempted by easy solutions or despair.
I love the quote "slow makes fast and fast makes slow" which was posted on a weighing scale in chemistry lab... so many times, easy solutions are the temptation to go fast.
Every day there are decisions to be made... what will I stand up for? what will I let go of? Which choices (or indecisions) make my day-to-day life easier right now yet what will be the long-term consequences of picking easy? Working in academia right now... many, many examples!
Thank you as always for so much to ponder!
Ha, all because of you, dear Christina! Thank you for your kind words and for journeying with us 🙏
You pegged me with "hiding in the back row" -- fear to commit or stand forward -- for something "small" (if I bake something will my friend like it or be bothered or ???) or "huge" as the chaos and churlish selfishness imposed on the world these days... thank you... we need the focus and courage for both the small and the huge ways to care for others these days.
Anne, so good to hear from you! And yes, the small and the bigger things need our courage and focus. May we find out which one to tend for.
I love this story! Thank you for sharing it!
You are welcome, dear Judy 🙏
Thank you for this invitation. I am walking through this Lenten season with my father and father-in-law both progressing through Parkinson’s, feeling deep sadness. I have intended to fast from fear and feast on wonder this season. Now I will add dancing as well.
Dancing in the wilderness, dancing amid the chaos, is the invitation I offer you this Lenten season.
To live and to be alive. To not be tempted by easy solutions or despair.
To dance and to engage and to stay alert and alive.
Lovely words, Lynn, thank you so much. I love your motto to “fast from fear.” I think I will use it going forward.
I am sorry to hear about the difficult journey with your fathers, but I am glad you journey with them. May you feel held and blessed for the work you do.
And yes, keep dancing in the wilderness :-)
Thank you, Almut—this was a wonderful piece without stirring too much controversy about Satan, which is more or less what good homilies aim for. I loved the idea of “dancing amid the chaos.”
I think the dance is already happening, even if we aren’t aware of it. It’s more about joining the dance than starting it. As we awaken to the reality of God in all things, we begin to hear the music, and our feet move to the rhythm of an ancient dance—predating time itself—called "perichoresis".
I’m reminded of this quote from Anthony de Mello, which offered the carrot of serenity and helped me find that dance:
“What is the secret of your serenity?”
The master replied: “Wholehearted cooperation with the inevitable.”
What an inspiring comment, Stephan 🙏. I read Anthony de Mello also, many years ago. Thank you for reminding me of him. He probably also offered me that “carrot” 😇
Thank you, Almut! Experiencing music is a gift that transcends the experience of just hearing words. Participating in making music requires our very breathing and our whole bodies, expressing together the meanings we collectively share in life. I am known to tell friends that St Olaf would not have had to pay me to teach there; I left a tenured position in Hawaii in order to live out my career hearing the music of St Olaf's gifted, dedicated ensembles. Beauty is.
Thank you, Wes, Hildegard of Bingen taught music is the very expression of the soul. So I guess I missed that expression! Greetings to you.
I wrote the following affirmation on my tiny chalkboard, "I am dancing in the wilderness. "
Glad to hear, Jan 🥰
I appreciated this entry very much
So very good to hear from you, Eric, thank you for being here with us, and warm greetings from MN 🙏
thanks for the powerful images you share
Glad to hear, Michael, thank you 🙏