Wisdom of the Early Desert Fathers

Chant – “Become All Flame”

Abba Lot went to see Abba Joseph and said to him, “Abba, as far as I can, I say my little office. I fast a little. I pray. I meditate. I live in peace and as far as I can. I purify my thoughts. What else can I do?”
Then the old man stood up, stretched his hands towards heaven, and his fingers became like ten lamps of fire, and he said to him,
“If you will, you can become all flame.”

–Sayings of the Desert Fathers (Sr. Benedicta Ward)

LYRICS

Lyrics:
If you will, if you will, if you will, if you will,
You can become all flame, become all flame, become all flame.
You can become all flame:
Become all flame.

Gospel Thoughts and Reflective Music for Meditation

Today’s Gospel – Gospel of John 2:13 – “The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. He told those who were selling the doves, “Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!”

Why was Jesus so angry? I never really understood this passage about Jesus’ anger before. But today, something changed. What? Well, today, I meditated silently for 15mins. after hearing it read. And then, reading it for myself later on, I meditated again. The silence allowed it to speak to me or rather to penetrate my heart space and reveal itself to me. What was going on inside of Jesus and why was He so very angry?

Continue reading

Walking With Sophia

This is now the Second Sunday of Lent. However it has been undertaken this year, one thing we probably all have in common is our thoughts…Have I been keeping up with my prayers, my promises, my sacrifices for the Lord? Am I feeling guilty about not doing well enough? Bro. Mark knew well what Walking the Journey with Wisdom (Sophia), the God-given Spirit of Wisdom, involved. Much like his painting, his Music spoke from his heart.

Take a few moments and let your hearts be open to the Wisdom of your Own Journey and Listen to what the Spirit is saying to You…

Traveling with you,

+Theresa – HHC

ASH WEDNESDAY – 2021

Ash Wednesday 2021 – Much has happened since the last post made by our dear Bro. Mark. In his humble way and because of his most sincere love of God, neighbor and country, his posts were always so uplifting and served to inspire whomever might read them. He never was concerned with whether or not his Blog had a tremendous following. It only mattered that his words gave hope to the suffering, Suffering he, himself, was well acquainted with.

Bro. Mark had a rare illness called Proteus Syndrome. We lost him to it a few months ago. His loss has been felt deeply; by his family and by his Lay Contemplative Community who shared his Spiritual Vision; The Hermits of The Holy Cross.

Continue reading

A Podcast for the Homebound

In the past, I had only used podcasts for background noise to help me fall sleep. But I recently discovered one that I actually use for its content. And as a person with many limitations and physical challenges, I would like to recommend it to all of you who share in the frustrations of being unable to manage the holding of a heavy Bible or the small print of a lighter one. Or even just the inability to sit up in your bed to read one.

Ascension Press has a Catholic Podcast available for FREE now, so we can listen to the Bible read to us, chronologically, for only 15 to 20 minutes a day. And after the Readings conclude, there is even a 5 or 10 minute lesson on why the passages read are important for us. It is offered by Fr. Mike Schmitz and available through many podcast sources; for iPhones, iTunes and on the Website directly.

You can also print out a Free Copy of the Reading Plan for the Entire Year so you will know what each day’s Readings will be ahead of time.

I know it has been something I look very forward to each day and I do hope you will find it helpful.

God Love and Bless you today and always!

Please Pray for Us Hermits of the Holy Cross. Thank You!

Blessings,

Theresa – HHC