Ash Wednesday. This is an auspicious day to begin blogging. The whole Church is entering Lent, the season intended to be a new spring. We hope to revitalize our spiritual life and strengthen our relationship with God. My goal in writing this blog each week is to be a midwife for others as they try to fulfill these hopes. In the process, I expect that my own spiritual life will grow.
If anyone is still searching for a good Lenten resolution, here’s an idea. When I was fighting distractions in prayer, Tom Radloff, a good, wise Jesuit, proposed writing a letter beginning “Dear Jesus” and ending “Love, Kathleen.” Then I was to write another letter beginning “Dear Kathleen” and closing “Love, Jesus.” I was not to force ideas or think “What would Jesus say to me?” but just let the words flow from the pen. He said I would be amazed. And after only one day, I was. The distractions disappeared because I was focused on the writing. And what Jesus wrote was surprising. Something he said had bearing on what happened that afternoon.
I continued the daily letters for weeks…until I became “sick and tired” of doing them. This was mostly because at the time I was writing books all day long. My precious prayer time was becoming too much like my workday. When I asked Fr. Tom if maybe I should stop, he said, “No,” but the letters could be shorter. Even then, when I began writing “postcards” every day— “Dear, Jesus, wish you were here” (Not really!)— this prayer method was powerful. It also was a record of my spiritual journey that was a joy to read years later. I pass this idea for prayer on to you. May you too try it and find it a beautiful experience.
What new way of praying has made a difference in your life?
30 Responses
Congratulations!
Thanks, Cackie! Hope you have a blessed Lent.
Congratulations on your new adventure of blogging! I am sure you will continue to share your spiritual inspiration with those reading your messages.
I hope to, Sue. Thanks. I’ll be depending on the Holy Spirit!
Congratulations, Kathleen! May your new blog be a vehicle to spread the Word and to touch hearts!
Thanks for your blessing, Ellen.
Great start, Kathleen. I think that the prayer method you are suggesting would be very fruitful. Thanks for sharing it. I look forward to your future posts.
Thank YOU, Susan, for all your help in setting this up. I look forward to learning more…
Wonderful! After years of using with children your seasonal helps there is one for GROWNUPS! Thank you for extending your words to companion the WORD in this “Springtime.”
Best of luck on your new blog, Kathleen. Looking forward to reading each post! God bless.
Thank you, Rose, for your good wishes and blessing. Hope the blog meets the standards of a good English teacher.
Thanks, Annemarie, for always using the Advent and Lent books, a practice that Sr. Sharon is continuing. This “grown-up” help will be weekly, God willing.
Kathleen, Congratulations! I love this new idea for prayer. Lent should be more conversations with the Lord.
I’m happy to pass on that letter writing idea. And thank you for the ideas you pass on via your poetry-prayer blog.
Kathleen, Congratulations. I hope and pray that this new venture helps many to learn more about Our Good God!
Me too! Thanks, Antoinette.
Prayer is such an important part of our lives and opening us up to the possibilities of what God (or Jesus) has to say. I find your prayer practice very interesting. I enjoy periods of silence where I ask for God’s wisdom to fill the empty space within me as a prayer practice. It seems the more empty I am, the more full I become. I encourage your continued blogging.
Looks like you have found new meaning in “Silence is golden.” Blessings on your all-important ministry, Terrie!
Thank you Sister Kathleen for sharing your gift of writing so that we can share in God’s gifts to all of us.
I’m glad to have this new avenue to communicate, thanks to Sr. Susan Wolf.
I am so glad you are doing this blogging. I love Sr. Melanie’s blog and know I will love yours too. Keep up the good work.
Anita, you motivate me to make my reflections worthwhile. Thanks for commenting.
Love your blog. I’ll be sure to check it out each week.
Great, Sue!
I love your new blog! And I loved your first suggestion for prayer. I’m going to try it–especially the postcard idea! I look forward to your future posts! The picture of the Sea of Galilee on your blog is especially appropriate since it was a place Jesus frequented. I know you probably took the picture yourself, right?
Thanks, Melannie. And, yes, I got up at 5 a.m. to catch that sunrise when I was in the Holy Land. I waited until a bird landed on the tree, but he’s invisible in this small version. I plan to do a blog about this photo soon. A blessed Lent!
You launched your blog. Congratulations, Kathleen. Once again, you inspire us to do an everyday activity which can connect us ever more closely to our loving God of life.
Thank you, Kathleen. I’m looking forward to viewing yours any day now!
Kathleen, I just wanted you to know that I began to write those letters to Jesus, and he to me. I am not tired yet. It is a great help on this spiritual journey of ours. Thanks again for the tip. Juliemarie
I was glad to pass on this idea for prayer, Juliemarie. Thanks for letting me know it impacted your life too.