Spirituality
Understanding the sacred liturgy
Revised translation of the Missal After Vatican II, when the word liturgy sprang into more common usage, its definition (from the Greek leitourgia) – the work of the people or work on behalf of the people – soon resulted in an emphasis solely on the first, rather than the more important second understanding. Some explain […]
Remaining patient ‘here and now’
By Michelle Francl-Donnay One thing I ask of the Lord; this I seek: To dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life. – Ps. 27:4a “There are four kinds of monks,” begins the Rule of St. Benedict: those that stay put and have a rule of life, those who go […]
Bells call us to prayer
By Michelle Francl-Donnay The Lord’s voice shaking the wilderness, the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh; the Lord’s voice rending the oak tree and stripping the forest bare. – Ps. 29:8-9 . From the street it looked just like any other city parking lot, with its glass enclosed attendant and ticket machine. A small sign […]
Traveling mercies
By Michelle Francl-Donnay Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for it is by doing so that some have entertained angels without knowing it. – Hebrews 13:2 I am an itinerant scholar these days, teaching and writing far from my usual haunts. The last few weeks have seen me traveling up and down the […]
Among thousands of words, the Word
By Michelle Francl-Donnay In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. – Jn. 1:1 Dawn was just starting to light the sky as I headed down Darby Road, listening to music on the radio. The song faded out to the sound of Tim’s voice announcing, “Good […]
How big are our hearts?
By Michelle Francl-Donnay How can I repay the Lord for all the good done for me? I will raise the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people. – Ps. 116:12-14 “Almighty and eternal God, I, understand […]
Poverty of spirit starts with small things
By Michelle Francl-Donnay Have this mind among yourselves, which was in Christ Jesus: who though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant. – Phil. 2:5-7a “I’ve given up on matching glasses or napkins on the […]
Don’t focus on the fancy footwork
By Michelle Francl-Donnay Set me as a seal on your heart, as a seal on your arm; for stern as death is love, relentless as the nether world is devotion; its flames are a blazing fire. Deep waters cannot quench love, nor floods sweep it away. – Song of Songs 8:6-7a We ran across the […]
Some sayings to live, and pray, by
By Michelle Francl-Donnay Prayer is the life of the new heart. It ought to animate us at every moment…But we cannot pray “at all times” if we do not pray at specific times. – Catechism of the Catholic Church [2697] “So, I just FOIL this, even though it has derivatives?” the student in my office […]
Gifts bring more joy if they’re shared
By Michelle Francl-Donnay Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. – 1Pt. 4:10 I was standing in the hallway talking to a student when I heard the unmistakable sound of something fragile hitting the floor. I ducked my head into the kitchen […]