Spirituality
Awaking to the presence of God
By Michelle Francl-Donnay It is you whom I invoke, O Lord. In the morning you hear me; in the morning I offer you my prayer, watching and waiting. – Ps. 5:3 It was a scene right out of some 1950s movie: four women from two countries in their pajamas sitting cross-legged on the floor of […]
How do I pray aright?
By Michelle Francl-Donnay Now once he was in a certain place praying, and when he had finished one of his disciples said, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” – Lk. 11:1 My youngest son Chris has a T-shirt that reads: “Warning: The person wearing this shirt is a roller coaster […]
Remembering the gifts Christ gave us
By Michelle Francl-Donnay I tell you solemnly, this poor widow has put in more than all who have contributed to the treasury; for they have all put in money they had over, but she from the little she had has put in everything she possessed, all she had to live on. – Mk. 12:43b-44 I […]
Making haste to help, be helped
By Michelle Francl-Donnay O God, come to my assistance. O Lord, make haste to help me. – Ps. 70:2 “The tuna is on sale, so I thought I’d get two.” I was in line at the grocery store in Boston, waiting while the elderly woman in front of me dug for change in the bottom […]
Contemplating the last things
By Michelle Francl-Donnay In Your hand I commend my spirit; You redeemed me, O Lord, God of truth. – Ps. 31:6 “May the all-powerful Lord grant us a restful night and a peaceful death. Amen.” Some might think it peculiar, that with these closing words of Night Prayer, the last thing I ask of God […]
Praying with patience, persistence
By Michelle Francl-Donnay “Teach us to count our days rightly, that we may obtain a wise heart.” – Ps. 90:12 I was flipping through one of the dozen catalogs that arrived this week when I saw it – a gorgeous grey wool sweater with an intricately patterned yoke. It would only take a few clicks […]
A kitchen’s lesson on humility
By Michelle Francl-Donnay Then he said to him a third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was upset that he asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” and said, “Lord, you know everything; you know I love you.” – Jn. 21:17a I had planned on a walk. Instead, as […]
Contemplation not just for monks
Michelle Francl-Donnay The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart. The command of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eye. More desirable than gold, than a hoard of purest gold, Sweeter also than honey or drippings from the comb.– Ps. 19:9, 11 From my earliest days, silence and darkness went together. Growing up […]
Good works, sincere love and tough questions
By Michelle Francl-Donnay Of course there will never cease to be poor in the land; I command you therefore: Always be openhanded with your brother, and with anyone in your country who is in need and poor. – Dt. 15:11 Why is that the really hard questions come when I am in the midst of […]
The strength to cling, and to let go
By Michelle Francl-Donnay So then, my brothers and dear friends, do not give way but remain faithful in the Lord. – Philippians 4:1a It was one of the oddest conversations I’ve had as a mother, and as any parent knows, strange conversations are standard parenting fare. Held on a rock ledge jutting out over Crater […]