To be eirenic is to be aimed at peace, oriented toward reconciliation. As a centering prayer I have adopted the prayer attributed to St. Frances, Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. So, that is why I call my website Eirenicole – a composite of eirenic and Nicole.

For Lent, we are using the book, The Art of Lent: A Painting a Day From Ash Wednesday to Easter, by Sister Wendy Beckett. This week, the theme is confidence. Our meditation for today is entitled, “Joyful Confidence,” and the focus of our attention will be on the painting, Diana the Huntress, c.1550, School of Fontainebleau. The image is included in the post for this podcast, and accompanies the places where this is posted. If you do not have access to the photo, but do have access to internet, you can google “Diana the Huntress, c.1550, School of Fontainebleau.”

So as you settle in your space,

listen for when the sound ends and the silence begins.

Welcome the stillness; open to quietness

Settle into your space and invite your senses, your feelings to sit with you.

Are you just tired of being stuck in one space? Expand it:

Notice what has taken space in your heart.

Greet it.

Breathe out an acknowledgment of its presence.

Breathe in the grace that God also fills the space with you.

As you breathe out, exhale a prayer of welcome, embrace.

Continue breathing in and out, allow the Spirit to saturate, to fill you with peace.

Pay attention to God’s invitation to be present.

Settle into the peace of Christ as you listen. Hear the mediation and notice what the spirit of God draws your attention to in this painting. What is Jesus speaking to you here, now?

“When joy touches us it can seem a godlike experience … joyful confidence there are no mistakes.”

In what do you place your confidence? What creates a sense of confidence in you?

You’ve seen the posters that carry the message, “God doesn’t make mistakes,” meant to instill a sense of confidence in yourself, “believe in yourself.” There is certainly some merit to the sentiment, yet how much does it motivate us to live into this truth?

We may believe God makes no mistakes in principle, but how often might we wonder whether a mistake was made with me? What about you makes you feel that you’re not exactly who you were meant to be? Could be?

Why?

When you see a painting of a naked woman, how do you react? We are told in Genesis that the first humans were naked and unashamed.

But when they ate of the fruit, their eyes were opened.

It wasn’t that they couldn’t use their eyes before. Rather, they now saw as God does – the surface, all the information, more information that effectively blinded them to the inner reality of the other, and of God.

Sit a few more moments and allow your inner eye to see, to look deeper into the reality of you – your divinity, made in the very image of God.

Resolve to practice seeing who you are, and think of someone you will practice seeing into with these same holy eyes.

May you move in confidence of who you are most truly today, and may you walk at the pace of grace.

The post Joyful Confidence appeared first on Eirenicole.

To be eirenic is to be aimed at peace, oriented

For Lent, we are using the book, The

So as you settle in your space, pay attention

Notice your breath as it passes in through your

Pay attention, slowing your breath a bit.

Welcome the stillness; open to quietness

Settle into your space and invite your senses,

Maybe you’re so bored you have no substantial

Notice what has taken space in your heart.

Greet it.

Breathe out an acknowledgment of its presence.

Breathe in the grace that God also fills the

As you breathe out, exhale a prayer of welcome,

Continue breathing in and out, allow the Spirit

Pay attention to God’s invitation to be present.

Settle into the peace of Christ as you listen.

“It is inadequate, even misleading, to speak of ‘experiencing joy,’ … for what it makes us recall.”

For what it makes us recall… Joy, immeasurable,

Spills out… effortless, the color, the essence

We cannot contain it. We can’t even adequately

And we know we don’t always recognize joy at its inception.

It is always in presence – noticing,

until it no longer requires effort

Because with rehearsing a thing, a disposition,

sustaining that intention, persistent, that the

And then a way of being.

We recognize Monet’s message, not because it is

We recognize Monet’s communication because leaves

perceive through her eyes, understand with his

The painting may only be a composite of swirls in

When do you pause? What beauty do you remember

May you notice beauty everywhere today, and may

The post Beyond Experience appeared first on Eirenicole.

To be eirenic is to be aimed at peace, oriented

For Lent, we are using the book, The

So as you settle in your space, pay attention

Notice your breath as it passes in through your

Pay attention, slowing your breath a bit.

Rest in the stillness, be at ease in quietness

Settle into your space and notice your

Are they raised a bit? The neck muscles coiled?

Allow your shoulders to pull away from your

Where do you notice tension in your body?

Mentally scan from the top of you head, neck,

hips, legs, feet.

Breathe out as you release clenched muscles.

Breathe in the grace that God fills you.

As you breathe out, exhale a prayer of trust.

Continue breathing in and out, allow the Spirit

Pay attention to God’s invitation to be present.

Settle into the peace of Christ as you listen.

“Regardless of the title of this painting …. in our very bodies, that this is the truth of it.”

We carry so much in our bodies, often without realizing,

until the pain begins to radiate through the

and then everything seems so very wrong.

When truth comes to light, our bodies know it. So

that we are afraid of the truth? Or, at the

What compels us to move through life, through

through a moment senselessly, unaware,

What will the truth ask of us?

Even in our confinement, it’s a simple thing,

to move through the tiny spaces in mindless

attempt to outrun illumination that does

reveal.

And this truth is…? What are you afraid of

A grudge that you cannot relinquish? A wound

The truth that no matter how much you do, it

The light of truth is brilliant, sure. Still,

in every wave

on each particle it strokes

an infinite spectrum of dazzling color

Relentless, exposing beauty in the midst of

Until, at last, rest-in-stillness gifts us

overwhelming joy

we know in our very bodies.

How is your body knowing joy today?

May you rest in the radiance of truth, and may

The post Radiant Truth appeared first on Eirenicole.

To be eirenic is to be aimed at peace, oriented

For Lent, we are using the book, The

So as you settle in your space, pay attention

Notice your breath as it passes in through your

Pay attention, slowing your breath a bit.

Engage stillness, release your concerns, yield

Settle into the awareness that God is present.

And as you recognize God’s presence, bring your

When did you notice God meeting you in your

Perhaps a lift in your spirit? A kind word spoken?

Notice it. Recognize the consolation.

Breathe out an acknowledgment of mercy.

Breathe in the grace that God fills this space.

As you breathe out, exhale a prayer of hope.

Continue breathing in and out, allow the Spirit

Pay attention to God’s invitation to be present.

Settle into the peace of Christ as you listen.

“The way into blessed freedom …. though perhaps not yet fully realized as such.”

The first sight of joy is in the awareness of

Still, as powerful as surrendering to joy in the moment, in the living it, is the memory suffused with joy. In the same way that we might live in a grief, in suffering, and live into it the joy supporting it, so we might live into the joy that is already present when remembering. Our minds can do remarkable magic, amazing feats of manipulation, rumination, and focus…  but because we have God’s Spirit within, we also have the mind of Christ.

What if we allow the mind of Jesus that dwells

What if we allow the forgotten graces of an

And then, the story retold transforms,

swathed in more colors, nuanced,

strokes of beauty that blur the spaces when we thought

and remember: we are all hues, infinite,

shifting, re-seen in heaven’s light.

How is joy recreating memory for you today?

May real joy saturate you in new hues, and may

The post Lost in Time appeared first on Eirenicole.

To be eirenic is to be aimed at peace, oriented

For Lent, we are using the book, The

So as you settle in your space, pay attention

Notice your breath as it passes in through your

Pay attention, slowing your breath a bit.

Embrace silence, surrender your thoughts to

Settling into the awareness that God is

And as you recognize God’s presence, bring your

When did you notice moving away from God’s

Was it regret or disappointment? Or maybe fear?

Notice it. Recognize it for what it is.

Breathe out an acknowledgment that Jesus meets you here, within it.

Breathe in the grace that God fills this space.

As you breathe out, exhale a prayer of

Continue breathing in and out, allow the Spirit

Pay attention to God’s invitation to be present.

Settle into the peace of Christ as you listen.

“We surrender to joy: we have no option …. while greeting joy as integral to our very substance.”

Is it possible to recognize grief as

What if, in our suffering, we were to open our

What if we abandon ourselves at cliff’s edge

Because no longer attempting to cover your

How is joy meeting you in this moment?

May real joy suffuse you this day, and may you

The post Embracing Joy appeared first on Eirenicole.

To be eirenic is to be aimed at peace, oriented

For Lent, we are using the book, The

So as you settle in your space, pay attention

Notice your breath as it passes in through your

Pay attention to your breathing, slowing your

Consent to silence, give your thoughts

Setting into the awareness that God is present.

And as you recognize God’s presence, bring your

When did you notice the Spirit of God in it?

Breathe in the ruah, breath of love of

Breathe in the grace of recognition that God

As you breathe out, exhale a prayer of

Continue breathing in and out, allow the Spirit

Pay attention to God’s invitation to be

Settle into the peace of Christ as you listen. Hear

“The very small child, who is loved and

It’s absolute belief in what is experienced. Enclosed.

Recognize the ache, frustration. See it for

How is joy meeting you in this moment?

May real joy suffuse you this day, and may you

The post Joy in Infancy appeared first on Eirenicole.

To be eirenic is to be aimed at peace, oriented

For Lent, we are using the book, The

So as you settle in your space, pay attention

Notice your breath and the way your stomach

Pay attention as the breath is released, perhaps

Bring your senses to the awareness that God is

Notice the sense that God is always here, always

Breathe in the ruah, breath of love of

As you breathe out, exhale a prayer of thanks.

Continue breathing in and out, allow the Spirit

Pay attention to God’s invitation to be

Settle into the peace of Christ as you listen. Hear

“Bellini’s allegories are not always easy to

On what is your sense of peace, well-being

While our world is far from predictable, constantly changing, allow this time to be an invitation to rest. Consent to the silence, engage the very real presence of God, know the certainty that God is the ground of our being, Jesus is the one through whom we are made and remade, the Spirit is the Love and Life in every breath you take.   

How is Jesus bringing you peace in this moment?

May the peace of Christ be with you, and today,

The post Conditional Peace appeared first on Eirenicole.

To be eirenic is to be aimed at peace, oriented toward reconciliation. As a centering prayer I have adopted the prayer attributed to St. Frances, Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. So, that is why I call my website Eirenicole – a composite of eirenic and Nicole.

For Lent, we are using the book, The

So as you settle in your space, pay attention

Notice your posture – sitting (or stand)

Notice your body settling into the chair, and

Close your eyes (if you’re not driving!) and

This may be a characteristic of God, or

Breathe in the ruah, the spirit that is

Breathe out while calling to mind your word – a

Continue breathing in and out, centering with your

Pay attention to God’s invitation to be

Settle into the peace of Christ as you listen. Hear

“The safety of peace has nothing to do at all

It is remarkable that this meditation comes

What is the fruit you are finding in

How is Jesus bringing you peace in this moment?

The post Isolation appeared first on Eirenicole.

To be eirenic is to be aimed at peace, oriented

For Lent, we are using the book, The

So as you settle in your space, pay attention

Notice the coolness of your breath as you

Release the anxieties you are experiencing on

Breathe in the ruah, the spirit that is

Breathe out concerns the virus visits on us all

Breathe in the clarity of God’s presence in

Breathe out lingering fears and confusion.

Settle into the peace of Christ as you listen. Hear

“An acceptance of the vulnerability on which

Though we may all feel imprisoned right now, there

Will you choose peace with me today?

How is Jesus bringing you peace in this moment?

May the peace of Christ be with you, and today,

The post Choosing Peace appeared first on Eirenicole.

Fathers, Sheer Silence, and Being King Of the Mountain

My husband, Howie, likes to ride his bike. He likes it so much that he will kit himself with all manner of spandex and glucose gel packs, and configure a route on his Garmin for sometimes 100 miles in a go. Apparently, there are quite a number of individuals who do the same, logging their routes, broadcasting the progress and speed along various stretches of road. And to log the fastest time on some arbitrary (to my view) segment, the swift-rider is crowned (virtually, of course) King Of the Mountain – KOM.

And friends who ride together in companionable conversation and wonder at the landscape one day, will independently strategize and prepare to best each other’s KOMs on another. There are seemingly infinite iterations of segments that can be KOMd, and when a rider beats the latest record one day, his friend can take the KOM on the next. It is all in good fun – or so my husband assures me. And I so love to hear his enthusiasm and joy at achieving another KOM. But I found elements of similarity with sentiments described in this poem by William Belvin published in the January 1957 edition of Poetry Magazine entitled,

Satan on Economics

By William Belvin

1

If thou be rich,

what shall I say—

go hug thy neighbor’s

life away?

Idleness

is equal good,

freak luxuries . . .

all turpitude,

since thou be rich,

is but thy free

and many-routed

way to Me.

2

Poor is not pretty—

so homely beast,

join our wolves’

or jackals’ feast.

I will provide,

or thou shall seize

from things not thine,

since nothing is.

Or beast the burden

called honest bread

(other men’s evil)

if thou be proud.

3

But if thou be

not-rich-not-poor,

may God help thee—

I can no more.

For on thine in-

betweening fear

of fear of want,

of want of fear,

and hunger hot

for the just-above,

our pangs cannot,

I think, improve.

The in-betweening is most difficult space to occupy – that place of not-rich-not-poor that is lived in fear – in fear of fear even. Because in the in-between the hunger is not for want of food, but for that which is just-above, just a whisper of breath beyond the fingertips that one cannot quite hook a finger on. And no matter how comfortably set, the just-above is eternally just there: above.

Today’s Ignatian reading is the 1 Kings 19 account of Elijah’s encounter with God on the mountain. But Elijah’s KOM is not conferred in the manner we associate with power and prestige – God’s presence was not in the earthquake, or fierce wind, or fire. God’s presence came in the form of sheer and utter – deafening – silence.

And all Elijah can do is cover himself and move forward. “What are you doing here, Elijah?” His answer to God is that all is out of reach – Israel’s relationship with God, his own safety, hope. But God is present. Present to Elijah. Personally. In silence.

So, perhaps you have much, or little, or are in-betweening, and do not even know what you really need. Except you do know the striving for whatever KOM designation in your life is not bringing peace.

I invite you to use this time to allow God to enter your space in silence – if you are listening with noise-canceling earbuds, all the better!

Steady your breathing.

Pay attention to each breath.

Listen to the chime. And then listen for that space where the sound ends and the sheer silence begins.

[chime]

One hundred-miler Howie prioritizes is the Tour de Cure organized each year to raise money for research into the cure for diabetes. The training for these rides take up a great deal of time, and he will often listen to podcasts or music or chat with other riders. But he will also take long stretches without anything in his ears – time for silence, time to commune with God. And he returns home to his family so beautifully present to us.

And then nothing seems out of reach. God is present.

This Sunday is Father’s day, and I am thankful for this person who partners with me to parent our children. So, for this day, he is king of our mountain. At least, we’ll let him think that.

You can find resources and a transcript of this podcast on my website eirenicole.com

Today may you welcome silence and walk at the pace of grace.

Jazz piano performed by Ethan Oliver

The post Fathers, Sheer Silence, and Being King Of the Mountain appeared first on Eirenicole.