“How are you called to mirror God’s love, grace, and compassion? We may not die a martyr’s death for our faith, but we are called to the ‘giving of our lives’ for the spread of the gospel—that is the good news of God’s saving, salving love that is for the reunion of God to his children, and all of us to each other.” On the Feast of the Martyrs of New Guinea, Br. Jim Woodrum marvels at what the true call – and cost – of being an ally might be.

“Readiness, then, is not the preparation and training for success, but rather the presentness of our attention and the immediacy of our response to God’s call. This kind of readiness would have seen wisdom not in bringing extra lamp oil, but in waiting on the bridegroom—waiting and trusting that what he sought was not a lit lamp but a listening heart.” As we begin the Season of Creation, Br. Lain Wilson prompts us to be present to what God is saying now.

“God’s people shout for joy, sing songs of joy, return from the fields in joy. God restores the fortunes of Zion—and their sadness is transformed into joy. Joy is their response, their witness to God’s working in the world.” Br. Lain Wilson invites us to shout for joy.

“Go home and look in the mirror. You might be surprised to see how much you really do shine. And that’s because you are God’s friend, God’s beloved, God’s daughter, God’s son and even now you are being changed from one degree of glory to another.” On the Feast of the Transfiguration, Br. James Koester urges us to see the glory with which we – and all who have encountered the living God – surely shine.

“What are your gifts? You are uniquely you, and so are your gifts—no one else will have them in the same combination or proportion or magnitude. What are your gifts, and what fruit can they bear? Make that fruit your prayer today.” Br. Lain Wilson encourages us to take our unique gifts and make them our prayer to God today.

“We’ve inherited a tendency to fight. Bending over backwards attempting to make others approve of us. Accumulating, trying to fill an aching absence. Commanding and clinging, trying to grab control. The Exodus reminds us of this truth: we cannot save ourselves. We are like slaves in Egypt and dead-end at the Red Sea. We need a Savior.” Br. Luke Ditewig takes us back to the Red Sea and reminds us that the Lord will fight for us; all we have to do is be still.

“How are you aware of God’s presence in the cell of your heart? How is God in your thinking? Or rather, how is the Spirit of God praying in you? Your answer, or rather your prayer, is a response to that awareness. It is there that Jesus is waiting to consummate his love for you in the intimate adoration of prayer.” Br. Jim Woodrum explores the spiritual implications of heart-thinking, inspired by a Sarum prayer and his own experience of intimacy with Jesus.

“I'm sure I'm not the only one here who has at different times and in different ways been moved to pledge my total allegiance to God, only to find the initial enthusiasm and zeal fading away -- sometimes within weeks or even days.  It's not easy to sustain such commitment, just like it's not easy to keep New Year's resolutions, and most of us, most of the time, will find our good resolve fading with time. What's the answer to this?” Br. David Vryhof encourages us to drop the shame and guilt and simply offer ourselves to God anew.

“We read, “Jesus put before them another parable…” Yet another parable… I can imagine some people in Jesus’ crowds holding their heads and saying under their breath, “Oh dear, another parable…” I wonder if some of Jesus’ mixed reception was because of his steady stream of parables. Parables are not straight talk.” Br. Curtis Almquist ponders the power of parables and invites us to consider, personally, these timeless treasures which Jesus gives us to unpack.

“Mary Magdalene is, especially for John, the prime example for us of being a Christian. First, Jesus chose Mary and healed her. She followed along and witnessed his teaching. Jesus continued to come, surprise, and reveal including amid deep grief. Jesus sent Mary to share what she knew, first to a small group of men huddled in fear. Mary was apostle to the apostles.” Reflecting on the witness of Mary Magdalene, Br. Luke Ditewig invites us to consider how we have been chosen by Jesus to be witnesses.