Today's Minute Meditations celebrates our bodies! 💪
Dear John, I’ve often heard it said that we are human beings, not human doings. But a spirituality of being can be difficult to practice in a culture that is hyper-focused on performance and accomplishments. Despite the cultural programming, we are not machines. We have hearts, dreams, stories. Today’s Minute Meditation from Shannon K. Evans was a wonderful reminder that my “body’s power lies in its ability to offer presence and tenderness.” St. Francis of Assisi indeed accomplished much in his life, but it flowed from a spirituality of being—from prayer and contemplation, from silence and solitude, from love. As Evans beautifully writes, “When your body communicates love to the world, it is acting as a vessel of God’s Spirit.” This week, might we practice a spirituality of being? Might we reframe in our performance-driven culture what it means to be a human being fully alive? If you enjoy this newsletter, would you help us customize our resources to suit your needs better by donating to Rebuilding God's Church? We are humbled and honored to create media that hopefully accompanies you on your spiritual journey. Peace and all good! Stephen Copeland Book Editor |
Saint of the Day for February 4:
Joseph of Leonissa (January 8, 1556 – February 4, 1612) Listen to Saint Joseph of Leonissa’s Story Here Joseph was born at Leonissa in the Kingdom of Naples. As a boy and as a student in early adulthood, Joseph drew attention for his energy and virtue. Offered a nobleman’s daughter in marriage, Joseph refused and joined the Capuchins in his hometown in 1573 instead. Avoiding the safe compromises by which people sometimes undercut the gospel, Joseph denied himself hearty meals and comfortable quarters as he prepared for ordination and a life of preaching. In 1587, he went to Constantinople to take care of the Christian galley slaves working under Turkish masters. Imprisoned for this work, he was warned not to resume it on his release. He did and was again imprisoned and then condemned to death. Miraculously freed, he returned to Italy where he preached to the poor and reconciled feuding families as well as warring cities which had been at odds for years. He was canonized in 1745. Reflection Saints often jar us because they challenge our ideas about what we need for “the good life.” “I’ll be happy when. . . ,” we may say, wasting an incredible amount of time on the periphery of life. People like Joseph of Leonissa challenge us to face life courageously and get to the heart of it: life with God. Joseph was a compelling preacher because his life was as convincing as his words.
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Your Body’s Power When you hug a friend, make eye contact with a stranger, put a child on your lap, or caress a lover, you are opening yourself to allow God to communicate to another person through your body. We don’t usually think of it that way, but if God is love, then that’s exactly what is taking place. When your body communicates love to the world, it is acting as a vessel of God’s Spirit. Your body was given to you for your own pleasure, but it was also created for the good of others. Your body’s power does not lie in how much it weighs or what shape it’s in. Your body’s power lies in its ability to offer presence and tenderness, both to you and to every human being with whom you are connected in this life. —from Franciscan Spirit’s “Connecting to Earth and Spirit“
by Shannon K. Evans |
Discover what it means to follow Jesus in the 21st century faithfully. God Is Not Fair and Other Reasons for Gratitude |
Finding Our Purpose Reflect No matter what we do with our lives, there is always a purpose to our work. Just like every piece of a puzzle is important to the finished picture, our personal contribution is essential. Pray Dear God,
Help me to discover
the true purpose
of my work
and to see the power
of its impact.
Inspire me to share
the fruits of that work
with others
in order to benefit everyone.
Amen. Act Make a list of the ways that your work brings joy to you and others. Today's Pause+Pray was written by Susan Hines-Brigger. Learn more here! |
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