OPreach
Dominican Preaching through Word and Image
Walking a Labyrinth
Not too long ago I walked a labyrinth for the first time in my life. I had flirted with labyrinths for years, but my expectations were so high that I kept finding reasons not to walk one. I did not want to hurry. I did not want to share the labyrinth with anyone who might distract me. I did not want to be disappointed. I looked forward to walking a labyrinth so much that looking forward to it kept me from doing it for years.
Barbara Brown Taylor, An Altar in the World
Wednesday of Hope – The Need for Humor
The only thing I can recommend at this stage is a sense of humor, an ability to see things in their ridiculous and absurd dimensions, to laugh at others and at ourselves, a sense of irony regarding everything that calls out for parody in this world. In other words, I can only recommend perspective and distance.
– Václav Havel
Surrender
Surrender
The boat I travel in is called Surrender.
My two oars are instant forgiveness and gratitude—complete gratitude for the gift of life.
I am thankful for the experience of this life,
for the opportunity to dance.
I get angry, I get mad, but as soon as I remind myself to put my oars in the water,
I forgive.Balbir Matbur, Heron Dance Interview (Issue 11)
Wednesday of Hope – Larger than Imagination
Hope is not dead, it is just larger than our imaginations.
– Kathy Hobaugh
Our Fates Are Tied
Our fates are tied. We have this strange notion on this planet that our fates are not tied. If it were not so we would not be here together. It’s that simple.
– Luisah Teish
Wednesday of Hope – The Risk to Blossom
And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was greater than the risk it took to blossom.
– Anais Nin
A Garden of Light
I once had a garden filled with flowers that grew only on dark thoughts, but they need constant attention and one day I decided I had better things to do.
– Brian Andreas, StoryPeople
Wednesday of Hope – A Virtue
Hope is not merely a feeling. Hope is a virtue, a firmly established attitude of the heart, a basic bearing of the whole person.
– David Steindl-Rast
What Shall You Find?
Never be so focused on what you’re looking for that you overlook the thing you actually find.
– Ann Patchett
Wednesday of Hope – A Way of Living
Hope is not just a feeling. Hope is a way of acting and a way of living.
– Joanna Macy
OPreach 