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Dominican Preaching through Word and Image
When We Feel Like Giving Up . . .
There are moments when I feel like giving up or giving in, but I soon rally again and do my duty as I see it: to keep the spark of life inside me ablaze.
– Etty Hillesum, An Interrupted Life
Weekly Photo Challenge: Love
We will hear the thoughts below later this week when 1 Corinthians 13 is quoted. Today we hear from Reinhold Niebuhr.
Nothing worth doing is completed in our lifetime; therefore, we must be saved by hope. Nothing true or beautiful makes complete sense in any immediate context of history; therefore, we must be saved by faith. Nothing we do, however virtuous, can be accomplished alone; therefore, we are saved by love.
The Feast of Thomas Aquinas
Wonder is the desire of knowledge.
– St. Thomas Aquinas
Today is the Feast of St. Thomas Aquinas. He was born in Naples in 1225, and became a Dominican Friar. Because of his studies, writing, and teaching he was named a Doctor of the Church in 1567. He has had a profound influence on Christian theology.
May My Eyes Remain Open to Wonder
I’ve read all the books but one
only remains sacred: this
volume of wonders, open
always before my eyes.
– Kathleen Raine
Wisdom from the Pueblo People
Hold on to what is good
even if it is a handful of earth.
Hold on to what you believe
even if it is a tree which stands by itself.
hold on to what you must do
even if it is a long way from here.
Hold on to life.
even when it is easier letting go.
Hold on to my hand
even when I have gone away from you.– Pueblo verse
And I am reminded of the passage from 1 Thessalonians 5:1: “Hold on to all that is good.”
A Simple Prayer
Eternal Spirit — Earth-Maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver; source of all that is and that shall be; Father and Mother of us all. Loving God, in whom is heaven. The hallowing of your name echoes through the universe!
– The New Zealand Prayer Book
The Blessings of Gratitude
Thankfulness brings you to the place where the Beloved lives.
– Jalaluddin Rumi
Wisdom from The Midrash
God always provides what we need, but we must be ready to open our eyes and see it.
– The Midrash
Great Are the Works of God!
Today’s Responsorial Psalm is Psalm 111.
Alleluia.
I will give thanks to God
with all my heart
in the company and
assembly of the just
Great are the works of God,
exquisite in all their delights.Alleluia.
Weekly Photo Challenge: Beyond
Everyone needs beauty as well as bread, places to play and pray, where nature heals and gives strength to body and soul alike.
– John Muir
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