Spiritual Practice – SSJE

What is the vision that inspires you and gives you hope? What is the vision that propels you forward with confidence into the future? Br. David Vryhof urges us to identify and cling to a vision – of God, of our community, of ourselves – that can help us keep going when times get tough.

"The clue to remember is that now is more important than next. Don’t try to cut in line in life. There is a reason why today is not tomorrow. Be present, which is where God is: in the present." Br. Curtis Almquist invites us to be present to God's readying and protective actions in our lives through the spiritual practice of waiting.

Always an incisive observer of human behavior, Jesus names clearly a very human reality: the habitual patterns of thought and feeling that we feed, that we cultivate, that we invest energy in will eventually become manifest in our words and actions. Br. Keith Nelson wrestles with an enigmatic saying from Jesus and how it invites us to reframe our priorities and the relationship of our inner and outer lives.

Be up front and personal about how you feel with yourself, your loved ones, and God. Don’t hide your pain. If you feel embarrassed, remember: chances are Jesus has seen worse. Jesus loves us and wants to heal us. Br. Jack Crowley reminds us that, though we may feel embarrassed or insecure about all the ways that we need healing, Jesus always invites us to close the distance and come back to him.

"Healing often happens not in an instant, but as we go — in the ordinary, daily grist of life." What healing have you experienced in the ordinary moments of life? Pause today to ask for mercy and give thanks.

"God keeps coming, even when we don’t recognize or understand." What are you holding onto today? Gratitude and pain both belong in prayer. Hold them together, and let God feed your heart with His presence.

"In the face of darkness, the true light of Christ shines brighter, guiding and renewing our hearts with God’s love and hope." How are you seeking light this Christmastide? Dive deeper into Br. Curtis Almquist’s sermon, "Teem with Light," to discover how God’s light can transform your life. Read, reflect, or listen here.