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It is hard to believe that one month of my five-month sabbatical has already passed. These weeks have been a gift, a break from my usual routines, and a settling into new rhythms of daily living.
These days have been spent beside a lake in rural Iowa. The weather is warming as signs of spring abound. While some days are still a little cool, just 5-10 degrees, each week is warmer than the last.
Each day has a gentle pattern, from early morning sunrise across the lake, prayer, reading both fiction and non-fiction, walking, slow food and drink, and more walking and reading before early nights.
These days are a great gift.
Each weekend I celebrate a Mass or two in a neighbouring parish, and this Sunday night there is another Theology on Tap session in a nearby parish: this one known as Ponderings in the Pub. Remember the one I wrote about a couple of weeks ago: Thirsty Souls? I like the names of these sessions.
Without a doubt the highlight of these days has been the response to my invitation to send me up to 400 words reflecting on an experience of God. Every day’s emails have carried inspiring and profound reflections; many of you sharing a personal experience of God.
Each morning I have prayed with you as I read your reflections, and each afternoon I have worked on collating your contributions into a book which I plan to publish later in the year.
If you have been delaying writing or sending your experience of God you might read this as a nudge to just do it! I’m happy to extend the deadline until early next week.
I have also found myself praying with and for FFF followers, you who are making this ministry of reflections, lectio divina. homily studio, prayer wall (and other arms of the mission) such an effective way of providing nourishment for those who are seeking a greater maturity of Christian faith
I have a younger brother.turning 81. He seems to barely have any faith. He has had a toe removed as a consequence of uncontrolled diabetes. Prior to surgery he seemed to have a deep faith. Since then he seems to have =discarded this gift. In his Advance Directive, he asks for Assisted dying/ euthenasia.In the daily podcast i keep asking=g Jeus= to use me to =bring him to =faith believing what Jesus =says Ask and you will receive.
I will keep you and your brother in my prayers, God bless
Since I learnt you were going away for your sabbatical I have been meaning to write – a messsage of goodwill and blessings on your fulfilment of this special times of your life. I hope this special period brings you satisfaction, clarity and enormous blessings. I enjoy nightly reading a “chapter” of your Food for Faith book and pondering on its meanings. Thank you.
Judy Hann