Category Archives: Calling

Blog

A New Story

This reflection was written in response to an experience at the Benedictine Center called "Divine Spark: Kindling the Fires of Ministry." A New Story Light from Your presence Sparks my soul The spark and careful tending start a small flame Writing, reflection, good conversation partners, prayer and lectio breathe life into the flame The challenges…
Read more

My Day with the Sacred Fire

My Day with the Sacred Fire Forever ago, it seems, I financed my way through seminary with a long stint as a custodian at a religious college. I remember one large meeting where I was pushing my trash cart outside the venue while sensing the vibrancy and boisterous energy inside. It was a tough moment—heartbreaking,…
Read more

The Vision (a poem by Victor Klimoski)

When Obama was first elected, I wrote a poem that tried to capture some of the surge of hope that event occasioned.  Since then, I have returned to the poem in an effort to bring it to its rightful voice.  For reasons unknown, as I thought about the 2018 Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday and…
Read more

Faithfulness: The Difference Spiritual Direction Can Make

Peter Watkins began to learn faithfulness through his first experience with a spiritual director thirty years ago. Today he is himself a spiritual director and tells the story of the difference those conversations made in his life. Faithfulness The Difference Spiritual Direction Can Make I had never heard of spiritual direction until I joined the…
Read more

Companions for the Journey

Companions for the Journey Inward There is a great paradox in navigating the spiritual path. It has been said by sages throughout history that the spiritual journey is a do-it-yourself project. No one, not even the wisest teacher, can walk the path for us.  The best they can do is point us in the right…
Read more

Practicing Sustained Lectio Divina

This reflection about sustained lectio divina is excerpted from Dr. Kathleen Cahalan's keynote lecture at the Benedictine Center on 27 Oct 2017, "Today This Scripture Is Fulfilled in Your Hearing." Click here for the full transcript, including a demonstration of lectio using the Gospel of Luke. Dr. Cahalan is professor of practical theology at Saint…
Read more

Wholehearted Living as the Lamed Vav

This reflection is one fruit of the "Great Conversation" series at the Benedictine Center. Diane Millis facilitated a discussion based on the question "What Am I Learning About Wholehearted Living" and invites you, too, to consider this important question. Those Willing to Serve and Save the World 36. According to Jewish mystics, that’s the number…
Read more

Dr. Barbara Sutton: The 2017-2018 Visiting Scholar

Dr. Barbara Sutton was interviewed by Victor Klimoski, a member of the Benedictine Center Advisory Council a frequent presenter, and a long-time collaborator with Sutton. A listing of Sutton's 2017-2018 events appears at bottom. Dr. Barbara Sutton, Director of Ministerial Formation and Field Education and a member of the faculty  at Saint John’s School of…
Read more

My Life with Psalm 139

I had the great blessing of attending both the Schools of Discernment and Lectio Divina at the Benedictine Center. I entered into each School not sure of what I might experience, but open to divine guidance. Both times the text that seemed to choose me was Psalm 139:1-16. As I engaged the psalm then and…
Read more

Lectio Divina and Preferring Christ: Benedictine Spirituality

Sustaining lectio divina and preferring nothing whatsoever to Christ anchor the Benedictine school of spirituality. Sustaining Lectio Divina The School of Lectio Divina is at the heart of the Benedictine Center of St. Paul’s Monastery’s attempt to share the riches of Benedictine spirituality. The core conviction is that praying the Scriptures is allowing the Word…
Read more