Poets & Saints

This week we are exploring the works of Joy Harjo from "Conflict Resolution for Holy Beings" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we are exploring the works of Joy Harjo from "Conflict Resolution for Holy Beings" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Theme: Embracing Hope and Love Scripture: Luke 2:1-20 NRSV Reflection: Hafez on the Eternal Message of Hope and Love Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Theme: The True Gift of Presence Scripture: Matthew 2:9-11 NRSV Reflection: Thomas R. Kelly from A Testament of Devotion Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Theme: Harmonizing with Nature's Peace Scripture: Luke 2:13-14 NRSV Reflection: Wendell Berry, The Peace of Wild Things Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Theme: The Spirit of Joy Scripture: Luke 2:36-40 NRSV Reflection: The Summer Day by Mary Oliver Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Theme: Illuminating the Divine Scripture: John 1:1-14 NRSV Reflection: William Blake on Encountering the Divine Light Within Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Theme: Empathy and Understanding Scripture: Luke 10:25-37 Reflection: Frederick Buechner on Understanding and Empathy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Theme: The Depth of God's Love Scripture: Romans 8:38-39 Reflection: St. John of the Cross on the Depths of God's Love Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Theme: Compassionate Action Scripture: Matthew 25:34-40 Reflection: Mother Teresa on Serving Others with Love Matthew 25:34-40 NRSV "Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you we...

Theme: Understanding Universal Love Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Reflection: Rumi on the Boundless Nature of Divine Love 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NRSV "Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all...

Theme: Surrendering to the Divine Flow Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6 Reflection: Julian of Norwich on the Grace of Surrender Proverbs 3:5-6 NRSV Trust in the Lord with all your heart,     and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him,     and he will make straight your paths. Julian of Norwich, from "Revelations of Divine Love" "All shall...

Theme: The Inner Pilgrimage Scripture: Luke 2:21-35 (Simeon and Anna) Reflection: Thomas Merton, from "New Seeds of Contemplation" and "Thoughts In Solitude” Luke 2:21-35 NRSV "After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. When the time came for their purification according to the law of M...

Theme: Cultivating Inner Peace Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23 Reflection: Rabindranath Tagore on Serenity of the Soul Galatians 5:22-23 NRSV 22 By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. Rabindranath Tagore, from "Stray Birds" and "Gitanjali" "The same stream o...

Theme: The Power of Transformation Scripture: Romans 12:2 Reflection: Leo Tolstoy on Personal Change and Spiritual Growth Romans 12:2 NRSV "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect." Leo Tolstoy Three Methods Of Reform "True life is lived when tiny changes occur.” "Ev...

Theme: Letting Go of the Superfluous Scripture: Philippians 4:6-7 Reflection: Julian of Norwich on Simplicity and Trust in God Focus In this episode, the focus will be on the theme of letting go of the superfluous and finding simplicity and trust in God's presence. The episode draws from the teachings in Philippians 4:6-7, emphasizing the importance of prayer and casting anxieties aside, and Julia...

Theme: Spiritual Clarity Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12 (The Wise Men) Reflection: St. Teresa of Avila on Clarity Matthew 2:1-12 NRSV 2 In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, magi from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star in the east and have come to pay him homage.” 3 When K...

Theme: The Wisdom of Waiting Scripture: Isaiah 40:31 Reflection: Henri Nouwen on the Value of Waiting Focus In this episode, the focus will be on the theme of the wisdom of waiting, especially during the Advent season. The episode draws from the teachings in Isaiah 40:31, emphasizing the significance of waiting on the Lord, and Henri Nouwen's perspective on the value and transformative power of wa...

Theme: Embracing the Divine Within Scripture: Luke 2:8-20 (The shepherds) Reflection: St. Francis of Assisi on Finding God in All Things Luke 2:8-20 8 Now in that same region there were shepherds living in the fields,  keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them,  and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 B...

Theme: Inner Peace and Quietude Scripture: Psalm 46:10 Reflection: Thomas Merton on the Power of Silence Focus In this episode, the focus will be on the theme of inner peace and quietude during the Advent season, drawing from the teachings in Psalm 46:10 and Thomas Merton's perspective on the strength of silence. Psalms 46:10 NRSV Be still, and know that I am God! No Man Is An Island Thomas Merton...

Theme: Humility and Simplicity Scripture: Luke 2:1-7 (The Birth of Jesus) Reflection: Saint Francis of Assisi on Humility and Simplicity Luke 2:1-7 1In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3All went to their own towns to be registered. 4Joseph also went from...

Theme: Faith in Uncertainty Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25 (Joseph's Dream) Reflection: Rainer Maria Rilke on Embracing the Unknown Matthew 1:18-25 18Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to...

Theme: The Promise of Joy Scripture: Luke 1:26-38 (The Annunciation)) Reflection: Kahlil Gibran on joy and spiritual awakening. Luke 1:26-38  In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The L...

Theme: Making Space for the New Scripture: Luke 1:5-25 (The announcement to Zechariah) Reflection: Wendell Berry on embracing new beginnings. Luke 1:5-25 5In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly acc...

Theme: Anticipation of Advent Scripture: Isaiah 9:6-7 Reflection: Wild Geese by Mary Oliver Isaiah 9:6-7 6For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He wil...