Making Room

Posted on February 20, 2015 by Daniel J. Miller

Nan-in, a Japanese master during the Meiji era (1868-1912), received a university professor who came to inquire about Zen. Nan-in served tea. He poured his visitor’s cup full, and then kept on pouring. The professor watched the overflow until he Read more [...]

How’s Your Love Life?

Posted on February 18, 2015 by Daniel J. Miller

Ash Wednesday Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the LORD, your God, For God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love, and relenting in punishment Read more [...]

Maybe the Emptiness

Posted on March 22, 2014 by Daniel J. Miller

Lent is to Easter what Advent is to Christmas: the tomb of death becomes the womb of life just as the darkness holds the unseen light. During Advent we hear from Isaiah (and it is echoed in Matthew) “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great Read more [...]

More on the Threefold Practices of Lent

Posted on March 15, 2014 by Daniel J. Miller

Part V The spiritual economy that governs, guides, and connects the three-fold practices of Lent goes something like this: first, after prayerful self-reflection, the typical targets of the energy, attention, and concern we give to ourselves gets Read more [...]

The Practices of Lent continued

Posted on March 12, 2014 by Daniel J. Miller

Part IV Fasting continued The second type of fasting involves refraining from those things that are detrimental or destructive to oneself or others, anything that prevents us or others from engaging fully in the gift of life and its call to flourish. Read more [...]

The Practices of Lent: Fasting

Posted on March 9, 2014 by Daniel J. Miller

Part III Fasting Generally speaking, there are two types of religious fasts: one involves giving up something that is good or pleasurable--- food, drink, conversation, sex, travel--- for a more ultimate good--- self-restraint, deepening of awareness, Read more [...]

The Human Propensity: Remorse and Reorientation

Posted on March 8, 2014 by Daniel J. Miller

Part II Before moving on to how the Christian community participates in Lent, it is worth noting that Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist traditions as well as many other religions designate a practice, day, or an extended period of time devoted to Read more [...]

The Ashes and the Cross

Posted on March 5, 2014 by Daniel J. Miller

Part I Today is Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. Lent is a season for deliberate self-inventory and communal reflection as it relates to the incarnation of faith, hope, and love. I like to remind people that the ashes Christians “receive” Read more [...]

Lent: Season of Reflection and Restoration

Posted on February 6, 2013 by Daniel J. Miller

It is unfortunate that the word penance has become so closely associated in people’s mind with punishment. Perhaps this is more prevalent within Catholicism where the Sacrament of Reconciliation became known as Confession and where confession was Read more [...]

Lent Means Springtime

Posted on March 21, 2012 by Daniel J. Miller

Wednesday of the 4th Week of Lent Ah! Spring is springing. Let us remember that not only is Lent not meant to be a gloomy season but that in fact the word means “springtime,” and refers to the lengthening of light. Whether according to the liturgical Read more [...]

The Sacred Braid

Helping Persons and Communities Weave Lives of Spiritual Depth.

Category Archives: Lent & Easter