SUGGESTION QUESTIONS: Food for Thought and Action

Posted on March 4, 2022 by Daniel J. Miller

FOR FRIDAYS IN LENT After her talk, Sister Mahala asked: "If your life were a house and the house was on fire, and you had thirty-seconds to run into the house to retrieve and save three human qualities for yourself, what would we see you carry out Read more [...]

Sister Mahala Gives a Word (two, in fact) of Life

Posted on October 3, 2020 by Daniel J. Miller

A seeker walked a long distance to ask the guidance of Sister Mahala whom many called Amma Mahala. When he met her, in the fashion of pilgrims seeking out the abbas and ammas in the desert of Egypt in the 3rd century, he bowed his head once in a reverent Read more [...]

Sister Mahala on the Weary Pilgrim and the Man at the Door

Posted on September 30, 2020 by Daniel J. Miller

Sister Mahala told this little story: Once, while on pilgrimage, at the end of a long hot day, a wind-worn sun-tired woman knocked on a stranger's door. A man answered and said, “Well, hello. Who are you?” The woman spoke softly Read more [...]

Sister Mahala and Brother Weeps’ Most Important Teachers

Posted on September 11, 2020 by Daniel J. Miller

A man in his mid-twenties said to Sister Mahala and Brother Weeps, “You have taught us so much these past few years. We are grateful for all that you have opened up for us. The provocative questions you have raised we will carry with us for the Read more [...]

Sister Mahala Sets the Novice Straight

Posted on August 19, 2020 by Daniel J. Miller

Sister Mahala went to visit a young sister who refused to leave her cell. “Hello Sister,” said Amma Mahala. “We have missed you lately at meals, work time, and community prayer. Is everything alright? Are you ill?” “I’m fine Amma. I am Read more [...]

Sister Mahala Begs the Question without Asking It

Posted on August 14, 2020 by Daniel J. Miller

Sister Mahala was asked to help settle an argument among friends about how to respond to panhandlers. Give or Don't Give? They wanted to know who was right and who was wrong. Knowing the bottom line in these encounters was not the bottom line, like most Read more [...]

Sister Mahala and the Storefront Sign

Posted on June 8, 2020 by Daniel J. Miller

Sister Mahala once told this story to a group of grade school students: Two boys were walking down Main Street in Anywhere, USA. When they came to the General Store, the owner stood in the doorway leaning against the doorjamb. To the store owner's Read more [...]

Sister Mahala on Defending the Faith, Blackberry Bushes, and Other Murmurations

Posted on April 30, 2020 by Daniel J. Miller

A rather zealous young man asked Sister Mahala, “What is the best way to defend the faith?” “To defend the faith or to defend yourself?” said Sister Mahala. The young man blushed, then replied, “To defend the faith.” Sister Mahala said, Read more [...]

Sister Mahala Happens Upon Brother Polycarp

Posted on April 16, 2020 by Daniel J. Miller

Sister Mahala was on a day hike by herself when she saw a young monk named Brother Polycarp at a distance coming her way. Known for his tempestuous spirit and propensity to complain, the other monks teased him from time to time by calling him Brother Read more [...]

Sister Mahala’s Do-Over

Posted on March 30, 2020 by Daniel J. Miller

NOTE: For some reason yesterday's A Lenten Reflection ~ 33 was not sent out to subscribers. You can find "Conspiring with God," by hitting <-- Previous above. A Lenten Reflection ~ 34 When Sister Mahala was along in years, a young woman asked, “Sister Read more [...]

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Helping Persons and Communities Weave Lives of Spiritual Depth.

Tag Archives: Sister Mahala