July-August 2017

Dorothy Day, 1934 [Wikipedia]

We plant seeds that will flower as results in our lives, so best to remove the weeds of anger, avarice, envy and doubt, that peace and abundance may manifest for all.

~ Dorothy Day, Journalist, Activist (1897 – 1980)

Martin Luther King, 1964 [Wikipedia]

Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Hate multiplies hate, violence multiplies violence, and toughness multiplies toughness in a descending spiral of destruction.

~ Martin Luther King, Jr, Loving Your Enemies, Strength to Love (1929 – 1968)

St Thomas Aquinas, Fra Angelico [Web Gallery of Art]

If man were by nature a solitary animal, the passions of the soul by which he was conformed to things so as to have knowledge of them would be sufficient for him; but since he is by nature a political and social animal it was necessary that his conceptions be made known to others. This he does through vocal sound. Therefore there had to be significant vocal sounds in order that men might live together. Whence those who speak different languages find it difficult to live together in social unity.

~ St Thomas Aquinas, Priest and Doctor of the Church (1225 – 1274)

St Macrina the Younger (fresco in Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kiev) [Wikipedia]

You who broke the flaming sword, and compassionately gave paradise back to the man crucified with You, remember me also in your kingdom, for I, too, have been crucified with You, having nailed my flesh through fear of You and having feared your judgments.

~ St Macrina the Younger, Virgin (c. 327 - 379)
Coming from a family of saints, St Macrina the Younger was the granddaughter of St Macrina the Elder, the eldest child of Saints Basil the Elder and Emmelia, the sister of Saints Basil, Gregory of Nyssa and of Peter of Sebatea.

Augustus Tolton, Joseph Malham

In this Church we do not have to fight for our rights because we are black. She had colored saints – Augustine, Benedict the Moor, Monica. The Church is broad and liberal. She is the Church for our people.

~ Augustus Tolton, African-American Priest (1854 - 1897)

A Prayer for Healing

Healing God,
come to my hidden corners,
open the doors to my soul rooms
that are tightly locked.

Awaken in me.
Bring to life all my deadness.
Enthuse the depressed emotions.
Reenergize my inner weariness.
Bathe the grime of my ego-centeredness.
Clarify my confusions.
Fire my neglected loves.
Brush off my dusty dreams.
Nurture my spiritual hungers.
Ease my sore relationships.
Deepen my sense of self-esteem.
Stir up my connection with the world.

Tenderly gather in your arms
all that still needs healing,
all that remains wounded and wanting.
May I grow each day into greater wholeness
with a stronger, purer inner freedom.

~ Joyce Rupp, Dear Heart, Come Home