Trial and Temptation

  There will be tests even as you settle . To the regular ways of a spiritual life   From darkness will come trial and temptation . And how then will you struggle in prayer to resist . Re-establish the serenity of the spirit's peace?  

The Assault

Constantly assaultedby temptation Doubtand despair Anotherwas needed To incarnatelove to his soul. ~ Inspired by 'The Little Flowers of St. Francis' ~

The Limitless Host of Heaven

The limitless host of heaven pass in procession Clothed in shining robes chanting the canticles of the angels ‘We are the ones from paradise,’ they answer the unspoken question ‘And this is the end of penitence, poverty, chasteness and obedience, The battle against temptation, the mortification of the unruly desires And striving at odds With …

Deeper Courage

Music and wine distractions from the soul’s vocation ~ Beauty and fulfillment transformed to strange temptations ~ Yet when the spirit’s humbled there is a new formation ~ Of deeper courage, faithfulness and selfless dedication. ~

The Rule of St. Benedict – The Prologue (7) – The Battle for Goodness

There is a painting by Hieronymus Bosch called The Temptations of St. Anthony, featuring all manner of weird demons of the unconscious drawing the saint away from goodness. You can hardly make him out in the central picture, kneeling, in blue, in prayer, though he is physically alone. And the spiritual life sometimes feels like …

God is Here

. Always The struggle . Against violence And darkness . The temptations To selfishness . Though the voice Rang clear . Throughout The universe: . “God Is Here”. .

Choice of Good or Evil

. When temptation Lurks .  In every Moment . We know That living .  Involves The constant choice  . Of good Or evil  . Self Or selflessness   . And whether angels Or demons .  Are seen Or mythical .  The soul Knows inner trial  . As a preparation For what final destination? .

Like Adam

Like Adam I felt . First born Of all creation . What is This beauty? . These new Temptations? . And how could I lose My immortality? . Adam, by Van Eyck, from The Ghent Altarpiece

God is Here

Always The struggle . Against violence And darkness . The temptations To selfishness . Though the voice Rang clear . Throughout The universe: . “God Is Here”. .

Spiritual Reflection: Temptation…or Contemplation?

I am part of one of the most tempted generations in history.  Today in the West, we have power that would have been undreamt of by previous seekers of spiritual truth. Many of us can eat what we want, when we want; we can travel nearly anywhere we want in the world; we can own …