Understatement alert! Many words have been written and spoken about sin. What if any communication on the topic started with St. Ignatius’ contention that a lack of gratitude was the sin to watch out for. How would that change the conversation? “It seems to me in the light of the Divine Goodness… that ingratitude isContinue reading “In Gratitude “
Author Archives: Paul Mitchell
The Professional Reader
We rightly appreciate great writing. The value of authors that can teach a distilled concept or weave a magical world is congratulated and remunerated. But what about the value of readers? How might we equally honor the student (or adult) who seeks out varied and worthy writing, courageously struggles to understand its import and beauty,Continue reading “The Professional Reader”
Presupposing Goodness
St. Ignatius describes a “presupposition” that should guide the relationship between spiritual director and directee as follows: That both the giver and the maker of the Spiritual Exercises may be of greater help and benefit to each other, it should be presupposed that every good Christian ought to be more eager to put a goodContinue reading “Presupposing Goodness”
A Smart Phone Benediction
Last year, I saw a US Catholic Bishop interacting with his smart phone in a remarkable way. Before he would unlock it, he would discretely cross himself and momentarily pray. I did not ask him about this practice (I wish that I had!) but I wonder what his intention or petition was as he prayed.Continue reading “A Smart Phone Benediction”
The Three Gates
Our sons’ teacher gives her class the following conceptual hook to think about how they speak to their classmates. She asks them, before they address another, to pass the words they are considering through the following “three gates.” Is it true? Is it necessary? Is it kind? (And kind is not always “nice”… these youngContinue reading “The Three Gates”
“If it is not my truth…”
“… then it is a lie.” Living out of this mentality makes us fragile and reactionary. The ability to consider the truth of another’s experience, even momentarily and provisionally, is fundamental to an empathic life in community. This is not a permissive acceptance of everything thought or felt. (So not: “Everything is true everywhere!”) ItContinue reading ““If it is not my truth…””
But an Instant
Today, a wonderful line from one of Mark Twain’s personal letters: “There isn’t time — so brief is life — for bickerings, apologies, heartburnings, callings to account. There is only time for loving — and but an instant, so to speak, for that.”
In Time / Out of Time
It is possible to live “out of time.” That is, to cling to a moment, season, or epoch and “how things were then” and “how we thought or spoke back then.” We need not even have experienced this period of time, but have only learned about it. Put another way, it is possible to experienceContinue reading “In Time / Out of Time”
What Is Here That I Have Never Noticed Before?
As I consider: A loved one, as they grow A well-loved Scripture passage That one tree The wonder of our bodies Our attention is necessarily filtered, often to the detriment of our lives. So: What is here that I have never noticed before? (And do I allow myself to slow down enough to hear theContinue reading “What Is Here That I Have Never Noticed Before?”
Reading Buddies
At school, our six-year-old has a reading buddy. Last week, I got to see them in action. Aside from being outrageously cute, this relationship serves multiple purposes. Primarily, our son’s reading buddy offers near instant feedback on decoding and comprehension. For an adult, a worthy way to assess the value of our past education isContinue reading “Reading Buddies”
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