Come Away to a Deserted Place … and Rest
This is Week 2 of The Desert Shall Rejoice, a Lenten blog series by Sarah Damm. Each week of Lent, she offers reflections and invites us into prayer.
Led by the Spirit, We Enter the Desert
Today, Sarah Damm begins a new blog series, The Desert Shall Rejoice. For the next six weeks of Lent, she will share reflections, provide a Scripture passage to read and meditate on, and offer journal questions for further reflection.
Centered on Christ: Inviting God into Your Lenten Plans
This Lent, Sarah Damm shares four simple steps to invite the Lord into our Lenten plans and keep Him at the center of the season.
The Our Father: An Invitation to Daily Prayer
Lord, teach us to pray … (Luke 11:1) For most of my life, The Lord’s Prayer has not been my favorite. And I am not sure why. After all, this is the prayer Jesus taught us! And therefore, it seems essential to following Him. By teaching it, He was inviting us into the intimate union He shared with His Father. Yes, this is not only the prayer He taught; it was the prayer He prayed! So, why don’t I desire to pray The…
Reliving the Christmas Story in Our Hearts
It is just an ordinary night. Although I am young and small, I am learning how to tend sheep. I’m even in charge of two small lambs. The stars are shining brightly, and all is quiet and calm. Suddenly, the sheep begin to “baa” in anticipation of something unknown. The older boys check the perimeter, but there is no sign of an intruder. The elders encourage us to settle down, and we huddle close together. I gaze again at the…
Saying Yes to God … Even When We Don’t Feel Ready
Over the last three Sundays of December, we have heard the promises of Christ’s coming. We have been encouraged to “not become drowsy from … the anxieties of daily life” (Luke 21:34). We have been invited to “prepare the way of the Lord” (Luke 3:4). And when we asked, “What should we do?” (Luke 3:10), we were told of the Messiah and all He would do for us. Now, on this fourth Sunday of Advent, we hear, “Blessed are you…
Being Present to November: It’s Not Christmas Yet
If I had to guess the calendar date based on my favorite store’s décor, I would get it wrong. Fall pumpkins, cornucopias, and leafy garlands are nowhere to be found. Only messy remnants of Halloween remain on the clearance racks. Instead, I see Christmas trees, twinkle lights, and stockings. Signs and symbols of December, not early November. Whenever I see Christmas coming too early, I feel rushed and anxious. Suddenly, I think I am behind, as if I’ve missed a…
Unity: Togetherness is a Path to Heaven
On Day 11 of Resetting the Rhythms of Life, we are going to get a little practical. Over the past few days, we have been really honest with ourselves and with God about why life feels so imbalanced. Whether it is overcommitting or overscheduling, this leads us to feeling overwhelmed. And then we grow weary of life, and even the things we enjoy can be too much. Perhaps God has already shown you something you can cross off your to-do…
Our Lady of Sorrows Gives Us Cause for Joy
Do not leave the altar without first shedding tears of sorrow and love for Jesus, crucified for your eternal salvation. Our Lady of Sorrows will keep you company and inspire you. —St. Padre Pio I met Our Lady of Sorrows on my first silent retreat. The retreat was led by priests of Miles Christi, who have a special devotion to her. Every time we prayed, we invoked her intercession: Mater Dolorosa, Cause of Our Joy, pray for us. And for one of our daily…
Mary, Queen and Mother, Shows Us How to Open Our Hearts to Jesus
“Close your eyes after Holy Communion,” Father Andrew instructed. “Let yourself feel the loving embrace of Jesus.” The time after Holy Communion is powerful, intimate, and sacred, if we allow it to be. I always try to remain present to the presence of Jesus, believing with all my heart that His precious Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity now rest in me. As a mom of six, however, I often have to spend this time with one eye open, making sure…