Tiny Thursday

OK, the routine. As might be expected, this retreat seems better so far. Up early, Lectio Divina, which sort of means counting reading as prayer and prayer time, for an hour. Then exercise, stairs same as yesterday, faster but ending up not as out-of-breath. Banana and coffee for breakfast, stop to blog for a few minutes.

Spiritual directors make suggestions and recommendations but not assignments. Just so, there are various suggestions daily as well as, typically, two Bible passages. For last night and today, "God's Voice Within" a book about discernment by Mark E. Thibodeaux, S.J. and Matthew 3:13-17 and John 1:35-51. Been plowing through the book and haven't checked out the scripture yet. It's my choice.

Fr. Mark, who was the celebrant for our Mass on Wednesday afternoon, simplifies it. He talks about two spirits in us working on us, a good spirit whom he names Consolation, and who or which or that helps us positively in discerning God's will for us and living into it. He names the evil or negative spirit Desolation, a wiley one than can be far more subtle than it was in the Garden. The book may be more intended and most helpful for Jesuit novices, but it's not bad for an ancient Episcopal priest who is looking down the back side of the mountain. So I'm thinking to stop now and continue the prayerful reading, and leave Matthew and John to fend for themselves.

BTW, the only evil spirits seen here so far are the hundred degree heat throughout the day, and the bottomless cookie box.

TW+