reflection

Cultivating Soul Time

Once again a tagline from a commercial caught my attention. The phrase, “Find your oasis. Savour the moment”, got me thinking.

Oasis has both a factual and figurative meaning. Its literal meaning is a green spot of life in the desert. In the past, caravans would intentionally stop at these places to find fresh water for their animals and themselves. Metaphorically, an oasis is a metaphor for a flourishing place in one’s life.

The season of Advent invites us to savour the moments of our daily life in a more conscious manner. We are offered an annual invitation to cultivate “soul time”. Yearly, Christians are encouraged to take this seasonal opportunity to find nourishing places of quiet and set aside time to nurture ourselves spiritually.

As Advent begins, how might we put “soul time” on our agenda and in our day planners?

Sister Nancy Wales, CSJ

Image: Unsplash/Timothy Simon

Who Do You Say I AM?

Isn’t it interesting that puzzling questions, spiritual and otherwise, pop into our heads while relaxing on vacation? While our bodies relax our minds are set free to ‘wonder’ where they will. 

On the shore of Lake Ontario, we found ourselves pondering once again whether ‘my God is your God?’ A question not easily unpacked. Is our image of God fashioned by our own experiences and coloured by our own temperaments? On a natural level, this is not so surprising, as siblings often describe their parents with unique variations. As in all relationships, our sense of God is very personal, quite different.

As humans, we do not see things clearly but only in fragments as attested to by Paul in his message to the Corinthians,

“…we see now only dimly…”

(1 Cor. 13:12). 

It is not surprising then, that each of us forms our own image of God. 

Would you consider it farfetched if we turned from quoting scripture to the Indian folktale “The Blind Men and the Elephant”? 

In this tale, images of an elephant are formed from each blind man's limited perspective of the elephant. Upon overhearing their differing viewpoints, the Rajah points out how each one has only a limited perception of what an elephant is. He emphasizes, “The  elephant is a very large animal," … "Each man touched only one part. Perhaps if you put the parts together, you will see the truth.” The Rajah's advice holds wisdom for us as we ponder our image of God. It's no time to think small.

Summertime offers us an opportunity to be still and know that God is God. In the stillness we may hear

"I am who I am".

We see dimly now but trust that one day we will see face to face and know God fully as we are known. 

-Sister Loretta Hagen, CSJ; Sister Magdalena Vogt, CPS; Sister Nancy Wales, CSJ

Header image: Unsplash/Sean Oulashin

A Shift in Perspective

Image: Unsplash/Vicky Sim

A recurring line from a TV commercial caught my attention. Repeatedly, we are asked, “What’s strong with you?” Not wanting any viewer to miss the query, the line is printed several times across the screen.

Upon reflection, I decided to adopt this line as my focus this Advent. What insights might I gain if I sat with the question,

“WHAT’S STRONG WITH ME?”

How might my experience of Advent change if I stopped asking “What’s wrong with me?” and started to ask, ‘What’s Strong with me?’ Placing the focus on my inner strengths and the graces given to me by the sacred strength Giver. How might this shift in perspective open my heart to new graces? What might I discover about what buoys up my spirit? What messengers of new strength might I identify as the ones who bring tidings of good news and encouragement into my daily life? Who in my circle of interactions might I find an opportunity to thank for their recurring strength?

During this season of Advent, I challenge you to join me in reflecting upon your own life and asking,

What’s strong with you?

Sister Nancy Wales, csj