This reflection is offered as part of a series on the Year of Mercy hosted by my friend and writing colleague, Becky Eldredge. I have to admit, this was a tough one! I would love to spend more time teasing out the image of "the sting of soapy water and a rough wash cloth" as… Continue reading Admonishing the Sinner
Author: Beth Knobbe
Feast of Mary Magdalene
July 22, 2016 - I was invited to give a reflection at our evening prayer celebration on the Feast of Mary Magdalene at St. Benedict Parish in Chicago. Here are my reflections on this great witness to the Resurrection! Last Sunday at the 12 Noon mass, we celebrated a baptism – baby Raymond Edward! I… Continue reading Feast of Mary Magdalene
Clothe the Naked -Part II
We had such a great response to the post For I Was Naked and You Clothed Me from a few weeks ago. It raised some important questions, so we decided to continue with a second reflection this week. Thanks as always to my dear friend Becky Eldredge for sharing space on her blog! ****************************************************************** Welcomed or unexpected,… Continue reading Clothe the Naked -Part II
Visiting the Sick
I don’t do hospitals. I was sufficiently traumatized by two separate trips to the emergency room as a child. The thought of sitting in a waiting room is enough to make me queasy! It’s no surprise that I rejected the idea of hospital chaplaincy during Divinity school. Looking back, I’m envious of my classmates who… Continue reading Visiting the Sick
For I was Naked and You Clothed Me
This post appears on Becky Eldredge's website as part of her ongoing series during the Year of Mercy. I am grateful as always to offer my thoughts, and was particularly challenged by this piece on clothing the naked! When I agreed to write this reflection, I expected to remind readers about the importance of spring cleaning… Continue reading For I was Naked and You Clothed Me
Mercy Revealed on the Cross
I am grateful to my friend and fellow blogger, Becky Eldredge, during this Holy Week for the chance to share a reflection about the "Good Friday" moments of life, and how we find God's mercy revealed on the cross. “Remain here and stay awake.” (Matthew 26:38) I stood at Joe’s grave and wept. I never… Continue reading Mercy Revealed on the Cross
Jesus the Healer
A year ago, I had the great privilege of working on a retreat project for the upcoming World Youth Day in Poland. The best part of the project was the chance to collaborate with two amazing writers and colleagues - Mike Hayes and Becky Eldredge. Together, we explored various aspects of the theme "Blessed Are… Continue reading Jesus the Healer
Too Busy for a Vocation
I don’t like the phrase “life is busy”. It is too easy to use "being busy" as an excuse or to justify our self-importance in our over-programmed lives. When I’m tempted to say I’m busy, I often instead say “life is full” – which is a way of acknowledging that life is really good, there… Continue reading Too Busy for a Vocation
In Memory of Joe Palmisano, SJ
A Jesuit friend assured me that they only invite the most wise and experienced spiritual directors to serve on the 30-day retreat. I’d had some not-so-great directors on shorter retreats, so my biggest concern about completing the Spiritual Exercises was whether or not I’d have a good spiritual director. If you have to maintain sacred… Continue reading In Memory of Joe Palmisano, SJ
Let Advent Rise
Every once in a while, the ordinary ritual that we depend upon for our daily prayer takes on extraordinary power. Sometimes it happens because of the circumstances of life that bring us to Church that day. Other times by the mysterious mingling of prayer and preaching, scripture and song, sacramental grace, and the presence of… Continue reading Let Advent Rise