Blog Archive
Contemplating the messiness of Christian life
The Messy Jesus Business Blog is an ecumenical Christian gathering of musings about what it means to live the Gospel today. A variety of contributors offer prayer, poetry, book reviews, creative nonfiction and prose about what it means to live a life of faith in our complex, modern times.
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St. Rose Glowing
A saint is glowing. With faith and strength She moves Through streets. Faithful, Italian, teen dusty poor garments. Much flows in the breeze. Truth proclaimed. A cross exalted. She vibrates with prayer, and is strengthened by poverty. Illumined by holiness. She shines and influences us- here now- in this future time. St. Rose we celebrate you! Happy…
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The process of lightening up my living
A few weeks ago, my whole life flashed before my eyes. Well, maybe it didn’t actually flash. But, I really did feel I re-lived my 33 years of living in five days. In those five days, I looked at all of my stuff and made a choice about whether to keep each item (not the goal), throw it…
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4 photos from Assisi
I have been back from Assisi for a few weeks now, after spending over two weeks on pilgrimage there. The effects of the experience are still sinking in. Slowly, I am coming to know what the after-effects of my Assisi experience actually are. It has occurred to me, though, that certain images and experiences linger…
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Toddler Tantrums and the Kingdom of God
By Guest Blogger Nicole Wooldridge. It was one of those moments every parent dreads: my two-year-old had worked herself into an ugly public tantrum, and I had to abandon our planned activity in order to haul her thrashing body out to the car. Frustrated and embarrassed, I couldn’t help but think to myself: “Seriously, Jesus?…
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God’s teaching tools in Assisi
It’s my last morning in Assisi. Soon I will depart and go on the next leg of my journey before returning home. I’m restless and nervous, for transitions and travel challenge me. I came here as a pilgrim two weeks ago. I experienced this city as a pilgrim. Now I understand that I also leave…
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The Language of Assisi
I’m in Assisi, in Italy. I’ve been here for over a week now. As I mentioned in my last post, I am here on pilgrimage, participating in a program with Franciscan Pilgrimages. It’s an incredible 24-day program. We are a group of newer Franciscans who mostly are discerning/preparing for final vows. Basically, each day has a format:…
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This Physical Faith
I am on pilgrimage now, in Italy. I arrived Monday evening and started having physical reactions right away. As I was leaving the Rome airport and looking around at the vegetation, it crossed my mind that the landscape I was seeing probably would have been familiar to St. Francis of Assisi, plus many other holy…
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People watching and categories
I have a confession to make. I’ve noticed something about myself while I have been bopping around Chicago the past few days. Here goes: I tend to be really judgmental. There, you have it. What an ugly admission. Let me explain. As I walk down streets, go through crowds and sit at train stations, I…
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Still, I am moving
During prayer this morning, I tried to count up all the major changes that have happened or are happening in my life lately. I totally lost count. The school year ended just four days ago. My youngest sister got married about a week and a half ago. Now, I am in the middle of packing for…
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5 good ones
Sometimes really good things can get buried underneath other good things. At times, we are called to uncover and re-expose the hidden goodness in the Kingdom of God, so that the blessings can help us be renewed. This blog has been going for about three and half years now and includes over 230 posts. Wow! Thanks…
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The Pain of Climate Change
Last fall, I heard a story on the radio that caused me to have all sorts of physical reactions. It was the end of a busy day of ministry, and I was cooking dinner for the sisters I live with, a group of Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration. I was casually listening to the evening news while…
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In Its Time
“He has made everything beautiful in its time.” (Eccl 3:11) I am sorry to disappoint everyone but this beautiful passage, spoken ages ago, passing the test of time to get here today, was written just for me. I am sure of it. For the past few years, I’ve been a student of journeys. I’ve walked…
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