I stand at the back of a darkened room as another group of visiting students watch a video interview of my dear friend Anita, a Black woman in her fifties and the matriarch of four generations. I have heard her words many times before, but each time they hit me differently. She describes standing by…
Episode 77 of Messy Jesus Business podcast, with Sister Julia Walsh. Podcast: Play in new window | Download Subscribe: Email | RSS | More You actually have to decide to believe… recognizing that just because you decided doesn’t mean it comes easily, but you have to work at it.” -Br. Cyrus Habib, SJ IN THIS EPISODE In this episode of Messy Jesus Business…
Episode 75 of Messy Jesus Business podcast, with Sister Julia Walsh. Podcast: Play in new window | Download Subscribe: Email | RSS | More Lord, help me to love just like you, … in that prayer, I’m invoking God’s grace.” -Fr Roger Lopez IN THIS EPISODE In this episode of Messy Jesus Business podcast, Sister Julia Walsh FSPA, enjoys a conversation with Fr….
Have you ever wondered about the compatibility of your own vocation, season, station in life and the invitation to a contemplative way in the world? In October 2018 I was in my early thirties, married for three years, having just welcomed our first baby six months earlier. I traveled to Mepkin Abbey, a Trappist Monastery…
A Special Episode of Messy Jesus Business podcast, with Sister Julia Walsh. Podcast: Play in new window | Download Subscribe: | Stitcher | Email | RSS | More IN THIS EPISODE For this special time of year, we present to you this Easter contemplation episode of Messy Jesus Business Podcast. Sister Julia shares some thoughts about the joy of the resurrection and reads from John 20:1-9….
“As a result of Israel’s siege, Gazans’ access to water from all sources, including desalination and external Israeli sources, quickly dropped by 95 percent after October 9. The United Nations estimates that the average Gazan is living on only 3 liters of water per day for all needs—well below the United Nation’s emergency standard of…
A Special Episode of Messy Jesus Business podcast, with Sister Julia Walsh. Podcast: Play in new window | Download Subscribe: Google Podcasts | Email | RSS | More IN THIS EPISODE During this sacred season of Lent, we invite you to pause and contemplate God’s loving presence in the midst of the mess. As we offer our breath and our bodies to God, as we…
We say it all the time. “The Gospel.” As ashes were put on our forehead for this season of Lent, we may have heard, “Repent and believe in the Gospel.” We read from the Gospels at every mass. As a Franciscan, I am fond of the saying, “Preach the Gospel at all times, use words…
under the ashes under the crease of skin flesh bone brain body air fire water earth metal under the ashes elements of nature nature made by holiness and love under the ashes minds and hearts groan and admit the need to repent as faithful penitents who give, pray, fast in secret, in quiet under the…
As a preschooler, I attended story hour at the local public library. In a colorful basement, I gathered with other children and sat snug on a carpet rapt with attention for the adult who read aloud from a colorful story book in front of us. After we heard the story, we talked about its message…
“Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves; be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” (Matthew 10:16) These are not the most comforting words of Jesus, yet I have returned to them often over the years and offered them to those confounded by injustice, hate, aggression. Play it…
The day after Advent began, I sat in a circle of men in a brightly lit, windowless room inside the county jail. We were taking turns reading prayers and Scripture aloud and pausing to reflect on the messages of hope and promise. Together we mused on all we’re waiting for and how it feels to…
