Prayer, a certain quality of attention

Prayer is not doing, but being. It is not words but the beyond-words experience of coming into the presence of something much greater than oneself. It is an invitation to recognize holiness, and to utter simple words—”Holy, Holy, Holy”—in response. Attentiveness is all; I sometimes think of prayer as a certain quality of attention that comes upon me when I’m busy doing something else.

Amazing Grace: A Vocabulary of Faith, by Kathleen Norris

What you should be reading? #3 - Kathleen Norris's "Amazing Grace, A Vocabulary of Faith"

This book came out some time ago, so I'm sure that many folks have read it (or at least purchased it, as it was a NyTimes Best Selling Book). But, just in case you haven't purchased it, or haven't read it, do get a copy and check it out. Norris is a fantastically grounded writer, and reflects deeply about a whole range of theological concepts. I am currently using excerpts from the book to have my students reflect upon in their own writing. There are some wonderful essays in this book and could be a great book to spend some time with as we move into Advent. Check it out!

~ Rev. Peter M. Carey

Check out Laura's Blog: My Quotidian Mysteries !!!

After doing a little surfing around on Facebook, I realized that my colleague from Seminary, Laura, has a wonderful blog called My Quotidian Mysteries which is just excellent and wonderful. You can see the first post in her blog here. She has a deep sense of God's work in the everyday, and her blog reflects this sensibility.

Quotidian - (adj.) everyday, ordinary, commonplace
the space where mothers often dwell and out of which great mysteries emerge

Here is her first post (from April, 2007) for a little taste of her reflections:

"Two months after my daughter was born, I read a terrific book by Kathleen Norris entitled "The Quotidian Mysteries." In it she argues that the hum-drum aspects of life are avenues into the incarnational reality of Christ. Laundry can be a spiritual discipline if you have the eyes to see it. I've been lurking in "mommy blogs" lately, and I've been really impressed with the women that write them who are living faithful, often uncelebrated lives. These are my quotidian sisters, and this blog is one more contribution to the quotidian mysteries of which we partake: nap schedules, food preparation, laundry, lonely times, confusing times, joyful times; developmental milestones and setbacks; marriage ups and downs. I loaned the book to a friend on Tuesday who loved it and loaned her copy to someone else. She needed another read. Hopefully I'll see it again. In the meantime, I'll press on with today's mysteries."

Do check out her blog, Laura is great, and this blog is also quite wonderful. She is headed to Qatar with her husband (who works for the State Department) and young daughter. I imagine her reflections and thoughts will become even deeper and broader in coming weeks and months.

My Quotidian Mysteries Blog at http://myquotidianmysteries.blogspot.com/