Welcome to Litsy!

Recent acquisition:

📖 Simply Christian: Why Christianity Makes Sense by N. T. Wright

"It is a strange thing that men will be such enemies to themselves. Wisdom is the principal thing, yet all neglect her. Wherefore get wisdom, and with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her and she shalt promote thee, she shall bring thee to honour when thou dost embrace her. She shall give to thy head an ornament of grace, a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee."
-Thomas Traherne, "Centuries of Meditations"

Essential Writings, by Mother Maria Skobtsova (collected 2002)

Premise: Collected texts by the 20th C theologian and justice advocate Mother Maria of Paris.

Review: This is a fascinating collection that includes texts not otherwise available in English translation. Mother Maria‘s incisive intellect, loving heart, and unique point of view come through in every essay. Cont.

p. 271: 'It was better to award a light penance that would one day put someone into purgatory to endure further punishment there, than to assign a heavy one that would not be done and might send the defaulter to hell.'

That's not what I expected from medieval confessors. Unfortunately, Orme doesn't cite his source for this attitude.

On to the section about Holy Week, which is obviously timely.

Saint Francis of Assisi, Brother of Creation, by Mirabai Starr (2013)

Premise: A curated selection of texts by and about, and reflections on St. Francis of Assisi by a respected figure in the ‘spiritual-but-not-religious‘ space.

Review: This is a wonderful little collection of reflections and texts on one of the most important and universally beloved figures in Christian history.
Cont.

"All men see the same objects, but do not equally understand them. Intelligence is the tongue that discerns and tastes them, Knowledge is the Light of Heaven, Love is the Wisdom and Glory of God, Life extended to all objects is the sense that enjoys them. So that Knowledge, Life, and Love are the very means of all enjoyment, which above all things we must seek for and labour after."
-Thomas Traherne, "Centuries of Meditations"

#two4tuesday
1- yoga, snuggle my son, spend time outdoors, pray, word vomit to my bff 😂
2- depends on why I need the peace- I‘m a mood reader so my peace generating reads are also mood driven 😂 @TheSpineView

1. As a very anxious person, I use several different practices for inner peace. Going for walks, meditating, journaling, and drawing are my go-to methods. I do these things regularly and that helps, but I‘ll do them more when I‘m anxious or feeling down.
2. The tagged book and “Upstream” by Mary Oliver (as well as any of her poetry) are my top reads to help with inner peace.

#Two4Tuesday @TheSpineView

"Love is the true means by which the world is enjoyed: Our love to others, and others' love to us. We ought therefore above all things to get acquainted with the nature of Love. For Love is the root and foundation of nature: Love is the Soul of Life and Crown of rewards. If we cannot be satisfied with the nature of Love we can never be satisfied at all."
Thomas Traherne, "Centuries of Meditations"

"Love is so noble that it enjoyeth others' enjoyments, delighteth in giving all unto its object, and in seeing all given to its object."
-Thomas Traherne, "Centuries of Meditations"