Catherine's Cafe Vocation Blog

I cannot believe that Lent is already here!  The challenging and beautiful journey of the Lenten period is here with us again.   Unlike earlier in my life I now look forward to this special season in the church's year.  You may ask why?  The Lenten season for me is a representation of life.  It is about the pains and joys of life.  A dying to myself for forty days to hopefully rise again to new life in Jesus Christ in the Easter season.  It may mean some falling down, yet I intend to rise up again and again.   "Rending my heart, not my garments."  Focusing more on the condition of my heart.  A time where I can genuinely examine my life and try to root out what is not life-giving through consistent fasting, prayer and helping others.   I try to work on the elements in my life that I know is not good for me or beneficial to others.   It is an opportunity of forty days to let go of bad habits and persistent sinful behavio...

In my ministry, retreat ‘season’ begins in September.  For this year’s weekend retreats – for the Morning Prayer that I lead I’m using Psalm 34.  Well most of it. It actually begins with this tribute:  “ Of David, when he pretended to be mad before Abimelek so that he drove him out and he went on his way.”  Jewish scripture scholar, Robert Alter, translates it as:  “…when he altered his good sense…” While many of the Psalms may note (King) David in some way – this reference makes my smile.  How clever he seems.  How deceptive.  Then wonder – how would anyone know the real “David?” It is dangerous to alter your good sense .  You could get caught, of course.  But a life-time of not being your true self is harmful mostly to your one wild and beautiful life. In my life, I need not only an annual time of retreat and an ongoing relationship with a Spiritual Director I also need daily time of quiet meditation and refl...