Author: Edith
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OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS
This morning I stopped to buy some bagels. When I entered the store, there were some of the Hispanic workers waiting to be served. The store clerk asked who was next and I pointed to the man who was there before me and he said in an accent, “No, no – you go.”…
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THE SUBJECT OF EMPATHY
On this the eve of the Feast of St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross – Edith Stein – it is fitting to have a discussion about one of her early writings (her Doctoral Dissertation “On the Problem of Empathy”). This is a timely subject, particularly in our world today. Is there truly a lack…
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DISCERNMENT
It has been a while since I have posted anything—I think it was due to a form of paralysis from deep grief and anger to the recent events happening to our fellow countrymen/countrywomen and the children. Recently I shared a talk on discernment at Catholic University for the Lay Carmelite Convocation. In preparing for this…
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LENT: A JOURNEY INTO THE DESERT OF THE HEART AND A CALL TO TRUTH, JUSTICE, AND LOVE IN OUR TIMES
As we proceed on this Lenten journey, we are invited to withdraw into the desert–both inwardly and outwardly–the place where God speaks to the heart. We are also invited into a period of repentance, prayer, and a return to a more simple lifestyle. We must be rooted in silence and contemplation, as we are reminded…
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CHANNELING ANGER INTO JUSTICE: TEACHING DEMOCRACY WITH LOVE AND TRUTH
As I watch the erosion of basic principles like fairness, integrity, and equal representation, I feel a deep and righteous anger. But I must let this anger call me — and it should call all of us – to action rooted in truth, justice, and love. I believe that even in these…
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A NEW YEAR OF TRUTH, JUSTICE AND LOVE REVEALED
As we begin a new year, we are reminded of God’s unchanging love. Each day we need to remember to draw closer to the truth, to stand firm in justice and let us embrace love as a choice that can transform hearts and communities Steeped in Carmelite spirituality, I am continuing to reflect on…
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MIRACLE OF CHRISTMAS
As I reflect on this holy time of Christmas, I remember my first trip to the Holy Land– we went to Bethlehem to the place they celebrate the birth of Jesus over 2000 years ago. As I bent to touch the mark of the place of his birth, I become overwhelmed with emotion…
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ADVENT – A TIME OF WAITING, HOPE AND ANTICIPATION
ADVENT – A TIME OF WAITING, HOPE AND PREPARATION This season of Advent invites us to pause amidst the noise and busyness of the world—it reminds of two profound truths: the coming of Christ in history and His continual presence in our lives today. From a Carmelite perspective, Advent is a season of…
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HOPE – THE MESSAGE FOR THE SEASON
HOPE – THE MESSAGE FOR THE SEASON Hope is deeply connected to the virtues of truth, justice, and love. We are called to be witnesses of this hope, stating with our lives that love is stronger than hate, justice will prevail over injustice, and truth will dispel the darkness of lies and deceit. As we…
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ONE HEART, MANY SOULS: THE UNIFYING POWER OF LOVE
Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God. Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love. (1John 4;7-8) Pope Francis in his latest encyclical Dilexit Nos (He loved us) stated that a society dominated by narcissism and self-centeredness…