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talking to myself

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personal stuff

Entries in this blog

My child: (Imaginative dialogue with God)

My child: (Imaginative dialogue with God) No matter your state I am constant, all things wax and wane in your world, my love is infinite all consuming, never changing, my light that heals your soul. Your failures are many, weaknesses prfound, often wandering off you go like a child lost and afraid, for deep within is great sorrow that all of my children carry, though often hidden below the anger, sin, addictions and depression. Do not fear my child, just trust, difficult f

markdohle

markdohle

Confidence in God

Confidence in God Retreat   We are having a retreat titled “Confidence in God”. Of course, the topic is always dealt with that has to do with the subject of pain and suffering. If one has a deep faith, it can help to deal with inner turmoil in a prayerful and trusting manner. Prayer is an opening up of one's heart before the Infinite, the lover of mankind as shown us in Jesus Christ. Below is a Psalm one of the participants shared with us. I found it deeply moving, and it dealt with the depth

markdohle

markdohle

You can't be Brother Mark!

You can't be Brother Mark!   One day, a few months ago, a woman was checking into the retreat house for one of our retreats. As we talked, as I am most likely do, I joked a lot with her. I can be a bit of a clown.   She asked me my name, and I responded that I am Br. Mark, the guest-master. She looked at me in unbelief and stated that I could not possibly be Br. Mark, because he is very serious!   So I thought about it, and walked into the restroom near the office and looked into the

markdohle

markdohle

It is always a choice

It is always a choice   Trust in God is essential. It is not an emotion, or a feeling, though they can be present. Trust is a choice that can be made when all emotions or feelings say otherwise. Only our trust in God will never be betrayed, so take root in the love of Jesus Christ and take the next step. Mercy is never denied, God is not the issue, we are.--Br.MD  

markdohle

markdohle

Epiphany

Epiphany Unbelievers came to worship the King, following the star in the cold of the night. Bearing gifts for worship, prayer, and the preparation for suffering and death. They represent all seekers after truth, those humble souls who wish to delve into the mystery of our existence seeking the Infinite. We have no right to judge them, nor can they pass judgment on us, if truth be told. Only God can see into the heart, and all hearts belong to Him, our Infinite Father. All seekers

markdohle

markdohle

Just Prayer

Just pray   Prayer brings us to the moment, we learn, perhaps slowly, that all we need do is wait, to let go of worries, but just be,   it is then that we discover our depths, and from there, we find our roots that keep us united to Christ Jesus.   All who pray are united, before God we are all loved, just pray, all faiths and religions may never agree, yet in prayer, we have one heart for God,   One thirst for love and justice, and we learn also to pray for mercy for ourselves

markdohle

markdohle

The ripple effect of mental illness

The ripple effect of mental illness Mental illness leaves a huge legacy, not just for the person suffering it but for those around them. I do believe that mental health is iffy for human beings. There are moments, or hours when any one of us can actually become so out of touch with reality that we could become dangerous. Extreme emotions, rage, for instance, can lead otherwise ‘normal’ people into doing acts that ruin both their lives and those that they deal with. Our news seems to be f

markdohle

markdohle

How I understand New Year's

How I understand New Year's I have always wondered about all the fuss about New Year's Eve. As I age I am beginning to understand a little bit more. At rock-bottom, it is about the desire to let go of the past, find healing, and begin again. It is about mercy, compassion, though I believe that this hope is often unconscious, Yet, we can be driven by the past, making the same mistakes, until we learn to embrace mercy, from God, from others, and in the end, to have mercy on ourselves as well. Wh

markdohle

markdohle

Driving Br. Justin

Driving Br. Justin (Justin on to right-hand corner)   (Br. Justin top right)   People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.”   ― Elisabeth Kübler-Ross   I was asked to drive Br. Justin into town for an eye appointment on Friday. It was in Duluth, a town that is about 45 minutes away from the Monastery. His appointment was at 11:20, so while there was a

markdohle

markdohle

Heart of Stone(S)

Heart of Stone (s) I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. (Ezekiel 36:26) I do believe that friendships between men and women are very important.  In my own life, women who have become friends with me, have always been a help in my own ongoing conversion.  For the most part they can see into me, some of my inner workings that men will often miss.  Yes, women can become a goad (in the best sense of the

markdohle

markdohle

Christmas Day Homily by Fr. Cassian OCSO

Christmas Day Homily Fr. Cassian OCSO   This is a homily preached on Chrismas day by our Fr. Cassian. He is a good speaker, and always shares something that is worth pondering. At this time I am using it for my Lectio in the mourning.--Br.Md   Homily Preached December 25, 2019    Merry Christmas! On behalf of our abbot, Dom Augustine, and all the monks, I wish you all a most blessed Christmas season. This day is a wonderful day, so great a day that our Church presents us with multiple Ma

markdohle

markdohle

Christmas 1953

Christmas 1953   I have a lot of memories of Christmas, mostly positive and happy ones. My parents seemed to make it a priority that the children had a good Christmas no matter what they had to do to accomplish it, well within legal means of course. In 1953 when I was five we moved into a small farmhouse near a town called Desoto, I guess it was about 50 miles or so from St. Louis. We lived in the house for a few years and it had a few acres of land, some of it used for farming; something

markdohle

markdohle

He saw everything, and loved

He saw everything, and loved   We are all called to interior freedom, yet like everything in this world, there is a price to be paid.   The armor of man is easier to wear than the armor of God.   To go against, to fight, to hate, and seek revenge. To devalue as less than human those we despise, is how we protect ourselves from seeing the humanity of others.   Jesus was free to love, to see deeply and yet embrace.   The chains of self-loathing were never there, his ‘Heart’ nev

markdohle

markdohle

Lord, let us not forget what you are about (C

Lord, let us not forget what you are about (Christmas 2019) In the world today peace is rare, not only in the world at large, but in each of our hearts. Suffering and loss continue as is expected, as sad as that is for us. Yet within this world, often cold and dark, Our Lord became man out of love for this tired sphere, entering into our lives, bearing our burdens, coming with unutterable love that can be forgotten. It is a joyous season, we give gifts, connect with families,

markdohle

markdohle

When I danced I forgot myself

When I danced I forgot myself “O try to exchange self-love for God-love. No longer think of yourself at all. How this would lighten you! And what a new entry into Me! For I am eternally new. I am the infinite one, and it is for the Infinite that you have been created.” Bossis, Gabrielle. He and I (Kindle Locations 2423-2425). Pauline Books and Media. Kindle Edition. ++++++++++ There are moments when I can let go of my constant self-concern. It is then that I do actually feel a ligh

markdohle

markdohle

How I was touched by two different Christians

How I was touched by two different Christians in their witnessing to me (seeds planted)     When I was in the navy, way back in the late sixties, I was stationed in San Diego for a short time in order to go to yeoman school. A yeoman is one who works in administration; though I spent most of my Navy career in personnel work. Dealing with personal records etc, something I liked but certainly would not want to make a lifetime go at it. For me doing admin work is like trying to climb out of a d

markdohle

markdohle

The quality of Mercy

The quality of Mercy   When speaking about mercy there can be turns in the road, or forks even, where different aspects can be pondered. Like many other topics on the spiritual life, different facets can be dwelt upon, to the exclusion of others. Sometimes the best way to try to understand mercy, both human and Divine (though the mystery of the Infinite will always be that; mystery), is to contemplate how we experience it in our everyday life. Both on the receiving end and in the giving as wel

markdohle

markdohle

Do we all wrestle with God?

Do we all wrestle with God? February 24—Ingrandes church. I said, “How can I come to comprehend love?” “Try to see Me in every happening, big and little. I say ‘little’ because it is in the daily round and taking all things from My hand that you will understand the divine care. How sweet and loving it will seem to you! But you will see it only superficially. Then go higher—go to the very heart of your God. Think of His immeasurable sufferings, known to Him beforehand, suffered every one

markdohle

markdohle

Grumpy geese and cantankerous old men

Grumpy geese and cantankerous old men I went for a walk, about a week ago, it was a cloudy day, some fog, quiet, the way I like it. One of my favorite places here is a small pond that was used for irrigation many years ago when we had a big farm here. Time overlaps when I walk around this pond, for I remember past events, some going back 43 years, most of them pleasant. I don’t dwell on them; they are just there, like background music The night before I took my walk, I was awakened at midn

markdohle

markdohle

Your weakness is My gift to you

Your weakness is My gift to you Your weakness is My gift to you. Instead of offering Me your achievements, offer Me your poverty, your weakness, your very failure to achieve great things, and I, in turn, will accept your offering and, uniting it to My own all-sufficient Passion, will make it fruitful for My priests and for all My Church.1 So long as you come to Me humbled by your weakness and animated by a holy desire for Me alone, I will overlook the other faults that affect you and in My mer

markdohle

markdohle

Peace calls for daily commitment

Peace calls for daily commitment   True peace is not a balance of opposing forces, and it is not ‘a lovely façade’ simply covering conflicts and divisions. Rather, peace calls for daily commitment -- it's homemade -- starting from God's gift, from the grace which he has given us in Jesus Christ.---Pope Francis   During the season of Advent the term “Peace on Earth” comes to mind. The coming of the Savior of the world in a humble and vulnerable state; in poverty, one of the lowest on th

markdohle

markdohle

Waking up, the beginning AA principles Steps

Waking up, the beginning AA principles Steps 1-4 (notes for a talk I am giving for a retreat)   1st Step:  We admitted that we were powerless over alcohol – that our lives had become unmanageable. I often wonder how manageable anyone’s life is.  How much illusion is at work in our lives?  I do believe that we each live in our own universe, have deep inner lives, with an often traumatic past.  In this world, anyone who has had no trauma, or little, in their lives, is very rare indeed.  A

markdohle

markdohle

Life turns on a dime

My good friend Noel has published a book about his experience of hearing loss. It has gotten many good reviews. Check it out on Amazon. The book has got me thinking about life, fragility, and how we deal with it.--Br-MD       Life turns on a dime (the loss of something precious)   We live in illusion, one hard to break, that our lives are stable, and as it is ‘now’, so it will ever be.   It is a lie we know, but it brings comfort, yet life turns on a dime.   A random flip of event

markdohle

markdohle

Prayer-rope

Prayer-rope The use of a prayer robe, rosary, or Jesus Beads is not for everyone. However many people from all religious persuasions find them helpful. The holding of the beads, the feel of them, can for many have a relaxing effect on the body. The slow repetition of the prayer, or word, can also help to focus the heart and mind on God. If done on a regular basis and it does not become compulsive but comes from the heart, it will allow for the “Practice of the presence of God” to deepen ov

markdohle

markdohle