Share your Word for 2013
In ancient times, wise men and women fled out into the desert to find a place where they could be fully present to God and to their own inner struggles at work within them. The desert became a place to enter into the refiner’s fire and be stripped down to one’s holy essence. The desert was a threshold place where you emerged different than when you entered.
Many people followed these ammas and abbas, seeking their wisdom and guidance for a meaningful life. One tradition was to ask for a word – this word or phrase would be something on which to ponder for many days, weeks, months, sometimes a whole lifetime. This practice is connected to lectio divina, where we approach the sacred texts with the same request – “give me a word” we ask – something to nourish me, challenge me, a word I can wrestle with and grow into. The word which chooses us has the potential to transform us.
- What is your word for the year ahead? A word which contains within it a seed of invitation to cross a new threshold in your life?
Share your word in the comments section by Tuesday, January 8th and you are automatically entered for the prize drawing (prizes listed below).
A free 12-day online mini-retreat to help your word choose you. . .
This year I am offering all Abbey newsletter subscribers a gift: a free 12-day online mini-retreat with a suggested practice for each day to help your word choose you and to deepen into your word once it has found you.
Sign up here and you can start your mini-retreat today. Once you subscribe you will receive a confirmation email with access to the mini-retreat content (and you are free to unsubscribe at any time). If you are already a subscriber, the invitation will be in this week’s email newsletter.
Win a Prize – Random Drawing Giveaway on January 7th!
Some wonderful friends of the Abbey have offered fabulous prizes to be included in this drawing held from all of the names who participate:
- from Christine Valters Paintner of Abbey of the Arts: a space in the online Lenten retreat with St. Hildegard of Bingen
- from Kayce Stevens Hughlett of Diamonds in the Soul: a signed copy of her book As I Lay Pondering: Daily Invitations to Live a Transformed Life
- from Dana Reynolds at Sacred Life Arts: a space in her online class The Book of Wonderment and a signed copy of her brand new novel Ink and Honey
- from Ronna Detrick: a space in her online class Soulstice: Develop a Meaningful Spiritual Practice
- from Roy DeLeon of Now Praying: a signed copy of his book Praying with the Body and personalized body prayer for your favorite Psalm
- from Tess Giles of Pilgrim’s Moon: a print of the beautiful banner art by Rima Staines
- from Velma Frye: a copy of her CD “Seven Sacred Pauses” and “Take Heart”
- from Richard Bruxvoort Colligan: a copy of each of his Psalm CDs “Sharing the Road” and “Shout for Joy”
- from Trish Bruxvoort Colligan of River’s Voice: a copy of her CDs “Breath” and “Unfolding”
- from Mary Sharratt: a copy of her novel Illuminations: A Novel of Hildegard of Bingen
- from Waverly Fitzgerald of Living in Season: a copy of her French Republican Calendar for 2013 and a copy of her New Year Dreams E-book
- from Betsy McCall of the Art Monastery: an original art print
- from Paula Huston: a copy of her latest book Season of Mystery: 10 Spiritual Practies for Embracing a Happier Second Half of Life
Pretty wonderful, isn’t it? Make sure to check out the links to their websites for all kinds of goodness and thank them for supporting the Abbey!
So please share your word (and a sentence about what it means for you) with us below. Subscribe to the Abbey newsletter for your free gift. Share the love with others and invite them to participate. Then stay tuned – on January 7th I will announce the prize winners!
844 Responses
“Confiance” French for “trust.” It leaps out at me from every side. When Jesus says
“Come and see” in the Gospels of the last three days, one must have “confiance.” All
of Therese de Lisieux’s thought is permeated with “confiance”. May it be so for me.
Certainty
After a time of waiting, ripening, my word finally found me earlier this week – Pause. I’m still sitting with it, listening, but it both comforts and daunts me at the same time. I hear it as an invitation to make space in my busy routine for silence, breathing, inner reflection. I also hear it as an invitation to stop running from some painful things, allow the transformation that comes from entering fully into the pain, and wait on God’s leading in this and not create my own agenda.
Sing! Sing praise, sing aloud, sing joyfully, ‘let Heaven and Nature sing,’ ‘tune my heart to sing Your grace!, ‘sing Your songs in me.’
SIMPLIFY
This year I was sure that my word would be grateful because being grateful opens my heart. However, as I read through other monks’ words and saw the word ‘soften’ I knew that was it…to soften my approach, my words, my attitude and to soften the razor standard I hold myself to.
I am grateful to the person who shared ‘soften’ and thank you to all for sharing your word for the year.
Worship
My word is “behold.” I feel like God is telling me to keep my eyes open for something new, and I have a sense of wonder and anticipation as I wait for what he will reveal in the coming year.
“Fix your eyes on Jesus” Hebr. 12:2 – This word was given me for the new year and confirms me in the task of new evangelization. Jesus is the light, the life, the truth. Jesus guides my life.
Hi, My word for 2013 is Light. I will with Gods help move from Darkness to Light, I will carry my cares lightly, and will feel Light in myself, I will welcome each day’s dawn and praise the Light.