Brief Thoughts from Bren

What is normal? Certainly not this violence against one another. Please, God, no. Please let this not be our “normal.” We must not grow weary of doing good. We must not be silent. We must fight to create a better world. A safer world. For everyone.

No doubt, Easter is to be a momentous occasion for Christians — it is our greatest feast day. But it seems its beauty is heightened all the more by living that week — from Palm Sunday to Easter Morning. I wish everyone of you could experience this week with us. That not being practical, perhaps give some thought to experiencing it with us from afar? Together let’s give ourselves to the full range of emotions of that week.

People flocked to the Desert Fathers and Mothers for spiritual guidance. Their advice—called sayings—was initially passed down orally. At least 1,200 of these sayings were eventually written down. So, here are a few that have caught my attention as I have read through them again recently. I hope they teach, guide, inspire, and give you a wealth of thinking to do. They have a way of working on and for us.

Unity among us is of paramount importance. It has to be worked for again, and again, and again. Division bears no fruit or at least no edible fruit. How lacking in humility is it to impose one’s ideas through gossip, negativity, bullying, or by discrediting those who offer a different point of view? We are constantly trying to learn what humility is and then put it into practice.

There was something about the light in those blue eyes. Betsy’s eyes and smile made that first encounter seem so right … then she spoke and that thick Texas accent took me from, “This seems right,” straight to “This is right.” I was home with Betsy from that moment on.