The familiar images of Word and Light break open with fresh insight in the imaginative and wise ruminations of Sister Genevieve Glen, OSB. From Nazareth to Emmaus, psalms to beatitudes, Advent to Pentecost, through characters, stories, and prayers, this nimble poet and lifelong student of Scripture takes us to new places in texts we thought we knew. At turns probing, humorous, and inspiring, these reflections ultimately help us to know more deeply the Word made Flesh, Jesus of Nazareth — crucified and risen, the Light of the World.
Contents
Introduction: Reading by Lamplight 11
PASSAGES AND PEOPLE
Open the Door 14
The Measure of Love 16
Stay at Home 18
Blessed Are They Who Mourn 20
God’s Vocabulary 23
Jesus’ Not-So-Hidden Years 25
Landscapes of Hope 29
The Gift of a Stone 33
Sheep and Goats: Taking Another Look 37
Anna 40
Good News 43
Who? 46
Way Will Open 49
The Folly of Solomon 53
Us and Them 57
Here I Am . . . But Who Are You? 61
Voice and Word 63
Surely Not I, Lord? 65
A Different Desert 68
Suffer Many Tribulations? 70
Honey from the Rock 72
PRAYERS AND PSALMS
Seat of Wisdom 78
Psalm 63: Prayer Before the Blessed Sacrament 80
Holy Door 82
Confiteor: We Confess 84
Prayer for the Preparation of the Bread 86
The Eucharistic Doxology: A Prepositional Spirituality 89
Star of the Sea 91
ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS
Look to the Light: The First Sunday of Advent 96
Psalm 46: An Advent Prayer for Quiet 98
St. Joseph and the Puritans 100
Come, Lord Jesus 104
Glory to God in the Highest 106
Psalm 1: A Baptismal Prayer for a New Year and a New Start 109
LENT AND EASTER
Ash Wednesday: Opening Prayer 112
On Not Wanting to Wake Up 114
On Becoming a Blessing 117
The Wisdom of the Moths 121
Strength for the Cross 124
The Donkey’s Story: Palm Sunday 127
Behold the Lamb of God: Holy Thursday 131
Tasting Dust: Good Friday 133
The Silence of the Word: Holy Saturday 135
The Easter Journey to Emmaus 138
Resurrection Step by Step 141
Easter Unseen 145
The Divine Mercy: What Mary Knew 148
References 151
Genevieve Glen, OSB, is a contemplative nun of the Abbey of St. Walburga in northern Colorado. She is a retreat director, composer of hymn texts, poet, and essayist. She writes regularly on prayer and Scripture for Give Us This Day and is the author of Sauntering Through Scripture: A Book of Reflections published by Give Us This Day.
"Genevieve Glen, OSB, shares the fruits of her monastic listening in these meditative reflections that offer a fresh look at Scripture, the cherished prayers of our tradition, and the deeper meaning of Advent, Lent, and the Easter season. She is a good guide to the terrain of the Spirit and so gives us the gift of a deeper immersion in sacred word and story."
Rachelle Linner is a freelance writer, reviewer, spiritual director, and contributor to Give Us This Day
"Sr. Genevieve's story-telling and personal reflections illuminate unexpected nuggets of wisdom found in the Living Word. As I read this book, I knew I was reading the words of a wise woman of prayer! This is a book I will turn to again and again for inspiration."
Becky Eldredge, is the author of The Inner Chapel and Busy Lives & Restless Souls
"Sister Genevieve Glen invites us to read with her in the lamplight, to be enlightened by a 'small, warm, and friendly flame,' which is the divine Presence. She uses poetry, history, and her own life experience to give us a new way of looking at familiar biblical stories and personalities. What shines out under this lamplight is her prayerful reflection from many years of living with the word of God."
Jerome Kodell, OSB, is former abbot of Subiaco Abbey in Arkansas. He is author of numerous books, including Barnabas, Man for Others in the Little Rock Scripture Study Alive in the Word series, and a contributor to Give Us This Day
"Sister Genevieve Glen, OSB, offers us a book penned with lyrical language that invites compelling inquiry. I've read books that leave me with a felt connection to the writer. This book is the first one that left me with the impression that the author actually knows me, the reader."
Mary Margaret Funk, OSB, is a nun of Our Lady of Grace Monastery, Beech Grove, Indiana. She served as executive director of Monastic Interreligious Dialogue, and is the author of Islam Is...: An Experience of Dialogue and Devotion and Into the Depths: A Journey of Loss and Vocation