Anticipation

Advent Sunday ushers in, for Christians, a time of growing anticipation. And while it might seem “godly” to eschew the commercial holiday madness, preparing a place for generosity … tokens of love for our near ones, and, yes, gifts far beyond ourselves too… is an honest part of this season....

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The War Within

[A talk by Beth Adams given on Tuesday, May 12, 2015, to introduce Contemplative Prayer at Christ Church Cathedral] This spring, the cathedral community is grappling with questions about war and peace during a special series of presentations and discussions. War and violence are present throughout the Bible and our liturgy:...

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Paul and Contemplation

[Remarks by Beth Adams shared during Contemplative Prayer at Christ Church Cathedral  April 28, 2015] Lately, Fr. Richard Rohr’s daily meditations have been concentrating on Saint Paul, and I feel like they’ve been addressed to me. I’m one of those Christians who’s often uncomfortable with Paul, mainly because of his writings...

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“On the Dot” [Meditation Talk]

[Beth Adams gave this talk on January 27, 2015] When Zen Buddhist teachers first came to the West, some said it would be impossible to teach Zen to western students because they simply lacked the necessary discipline. Shunryu Suzuki, who founded the first Zen monastery in America, started studying at...

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