spirituality cafe.

IN THIS SEASON

Thanksgiving provides the opportunity to dip into Brennan Manning's new book, Ruthless Trust (HarperSanFrancisco, 2000), to savor a few thoughts on gratitude, including this one: "G. K. Chesterton once remarked that the worst moment for an atheist is when he/she feels grateful and there is no one to thank."

CLASSIC QUOTE:

"There is no way of telling people that they are all walking around shining like the sun." (Thomas Merton, Journals)

HOLY ORDINARY

"The writer Kate Daniels, in an essay titled `Poetry and Presence,' sums up the dilemma of faith in describing a typical evening at her house. She and her husband have come home from their jobs, the kids are trying to do their schoolwork, but are mostly squabbling while she prepares a meal, and the dog overturns the kitchen garbage can and then runs away, leaving garbagy paw prints all over the house.... `Try as I may,' Daniels writes, `and I do try--I have a hard time browning the ground turkey I'm planning to mix with canned spaghetti sauce for the glory of God.' ... Daniels recalls a sermon at her Catholic church, in which a visiting priest asked the parishioners to imagine Jesus coming to them, not in the church, but in their place of drudgery. He asked: What would you ask of Jesus, there? What do you really need?" (Televised sermon from Kathleen Norris on Chicago's 30 Good Minutes)

RECOMMENDED:

The guided 34-week "Online Retreat in Everyday Life." Highlights include the beautiful photography of Father Don Doll, S.J.; heartfelt reflections of retreatants from around the world; and a multitude of spiritual aids. Visit www.creighton. edu/CollaborativeMinistry/ online.html

ABUNDANCE PRAYER (FOR THE WASTEFUL): "O God, in Your benevolence look with kindness upon those who travel first class in high season, on those who spend whole afternoons in cafes, those who replay songs on jukeboxes, who engage in trivial conversations, who memorize jokes and card tricks, those who tear open their gifts and will not save the wrapping, who hate leftovers and love room service, who do not wait for sales. For all foolish virgins, for those who knowingly give their hearts to worthless charmers, for collectors of snow man paperweights, memorial cups, and souvenir pens. For those who take the long way home.

"We pray to You, whose love is prodigal, who multiplied the loaves and fishes so that there were baskets upon baskets left, who turned plain water into wine of a quality no one required, who gave Your life when You need only have lifted a finger, protect these, Your servants, from afflictions of the hand, cover their foolish bets and greet them with that mercy whose greatness is unearnable by calculation or by thrift." (Mary Gordon, a prayer "For the Wasteful" from The Paris Review, reprinted in The Best Spiritual Writing of 2000, HarperSanFrancisco)

IN PRACTICE A way to transform that anxious habit of looking at the clock to check the time: "Frank Lauback, the great literacy advocate, suggested the `Game with Minutes.' I found it to be one of the most effective spiritual exercises I've practiced. Begin by pausing each time you look at your watch to become aware of God's presence." (Bill Webber, on the Spirituality & Health Web site: www.spiritualityhealth.com)

Do you have a favorite spiritual practice or insight to share? We'd like to hear from you! Contact Mary Lynn Hendrickson at 800-328-6515 or, via e-mail, [e-mail]