Spring Theme

Renewal and Growth

The Internal Struggle: Sin, Guilt, and Shame

Sunday Awe

Two weeks ago, we began a new spring seasonal theme of Renewal and Growth. We explored living in alignment with purpose and planting seeds of new ideas and visions. However, there is often an undercurrent that sabotages our progress. While we may make strides toward one goal, we may inadvertently harm another or compromise our health. This is not an external obstacle, but an internal one. If we are to flourish, we must address it.

I know that the word “sin” can be triggering for some due to their religious experiences. However, at its core, sin represents the broken state in which humanity finds itself. The Greek word for sin simply means “missing the mark,” and we all do this. Our true nature is pure and holy, created in the image of God, but sin has derailed us from living up to our divine potential.

Sin begins in the heart, manifesting in our thoughts and intentions that precede our actions. It is a turning away from love, an acting out of fear, pride, greed, or self-protection. It occurs when we withhold forgiveness, judge one another harshly, or fail to act in love toward someone in need. The problem with sin is not that it breaks a divine rule, but rather that it fractures relationships—within ourselves, with others, and with God. Sin also has two offspring: guilt and shame.

Guilt can serve as a helpful signpost; it indicates that we have acted in a way that is not aligned with our deepest values or with the Spirit of love. Healthy guilt draws us toward humility, repentance, reconciliation, and change. Repentance is another heavily laden religious term, but it simply means to change one’s mind and direction. Guilt is inherently redemptive, and through confession, it can lead us to forgiveness and renewal.

Shame, on the other hand, is more corrosive. While guilt says, “I did something wrong,” shame says, “There is something wrong with me.” It attacks our identity, convincing us that we are unlovable, irredeemable, or unworthy. Shame humiliates us and keeps us stuck, preventing any lasting transformation. It steals, kills, and destroys, and it is not from God.

The way of God is one of restoration with dignity, not humiliation. When Jesus encounters the woman caught in adultery, he offers forgiveness without condemnation. After Peter denies him, he restores him with love, not shame.

Much of what we call “sin” emerges from parts of ourselves that we don’t fully understand or acknowledge. We often act out of unhealed wounds, unconscious fears, or unmet needs. This brings us to the concept of the shadow self—those aspects of ourselves we have repressed, rejected, or hidden. Our shadow often drives sinful behavior, not because it is evil, but because it is unexamined.

The shadow is not the same as sin, but they are deeply connected. Often, our sin reveals where our shadow is active—where we are not yet conscious, healed, or integrated. The shadow serves as the soil from which many of our internal struggles grow. However, like all soil, it can also be fertile ground for transformation—if we are willing to look.

Next week, we will explore the shadow more fully and discuss how the light of God can help us confront it—not to be shamed by it, but to be made whole.

Monday Awe: The Internal Struggle

  • St. Augustine: “I was in love with ruin, in love with decay… my soul was sick and I longed to be whole.” (Confessions)
  • Evagrius Ponticus: “Recognize the thoughts that disturb you, and name them; thus begins the path to healing.”
  • Henri Nouwen: “Self-rejection is the greatest enemy of the spiritual life.” (Life of the Beloved)
  • Rainer Maria Rilke: “You must give birth to your pain… then you will not be consumed by it.” (Letters to a Young Poet)
  • Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn: “The line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being.” (The Gulag Archipelago)
  • Romans 7:15: “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” (NIV)
Question to Ponder: Where do you notice inner tension between who you are and who you want to be?
Action to Take: Write down a struggle you are carrying and offer it to God in prayer, without judgment.

Tuesday Awe: Acknowledging Sin

  • St. Augustine: “My sin was all the more incurable because I did not see it.” (Confessions)
  • St. John Climacus: “The first step in repentance is the realization of our faults.” (The Ladder of Divine Ascent)
  • Meister Eckhart: “Sin is estrangement from God; grace is the path home.” (Sermons and Treatises)
  • Rabindranath Tagore: “Man sins in ignorance, but love leads him to wisdom.” (Gitanjali)
  • Bhagavad Gita 9:30: “Even if the most sinful worship Me with unwavering faith, they are to be considered righteous.”
  • Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (NIV)
Question to Ponder: How does recognizing sin in your life open the way for grace?
Action to Take: Reflect on one area where you’ve fallen short and receive God’s forgiveness.

Wednesday Awe: The Gift of Guilt

  • St. John Chrysostom: “Guilt is the burden that weighs upon the soul until laid at the feet of Christ.” (Homilies on Matthew)
  • Thomas Merton: “The greatest sins are not those we commit, but those we ignore.” (New Seeds of Contemplation)
  • Simone Weil: “Guilt opens the heart to grace when it is met with humility.” (Gravity and Grace)
  • Rumi: “Don’t carry guilt as a burden; let it be a teacher, guiding you back to love.” (The Essential Rumi)
  • The Upanishads 1.4.10: “The soul weighed by guilt is released when it turns toward the light.”
  • 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (NIV)
Question to Ponder: How can you release the guilt that holds you back?
Action to Take: Reflect on one of these quotes that speaks to you and open your heart to its application.

Thursday Awe: Wrestling with Shame

  • James Finley: “Shame is the veil that covers the face of mercy.”
  • Brené Brown: “Shame corrodes the very part of us that believes we are capable of change.” (Daring Greatly)
  • St. Gregory the Great: “Shame is the wound that reminds us of our need for grace.” (Moralia in Job)
  • Henri Nouwen: “Shame can cripple, but God’s embrace restores.” (The Return of the Prodigal Son)
  • Tagore: “God’s love calls us out of hiding, as the shame of the heart is healed by the Beloved.” (Gitanjali)
  • Isaiah 54:4: “Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame… You will forget the shame of your youth.” (NIV)
Question to Ponder: What part of yourself are you hiding that needs to be seen with compassion?
Action to Take: Write a note to yourself as if you were writing to someone you deeply love.

Friday Awe: The Power of Repentance

  • St. John of Damascus: “Repentance is the return to the life we lost.” (Exposition of the Orthodox Faith)
  • St. Isaac the Syrian: “Tears of repentance are the sweetest fruit of the soul.” (Ascetical Homilies)
  • Dietrich Bonhoeffer: “True repentance involves not just a change of heart, but a change of direction.” (The Cost of Discipleship)
  • Rumi: “Don’t despair in your repentance; the door to God is always open.” (The Essential Rumi)
  • Rig Veda 7.86.3: “The soul that turns to truth finds freedom from its errors.”
  • Acts 3:19: “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” (NIV)
Question to Ponder: How does repentance bring refreshment to your soul?
Action to Take: Reflect on one way you can change direction today toward God.

Planting Seeds: New Ideas, Vision, Co-Creation with God

Sunday Awe: Planting Seeds: New Ideas, Vision, Co-Creation with God

Napoleon Hill said, “Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve” (Think and Grow Rich). Every great movement, every transformative invention, and every inspired vision begins as an idea. It is like a seed—small, unassuming, yet filled with the potential for something extraordinary. Just as a small acorn holds within it the blueprint for a towering oak tree, the ideas and dreams planted within us carry the power to shape lives, bring light into darkness, and participate in the building of something amazing.

Planting a seed is an act of faith. Results are not immediate; growth begins beneath the surface, beyond what our eyes can perceive. Yet, we know that what has been sown will take root in the right time, in the right way. This is the essence of co-creation with God: not to force growth, but to nurture, tend, and trust in the unseen process of transformation.

God invites us to be co-creators in this world—to listen for divine inspiration, to cultivate new ideas, and to step forward with vision, even when the outcome is uncertain and opposition abounds. When we align our dreams with Spirit guidance, we participate in something greater than ourselves. The visions placed in our hearts are not random; they are invitations to bring more life, beauty, and healing into the world.

Planting seeds also requires patience. Some dreams take longer to sprout, some ideas need seasons of refinement, and some visions require the right conditions to flourish. Yet, as we see in nature, nothing is wasted. Every effort, every prayer, and every small step forward (and sometimes backward) is part of the process. Even when we cannot see progress, we must trust that God is at work, nourishing the seeds we have planted.

As co-creators with the Divine, we are invited to dream courageously and plant boldly. Our words, actions, innovations and acts of kindness are seeds that can bear fruit beyond what we can imagine. This is a sacred process, and in it, we discover that we are not only planting for ourselves—we are divinely shaping the future with possibilities, cultivating a world infused with more love, joy and wisdom.

Monday Awe: Seeds of Possibility

  • St. Augustine: “Faith is the seed that grows into the tree of life.” (Confessions)
  • Hildegard of Bingen: “The soul is like fertile soil, ready to receive the seeds of God’s vision.” (Scivias)
  • Thomas Merton: “Every moment holds the potential for God’s creativity to bloom.” (New Seeds of Contemplation)
  • Rumi: “Don’t be satisfied with stories; unfold your own myth. Plant the seed of your dreams.” (The Essential Rumi)
  • Tao Te Ching 4: “The Tao is like a wellspring, ever-flowing, nurturing the seed within.”
  • Matthew 13:31-32: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed… Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants.” (NIV)
Question to Ponder: What seeds of possibility has God planted in your life?
Action to Take: Reflect on one new idea or opportunity and commit it to prayer.

Tuesday Awe: Co-Creating with God

  • John Wesley: “Grace invites us to join God in the holy work of renewal.” (Sermons)
  • Henri Nouwen: “We are co-creators with God, planting seeds of love in the world.” (Life of the Beloved)
  • Simone Weil: “The soul, like a garden, flourishes when we labor with God.” (Gravity and Grace)
  • Rig Veda 10.190.3: “Creation is a divine partnership, where spirit and matter dance together.”
  • 1 Corinthians 3:9: “For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.” (NIV)
Question to Ponder: How can you co-create with God in your daily life?
Action to Take: Write down one way you can partner with God in bringing a vision to life.

Wednesday Awe: Vision for the Future

  • St. Francis of Assisi: “Start by doing what is necessary, then what is possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” (Sayings of St. Francis)
  • Dietrich Bonhoeffer: “Faith sees the future through the eyes of God’s promises.” (Letters and Papers from Prison)
  • Rumi: “Don’t look back; the seeds of tomorrow are in today’s soil.” (The Essential Rumi)
  • Albert Einstein: “Imagination is more important than knowledge, for it shapes the vision of what can be.” (Ideas and Opinions)
  • Bhagavad Gita 6:46: “The visionary who strives with faith and perseverance sees the divine in all things.”
  • Proverbs 29:18: “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” (KJV)
Question to Ponder: What vision has God placed in your heart for the future?
Action to Take: Spend time journaling about your vision and seek God’s guidance.

Thursday Awe: Nurturing Growth

  • Thomas Aquinas: “Grace is the water that nourishes the seed of faith, causing it to grow.” (Summa Theologica)
  • St. Teresa of Ávila: “The soul must cultivate its garden, making room for God’s love to grow.” (Interior Castle)
  • Rabindranath Tagore: “Growth comes from the rain of divine mercy and the sun of God’s love.” (Gitanjali)
  • Simone Weil: “God waits for us, like a gardener, with infinite patience.” (Waiting for God)
  • Odes of Solomon 11:7: “The fruits of His love grow within me, bringing joy to my heart.”
  • Galatians 6:9: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (NIV)
Question to Ponder: How can you nurture the seeds of God’s work in your life?
Action to Take: Identify one area in your life that needs patience and care, and take a step to nurture it today.

Friday Awe: The Harvest

  • C.S. Lewis: “The seeds we plant in love will grow into the fruits of eternity.” (The Great Divorce)
  • St. John of Damascus: “The fruit of faith is eternal joy, harvested in the light of God.” (Exposition of the Orthodox Faith)
  • Henri Nouwen: “The harvest is the revelation of God’s faithfulness in our small labors.” (The Return of the Prodigal Son)
  • Rumi: “Be patient; the seed of love will bear fruit in the garden of your soul.” (The Essential Rumi)
  • Tao Te Ching 64: “The wise see the fruit in the seed, trusting in the cycle of life.”
  • John 4:35: “Open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.” (NIV)
Question to Ponder: How does the promise of harvest encourage you?
Action to Take: Reflect on the fruits of your labor and offer a prayer of gratitude.

Saturday Awe: Planting Seeds: New Ideas, Vision, Co-Creation with God

  • Matthew 13:31-32: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed… Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants.” (NIV)
  • Henri Nouwen: “We are co-creators with God, planting seeds of love in the world.” (Life of the Beloved)
  • Albert Einstein: “Imagination is more important than knowledge, for it shapes the vision of what can be.” (Ideas and Opinions)
  • St. Teresa of Ávila: “The soul must cultivate its garden, making room for God’s love to grow.” (Interior Castle)
  • Rumi: “Be patient; the seed of love will bear fruit in the garden of your soul.” (The Essential Rumi)
Question to Ponder: How do you open yourself to new ideas and possibilities?
Action to Take: Choose something that has been in your heart to do for some time and take the first step.

Living a Life of Purpose: Alignment

Sunday Awe

This week, we begin a new seasonal theme, transitioning from “Winter: Beginnings and Contemplation” to “Spring: Renewal and Growth.”

If the universe is the result of God’s intentionality, that we are created in God’s image and that our life comes from God, then there must be a purpose to our life and meaning behind our existence. Part of our work as human beings is to discern that purpose and live our lives accordingly.

We can find purpose behind what Jesus said was the greatest commandment of all. Quoting the Torah, he said: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Mathew 22:37-39 NIV). This also reflects what the prophet Micah said: “…what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” ‭‭(Micah‬ ‭6‬:‭8‬ ‭NIV‬‬). ‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

While these sayings may not tell us our specific path in life, they do provide parameters within which we can align our lives. These parameters—love, justice, mercy, humility and Divine communion—represent the deepest God-given values. All that is good and meaningful is derived from these values and can be expressed beautifully in countless ways through the lives we lead.

When our lives align with our deepest values, there is a sense of flow—an ease that arises not from the absence of struggle, but from the assurance that we are walking the path we are meant to traverse. In this alignment, we find purpose. Purpose is not something we create; it is something we uncover, woven into the fabric of our being, waiting to be lived.

Finding purpose begins with awareness. Too often, we live according to external expectations shaped by the voices of our parents, our culture and our religion, rather than the quiet voice of truth within us. However, when we pause, listen, and attune ourselves to the deeper currents of life, we start to recognize what truly calls us. What brings us alive? What stirs our hearts? What work, relationships, or pursuits feel like an expression of who we really are? These are clues pointing us toward our purpose.

To align with purpose is to move beyond fear and into trust. Spirit does not call us to a life of emptiness or aimless wandering; rather it invites us into a meaningful journey. This does not mean that purpose is always clear or easy. At times, we may feel lost or uncertain. Alignment is not about knowing every step in advance; it is about moving forward with faith, trusting that as we act in harmony with our deepest truths, the way will unfold before us.

Living in alignment also means embracing service and connection. Purpose is never solely about personal fulfillment; it is about contributing to the greater whole. When we live authentically, we inspire others to do the same. When we share our gifts, we become part of something larger than ourselves.

Ultimately, a life of purpose is a life of integrity—where who we are, what we believe, and how we live are in harmony. It is a life where we listen to the Divine whisper within us, follow where it leads, and trust that in doing so, we are exactly where we are meant to be.

Monday Awe: Discovering Your Purpose

  • St. Augustine: “You have made us for Yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.” (Confessions)
  • Meister Eckhart: “The soul’s purpose is to align with God, where it finds its true freedom.” (Sermons and Treatises)
  • Dietrich Bonhoeffer: “The purpose of life is to follow the call of Christ wherever it leads.” (The Cost of Discipleship)
  • Simone Weil: “Purpose is born when the soul aligns itself with God’s will.” (Gravity and Grace)
  • Jeremiah 29:11: “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” (NIV)
Question to Ponder: What steps can you take to align your life with God’s purpose?
Action to Take: Spend time contemplating your purpose in life.

Tuesday Awe: Embracing God’s Call

  • St. Teresa of Ávila: “God has no hands but yours; no feet but yours. Your purpose is His purpose.” (Interior Castle)
  • Henri Nouwen: “The call of God is not loud but gentle, beckoning the soul to follow in faith.” (Life of the Beloved)
  • John Wesley: “The call of God is to love with all your heart, mind, and strength.” (Sermons)
  • Rumi: “Respond to every call that excites your spirit, for it is the call of the Beloved.” (The Essential Rumi)
  • Odes of Solomon 7:8: “His call came to me like a song, and I answered with joy.”
  • Ephesians 2:10: “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (NIV)
Question to Ponder: What do you feel is God’s call for your life?
Action to Take: Reflect on how you are responding to God’s call today.

Wednesday Awe: Living with Intention

  • Thomas Merton: “A life without intention is a life lost in distraction. Intention aligns the soul with God’s will.” (No Man Is an Island)
  • St. John Chrysostom: “Live each day as though it were your last, in harmony with God’s plan.” (Homilies on Genesis)
  • Catherine of Siena: “The soul becomes what it loves; live with the intention of becoming love itself.” (The Dialogue of Divine Providence)
  • Tagore: “In each moment of purpose, God’s voice whispers, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’” (Gitanjali)
  • Tao Te Ching 64: “The journey of a thousand miles begins with intention, for the smallest steps lead to great purpose.”
  • Proverbs 16:3: “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” (NIV)
Question to Ponder: How can you live with more intention?
Action to Take: Choose one intentional act today that aligns your life with God’s purpose.

Thursday Awe: Overcoming Obstacles to Purpose

  • St. Paul: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, for He is my source.” (Philippians)
  • St. Anthony the Great: “Obstacles are the testing ground of purpose, refining the soul.” (Sayings of the Desert Fathers)
  • Simone Weil: “Even in affliction, purpose is hidden like a treasure.” (Waiting for God)
  • Bhagavad Gita 6:34: “Obstacles are born of distraction; victory lies in steadfastness.”
  • Romans 8:28: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (NIV)
Question to Ponder: How can obstacles serve to refine your purpose?
Action to Take: Identify one obstacle in your life and pray about what action you need to take because of it.

Friday Awe: Finding Fulfillment in Purpose

  • St. Augustine: “Our ultimate fulfillment is in God, for He alone satisfies the soul.” (Confessions)
  • Thomas Aquinas: “To know and love God is the ultimate end of human purpose.” (Summa Theologica)
  • Julian of Norwich: “All shall be well, for the soul that aligns with God finds peace.” (Revelations of Divine Love)
  • C.S. Lewis: “When we give ourselves to God’s purpose, we find our truest joy.” (Mere Christianity)
  • Rig Veda 10.121.10: “Fulfillment is found in the One who gives life, who alone is the source of all.”
  • Psalm 37:4: “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (NIV)
Question to Ponder: How has fulfilling God’s purpose brought joy to your life?
Action to Take: Write a prayer expressing gratitude for God’s purpose in your life.

Saturday Awe: Living a Life of Purpose: Alignment

  • Meister Eckhart: “The soul’s purpose is to align with God, where it finds its true freedom.” (Sermons and Treatises)
  • John Wesley: “The call of God is to love with all your heart, mind, and strength.” (Sermons)
  • Catherine of Siena: “The soul becomes what it loves; live with the intention of becoming love itself.” (The Dialogue of Divine Providence)
  • St. Anthony the Great: “Obstacles are the testing ground of purpose, refining the soul.” (Sayings of the Desert Fathers)
  • Julian of Norwich: “All shall be well, for the soul that aligns with God finds peace.” (Revelations of Divine Love)
Question to Ponder: How has fulfilling God’s purpose brought joy to your life?
Action to Take: Write a prayer expressing gratitude for God’s purpose in your life.

Faith and Mystery: Embracing What We Cannot Fully Understand

Sunday Awe

Faith is often misunderstood as certainty—a firm grasp of spiritual truths without question or doubt. Yet, true faith is not about having all the answers; faith becomes unnecessary when you know the answers. Instead, it is about embracing the mystery. It involves a willingness to step into the unknown, trusting that the ground will rise to meet your foot, believing that there is meaning beyond what you can see, wisdom beyond your grasp, and a Divine Presence guiding you even when you cannot perceive it.

Our minds seek clarity, predictability, and explanations. We long to make sense of life, the universe, and God. However, the deepest truths—such as love, grace, and eternity—are experiential and beyond the reach of analytical comprehension. Rather than resisting or attempting to explain mystery, faith invites us to lean into it. It calls us to trust not because we have figured everything out, but precisely because we haven’t. We sense, not in our minds, but in the depths of our being, that we are held by or are part of something inexplicably greater than ourselves.

Throughout history, mystics and spiritual seekers have discovered that God is not a puzzle to be solved but a Presence to be encountered. The Divine is vast, infinite, and beyond our cognitive abilities. As the poet Rainer Maria Rilke wrote, “Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves” (Letters to a Young Poet). Faith is not about eliminating questions; it is about living with them, resting in them, and allowing mystery to shape us rather than frighten us.

When we embrace mystery, we live with humility, recognizing that we do not have to control or understand everything. We move forward, even in uncertainty, with open hands and open hearts. We become more comfortable with paradox—that pain can both hurt and heal, that life is fragile yet eternal, that love is both a gift and a calling, and that God is both imminent and transcendent.

Faith and mystery are not opposites; they are companions. Make friends with both. To have faith is to stand in awe of the unknown, to embrace the pain of what we cannot fully explain, and to trust that the Divine is always present, even when hidden in the perplexities of life.

Monday Awe: Faith Beyond Understanding

  • St. Augustine: “Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe.” (Enchiridion)
  • Meister Eckhart: “Faith is the light by which we journey through the dark night of mystery.” (Sermons and Treatises)
  • Simone Weil: “To believe in God is to know that the mysteries of existence are held in His love.” (Waiting for God)
  • C.S. Lewis: “Faith is the art of holding on to things your reason has once accepted, in spite of your changing moods.” (Mere Christianity)
  • Anselm of Canterbury: “I do not seek to understand that I may believe, but believe that I may understand.” (Proslogion)
  • Hebrews 11:1: “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” (NIV)
Question to Ponder: How does faith help you embrace the mysteries of God?
Action to Take: Write down one area of your life where you need to trust God more fully.

Tuesday Awe: Mystery as a Gift

  • Julian of Norwich: “God’s mysteries are gifts, veiled in love, that draw us closer to Him.” (Revelations of Divine Love)
  • Thomas Merton: “The mystery of God cannot be solved, only entered into.” (New Seeds of Contemplation)
  • St. John of the Cross: “Mystery is the doorway to deeper union with God.” (The Ascent of Mount Carmel)
  • Rumi: “Sell your cleverness and buy bewilderment; mystery is the handmaid of wonder.” (The Essential Rumi)
  • Tao Te Ching 14: “What cannot be seen, heard, or touched—this is the root of all things.”
  • Deuteronomy 29:29: “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever.” (NIV)
Question to Ponder: How does seeing mystery as a gift change your view of God?
Action to Take: Spend time meditating on one mystery of your faith, asking God to deepen your trust.

Wednesday Awe: The Tension of Faith and Doubt

  • Søren Kierkegaard: “Doubt is conquered by faith, just as it is faith that gives birth to doubt.” (Philosophical Fragments)
  • Henri Nouwen: “The opposite of faith is not doubt, but fear. Faith embraces doubt and moves beyond it.” (Life of the Beloved)
  • Paul Tillich: “Doubt is not the opposite of faith; it is one element of faith.” (The Dynamics of Faith)
  • Simone Weil: “In the tension between faith and doubt, the soul finds its strength.” (Gravity and Grace)
  • Frederick Buechner: “Doubts are the ants in the pants of faith. They keep it awake and moving.” (Wishful Thinking: A Theological ABC)
  • Odes of Solomon 7:6: “Though I do not see Him, my heart knows Him, for faith is my vision.”
Question to Ponder: How has doubt shaped or strengthened your faith?
Action to Take: Write a paragraph on how doubt has helped you grow.

Thursday Awe: Trusting God’s Ways

  • St. Augustine: “God’s ways are incomprehensible, but always trustworthy.” (City of God)
  • St. Gregory of Nyssa: “God leads the soul into the unknown, where trust becomes its anchor.” (The Life of Moses)
  • Dietrich Bonhoeffer: “God does not give us everything we want, but everything we need to trust Him.” (Letters and Papers from Prison)
  • Tagore: “I trust God’s ways, for His hands weave the tapestry of the world unseen.” (Gitanjali)
  • Tao Te Ching 57: “Trust in the flow of the unseen, for it carries all things to their purpose.”
  • Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (NIV)
Question to Ponder: What does it mean to trust God’s ways, even when you don’t understand them?
Action to Take: Reflect on a situation where you’ve seen God’s guidance in hindsight.

Friday Awe: The Mystery of God’s Will

  • Karl Barth: “God’s will is not an enigma to solve but a relationship to trust.” (Church Dogmatics)
  • St. Francis de Sales: “The will of God is always love, even when it appears hidden.” (Introduction to the Devout Life)
  • Thomas Aquinas: “The will of God is the good of all creation.” (Summa Theologica)
  • Rumi: “When the soul surrenders to God’s will, it becomes like a feather carried on the wind.” (The Essential Rumi)
  • Bhagavad Gita 3:35: “Better to follow one’s own path imperfectly than to imitate another’s perfectly. The will of God resides in each one’s journey.”
  • Romans 12:2: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (NIV)
Question to Ponder: How can you better align yourself with God’s will?
Action to Take: Spend time in prayer, asking God to reveal His will for you.

Saturday Awe: Faith and Mystery: Embracing What We Cannot Fully Understand

  • Meister Eckhart: “Faith is the light by which we journey through the dark night of mystery.” (Sermons and Treatises)
  • St. John of the Cross: “Mystery is the doorway to deeper union with God.” (The Ascent of Mount Carmel)
  • Paul Tillich: “Doubt is not the opposite of faith; it is one element of faith.” (The Dynamics of Faith)
  • St. Gregory of Nyssa: “God leads the soul into the unknown, where trust becomes its anchor.” (The Life of Moses)
  • St. Francis de Sales: “The will of God is always love, even when it appears hidden.” (Introduction to the Devout Life)
Question to Ponder: What is the hardest part for you about embracing the unknown?
Action to Take: Meditate on how embracing the unknown strengthens or weakens your faith.

Imago Dei: Recognizing the Divine Presence in Ourselves

Sunday Awe

The concept of Imago Dei—that we are made in the image of God—is one of the most profound truths in spiritual thought. Rooted in Genesis 1:27, it highlights the sacredness of every human being, each carrying the Divine presence within. This is not a distant or abstract idea; it is a reality that shapes how we perceive ourselves, others, and our relationship with the world. To recognize the Imago Dei within is to awaken to the deep truth that we are not separate from God but rather reflections of divine love, creativity, and wisdom.

Embracing this truth shifts our self-perception. Often, we measure our worth by external standards—achievements, appearances, our roles, or the opinions of others. However, Imago Dei teaches us that our value is intrinsic. We are not loved or valued based on what we do; we are cherished simply for who we are. Just as a masterpiece reflects the vision of its creator, we mirror the beauty and splendor of the Divine. Even amid imperfections, failures, and struggles, the image of God remains indelibly imprinted on our souls.

Acknowledging the Imago Dei within ourselves also transforms how we view others. If every person carries this divine imprint, every interaction becomes an opportunity to honor that sacred presence. Respect, love, kindness, and justice are no longer optional; they become natural and essential responses to recognizing the Divine in another. When we look at someone—especially those who are marginalized, suffering, vindictive, or difficult to love—we are invited to see beyond the surface and acknowledge the image of God, even if it is marred or hidden.

The accompanying photo with this week’s meditations features a young nomadic Romani girl I met in India, belonging to a caste lower than the untouchables, who faces humiliation and discrimination. Yet, it is those whom the world considers least that Jesus identified with as the children of God. Imago Dei transcends ethnic and cultural groups, gender identities, political views, and religious beliefs; it is universal, embodying the essence of what it means to be human.

Yet, this truth is not always easy to embrace. We forget. We doubt. We feel unworthy. We may have been taught that our core nature is sinful, not divine. However, the Imago Dei does not depend on our awareness or belief; it is simply who we are. The spiritual journey is about awakening—seeing with new eyes, embracing our inherent sacredness, and living in a manner that reflects the divine love within us.

To recognize the Imago Dei is to understand our identity as humans. It involves walking in the awareness that God is not merely “out there” but also within us. It is to live with dignity, knowing we are bearers of the Divine, and to extend that same dignity to others, understanding that by honoring them, we honor the One whose image we all share.

Monday Awe: Created in God’s Image

  • St. Augustine: “God has stamped His image on our soul, calling us to reflect His glory.” (Confessions)
  • Meister Eckhart: “The spark of the divine is hidden within, waiting to be discovered.” (Sermons and Treatises)
  • Gregory of Nyssa: “The human being is a mirror, reflecting the infinite beauty of God.” (On the Creation of Man)
  • Julian of Norwich: “We are clothed with God’s love, which surrounds us as we are created in His likeness.” (Revelations of Divine Love)
  • Tao Te Ching 54: “The Tao gives life to all beings, and in them, its essence remains.”
  • Genesis 1:27: “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” (NIV)
Question to Ponder: How does knowing you are created in God’s image change the way you see yourself?
Action to Take: Reflect on and give thanks for one quality in yourself that reflects God’s image.

Tuesday Awe: The Mystery of Being

  • St. Teresa of Ávila: “The soul is God’s dwelling place, a mystery too great to fathom.” (Interior Castle)
  • Simone Weil: “In each soul, there is a hidden treasure where God resides.” (Gravity and Grace)
  • Thomas Aquinas: “The essence of the soul is its likeness to God, who is its beginning and end.” (Summa Theologica)
  • Rumi: “The soul is the reflection of the Eternal, glimmering in the mirror of the self.” (The Essential Rumi)
  • Odes of Solomon 8:16: “The Lord has revealed His image in my heart, and I am His forever.”
  • Psalm 139:14: “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” (NIV)
Question to Ponder: How does contemplating your soul as God’s dwelling place deepen your faith?
Action to Take: Spend five minutes in quiet prayer, asking God to reveal Her presence within you.

Wednesday Awe: The Call to Reflect God

  • Catherine of Siena: “Be who God meant you to be, and you will set the world on fire.” (The Dialogue of Divine Providence)
  • Thomas Merton: “We are called to let God’s light shine through us as vessels of His love.” (No Man Is an Island)
  • St. John Chrysostom: “When we act with love and mercy, we reveal the face of God to the world.” (Homilies on Matthew)
  • Rabindranath Tagore: “Each act of kindness is a reflection of the divine spark within.” (Gitanjali)
  • Bhagavad Gita 6:30: “Whoever sees Me in all things and all things in Me never loses sight of Me, nor do I ever lose sight of them.”
  • Matthew 5:16: “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (NIV)
Question to Ponder: How can you reflect God’s image in your actions today?
Action to Take: Perform one act of kindness today, reflecting God’s love to someone else.

Thursday Awe: Recognizing God in Others

  • Dietrich Bonhoeffer: “We encounter God in our neighbor, in whose face the divine image is mirrored.” (Life Together)
  • St. Francis of Assisi: “All creatures bear the imprint of the Creator and deserve our reverence.” (Canticle of the Creatures)
  • Henri Nouwen: “The greatest gift we can give is to see the divine in each other.” (Life of the Beloved)
  • Simone Weil: “To love the other is to encounter God, who dwells in all.” (Waiting for God)
  • Tao Te Ching 58: “See the Tao in others, for it lives in every heart.”
  • Matthew 25:40: “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” (NIV)
Question to Ponder: How do you see the divine image in others?
Action to Take: Spend time reflecting on how you can honor the divine image in the people you meet today.

Friday Awe: Becoming Fully Alive

  • St. Irenaeus: “The glory of God is the human being fully alive.” (Against Heresies)
  • Thomas Merton: “To be a saint means to be fully yourself, reflecting God’s glory in your uniqueness.” (New Seeds of Contemplation)
  • T.S. Eliot: “In the stillness of the soul, we become what we were meant to be.” (Four Quartets)
  • St. Anthony the Great: “True life is found when the soul is united with God, its creator.” (Sayings of the Desert Fathers)
  • Rig Veda 10.121.10: “From the Creator comes the breath of life, awakening all to their purpose.”
  • John 10:10: “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (NKJV)
Question to Ponder: How is living more fully a reflection of God’s glory?
Action to Take: Write down one way you can embrace God’s purpose for your life today.

Saturday Awe: Imago Dei: Recognizing the Divine Presence in Ourselves

  • Meister Eckhart: “The spark of the divine is hidden within, waiting to be discovered.” (Sermons and Treatises)
  • Rumi: “The soul is the reflection of the Eternal, glimmering in the mirror of the self.” (The Essential Rumi)
  • Catherine of Siena: “Be who God meant you to be, and you will set the world on fire.” (The Dialogue of Divine Providence)
  • Henri Nouwen: “The greatest gift we can give is to see the divine in each other.” (Life of the Beloved)
  • St. Irenaeus: “The glory of God is the human being fully alive.” (Against Heresies)
  • John 10:10: “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (NKJV)
Question to Ponder: What does it mean to be made in God’s image?
Action to Take: Intentionally think about someone you do not like and try to see God’s image in them. Pray for them.
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