Years ago, I was a week in a retreat house run by a men’s monastic community. Every evening after Compline had been chanted, the Abbot would offer a blessing that ended with wishing everyone a peaceful night and a happy death. At the time, I thought that a bit morbid to hear every evening. I…
Author: Kimberly M. King
I am a Religious of the Sacred Heart (RSCJ) living in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. I am the director of Barat Spirituality Centre, www.baratspirituality.org, a writer, a juggler, a quick wit, a walker. I enjoy reading all sorts of fiction and non-fiction and regularly write both essays and poetry. Other interests and abilities include Spanish/English written translation and simultaneous interpretation, cooking, and time spent thinking and observing.
All Saints and All Souls, 2024
Coming up at the end of this week are two of my favourite liturgical feasts—those of All Saints and All Souls. I simply love how they afford a particular opportunity to collectively call to mind loved ones that have gone before and also to envision the communion of saints who accompany us. All Saints-All Souls…
10K Surrenders (a Poem)
We do not attain anything by our own holiness but by ten thousand surrenders to mercy. A lifetime of received forgiveness allows us to become mercy. -Richard Rohr- Ten thousand surrenders to mercy One. When I experiencethe nine thousandnine hundred ninetyninewaysyou find to show me that You are as I made you-wondrous and full of grace…and yes, also challenge…and…
Either Way, All a Gift
Story Bearing We all bear stories.Some that ache with the changing weather;Others that are round-soft with telling;tales of way-finding or merry-makingor, if we are lucky, a bit of swashbuckling derring-do. Then there are the othersthat live folded into manageable;tucked between chapters, recorded on a page of memory in the bookwhose spine and binding you design; the bookthat…
That which remains
A couple of Sundays ago, I watched a friend, a priest and preacher, deliver her sermon to the congregation gathered at her parish. She spoke of the Gospel of the day in which Jesus poses the question, Who do you say that I am? This was developed and included a reference to the element of…
Slippers…or Fall is Coming
A little bit of lightness… Slippers…or Fall is coming New felt slippers in the fresh cool airwrap my walkers in warm soft woollike my hands wrap aroundhot milk, maple syrup, and teain a mug, by a window everso slightly cracked opento sunshine and the breezethat has me wonder—socks today?Or is there still timefor sandals after…
It’s all Here (From the Journal…)
Was just speaking with someone yesterday about how I don’t necessarily need to go anywhere to have ‘adventure’ present itself. Opening the door is sometimes all the invitation necessary. It also does depend on how you interpret ‘adventure,’ I suppose. For me, I guess I’d say it has something to do with wonder, curiosity, story,…
An Earthier sort of Examen
I was speaking with someone this morning and we got to talking about Henry, our kitten who died at the beginning of August when he was just 8 mos. old. As has often been the case, the phrase, “Augh, such a short life…” came up and I responded as I have several times–“Yes…a short life,…
Both Subtle and Flamboyant
Someone asked me once whether I searched for concrete knowledge of God. My response was that I preferred the experience of Mystery. Enticing, both subtle and flamboyant—in tolerable proportion, and always just that far away…until becoming part of its fullness. And, somehow, I don’t think we need to die to become enfolded in its expanse—we…
Under the Influence of Emily
Under the Influence of Emily Lost to the blue of distance,I consider the spacemy words will rest—on the page before someone,known or not,or within the commons sharedbetween you, perhaps, and me—and recall a certain summer picnicby a riot of wildflowers lavishly decoratedwith a living garland of bumblebees. Kimberly M. King
Consider the Lilies 