Signs of Life: Thursday

We are not called to simply wallow in God’s graciousness. If you feel like you are blessed with a sense of God’s presence and joy and peace, well by all means go forth and share it with others. 

– Br. Nicholas Bartoli, SSJE


Way of Love: Daily Practice

Invite someone to something life-giving. Maybe it’s church.


Share your experience in the comments below

14 Comments

  1. Gary Stewart on February 27, 2020 at 8:25 am

    Thanks for this offering

  2. Elizabeth Clifford on February 27, 2020 at 8:57 am

    Great image, Br. Nicholas ! We can so tend to “wallow” and forget to “share”. Thank you for the reminder that we are called to radiate the grace gifted us by our loving God.

  3. Julie myers on February 27, 2020 at 9:43 am

    I’m sorry but I am confused as to how to access the message….is the video on water for the rest of the week? And the little comments by the brothers meant to be the daily message?

    • admin on February 28, 2020 at 8:29 am

      Hi Julie,
      sorry for confusion. the First video on Light will be sent on Sunday March 1. this will be the start of the video series, with new videos being sent each Sunday. The message from the Brothers is a companion offering each day.

  4. Marjorie Gerbracht on February 27, 2020 at 9:55 am

    Corrie Ten Boon’s sister Betsie counsels in the book The Hiding Place to remember the words of 1 Thessalonians 5, verse 18 “Give thanks in all circumstances.” When I am going through hard times I try to look for God’s blessings as well as have faith through the struggles of life. As part of my Lenten discipline I am writing letters and personal notes to those who have blessed me and encouraged me throughout my life.

  5. Ginger on February 27, 2020 at 10:13 am

    I invited a few people to do this Lenten Series “Small Group Worship” in our home weekly, but so far each has declined… except for my partner- so we will do it together again, as we have the last few years.! I am really grateful for my husband’s open and loving heart!
    Today I finished making notebooks for us that support following each of the daily and weekly concepts as we write, then share with each other our thoughts. I really trust the Brothers to guide us very well, and have found these SSJE Lenten Series to be invaluable to bring me increasingly in line with what God wants me to be and closer to Him- where I belong.

  6. Sally Baynton on February 27, 2020 at 10:48 am

    I had a nostalgic moment after contemplating on this offering. I remember teaching Sunday School and Bible Camps with young children. One of their favorites was “Let it Shine.” They would sing with such joy; “Hide it under a bushel NO, I’m gonna let it shine.” Such simple, yet profound words for children AND adults. Let it shine!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  7. Jeanne DeFazio on February 27, 2020 at 10:59 am

    Caretaking has been a challenge. I pray to get through each with God’s grace and mercy. I cling each morning to God through prayer and studying His Word. The SSJE devotionals have made a difference in my life. Many thanks!

  8. Richard Gatjens on February 27, 2020 at 12:11 pm

    I work for a lay mission organization, and one of our missioners has just returned from Cambodia to say good-by after 5 years in service. We gave him a blessing and shared some time afterward, and he was an absolute pleasure to be with and the stories he told of the work he has done and plans to do in the future are inspiring. I have been working for this organization for almost twenty years, and the biggest blessing to me has been getting to know our missioners both before they go and when they return. To know so many people who are guided by their love of those in need and by Christ’s words! I am overwhelmed with joy.

    • Amy Clayton on February 27, 2020 at 9:58 pm

      Sharing.
      A smile, listening, standing beside another…
      I think it’s something from within that has to be shared; that is not what it essentially is without being shared. I don’t think we have to do much work to share it.

      Have any of you seen ‘The Music Box’? He tried to wallow!

  9. Amy Clayton on February 27, 2020 at 10:03 pm

    I went looking for the music box and came across a crime drama. Not that one! Here’s the link for the one I meant…https://youtu.be/mf2kJzSWBio

  10. Deepu on February 27, 2020 at 11:36 pm

    I had ordered several copies of the signs of life lenten calenders and gave it to several colleagues to follow. I’ll be sure to invite them to church as well or a social activity to help others.

  11. Bill Burke on February 28, 2020 at 2:41 am

    My boss is often angry and critical. She came at me that way today and sadly I responded in kind. I was not able to respond in a life-giving way. My shortcoming! Re-reading Brother Nicholas this evening, I will strive to do better tomorrow.

  12. -suzanne w robinson on February 29, 2020 at 8:03 am

    I was invited to bake the SSJE recipe for communion bread at St. David’s. Another person was baking a different recipe.
    This was a “first” for me and I must have kneaded it too much because it came out hard on the bottom with a crust on top.
    When I saw that the rector had chosen the other bread, I realized my mistake and asked if I could take the bread I had
    baked and share it with the birds. It was late afternoon when I arrived at a nearby beach. The day was brisk, a wind
    whipped the ocean waters so that when they surged upon a rock formation, a back wash of tremulous salt spray flew upwards,
    billowing out behind, chaste as a wedding veil. Seven circles of eucharistic bread could hardly be held in my hand when 50 seagulls flew in, surrounding me, flapping their wings and dancing in the air. Delight filled my whole body at the miracle of this
    moment, awed as I was by the gulls’ ability to balance themselves and remain present in the midst of such a strong wind. Breaking off a segment from the Host, I tossed it up into the air and one gull, not fifty swooped down to catch it in its beak. Time and again, most all received sustenance for the moment at hand and I marveled at their patience in flight, often allowing another to go before them in receiving their share. My heart , soul, mind and spirit swelled with joy at this encounter bringing light and nourishment to the birds of the air. What had begun in failure was redeemed in joy through sharing in spirit the Body of Christ. To God be the Glory!

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