(photo by Tom Delaney, Sherburne County, Minnesota, 2025) The August crescendo of summer here in Central Minnesota brings forth the short lived beauty of the hedge bindweed flower (Calystegoa sepium). These flowers on the vine may be in bloom for as little as one day, opening in the morning and closing by noon. The thing … Continue reading Finding Freedom in Forgiveness
Catholic
“…find rest for yourselves.”
(photo by Tom Delaney, Sherburne County, Minnesota, 2025) The Western Goatsbeard (Trapopogon dubius) is a favorite bloom around our pastures here in Central Minnesota. It is a flower that you will find open around dawn and closed by around noontime. Today's Liturgy of the Word includes a Gospel reading from Matthew with some well-known words … Continue reading “…find rest for yourselves.”
Acceptance is the Way Forward
(photo by Tom Delaney, Sherburne County, Minnesota, 2025) The Blue Jackets (Tradescantia ohiensis) are beginning to bloom along the forest edges here in Central Minnesota. The Morning Prayer ("lauds") in today's Liturgy of the Hours includes a reading from the book of Job: "We accept good things from God; and should we accept evil?" (2:10b). … Continue reading Acceptance is the Way Forward
Change Your Mind, Change Your Brain
The word "repent" essentially has its origins in old Latin words for "think again." The old Greek word for "changing your mind" is "metanoia" (μετάνοια). The word metanoia as a noun and verb occurs no less than 56 times in the New Testament of the Bible. Understanding how changes in our minds are actually visible … Continue reading Change Your Mind, Change Your Brain
When you know how important you are, you know how important your forgiveness is!
(photo by Tom Delaney, Sherburne County, Minnesota, 2025) An amazing summer for wildlflowers continues on the oak savanna here in Central Minnesota. A patch of sage by the pastures does well every year, ans this year hosts a guest Black Eyed Susan. Today's Liturgy of the Hours and Liturgy of the Word again gives us … Continue reading When you know how important you are, you know how important your forgiveness is!
“…made the two of us one…”
"Now in Christ you who once were far off have been brought near through the Blood of Christ. It is he who is our peace, and who made the two of us one by breaking down the barrier of hostility that kept us apart. In his own flesh, he abolished the law with its commands … Continue reading “…made the two of us one…”
Happy Feast of St. Benedict!
Vision of Saint Benedict, Giovanni del Biondo (1356-1399 CE) We are lucky to have two Benedictine communities here in Central Minnesota: Saint John's Abbey and Saint Benedict's Monastery. Today, some words from one of the most celebrated Benedictine authors, Thomas Merton: God has left sin in the world in order that there may be forgiveness: … Continue reading Happy Feast of St. Benedict!
Forgiveness Makes It Real
(photo by Tom Delaney, Sherburne County, Minnesota, 2025) Summer blooms on our oak savanna here in central Minnesota are a sight to see every day now. This is a favorite -- Purple Prairie Clover (Dalea purpurea). The Liturgy of the Hours can be a daily routine of prayer that gives you something to think about … Continue reading Forgiveness Makes It Real
“Forgive, but don’t forget.”
Graphic: Brain regions involved with memory formation. "A new study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General provides insight into how forgiveness affects memory. The researchers found that forgiving someone who has wronged you does not blur or alter the details of the event in memory. Instead, it changes how you feel about it. … Continue reading “Forgive, but don’t forget.”
Forgiveness, Flourishing & Mental Health
Live and Forgive was developed by presenter and facilitator Tom Delaney as part of his completion of forgiveness studies in the Human Flourishing Program at Harvard University. The REACH forgiveness model and process researched by Everett Worthington and Tyler VanderWeele is core content for Live and Forgive presentations, guided retreats. and small group series. The … Continue reading Forgiveness, Flourishing & Mental Health
Live and Forgive 