Melanie Rigney's Blog, page 17

Of Obligation

Note: On Tuesdays, you can find me at Your Daily Tripod, owned by my friend TonyD. A longer version of the post below appears there.

“Who among you would say to your slave who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, ‘Come here at once and take your place at the table’?  Would you not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, put on you...

The Litany of #humblebrag

Note: On Tuesdays, you can find me at Your Daily Tripod, owned by my friend TonyD. A longer version of the post below appears there.

I was going through my litany of writing and speaking to-dos recently at dinner with a friend. I think she was trying to be helpful when she asked, “Now what do you regret having said yes to?” the implication being that I might learn from that in avoiding overco...

On the Nightstand: One Minute Wisdom

It’s already been a busy fall. My friend Mike gave me this book a few months ago, and I put it aside for November, knowing that:

Friends in Faith: Judy Keane

“Jesus, I trust in You.” These are the words the Lord gave Faustina as part of His Divine Mercy revelation; they’re so simple, and yet so challenging. My friend Judy Keane has been praying at least part of the Divine Mercy Chaplet for some time, every day in the 3 p.m. hour. Judy’s had a distinguished career in communications and public relations, and is starting down a new path with her own consultancy. Part of forging th[image error]

Of Endurance and Hope

Note: On Tuesdays, you can find me at Your Daily Tripod, owned by my friend TonyD. A longer version of the post below appears there.

For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen?  But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. (Romans 8:24-25, NRSVCE)

Let’s be honest. Waiting is not very exciting or fun.

“The life of a...

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To-Do Lists, Schedules, and Missed Opportunities

Note: On Tuesdays, you can find me at Your Daily Tripod, owned by my friend TonyD. A longer version of the post below appears there.

The day job, the speaking, the writing. My life runs on a highly regulated schedule. Yours may as well, with different obligations and responsibilities—spouse, children, grandchildren, work, volunteer activities. It’s not that we dislike a single one of them. It...

Wednesday’s Woman: St. Marguerite Bays

The Basics: Born September 8, 1815, in Switzerland; died June 27, 1879, in Switzerland; canonized October 13, 2019; feast day, June 27. Laywoman; mystic.

The Story: Other than eleven 240-round-trip pilgrimages made on foot, Marguerite Bays rarely left her hometown. But she found plenty of ministry to be done there.

Marguerite was the second of seven children. Her parents were farmers. Many of her siblings found themselves in and out of trouble, often coming back home to live. Of special note was a brother who married...

Patience, Righteousness, and Teresa of Avila

Note: On Tuesdays, you can find me at Your Daily Tripod, owned by my friend TonyD. A longer version of the post below appears there.

Let nothing disturb you

Let nothing frighten you

All things are passing

God never changes

Patience obtains all things

She who possesses God lacks nothing

God alone suffices

St. Teresa of Avila

Think about it. How many times in the past 24 hours have you looked at your watch or phone, tapped your foot, or sighed at the aggravation of delay? Maybe it’s about missi...

Worried About Many Things? Me Too

Note: On Tuesdays, you can find me at Your Daily Tripod, owned by my friend TonyD. A longer version of the post below appears there.

Back in September 2001, my husband was working overnights. That gave him a lot of daytime hours to watch television and call me at my job with regular updates on the investigation into the September 11 attacks. When we were home together, it was all we talked about. I suspect your conversations might have been the same.

Then came the day he called, talking a mil...

On the Nightstand: Becoming Women of the Word

As you probably know, I love sharing the stories of women saints. While I have more than a passing acquaintance with Rahab, Leah, Rachel, and Judith, there are a number of Old Testament women about whom I know only the bare essentials. I think Sarah Christmyer’s new Becoming Women of the Word: How to Answer God’s Call with Purpose and Joy is just what I need! I’m especially looking forward to delving into Deborah and Esther.

Sarah’s credentials are solid–she was the co-developer of the Great...