Melanie Rigney's Blog, page 46

At first, it was Minneapolis that was my big dream. Then ...

At first, it was Minneapolis that was my big dream. Then it was New York City and St. Petersburg, Russia; later, it was Boston and Paris. Strangely, I don’t recall many dreams about love or marriage or children. My dreams never included a particular house or car. In some ways, I think, it was because my parents got their big dreams of travel before I was born (Mom working in DC after growing up in Wisconsin, Dad through the Civilian Conservation Corps and serious time in the Pacific as a Mari...

Wednesday’s People: Sts. Rose of Lima and Martin de Porres

Note: I’m currently featuring women saints who had notable relationships with male saints–their sons, husbands, fathers, or colleagues in faith.

The Basics: Rose, born April 20, 1586, in Peru; died August 24, 1617, in Peru; feast day, August 23; canonized April 12, 1671, by Clement IX; Lay Dominican; mystic. Martin, born December 9, 1579, in Peru; died November 3, 1639, in Peru; feast day, November 3; canonized May 6, 1962, by John XXIII. Lay Dominican.

The Story: She was a romantic and mysti...

Home Is Where His Heart Is

On their way they entered a village of the Samaritans to make ready for him; but they did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. When his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” But he turned and rebuked them. Then they went on to another village. (Luke 9:52-56, NRSVCE)

The Samaritan villagers’ lack of hospitality was not a rejection of God’s only begotten son. That was not even on the...

Friends in Faith: Karen Audant

In the ten years I’ve known Karen Audant, like everyone else, she’s been through her share of challenges. But it’s always evident that Karen’s confidence in the Lord in the most difficult situations runs deep. She often looks to nature and physical activity to reconnect with God. Karen is a big fan of Wayne Muller’s Sabbath book and, like Muller, believes some time in nature is essential and a nourishing Sabbath practice. Her form of spiritual replenishment–including an upcoming camping and...

On the Nightstand: October 2017

A couple of years ago, several of my friends were talking about this great trilogy they’d read when they were younger, Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrud Undset. The novels are about Kristin’s spiritual and physical journey from childhood to death, set in 14th century Norway and published in the 1920s.

I have to confess I yawned a bit at the discussion. When I think of the 14th century, I think of Catherine of Siena and Italy. When I think of writers of the 1920s, I think of Hemingway and Fitzge...

Evangelization and Popularity

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

Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you.  For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him.” (Matthew 2...

Wednesday’s People: Saints Lioba and Boniface

Note: I’m currently featuring women saints who had notable relationships with male saints–their sons, husbands, fathers, or colleagues in faith.

The Basics: Lioba, born 710 in England; died 782 in Germany; feast day, September 28; canonized pre-congregation. Woman religious and evangelist. Boniface, born about 675 in England; died in 754 in the Netherlands; feast day, June 5; canonized pre-congregation. Bishop and evangelist.

The Story: Exactly how they were related isn’t clear; Boniface may...

Just Do It

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

Back in April or so, I signed up for the bell choir at my parish. I’ve never played bells, and I have no formal training in music, but it sounded like fun and like a challenge. I intended to do it, really I did. But the summer came and went and I made a lot of commitments for the fall and winter. By the time I got the email about weekly bell cho...

Wednesday’s People: Saints Lydia and Paul

Note: I’m currently featuring women saints who had notable relationships with male saints–their sons, husbands, fathers, or colleagues in faith.

The Basics: Lydia, born in the first century in Greece; feast day, August 3; canonized pre-congregation. Merchant. Paul, born about 5 AD in Turkey; died about 67 in Italy; feast day, January 25; canonized pre-congregation. Evangelist.

The Story: Who doesn’t know the story of Paul’s dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus? Lydia’s was much quieter...

Another Town, Another Crowd

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

Jesus was in midst of his public ministry when the scene from Luke 7:11-17 unfolds. He’s fresh from Capernaum, where he healed the centurion’s slave without touching or seeing him, and a large crowd has accompanied him to Nain. It’s easy to imagine a joyful, somewhat festive atmosphere.

And then, they encounter another crowd. A widow’s only son...