INCLINE THE EAR OF THY HEART

Back in 2007, lost in a dark wood at the mid-point of my life, I drove my ’96 Celica convertible from LA to the coast of NH–where I was raised–and back.

I was in mental, emotional, and spiritual anguish, to the point where I began suffering from gnarly skin ailments. The only thing I knew was to stay close to Christ. So I stayed in Motel 6s and Super 8s, and convents and monasteries, and I went to Mass every day.

I made it to the East Coast and back. I was eventually (though not right away) transformed. Here’s the thumbnail version the story.

The video is part of the  Virtual Summer Conference of the Portsmouth Institute, a kind of Catholic think tank (“Exploring Catholic Thought. Restoring Christian Culture”) headquartered at beautiful Portsmouth Abbey on the coast of RI. 

The Conference takes as its theme “Incline the Ear of Thy Heart: Rediscovering the Virtues and Practices of the Christian Life.”

You can also watch Fr. Augustine Wetta (on humility),  Sohrab Ahmari (on play), and John Garvey  (on study).

If the spirit moves, you can then register for live discussions with me and/or any of the other participants HERE. 

The live discussions take place on Saturday, June 20.

I’m on from 10:00 to 10:45 am EST.

Which means I’m gonna have to set my alarm out here on the West Coast, and get up very early to first choke down my full complement of my morning coffee. Hope to see some of you there!