Thinking Aloud
In communities across the world, the Winter holidays mark for us a moment of transition or transformation. As the year comes to an end, many of us use this time as an opportunity to remember, reflect, celebrate, and look ahead to the new year.
For many people, this year’s celebrations will look and feel different. We may be unable to see our loved ones or attend spiritual gatherings in person. We will perhaps look to the future with a greater deal of uncertainty than usual.
Even so, we will remember that there is hope.
If nothing else, this year has given us a new form of wisdom. 2020 has encouraged us to cherish new things, and reminded us to hold sacred what we may have previously taken for granted.
Exploring Religica Blogs and Podcasts on Spiritual Transformation
Reflect and Engage
After spending time with the blog, podcast, and links we’ve offered, we now invite you to contribute your own thoughts, links, and ideas. Consider the following prompts as a place to begin the conversation in the Discussion Forum.
Reflect:
In what ways has the COVID-19 Pandemic affected your ability to engage in spiritual reflection, transformation, celebration? How have you and members of your community found yourselves adapting to this?
Think of the ways you’ve found spiritual fulfillment over the course of the past several months. What has spiritual isolation taught you about what you cherish? What you hold sacred?
Engage:
In Hilary Canto’s Understanding the Value of Spiritual Isolation, Canto writes:
“where we are all affected by each other’s thoughts and emotions, fear spreads between us which fuels the feeling of isolation. Yet this same environment, when love and faith and strength are applied, creates fearlessness and togetherness.”
Sit with this quote for a moment. How have you developed new feelings of love, faith, and strength this year? How can a time of isolation instill fearlessness and togetherness in you and the communities you belong to?
Links to Consider
December Religious Holidays: It’s The Most Wonderfully Holy Time Of The Year
The Center for Religious Wisdom and World Affairs at Seattle University — Seeking Wisdom Series
Religious Celebrations During a Pandemic
Why do we miss the rituals put on hold by the COVID-19 pandemic?
How to Have a Safe Holiday Season During the COVID-19 Pandemic
7 Tips for Managing Grief Over the Holidays
How Faith Groups Are Bringing Sermons to Screens This Holiday Season