Word Made Flesh is a contemplative community. One of the ways that we contemplate what God is doing in the world and in our lives is through the reflection articles that we write. We invite you to read, learn, and celebrate with us.
Stepping Into Pain: What Sierra Leone Taught Me About the True Meaning of Compassion
April 1999 Prayer Letter
April 5, 1999 Dear Friends and Family, During the first week of February Phileena and I were traveling from Romania to India. Our routing took us through Munich, Germany. As we went through immigrations at the Munich airport, the immigrations officer took my passport and starting flipping through its pages. He called…
January 1999 Prayer Letter
Compassion is hard work; it is crying out with those in pain; it is tending the wounds of the poor and caring for their lives; it is defending the weak and indignantly accusing those who violate their humanity; it is joining with the oppressed in their struggle for justice; it is pleading for help,…
December 1998 Prayer Letter
Dear Friends and Family, December 1, 1998 So much is happening in our Word Made Flesh community that I thought I should drop you a note to let you know about the additions to our community and the prayer requests we have. Our bi-annual Word Made Flesh board of directors weekend was…
November 1998 Prayer Letter
Dear Brothers and Sisters, It was a brisk, late-October morning in Galati, Romania. We were leaving the courtyard of the largest Orthodox cathedral in town, when two little Gypsy girls approached us. The two little ones were so sweet and so precious. Their sad eyes spoke to ours as they asked for money to…
October 1998 Prayer Letter
Dear Brothers and Sisters, November 9, 1998 It was a brisk, late-October morning in Galati, Romania. We were leaving the courtyard of the largest Orthodox cathedral in town, when two little Gypsy girls approached us. The two little ones were so sweet and so precious. Their sad eyes spoke to ours as…
June 1998 Prayer Letter
June 3, 1998 “Lord Jesus, we are silly sheep who have dared to stand before you and try to bribe you with our preposterous portfolios. Suddenly we have come to our senses. We are sorry and ask you to forgive us. Give us the grace to admit we are ragamuffins, to embrace our…
March 1998 Prayer Letter
March 1, 1998 Dear Friends and Family, This month we wanted to show you a small piece of the fruit of your prayers and sacrifices. Over the years you have held Chris and me up as friends, but more importantly as family. We are grateful and humbled by your examples of sacrifice…
February 1998 Prayer Letter
February 24, 1998 Dear Friends and Family, This month we want to show you in a small way some of the fruit of your partnership in ministry for and among the poor. Over the years you have carried Chris and me through your prayers and sacrifices. We are grateful for your investment…
January 1998 Prayer Letter
January 16, 1998 Dear Friends of the Poor, As the new year already begins to slip away we want to remind you to look for God's grace in the “hidden places“. Don't let 1998 pass you by, but allow this to be the year the Lord really has your undivided attention. …
December 1997 Prayer Letter
December 15, 1997 Dear Loved Ones, Christmas greetings to you in the name of Christ our King! Phileena and I have just returned from our most recent trip to India. Our time there was as joyful as it was sad. During our last week in Madras a little girl was…