Jon M. Sweeney

Today's an imagine-myself-in-Umbria day.

Where are today's poets against fascism, against war depts, against deportation, & against the famous rich who email each other about girls?

A couple years ago when my 12-year-old told me she cried at the end of a sad novel, it made me a very happy parent.

Well, in part, because you likely won’t get a response.

Would you read this, and tell me if it's any good?

This is how not to barcode a used book.

Off to the printer. Mailing to subscribers in 2 weeks.

#Focolare
#peace
#unity
#placesofconflict
#WestBank
#clergysexabuse

Suddenly I realize /
That if I stepped out of my body I would break /
Into blossom.

Charles Wright, from “The Blessing”

#poems

Illustration by Sibylla von Bondorf, a Poor Clare, for her own 1478 German translation of St. Bonaventure's LIFE AND MIRACLES OF ST. FRANCIS

The look on my face this morning when I read about what happened at the so-called prayer breakfast.

Work in Progress by James Martin | Review | Spirituality & Practice A popular Catholic priest recalls the jobs that taught him life lessons.

“There are good reasons why so many people love James Martin and his books — because he understands people, and his love for others shines from his pages.” www.spiritualityandpractice.com/book-reviews...

St. Francis looks like he's wearing his technicolor dreamcoat as he embraces that leper.

Newton Interfaith Leaders Association Fellowship on Antisemitism and Allyship We live in a time when antisemitism is ascendant in the United States and throughout the world. This dovetails with the rise of other forms of bigotry and hate, making our society less safe for all ma...

The Newton Interfaith Leaders Association and The Miller Center for Interreligious Leadership of Hebrew College present an opportunity for learning and fellowship for teams of Christian clergy, youth leaders, and lay leaders. For details: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

We need old books.

“Every age has its own outlook. It is specially good at seeing certain truths and specially liable to make certain mistakes. We all, therefore, need the books that will correct the characteristic mistake of our own period. And that means the old books.”
-C.S. Lewis

What I see at work.

This is how my new book on the religious experiences of Francis of Assisi begins. I hope you will ask your local public library to get one for you...

Cultivate that face, and remember.

(from 'Meister Eckhart's Book of Darkness and Light')

Morning prayer cat.

This is the heart of Eckhart.

From 📚 'Meister Eckhart's Book of the Heart'

Remember: pretty much no one read William Blake or John Keats when they were alive.

#writers

An old poem I love by Robert Bly.

#minnesota
#poemsoflove

Fr. Kieran Kavanaugh OCD, the great translator of St. John of the Cross and St. Teresa of Avila—died on this day in 2019. Pax.

My aim, as an author, is now to write a book that generative AI cannot summarize.

May the Spirit get hold of you today.

“All flourishing is mutual.” Robin Wall Kimmerer

My God is / the one who is desired / by everyone who desires (from "Meister Eckhart's Book of the Heart," p195)

I can't find another set of these salt and pepper shakers anywhere.

From our local police log. Thank you, cops. That's the way to do it.

Beautiful late January afternoon showshoe walk today with the pooch.

Old book marker of mine. 1946.