As you know, I read alot. Besides reading scripture everyday, I also pray with small periodicals that nourish my prayer–such as Living Faith, Living with Christ, and Give Us This Day. In addition, I always have several books by my reading/prayer chair. Often I come across little kernels of nourishment, a sentence or two, that comfort, challenge, puzzle, or inspire me. I will share fifteen of these little recent kernels with you today.
1. “O Lord…incline your ear to me” (Ps. 71:2) When I prayed these words I thought: Sometimes my prayer begins with a loud “PSST!” directed toward God!
2. “As Christians, we are NOT free to not care about others.” Rev. Miranda Hassett, St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church, online somewhere.
3. I do not think we are ever without fear…. It is being able to endure the fear and still know that God is with us in our fears…. Perhaps that’s really what faith is–to be able to believe though we are afraid.” Theresa Kane, Sister of Mercy, from Give Us This Day, August 22, 2025, p. 232.
4. “Because of Ruth’s kindness, she changed from a foreigner to an ancestor of David, Israel’s first dynastic King.” Patricia Livingston, Living Faith, August 23, 2025. I thought: with my family history, I am VERY close to being a foreigner in this country. Only my parents stand between me and my four “foreigner grandparents” who immigrated from Bohemia. Maybe that’s one reason I care so much about immigration.
5. “In God’s perspective, if you have more grain than you need, the issue is not how to store it, but how to share it.” Fr. George Smiga, from Living with Christ, August 2025, p. 16. I thought, “It’s time to clean out your closest again, Melannie, and donate some of ‘your’ good clothes to someone who needs them.”
6. I am a Christian,” I concluded, “because the story of Jesus is still the story I’m willing to risk being wrong about.” Rachel Held Evans, Inspired, p. 164.
7. “There is no way to God apart from real life in the real world.” Barbara Brown Taylor.
8. “To paraphrase the moral theologian James F. Keenan, SJ, who said this about compassion, being a good friend is ‘entering into the chaos of another person’s life.’ And even if it’s just one person, it will make all the difference. For both of you.” James Martin, SJ, Give Us This Day.
9. “The truth is that I’m a mystery, even to myself. It’s like trying to solve an equation with too many unknowns. And if I can’t solve my own equation, who am I to think I can solve someone else’s? When I get judgy, I’m trying to train myself to stop and think of one word: “Unknowns.” Then I look for something in the person to appreciate. That’s ground-level grace, and it’s a better way.” Susan Pitchford, Give Us This Day, June 2025.
10. “The roadmap Mary provides us at the wedding feast of Cana is simple and profound: “Do whatever he tells you” (John 2:5). This is the roadmap that will lead us to heaven.” Bishop Frank J. Caggiano, Living with Christ, August, 2025, p. 19.
11. “I also like the concept expressed by the Bengali poet, Tagore. He says: ‘Faith is the bird that feels the light and sings while the dawn is still dark.'” Fr. James McKarns, Living Faith, August 10, 2025.
12. “The Lord will help them on their bed of pain; in their sickness, you tend even to the bedding” (Ps. 41:4). The image of God fluffing my pillows when I am sick in bed is very comforting for me.
13. “The woman at the well provided the ‘come and see”; Jesus did the heavy lifting and the loving.” Melanie Rigney, Living with Christ, August 2025, p. 22.
14. On grieving: One reason ancient people rent their clothes and covered their heads with ashes: “They knew that keeping it together is overrated.” Jan Richardson, The Cure for Sorrow: A Book of Blessings for Times of Grief.
15. And sometimes you find the perfect little one-sentence prayer that expresses exactly what you want to ask of God: “May God make us firm in faith, constant in hope, steadfast in love, through the power of Christ living in us. Amen.” Give Us This Day, August 2025, p. 301.
For reflection:
Are there any kernels here that caught your attention today? Feel free to share which one(s) with us below. You don’t have to say why it caught your attention if you don’t want to.
From your own reading or listening lately, did you find another kernel that nourished you? If so, would you like to share it with us below?
Did any of today’s photos catch your eye–or heart?
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PS: Our annual Chicken Barbecue & Boutique will be held on Sunday Sept. 28 from noon – 5:00 on our NDCL campus. Go to our website (sndusa.org) and click on the Chardon region. Then click on events to get all the details. Dinners ($18 each) can be ordered online or purchased on Sunday. Each dinner includes 1/2 chicken, coleslaw, potato chips, roll, and a slice of apple pie. I will be there at the Book Nook in the cafeteria with my books from noon until 3:00. Stop by and say hello!
We Sisters here have learned a new song recently. Most of us seem to like it. It’s called “We Tend the Ground” by Curtis Stephan. It’s inspired by Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si which focuses on caring for our environment. Many times a song can be a kernel of spiritual nourishment too!
(Disclaimer: I am recommending only the video I have posted here. I have no control over the videos that appear after the video I chose. Some are fine, but others I am NOT recomending. Please use your discretion.)
I invite you to leave a comment below–on the 15 “kernels,” the photos, or the song…
32 Responses
#6 nearly knocked me over. Rachel Held Evans (God rest her soul) spoke what I have been trying to understand about myself whenever I doubt the existence of God. “O Lord, I believe; help my unbelief.” — Mark 9:24
Here’s my favorite from her posthumously published Wholehearted Faith (with Jeff Chu) “Prayer, even a momentary one that lasts no longer than a flutter of a butterfly’s wings, nudges us just a little closer to God and pushes us just a little bit further from what’s unholy. Prayer is a way that God holds space for the things that weigh us down. It is a sacred space in which God invites us just to be — to be imperfect, to be messy, to be a ball of conflicting emotions, to be all of who we are this side of heaven.”
“Prayer, even a momentary one that lasts no longer than a flutter of a butterfly’s wings, nudges us just a little closer to God and pushes us just a little bit further from what’s unholy.”
Reflecting on prayer as nudging us a little closer to God and a just a little further from what’s unnholy is powerful.
Thank you for sharing the quote.
I agree with you completely. Rachel Held Evans was always able to express the many challenges of maintaining and growing our faith.
Sr. Melanie – I so enjoyed your “kernels of spiritual nourishment”. “
11 – so very, very tender. I have add to my list of spiritual wisdom.
Thank you for your Monday morning gifts.
I have a friend who is grieving the death of her daughter from a drug overdose. #14 is so, so true and will help me continue to support her when she shares her broken heart with me. Thanks, Melannie
The Lord will help them on their bed of pain; in their sickness, you tend even to the bedding” (Ps. 41:4). I have been sick all weekend. Feeling better but this phrase helped.
“Prayer, even a momentary one that lasts no longer than a flutter of a butterfly’s wings, nudges us just a little closer to God and pushes us just a little bit further from what’s unholy.”
Reflecting on prayer as nudging us a little closer to God and a just a little further from what’s unnholy is powerful.
Thank you for sharing the quote.
Good morning! Number 14 also touched me: today is the 6 month anniversary of my husband’s death. My prayers today for all who are grieving.
Good morning, Sr. Melannie…
Good morning, all…
The Tagore quote is beautiful. I have read quotes from Rachel Held Evans, but now I must read one of her books! All these quotes serve as spiritual dopamine hits to the soul!
Here’s one of my favorites from Michael Casey’s The Longest Psalm: “A person fully alive is also creative. The book of Genesis tells us that we were made in the image of a creating God; we are most like God when we are creative. When we draw forth from our interior resources something that is new and beneficial, we are, as it were, continuing the work of creation, doing our part in bringing the universe to that completion which was envisaged at the beginning.”
I love, “Do whatever he tells you.” It’s so simple, yet so clear. And it helps me to be in constant communication with Jesus. I love that Mary said this.
I have saved so many “kernels” from your writing. Thank you for sharing some of your favorites.
Taking short break between activities during the day for few breaths and short prayer.
Some of you may know the name for this practice.
mine is “Dear God… renew my faith in you.” For me it’s about trust.
Inspired by my spiritual director.
The hymn struck a chord (no pun intended). I love to garden and this year, for a few reasons, I was unable to do that. I love to be part of God’s earth and to tend the earth in as many ways as I can. Thanks for sharing, and enjoy the chicken dinner. How I wish I could be there to celebrate. My sainted sister and her family lived in Chardon and whenever I could travel to Ohio, I attended with them. God bless you all and enjoy this special time.
I love 12 and 14, and the image of God changing my linens and fluffing my pillows is so appropriate when we are sick.
Thank you for sharing all of them.
If I could get a ride there, I’d love to join you September 28th. I don’t have a car, but would love to visit my Aunt Sister Thelma’s grave and check out your books. I live in Parma.
Once again, Sr. Melannie, you touched my heart with your “kernels” and especially the song. Thanks so much for sharing. I am always grateful to you and for you. Blessings…
Lovely blog to ponder often. Than you.
“ I am never as unalone as when I am alone”, Michelangelo.
That is my favorite nugget and the realization that it is why I am like he, I need
Beiing one on one with God, often in 24 hours , to find my center, true self.
Marilyn Woidat
Love that quote, Marilyn! Thank you!
In a daily prayer to the Holy Spirit: “Let my smile be your radiance. Let my words be your kindness. May my actions reflect your goodness”. It makes me smile every day. Living Faith, July/August/September, 2025, Morning Prayers, pg. 96
I love this! Thanks for sharing
In God’s perspective, if you have more grain than you need, the issue is not how to store it, but how to share it.”
Just the nudge I needed to get cracking to donate my excess. The Lord has been trying to inspire me multiple times this past month. It’s time to take action
I don’t usually pay much attention to Father James Martin as I find his messages ambivalent at times, and I believe scripture is quite clear about human sexuality. However, I thought #8 very thought provoking and true. Excellent Monday morning “Sunflower Seeds” topic. Thanks Sister!
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins. Save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls to heaven, especially those who most need thy mercy.
Thank you Sr Melannie.
I keep a journal of such quotes, and a couple of them are from you!
So do I 😊
Here’s the most recent one I added from the poem The Greatest Sin:
“The greatest sin is to make God unattractive.” — Melannie Svoboda, When the Blue Heron Flies (book of poems with meditations)
My thoughts: Live a life that makes others say, ‘I want to know that God!’
She blesses us in so many ways!
SISTER MELANNIE,
There is enough food here to last me all year, and then some. Great menu of spiritual kernals! Thank you for your work in garnering this!
Number 9 was a real conviction for me. I need to memorize that one and keep it close.
Thank you for all these great, thought-provoking little kernals or wisdom.
#3 was relevant for me to remember that Jesus walks beside me or carries me through my trials & tribulations is often my rock during difficult ties when I think I’m alone.
#9 spoke to me to be cognizant that the only true judge of a person’s character, lifestyle, choices, etc….is God & no e of my business as well as not being in my “wheelhouse”.
Thank for these prayerful meditations.
#7 “There is no way to God apart from real life in the real world” ~ seeking God in everyday life and serving him in others. Thank you, Sr. Melannie, for these gems.
My uncle is an Oblate of St. Francis de Sales (God rest the soul of Father Leon Peter Levand O.S.F.S.) Here is a quote from St. Francis de Sales:
“The same everlasting Father who cares for you today will care for you tomorrow and every day. Either he will shield you from suffering or give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace then and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginings.”
Thank you Sr. Melannie for all the kernels of inspiration this week. With the canonization of Carlo Acutis this past Sunday, I came across this gem: “If we get in front of the sun, we get sun tans, but if we get in front of Jesus in Eucharist, we become saints.” It amazes me that someone so young possesses so much wisdom. My prayer is that as I age I may gain just a kernel of that wisdom and holiness.
Sr Melannie, every one of these little nuggets of truth touched me each in their own particular way! Thank you again! Regarding Susan Pitchford’s quote in #9– I might have to have “unknowns” tattooed on the palm of my hand to look at every time I greet someone. I will share one of my favorite quotes from my ever-expanding list of “one-liners for the soul” (so hard to choose just one!)
“God comes to us disguised as our life” – Paula D’Arcy