The Rev. Mary Earle's ministry focuses on spiritual direction, contemplative prayer, and interfaith dialogue. She teaches classes in spiritual formation at the Episcopal Theological Seminary in Austin, where she is a member of the associated faculty. We have been impressed with the pioneering work she has done with spiritual practices for times of illness and included readings from her books in our e-course Practicing Spirituality during Illness. Earle, who has suffered for years from chronic pancreatitis, has experienced a chronic illness as a condition filled with grace as well as pain.
We're happy to see that a new sister site of Spirituality & Practice, ExploreFaith.org, is showcasing Earle's work this month. Earle has released a 2-CD audio program titled Days of Grace: Meditations and Practices for Living with Illness which contains 30 meditations inspired by the Psalms followed by spiritual practices. They are accompanied by music arranged and performed by Ben Bowen King. ExploreFaith's "Days of Grace" program will present the meditations over the course of a month. The first days are already available. Once the whole program has appeared on ExploreFaith, you'll also be able to download the entire program in a three-part podcast.
Earle notes that these meditations are suitable for anyone whose illness is chronic, progressive or terminal. Caregivers will also find this material edifying and helpful. It speaks directly to the stresses, pains, and discomforts of the body, the limitations that come with illness, and the encounter with mortality which is always disconcerting. Just a few of the meditation titles will give you an idea of the depth and breadth of this material: You Will Show Me, You Will Have Pity on Me, You Behold Trouble and Misery, I Cry Out to You, I Will Bless the Lord, That I May Know How Short My Life Is, A Deadly Thing, and With Heaviness of Heart.
In these meditations and practices, Earle offers insights into the presence of God in our suffering, the need for patience in all illnesses, the lifeline of dependence on others, the value of intercessory prayer, how to acknowledge grace moments, and the value of realizing that our lives are singular, sacred, and true even in the midst of the vulnerabilities and limitations that accompany illness.
• Visit our sister site ExploreFaith.org to see Mary Earle's Days of Grace: Meditations and Practices for LIving with Illness
• Read our review of Beginning Again: Benedictine Wisdom for Living with Illness by Mary Earle
• Read our review of Broken Body, Healing Spirit: Lectio Divina and Living with Illness by Mary Earle
