Prayer & Lectio Divina
Very often my prayer begins in Scripture or is nourished by it. As St. Ambrose observed, we speak to the Lord when we pray, and we listen to him when we read his word. Here you’ll find posts about lectio divina (the practice of pondering Scripture until it becomes prayer) and other forms of prayer, both how and why to use them. Explore the posts below (pictured with the most recent first) or start with one of the ones listed here:
- Read the Bible Like a Disciple
- Flourishing in Drought (a 4-part series on lectio divina)
- God Hears Our Prayers
- Why Pray, if it Doesn’t Always “Work”?
Every Friday during Lent, I will provide a brief guide for reflecting on one of the seven penitential psalms. For centuries, these have been a powerful source of prayer and reflection during Lent. Together they invite us to recognize our sin, express our sorrow to God and ask his forgiveness, and experience the healing touch of his merciful love. Suggestions ...
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You’ve heard the old saying - you can take a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink! Well, it’s the same with us and the Word: you can hear Scripture read at mass, and go to Bible studies, and even read the Bible every day -- but if you just let it wash over you instead of plunging ...
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Lent is right around the corner, and this year I want to do more than simply give up wine or sweets or facebook. Something Pope Francis said in his recent message for Lent struck me in a new way: "... wherever we go, we are called as Christians to proclaim the liberating news that forgiveness for sins committed is possible, ...
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In my previous post, we saw that while God’s Word gives life and is powerful, it is not a magic wand. Our cooperation and “good soil” in our hearts are crucial for fruit and strength. How do we cultivate the right conditions for growth? We can learn a lot from the wisdom of James, who explains how to receive the ...
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My last post looked at the “secret of the tree” that flourishes even in drought because it is planted by the living waters of the Word. In the parable of the sower, Jesus paints another picture to help us understand not just the power of the Word, but the conditions that are needed for it to grow in our lives ...
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Drive through the desert of Israel and there’s nothing but sand and rock for miles – until suddenly, you’ll see an oasis. Wherever there’s water, particularly “living” water that flows up from an underground source, trees take root and flourish in defiance of the landscape. No wonder both Jeremiah and the Psalmist use the image of a tree planted by ...
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In the mid-60s, my parents packed up their small family and moved us to Hong Kong, where my Dad helped to start a missions hospital. Refugees had flooded into Hong Kong after the civil war in mainland China and the needs were great. At five years old I knew little of refugees or hospitals. But I remember glimpsing alleys full ...
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Each year as Thanksgiving approaches and I start to review all my blessings, I stumble on this from St. Paul: "In everything give thanks." (1 Thess. 5:18). Everything? You've got to be kidding me. When things go wrong, I'm supposed to give thanks? When my husband is laid off and no jobs are in sight? When the mortgage is underwater? ...
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