Choose a Time and a Place. Make it a specific time dedicated only to prayer—a time when you are alert and clear. (Psalm 92:1-2) Make sure it’s a place where you are free from distraction and interruption. (Matthew 6:6) Continue »

Lectio: Light a candle or place some other symbol before you to focus your attention. As Moses removed his sandals because the place where he stood was holy ground, remove from your mind and heart whatever hinders you from receiving God’s word. Vocalize the words of the text so that you not only read with your eyes but hear with your ears. Exodus 3:1-8a, 13-15 Continue »

The prophet Ezekiel pictured Yahweh as a shepherd caring for Israel, his scattered flock: For thus says the Lord God: I myself will search for my sheep, and will seek them out. As shepherds seek out their flocks when they are among their scattered sheep, so I will seek out my sheep. . . . I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak. (Ezekiel 34:11-12, 16)

Lent is the ideal season for the practice of lectio divina. As the darkness of winter gives way to the light of spring, we spend forty days in the process of conversion, turning our hearts away from sin and toward the light of Christ. Continue »

The superscription tells us that David composed this psalm when he was at his very lowest point—when he had committed the horrible sin, not only of adultery with Bathsheba, but, worse, of sending her husband to his death—a sin that was brought home to him by the fearless prophet Nathan. If ever a man needed forgiveness, David did at that moment. The words of this psalm are used in Christian liturgies all over the world. Continue »

He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak" (Mark 7:37). . . . Continue »

Suddenly a light from heaven flashed about him. And he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" (Acts 9:3-4) Continue »

The Lord went to the house of Simon Peter and Andrew and found Peter’s mother-in-law sick with a fever. He took her by the hand and raised her, the fever left her, and she served them. Continue »

Every January, churches from many different traditions set aside a special week to pray for Christian unity. And every year, the Catholic Church uses the occasion to encourage all of its members to participate. Continue »

"This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased." (Matthew 3:17) Continue »