Acts 22:3-16 (or Acts 9:1-22), Psalm 117:1-2, and Mark 16:15-18. Continue »

[Jesus] entered the synagogue, and a man was there who had a withered hand. They watched him to see if he would cure him on the sabbath, so that they might accuse him. Continue »

"Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love." (1 John 4:7-8) Continue »

The purpose of Jesus' parable is clearly stated in the first sentence of this passage: the need to pray always. No matter how grim our circumstances, we should never give up praying. Continue »

When I was a little girl, the only time I remember hearing the twenty-third psalm was at the funeral of someone I loved. Consequently, it was not my favorite psalm. I was unable to understand that people were comforted by its beautiful words. But a nighttime experience and God’s grace have changed my perception.

In 1577, Teresa wrote one of her major works, The Interior Castle. Composed near the end of her life, this book represents the culmination of Teresa's spiritual experience. Teresa attempted to explain the beauty of the inner life of the soul, the stages in a life of prayer, and the characteristic joys and trials of each stage. Continue »

What do you suppose would happen if someone were to mention the title of your favorite song? Wouldn’t you, almost unconsciously, begin hearing the tune in your mind? Maybe you’d even start tapping your toes to the rhythm and humming along with the music. Continue »

We have seen from the long tradition of lectio divina that there are many ways in which we can practice it. As long as we keep in mind the essence of the tradition, we can adapt various methods to our own needs for the prayerful reading of Scripture. Continue »

The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: “Come, go down to the potter’s house, and there I will let you hear my words.” So I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was working at his wheel. The vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as seemed good to him. Then the word of the Lord came to me: Can I not do with you, O house of Israel, just as this potter has done? says the Lord. Just like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel. (Jeremiah 18:1-6) Continue »

The person who thirsts for God eagerly studies and meditates on the inspired word, knowing that there he is certain to find the one for whom he thirsts 
(St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Commentary on the Song of Songs, 
Sermon 23:3). Continue »