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Sunday, February 22, 2026

Week 2: Finding Peace

Psalm 46: “Be Still, and Know That I Am God"

Read this slowly:

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Therefore, we will not fear though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea. Though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. Selah

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.

God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her right early. The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

Come, behold the works of the LORD, how he has wrought desolations in the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear, he burns the chariots with fire! "Be still and know that I am God. I am exalted among the nations; I am exalted in the earth!" The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

REFLECT (Reread it): • "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." Not distant. Not absent. Present. • The imagery is chaotic: earth changing, mountains shaking, waters roaring. Life can feel like that. • But then: "Be still and know that I am God." In the chaos, there's an invitation to stillness. • You don't have to create the stillness yourself. It's a gift God offers.

RESPOND (Talk to God): What feels chaotic in your life right now? What mountains are shaking? Talk to God about the turmoil. Then ask Him to help you be still, even for just a few minutes.

REST: Repeat quietly to yourself: "Be still and know that I am God." Let your breathing slow. You don't have to fix anything right now. Just be still. "The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth." - Psalm 145:18

Monday, February 16, 2026

Week 1 - Taking the First Step Psalm 63

REFLECT (Reread it):

• The psalmist starts with seeking: "O God, I seek you." That's where prayer begins—with the decision to look for God.

• Notice the physical language: thirsts, faints, flesh. Seeking God isn't just intellectual—it's a deep human need.

• "My soul thirsts for you, as in a dry and weary land where no water is." Have you ever felt spiritually dry? Empty? Searching? • The psalmist remembers past help: "You have been my help." Even if you're starting, you might look back and see moments when you felt held or guided.

RESPOND (Talk to God): If you're beginning to pray, tell God that. Say, "I'm not sure how to do this" or "I'm here, trying." Tell Him what brought you to this moment. What are you seeking? What do you hope to find?

REST: Close your eyes. Imagine being in a dry land and finding water. Let yourself be thirsty for something real, something true. Rest in the idea that seeking itself is prayer.

It's Here: Just In Time For Lent - Your Free 6-Week Prayer Guide - Praying the Psalms

Praying with the Psalms: A 6-Week Introduction to Lectio Divina is now available as a completely free download. If you've ever been curious about prayer but didn't know where to start, this guide is for you.

What You'll Receive: Inside this guide, you'll find everything you need to begin a meaningful prayer practice:

A complete introduction to Lectio Divina, an ancient form of meditative prayer. Six carefully selected Psalms, chosen specifically for those new to contemplative prayer. Clear, step-by-step instructions for each week's practice. Thoughtful reflection questions to deepen your experience. Historical and scriptural context that brings these ancient prayers to life. No assumptions about your background or familiarity with Catholic spirituality.

Who This Guide Serves: This resource is designed for real people in real situations: Those who've never prayed before and want a gentle introduction Anyone exploring the Catholic faith and curious about its prayer traditions Spiritual seekers who feel drawn to something deeper but aren't sure where to begin People of faith who want to move beyond rote prayer into genuine encounter The approach is simple, accessible, and welcoming. No jargon. No assumptions. Just an invitation to experience the transformative power of praying with Scripture.

Available Now in the Saintly Journeys Formation Center.

Come and see what happens when you give God six weeks.

I will be posting my reflections, and I hope you all do the same.

Today's Reading from the Holy Gospel Matt. 25:31-46

Jesus said to his disciples: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’ Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’ Then they will answer and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?’ He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.’ And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” “The Gospel of the Lord.”

Peace Be With You!

I'm Randy—husband, stepfather, Eucharistic Minister, Cursillista, and a Catholic layman who said 'yes' to God's call to evangelize online. My journey toward online evangelization began during Cursillo #109 in the Orlando Diocese. It was during my Cursillo weekend that I encountered the scripture theme: "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" In that powerful moment of grace, my response echoed Isaiah's: "Here am I. Send me!" (Isaiah 6:8) In the days that followed, I found myself in prayer, asking the Holy Spirit how to put into action all that I had discovered. It was then that the vision for Saintly Journeys took shape—not as something I had planned, but as a ministry the Lord was calling me to embrace. I'm not a priest, theologian, or Bible scholar—I'm a layperson living out the call to evangelize, probably a lot like you: balancing faith and family, wrestling with questions, discovering God meets us where we are. My role isn't to stand above you with answers, but to walk alongside you as a fellow member of the laity, both of us sharing in Christ's mission in our own unique ways. As I often say, God doesn't call the qualified; He qualifies the called. My mission is to evangelize from the screen to the altar, mending the nets in the digital vineyard.