The Invitation Going Forward

The past 6 weeks, for those who have followed Praying with The Psalms, have been an invitation to Come & See (John 1:39). 

 You came. You saw. You tried prayer. You brought your questions. You showed up. 

 Now the invitation is: 

Keep coming home. Not perfectly. Not without questions. Not without struggle. 

But keep entering those gates with thanksgiving. Keep recognizing you're the sheep and God is the shepherd. Keep trusting that His merciful love endures forever. 

Keep coming home to the God who's been waiting for you all along. 

Now What? 

Option 1: Keep Praying the Psalms.  There are 150 psalms. You've only scratched the surface. Pick another psalm and use the same Lectio Divina method. 

Option 2: Pray the Gospels.  Try applying Lectio Divina to the stories of Jesus. Start with the Gospel of Mark—it's short and vivid. 

Option 3: Explore the Liturgy of the Hours.  The Catholic Church prays the Psalms daily through the Liturgy of the Hours. Apps like iBreviary or Laudate make it accessible.

Option 4: Find Community Prayer can start alone, but it grows best in community. 

Consider: 

 • Visiting a local Catholic parish 

 • Attending an OCIA inquiry session (no commitment required) 

 • Joining an online Bible study or prayer group, like this one at Saintly Journeys. 

 • Finding a Spiritual Director 

 The Most Important Thing:  Don't stop praying. It doesn't have to be every day. It doesn't have to be perfect. But keep showing up. Keep seeking. Keep listening. 

Prayer is a relationship, and relationships require presence.  

"O taste and see that the LORD is good! Happy is the man who takes refuge in him!" — Psalm 34:8 

It has been an absolute blessing sharing the Psalms with you all and Meeting You Where You Are!

Week 6: Finding Gratitude

 Psalm 100 - “We Are His People, the Sheep of His Pasture" 

 Read this slowly: 

Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the lands! Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the LORD is God! It is he that made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him, bless his name! For the LORD is good; his merciful love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.

REFLECT (Reread it): 

 • This is a psalm of pure joy and gratitude. Even if you're beginning to pray, there are things to be grateful for. 

 • What does “make a joyful noise" mean to you? Does joy in prayer feel natural or awkward? 

 • “It is he that made us, and we are his." How does it feel to hear that you belong to God? Comforting? Strange? Hard to believe? 

 • “Enter his gates with thanksgiving." What are you genuinely grateful for right now—even in the midst of struggle?

 • This psalm was sung by people entering the Temple—coming home to worship. Where is "home" for you spiritually? Have you found it yet, or are you still searching?

RESPOND (Talk to God):

If you're feeling grateful: Tell God specifically what you're thankful for. Make a list—out loud or in your heart. Your health, family, and home. A friend who showed up when you needed them. The fact that you're here, praying, seeking. 

If you're struggling to feel grateful: That's okay. Be honest: “God, this psalm is about joy, but I don't feel joyful right now." “I want to be thankful; God can handle your honesty. Bring what you have, even if it's not overflowing gratitude. But I'm struggling. Help me see what's good." 

 If you're feeling like you don't belong: Tell Him: “The sheep imagery is nice, but I don't feel part of the flock." God meets you in that honesty, too.

Now, simply rest. 

 You don't need more words. You don't need to produce insights or feelings. Just sit in reality: 

 • You were made by God 

 • You belong to God 

 • God's merciful love endures forever 

 • God is faithful 

 Repeat quietly in your heart (or out loud): 

 "The LORD is good." 

 "His merciful love endures forever." 

 "I am his."

A Prayer for Week 6

Lord, After six weeks of seeking, questioning, listening, and learning, I come to this final psalm with whatever gratitude I can muster. 

Some days, thanksgiving flows easily. Other days, I have to search for it. 

 Help me to know—really know—that I belong. That I'm not an accident. That You made me, and I'm Yours. 

 Thank You for meeting me in these ancient words. 

Thank You for being patient with my questions. Thank You for Your merciful love that endures even when my faith wavers. 

 Teach me to make a joyful noise—imperfect, unrehearsed, but genuine. 

 Teach me to enter Your gates with thanksgiving, recognizing that gratitude is the path home. 

 And most of all, help me remember: I'm Your sheep, and You're my shepherd. 

 I don't have to find the way on my own. I just have to follow Your voice. 

 Thank You for these six weeks. Thank You for this journey. 

Thank You for meeting me here. 

 Amen

A Conversation with God: Discovering Lectio Divina

 

Have you ever wished you could have a real conversation with God? Not just talking at Him during prayers you've memorized, but actually listening and encountering Him personally?

That's exactly what Lectio Divina offers.

What Is Lectio Divina?

Lectio Divina (pronounced LEX-ee-oh dih-VEE-nah) is Latin for "divine reading" or "sacred reading." It's an ancient Christian practice of praying with Scripture that goes back to the early centuries of the Church. Think of it as a slow, contemplative way of reading the Bible where you're not trying to study it or analyze it—you're opening yourself to meet the God who speaks through it.

Saint Benedict made this prayer practice central to monastic life in the 6th century, but here's the beautiful truth: Lectio Divina isn't just for monks. It's for every Christian who wants to deepen their relationship with God through His living Word.

Why Does This Matter?

We live in a world of information overload. We're used to skimming articles, scrolling through social media, and consuming content at lightning speed. But God doesn't shout over the noise. He whispers. He waits. He invites.

Lectio Divina teaches us to slow down, to read with our hearts and not just our minds, and to give God space to speak into our lives. As the prophet Elijah discovered, God often comes not in the earthquake or the fire, but in the "still small voice" (1 Kings 19:12).

When we practice Lectio Divina, we're essentially accepting God's invitation: "Come and see" (John 1:39).

The Four Movements of Lectio Divina

Lectio Divina isn't complicated. It follows a natural rhythm with four movements:

1. Lectio (Reading)
Read the Scripture passage slowly, perhaps even aloud. Don't rush. Let the words wash over you. You're not reading for information—you're listening for God's voice. What word, phrase, or image stands out to you?

2. Meditatio (Meditation)
Sit with the word or phrase that caught your attention. Turn it over in your mind like a precious stone, examining it from different angles. What is God saying to you through these words? How does this connect to your life right now?

3. Oratio (Prayer)
Respond to God. Talk to Him about what you've heard. This is the heart of the conversation. Share your joy, your struggles, your questions, your gratitude. Be honest. Be real. God can handle it all.

4. Contemplatio (Contemplation)
Rest in God's presence. This is where words fade and you simply abide with Him. You're not trying to think or do anything—just be. Let God love you. Receive whatever He wants to give you in this moment of silence.

An Ancient Practice for Modern Life

The early Church Fathers saw Scripture as more than words on a page. Saint Jerome wrote, "Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ." When we practice Lectio Divina, we're not just learning about Jesus—we're encountering Him.

This ancient prayer practice has guided Christians for nearly 2,000 years, and it's perhaps more needed today than ever. In our fragmented, distracted age, Lectio Divina offers us a way to be present, to listen, and to meet the God who is always speaking, always inviting us deeper.

Your Invitation

God is speaking to you through His Word. He has something to say to you today—yes, you specifically. Something that addresses your joys, your struggles, your questions, your deepest longings.

The invitation is simple: Come and see.

Are you ready to begin the conversation?

Want to Pray But Don't Know Where to Start?

Have you ever wanted to pray but didn't know where to start?

Maybe you've tried praying before but felt like you were doing it "wrong." Or you're genuinely curious about faith but don't know how to take that first step. Or perhaps you grew up praying but somehow stopped along the way, and now it feels awkward—even a little embarrassing—to start again.

I get it. Prayer can feel intimidating.

For years, I knew about prayer. I'd heard of various prayer practices, including something called Lectio Divina, which kept coming up in Catholic circles. But honestly? I had no real idea what it actually was or how to do it. It sounded mysterious, maybe even a little complicated—like something for monks or "serious" Catholics, not regular people like me.

Then came January 2021. My wife and I spent a couple of months in Florida during the winter—kind of testing out what would become our new home. I came across an online Lenten retreat offered by the Diocese of St. Petersburg: "Praying Scripture for a Change: An Introduction to Lectio Divina."

That retreat changed everything for me. This ancient prayer practice—one that seemed so mysterious before—suddenly made complete sense. It wasn't complicated at all. It was just a beautiful, simple way to let Scripture speak directly to your heart.

Over the next couple of weeks, I want to share this practice with you. Whether you're a complete beginner to prayer or someone who's been at it for years but feels stuck, I think you'll find something life-giving here.

Let me show you how to start. 

Follow and stay tuned more to come.

#Prayer #Spirituality #Faith #CatholicFaith #Seeking

The Gift of Love Made Flesh

 

Last night at the Christmas Vigil at St. Vincent de Paul in Wildwood, our priest reminded us of something beautiful and challenging: we need to empty our hearts and invite Jesus in. We need to let go of the things that are burdening us to make room for Him.

On this holy Christmas morning, we celebrate the most profound truth of our faith: God loved us so much that He became one of us.

In that humble stable in Bethlehem, wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger, infinite Love took on human flesh. The Creator of the universe made Himself vulnerable, small, dependent—all for love of you and me.

Jesus didn't arrive in royal splendor or overwhelming power. He came as a baby, inviting us to draw near without fear. This is the heart of Christmas: God's love isn't distant or abstract. It's intimate, tender, and personal.

But here's the beautiful paradox: just as Mary and Joseph found no room in the inn, we sometimes fill our hearts so full of worries, regrets, and burdens that there's no room for the Christ Child. Jesus knocks gently at the door of our hearts, but He won't force His way in. He waits for us to clear the clutter, to release what weighs us down, to make space for His love.

Today, as we gaze upon the Christ Child, we see Love gazing back at us. Every cry from that manger whispers, "I came for you." Every breath He takes proclaims, "You are worth dying for." The Son of God left heaven's glory because He wanted to be with us—to share our joys, our struggles, our very humanity.

This Christmas, let's receive the gift He offers: Himself. Jesus doesn't just love humanity in general—He loves you specifically, completely, eternally. He knows your name, your heart, your deepest longings.

What burdens are you carrying today? What worries, fears, or regrets need to be released? The infant Jesus stretches out His tiny hands to receive them all. Empty your heart and invite Him in.

As the angels sang "Glory to God in the highest," they announced peace to those whom God loves. That's us. That's you.

This Christmas Day, may you feel the warmth of God's love surrounding you like those swaddling clothes embraced the infant Jesus. May you know, deep in your soul, that you are God's beloved.

Merry Christmas! Emmanuel—God is with us!

Gratitude This Thanksgiving

 

        As we gather around tables laden with abundance this Thursday, Thanksgiving offers us a beautiful opportunity to pause and reflect on the deep wells of gratitude that flow through our Catholic faith. This uniquely American holiday resonates profoundly with the very heart of our spiritual tradition—the Eucharist itself, whose name means "thanksgiving."

The Eucharist: Our Ultimate Thanksgiving

Every time we participate in the Holy Mass, we engage in the ultimate act of thanksgiving. The Eucharist is not merely a ritual but our response to God's infinite love—a love made manifest in the Incarnation, Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. When we approach the altar to receive our Lord in Holy Communion, we echo the sentiment that should fill our hearts this Thanksgiving: profound gratitude for gifts we could never deserve or earn on our own.

Saint Paul reminds us, "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (1 Thessalonians 5:18). This isn't a call to be thankful only when life is easy, but to cultivate a spirit of gratitude that endures through both abundance and trial.

Counting Our Blessings

As Catholics, we're called to see our blessings through the lens of faith:

Family and Community: The domestic church of our families mirrors the unity of the Holy Trinity. Even imperfect and sometimes challenging, our families are schools of love where we learn to give of ourselves as Christ gave Himself for us.

Daily Bread: When we pray the Our Father, we ask for our "daily bread"—not luxury, not excess, but what we need for today. Thanksgiving reminds us that every meal, every provision, comes from the generous hand of our Father in heaven.

Trials and Growth: Our faith teaches us that even our crosses can be sources of thanksgiving when we unite them with Christ's suffering. The difficulties that have shaped us into who we are today—these too are gifts that have drawn us closer to God.

The Communion of Saints: We're never alone. We give thanks for the great cloud of witnesses who intercede for us, for the example of the saints who have gone before us, and for the universal Church that connects us across time and space.

Living the Eucharist Every Day

In a homily Pope Francis delivered in 2013, he reminded us that "a Eucharistic life is one of thanksgiving, not of complaining." How might we carry the spirit of Thanksgiving beyond this one day?

• Begin each morning with a prayer of gratitude, offering the day to God
• Practice the examen each evening, recognizing God's presence in the day's moments
• Say grace before meals with intention, not merely habit
• Keep a gratitude journal, noting three blessings each day
• Share your abundance generously with those in need

A Prayer for Thanksgiving

Gracious and loving Father, we come before You with hearts overflowing with thanksgiving. Thank You for the gift of faith, for the Church that guides us, for the sacraments that nourish us, and especially for Your Son, Jesus Christ, who gave everything for our salvation.

Bless the food we share, the families we gather with, and the memories we create. Please help us be mindful of those who suffer, are lonely, or lack the necessities of life. Make us instruments of Your generosity.

May the gratitude we feel on this day overflow into every day of our lives. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

An Invitation to Grateful Living

This Thanksgiving, as we give thanks for turkey and traditions, let's remember to give our deepest thanks for the greatest gift: God's love poured out for us in Christ Jesus. May our celebration be a foretaste of that heavenly banquet where we will give thanks and praise forever.

What are you most grateful for this Thanksgiving? How has your Catholic faith shaped your understanding of gratitude? I invite you to share your reflections in the comments below.

Happy Thanksgiving! May God bless you and yours abundantly.