|
|
|
Prayerful Morsels
Tidbits of Inspiration & Information
February 6, 2009 |
Morsels From the Editor
Welcome to another issue of Prayerful Morsels. This issue continues with its second part of a series on Lectio Divina. And here are some interesting tidbits of information:
Lent is coming up. Have you started preparing yet? Check out this blog on Catholic Spiritual Direction. Fr. John Bartunek gives us some food for thought.
FYI - Tannia E. Ortiz-Lopes interviewed me and it is now on her website - Time with Tannia.
Magnificat - Magnificat is a Ministry to Catholic Women. I am scheduled to speak at a Magnificat on March 28, 2009, in Bonita Springs, Florida. Advanced registration required. Contact me for more information.
If you have any suggestions for this column or other articles, please write a Letter to the Editor. |
Prayerful Quote
The journey into the inner self is not just the important one, it is the only one. We need to listen to the sound beyond the silence.
- W.B. Yeats (1865-1939) | |
|
Personal Pondering
I am having a hard time writing this column. Just seems like I have writer's block. Nothing is coming to mind. So I am stressing out! I have a deadline here. I often forget that it is a self-imposed deadline.
I want to write about something that is inspiring or interesting and nothing is coming. Let's face it. Sometimes we just cannot make things turn out the way we want them to.
Then I come across this quote:
Fix your eyes on Jesus alone; and you will find more than you ask and desire. - St. John of the Cross
It happens all the time. I will be looking for quotes to use in my blog or to put here in Prayerful Morsels and suddenly one seems to appear out of nowhere. And it will be just what I need to hear.
It is so easy for me to get distracted lately. I have way too much on my plate. Being reminded that I need to fix my eyes on Jesus alone is just what I needed to read right now. Why do I keep needing these reminders? Haven't I written about this before?
Our spiritual journey is not always on a straight road. Our path often curves and becomes a bit crooked! But be not afraid!!God makes crooked paths straight! ( Isaiah 42:16)It is time yet again for me to turn it all over to God. To let go of my To Do list and center on Jesus. It is time to remember - yet again - I am not the master of the universe. |
|
Lectio Divina, Part 2
The first step of Lectio Divina is Reading (lectio). Be sure to sit in a quiet place. Silence is important for Lectio Divina. Choose a text from scripture. It can be the day's readings or any scripture you feel drawn to read. Read through it quietly but listen while you read. If a phrase or verse catches your attention, you may want to stay with it and read it over and over. You can then move on if you wish. Or you may want to stay right where you are. Elizabeth Canham in Heart Whispers calls it "loitering with intent." Remember that prayer is God's work and pay attention to God's urgings.
The next step is then Meditation (meditatio). Memorize and repeat the text that caught your attention in the first step. Ponder it in your heart for a while. Some people refer to this as "chewing or ruminating on it." Allow thoughts and ideas to come into your mind and let them interact with the scripture. Meditate on what it all means to you.
If you wish, go ahead and try these first 2 steps for the next two weeks. In the next issue, I will discuss the last 2 steps of Lectio Divina.
Resources: Too Deep for Words: Rediscovering Lectio Divina, by Thelma Hall, RC. (Paulist Press, 1988); The Heart Whispers, Benedictine Wisdom for Today, by Elizabeth J. Canham; (Upper Room Books, 1999) and the Contemplative Outreach website and Accepting the Embrace of God, The Ancient Art of Lectio Divina, by Fr. Luke Dysinger, OSB (public domain) at the website here. |
A Gratitude Journal
I am grateful and blessed for the opportunity to read and share the story of the Third Floor Window. This book really has touched me, and I'm grateful that Colleen has shared this with everyone - myself included. THANK YOU! (a subscriber)
What are you grateful for today??? Is there something that you would like to thank God for and would like to share? Write to the Editor and put in the subject line - Gratitude. | |
 Colleen's memoir about surviving child sexual abuse, The Third Floor Window, A True Story of Secrets, Survival and Hope, is now on sale at:
Booklocker.com.
For more info, see book website: The Third Floor Window. |
Want to read more of Colleen's reflections?
Go check out her blog, Thoughts on Grace, is HERE.
AND if you enjoy reading this ezine or find it helpful to your prayer life, please forward it to someone you think might find it interesting!! Click on link below (down below at the bottom of this newsletter) that says Forward to a friend. | |
| Prayerful Morsels
Copyright 2009 Colleen Spiro - All Rights Reserved |
|
|
|
|
|
