1

PilgrimsHEARTOF THE

Lenten PrayerWITH SR. JOYCE RUPP, OSM

SAMPLE

2

Introduction: PilgrimageshavebeenapartoftheChristianspiritualtraditionforcenturies.Aspilgrimsmadetheiroutergeographical journeytosomesacredplaceorshrinetofindGod’spresence,theyalsomadeaninnerjourneyoftransformation.Whentheyreturnedtotheiroriginalhome,theywerechangedforeverbytheirpilgrimagejourney. Soapilgrimageof theheart is anaptdescription forourLentenjourney.Eachday,throughourprayerandattentiontoGod’spresenceinourselvesandinour lives,wearegraduallytransformedintomoredevotedfollowersofChrist. “WearepilgrimsonaspiritualjourneyinwhichGodtravelswithus,indeed,pilgrimsonthewayhometoGod”writesSr.JoyceRupp,whosewritingswillbeourguideforthisLentenpilgrimageoftheheart.FormanyyearsSr.Joycehasofferedherdeepspiritualwisdominhun-dredsofpublications. Sheiswellknownforherworkasawriter,aspiritual“midwife,”andretreatandconferencespeaker.ShehasledretreatsthroughoutNorthAmerica,aswellasinEurope,Asia,Africa,AustraliaandNewZealand.Joycehas aB.A. inEnglish, aM.R.E. inReligiousEducation, and aM.A.inTranspersonalPsychology.SheisamemberoftheServites(Ser-vantsofMary)communityandavolunteerforHospice.ShecurrentlyresidesinDesMoines,Iowa.Youcanfindoutmoreaboutherandhermanypublicationsatwww.joycerupp.com.

SAMPLE

3

Ash Wednesday

I Want to Return “Return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning” (Joel 2:12).

I am always amazed at how many people come to AshWednes-dayservices.EachLentIwonderwhatbringsthemthere.Perhapsitisthecallto“return.”MaybeasenseofhopeiskindledinheartsbythepossibilityofcomingbacktoGodandtry-ingoncemoretostrengthenone’sfaith.Ithinkitmayalsobetherealizationthatthereisalwaysapartofone’sheart thathasnot yet been givenover toGod.Whenwelookwithin,weseethatthereisstillmorethatneedstobebroughthometotheHolyOne.Therearealwaysparts ofus thatweholdback and thatneed tobe re-joinedtoGod,inwhoseheartwetrulybelong. ThisfirstdayofLenttheScripturesreassureusthatGodisrichinfaithfulloveandwaitingtowelcomeushome.LetusenterthisChurchseason trusting thatGodwilldrawnearandhelpus inourdesire to“return.”

Jesus, today I will begin my journey of returning to you by…

Thursday after Ash Wednesday

Becoming Pilgrims of the Heart“The Lord our God be with us…may he not leave us or abandon us, but incline our hearts to him, to walk in all his ways” (1 Kings 8:57-58).

Tobeapilgrimistobewillingtolivewiththemysteryofwhatwillhappenbothinteriorlyandexteriorlyasonewalksdayafterdayafterdaytowardthedestinationofthesacredsite.Whathappensinsidecan-notbeplannedormappedoutinthesamewaythatthephysicalrouteismapped.Becomingapilgrimmeanstherearenomapsoftheheart.OnesimplyholdsontothehandoftheGreatPilgrimandtravelswithhopethatonedaythespiritualbenefitsoftheroadwillrevealthemselvesandbeunderstood. Inbeingapilgrim,thejourneyitselfisofprimeimportance.Itisaboutwhathappenstousontheway,whattakesplaceinourhearts.What really matters is how we give ourselves to each step along the

SAMPLE

4

way.Thesameistrueforourpilgrimagethroughlife.Itishowwelive,howwerespondtowhatlifebringsusthatcreatesthedifferenceinourspiritualjourney.Itisnotwaitinguntildeath,theendpoint,beforewebecomewhowearemeanttobe.Theprocessofbeingspirituallytrans-formedintoourtruestselveshappensallalongtheway.

Jesus, help me begin more consciously my journey into your presence.Today I will…

Friday after Ash Wednesday

Why Fast?“Why do we fast, but You do not see? Why humble ourselves, but You do not notice?” (Isaiah 58:3).

Fastingcanbeameansofsignificantspiritualgrowth,butsomuchdependsonwhywedoit. Whataresomegoodmotivationsforfasting?OneistorememberGod’s nearness. I get so busy that I lose my sense of God’s presencesometimes.WhenIamhungry,thereisan“aha”withinthatremindsme:“ListentoyourhungerforGod.”Othertimes,Iamtooself-orient-ed,soIfasttodeepenmyawarenessofmysistersandbrotherswholackadequate foodanddrink.AndsometimesI let fastingslowmedownwhenIamzoomingalongtooquickly.Withlessfood,Ieatslowlyandsavormorefully. IencourageyouthisLenttothinkaboutwhyyoufastandtocon-siderwhatyoumostneedforspiritualgrowth.Perhapseachtimeyoufast,itmaybeforaslightlydifferentreason.Whateveryoudo,letyourfastingdrawyoutotheheartofGod.

Jesus, I hunger for you—my spiritual food. Today I will…

Saturday after Ash Wednesday

Time to Go Deeper“Say to those who are of a fearful heart, ‘Be strong, do not fear!’”

(Isaiah 35:4).

Lentisasummonstogrowandachallengetochange.Itbeckonsone inward. It isamoveto interiority,apassage to thedeeperplaceswherewediscoverourauthenticity,wherewerealizebothour limita-tionsandourgrandeur.ItisherethatwecomehometoourtruestSelf.

SAMPLE

5

Wetakeourexternalexperienceswithustotheinsideandlookatourlife.We evaluate our goals, hopes, dreams, beliefs, behaviors, experi-ences—allthathasmarkedusandcontributedtothepersonwehavebecome—andweaskourselves:“IsthisthepersonIwanttobeinthefuture?” Aswegodeeper,westartfindingallsortsofthings.Someofitisthejunkofoldwoundsthatcomestothesurfaceandneedstobeletgowhileotherdiscoveriesarewonderfultreasuresthatgiftuswithjoy.Asweexplorethesewaters,wemeetstrangeoccupantsinthedeeps,someofwhicharefrighteningandothersenigmaticallybeautifulandentic-ing.

Jesus, help me to go deeper and not fear what I will find. Today I will…

First Sunday of Lent

Our Pilgrim Life“Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).

Becausewearepilgrimswhosehomelandisnothere,wejourney,search, travel,discover, livewithmystery,doubt andwonder.We seedreamscometrue;we seehopesalive.Weseedreamsdashed;we seehopes die.We start over again—with people, work,prayer,ourwholelife,allthedaysofourlife.Itisthewayofthehumanspirit. Journeyhasbecomeaverycommonwordinthevocabularyofmanypeople.Itimpliesthatwearego-ingsomewhere,thatweareontheroadtravelingtoaparticulardestination.Inourmobilesociety,wetakemanyjourneysinourlifetime. Journeyisalsousedinreferencetothetravelingthatwedoontheinsideofourselves,wherethereisagreatervastnessandunfamiliaritythanthephysicalcontinentfarawayfromus.Thejourneyinsidealwayshastheauraofmysteryandchal-lengebecausewhenwetravelinwardwecanseeonlywiththeeyesoffaith.

Jesus, help me to invite you to be with me on my journey. Today I will…

SAMPLE

6

Monday, Week 1

Seek and You Will Find“Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you” (Luke 11:9).

ThechurchiswiseinofferingustheseasonofLentbecauseitcanbetheverytimeweneedtofindwhatismissinginourlives;itcanbetheseasontodeliberatelyseekwhathasbeentossedawayormisplaced

orignored,sothatourlivescanonceagainreflectthegospelwhichJesusencouragedustolive.Lentcanbeasearchingoutandarestorationtimeandthemeansforreneweddirectionandperspective. Lentistheseasontoask:WhatdoIcherishinmylife?WhatisitthatIhidefrom?AmIawareofwhatIammissingorhavemisplacedinteriorly?HaveIgivenmyselftothesearchingandfindingofthesetreasures?WhatdoIneedtoformmylifemoreonthepatternof

theLord’sdeathandresurrection?WhoisitthatIseek?WhoisitthatIhidefrom?HowcanIrecoverwhatIholddear?

Jesus, help me find what is missing in my life. Today I will…

Tuesday, Week 1

Emptying to Grow“God has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty” (Luke 1:53).

Whiletheprocessofemptyingmaybepainful,itcanalsobegrowth-ful.The empty times may feel useless, fruitless, and non-productive,buttheyareactuallyameansofourfallingintothe“immensedepths”withinourselveswhereweseemoreclearly,learntobelesscontrolling,longmoredeeply forGod,and touch lifewithgreater reverenceandgratitude.Weenterintothedeeprealminsideofusthatisfilledwiththemystery,awe,andendlessbeautyofGod.EmptinessisagiftthatopensusfurthertothetransformingpowerofGod. Fastingfromfoodorliquidsisawaytophysicallydepriveourselves(toemptyourselves)ofsomeofourfullness.Itisonewayofremindingourselvesoftheneedtobeemptiedfromtimetotime.Bodilyfastingcanstrengthenusforotherkindsofemptying.

SAMPLE

7

Thismightbeadaywhenyouwillchoosetophysicallyfastsothatyoucangaincourageinlettingyourfullcupbeemptiedwhenitistimetodoso.Jesus, help me not to fear being emptied. Today I will…

Wednesday, Week 1

Feeding Our Deep Hunger for God“My soul yearns for you in the night, my spirit within me earnestly seeks you” (Isaiah 26:9).

Nourishmentofourspirittakestimeanddiscipline.Sometimesweallowourspirittohungerandthirstfordayswithoutofferingourselvesgood food for innergrowth.Feedingourhunger forGodmeansnotonly settingasidedefinite timebutalsousinggoodresources suchasscriptureforourprayertime.Thefoodthatweplaceinourmindsandheartsgreatlyaffectsthedecisionsandthechoicesofourdays. Givingofourselvestootherswithqualitypresence.Qualitypres-encemeanswehaveaheartof loveandadesiretocareforothers.Itmeansthat“beingwith”isjustassignificantas“doingfor.”Itmeansbe-ingwillingtohavenothingtoshowforourday’sworkexceptfaithfullystandingbythecrossofanother,orgivingloveinacelebrativemoment,orattentiveperceptivelisteningwithourheart.Thiskindofpresencecreatespeace,energy,andacceptanceintheheartofanother.Qualitymomentsmeanforgettingaboutclocksandcalendars.

Jesus, help me be attentive to your presence. Today I will…

Thursday, Week 1

Trying to Be with God“I keep the Lord always before me; because God is at my right hand, I shall not be moved” (Psalm 16:7).

Whenwepray,wecrossathresholdintomystery.Weenteropenly,withanassurancethatourlifewillcontinuallytakeonthehueoftheHolyOne.Inordertodothis,weneedquiettimes,spacesinourdayoreveningwhensilenceandsolitudearegivenprominenceinoursched-ule.Ourculturedoesnotpromotethissilence.Onthecontrary,weareconstantlypulled thisway and that byouroverly active society.Theelectronicageseducesuswithconstantnoiseandfrenetic,compulsiveaction.Onlywithsteadfastdeterminationwillwecreatethespacewe

SAMPLE

8

needfordaily,formalprayer. When we slow down and allow for quiet spaces, there are fewerbarriers betweenus and theHolyOne. In stillness,we come face tofacewithwhatwemightotherwisemissoravoid.Aswegiveourselvestoperiodsof silenceandsolitude,weuncovermoreof thetruththatguidesourlifeandareabletorelishthegoodnessoftheBeloveddwell-ingwithinthebeautyofoursoul.

Jesus, help me be still with you. Today I will…

Friday, Week 1

Lost and Waiting“I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek out your servant, for I do not forget your commandments” (Psalm 119:176).

Feeling lost, losing my sense of direction, experiencing panic,searchingforthewaytogo,hopingtofindafamiliarpath,findingmywayhome—allthishasbeenapartofmymidlifeexperience.Midlifehasbeenacontinualprocessofgettingterribly lost inside, feelingfarawayfromwhoIam,fromthespaceof“me,”strugglingandyearningtocomehometomyselfandthen,allofasudden,feelingathome,findingaspaceinmethatIhadeitherforgottenornewlydiscovered. Whether we are feeling lost because we need to leave somethingorsomeonebehind,orneedtorecoverapartofourselves,orneedtomove into something totallynew,orweareexperiencing the lostnessthatcomesintheformofanescape,ourmovementtowardwholenessand“beingfound”willrequirewaiting.Acceptingthenotknowingandhavingtowaitcanoftentimesbethehardestpartofmidlife.

Jesus, I feel so lost without you. Today I will…

Saturday, Week 1

Open the Door!“Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door” (Revelation 3:20).

WhenIopenthedoorofmyhearttoGod,Idomorethansimplyextenda smileof recognitionoranodofwelcome. Iopenmyself togrowandchangeinwaysImayneverdreamlikely.Iriskbeingspiritu-allytransformedintoapersonwhose lifecontinuallymanifestsgood-

SAMPLE

9

ness.Thepatternofthistransformationalprocessparallelsthephysicalmovementofgoingthroughadoorway. Thissametypeofmovementhappensonaninnerlevelofmyselfwhenlifesituationsandgracedmomentsinvitemetobecomemoreful-lywhoIam.ThechoicesanddecisionsImakedeterminewhetherI’llgothroughthedoorandentertheunknownterritoryofgrowth,orturnbackandclingtothesafetyofwhoIpresentlyam.IfIamalertandwillingtobetransformed,Iopentheinnerdoorofmyselfandgreetfreshideas,alongwithpossiblechangesinattitudeandemotionalresponses.WheneverIchoosetoopenthedoorandstepacrossthethresholdofpossibility,Ibecomemoreconsciousofmyselfasapersonwithunlimitedpotentialforgoodnessandeverfullerunitywiththedivine.

Jesus, I know you desire to dwell within me. Today I will…

2nd Sunday of Lent

Inner Growth Takes Time“May the Lord of heaven, my child, guide and prosper you this night and grant you mercy and peace” (Tobit 7:11).

Whenweareexperiencinginnergrowth,somethinginusyearnsforinstantfindinginsteadofgradualunfolding.Wewanttofindthewayandwewantitnow.Thechildinusstampsherfeet,demandingthatsomethinghappen.Apartofusyellssuchthingsas:“IwanttoknowmytrueSelfnowinsteadofstumblingaroundwonderingifIamheadedintherightdirection.LetmeknowwhereIneedtogowithmylife.LetmegetonwithwhatIamsupposedtodosoIcandoit.Iwantthisun-finishednessofminetobedone.”Instantdiscoveryisrarelythewayofdeepgrowth,however.Ittakestimeforaseedtosprout,aleaftounfurl,andabudtobloom.Allourworryandeffortsatanxiouscontrolwillnotspeedourinnergrowth. Nowisatimetorecognizethepilgriminus,thatpartofuswhichstumblesinconfusionandwandersinthegraymistofunknowing.Itisatimetogrowintrust,believingthatthestarsthatshineinoursoulwillleadandguideustothefuture.Midlifeisatimetobelessconcernedwithbeinglostandmorefocusedonwaitingtobefound.Itisatimeofprofoundandmeaningfulexplorationifweallowittobeso.

Jesus, help me trust that you are always with me. Today I will…

SAMPLE

10

Monday, Week 2

Travelers of the Heart“Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salva-tion” (Psalm 25:5).

WhatIespeciallyvalueabouttheprocessofspiritualgrowthisthewaytheHolyOneguidesmetoexploretheinnerterrainofmybeing.Whenever Iopen thedoorofmyheart and take thepassagebeyond

whereIamnow,thewonderandrichnessofdivinepres-enceandtheresilientbeautyofmysoulamazeme.AsIage, I thinkIamgettingbetteratdeliberatelyopen-ingthedoorandleavingtheknown,saferealmsbehind.Witheachthresholdcrossing,Igaingreaterfreedomtobemymostauthenticself Eachofusisatraveleroftheheart.Aswetraversetheroadoflife,wecometounknownandunsoughtdoorsrevealing further truth aboutour authentic self.Theseunfamiliardoorsoflifehidepiecesofbeneficialwisdom.

Theycontaininformationforourtransformationeventhoughwemaynotunderstandthisforquiteawhile. Theexperiencesoflifefrequentlydivertusratherthanbringusdi-rectlytoourinnertreasure,causingustodoubttheirworth.Eachstepofthewayholdsanotheropportunityforknowingwhoweareandhowwearetolive.

Jesus, open my heart to your mysterious presence. Today I will…

Tuesday, Week 2

Wake Up!“Now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers” (Romans 13:11).

Lifecontainscontinuouswake-upcalls,alertingustothemomentsthatrevealanotherdimensionofourtrueselfHowwillweheartheseopportunities for growth unless we are vigilant? Healthy spiritualityincludesinteriorandexteriorattentiveness.Thisalertnessrequires lis-tening.Paying attentionwould seem tobeoneof the easier tasks ofthespirituallife,butrealitycontradictsthispresumption.Ifanything,listeningbecomesevermorechallengingbecauseoftheclamorandbur-

SAMPLE

11

densofourhurrieddays. Howwonderfultohaveourheartbethat“awake.”Illness,depres-sion,certainpersonalitytraits,overwhelminghomeandworkresponsi-bilitiespreventusfromafocusedawareness.Beingbusyinitselfisnotadreadfulthing,butbecomesamajorstumblingblocktoourreadinesstolistenwhenitkeepsusfrombeingalertandresponsive.

Jesus, help me wake up and be alert to your promptings. Today I will…

Wednesday, Week 2

Listening to God“Listen to me; be silent, and I will teach you wisdom” (Job 33:33).

Listeningistobecultivatedandrenewedeachday.Ourlivesaretoofullandactivetoautomaticallyallowforanaturalflowofattentiveness.Wecannotrunthroughlifeandexpectthatwewillhearwhatstirsdeepwithinusornoticewhatbegsourattentionwithoutregularlyadjustingourlisteningantennae. Godispresenttousinthescriptures,theliturgicallifeofthechurch,ourwork,prayer,people,events,andnature.Notaperson,place,oramomentisleftoutfromdivinerevelation.Somethingofvalueforourgrowthisalwaysbeingmadeknowntousinthemidstofourordinarylives.Thisrevelationstretchesfarbeyondandmuchdeeperthanhowweusuallyperceivelife.Ourspiritualdevelopmentdependsonourbe-ingaliveandvigilantenoughtohearthemessageoftransformationthatweavesthroughourdailyexistence.

Jesus, help me be more attentive to your presence. Today I will…

Thursday, Week 2

Choosing to Grow“My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it” (Luke 8:21).

Godiscontinuallytryingtocommunicatewithusifonlywewilltakenotice.Mary,motherofJesus,listenedcloselytowhattheBelovedwassingingtoher.MarywasacutelyattunedtotheHolyOne’smove-mentwithinher.Prayerrequiresthesamefromus. WhenwelistenasMarydid,wemaynotalwayslikewhatwehear.Thestirringsthatcomeinourattentivelisteningsometimesturnusin

SAMPLE

12

adirectionweleastexpect,asitdidforMary.Beingalertandwatchfuldoesnotguaranteethatthecontentofourprayerwilllackstruggleanduncertainty.Eventhefinestofqualityprayingdoesnotgiveinstantso-lutionstoproblemsorclearresponsestoquestions. Whenwechoose topray,wechoose togrow.Thisgrowth isnotalwaysharmoniousandcomfortable.Yetifwestayawakeandremainfaithfultoprayingeachday,peaceandharmonywilleventuallybetheresultofourprayerasitwasinMary’sencounterwiththeSpirit.Prayeropensthespaceofourinnerbeingsowecanbemorefullyattentivetodivinenudgingsthroughouttheday.

Jesus, help me listen and respond as Mary did. Today I will…

Friday, Week 2

Instruments of God’s Love“For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you” (Matthew 10:20).

HoweasytobelievethatIamaninstrumentofyourlovewhenmylife isgoingwell,OGod.Howdifficult tobelieve thiswhenmy life

seemstobegoingnowhere,orisfilledwithmanyconcernsandactivitiesthatwearmeout.Yet,yougreatlydesiretoproclaimyourgoodnessthrougheverypartofmylife,nomatterwhatthesituationis. Idonotneedtohavegoodfeelingsinordertobeaninstrumentofyourlove.Idonotneedtoalwaysfeelsatis-fiedwithwhatIamattemptingtobeandtodoinordertobeadiscipleofyours.Itistheintentionofmyheartthatmakes thedifference.DeepwithinI long foryouandI

givemyselftoyourcause.IplacemyheartinyoursandenterasfullyasIcanintoyourlovingembrace.

Jesus, help me give myself more completely to you. Today I will…

Saturday, Week 2

Shedding Our False Self“Give up your faults and direct your hands rightly, and cleanse your heart from all sin” (Sirach 38:10).

TransformingPresence,layersandlayersofmyfalseselfkeepbeing

SAMPLE

13

strippedawayfromme.Iwalkwithcaterpillarfeet,knowingthattheskinmustbeshedtimeandagainbeforeIfindmybutterflywings.IlookattheolddiscardedpeelingsofthepersonIthoughtIwaswithsomedismayandsadness,butalsowithsomereliefandjoy. Witheveryliftedlayer,Ifeellighter.Witheverypainfulpeeling,Iamfreer.Witheverydiscardedskin,Istretchdeeper.Witheverysloughedoffsegment,Igrowwiser.Keepteachingme,FreedomBringer,thatitisnevertoolatetoembracethechangesthatleadtomytruestself.KeepnudgingmeawayfromconfiningsecuritywhenIclingtootightlytowhatneedstogo. Continuetoattunemyspirittoyoursongofongoingtransforma-tion.RemindmedailythatIwillalwayshaveanotherlayerthatneedstobeshed.

Jesus, help me dare to be transformed by you. Today I will…

Third Sunday of Lent

Our Indwelling God“Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16).

AsIgrewolder,IrecognizedGod’sinnerpresenceasadynamicsourceofguidanceandconsolation.IbecameevermoredeeplyrootedinthebeliefthatthisindwellingGodlovesmetotallyandunconditionally.To this day, I draw comfort and courage from thebeliefthatIamacontainerholdingthepresenceofGod.ThisawesomeandhumblinggiftoftheDivineIndwellingconstantlyenlivensmyspiritualpathandseedsmytransformation. ThemoreIbecomeawareofGod’spresenceinmylife,themoreIthirsttoknowthisSacredOneataneverdeeperanddeeperlevel.Likeacupthatseeminglyhasmoreandmoreroomtobefilled,soIfeelthatmycapacitytobeunitedwithGodkeepsexpanding.ThemoreIknowhowlovedIambyGod(themoremycupisfilled)themoreIamalwaysthirstingformoreofGod(seeinghowmuchroomthecupstillhasinittoreceive).

Jesus, fill me even more with your presence. Today I will…

SAMPLE

14

Monday, Week 3

Learning the Dance of God“Take delight in the Lord, and God will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4).

Ourmindsmightbefilledwithallthestuffthatmakesupourday:theunfinishedwork,theoldfights,ortheover-fullcalendar.Ourquiettimefloodsuswiththerealizationofhowbusyweare.Wemayfeelde-pressedordiscouragedasweremaininthesolitudeandstillnessofourreflectiontime.Or,wemayfearwhatcouldsurfacefromwithinusifweremaininstillnessfortoolong.Allofthisisnaturalandnormal.Ittakestimetoslowdown,tobecomestill,toletgo.Wemustbepatientwithourselvesandwiththeprocessofquietreflection.Wemusttaketimetolearnthestepsofthedance. Wemustalsoletgoofthinkingthatwehavetohavesomethingtoshowforourefforts,forourtimespentdancingwithGod.Justchoos-ingtobewithGodisvaluable.Wecannotcontrolwhatwillhappen.WemustsimplytrustGodwithourlives,trustthatGodwillneverharmusorleadusanywherebutintogreaterharmonyandintegrity.Prayerisnotabout“feelinggood.”Rather,itisaboutlearningthedanceofGod,whichisthedanceoftruthandwholeness.

Jesus,helpmebestillwithyou.TodayIwill…

Tuesday, Week 3

Finding Time to Pray“The Lord, your God, is in your midst…he will renew you in his love” (Zephaniah 3:17).

Whatoftenkeepsapersonfromdailyprayeristhebeliefthatonehastofollowthroughperfectlyorexactlyeveryday.Forinstance,someonemightdecidetoprayforfif-teenminuteseverymorning.Aftertwodaysofthis,oneofthechildrenisill,andtheregoesthefifteenminutes.Thenextmorningitmaybeaflattireorsomeotherhouseholdemergencythattakesanotherfifteenminutes. Ratherthansay,“It’snouse,Ican’tfindtimetopray,”apersonneedstosay,“Well,Iwasn’tableto

SAMPLE

15

havethespacethelasttwodays,butIcantoday…andIwill.I’llbeginagaintoday. Spiritualgrowthdoesn’t justhappen. Itmeansnot answering thephoneordoorduringone’sspecialtimeofprayer,notgivingintothelonglistof“mustdo’s”whichcometomindwhenwearefinallyquiet,andaskingfamilymemberstorespectone’squiettimebynotinterferingunlessit’sarealemergency.

Jesus, help me set aside regular time to be with you. Today I will…

Wednesday, Week 3

God’s Home in Our Heart“Where can I go from your spirit? Or where can I flee from your pres-ence?” (Psalm 139:7).

DeepwithinusisaplacewherewehavefoundGodandGodhasfoundus.Onceinagreatwhilewecometothisplacewithinusandwerealizeitisthegoalofourseeking.Itfeelslikehome.Itisaplaceofsafetyandsecurity,anidealhomewherewecanbeourselvesandknowthatweareacceptedforwhoweare.Wehaveeasyaccesstounderstand-ingandacceptance.Wemaybechallengedtogrowhere,butalwaysinthecontextofadeepandstronglove. Our hearts and minds are easily distracted bymanyotherthings,everydayrealitiessuchaswork,maintainingaphysicalhome,raisingafamily,shop-pingforlife’snecessities.Asmuchasweyearntostaycloselyconnectedwiththisinnersourcewequicklyloseoursenseofit.Thus,wespendmostofourlivesseeking what we momentarily find and then loseagain. Mostofthetimewesearchwithoutreallybeingawareofwhatisgnawingatusdeepinside.Wesearchforsomethingcalledhappiness.Welongforagiftnamedpeace.Wesearchformeaninginourlives,forlove,forunderstandingofourselvesandothers,foranacceptanceoftheupsanddownsofthehumancondition.

Jesus, help me make my heart a home for you. Today I will…

SAMPLE

16

Thursday, Week 3

Hearts Burning with Love“Within me there is something like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot” (Jeremiah 20:9).

HowdowekeeptheloveofGodaflameinus?Howdowestokethefiresofourenthusiasmandpassionforspiritualgrowth?Wemuststayclosetotheoriginalflameoflove,anddrawneartotheheartofGodthroughdailyprayerandthroughacontinualyearningtobeonewiththedivinepresence.EachtimeweintentionallydrawneartoGodwelightacandleinourheart. SometimesourprayerandourdesirearenotenoughtokeepthepassionforGodaliveinus.Atthesetimesweneedtodrawclosetooth-erswhoseheartsareonfirewithGod.Simplybybeingwiththemwecanoftencatchasparkthatwillrenewourownlostradiance.Goodnessattractsgoodness.Fireleapsfromhearttoheart. Wedonotknowthedaywhenthesparkinuswillburstintogreaterfire.Wecannotforcetheflamebeforeitstime.WecanonlydoourpartandentrustthekindlingtoourGodandthepeopleGodbringsintoourlives.

Jesus, help me keep your love aflame in my heart. Today I will…

Friday, Week 3

Turning to God“Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word” (Luke 1:38).

WhenIthinkof“prayer,”Ithinkofthemanywaysarelationshipdevelops.Certainlyithappensthroughspeakingtoanotherperson.Itisalsoessentialthatitinvolvelistening.Howmuchmoredifficulttolistenthantospeak.Moredifficultyetisbeingateaseinarelationshipwhentwopersonsaresilenttogether. Prayer is being with God in an intentional way. In other words,IcandeliberatelyturnmymindandhearttowardGodinwhateverIaminvolved.IcanrelatetoGodanytimeandanywhere.AsIprepareameal,IcandeliberatelyrecallhowGodiswithme.PrayercantakeplaceasIenjoythemusclesandmobilityofthehumanbodyorthebeautyofwintersnow.ItmighthappenasIdrivetoworkandsenseGod’slove

SAMPLE

17

encompassingallwhoareonthefreeway.OrwhenIamintheshowerandIoffertoGodallthatIamandallthatIhaveasIbegintheday. Sometimesweare“pulled”intoprayer,sotospeak,whenasunsetoramountainoranewbornchildcatchesourspiritandtumblesusintoadeepawarenessofSomeonebesidesourselvesbeingthere.

Jesus, help me turn my attention more often to you. Today I will…

Saturday, Week 3

Changed by Our Journey“And all of us…are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Every significant journey changesus in someway.Wearehardlyeverawareofthiswhileweareinthemidstofit.Wemayhavehintsofthesechangesbutitisonlylater,inlookingback,thatwegaspinamaze-mentatwhatwasbeingformedandshapedinour lives.Onlythendowerecognizehowanewattitude,astrongerdedication,andafullerpassionstretchedusintothefull-nessoflife.Thenweareabletoidentitythejourney’sabil-itytopropelusintounexpectedgrowth. Unfortunately,our significant journeys canalsoalterus innegativewayswedonotwant.Sometimeswe endup with greater disillusionment, deeper dissatisfaction,unendingrestlessness,frustratingconfusion,orbrittlepat-ternsofdisturbingangerandhostility.Somuchofwhatwelearnfromournoteworthyjourneysdependsonwhatweexperienceandhowwegoaboutresponding.

Jesus, help me recognize how you are changing me. Today I will…

Fourth Sunday of Lent

Appreciate Your Blessings“May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us” (Psalm 67:1).

AnyoneandanythingthatbringsgoodorGod-nessintoourlivesisablessing.ToblessistobringthetouchofGod,thetouchofloveandgoodness,toanotherbyourpresenceaswellasbyouractions.Blessings

SAMPLE

18

areagreetingfromGodsaying“Icareaboutyou.Idesirewhatwillbeforyourgood.Youaredeartomyheart.Iwantyourlifetobefilledwithlove.” Blessings are not always immediate, “feel good” sorts of things.Sometimes these blessings come disguised in the pain, struggle, andhardshipoftheunwantedpartsofourlives.Itisonlylater,withhind-sight,thatwelookandseewhatagiftthosetimesandeventswereforus. Asyoupraythroughthesedays,mayyougrowinawarenessofthecountlessblessingsthatareyours.Mayyoubecomemuchmoreawareofhowyouyourselfareablessinginthelivesofothersbythelovingqualityofwhoyouareandwhatyoudo.Mostofall,mayyourloveandappreciationfortheGiverofallGifts,thebestofallblessings,continuetogrowandbeenriched.

Jesus, help me count my blessings and thank you. Today I will…

Monday, Week 4

Growing in the Darkness“Do not rejoice over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me” (Micah 7:8).

AttimesIhavefounditdifficulttobelievethatdarknesscouldbeasourceofgrowth.Darknesstoachild,aswellastomanyadults,canbeascary,fearsomeplacewherewildcreatureswaittopounceandprey.But,inactuality,somekindsofdarknessare trulyour friends.Darkness isveryessentialforsomeaspectsofgrowthandprotection. But there is also an unfriendly darkness, like humandestructiveness or hate, a blackness that can maim andwoundusmentally,emotionally,spiritually.Itisthekindthatwillleadustodespair,whereweenduphurtingour-

selvesorothers.Itdestroysourhopeandourpositiveviewoflife.Wedonotgrowinthiskindofdarkness.Weturninonself.Westopbelievinginourgoodnessandbeautyandthatofothers. HowdoIknowwhatkindofdarknesstostayin?Itisnoteasytoknow.SometimesIjustdonotknow.Ialwaysneedsomeonetowalkfaithfullywithmeduringthesetimesofdarkness.

Jesus, be with me in times of darkness. Today I will…

SAMPLE

19

Tuesday, Week 4

Befriending the Darkness“Are your wonders known in the darkness, or your saving help in the land of forgetfulness?” (Psalm 88:12).

There is noway thatwe can avoid inner darkness completely. Ifwedidso,wewouldbetossingoutavitalpartofourtransformation.Ratherthangettingridofdarkness,weneedtosearchforwaysthatwecanbefriendit. Thedifficultthingaboutdarknessasanessentialpartofourlifeisthatwecanknowthis fact intellectuallybut run fromitemotionallyAllwecareaboutisgettingridofthedreadfulexperience,movingon,feelinggoodagain.Whendarknessdescendsuponthehumanheart,wespendmostofourenergydoingbattlewithitratherthanbefriendingitandseeingwhatgiftitmightbeofferingus. Anykindofdarknesscancallus,pushus,nudgeus,andurgeusontothepathofinnergrowth.Darknesscanwakeusupandstirques-tionsinusthatwe’drathernotface:Howdothepatternsofmybehav-iorinfluencemylife?WhomorwhathaveItakenforgranted?HaveIbeenattentivetothedeepestlongingsofmysoul?

Jesus, help me trust that you are with me in my darkness. Today I will…

Wednesday, Week 4

With God in All Times“How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gath-ers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!”

(Matthew 23:37).

OurawarenessofthelovingpresenceofGoddoesnotmeanthatwewillneverhavemomentsoffeelingangryatGodorabandonedbyGodorbejustplainunfeelingtowardGodduringtimesofloss.Thesearenatural,humanresponsesofgriefandsomefeelthemmorestronglythanothers.ButwewillnotgoonforeverblamingGodforcausingthesituationor fornot interveningandstoppingtheevent. Ifour imageofGodisapositiveone,wewilleventuallyreturntoatimewhenwerecognizethecomfortandlovethatarewaitingthereforus. OurGodisaGodwhodwellswithin,alovingpresenceneartouswhoyearnsforourhappiness,onewhowalkswithusinourstruggles.If

SAMPLE

20

ourGodisaGodwhoholdsuscloseasamotherhengathersherchicksclose toher, thenwewill come throughourgoodbyeswith adeepersenseofbeingtenderlycaredforbyourGodandwewilldrawcomfortandstrengthfromthispresence.

Jesus, help me discover your loving presence always. Today I will…

Thursday, Week 4

Overcoming My Fears“For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:10).

Partofmeyearnsforinnerfreedomyethidesfromitatthesametime,theplaceinmethatresistscominghometomytruestself.ItisinthisunfreeplacethatIhidefromwhatwillbringmetogreaterwholeness. HowcanIresisttheinvitationtopersonalwholeness,tobemytruestself,whenIamalwaysyearningforthisinmylife?Yet,Idoresistit.TherearetimeswhenIallowmyfears,anxieties,orconfusionstokeepmefrommakingachangeinmylifethatwouldbeformygrowth.

Sometimes it has been something rather simple, like trying on anewstyleofbehavior.Forexample,Irecognizethishappeninginmewhenmy lifeandworkcallme tobe ina“highextrovert” situation,meetingandgreetingnewpeople,enteringintolonghoursofsocializ-ingandrelatingtostrangers.Thepartofmethatknowshowdeliciousitfeelstobeanintrovertwantstorunandhide,tonotreachout,toclosemyinnerdoorandgohometosolitudeandquiet.

Jesus, help me face my fears and choose freedom with you. Today I will…

Friday, Week 4

We Are All God’s Children“The compassion of human beings is for their neighbors, but the compas-sion of the Lord is for every living thing” (Sirach 18:13).

I have hope because there are people in wealthy nations whoseawarenessoftherestoftheworldismakingadifference.Theywanttohelp.Theyareworkingtochangethegreatgapbetweenthehavesandhave-nots.Iseethechoicesthesegenerousandcompassionatepeople

SAMPLE

21

aremaking.Theirselflessnessandkind-heartednessencouragesmetomakebetterdecisionsabouthowIliveandhowIgive.Idonotbelievethatitisamatterofcondemningacomfortablelifebut,rather,ofwant-ingthisforallpeople. Itisgoodthatwearechallengedtouseourresourcesinsuchawaythatotherscanalsohaveamorehumanelife.Itisessentialthatweareremindedoftenthateachhumanbeingisoursisterorourbrother.ItisthemessagethatJesustaughtsolongago.Itisanagelessteachingandwearealwaysinneedofre-learningandlivingthemessage.Lentisagoodtimetore-entertheheartofthisteaching.

Jesus, help me act for others who need my help. Today I will…

Saturday, Week 4

Refusing to Follow the Easy Way“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. The gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).

DivineChallenger,whendidI stoprisking?WhendidI losemyedgeforadventureandsurprise?WhendidIstartpretendingthatwhatInowknowisallthereistoknow?WhendidIgiveintofearandbowtosecurity?WhendidIletuncertaintypressagainstmyfreespirit?WhendidIstartmovingtowardtheeasy,surething?WhendidIgiveawaymyabilitytobedisturbed?WhendidIstartrefusingtopaythepriceforfullerdepthandjoy?WhendidIletpanicoftheunknownfuturewrapitsbarbedwirefingersaroundmydesiretogrow? InnerSourceofCourage,nudgemetowardmygrowth.Urgemeawayfrommystrongholds.Convincemeofmypotential to leapbe-yondthebarriers.

Jesus, help me choose to follow your ways. Today I will…

Fifth Sunday of Lent

Offering Our Whole Life to God“I will put my spirit within you, and you shall live” (Ezekiel 37:14).

Godisdwellingwithuseverywhere.Forourpartweneedtohaveanawarenessoraconsciousnessof this lovingpresence.Ourmedita-

SAMPLE

22

tionandprayertimecanbeasourceofourwakingup,becomingmoreawareofGodalwaysfillingourdaysandnights.Themostordinaryofourdayscontainsthepowerandthesplendorofspiritualawareness.Itisuptoustopayattention,tobepresenttothehereandnow,inordertoentermoredeeplyintolife. Asweopenourselvestospiritualgrowth,thereissimplynopartofourlifethatcanbeleftout.Nothingistoodirtyorsmudged.Nothingistooecstaticorpassionate.Nothingistoomundaneorordinary.Alloflifeisthefoodofourspiritualgrowth.WecangrowcloseranddeeperinourrelationshipwithGodthrougheverysituation,dependingonourattitude,ouropenness,andourawareness.BeawareofGodteachingyouthroughyourlifetoday.

Jesus, help me not to hold back from your transforming presence. Today I will…

Monday, Week 5

Opening My Eyes of Faith“When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart, I will let you find me, says the Lord” (Jeremiah 29:13-14).

InbusynessIoftenclosedown.Indeliberateorunexpectedaware-ness,Iopenup.ItisinthisopennessthatI“see”inadeeperornewerway,viewingpeople,creatures,andnatureinaclearerlight.AsIopenandbecomemoreaware,somethinghappensinsideofmetocausethe

barriersofmy inattentiveness, judgments,orbusy-ness tomove aside and forbonding tooccur. It isthenthatIrecognizemyonenesswiththedancingthatisinherentintheallofcreation. There are big moments of awareness but alsomanydaytodayonesthatallowmetoenterintothisattentiveness.Idonotneedtobeawayfromhomeorworkinordertoknowthisoneness.Idonotneedtobeattheseashoreoronamountaintoptoenjoythe

cosmicdance.Ionlyneedtobeawakeandalert,toletgoofmybusy-nessandmyself-absorption,inordertodiscovermysteryandwonderinthingslikethefoodbeforemeandthepeopleatmyside.TherearestoriesoflifedancingvividlyoneveryleveloftheworldinwhichIlive.Eachcreature,person,cloud,citycorner,rock,andplanthasnumerous

SAMPLE

23

layersofinneractivity,threadedwithmeaningandcirclesofmystery,offeringhopeandencouragementtomylife.

Jesus, help me open my eyes to you all around me. Today I will…

Tuesday, Week 5

Learning through Suffering“Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him” (Hebrews 5:8-9).

Sufferinginitselfhasnovalue.Itiswhatwedowithoursufferingthatmakesthedifference.TheministryofJesusatteststothisfact:Hedidallhecould toalleviate thehurtsofothers.Yet,healso spokeofsuffering as a sourceof growth, as ameansofpurificationand innerconversion. Sufferingcanbebeneficialwhenitleadstosomekindof“resurrec-tion”inus,whenastrengthorasleepingenergyinusisaroused,whentalentsheretoforeunknownarerecognized,whenaclarityabout life’spurposeanddirectionbecomeskeenerforus,whenastrongersenseofcompassionforothersdeepensinus.Thereissomuchwithinusthatneeds to come to life. Moments of suffering, times of goodbye, cancauseustopeerinsideourowntombsofunfinishednessorincomplete-nessandwecandiscovervaststorehousesofresiliency,vitality,fidelity,loveandendurance.

Jesus, help me learn from my suffering as you did. Today I will…

Wednesday, Week 5

God in the Ordinary“Bless the God of all, who everywhere works great wonders, who fosters our growth from birth, and deals with us according to his mercy”

(Sirach 50:22).

Toooftenweseparateourspirituallifefromtherestofourlife.Itissoeasytoputitasideformoreseeminglyurgentorsignificantaspectsofourdays.Theseexternalaspectsseemmoreurgent,yetareoftenemptywithoutbenefitofinnerrefreshmentandnourishment.Wecansoeas-ilygiveintodiscouragementorforgetourvisionandourdreamswhenwedonottaketimetointegrateourouterworldwithourinnerworld.

SAMPLE

24

Weremainfragmentedinsteadofdrawingtogetherallthepiecesintoawholenessthatgivesourlifemeaning. Thisintegrationisaccomplishedbytakingtimetolookattheveryordinarypartsofourday,topraythembyholdingthemuptothelightofthescripture,tocelebratetheminthedepthsofourbeingbypausingtoreflectandreverencethem,knowingthattheGodofgraciousnessisalwaysthere,immanentlypresent,active,drawingusintoadeeperloverelationship.

Jesus, help me find you in my ordinary daily life. Today I will…

Thursday, Week 5

Our Divine Companion“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1).

Itissometimesdifficulttobelievethatyoulovemeasmuchasyoudo,BelovedOne.Iamhumbledtoknowthatyouacceptmewithmy

weaknessesandmyincompleteness.Itisthistremendousloveofyourswhichinvitesawelcomingresponsefromme.Helpmetosaywithmywholeheart,“Ireceiveyourgreatlovewithgratitude.” Godoflight,openmetoseethemanywaysthatyouarepresentinmylife.Lightmyway.Guideme.Giftmewithaninnereyeoffaithsothatalloflifetakesonthequalityofyourlovingpresence. MaythepowerofyourSpirit fillmewithadesire to

followyou,DivineCompanion.Helpmetorenewmycommitmenttoyoudaybyday.AsIcontinueonthejourneyoflife,fillmewithgrati-tudeforthepowerofyourlovestirringwithinme.Unitemewithallwhoneedyourlovingtouchthroughmycareandcompassion.

Jesus, be my light and guide me to you. Today I will…

Friday, Week 5

You Can Make It through This!“The Lord is my strength and my might, and he has become my salva-tion” (Exodus 15:2).

Resiliencyisrootedinthehumanheart.Itisanessentialcatalystfor

SAMPLE

25

movingthroughpainfulanddevastatingexperiences.Resiliencyisaboutbeingdownandoutandspringingback,beingpersistentinthefaceofdefeat.Itissolidaritywithothersthatstrengthensthesoul.Itishopethatholdsoninspiteofoverwhelmingloss.Itisunrelentingfaithinalovingdivinitywhoseabidingpresenceprovidesstrengththrougheveryseason. When, at the timeof adevastating situation,we feeldemolishedwithunspeakablepain.Wecan’t imagine ever feelinggood again.Somuchseemsatanend—ourjoy,ourcontentment,ourpeaceofmind.We forget in thosehorrible times, orperhapshaveneverunderstooduntilthen,thatwearealsocapableofimmenseresilience.Wecanonlythinkofhowmuchdistressandhurtweareexperiencing. Itisthenthatthecourageousabilityto“bounceback”risesupinus,urgingustostandstrong.Somethingabidingandenduringinusstirsandcalls:“Youcanmakeitthroughthiseventhoughyoufeelovercomeanddefeated.”Longagothisresiliencywasseededinoursoul.Itwillenableustobouncebackfromwhatthreatenstodestroyus.Itwillhelpusriseupfromwhateverknocksusdown.

Jesus, help me trust in you when I am hurting. Today I will…

Saturday, Week 5

Eastering Is a Slow Process“See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation!”

(2 Corinthians 6:2).

Theearth’sgreeningafteralongwinterremindsmeofourspiritual“eastering,” the inner transformation and rebirthing that comes afterwe’vehadalongwinterspellofthespirit.Noamountofhurry,orpush,ordesire canmake thegreenhappenany sooner. I thinkofpeople Iknowwhoarelongingforaninnergreening,andareyetinthethroesofaspiritualwinter.Eachoneneedsan“eastering,”abrightgreening,andoh,howtheylongforittocomesoon. Butitmaybeapainstakinglyslowprocess,atinybitoflifegradu-allyweaving through thepain andquestions.Eastering isn’t always aquick step out of the tomb. Sometimes rising from thedead takes along,slowly-greeningtime.Itcan’tbehurried. ItismyhopeforyouthisEasterseasonthatyouwilltrusttheresur-rectionofyourspirit,believethatjoyandnewlifewillcomeforyou,

SAMPLE

26

even though itmaynotbe there for younow. If you are oneof thefortunateoneswhose soul singswithhappyalleluias thisEaster,mayyouturnoftentothosewhoarestillawaitingtheirgreeningandwalkhopefullywiththem.

Jesus, help me trust that new life is beginning in me now. Today I will…

Passion/Palm Sunday of Lent

Commitments Have Consequences“If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23).

Eachofourlifechoices,decisions,andactionsinvolvessomeconsequences.Somethingwillhappenbecauseofwhatwethink,say,anddo.Theseconse-quencesmaybringgladness,buttheymayalsobringsadness.Forexample,ifwechoosetolovesomeonedeeply,wemustbewillingtoacceptthatourheart’sinvestment may cost us loneliness and heartache.Wewillbechallengedtoacceptthatperson’sweak-nessesaswellasthatperson’sstrengths.Wemaybear

deepsorrowiftheydieoriftheychoosetoleaveuswithoutourconsent. EvenJesusfoundtheconsequencesofhiscommitmentdifficult.IntheGardenofGethsemanehebeggedtohavethecupofsufferingpassfromhim.Still,hefoundtheinnerstrengthtosayyestowhatwasaskedofhim.Witheachpartofourlifewecanaskourselves:AmIwillingtoacceptthepainthatmyinvestmentmaycostme?AmIreadytobegenerouswithmycommitmentevenifitbringssufferingmyway?Inotherwords,amIwillingtowalkinthefootstepsofJesus?

Jesus, help me accept my suffering as you did. Today I will…

Monday Holy Week

Embracing Our Pain“Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord. Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications!” (Psalm 130:1-2).

Avoidanceof suffering isobvious in thosewhofind itnearly im-possibletobewithothersintheirtimesofgreathurt:notvisitingthesick,avoidingthebereaved,neverspeakingtoanotherpersonabouthis

SAMPLE

27

orherillness,relationshipstruggle,workdifficulty,depression,oranyotherpainfulsituation. Theavoidanceismuchmoresubtlewhenitisourownhugegapofpainthatweneedtoencounter.Wecaneasilymakeexcusesfornottakingtimetoprayindeeperwaysbecausewefearawarenessofhowwetrulythinkandfeel.Wecanrationalizethatwearesobusytendingtosomeoneelse’sdistressthatwehavenotimeforourown.Wecantellourselvesthatitissillyorstupidtofeelaswedo.Wecanhidebehindshameorblame,angerorhostility,insistingthatwhatwesufferissome-oneelse’sproblemandnotourown.Wecandenyouraddictionsandweaknesses.Wecanletourfearsloomsolargethatwesuccumbtodoingnothingatallaboutwhatneedstobefacedinourowntimeofsuffering.Byavoidingwhatishurtfulinourlife,wecastasideasourceofpersonaltransformation.

Jesus, help me face and embrace my daily sufferings. Today I will…

Tuesday Holy Week

The Compassionate Mother of Sorrows“Look and see if there is any sorrow like my sorrow” (Lamentations 1:12).

Maryisthefeminineembodimentofthedivinequalityofcompas-sion.Forcenturiesshehasbeengiventhetitle“MotherofSorrows”or“OurLadyofSorrows”becauseoftheheartachessheexperiencedasthemotherofJesusandbecausehersorrowssymbolizethemanypainsthatcontinuetopiercehumanlivestoday.Marystandingatthefootofthecrossofhersonclearlyportrays thecompassionatepersonwhoentersfullyintothepainofanother. Compassionisaboutbeingwithothersintheirsuffering.Itisaboutenteringintothatpaininsuchawaythatoneisnolongeranobserverbutanintegralparticipant.Compassiondoesnotmean“feelingsor-ry”forsomeone.Rather,compassionisto“getinsidetheskin”oftheonewhohurts,toexperiencewithhimorherthepainthatisthere,tosenseakinshipwiththeonewhoissuffering.Beforewecanbecompassionatewithotherswemustfirstenterourownsufferingandextendlovingkindnesstoourselves.

Jesus, help me notice and be with others in their suffering. Today I will…

SAMPLE

28

Wednesday Holy Week

Walking in Mary’s Sorrowful Footsteps“Woe is me! The Lord has added sorrow to my pain; I am weary with my groaning, and I find no rest.” (Jeremiah 45:3).

ThesorrowfuleventsandexperiencesattributedtoMary’s lifeof-tenrelatedirectlytoourown.Forexample,parentswhosechildrenarelost,intocrime,murdered,orsufferingfromaseriousillnessknowhowmuchtheirsorrowisinkinshipwithMary’s.Atothertimeshersorrowsareindirectlyorsymbolicallyconnectedtoours.Wedonothavetobeaparenttowalkinthefootstepsofthesorrowfulmother.Thesuffer-ingsofeveryindividual,manorwoman,arereflectedinsomeaspectofMary’ssorrows. Veryfewpersonswanttocomefacetofacewithwhat ispainful,messy,broken,andbruisedintheirlives.Howmucheasieritistoavoidwhatneedshealing,toturnaway,andtogotowardlegitimateformsofbusynessbecauseitissimplytoooverwhelmingtomeetoursufferingheadon.MarymetthebloodiedanddisfiguredSeedofherwombwithgreattendernessandlove.Somethinginusrefusestodothis.Wetendtomoveawayfrom,ratherthantoward,whathurtsus.Wechoosetodisconnectfromitratherthantoapproachoursufferingwithcompas-sionandcare.

Jesus, help me be like Mary in facing my sorrows. Today I will…

Holy Thursday

Passover Pilgrims“This is how you shall eat it: your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it hurriedly. It is the pass-over of the Lord” (Exodus 12:11).

The Passover celebration commemorated theJewish deliverance from slavery. The blood of theslainlambmarkedthedoorpostsofthosetobedeliv-ered.Thesehouseholdswerepassedoverbytheangelofdeath.ThiseventremindedthepeoplethatGodwaswiththemandwouldneverleavethem. In the firstPassover thepeople aredescribedastruepilgrims,standingastheyate,readytoleavein-

SAMPLE

29

stantly.OnHolyThursday, Jesuscelebrates anewPassoverandgivestheBreadofLifeasnourishmentforourjourneytospiritualfreedom.ThiscelebrationisaninvitationtorememberthatwearepilgrimsonaspiritualjourneyinwhichGodtravelswithus. OnHolyThursday, letus remember thatGod isalways ready tonourishusonthisjourneytoourtrueHomeland.Weareonlypassingthroughthistimeandplace.Whileourlifehereisvaluableandessentialtoourspiritualgrowth,wecannotgetsorootedandattachedtoearthlyvalues that we refuse to hear the call of God to move on to deepergrowth.Today, letuspartakeof theEucharist “like thosewhoare inflight,”readytogoandeagertogrow.

Jesus, help me loosen my tight hold on whatever keeps me from being free to grow. Today I will…

Good Friday

Entrusting Everything to God“When Jesus had received the wine, he said, “It is finished.” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit” (John 19:30).

MyfriendCathyfoundasenseofpeaceassheenteredthehospitalforcancersurgery.ShedeliberatelysurrenderedherlifetoGodandgaveherspiritoverintrust.ItwashermomentofunitingwiththeChristofCalvary,forJesus,too,hadhistimeoftotalsurrender.Heknewwhatitwasliketoletgocompletely. It isnotonlyat themomentofourdeath thatweareaskedtotrustGodwithourlives.Daybydaywe must surrender our fears, worries, doubts anddiscouragement into the Holy One’s hands, withcompletehopethatGodwillneverforsakeus,eventhoughitmayattimesfeelthatway.Thinkofwhatcauses you the most anxiety, heartache and worry.ThisisyourCalvary-connection,yourcalltosurren-der.CanyouentrustthatpartofyourlifetoGod?

Jesus Crucified, your total surrender teaches me how to let go with a trust-ing heart. Help me draw strength from you today…

SAMPLE

30

Holy Saturday

In the Tomb of Our Darkness“I have come as light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in the darkness” (John 12:46).

Fearof theunknownorof theconsequencesof thedarknesscanplayamajorroleinourimagination.Feartormentsuswithquestionsandshowsusimaginarymonstersofthefuture.Doubtsandhauntingquestionsriseupinusandthreatentochokeourhope:“Willthiseverend?AmIdoingtherightthing?WillIfindmywayoutofthismaze?WillIevertrustanotherperson?CanIopenmyselftoloveagain?WillIbeabletoadapttomychangedbody?”WhenIallowfeartotakeovermy imagination, I oftenbelieve that thedarknesswill overpowerme

andthatIwillnotfindmybalance.IfearthatIwillbebeatendownforever,thatIwillalwaysfeellonely,desolate,empty,andenergyless,andthatIwillneverregainmytasteforjoyandbeauty. Thestirrings inthetombofourdarknessarethewhispers of our soul, urgingus tomove towardaplacewherewehavenotbeenbefore.Wemaybepushed tomake changes inour lives thatwewouldneverhaveconsideredotherwise.Wemaybeforcedtolookathiddenwoundsandinnerissuesthatwehadalwaysbeenabletoshoveaside.Wemaybeledtoap-preciatelifeandourgiftsatamuchdeeperlevel.Mostalways,thewombofdarknessisacatalystforcreativity

andforadeeperrelationshipwithGod.Alwaysitisatimefortrustinthetransformativeprocessandforfaiththatsomethingworthwhileistobegainedbyourwaitinginthedark.

Jesus, help me to trust that you are also here in the darkness. Today I will… SAMPLE

31

A Pilgrim’s PrayerGodofmylife,createinmetheheartofapilgrim.

Thereisapartofmethatfightslettinggo.Donotallowmetobecomesorooted

orsoaccustomedtomydailytasksandinnersecurities,thatImissyourvoice

callingmetogreatergrowthanddeepermaturityinfaith.Godofthejourney,Iknowyouarenear.

Grantmethecouragetochange,whetherthatchangeisaninneroranouterone.Deepenmyawarenessofyourfaithfulpresence

andblessmypilgrimheart. ––Sr.JoyceRupp

AcknowledgementsAllSaintsPress expresses thanks to the followingpublishers fromwhich thesedevotionshavebeenexcerpted.

The Cup of Our Life: A Guide for Spiritual GrowthbyJoyceRupp.Copyright©1997byAveMariaPress®,Inc.,P.O.Box428,NotreDameIN46556,www.avemariapress.com.Usedwithpermissionofthepublisher.Fresh Bread and Other Gifts of Spiritual NourishmentbyJoyceRupp.Copyright©1985byAveMariaPress®,Inc.,P.O.Box428,NotreDameIN46556,www.avemariapress.com.Usedwithpermissionofthepublisher.Inviting God In byJoyceRupp.Copyright©2001byAveMariaPress®,Inc.,P.O.Box428,NotreDameIN46556,www.avemariapress.com.Usedwithpermissionofthepub-lisher.May I Have This Dance?byJoyceRupp.Copyright©1992byAveMariaPress®,Inc.,P.O.Box428,NotreDameIN46556,www.avemariapress.com.Usedwithpermissionofthepublisher.Out of the OrdinarybyJoyceRupp.Copyright©2000byAveMariaPress®,Inc.,P.O.Box428,NotreDameIN46556,www.avemariapress.com.Usedwithpermissionof thepublisher.Praying Our GoodbyesbyJoyceRupp.Copyright©1988byAveMariaPress®,Inc.,P.O.Box428,NotreDameIN46556,www.avemariapress.com.Usedwithpermissionofthepublisher.Dear Heart, Come Home: The Path of Midlife SpiritualitybyJoyceRupp.Copyright©1996byTheCrossroadPublishingCompany,NewYork.Usedwithpermissionofthepublisher.Your Sorrow Is My Sorrow: Hope and Strength in Times of SufferingbyJoyceRupp.Copyright©1999byTheCrossroadPublishingCompany,NewYork.Usedwithpermissionofthepublisher.Prayers to SophiabyJoyceRupp.Copyright©2000,publishedbyInnisfreePress,Philadelphia.The Star in My HeartbyJoyceRupp.Copyright©1990,publishedbyLuraMedia,Inc,SanDiego.The Cosmic Dance: An Invitation to Experience Our OnenessbyJoyceRupp.Copyright©2002,publishedbyMaryknoll:Orbis.Usedwithpermissionof thepublisher.PrayerbyJoyceRupp.Copyright©2007,publishedbyMaryknoll:Orbis.Usedwithpermissionofthepublisher.Walk in a Relaxed MannerbyJoyceRupp.Copyright©2005,publishedbyMaryknoll:Orbis.Usedwithpermissionofthepublisher.Little Pieces of Light…Darkness and Personal GrowthbyJoyceRupp.Copyright©1994,publishedbyPaulistPress,Mahwah,NJ.Open the Door: Journey to the True SelfbyJoyceRupp.Copyright©2008bySorinBooks®,P.O.Box428,NotreDameIN46556,www.avemariapress.com.Usedwithpermissionofthepublisher.

SAMPLE

32

Easter Sunday

No More Lame Excuses!“Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Mag-dalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb” (John 20:1).

ImaginehowearlyMaryhadtogetuptogettothetomb.Thinkofthecourageittooktogointhepredawndarkness.Nostreetlightstoguideherfootsteps,nowaytoseeanylurkingdangers.Itwasprobablynosaferthenthanitisnowforwomentobewalkingaloneinthedark.Shewasinagraveyard,notthemostcomfyplacetobestrolling.Whatloveanddedicationthiswomanhad.HowmuchshemusthavelovedJesustoriskdoingwhatshedid. AsIcelebrateEasterthisyear,Ilookatallmylameexcusesfornotbeingmorededicatedandlovinginmyrelationshipsandinmywork.I sometimes findmyselfwhiningabout the littlest things likegettingupearlytopray,answeringanotherphonecall,packingmysuitcasefortheumpteenthtime,etc.IforgetthatthereisapricetobepaidifoneistobeadiscipleoftheRisenChrist.IfItrulyhavethejoyandfireofEasterinmyspiritualbones,Iwillbewillingtodosuchthingsasmakeanextraefforttohavequalityprayer,graciouslydowhatisneededaspartofmyministry,andgiveofmyprecioustimeforthesakeoflovinganother.

Risen Jesus, renew my dedication and restore my desire to serve you with joy. Today I will…

Pilgrims of the HeartwaseditedbySteveMuellerfromtheworksofSr.JoyceRupp,OSM.©Copyright2011byAllSaintsPress,POBox190825,St.Louis,MO63119.(800)923-8618andAllSaintsPress.com.PhotosbyFr.GenePlaisted.02-341

SAMPLE