Robert Van Valkenburgh

  • Oratio: Your Fruits

    Oratio: Your Fruits

    Lord Jesusgraft my will to yoursthat I may bear the fruitsof the spiritin your gracein your lovein your namefor your sakeand the sakeof those who may know youthrough your fruits in me ~Robert Van Valkenburgh

  • Lectio: The Peace of God

    Lectio: The Peace of God

    “We’re being called to be a non-violent, safe, protective person – honoring the wholeness of life, and the mystery of life, and the happiness of life – and then when suffering does occur, we’re to do our best to lessen it, and if possible remove it, but in an inner peace, not dependent on…

  • Scriptio: An Awakening At The Playground

    I walked my daughter and her cousins to the playground this afternoon. While they played, I sat on a bench and read Holy Longing: The Search for a Christian Spirituality by Ronald Rolheiser, a book that my advisor recommended I read prior to starting my master’s degree this coming fall. As I read, they…

  • Oratio: Back To You

    Oratio: Back To You

    Help me Lordto love youas you have loved meyou have neverstopped seeking meyou have pursued meto the gates of helljust to bring meback to youmay I seek you Lordas you have sought memay I follow you Lordlead me to your lost sheepthat I may guide themback to you ~Robert Van Valkenburgh

  • Lectio: To Each Other

    Lectio: To Each Other

    “If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.” ~Mother Teresa

  • Scriptio: In This Graced Moment

    As I walked into my home tonight, carrying in a bag of groceries after taking my wife’s car to get a tire changed, I looked down and noticed the freshly cut grass. Something about it struck me and made me pause. It was strangely beautiful and breathtaking, at least in this moment. I then…

  • Oratio: Named By God

    Oratio: Named By God

    I am notwho you say I amnor am Iwho I fearor fancy myselfto beonly Godgets to name mefor only He knew mebefore He formed mein my mother’s womb ~Robert Van Valkenburgh

  • Lectio: The Joining Prayer

    Lectio: The Joining Prayer

    Heavenly Father, please join my prayers with your prayers. Into your hands I commend my spirit. Thy will, not mine, be done.* ~Anonymous *Originally taught to me by my spiritual director as: God, please join my prayers for this person with your prayers for this person.

  • Scriptio: Love Period

    This evening I had to have a serious conversation with my daughter. She was crying and asked me whether she was good enough at an activity she does or whether she should quit. My first question was, “Do you want to quit?” She said, “No.” I asked her, “Do you enjoy doing it?” “Yes,”…

  • Oratio: Shared Suffering

    Oratio: Shared Suffering

    The Lord wants usto share our sufferingto invite othersinto our desolationfor where two or moreare gatheredin His nameHe is thereand it is not goodfor us to be alone ~Robert Van Valkenburgh