Latest Thoughts
Explore My Reflections
Following the contemplative rhythm of Lectio Divina
Moving from Attentive Reading (Lectio)
To Reflection (Meditatio)
To Prayerful Response (Oratio)
And finally into Silent Resting in God (Contemplatio)
Grappling With Divinity invites a slow unfolding of Scripture, Spiritual Wisdom, and Lived Experience.
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Oratio: I Remain
In this contemplative oratio divina, Robert Van Valkenburgh portrays the eternal and unchanging presence of God amidst the transient cycles of nature and life. This piece invites us to recognize God’s enduring existence and to join Him in His everlasting love. It reassures believers of His steadfastness through all seasons, calling them to find…
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Lectio: Peace With Incomprehensibility
This thoughtful Lectio Divina by Ian MacKaye invites us to accept the mysteries of life and faith that defy full understanding. It encourages a sense of peace with the incomprehensible aspects of our existence, recognizing that not everything can be grasped by reason alone. This reflection challenges readers to find solace in the unknown,…
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Oratio: God And Neighbor
In this compassionate oratio divina, Robert Van Valkenburgh calls believers to turn from worldly sorrow and embrace the healing love of Christ. Encouraged to then extend this divine comfort to others, it highlights the power of faith, works, and love in guiding neighbors toward the peace found in Christ. This reflection urges readers to…
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Lectio: Wherever Or Withwhomsorver We May Be
In this insightful Lectio Divina, Meister Eckhart challenges conventional notions of spirituality by emphasizing the importance of inner solitude amidst daily life. He encourages us to find God not by escaping the world, but by penetrating the depths of our everyday experiences, discovering the divine presence within them. This reflection inspires readers to cultivate…
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Oratio: What Can They Do
In this uplifting oratio divina, Robert Van Valkenburgh affirms the boundless and unconditional love of God for each person, encouraging believers to recognize their inherent worth as divine creations. This reflection emphasizes that no external words or actions can diminish one’s true identity and purpose bestowed by the Creator. It invites readers to embrace…
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Lectio: God Is With Us
This illuminating Lectio Divina from The Book of Privy Counseling emphasizes the transformative power of contemplation, where God’s presence and action in us lead to spiritual perfection and union with Him. The passage highlights the importance of consenting to and allowing God’s work within us, fostering a deep, perfect love. This reflection encourages readers…
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Oratio: In God’s Soil
In this serene oratio divina, Robert Van Valkenburgh expresses a desire to remain grounded in the infinite being of God, resisting the allure of worldly desires and temptations. This reflection emphasizes the importance of cultivating a steadfast love and trust in God’s peace, calling believers to find stability and strength in their spiritual roots.…
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Lectio: War Against Despair
In this compelling Lectio Divina, Thomas Merton challenges us to confront despair with unwavering hope in the power of the Cross. He describes our spiritual journey as a desert where we must face despair but never surrender to it, continually battling with the hope rooted in Christ’s victory. This reflection inspires believers to persevere…
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Oratio: An Invitation
In this insightful oratio divina, Robert Van Valkenburgh explores the concept of love and divine invitation, emphasizing that choosing God, love, and heaven is a personal decision. The piece highlights the freedom we possess in every moment to embrace or reject God’s call, underscoring that love is not forced but freely chosen. This reflection…
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Lectio: Heaven And Earth Are Watching
In this stirring Lectio Divina, Saint Faustina emphasizes the spiritual battles each soul must face, reminding us that we participate in a cosmic drama observed by heaven and earth. This reflection encourages us to prepare with courage and faith, recognizing the significance of our spiritual struggles. It calls each believer to embrace their role…
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True in Us All Along: Thomas Merton and the Faith That Makes All Things New (Lectio Divina)
What if the good news begins with the one thing we least want to hear: that we cannot do it alone? Thomas Merton asks what makes the Gospel news at all, and this reflection sits with a longing older than our seeking, and with the question of whose longing it really is.
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The Yoke We Were Not Meant To Carry: Brother Lawrence and the Grace That Meets Our Powerlessness (Lectio Divina)
What if the surrender you keep circling never comes by trying harder, but only by the trying finally giving out? Brother Lawrence asks for a total trust that sounds simple and costs everything, and this reflection sits with the exhaustion that finally lets God in.
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Owe Nothing But Love: Theodoret of Cyrus on Love as the Fulfilling of the Law (Lectio Divina)
What if the command to love was never a debt you could actually pay off? Theodoret of Cyrus reads Paul’s warning about owing nothing but love and finds something stranger than an obligation — a debt that grows the more it’s paid, rather than shrinking. This reflection sits with what it feels like to carry…
