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Oratio: The Word On Your Heart
When you have no homein this worldwhen you have no homein your homewhen you have no homein your hope and fearyou have a homeforever in Christwho will wash your feetheal your woundsshare your burdensgive you restHe is the Wordwritten upon your heartand that word is love ~Robert Van Valkenburgh
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Scriptio: Conceding Defeat
Like many others before me, my spiritual journey of healing began from a place of desperation. I had to hit an emotional, psychological, and spiritual bottom before being willing to hear God’s voice. And yet, the moment I conceded defeat, He was there to receive and guide me. In hindsight, however, I can see…
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Oratio: Every Poem
Every poema prayerat the altarof inspirationa requesta responsea recognitionto and ofthat which is givennever takenonly receivedan act of grace and beautyfrom and forthe divine sourceof all and all ~Robert Van Valkenburgh
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Scriptio: Smiling At Merton Smiling At Me
It’s the first day of my master’s program at Loyola of Chicago, and I didn’t sleep well last night. Truthfully, I’ve been amped up all weekend with nerves and excitement. I have no idea what to expect or where this will take me, but I do know that I will be changed by the…
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Oratio: Home In Christ
I have wanted so badlyto belong in this worldto have a home hereto find rest in this placeand there have been momentsever so briefwhere I have felt this joywhere I have been at peacebut this broken worldis not where I belongit is not my homein this placein this bodyI will find no restbut only…
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Scriptio: First Day Nerves
Equal parts nervous and excited, I log into Zoom to attend orientation for the Institute of Pastoral Studies at Loyola of Chicago. I double check-the time and the timezone because I always doubt myself, and my math. I have the correct time and I used the link they emailed me. On the screen, it…
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Oratio: Leaves Of Change
The leaves of changesignal the quiet departureof summer’s warmthbeckoning inthe cool winter windsbringing us togetherto gatherand huddlearound one anotherfor it is not goodfor any one of usto be aloneand when we gatherfor His sakewe are not alone ~Robert Van Valkenburgh
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Oratio: Holy Longing
I want to rejectthis feelingI want to runaway from fearbut I must pursuethis holy longingthough it maytear me apartthough it mayshake me to piecesfor I believeGod’s promisenow and forever ~Robert Van Valkenburgh
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Scriptio: At Least For A Moment
Halfway into my morning centering prayer session, my nose began to itch. It was subtle, but noticeable, quietly demanding my attention. Out of instinct and habit, I was tempted to scratch it. It occurred to me, however, that part of the practice of centering prayer is the practice of letting go of these instincts,…
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Oratio: When You Are Pleased
Heavenly FatherI hear your whispersthe word upon my heartI see the winkof your divine eyeI feel you smiling upon mewhen you are pleasedand you want nothing lessthan for me to sharein your eternal joywhy I strayremains a mysteryand so I pray ~Robert Van Valkenburgh