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Present To God’s Presence: Noticing God’s Presence in Ordinary Moments of Grace (Lectio Divina)
Drawing on the wisdom of St. Basil the Great, Thomas Merton, and the contemplative tradition, this meditation explores how God’s presence permeates every moment of creation. Through distraction, awakening, and surrender, the soul learns to notice grace already unfolding within ordinary life. Moving from attentive awareness to prayerful union, it invites readers to rediscover…
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When God Feels Near and Far: Embracing The Felt Presence and Perceived Absence of God’s Love (Oratio Divina)
A contemplative reflection on the paradox of experiencing both God’s felt presence and perceived absence, exploring how deep longing, grief, and hope are woven together in the spiritual life. Drawing on the mystery of grace and Scripture, this post invites readers to embrace both the healing and humbling aspects of God’s love that cannot…
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Oratio Divina: Never Knew Silence
A reflective spiritual poem by Robert Van Valkenburgh explores the journey from restlessness and self-centered striving into divine stillness, grace, and solitude. Through surrender and transformation, the soul discovers that true silence and comfort are found in God’s presence, where darkness becomes rest and solitude becomes communion.
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Lectio Divina: Who Has Moved From Whom
This reflection reminds us that spiritual distance is often the result of our own drifting hearts, not God’s absence. God remains constant, faithful, and near, yet we may wander through distraction, sin, fear, or forgetfulness. This meditation invites readers to turn back toward God with humility, trust, and renewed attention. It emphasizes that the…
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Lectio Divina: The Sun Shines On The Blind
St. Anthony the Great reminds us that God never withdraws His presence, even when we fall into sin. Just as the sun continues to shine though the blind cannot see it, God remains constant, steady, and radiant in His love. This Lectio Divina invites us to reflect on the unwavering mercy of God and…
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Oratio Divina: In And Around Me
This Oratio Divina reflects on the unwavering presence and sustaining love of God, especially in moments when He feels unseen. It affirms that God does not punish, abandon, or forsake His children, but instead works for them—upholding, guiding, and surrounding them with grace. This prayer invites readers to trust in God’s quiet nearness and…
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Lectio: Gate Of Heaven
This profound Lectio Divina based on James Finley’s insight highlights the spiritual significance of acknowledging our poverty before God. By accepting our limitations and weaknesses, we open ourselves to God’s grace, discovering that this humility is the very gateway to heaven. This reflection encourages believers to embrace their dependence on God, recognizing it as…
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Oratio: New Prayer Posture
In this enlightening oratio divina, Robert Van Valkenburgh invites us to lift our heads and engage with the world as a way of renewing our connection to God. He emphasizes the importance of experiencing the beauty around us—the sun, the breeze, and the quiet whispers of creation—as a form of prayer and prostration. This…
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Oratio: Lacking Nothing
In this poignant oratio divina, Robert Van Valkenburgh captures the restless pursuit of fulfillment in worldly endeavors and contrasts it with the peace available in God’s eternal presence. He encourages us to cease our endless striving, to be still, and to submit to the divine, discovering the completeness and contentment already present in our…
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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…