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Altar of Insomnia: The Transformative Power of Grace (Lectio Divina)
Robert Van Valkenburgh traces the arc from childhood hyper-vigilance to a 4 a.m. moment of insomnia — where the altar of self-made atonement becomes, by grace, the place of surrender. Drawing on St. Thérèse of Lisieux’s bold declaration that she fears only one thing — keeping her own will — this Lectio Divina asks…
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Layer by Layer: How God Frees Us From the Darkness We Cling To (Lectio Divina)
What does it really mean to be born again — not once, but continually, layer by layer? Drawing on Henri Nouwen’s reflection on spiritual rebirth in Discernment, this Lectio Divina explores why conversion is often painful rather than joyful: because we cling to the very darkness that drove us to God, refusing to release…
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Letting Go of Worry: Throwing Ourselves into the Ocean of God’s Goodness (Lectio Divina)
Drawing on St. Paul of the Cross’s invitation to throw ourselves into the ocean of God’s goodness, this Lectio Divina explores Jesus’s call to release anxiety and trust in grace — one step at a time — into the boundless light of love that was always waiting for us.
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The Gift of Wonder: Letting Go of Certainty and Resting in Mystery (Lectio Divina)
We spend so much of our lives grasping for certainty — as if knowing enough could protect us from pain, loss, or the sheer vastness of what we cannot control. But what if the part of us that demands to know is not the deepest part of us at all? Drawing on Serene Jones,…
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Oratio Divina: Presence And Awe
This reflective poem explores the fleeting nature of time through the image of a feather caught in a windstorm. It invites readers to release control, embrace patience, and encounter time not as something to be possessed, but as a sacred experience received through presence, awe, and childlike wonder. Rooted in spiritual mindfulness, the reflection…
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Lectio Divina: Let God Come Through
In this reflective quote, musician Michael “Flea” Balzary points to a deeper wisdom beyond intellect—one that values study not as an end in itself, but as a means of surrender. True creativity and spiritual fruit emerge when knowledge is held lightly, making space for God to work through us. This insight invites readers to…
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Oratio Divina: Fear And Wanting
In this Oratio Divina, Robert Van Valkenburgh invites us to release our need for control and attachment to worldly possessions. By surrendering our desires and trusting in Christ, we find true freedom and inner peace. The passage reminds us that peace comes not from striving or clinging, but from resting in God’s providence and…