All posts by Beth Price

Bronze Level

ICSC Strategic Partners

FᐧEᐧG®

Fund Evaluation Group, LLC
201 East Fifth Street Suite 1600
Cincinnati, OH 45202
513-977-4400
information@feg.com

In today’s complex investment landscape, your institution faces unique challenges. At FEG, our mission is to empower our clients to achieve their goals through superior investment performance, objective insights, and research.

Equipped with a suite of comprehensive services and capabilities and an unwavering commitment to client success, FEG stands ready to help your organization develop and manage a holistic investment program designed specifically around your needs.

Bronze Level

ICSC Strategic Partners

Rambusch Decorating Company

160 Cornelison Ave.
Jersey City, NJ 07304
201.333.2525
www.rambusch.com

Rambusch Decorating Company, a family owned and managed organization, designs and manufactures solutions for the decorative interior. It is within the worship environment, i.e., church, chapel, shrine or cathedral that the talents in the workshops come together in a harmonious fashion. The studios of Liturgical Design and Furnishings, Stained Glass,
Mosaic and Artwork exist side-by-side, just beyond the doors of the office, allowing for a hands-on commitment of design concept through actual fabrication. Rambusch creates custom and engineered lighting for public spaces: churches, museums, state capitols, and industry, drawing on this experience to make sure that their concepts come to light. We
welcome your inquiry, large or small, and will be sure to help bring your vision to life.

Furnishings, Lighting, Mosaic and Artwork, Restoration, Stained Glass

REFLECTION

ICSC, Prayer

Jesus tells his followers that they are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14-16) and that they are unable to be hidden. No one puts a lamp under a bushel basket because the purpose of a lamp is to help people see in dark places. Jesus Christ’s followers shine the light of the Lord on those around them by the words they speak and the actions they take. This is one of the great gospel images of discipleship: the light of discipleship in Christ shining for all the world to see.

Light cannot be anything other than what it is. It’s bright; it dispels darkness; it enables people to see what they are doing. God is light, and since He sent His Holy Spirit to live inside believers, so are we. As his ambassadors on earth, we shine even when we don’t know it. We reflect God’s very presence in the world. It is not enough for us to know about God. As disciples, we have to be the activity of God in the world.

The bushel basket Jesus refers to in the gospel is big enough to cover a lamp. But Jesus’ teaching suggests that lights don’t magically end up underneath bushel baskets. The only way for our light to be covered is if we put a basket over it. He describes a light not snuffed out but covered up. The light is not extinguished. It is rendered useless. But what baskets prevent our light from shining? What are they in reality? Maybe the basket is anger, envy, selfishness or an insecurity of some kind. Maybe it is shame. These kinds of baskets and others block out God’s light trying to shine through us. Good stewards of the light who follow Jesus do not give their time, energy, and resources to the bushel baskets that cover the light.

Jesus encourages us to let our light shine before others, calling us to live an active life of faith, not a passive one. We have many grace-filled opportunities to shine our light brightly for the Lord and to share the Good News with all those with whom we come in contact. Our light reveals to those among our family, friends, neighbors and community what we believe by how we live our lives. You are the light of the world. Be a good steward of your light. Let your light shine before others so that they, too, may see the glory of God.

Bronze Level

ICSC Strategic Partners

Church Development 

15 E 55th Terr
Kansas City, MO 64113
816.560.3641
www.church-development.com

Church Development, a Catholic firm, has helped over 200 parishes through feasibility studies and capital campaigns. The firm’s stewardship focus is based on 1 Peter 4:10, and is backed up with the most rigorous statistical research on “how to increase generosity” in the industry. Thousands of parish stewardship efforts have used their free, on-line,
Stewardship System. The pledge appeal is based in prayer not pressure, and as a result annual giving increases and planned gifts have robust growth. Comprehensive service takes the load off of parish staff and volunteers. A high level of financial success results in many repeat clients. Their ICSC conference presentation, “How to increase regular giving
during a capital campaign” was so successful that it was made into a webinar.
Annual Appeals, Capital Campaigns, Development, Endowment Campaigns, Feasibility Studies, Fundraising, Planned Giving, Stewardship

Bronze Level

ICSC Strategic Partners

Cathedral Corporation

632 Ellsworth Road
Rome, NY 13441
800.698.0299
www.cathedralstewardship.com  

Cathedral Corporation has shared the values and mission of faith-based organizations like yours since 1916. We pride ourselves not only on the quality of our products, but also the quality of our relationships. We specialize in custom-tailored solutions that reach, motivate, and engage each unique Catholic community in responding generously to God’s call for stewardship. Cathedral provides communication and fundraising needs, including offertory envelope solutions, enhanced giving programs, capital campaigns and diocesan annual appeals.

Annual Appeals, Capital Campaigns, Data Management, eGiving, Fundraising,
Offertory Programs, Stewardship

2 ~ PALABRAS DE JESUS DE INVITACIÓN

Archdio of St. Paul Minneapolis, Compañero

~ 2 ~

~PALABRAS DE JESUS DE INVITACIÓN ~
“Vengan a mí, todos ustedes que trabajan…”
Audio

Preparo mi corazón para orar

Al comenzar, me tomo un momento para percibir la Presencia del Señor ante mí,
mirándome con amor, deseando hablarle a mi corazón.

En oración, leo Mateo 11, 25-30.

Después de leer en oración, pido una gracia
que deseo en este momento de oración.

 

Usando mi razonamiento:
• Piense en lo que está sucediendo en la escena; ¿Cuáles son las palabras de acción?
• ¿Quiénes son las personas en la escena? Cuál es el lugar ¿Qué cosas se describen?
• ¿Qué palabras me llaman la atención? ¿Qué significa esto para mí?

Usando mi imaginación:
• Me imagino en la escena, ¿soy un observador o participante? ¿A quién me siento atraído?
• Usando todos mis sentidos, ¿qué veo? ¿Qué escucho? ¿Qué siento, huelo o pruebo?

Reflexiono sobre lo que Dios le dice a mi corazón:
• Mientras reflexiono, utilizo mis sentidos espirituales para reconocer lo que está ocurriendo en mi corazón: mis pensamientos, sentimientos y deseos. (Reconocer significa ver, notar, darse cuenta, nombrar). Es importante hacer esto, ya que mis pensamientos, sentimientos y deseos dan forma a mis acciones.

• Busco la verdad que el Señor me está comunicando. Le pido a Jesús que me dé su mente y sus pensamientos para ver con los ojos de su corazón lo que hoy quiere revelarme. ¿Cómo me está llamando Jesús a aplicar esta verdad a mi vida?

 

Reflexión guiada
Citado de “Una Introducción Ignaciana a la Oración”,
por el padre Timothy M Gallagher, O.M.V1 

Siento el gozo de la gratitud en el corazón de Jesús cuando eleva su corazón al Padre, a quien tanto ama, y por quien se sabe amado tan profundamente … ese mismo Padre que me dice, como a Jesús: Tú eres mi hija amada, mi hijo amado…

Jesús agradece a su Padre haber revelado los misterios del reino no a los autosuficientes… sino a los que se sienten desamparados, dependientes de Dios para todo, como un niño pequeño…. Pido ser esa niña, ese niño…

Le pido a Jesús, el Hijo que conoce al Padre, que se revele a sí mismo, que me revele al Padre en este tiempo de oración … que elija hacer esto en mi corazón …

Ahora está cerca de mí, hablándole a mi corazón. Escucho su invitación: “Ven a mí …” Comparto con el Señor mi propio deseo, ahora, en este tiempo de oración. Aun cuando siento mi más sentido anhelo de “venir a él”, de saber que mi corazón está cerca de él… lo escucho decirme, con infinito amor: quiero que te acerques, te invito, te llamo,
“Ven a mi …”

“Tú que estás fatigado y agobiado … Yo te haré descansar”. Señor, concédeme el descanso que busca mi corazón inquieto. Acepto esta invitación. Vengo al Señor trayendo mis cargas, el dolor y el cansancio de mi corazón. Escucho su promesa de descanso, descanso del corazón…

“Carga con mi yugo y aprende de mí … porque soy manso y humilde de corazón”. Dos palabras. Señor, eres manso, eres humilde de corazón. Reflexiono sobre cada palabra … No hay más lugar para el miedo…

“Aprende de mí”. Le pido al Señor este “aprendizaje” en estos momentos de oración… Este es el aprendizaje que más desea mi corazón: aprendizaje personal, aprendizaje relacional, aprendizaje de Jesús…” Y encontrarán descanso para sus almas. Porque mi yugo es suave y mi carga ligera”. “Nos has hecho para ti, oh Señor, y nuestro corazón está inquieto, hasta que descanse en ti” (San Agustín). Busco al Señor, busco su descanso… Gracias Señor… Gracias Señor…

Te pido esta gracia en este tiempo de oración:

Conversa con Dios2

Reconocer:

  • ¿Cuáles son los pensamientos que surgen en mi corazón? Yo creo …
  • ¿Cuáles son los sentimientos que surgen en mi corazón? Yo siento …
  • ¿Cuáles son los deseos que surgen en mi corazón? Yo deseo … 

Relacionar:

Honestamente relaciono esto con Dios; le hablo a Él de esto, confiando en que está presente y escuchándome a mí, su amado hijo.

Recibir:

  • Escucho lo que el Señor quiere decirle a mi corazón, sabiendo que Su amor es gratuito e incondicional. Recibo su amor y consuelo. Confío en que Él anhela consolarme, animarme, fortalecerme, curarme, perdonarme…
  • Le permito a Él que me guíe; quizás volviendo a la escritura …

Responder en oración:

Concluyo mi tiempo de oración hablando con Jesús, con Dios Padre y / o el Espíritu Santo

  • Concluyo mi tiempo de oración hablando con Jesús, con Dios Padre y / o el Espíritu Santo como le hablaría a un amigo. También puedo invocar la intercesión de María y los santos. (San Ignacio llama a esto un coloquio).

Alábalo – doy gloria a Dios por quien es; por ser todo bueno y amoroso; por ser mi Señor y salvador…

Agradécele – por nuestro tiempo juntos; por su palabra para mí; por los regalos que me ha dado hoy …

Pídele … por ayuda, gracia, fuerza, sabiduría, fe más profunda…

  • En base a lo que Dios está diciendo a mi corazón, me propongo actuar de la siguiente manera concreta para amar a Dios y amar al prójimo (que podría ser algo pequeño). Hoy voy a …

Descansen en el Señor:
“Quédense quietos y sepan que yo soy Dios”
Psalm 46, 10

1 Gallagher, T., 2008. Una Introducción Ignaciana a la Oración: Reflexiones Bíblicas Según los Ejercicios Espirituales. Nueva York: The Crossroad Publishing Company.

2 Esta forma de conversar con Dios en oración a menudo llamada RRRR (ARRR por sus siglas en inglés) es enseñada por el Instituto para la Formación Sacerdotal de Omaha Nebraska. Para obtener más  información, consulte Father Traynor, Scott (2013) La Parroquia Como Escuela de Oración y, Dwyer, Karen y Lawrence (2011) WRAP Yourself in Scripture (Publicaciones de IPF).

1 ~ BARTIMEO

Archdio of St. Paul Minneapolis, Compañero

~ 1 ~

BARTIMEO ~
¿Qué quieres que haga por ti?
Audio

Preparo mi corazón para orar

Al comenzar, me tomo un momento para percibir la Presencia del Señor ante mí,
mirándome con amor, deseando hablar a mi corazón.

En oración, leo Marcos 10, 46-52

Después de leer en oración, pido una gracia que
deseo en este momento de oración.

 

Usando mi razonamiento:

  • Piense en lo que está sucediendo en la escena; ¿Cuáles son las palabras de acción?
  • ¿Quiénes son las personas en la escena? ¿Cuál es el lugar? ¿Qué cosas se describen?
  • ¿Qué palabras me llaman la atención? ¿Qué significa esto para mí?

Usando mi imaginación:

  • Me imagino en la escena: ¿Soy un observador o un participante? ¿Quién te atrae?
  • Usa todos tus sentidos, ¿Qué es lo que ves? ¿Qué escuchas? ¿Qué sientes?

Reflexiona sobre lo que Dios le está diciendo a tu corazón:

  • Mientras reflexiono, utilizo mis sentidos espirituales para reconocer lo que está ocurriendo en mi corazón: mis pensamientos, sentimientos y deseos. (Reconocer significa ver, notar, darse cuenta, nombrar). Es importante hacer esto, ya que mis pensamientos, sentimientos y deseos dan forma a mis acciones.
  • Busco la verdad que el Señor me está comunicando. Le pido a Jesús que me dé su mente y sus pensamientos para ver con los ojos de su corazón, lo que hoy quiere revelarme. ¿Cómo me está llamando Jesús a aplicar esta verdad a mi vida?

Reflexión Guiada

Citado de “Una introducción ignaciana a la oración”,
por el padre Gallagher,  O.M.V1

 

Veo las multitudes, el camino que sale de la ciudad, el mendigo ciego sentado junto al camino … Estoy ahí con él … tal vez tomo su lugar, y ahora, estoy sentado ahí, como él, esperando …

Él busca ir hacia Jesús por su gran necesidad y esperanza de que, en Jesús, encuentre sanidad. Pero él es incapaz de acercarse al Señor … Siento mi propia necesidad, mi propia esperanza, mi propia impotencia.

Miro cómo el ciego derrama su necesidad y su esperanza en el grito repetido: “¡Jesús, Hijo de David!, ¡ten compasión de mí!” Su llanto también se convierte en el llanto de mi corazón: “¡Jesús … ten compasión de mí!” Yo hago esta oración al Señor.

Jesús escucha este grito. Se detiene. Le dice a la multitud: “Llámenlo”. Escucho sus voces diciéndome: “Ánimo; levántate, Él te está llamando “. Siento que mi corazón comienza a elevarse con una nueva esperanza …

Estoy delante de Jesús. Nuestros ojos se encuentran … Veo su rostro, escucho sus palabras, su pregunta a mi corazón: “¿Qué quieres que haga por ti?” Ahora Jesús y yo estamos solos en medio de la multitud. Y le hablo desde mi corazón, sin prisa. Me atrevo a decirle todo lo que espero que haga por mí … todo lo que espero de este momento de oración …

Le digo: “Maestro, déjame recobrar mi vista”. ¡Ayúdame a ver! Ayúdame a ver mi camino claramente en las dudas y miedos que siente mi corazón; ayúdame a superar los obstáculos que me alejan de la cercanía que deseo contigo …

Y, junto con Bartimeo, experimento la palabra de sanación de Jesús … Siento el amor que se derrama de Él y trae curación, trae nueva esperanza a mi vida …

Lo sigo por el camino …

Te pido esta gracia en este tiempo de oración:

Conversa con Dios2

 

Reconocer:

  • ¿Cuáles son los pensamientos que surgen en mi corazón? Yo creo …
  • ¿Cuáles son los sentimientos que surgen en mi corazón? Yo siento …
  • ¿Cuáles son los deseos que surgen en mi corazón? Yo deseo … 

Relacionar:    

Honestamente relaciono esto con Dios; le hablo a Él de esto, confiando en que está presente y escuchándome a mí, su amado hijo.

Recibir:

  • Escucho lo que el Señor quiere decirle a mi corazón, sabiendo que Su amor es gratuito e incondicional. Recibo su amor y consuelo. Confío en que Él anhela consolarme, animarme, fortalecerme, curarme, perdonarme…
  • Le permito a Él que me guíe; quizás volviendo a la escritura …

Responder en oración:

  • Concluyo mi tiempo de oración hablando con Jesús, con Dios Padre y / o el Espíritu Santo como le hablaría a un amigo. También puedo invocar la intercesión de María y los santos.    (San Ignacio llama a esto un coloquio).

Alábalo – doy gloria a Dios por quien es; por ser todo bueno y amoroso; por ser mi Señor y salvador…

Agradécele – por nuestro tiempo juntos; por su palabra para mí; por los regalos que me ha dado hoy …

Pídele … por ayuda, gracia, fuerza, sabiduría, fe más profunda…

  • En base a lo que Dios está diciendo a mi corazón, me propongo actuar de la siguiente manera concreta para amar a Dios y amar al prójimo (que podría ser algo pequeño). Hoy voy a …

Descansen en el Señor:
“Quédense quietos y sepan que yo soy Dios”

Psalm 46: 10

 

1 Gallagher, T., 2008. Una Introducción Ignaciana a la Oración: Reflexiones Bíblicas Según los Ejercicios Espirituales. Nueva York: The Crossroad Publishing Company.

2 Esta forma de conversar con Dios en oración a menudo llamada RRRR (ARRR por sus siglas en inglés) es enseñada por el Instituto para la Formación Sacerdotal de Omaha Nebraska. Para obtener más información, consulte Father Traynor, Scott (2013) La Parroquia Como Escuela de Oración y, Dwyer, Karen y Lawrence (2011) WRAP Yourself in Scripture (Publicaciones de IPF).

8 ~ A CRY OF UTTER SINCERITY

Companion

~ 8 ~

A CRY OF UTTER SINCERITY ~
“Create in me a clean heart, O God.”

I prepare my heart for prayer
As I begin, I take a moment to become aware of the Lord present to me,
looking upon me with love, desiring to speak to my heart.

Prayerfully, I read Psalm 51:1-19
After prayerfully reading, I ask for a grace I desire in this time of prayer.

Using my reasoning:

• Think about what is happening in the scene; what are the action words?
• Who are the people in the scene? What is the place? What things are described?
• What words catch my attention? What does this mean to me?

Using my imagination:

• Imagining myself in the scene – am I an observer or a participant? To whom am I drawn?
• Using all of my senses – what do I see? What do I hear? What do I feel, smell or taste?

Reflect on what God is saying to my heart:

• As I reflect, I use my spiritual senses to acknowledge what is transpiring in my heart – my thoughts, feelings, and desires.  (Acknowledge means to see, to notice, to become aware of, to name.) This is important to do, as my thoughts, feelings, and desires shape my actions.

• I look for the truth the Lord is communicating to me. I ask Jesus to give me his mind and his thoughts to see with the eyes of his heart what he wants to reveal to me today. How is Jesus calling me to apply this truth to my life?

 

Guided Reflection
Quoted from “An Ignatian Introduction to Prayer,”
by Father Timothy M Gallagher, O.M.V1 

Now I turn to the Lord with a heartfelt plea. Like David (see the title to Psalm 51), I live this moment when my spiritual eyes suddenly see with clarity. Like David, I make no more excuses, I no longer try not to see …

And from the most sincere depth of my heart, like him, I turn to the Lord seeking healing, daring to hope for a new and purified heart, to be set free from my obstacles to love … to be given a new experience of the joy of healing.

I take up the words of this prayer, Psalm 51. I say them slowly to the Lord, pausing where my heart feels the need, repeating these words with sincerity, with hope, with trust in the love of the One with whom I speak …

“Have mercy on me, O God, / according to your merciful love.” “Have mercy on me” … the mercy that heals, that restores to value … that expresses unshakable love …

My heart feels this steadfast, this faithful love for me as I pray …

“Wash me thoroughly …” I dare, like David to ask even this …

“For I know my transgressions …” I ask the Lord to give me this self-knowledge, the first precious step toward healing …

“Behold, you desire truth in the inward being …” This is the truth I seek: truth in the heart, this truth that you desire, that you love …

“Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” “Make me hear joy and gladness …” I ask this blessed washing, I desire this joy and gladness …

“Create in me a clean heart, O God.” I feel the beauty of this “clean heart …” I long for this heart … With simple trust, I ask of the Lord this gift …

“O Lord, open my lips, / and my mouth shall show forth your praise …” A song of praise for new freedom from my obstacles to love …

“The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; / a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” I turn to the Lord, who comes not for the righteous but for sinners (Mk 2:17) … I feel the enfolding embrace of his cleansing love …

I ask for this grace in this time of prayer:

Converse with God2

Acknowledge:

• What are the thoughts arising in my heart? I think …
• What are the feelings arising in my heart? I feel …
• What are the desires arising in my heart? I desire …

Relate:

I honestly relate these to God; I talk to him about them, trusting he is present and listening to me, his beloved child.

Receive:

• I listen to what the Lord wants to say to my heart, knowing his love is gratuitous and unconditional.  I receive his love and consolation. I trust he longs to console me, to encourage me, to strengthen me, to heal me, to forgive me …

• I allow him to lead me; perhaps returning to the scripture …

Respond:

• I conclude my prayer time speaking to Jesus, God the Father, and/or the Holy Spirit as I would speak to a friend. I may also invoke the intercession of Mary and the Saints.
(St. Ignatius calls this a colloquy.)

Praise him – give glory to God for who he is; for being all good and loving; for being my Lord and savior …

Thank him – for our time together; for his word to me; for the gifts he has given me today …

Ask him – for his help, grace, strength, wisdom, deeper faith …

• Based on what God is saying to my heart, I resolve to act in the following concrete way to love God and love neighbor (which could be something small). Today I will …

 

Rest in the Lord: Be still and know that I am God
Psalm 46:10

 

1 Gallagher, T., 2008. An Ignatian Introduction To Prayer: Scriptural Reflections According To The Spiritual Exercises. New York: The Crossroad Publishing Company.

2 This way to converse with God in prayer often called ARRR is taught by The Institute for Priestly Formation out of Omaha Nebraska. For more information see Father Traynor, Scott (2013) The Parish as a School of Prayer and Dwyer, Karen and Lawrence (2011) WRAP Yourself in Scripture (IPF Publications).

7 ~ SAYING YES TO GOD

Companion

~ 7 ~

SAYING “YES” TO GOD ~
“God … said to him, ‘Abraham!’
And he said, ‘Here am I.’”

 

I prepare my heart for prayer
As I begin, I take a moment to become aware of the Lord present to me,
looking upon me with love, desiring to speak to my heart.

Prayerfully, I read Genesis 22:1-19
After prayerfully reading, I ask for a grace I desire in this time of prayer.

Using my reasoning:

• Think about what is happening in the scene; what are the action words?
• Who are the people in the scene? What is the place? What things are described?
• What words catch my attention? What does this mean to me?

Using my imagination:

• Imagining myself in the scene – am I an observer or a participant? To whom am I drawn?
• Using all of my senses – what do I see? What do I hear? What do I feel, smell or taste?

Reflect on what God is saying to my heart:

• As I reflect, I use my spiritual senses to acknowledge what is transpiring in my heart – my thoughts, feelings, and desires. (Acknowledge means to see, to notice, to become  aware of, to name.) This is important to do, as my thoughts, feelings, and desires shape my actions.

• I look for the truth the Lord is communicating to me. I ask Jesus to give me his mind and his thoughts to see with the eyes of his heart what he wants to reveal to me today. How is Jesus calling me to apply this truth to my life?

Guided Reflection
Quoted from “An Ignatian Introduction to Prayer,”
by Father Timothy M Gallagher, O.M.V1 

“After these things God tested Abraham” – a test that will lead to an outpouring of blessings …

I live with Abraham this moment when God asks of him what is dearest to his heart, and Abraham is ready to say “yes” to God, even in this …

How ready am I to say “yes” to all that the Lord may be asking of me now? To his call to relinquish something, to take some new step, that will lead me closer to him, that will help me respond more fully to his love for me, to his plan for me?

I marvel at the faith and availability to God that Abraham shows here. With a trusting heart, I ask God for that same faith, that same availability …

I am with Abraham when God calls him: “Abraham!” “Here am I.” My heart too says, “Here am I,” open to your call …

I sense all that stirs in Abraham’s heart when God asks a sacrifice that touches the deep places in his heart: “your only son Isaac, whom you love.”

And Abraham simply obeys … trusting in the faithful love of the God who asks
this of him …

I watch the journey to the mount; I hear the question of his son, Isaac: “Behold, the fire, and the wood; but where is the lamb …?” And Abraham’s reply: “God will provide himself the lamb …”

On the mount, God again calls: “Abraham!” “Here am I.”
“Do not lay your hand on the lad …”

And God blesses the great availability of Abraham: “Because you have done this, and have not withheld your son … I will indeed bless you and … multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven …”

I ask God for the faith of Abraham, to remove all that keeps me from a new and deeper “yes” to his call to grow spiritually, to deepen in holiness, in union with him …

I ask his grace to see clearly the obstacles that hold me back, the places in my life where it is hard for me to offer, like Abraham, what I so deeply love, where I struggle to say “yes …”

And I ask his love, his grace, to say, in a new way, with a new openness, my “yes” of availability … in all …

I ask for this grace in this time of prayer:

Converse with God2

Acknowledge:

• What are the thoughts arising in my heart? I think …
• What are the feelings arising in my heart? I feel …
• What are the desires arising in my heart? I desire …

Relate:

I honestly relate these to God; I talk to him about them, trusting he is present and listening to me, his beloved child.

Receive:

• I listen to what the Lord wants to say to my heart, knowing his love is gratuitous and unconditional.  I receive his love and consolation. I trust he longs to console me, to encourage me, to strengthen me, to heal me, to forgive me …

• I allow him to lead me; perhaps returning to the scripture …

Respond:

• I conclude my prayer time speaking to Jesus, God the Father, and/or the Holy Spirit as I would speak to a friend. I may also invoke the intercession of Mary and the Saints.
(St. Ignatius calls this a colloquy.)

Praise him – give glory to God for who he is; for being all good and loving; for being my Lord and savior …

Thank him – for our time together; for his word to me; for the gifts, he has given
me today …

Ask him – for his help, grace, strength, wisdom, deeper faith …

• Based on what God is saying to my heart, I resolve to act in the following concrete way to love God and love neighbor (which could be something small). Today I will …

Rest in the Lord: Be still and know that I am God
Psalm 46:10

 

1 Gallagher, T., 2008. An Ignatian Introduction To Prayer: Scriptural Reflections According To The Spiritual Exercises. New York: The Crossroad Publishing Company.

2 This way to converse with God in prayer often called ARRR is taught by The Institute for Priestly Formation out of Omaha Nebraska. For more information see Father Traynor, Scott (2013) The Parish as a School of Prayer and Dwyer, Karen and Lawrence (2011) WRAP Yourself in Scripture (IPF Publications).