Category: Daily Prayer

Remember to stop and breathe

On By dpavinatoIn Daily Prayer, sacred listening, Spiritual Journey, Teachers and Guides on the journeyLeave a comment

As I sat in quiet reflection before Mass on Saturday evening I was reading from Evening Prayer (Give Us This Day monthly prayer book) and was cut to the heart by the scripture from 1 Peter 4:8-11. “…let your love for one another be intense, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining.” FAIL.

I have to admit one of the worst weeks I have ever had dealing with anger, rage, irritation, reaction to others… The circumstances may have warranted frustration, or not being satisfied with the way an event unfolded, but anger and rage? A wise person once told me anger was simply frustrated will. This week I would have to agree with that!

There I was feeling fully convicted, right before having to approach the ambo to proclaim the Word of God as lector for the Mass. The words of the Responsorial Psalm 138, literally stuck in my throat “I will give thanks to you, O Lord, with all my heart, for you have heard the words of my mouth;” I had to take a nanosecond to regroup. Give thanks that God heard all the hateful words I spewed out this week? Give thanks for the times that I said “this isn’t worth it!” (life, faith, times of intense humility after needing to ask for help).

The gospel for this week, Sunday August 27, is Matthew 16: 13-20 in which Jesus tells Peter that he will build the church upon him. Peter who messes up countless times and Peter, who Jesus knows will deny Him during His time of need. I felt some hope. “Your kindness O Lord endures forever” (Psalm 138).

Earlier in the day on Saturday I was part of a retreat on the 14th century book (letters written by an anonymous monk to a student or disciple) The Cloud of Unknowing, hosted by Abbey of the Arts, presented by award winning translator Carmen Acevedo Butcher. The book has long been considered as the source for the practice of Centering Prayer, a form of Christian contemplation. When we take the time to sit, or walk as Carmen prefers at times, to go within, to listen in silence, we will encounter “God’s unabsent being” and the “soul is helped by grace”. It was a lovely reminder to return to the practice of my breath work and silent prayerful meditation at the end of a week that was so completely in need of grace.

This morning as I was finalizing some of these thoughts to post in the blog, I also read Judith Valente’s blog for this week, Practicing the “Psychological Hygiene” of Compassion. I was delighted for the additional reminders of a way to practice letting go of anger and welcome a stance of compassion in its’ place. I would encourage you to read her blog.

“Close the doors and windows of your spirit against the onslaught of pests and foes and prayerfully seek his strength; for if you do so, he will keep you safe from them.” Anonymous/The Cloud of Unknowing

Create Joy, Deena

Do not be concerned

On By dpavinatoIn Catholic faith, Daily Prayer, Every day Catholic, Spiritual Journey3 Comments

I don’t know why, but I seem to have a short memory for all the things that have gone right after a time of worry and fret over health, work, finances or whatever concern was on my mind. I can even say that there have been at least two times that something extra-ordinary or miraculous has happened that, at the time, assured me of God’s presence and personal care. Yet, the past couple of weeks I have been anxious over circumstances in life.

Today is the Feast of the Transfiguration. The three apostles, Peter, James, and John get a glimpse of Jesus’ divinity, they see the prophets Moses and Elijah, they hear the voice of God. Just before ascending to Mount Tabor, they learned Jesus was going to suffer and die, they were warned that the road ahead will be difficult, so you would think this glorious experience would sustain them, right? No, in a short time, they run and hide from the cross, their memories are short and they succumb to fear.

I can reflect back on the time that I had my little business here in town and even though it was the most wonderful experience of my life, it wasn’t as successful as I had hoped and I decided to “go back” to work. It was a time before internet and social media, I love imagining how I might have used those platforms to advertise! I had moved back “home” to Illinois after working for General Motors in the Detroit area. I remember telling the loan officer at the bank, when asked “what will you do if your business isn’t successful?” I replied, “I will go back to work and pay off my loan”. So I did! I worked part-time at JC Penney’s and within a short time was offered a manager position. I wasn’t sure it was the right role for me but I needed the job. While I was trying to decide, a manager role at Boise Cascade opened, for a new venture, I applied and got the position. Twenty-three years later I retired after working in many different roles and serving customers in many ways. One of those was a position in e-commerce that I visioned, recommended for my business unit and ultimately filled, it was my favorite of all.

Before I moved to Michigan I worked for a small software company in the Chicago suburbs and, because I had an account in Warren, I heard that EDS was hiring people for the GM account. I applied and got a position along with 14,000 other people, all of us looking for housing at the same time. I was put up in a hotel in the Detroit area, not the most favorable part, and spent time after work each day looking for an apartment. I felt as though I would never find a suitable living space, EDS would figure out I wasn’t one of the “eagles” they expected us all to be, as loyal workers for Ross Perot, and they would send me back to Illinois. I found a cute apartment in a community I loved and close to a parish that was an important part of my life during those five years.

I am sure that you, like me, can reflect back on circumstances in life that worked out differently than you might have imagined or hoped for. In most cases, the result was better than I could have envisioned. Even if it wasn’t better, it was a threshold space, an answer until the next step was revealed. Yet, this week, I have forgotten, and like the apostles, have run from the cross and hid in the arms of inquietude and melancholy.

Luke chapter 12, verses 22-34, reminds us that all of our needs will be attended to, that we don’t have to worry. Like the birds of the air or the lilies of the field, we need not be concerned about life. I don’t believe that it means that we are careless and don’t discern the best options for our lives. But, worrying doesn’t change the outcome, lessen the time it takes to resolve the situation and, in most cases, probably limits our ability to see solutions that might be right in front of us. So, this week, I invite us to get a glimpse of the love and personal care God has for us and, like Peter, James and John, respond with an open heart to the voice that says “listen to him”.

Create joy, Deena

Compassion in the rubble

On By dpavinatoIn Catholic faith, Daily Prayer, Every day Catholic, Spiritual JourneyLeave a comment

This week I have been touched by the story of Donaghy, Celtic name for “strong fighter”, a two-week old lamb that was rescued by Freedom Hill Sanctuary after undergoing all the normal procedures applied to young lambs on sheep farms. I will spare the details, you can research them, but after having these procedures done they wander in pain looking for their mothers again. For whatever reason, after five days, the farmer had compassion on this near lifeless and suffering creature, and called Freedom Hill Sanctuary to take him. Donaghy now has a chance at a better life. The pictures are difficult to see but they are caring for him and he has a warm cot and food to heal. He was taking food and improving but obviously still frightened. The image I used today was from Freedom Hill Sanctuary post this a.m. of Donaghy after healing touch and sound therapy (you can watch part of his response to the healing sounds on Instagram @freedomhillsanctuary). It filled my heart with such joy after seeing all the other pictures this week.

I haven’t seen the film “Sound of Freedom” yet with Jim Caviezel regarding child trafficking, but have heard it a deeply emotional and powerful story of a former CIA agent who goes undercover to rescue children. Last night on the news I watched a story of a restaurant owner from Highland Park who will be going to Ukraine to prepare meals. To have compassion – “to empathize with someone who is suffering and feel compelled to alleviate the suffering.”

This week, on one particular day, I was the recipient of three thoughtless comments, from separate individuals. Typically it throws me into judgement and criticism but for some reason I replaced my normal reaction with empathy for whatever the person was going through or simply the fact that they didn’t think about what they said before they said it. I certainly would like to do that more often! If I think about the number of times I have done the same, hopefully unintentionally, maybe it will be easier to respond with more grace and compassion.

During his homily this week, Fr. Carlson, our pastor at Holy Family talked about the weeds growing among the wheat, Matthew 13: 24-43, and how we see injustice around us in the world and wonder why. It can be challenging to deal with what we see in the world. The whole homily was rich with food for thought (you can find it on Facebook @holyfamilyoglesby, we livestream Masses) but the statements that captured my heart for reflection were: “There is evil that has to be endured. How much greatness within us would be lost if we didn’t have battles to fight? How much compassion would be lost if we didn’t have evil to endure?” By no means does this justify the evil. But we need to reflect on our own hearts and how we can look at these challenges in a different way. So I ask: Do I have a heart big enough for more compassion and what would that look like?

One of the authors we seem to return to over and over at work, for prayers of blessing, is Kate Bowler (@katecbowler and podcast – Everything Happens.). Her new book, The Lives We Actually Have, is full of lovely blessings. Her post on Instagram this morning was from another book, Good Enough: 40ish Devotionals for a Life of Imperfection. She says, in part of the blessing, “and while this life isn’t shiny, it does come with superpowers. superpowers of ever-widening empathy and existential courage that get you back up after another fall…” “and a deepened awe at the beauty and love that can be found amid life’s rubble. like flowers that grow from the cracks in the sidewalk. these virtues blossom in you. and thank God for you.” ending with “blessed are all of us who struggle, for we are in good company, and we’ll never walk alone.”

So let us pray for the grace of the “superpower” of compassion to help us bring more light and make the world a little brighter.

Blessings today and everyday, Deena

Image: As stated above, the image is from Freedom Hill Sanctuary Instagram and Facebook pages. I hope they would approve the use of their photo in hopes of raising awareness of their rescue organization and in hopes of creating a world with better farm practices for a more humane treatment of animals.

What seeds take root?

On By dpavinatoIn Daily Prayer, Every day Catholic, Life in the Spirit, Spiritual JourneyLeave a comment

Gardening is such a great analogy for life. There are so many parallels in writing or motivational thinking. You reap what you sow. If you have a dream, you have to nurture and care for it to see it come to fruition. From the Gospel for today, the Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, the seed that falls on rich soil produces fruit.

In the Strangest Secret by Earl Nightingale, one of my favorite motivational talks, Mr. Nightingale reminds us that what we do in life, and how we think, determines what we accomplish. We all begin with the belief in the possibility of our dreams and our intentions. Why don’t we achieve what we set out to accomplish? Mr. Nightingale suggests most people conform to life, and the belief of others, around us. The successful person is not a specific job or title, but rather someone who progressively works toward their desired goal or outcome. Without specific intention, direction, and guidance, we don’t end up where we want. His secret – “we become what we think about” or what we give our attention to.

When I go to my favorite garden centers and buy plants for the year, I don’t come home and plop them on the ground or in a pot, as is, and expect it to grow. Annuals need some nourishing potting soil, occasional fertilizer and even more water than plants in the flower beds. The perennials need the right spot of sun or shade, soil that is amended, proper pruning for the plant and of course, water. I care for the plants and then watch them take root and grow.

Today’s photo is of Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia) in my flower beds. I didn’t plant them in that spot. They are now growing along side a day lily plant and some echinacea (which looks like I have to give more space this year because of the Black-eyed Susan). The Black-eyed Susan are around the corner on the other side of the burning bush. The seed scattered, the soil was rich and it’s a sunny spot, which they prefer, so the plant has grown beautifully there. Perhaps too abundantly!

As we listen to scripture each day, or at least weekly, we are hearing and giving the Word of God a place to take root and plant seeds. Our faith grows as we mature spiritually. I don’t hear the Word proclaimed as a sixth grader and expect that level of faith to carry me the rest of my life, giving me counsel in every difficult or trying situation. I have to keep tending it, listening and growing, at the various phases of life. A deeply rooted and established plant in my garden isn’t going to topple in a storm. When the challenging situations come, the faith life that has been attended to over the years, is going to provide the firm foundation to help me navigate the difficult times. In his sermon on YouTube for this week, Bishop Barron suggests that the Word of God is creative (vs. descriptive or performative) and changes things. I would agree.

As a Benedictine Oblate and someone desiring a deeper faith life and closeness to God, I was reading daily scripture and reflections. But from the time, four or five years ago, on retreat when I heard (internal) the invitation to attend daily Mass things have changed. Oh believe me, I argued with God about that invitation – I was working and traveling, busy, etc. But the invitation persisted. I negotiated and said I would do the best I could. Do I still need to let that Word take better root, absolutely! There are days that it definitely falls among the weeds and is choked out by worry or lack of faith. But I keep listening. Over time, that Word we hear changes us, changes our perception of things and reaction to things. There are a ton of options, rather than being physically present at Mass if you find that challenging or you aren’t Catholic, YouTube or Facebook live streams, sites and apps like Hallow that you can simply listen to the scripture readings, etc. If you can become easily distracted, I would recommend listening to vs. reading scripture each day.

Whether success in work, family or faith, we become what we listen to and think about. Are you giving your attention to the things you want in life?

Peace, Deena

Both talks mentioned today can be found on YouTube

Photo is from my photo album of the Black-eyed Susan in my garden that is mentioned in the post.

Short and simple prayer

On By dpavinatoIn Benedictine Oblate, Daily Prayer, Every day Catholic, Spiritual Journey3 Comments

At some point this week I was reflecting on prayer during a time of distraction and focus on something that kept repeating over and over in my mind. I wanted it to stop! The Rule of St. Benedict is there for us seeking spiritual guidance in daily life, and especially for me as a Benedictine Oblate. In Chapter 20, St. Benedict says that “prayer should therefore be short and pure.” But Benedict often makes me smile because he always offers a modification or adjustment just in case the guidance is too harsh or doesn’t meet the needs of the individual. He adds in that same sentence “unless perhaps it <prayer> is prolonged under the inspiration of divine grace.”

Then Friday, reflecting on the call of Matthew by Jesus, Fr. Xavier of Conception Abbey, shared a quote from a book, Prayer of the Heart, by Fr. Jean Lafrance. Fr. Jean says “One of the greatest graces man may obtain in this world is to discover that, in the name of Jesus, he can integrate his whole existence, pray in all circumstances and be at ease everywhere.” Fr Xavier adds that we must, however, want to do it, to lift up our hearts to acknowledge God. He recommends that simply using the name of Jesus in prayer is a good way to do this. The message for me was when I keep worrying about something troubling or am upset by something someone said, I am acknowledging me, my thoughts, my desires. Of course, there are times to do that! But when it is troubling or preoccupying my mind, then perhaps my focus is ill-placed on my needs instead of making, as a follow up to my thoughts last week, God my priority in all things.

The website and Facebook page, Contemplative Outreach, based on the work and writings of Fr. Thomas Keating, reminded me that the desert fathers and mothers relied on the verses of the Psalms in their daily prayers. The Psalms offer so many helpful verses in short and succinct sentences that are easy to remember and repeat. We are probably all familiar with “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” Today’s Responsorial Psalm, for the Fourteenth Sunday is an uplifting prayer of joy and gratitude; “I will praise your name forever, my king and my God.”

Many of us are familiar with the “Jesus Prayer”; “Lord Jesus Christ, son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.” I have used that in the past, especially during Lent, but it isn’t one that I find especially helpful when trying to quiet my mind. During the week I came up with my own version of a mantra or short prayer to use; “Jesus, Word made flesh, you chose to come among us, be with me.” I found it quite helpful. It was easy to repeat when driving, moving about the house or whenever I found my mind wandering back to the troubling thought.

Give it a try this week. If you are so inclined, I would love to hear one that you create or are currently using. Please share in the comments of this blog or on the Facebook or Instagram posts for this week’s blog.

Peace, Deena

Image: My photo album/a view of the hummingbird feeders at a monastery I visited.

Mid-year pause

On By dpavinatoIn Catholic faith, Daily Prayer, sacred listening, sacred waiting, Spiritual Journey3 Comments

My intention this morning was to sit down and let you know I was going to pause on a blog update for today. It’s been a busy, and at times trying, week. So, on this morning of rain and clouds, I reflected on taking the time to rest in the quiet of a Sunday morning. I don’t know about you, but slowing down often brings about a deeper listening to the stirrings within. Maybe all the other noise stops long enough to listen to the yearnings on a soul level.

As we begin a new month, and enter into the second half of this year, maybe it is a good time to pause and reflect on what is to come. For me, it will be the excitement of returning to Italy in October. In addition, my part-time work is at an exciting threshold space. Effective July 1, we boldly stepped into the world of non-profit ministry and are preparing for the official launch of the new website and offerings in August. All of our discernment and planning is about to bear fruit. As a result, I am finally beginning to feel settled into a balance of semi-retirement and doing work that is fulfilling on a vocational level. Yet, there are so many questions I still hold about my personal vocation and living out God’s call in my life.

This weekend Fr. Paul Carlson, our pastor at Holy Family Church, during his homily, asked us to consider the priority we give to God in our life and how that is reflected in our relationships, choices we make regarding how to spend our time and even decisions we make regarding how we spend our money (ugh, did I really need one more “special” cleaning cloth when I have at least 10!). He invited us to use this summer as a time to consider that relationship, to spend time in prayer with the desire to go deeper in our relationship with God.

As I caught up on some emails, I read Saturday’s Pause+Pray by Franciscan Media (you know by now it’s a favorite daily reflection page for me). In A Matter of Trust, some of these very questions to consider were raised regarding our level of trust and faith. “Am I willing to let go of…?” The more I trust and can respond “yes” to each question, the more deeply I enter into a trusting relationship with God. I begin to get a better understanding of the priority God has in each of those various aspects of my life.

I think they are great questions to ponder this month/this summer. I hope you find them helpful too.

Peace, Deena

Photo from my PicMonkey account/Shuttersplash

Grateful Praise

On By dpavinatoIn Catholic faith, Daily Prayer, Every day Catholic, Spiritual Journey2 Comments

Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord, Praise and exalt Him above all forever. (Daniel 3:57)

The day began with sun shining and birds chirping. It is truly a day to give praise for the beauty of Spring. Even though the clouds are moving in, we need the rain, so we can give praise for that as well. The image I selected for today was taken yesterday during a visit to Hornabaker Gardens, for the New Plant Workshop, with my dear friend, Kathy. The morning started with rain but as the workshop went on, I saw the sun shining and the clouds departing behind Dave and Molly as they spoke to us in the hoop building we were in. It was a lovely morning; new plants, the beautiful gardens and a kindred spirit filled my soul with such joy!

Once I began to pray and become more familiar with the Psalms I pondered writing a book comprised of prayers and psalms of daily praise and thanksgiving. I tend to gravitate to Psalms of praise so I think it would be great to have them consolidated, along with other prayers from great spiritual teachers, in one place. My cousin is working on final edits of her first book in her nineties, so maybe there is still hope for my book.

I started praying the Liturgy of the Hours in the 1990’s as a result of the encouragement of our parish priest at the time. It took me awhile to figure out and get in a rhythm of moving the ribbons, using the weekly and daily prayers, while moving around the book (I use the Shorter Christian Prayer version rather than the full set of books with complete Office of Readings, etc). Once the lightbulb went on it, using the Liturgy of the Hours has been a blessing to me. I wish I was more consistent, I waver at times and often use condensed versions in prayer books like Give Us This Day, which I have previously mentioned in this blog. The Liturgy of the Hours is also called the Breviary, or the Divine Office, and is prayed by religious and monastics in the Catholic Church daily. It was one of the things that drew me to Benedictine spirituality and monastic life, to realize that someone, somewhere in the world, at this moment is praying for all of us and the Church. I wanted to do that same thing for others.

Quickly Sunday Morning Prayer, especially the Canticle of Daniel, became the favorite part of my prayer time using the Liturgy of the Hours. Various parts of the Canticle are used on each of the 4 Sundays of the Psalter but verses 57-88, used on Week 1 and III, are verses I return to many times, often on days other than Sunday morning. There are probably only a handful of items I would want as part of my funeral liturgy and this Canticle is one of them! Like Canticle of the Sun attributed to St. Francis, these Canticles perfectly praise all aspects of creation and the Creator. They fill me with such joy and thanksgiving.

This week I discovered a new prayer method of thanksgiving, the Rosary of Gratitude. I have used a gratitude journal many times in my life, listing 5-10 things each day for which I am grateful. But I have a few other ways of journaling at the moment, so one more journal to write in wasn’t feeling like a way to be grateful! Our prayer group has selected a new book and study program by Ascension Press for our reading and reflection. There is a video as part of each section of the book. In the video, Fr. Josh Johnson encouraged praying the Rosary of Gratitude. I googled it to learn more about the format and realized it was something I had done before but didn’t realize it was a “real” prayer method. I have prayed the Rosary, the Franciscan Rosary, and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy but when I used the beads for things I was grateful for I thought I was not honoring the true intent of the Rosary. What a delight to learn that there are ways to use my beads for gratitude.

I fell in love with it as I prayed. I soon realized that as I entered deeper in prayer there weren’t enough beads to cover all the things I was grateful for. I started with more broad items like being grateful for my family, for my friends, for my home, our parish and our area priests. Within a decade or two very specific things came to mind; Jeff’s successful surgery, Becky’s test results, the assistance I received on a work project, dinner with friends, and as I prayed it this a.m., after reading Judith’s blog about her airport experience, for the goodwill of people that help and that she obtained her phone before boarding her flight to Italy. It’s only been a week but I hope to incorporate this as part of daily prayer and can only imagine the blessings that will come from reflecting on the good things that I experience each day, things that I am grateful for instead of the things that aren’t going as well as I hoped.

This week consider ways you might spend a few moments each day in gratitude for the blessings in your life. Whether it is formal prayer, a gratitude journal, or a few moments basking in sunshine and saying “Thank you”, let’s watch and see what a difference it might make.

Peace, Deena