Read. Pray. Write.

IN THIS EPISODE Could It Be that God is Singing?

Guest Becca J. R. Lachman, a librarian and singer-songwriter whose work is being considered for the hymnal of the Mennonite Church U.S.A, discusses how writing poetry and lyrics has helped her get through “dark nights of the soul.”

WRITING PROMPT    Singer-songwriter Lachman discussed revision of a song of worship with new lyrics or poetry in order that gives voice to contemporary issues in order to “carry God’s light to others.” If you could (re)write a hymn in the words you’ve always wanted to sing in a place of worship, what would those words be, and why? 

About the Guest

Becca Lachman is a writer, singer-songwriter, and recovering adjunct professor living in Appalachian Ohio. In 2012, Becca edited the national anthology A Ritual to Read Together: Poems in Conversation with William Stafford. She’s also the author of two poetry collections of her own: Other Acreage, an ode-elegy to her family’s 1840s dairy farm, and The Apple Speaks, which explores being a wife/daughter of loved ones doing nonviolent peace work in war-torn places. She most recently co-edited an issue of the Journal for Mennonite Writing on the theme “Traditions in Translation.”   

IPray: Never to Face Our Perils Alone

The beloved “Merton Prayer” comes from the Cistercian monk’s book, Thoughts In Solitude. 

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IN THIS EPISODE Lessons in Our Personal Wasteland

Carl McColman discusses how we are all called to be contemplative even in the middle of a noisy world and despite our distracted minds. If we are people of faith, we must meet the chaos in the presence of the Holy Spirit.Additional resources mentioned by Carl: Prayer & Prophecy, Kennith Leech, The Grace in Dying, Kathleen D. SinghWRITING PROMPT   Is there a person in your life who has taught you more about living, love, spirituality and compassion than any scriptural passage or religious teaching? It could be that your relationship is complicated or messy, but full of love even where you did not expect it. Write down what “unteachable lesson” this relationship taught you and why you needed it.

About the Guest

Carl McColman is a blogger, podcaster, and the author of books like The Big Book of Christian Mysticism, Befriending Silence, and most recently Unteachable Lessons: Why Wisdom Can’t Be Taught and Why That’s Okay. Carl has been a practitioner of Christian contemplative prayer for over 35 years; he is a life-professed lay associate of the Trappist Monastery near where he lives just outside of Atlanta, Georgia. He is a commissioned Centering Prayer presenter, a spiritual director, and a retreat leader. You can find Carl online at www.carlmccolman.com or www.encounteringsilence.com

IN THIS EPISODE Enduring for Christ

In preparation for Lent, which begins Feb. 26, Doctor of the Church St. Thomas of Aquinas (Feast Day Jan. 28) offers his Meditations for this liturgical season. This text reminds us that Christ endured death as an example that the truth should never be abandoned, even if it means we must endure especially in times of suffering.

IN THIS EPISODE Signs Are All Around Us

We sometimes hold so tightly to what we want that we miss what is being offered. For important decisions, we sometimes have a small voice inside prompting us to pay attention to other options, but we stubbornly resist.  Often a sign, such as a rainbow, can catch us off guard and prompt us to notice differently. In Genesis 9: 12-16, God reminds us that a rainbow will always be a sign of His promise to love us.

WRITING PROMPT  Think about the last time you saw a rainbow. Write about the experience: the when, where, with whom, but most of all, try to capture how you felt when seeing it.  Were you uplifted by its rareness? Were you thrilled by its beauty?  Did you appreciate it more because it was fleeting?Now connect that feeling to an important decision you are trying to make. Is there an option that allows for beauty, appreciation and positivity, one that you had not noticed before?

IN THIS EPISODE Music for your meditation

When the Present and the Past Align by Martin Dunlea

WRITING PROMPT    Simply listen to Where’s the Silence? by Martin Dunlea (Click here to hear the version with lyrics). In this peaceful moment, write a list of the many gifts you have received, including God’s love, mercy, and grace.

About the Guest

Cork-born Guitarist, Martin Dunlea is a self-taught musician who lives in County Wicklow Ireland. He spent a number of years performing with traditional whistle virtuoso Cormac Breatnach, and recorded with the actress/singer Vanessa Williams on two tracks for her Atlantic Records album “Silver and Gold.”Martin wrote, recorded, mixed and mastered his first solo album “When the Present and the Past Align.” It contains a collection of eleven personal songs written over a two-year period.  Photo by Roger Liptrot

IN THIS EPISODE Trust Your Soul's Memory

As we rush around our days we often make lists, voice memos, and notes because for fear we will forget something important. But in Psalm 18, King David reminds us that we can trust the Lord to guide us in our most important decisions and situations. The Irish poet John O’Donohue once wrote that in the soul, “nothing is lost. This is a great consolation: The happenings of life do not disappear. Nothing is ever lost or forgotten. Everything is stored within your soul in the temple of memory.”

WRITING PROMPT    Ancient monks sang through the entire 150 passages of the psalter, making the imagery and meaning their own over time by memorization. As an Advent preparation exercise that helps us trust our soul’s memory for what is most important—love, faith, humility, purity—follow the hyperlink to this psalm and commit all or part of it to memory over the next few weeks.  Store it in the temple of your soul in preparation of Christ’s coming. 

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IN THIS EPISODE Groaning and Gratitude Often Burn Together

Sr. Julia Walsh, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, shares how even pain, weakness, and brokenness can be a “fire” that spreads to others and leads them to a transformative relationship with God. She shares a text by Shane Claiborne’s Irresistible Revolution and her essay, “Groaning and Gratitude.” 

WRITING PROMPT  Sister Julia feels that “our brokenness needs to be shared” and that “groaning and gratitude must go together” in order to make our suffering redemptive.Think about a loved one who is suffering. Can you think of an experience, a loss, a challenge in your own life that is similar to what he or she is dealing with? Write about how you recovered, how you were redeemed as a result of this suffering. What did you learn and how did you become closer to God as a result of your moment of weakness? Then write about how you might you share this “fire of authenticity,” bringing others closer to you and to God? 

About the Guest

Julia Walsh is a Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration who ministers as a retreat director, educator and spiritual writer. Her writing has appeared in Global Sisters Report, Living Faith and elsewhere. She is currently working on her first book, a memoir about her time in the novitiate and the brokenness of the Catholic Church. Sister Julia lives in Chicago and can be found online at MessyJesusBusiness.com and on Twitter (@juliafspa).

IN THIS EPISODE The Power of Praying for Others

Sometimes we are too weak, distracted, or sinful to heal ourselves. Sometimes we are not aware of our weakness so we don’t even think of lifting a plea for help to God and others. That is when intercessors, those righteous people we know both on earth and in heaven, can pray for us. 

WRITING PROMPT  Write down the name of someone in your life who needs help. Tell God that you are praying in that person’s place. Imagine yourself as that person thanking God for a grace given to them. Or picture that person standing before Christ appealing for a need or asking forgiveness. Now write in your journal exactly what that person would say to God, as a prayer that comes through your heart and your mouth.

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IN THIS EPISODE When I am Weak I am Strong

The Most Reverend Alphonse Cullinan, Bishop of Waterford and Lismore, Ireland, shares his approach to Lectio Divina, prayer and the countercultural message found in Corinthians 2 12:9-10  that God can use our weaknesses to help us. 

WRITING PROMPT    So often our first impulse is to think we are in control, that we have the power to determine our destiny, help those we care about, improve ourselves by ourselves alone. But in times of crisis, or when we seem unable to save someone close to us, we suddenly become aware of our weaknesses.Write down 1-2 challenges in your life, perhaps a loved one you are worried about or a sin you can’t seem to shake. Ask yourself: if you admit weakness and give direct control to God, where might you direct your energies instead? Write down a list of strengths you possess that might help remedy the situation. For example, if a child or spouse has tuned out your advice, perhaps you are being prompted by the Holy Spirit to guide by example rather than words. Or perhaps you can ask God for the grace to do nothing but listen with a more open heart.

About the Guest

The Most Reverend Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan DD, has lead the Diocese of Waterford and Lismore, Ireland since 2015. His flock includes 45 parishes and 85 churches in the southeast of the country, including Waterford City & County, South Tipperary and a portion of County Cork. Before entering the priesthood in 1994, he taught primary school, English in Spain, and was once an entertainer in Bunratty Castle near Blarney. He recently initiated training of laity and clergy in his diocese to help serve in an exorcism ministry of prayer..