NOTE: about every 5 weeks, I show up on Salt and Light Radio’s Blessed and Beautiful Segment for 15 minutes to share thoughts and experiences on an assigned topic. While the interview plays out spontaneously, this is a more comprehensive reflection of what aired on Friday, June 27, 2025. ​

​Social influences are a natural part of life. However, the term, “social influence,” typically carries the negative connotation of a process by which individuals change or are swayed in their thoughts, feelings, or behaviors due to the real, imagined, or virtual presence or opinion of others, which can lead to conformity, group think or even cultish situations. Social influences can be positive or negative, leading down dark paths if we aren’t careful and discerning. When this happens, the individual loses her own sense of self and gives way to others’ opinions without checking them against the law of God written upon the heart (Ez. 11: 19; 2 Cor. 3:3). It’s easy to do, and we’ve all fallen prey to negative social influences, a type of peer pressure or even bullying experienced on multiple fronts, including the secular, political, religious, or tribal mentality within Church itself.
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The question isn’t if we have longings for belonging and questions needing truth, but where we go for fulfillment and answers. In his latest book, John Eldridge laments that we have all become "Internet Disciples." To be a disciple means to be a follower or student of    fill in the blank   . So, whose disciples are we? What do we disciple? We are shaped by those we associate with, what we listen to, what we watch, and the social media we engage in. The problem, in our day and age, is the prevalence of being internet disciples, of turning immediately and frequently to google, AI, ChatGPT, virtual specialists and podcasters for everything. Or, perhaps we talk to a certain friend or friends multiple times a day 365 days a year. This is grossly inadequate for a Christian who is called to follow, first and foremost, Jesus Christ. How well we know our faith and stick to it is one issue. But in the nuances of faith applied to life, most questions lie in the gray areas. There we must know Him as our Rock and ourselves in Him. 

​This Lent, our Blessed and Beautiful theme was “sacraments and sacramentals.” What came to me, though, was not one of the seven sacraments or even a popular sacramental, but living a different sacrament, that of the present moment. The best way to go after this topic might be to break it down into a theology of sacraments versus a theology of the present moment and then an application to Lent.
 
Theology of the seven sacraments. The Compendium to the Catechism of the Catholic Church #224 offers great definition of sacrament, but what sticks in my head from childhood is the old Baltimore Catechism definition of a sacrament as “an outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace.” In the Eucharist, for example, the signs of bread and wine are changed into spiritual food and drink. A few Latin phrases help unpack this. Ex opere operato means that the sacraments objectively dispense grace to us, whereas, ex opere operatis means that the sacramental grace is received subjectively. In other words, we can go to Mass and Jesus gives himself to us, but we can block the fruitfulness of this through poor disposition of heart. Unfortunately, this is why so many Catholics can attend Mass but are not transformed in heart and life.
 
Theology of the present moment. Each moment of life is an avenue of grace, but the gift of that moment must be unwrapped. “All that happens to me will be food for my nourishment, water for my cleansing, fire for my purification, and a channel of grace for all my needs,” writes J.P. de Caussade, S.J., in Abandonment to Divine Providence.  Wilfrid Stinissen, O.C.D., puts it this way, “there is not a single moment when God is not communicating himself…God speaks through events” (Into Your Hands, Father). The present moment is the here and now of God’s presence and will. We are called to surrender the past, entrust the future, and live fully in the present moment, for only in the present is grace available to us. St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta talked about the people she served as, “Jesus in disguise.” Each moment offers the same, Jesus in disguise.  
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I didn’t find Mr. Right at a good Catholic college but in my own backyard. Though Mark and I lived in the same small town, we didn’t really know each other, nor were we related (something that only makes sense in a small, rural, German Catholic community). We were both blessed to be raised in fairly healthy family environments, in which our parents stayed married. Our first date was incredibly romantic. We met at a wedding, tried and failed to sneak into a local bar (I was underage), and then ended up along the Salmon River on a full moon night dancing to country music. Mark and I were married in 1998 and have four children, with three littles ones looking on us from above.

When people ask me for marriage advice, I keep it simple, typically quipping, “ride out the waves.”  Every couple encounters the ebb and flow, the joys and sorrows, the smooth and the rocky roads. It’s inevitable. It is precisely when things are hard that one needs to hold on, work through the situation, and continue loving. Only when we persevere through the difficult of giving will we know the sweetness of receiving. The key is to ride out each wave with a faithful love. The sweet moments, where each is honored and cherished, are irreplaceable and priceless here and now but also hint at the glory of eternity with the Lord.

Granted, many come from incredibly dysfunctional backgrounds, histories of abuse, and may struggle with Church teaching on various marital topics. Some are in abusive and/or invalid marriages, warranting divorce and/or annulment. My heart goes out to you in your struggle, and I honor you. It is precisely because you and your story matter that the truth of marriage matters. What do people need to know about marriage today?​

How does a cradle Catholic come by a personal relationship with Jesus Christ? The oldest of six, I grew up on a farm/ranch in a small, German Catholic community were we went to daily Mass, prayed the daily rosary, and I was homeschooled in Seton Home Study school from seventh grade on (receiving  strong content in the Catholic faith). Long story short, a pivotal spiritual moment came traveling to Spiritual Exercises in Portland around 1997 with a van full of women. I had the distinct impression the enemy was on my shoulder, tempting me to close up. By the grace of God, I chose to be open at this retreat. Part of that retreat was a whole life confession, after which the priest said to me, “Today, you have made Jesus very happy.” Wow, I thought, “I made Jesus happy.” This set in motion more of a relationship with the Lord. Mark and I married in 1998 and also joined Regnum Christi. Though I am no longer a member of Regnum Christi, at the time, this association helped me develop with a central focus on Jesus Christ, a rule of life, involvement in apostolate, and regular formation including weekly gatherings with a wonderful small group of women.
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As the second person of the Trinity, Jesus always introduces us to the rest of the Trinity, which, in turn, increased my personal relationship Him. Following Jesus led me to The Cenacle, a school of spiritual direction in Florida, where I first met the Holy Spirit. I was sitting in the back corner of a conference room when a little priest, Fr. Andrew Apostoli, CFR, started a heady talk on the gifts of the Holy Spirit in relation to St. Teresa of Avila’s Interior Castle. His first words were, “The Holy Spirit…” and that’s all it took. I had a profound realization I had missed the Holy Spirit, felt grace flow over me and started crying holy tears. At that same conference I was baptized in the Holy Spirit by Fr. Richard McAlear, OMI, who gave me a “double shot.” Afterwards, I realized that the Presence I felt within (during baptism of the Spirit) was familiar, the same Presence I had sometimes experienced during prayer. Years later, with my second, personal journey through the nineteenth annotation (also called Spiritual Exercises in Daily Life), I met the Father through restoration of my father image and personal identity. What a gift!

NOTE: about every 5 weeks, I show up on Salt and Light Radio’s Blessed and Beautiful Segment for 15 minutes to share thoughts and experiences on an assigned topic. While the interview plays out spontaneously, this is a more comprehensive reflection. “Balancing Life, Especially Over the Holidays”  took place on Friday, November 15th, the memorial of St. Leopold of Austria, patron of large families.​​

​Balance is hard to find any time of year, but especially over the holidays. There are so many extra secular and even religious expectations. Office parties, kids concerts, Christmas cookies, gift wrapping, jessie trees, and Secret Santa to name a few. Then throw in the unexpected: sickness, pregnancy, death, accidents, visitors, etc. Is balance even possible this time of year? Is it a fairy tale for another world or a riveting call for all? The spiritual writer, Fr. Jacques Philippe states, “the obligation of a Christian is…to remain in peace.” Here, we are not talking about an absence of conflict or a Martha Stewart Christmas but that inner sense that all is well face-to-face with the Lord, even in the upside down parts of real life. Balancing means there are areas of life to weigh, to keep in proportion, or that need to fall into rightful place to find and maintain this peace.

St. Augustine in The City of God said that peace “is the tranquility of order.” When we seek balance we are looking for peace which comes from order. What is this right order, proper integration, and desired balance? Jesus affirmed the first and second commandment to sum up Christian life and in doing so, gives order to Christian life (Mt. 22: 36-40). This delineates an order of: (1) God (anyone or thing that comes before the Lord is a false idol to be dethroned); (2) self (a proper self-love such as ‘put on your oxygen mask first,’ not selfishness); and, (3) neighbor (by which we first look to one’s state-in-life and work outwards). After number one and two (above) a married woman, for example, would then prioritize her husband followed by the children; if she needs/wants to work that would come next, followed by extended family, friends, ministry, hobbies, etc.

After a crisis delivery of my third son followed by some scary health issues and ministry fallout, the truth that found me, that I treasure most and use frequently is from Fr. Michael Scanlon, TOR. He wrote, “not every need is a call.” Wow! Do we believe this? As Christians trying to live out love, we often mistake everything as a duty and try to be “nice” all the time. However, once we embrace this truth, what makes it so difficult to live this, to sometimes just say “no” or “let me take that to prayer first,” or “possibly at another time”? Typically, when people struggle to say “no” to too much activity (sometimes even faith-based activities), they find: the struggle to survive, unhealthy people pleasing, or performance based striving. The lies live on in,  “I am not worth it, don’t matter, must be perfect, better keep Bob happy, keep up with the Jones', or won't make it.” Yet, none of this comes from the God who made us and holds us in love.
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​Let Jesus be our “fact checker” when it comes to serious topics and our “cheerleader” as we personally move in right directions. As Catholic Christians, we differentiate between absolute truth (things that are always and everywhere true, conforming to reality and the eternal mind of God) and personal opinion (things that are merely a matter of prudential judgement or wisdom which lean heavily on individual circumstances and preference). When it comes to truth, it is a matter of assent, bending one’s mind, heart, and life to the Lord. The truth is applied to the practice of life. Not only is there “the Truth” but Jesus said, “I am the…truth,” emphasizing truth and love are two sides of the same coin in Him (Jn 14:6). An opinion, however, is a prudential judgement of something that may be workable for one person but not another. The virtue of prudence indicates the best what, when, who, and how. There are many good options, so we figure out the best for us.

A good analogy might be the spectrum from black to gray to white. The black are those absolute negatives like, “thou shalt not murder, commit adultery, or procure abortion.” The gray is the myriads of life choices that can vary from person to person, like where we live or work or how we decorate our house or choose to pray the rosary versus divine mercy chaplet. The white would be those positives, like “there is a God; this God is Trinity, and so forth.” With the black and white, the lines are clear, and we propose (not impose) this way to others; with gray, we discuss, consider, support, accept, and rejoice in differences.

​Pope St. John XXIII wrote, “What unites us is much greater than what divides us.” A huge difficulty in today’s world is that we have lost a Christian framework and an ability to have good discussions. A Christian framework based in the natural law gives a common foundation and language in which to dialogue with others. Without this, people constantly bypass each other in conversation, accuse each other, and shut doors on each other. If we can seek common ground, underlying interests, and respectful dialogue, great things can happen. Jesus modeled how to mingle with all kinds of folks without losing His identity and purpose. 
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​NOTE: about every 5 weeks, I show up on Salt and Light Radio’s Blessed & Beautiful Segment for 15 minutes to share thoughts and experiences on an assigned topic. While the interview plays out spontaneously, this is a more composed and comprehensive reflection. “Thoughts on Screens” took place on Friday, September 13, the memorial of St. John Chrysostom.

My thoughts on screens takes me to a spiritual maxim expressed in St. Ignatius’ Principle and Foundation of the Spiritual Exercises. “Man is created to praise, reverence, and serve God our Lord, and by this means to save his soul. The other things on the face of the earth are created for man to help him in attaining the end for which he is created. Hence, man is to make use of them in as far as they help him in the attainment of his end, and he must rid himself of them in as far as they prove a hindrance to him” (#23). Keep in mind that that “man” in many Scriptures, Church documents and ancient spiritual writings can be substituted with “the human person” or “humanity” and therefore “his/her” or “their” follows. This quote means that something is to be measured and used to the extent it aids our union with the Lord and the attainment of eternal life. If this is the case, how do we measure screens? Screens, our smartphones, iPads, computers, TVs, are here to stay. They are a neutral objects, neither morally good nor bad. Rather, it all depends on how they are used by the human person. 

​Blessed is the man…
whose delight is in the law of the Lord…
he is like a tree planted by the streams of water
that yields its fruit in due season, and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers (Pm.1) (Holy Bible, ESVCE, 2020).​
 
Blessed in the one who delights in the law of the Lord. While law could be interpreted as the Old Testament Precepts and Ten Commandments and/or what we have received through Scripture, Tradition and Magisterium, law could also mean daily instruction. Every day, I write in my journal, “Lord, what is your WORD for me today?” Here, I am asking the Lord, not so much for logos (Greek for the inspired, written word of the Lord and Jesus as Word), but for rhema (Greek for the spoken word or unique utterance, always in harmony with logos). Basically, “Lord, you know my heart and my life, speak to me that I might hear you, know your presence, and follow you more closely this day.” Then, I proceed with a little cross sign in my journal and write what I believe the Lord has spoken to me in thought, image, or sense. Typically, I receive something simple, personal, clarifying, and encouraging. It is, indeed, something to delight in then and throughout my day.

​The phrase, “I did all the things,” keeps surfacing everywhere. Ironically, the Lord said that only, “one thing is necessary” (The Holy Bible, ESVCE, 2017; Lk. 10:42). In this Scripture, Martha was “burdened with much serving” and “anxious and worried about many things” (Lk. 10: 40-41). She is our mirror in times of desolation and false consolation (Ignatius, SpEx #317, 332). Are we not burdened by the many responsibilities on our never ending “to-do” list that weigh upon tried shoulders in a world spinning faster and faster? Are we not anxious and worried by the trials of life that inevitably visit us while alarming events haunt us? What is this one thing? This one thing is choosing to be with Him, to know His Heart, to enact His Will (as passive or as active as that might be) (Mt. 6: 10).
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My Friends,

A very Merry Christmas and Happy 2023 to you all! My prayer is that you seek Him, find Him, become Him, and proclaim Him in a world that needs Him more than ever. To know Him, love Him, and serve Him is the purpose and joy of our lives! As inner healing and growth in holiness happens, we experience for ourselves the generous and merciful Father who rushes out to meet us and promises us everything He has. Let’s give a resounding “yes” to Him in this new year, through the intersession of Mother Mary whose fiat wrought so great a Savior. During this Christmas season and year of Eucharistic Renewal, consider this reflection from Peter Kreeft in Food for the Soul,

What did Jesus leave the world that it did not have before? We still have death, and sin, and suffering, and wars, and diseases, and wickedness. How did Jesus change the world? What did Jesus give us that we didn’t have before? The answer is as simple as a lightning bolt. We have God. God in person, God incarnate, God in the flesh. We have the eternal son of God who was made man and who suffered and died and rose for our salvation and who is still here, all of him, Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity, hiding behind the appearances of bread and wine in the that little tabernacle and made present on the altar by this own miraculous power, using words that come from the lips of a priest who is a sinner just like you. And you are invited to receive him not just into your soul but also into your body…O come let us adore him. That’s what Christmas is about” (2022, p.46).

If you are looking for personal or group resources for the new year, these are a few that have come to my attention and that I recommend: Fr. Mike Schmitz’s Catechism in a Year podcast; Supernatural Saints: A School of Ministry from the Saints by Patrick Reis and Fr. Matthias Thelen; Jesus I Trust in You: A 30-Day Personal Retreat with the Litany of Trust by Sr. Faustina Maria Pia, S.V.; short but excellent videos on the spiritual life by Matthew Leonard at Science of Sainthood; and more practical growth (podcasts, human formation groups, counseling) with Souls and Hearts. As well, if you have never been on a retreat or it has been a while, please consider looking into this and prioritizing time away with just the LORD.

Remember, He is found in silence, prayer, asceticism, preference for the poor and vulnerable (often within our family/community), and fulfilling the Lord’s will in daily life. Discern well, my friends, and rejoice in the LORD always. A Mass is being offered for all my directees, retreatants, and supervisees this Christmas season.

May Christ Be Born Anew,
Rachel Gehring

Dear Friends,
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A couple times a year, my “lights” newsletter is primarily sharing resources that might help you grow spiritually, navigate relationships, and discern events. In case any of this is helpful to ponder, enjoy. Be sure to check out a final thought on summer weeds and wheat at the end.
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​Spiritual direction resembles the Emmaus story (Lk 24: 13-35). Everyone knew about His crucifixion, but rumors percolated among the disciples — that the tomb was empty. Discouraged and confused, two disciples walk away from Jerusalem when Jesus draws along side and walks with His friends, who fail to recognize Him. A few questions here, a little instruction there, many shared steps and lots of listening bud a trust and curiosity that impels them to ask Jesus to stay with them. All Jesus needed was an invitation! He goes in, and at table, takes the bread, breaks it, and gives it to them, whereupon their eyes are opened, and Jesus vanishes. Reflecting on and discussing the day, they ask each other, “were not our hearts burning within us as he spoke to us on the way?” Encouraged, these two rerouted back to Jerusalem, proclaiming the Good News, that “the Lord has truly been raised” to the infant Christian community. The spiritual director is to be like Jesus, spiritual direction to bear similar fruit, and the directee to maximize the encounter like the disciples did. This explainer offers five words to help directees get the most out of spiritual direction.

For the intentional believer, Lent rightly tends to be a time of purposeful change.  The liturgical calendar invites us to enter the desert with our Lord and take an axe to those things are  separating us from him.  If our life is not bearing much good fruit, perhaps we need to look at our roots. Deep in our hearts, we know that sin separates us from the Lord, that we cannot fellowship with sin and the Holy Spirit at the same time.  If we desire intimacy with Him, we must allow our hearts to be convicted, purified, and transformed. We agree to soul searching, house cleansing, and deep healing in order to be closer to the One we love and Who deserves our single hearted worship. While there can be different ways of tackling this topic, we will look at what the Catholic Christian tradition has long identified as the “three root sins,” around which other sins “cluster” and “grow.”

Scriptural basis for these root sins can be found in Genesis 3: 6 and 1 John 2: 16. “The woman saw that the tree was good for food, pleasing to the eyes, and was desirable for gaining knowledge. So she took some of its fruit and ate it; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it” (Genesis 3:6).  “For all that is in the world, sensual lust, enticement for the eyes, and a pretentious life, is not from the Father but is from the world (1 John 2: 16).” A study and matching of these passages reveals pride, vanity, and sensuality.

What power do we give to this sin when it is unidentified and runs unchecked? We know we have an enemy, but do we know his plan of attack? Maybe it’s time to hatch a  strategic battle plan through the wisdom and power of the Lord. While we all have pride, vanity, and sensuality to a certain extent, growing self knowledge will reveal one of these as predominant (be sure to look at "the reason" you do what you).    

Dear Friends,

Happy 2022! My scheduling link is ready to go (I hope!). All spiritual directions, nineteenth annotations, and pastoral supervisions can be scheduled/rescheduled and sliding-scale stipends offered on my website under the scheduling page: https://www.transformedbymercy.net/scheduling.html. Please contact me me if you have problems, and I can walk you through this. Thank you for your patience, as this should be easier for everyone. 

I want to highlight and recommend a few books for 2022. The first is Fr. John Riccardo’s book Rescued. This book is the best telling of the Good News I have heard to date – the audible version, read by Fr. John himself, is outstanding - my first recommendation for the year. Second, because the liturgy and Vatican II tend to be at the forefront of conversations, at least in serious Catholic circles, consider some formation in this area with Reclaiming Vatican II, a balanced, well-researched attempt to dialogue and look honestly at a topic that is, unfortunately, dividing those of us who need to stand together during these difficult times. Third, if you are looking forward to Lent, consider this devotional on healing called Restore by Sr. Miriam James Heidland, SOLT. The popularity of devotionals lies in the integration of formation and prayer – which means spiritual growth.

God bless you on these memorials of St. Francis De Sales and the Conversion of St. Paul. ​

This September, let's spin off of Theology of the Body to look at labor and then dive into the anchor of our souls. We might adapt TOB terms to unpack the meaning of labor...

Dear Friends,

Can you believe we are rounding out the summer of 2021? I hope that despite the heat waves, smoke screens, and COVID uptake, this was restful time. Following the graduation of my 18 year old and 22 year old in May, as well as teaching a 400 class on discernment and assisting with a 300 residency for those seeking certification in spiritual direction, I spent June/July focused on family and several dear friends whom I accompany in the nineteenth annotation. Moving into fall, I want to share a few resources with this caveat: linking does not mean that I support the author or organization in entirety, but these resources on (1) Things I Learned in Spiritual Direction, (2) Being Devoted to One Another in Marriage, and how Current Events Invite (3) Trust, and (4) Simplicity may be pertinent and helpful. 

 
Ten years ago, I sat in the back of a Florida conference room waiting for Fr. Andrew Apostoli, CFR, to talk on the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit in relation to St. Teresa of Avila’s Interior Castle. When he spoke his first three words, “The Holy Spirit…,” grace surprisingly and tangibly fell over me, and I started sobbing. My life had already been given over to the Lord. Yet, there was MORE! Something or Someone essential had been absent in my spiritual life…now, I knew it! Since then, I have pondered what this all meant, especially upon learning that some theologians see the Holy Spirit as the “forgotten Person of the Trinity.”​

Dear Friends,
 
May you have blessed Holy Week. Considering the timing, let’s imagine the forgiving heart of Jesus from his passion through his ascension. As he hung on the cross, the very people he created, loved, and saved tortured him: either directly by their insults, spit, and physical violence (the soldiers), or indirectly, by their failure to accompany him in his worst moments (the apostles). Jesus cried, "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do" (Lk 23: 24, NABRE). On Easter morning, he miraculously entered the locked room, where the disciples huddled in fear and confusion, and said, "Peace be with you" (Jn 20: 19). Jesus' forgiveness prompted an impartation of peace followed by a challenge. The three times Jesus asks Peter if he loves him are "redue" opportunities for his three betrayals (Jn 21: 17). Jesus sets the stage for our understanding of authentic forgiveness, which means knowing what forgiveness is and isn't. 

Forgiveness is...
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​I am the Lord your God. You shall not have strange gods before me. 
​​Do I honor God?  Do I pray to God every day?  Have I thanked God for His gifts to me?  Has God and the pursuit of sanctity in Christ been the goal of my life? Have I made something else in my life more important than God: money, work, alcohol, smoking, drugs, my phone, online gaming, or vacation?  Do I place myself above God? Have I tried to use magic or divination or other occult practices and tools? 

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Dear Friends,
 
This year, LENT starts on Ash Wednesday, February 17th.  We may come to this penitential season with mixed thoughts and feelings, such as anticipation to tackle an issue the LORD has spotlighted, with dread because of a historical failure to keep resolutions, or a simple desire to grow in friendship with Christ. A faithful friend doesn’t leave when the going gets rough, but enters into, walks with, is present to, and gives real assistance. In this case, it’s Jesus who invites deeper intimacy throughout these 40 days, reminiscent of the Israelites' journey through the desert from the slavery of Egypt to the promised land of Canaan, and of His own confrontation with the enemy in the desert following His baptism.
 
Traditionally, the Church encourages prayer, fasting, and almsgiving during Lent. If this seems stale and we are stuck along the way, reconsider Lent’s “Triple A” roadside insurance for the journey:
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Abide. To pray is to abide in the Lord who wishes to abide in us (Jn 15: 4). How are we, specifically, called to grow in prayer? Some are good at setting aside time to pray but fail to communicate with Him always…and visa versa. “Abide” in Scripture means to dwell together, to rest in, to remain connected, to attend and wait upon. It is likely that we are called to practice the presence of God in the moment and with the person in front of us, or that we are called to set aside some time for a more meditative or contemplative prayer, rather than rote prayers. We may consider spiritual reading or just sitting in silence. Abiding doesn’t allow hiding: be real with the LORD. Abide in the vine by receiving His life-giving grace. ​

Dear Friends,
 
2021 is here and under the patronage of St. Joseph according to Pope Francis, who desires that “every member of the faithful, following his example, may strengthen their life of faith daily in the complete fulfillment of God’s will.” St. Joseph, guide our discernment and obedience to the Word spoken over our lives, show us the way when life seems confusing, strengthen us for the ordinary and extraordinary tasks ahead, and make our hidden lives holy.   
 
This new year, please consider a few spiritual podcasts to nourish your soul. Typically, I do not make at-large recommendations because people often need such different things, but I believe these short podcasts may be particularly helpful:

1. Abiding Together Podcast, which is hosted weekly by Sr. Miriam, Michelle Benzinger, and Heather Khym and “provides a place of connection, rest and encouragement for people who are on the journey of living out their passion and purpose in Jesus Christ.”
2. Restore the Glory Podcast, which is hosted regularly by Dr. Bob Schuchts of the John Paul II Healing Institute and Jake Khym of Life Restoration Ministries and focuses on “the healing and restoration of our God-given glory.” 
3. The Bible in a Year with Fr. Mike Schmitz, which includes daily Scripture readings, a reflection, and closing prayer. It is critical that we know and pray with the living and inspired Word of God. If you struggle with Scripture, ask the Holy Spirit to come and open up the Lord’s love letter to you.

 
Finally, let us remember that remaining in His peace is a primary obligation (Fr. Jacques Philippe). We live in turbulent times, but our hearts can still be anchored in the loving presence of God and fundamentals of our faith. Please beware of the various news sources (Catholic and otherwise) that you are taking in and how much time you give to these. There are situations that we must confront, but in the Spirit of Christ, not the spirit of fear, confusion, or anger. We ask to be under His Wise and Mighty Lordship and make space for Him through heartfelt prayer, weekly adoration and the sacraments (where available), charity and truth in every interaction, and trustful surrender.
 
God bless you! 

One morning, as we carried out our morning lectio divina before school, the topic of repentance came up. We had been reading the Scripture of Luke 7: 36-50 called “The Pardon of the Sinful Woman.” Unlike the Pharisee who invited Jesus to dinner, the unwanted, unworthy, and unexpected woman lavished Jesus with love. She cried all over his feet, wiped them with her hair, and anointed them with perfume. Criticized by the Pharisee, Jesus told a parable that focused on the degree of love in proportion to the amount forgiven.
 
Frequent, sacramental confession is essential for those who desire to grow in holiness and is necessary for salvation. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, “Individual and integral confession of grave sins followed by absolution remains the only ordinary means of reconciliation with God and with the Church” (§1497). Yet, what if one honestly can’t get to confession because of COVID restrictions and the priest shortage (creating impossible confession times and long lines in which one may not get in at all)?
 
As a family we discussed that in this case, we should express contrition for our sin directly to the Lord and trust in His merciful forgiveness even as we plan to get to sacramental confession ASAP. “Kinda like a spiritual communion but a spiritual confession, instead?,” queried one of the kids. What a brilliant analogy! (If a spiritual communion is new to you, this is a prayer expressing desire to receive sacramental communion while trusting in similar graces since that wasn’t possible. Here are several versions of a spiritual communion.) This mirrors Pope Francis’ recommendation this past spring. 
 
If necessary, consider writing your own spiritual confession until you get to sacramental confession. Unite yourself with others throughout the world who don’t have regular access to the sacraments and trust in His divine mercy and abundant grace right where you are right now! Here's one option:  

While only a tool, journaling is an important one that may offer significant spiritual breakthrough and development. You may want to sit with and ponder the following Scripture: “I will stand at my guard post, and station myself upon the rampart, I will keep watch to see what he will say to me, and what answer he will give to my complaint. Then the LORD answered me and said: Write down the vision; Make it plain on tablets, so that the one who reads it may run. For the vision is a witness for the appointed time, a testimony to the end; it will not disappoint. If it delays wait for it, it will surely come, it will not be too late” (Habakkuk 2: 1-3). While there are many schools of thought on prayer journaling, such the Ignatian concept of journaling only after prayer so as not to interrupt what is happening between you and the Lord, you may want to remember that prayer is a sacred conversation with the living, mysterious, and relational God.

1. Journaling may help you articulate or give word to what is going on inside. Thoughts, feelings, events can be poured out on paper that might otherwise be vaguely trapped inside. Proper spelling and sentence structure are not important. In fact, you may develop your own code with the Lord and to protect privacy (if that is a concern). Just keep it simple. What do you want to say to the Lord? What is on your heart? What is your feeling right now? It may be helpful to think back on your day and see what conversations you have been “replaying.” Take that same conversation to the Lord. 
2. Journaling may help you stay focused to catch the Golden Thread. When distractions abound, keeping a pen to paper may be helpful to stay focused. Some claim that a pen and journal are spiritual weapons. The discipline of journaling during and/or after prayer helps you see patterns: regarding yourself and your life as well God’s themes, or the Golden Thread of His voice and action. Because God is Other, the spiritual life is mysterious. Journaling helps make it tangible and honors the communication you have with the Lord.
3. These are some tips for journaling effectively. Discover your own journaling style as, over time, you will discover what works best for you. Keep a separate prayer journal, anything from a spiral notebook to prayer journal. Record the date, prayer content if applicable (ex. Mk 1), and other relevant details (ex. in HH or holy hour).  You may want to tag specific pages: such as a page for intercessions (write down the names and intentions of those you promised to pray for) or for discernment (if there are specific decisions you are considering).
4. Record key thoughts, images, lights, and feelings. These may be pleasant or unpleasant but note the feeling or movement connected with thoughts, images, etc. (ex. “I should take that job but was uneasy about it” or put this into columns with thought on one side and feeling on the other). This will greatly aid discernment. *Consider using dialogue form. Write your thoughts, feelings, and questions to the Lord. Next, record what you believe you are hearing or receiving from Him. (ex. You: “Jesus, I feel terrible after that meeting…”  Jesus: “My child, I know you are passionate but take time to seek Me…”). Are you addressing the Lord directly or abstractly?
5. ​Set aside one day a week (perhaps Sundays) or month (perhaps before Spiritual Direction), to review your journal in the form of a “repetition.” Prayerfully read through and highlight those things that, again, touch your heart. Write those in the journal for your selected day. These are themes God is pointing out to you and inviting you to enter into for further prayer.