Listening to God in Prayer

The habit of daily mental prayer

By Fr. Julio Peñacoba

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1. Introduction
The theme of my prayer is the theme of my life. That is the way I speak to God. As I
consider my situation, there comes to mind a specific and firm resolution to change,
to improve, to be more docile to the love of God.

Mary, our Mother, you brought to earth Jesus, who reveals the love of our Father God.
Help us to recognize him in the midst of the cares of each day. Stir up our mind and
will so that we may listen to the voice of God, to the calls of grace.

(Saint Josemaria Escriva; Christ is Passing By, n.174)

This booklet is all about learning how to listen to God in prayer. When two persons meet
and communicate, they both speak and listen to each other. Likewise, prayer is supposed to
be a two-way communication with God where we speak and listen to God. It is easy to
speak to God in prayer but not everybody is familiar with how to listen to Him. And yet,
coming to think of it, listening to God is more important than speaking to Him.

There is plenty of material about prayer. Much of it --beginning with the fourth section of
the Catechism of the Catholic Church-- is very good and deep. I still decided to offer this
booklet as a help to get people started with the habit of daily mental prayer or meditation.
It has a practical approach. I simply attempted to put into writing the experience of
countless ordinary people who have learned to do mental prayer guided by the secular
spirituality of Saint Josemaria Escriva. The good news is that it works. There are literally
hundreds of thousands of ordinary and busy people who practice daily mental prayer as a
dialogue with God. They spend daily some time (somewhere between 15 minutes to one
hour) talking and listening to God about their daily concerns (theirs and God's). During that
time, they get things from God that influence the way they live, work and relate with others.

Who could be interested in this booklet? I will answer while explaining something about
levels of faith and prayer.

Indifferent level. There are people who do not relate with God and seldom feel the need to
pray. They live as if God does not exist; they organize their lives without counting much on
God or his ways. There are plenty of them in Europe and in the U.S. but not so many in the
Philippines. This booklet is not for them.

Basic faith level. Other people have more faith; they know that there is an almighty and
loving God and they pray to Him. These people spontaneously turn to God in prayer: they
present to Him their needs and desires in petition prayer; they give thanks to God and
praise Him for the good things in their lives; they even ask pardon from God when they feel
guilty. But many of those people seldom listen to God: their prayer life seems to be one-
way only; they seldom practice reflective and listening prayer, the one we call here mental

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prayer or meditation. This booklet is for them: it is meant to be an introduction to the habit
of daily mental prayer.

Loving faith level. There are people who communicate with God in a loving way. They go
to God not only to speak to Him about their needs but also to listen to God about his needs.
They want to help God; they want to know God's will and to commit themselves to carry it
out. Those people might not need this booklet but they may find it useful to understand
better the kind of prayer they have been practicing.

To visualize these distinctions of levels of faith and prayer we can use the following table:

LEVEL OF FAITH PRAYER TYPE FREQUENCY

Indifferent No way Very seldom
One-way, mostly
Basic Faith petitions and As need arises
vocal prayers
Two-way
speaking,
Loving Faith Daily
listening and
responding

Two Important Clarifications

Prayer is a mystery. It happens because the mysterious initiative of God who loves us and
wants to actualize his covenant --already established for ever in Christ-- with each of us.
Whatever initiative, activity and progress in prayer happens because of the loving action of
the Holy Spirit. On our part, we just receive the grace of faith to recognize his goodness and
love for us; once filled with this awareness, we --prompted again by the Holy Spirit-- might
respond lovingly in different degrees and ways. The implication of all this mysterious
nature of prayer is that it can never be achieved by our own initiative, efforts, methods or
techniques.

Why then writing about practical suggestions and methods in prayer as I have attempted to
do in this booklet? The answer is that, in the assumption that prayer does happen in grace,
we can learn something from the prayer experience of people. And so the clarification
needed at the beginning of this booklet is --do not expect too much from this material;
rather expect everything from God. The all basic thing in prayer is not a method but a
humble heart that makes room for the gift of God we call prayer.

The second important clarification is about LISTENING in prayer. If the whole experience of
prayer is a mystery, much so is it the aspect of prayer we call "listening". This is a common
warning from the saints: we cannot be absolutely certain that something we "hear", "see"
or "get" in prayer it is God's word. The listening always happens through our human nature
--our mind, our thinking, our conscience, our emotions and feelings. But our nature is a
fallen and limited one, subject to the influence of our own desires and even the bad spirit or

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devil. That is why saints --like St. Ignatius of Loyola and many others-- have warned us of
the need of discernment and spiritual direction to, so to speak, double check what we "see"
in prayer. Particularly, when it comes to faith and morals, we can be sure of having
"listened" wrongly whenever we "hear" in prayer something that contradicts the official
teaching of the Church as presented in the new Catechism of the Catholic Church and other
documents.

Given the practical and simple approach of this booklet, there is no room to discuss
properly the need to form our conscience. I would refer any reader to the section of the
Catechism of the Catholic Church on conscience (nn.1776-1802). Much less can I present
the basic guidelines of discernment among options all valid within faith and morals. I
would refer to specialized books on the subject or more simply to consult an appropriate
person. In any case, I strongly recommend --along with the whole tradition in the Church--
to practice regular confession in a manner that our conscience can be formed properly
while being helped in discerning whatever happens in our experience of prayer.

Manila, 14 February 1999

Note to the present reprint in 2003

After the first printing in 1999, Josemaria Escriva had been canonized on 6th of October of
2002. In this reprint I have changed (the computer did it) “Blessed Josemaria” for “Saint
Josemaria”. I have also added at the end some relevant passages from the homily of the
Pope during the canonization.

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2. Chapter One: A Basic Method of Mental Prayer
1. Meet the Maligay Family

In his youth, Tom Maligay used to live almost as a pagan. He had learned in his childhood to
recite some daily prayers but, during adolescence, he found out that he could succeed in his
studies, sports and relationships without much praying. Moreover, he got into some bad
habits of laziness and lust which built a certain wall between God and him. Eventually, his
religious practices were reduced to attending Sunday Mass which he would find boring and
sometimes even missed. By the time he met Annie, at 26, he was practically indifferent to
faith and felt no need to pray.

Annie had always kept to her prayer life. All throughout her education she never
abandoned her daily prayers. Both in times of difficulties as in good times, she would
intensify her prayer life with heartfelt petitions and thanksgiving. By the time she met Tom,
she took it as her mission to motivate him to pray. At the beginning of their courtship she
seemed to succeed a bit but, after marriage, she woke up to the reality that her husband
was as she found him when they first met. Tom admitted that he found her ways of praying
a bit meaningless and begged her to leave him alone about prayer life.

After twenty five years of marriage, they observed that their children had been developing
their attitudes to prayer: Jun was like Tom, and Beth like her mother; as for Jimmy, their
youngest, they were not certain about what attitude he would pick in adolescence.

It was about that time that Tom and Annie met another family who, gradually, introduced
them to the spirituality of Saint Josemaria. They heard that this holy priest, who died in
1975, had taught many thousands of ordinary people how to seek God in and through the
normal duties and events of daily life. After attending some recollections, they learned the
practice of daily mental prayer and eventually shared their experience among themselves
and with their children.

Now, Tom Maligay is in his early 50's and is managing a small company that he himself
established some ten years ago. Annie is in her mid 40's and is very happy as a dedicated
housewife. Jun has been working for two years in an office in Makati while Beth is in Third
Year college, and Jimmy is only in Grade Six. They all have been practicing their mental
prayer for more than a year.

Let us now enter their hearts as they pray, observing how each one tries to make a dialogue
during their separate prayer time. You will see that they speak to God, with simplicity,
about their daily concerns and events of their day. You will notice that they often pause
while trying to listen to God in their minds or hearts. Those listening moments are
indicated in our text with this symbol "(...)".

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TOM’S prayer

Good morning Father. I believe that you are here, ready to listen to me. I will tell you what
happened to me yesterday. It was a heavy day with a lot of pressures in the office. I wanted
to go home early but I stayed on to finish some work. I don't know if I did the right thing,
please tell me...

(...)

It is true. It was right to work on because I did it for them and I really gave myself to them
when I got home. Yesterday was different from last week, when I got home tired and
refused to listen to Annie as I got glued to the TV; in fact, I did complain about everybody
and everything. Lord, you seem to tell me that my overtime yesterday was O.K. because you
gave me the energy still to give myself to my family when I got home. Thank you Lord.

For today I still expect a heavy day. I offer it all to you. I will go to Mass first and offer my
work there, along with your offering to the Father. By the way, what will you tell me in the
readings of the Mass? Let me see them in the guide... Today is Mk 2:1-6. Let me read it...

(...)

Humm... You Jesus did the miracle of curing this man on the Sabbath even if you knew they
would criticize you for curing on the Sabbath... Hummm. What are you telling me? Come
Holy Spirit, tell me your message today.

(...)

Got it! You want me to do good to people today. To do good to them is more important than
to get things perfectly done. Well, you know me. You know my difficulty in striking a
balance between understanding and demanding from my employees; please help me today.
At least, I can promise that I will control my temper and will not act when I feel irritated
with the mistake or neglect of somebody. As Saint Josemaria says, I will wait until I cool
down and can correct without hurting. What else?

(...)

Ah yes. I have to devote time to Jimmy, to hear his little adventures of his vacation day. I
promise to listen with real interest... That will be part of my rest.

Well. I've got to leave for Mass now. We will review all of this in my thanksgiving for
Communion. Thanks for everything you have told me and done to me in this mental prayer
time. Mother Mary, thank you too, help me to live the Mass well and meaningfully...

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ANNIE’S prayer

Thank you, Lord, for being here with us, in our home, in our marriage. Help Tom and me to
spend this time of mental prayer fruitfully.

Yesterday was great. I did enjoy the Italian food with Jimmy --I mean how he enjoyed it..

(...)

Oh, yes. I also enjoyed the food itself... Perhaps I should have eaten less...?

(...)

Thank you, Lord, for Jimmy's joy and for my enjoying the food also. Then, I also noticed
how Tom tried to be caring even if he got home late from the office. This must be you, Lord,
who gave the energy to him. Last week he was not able to do what he did yesterday. I felt
bad.

(...)

Yes it was you who gave me the energy to understand him and let him unwind with the
TV... but I felt a bit bad. Sorry, Lord because last night I was about to nag Tom. I should have
understood that he had to stay on in the office but why did he not call me up? And then he
surprised me with his apology and his affectionate greeting, and his gratitude for the
supper, and his spending time with Jun. All good things come from you, Lord, thank you.

And now tell me something for today. I will read from this book of meditations.

(...)

This book is good. Thanks to it, I see the problem of Jesus and the pharisees with their strict
interpretation of the Sabbath. But what are you telling me? Come Holy Spirit...

(...)

Yes, I should be flexible with house rules, order and cleaning if only I can do good to
others... Sometimes I get so irritated... But sometimes I think I get too flexible, as what Tom
said. I do not know what to do: am I strict or too flexible?

(...)

Yes, Lord, the basic principle of decision making: husband and wife should complement and
decide together on domestic things... But the problem is that Tom is not so available...

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(...)

Yes, Lord, I will try to be patient and learn how to wait until Tom and I can discuss
matters... Mother Mary give me more energy to wait for Tom with serenity and to present
problems to him with objectivity. Any way, I will offer my whole day during the Mass now.
It is good that Tom and I can attend the Mass together and offer there our day and our
family and entrust our children to you... What else? (...)

Oh yes. Besides my family I should do good to others. I will call Rita. Guide me to help her if
I can.

We have to go. Thank you for everything you gave me in this mental prayer. Mother Mary
and Saint Joseph, intercede for us and for our children. With your help, we want our family
to become like yours. Guardian Angels, take care of each of us.

JUN’s prayer

Lord, it is good that there is this chapel in Makati. It is great we can talk in this mental
prayer before I see my girlfriend. You know my problem. I have to control myself better.
Please help me more today. Yesterday I was weak. Good she was strong. This must be your
doing. Thank you Lord, again.

Today has been an exciting day in the office. This boss is a bit demanding but I find it all
quite a challenge.

(...)

Well. Sometimes it is a challenge, but at other times it really gets in to me. Sometimes, this
pressure and my mistakes put me down. Today was good. My boss was in the right mood:
demanding and understanding. Anyway, what shall we talk about? Tell me something. I will
read from this inspirational book.

(...)

O.K. I see that I should be consistent with being a Christian even if other people might think
I am not normal. Just like what happens in the Gospel story for today's Mass; you cured the
paralytic even if you knew the Pharisees would criticize you for doing it on the Sabbath.
You are strong. You do the right thing even if they will criticize you. I am weak. I did not
dare tell the guys I was going to Mass, as I did not dare to cut their dirty conversation about
girls... Sorry. Make me strong like you.

(...)

Yes, next time I will do and say the right thing. I do not care if they think I am not normal. It

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is getting late. Remember to help me control myself with my girlfriend. I will fetch her now.
Tell me how I can help her.

(...)

That is good. I will tell her the things we have talked about today in this mental prayer.

Thank you, Lord, for everything. Sorry for everything. Help me more tonight and tomorrow.
My Immaculate Mother, My guardian Angel, intercede for me.

BETH’s prayer

Lord, It's good that I got into this habit to pass by the chapel of my school. I know you are
here and we can talk. I am glad I got into this habit of mental prayer. Come Holy Spirit, help
me listen to Jesus here present in the tabernacle. Mother Mary, this image of yours is not
the best but it is o.k. It will help me be aware of your presence in my mental prayer.
Intercede for me.

This morning has been terrible, as usual. I can't get much from this accounting subject. I
should have taken up another course...

(...)

Sorry Lord, you know me. On some days I tend to be so negative. Let us talk. Teach me how
to look at my morning with a positive outlook.

As I was saying, I had a hard time in the class of accounting, and whenever that happens I
get so upset. Give me serenity to consider how I can get rid of this difficulty.

(...)

Yes. I could have worked harder. Yes, it is partially my fault because yesterday I did not
review nor preview the lesson; I got so engrossed talking with Suzy on the phone that I
consumed the time I had for studying. Yes Lord, I now resolve to make better use of my
time to study. But why did I talk so long on the phone?

(...)

Yes, it must be my curiosity on the lives of the people Suzy was telling me about... Sorry
Lord. Help me to gain interior control of my curiosity and give me fortitude to cut long,
unnecessary conversations. But the point remains: I am not so good at accounting. Maybe I
should shift to another course...

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(...)

You are right again. It is unrealistic to change now. Besides I need the humility to accept my
limitations and the strength to exert more effort, including asking help from my more
talented classmates. Tell me something today. I will read the Gospel for today's Mass.

(...)

I really like you: you really put the pharisees to shame. You made them think with your
question. How come they are willing to help an animal fallen in a well on a Sabbath and yet
they were so critical of your curing a man on a Sabbath? You really are committed to do
good whenever you see the needs of people. But how does this apply to me?

(...)

I should help people in need whenever I notice them. But do I take notice of them?
Sometimes I am so insensitive... why?

(...)

Yes Lord. It must be what you had been telling me before: my curiosity, my self-
preoccupation, my selfishness...

(...)

You are right again. I should not exaggerate what is negative in me without seeing my
positive things. I do help a lot in the house and I have been helping Jimmy, Suzy... Bob and
Arlene and... Thank you Lord because these good things I do must have come from you.
Help me more to be an instrument of your love. How does that prayer go? I think is from St.
Francis --about loving rather than to be loved and consoling rather than to be consoled,
understanding rather than being understood. I like it. Anyway, help me to be like you, to
help people in their needs, to notice them and to do something whenever I can.

Thank you for everything. Mother Mary, help me to be like you. I will try my best but you
also have to help me to be more positive and serene.

JIMMY’s prayer

Dear Lord, I am Jimmy. I am here to talk with you for a while. I know that you are here
listening to me. Please, speak to me also in this time of prayer.

First of all, I will tell you what I did since we last talked. Please speak to me, tell me whether
what I did was good or bad, whether I pleased you or not.

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Last night, I began to watch TV for a while. Then, I got stuck with this movie. Then, I sensed
something inside me telling me that this movie was not good: I was wasting time and
getting indecent thoughts.

(...)

Yes, sorry Lord, for not having listened to you through my conscience. At the end, I was so
sleepy that I went to bed and forgot all about my night prayers.

(...)

Yes, sorry Lord, for having forgotten about you.

This morning, I felt happy when my mother asked me to accompany her to the Mall; she
really noticed I was bored. We took lunch in that Italian fast food and I really ate a lot.

(...)

Sorry, Lord, I think I ate too much. And thank you for giving me a good morning and a good
food and a good Mom. In the afternoon I called up Tim. We talked long about our vacation
activities and he invited me to his house to play a new computer game. We really had fun.

(...)

Yes Lord, thank you for my friend Tim. He's a good guy. We had fun and we also learned
something in the process. Yes, thank you Lord.

It is almost time to finish our mental prayer. Let's see if I got you. You have told me again
that I have to control my TV addiction... O.k. Tonight I will watch only the news and that
series about the cop. Then I will read that book Jun recommended until I get sleepy... O.k....?

Of course , I will not forget about you tonight. Before you go to bed I will say my prayers.

You have also told me to see how good Mom is. O.k. I will ask her today if she needs
something from me tomorrow.

(...)

About Tim...? yeah. I will call him up and try to make some plans he'll enjoy.

Well. Time is up. Thank you for everything and for this mental prayer. We will talk
tomorrow... at the same time, in the same place.

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2. Basic Notions about mental prayer
What is the mental prayer habit?

It is the habit of talking with God daily for some time. Many people talk to God
spontaneously when they feel like it, or when they feel the need; some even talk with God
systematically every night before going to bed. But not so many know how to listen to God
during their prayer time. Most people just tell God about some need or wish and then recite
some vocal prayers.

On the other hand, people who acquire the habit of mental prayer, learn to recognize God
speaking in their heart. Take the case of the members of the Maligay family. We can notice
that, as they tell God about their daily activities, they pause to listen [represented in the
text by "(...)"] and they seem to get something from God; then, they respond by saying sorry
or thank you. Sometimes, they also resolve to do something: to make up for something bad
or do some other good things. And all of it happens in a simple and friendly manner. It
seems that they really relate with God as a Father or a Friend.

The habit of mental prayer is something very simple and yet, very interesting. You really
learn to recognize Him as a friend with whom you can share whatever happens to you.
Once you get into the habit, you are never alone. Sometimes you get direction and guidance,
other times you get a friendly but clear correction, or at times you even get encouragement
and consolation And all of this coming from God himself as your Father, as your elder
Brother, as your Friend!

Actually, I have to repeat here the clarification I made in the opening pages. Sometimes,
prayer does not come so simple as if we always connect with God unmistakably. Many a
time we cannot get clearly what God would prefer among several options or we might even
get it all wrong; that is why the need for a spiritual director or adviser who can assists us in
discerning things we perceive in prayer. The need for discernment occurs quite often and it
takes time, humility and help from others to get clearly what God might mean. Still, for the
majority of our day-to-day events and simple decisions, we can rely on what we perceive in
prayer if we go there with a pure and humble heart.

A Basic Method: Talking, Listening, Responding.

There are many ways or methods of going about this habit. The important thing is to fulfill
its purpose: to converse with God, to have a two-way communication with Him. Like in any
human conversation we can distinguish three flows in prayer: talking, listening and
responding.

What should I talk about with God?

The basic theme should always be your own life: about yourself and what is happening to
you; what you did in your previous 24 hours and what you plan to do in the next ones or

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tomorrow. In his presence, try to express how some events or persons affect you: your
worries, your anger, your wishes, your doubts, your joys and hopes, your boredom and
sadness, your guilt and things that bother you.

And how do I listen to God?

The basic way is to be attentive to our conscience. As you tell Him what you did, you might
notice --if you pause with an attentive heart-- that what you did was good and made Him
happy, or it was rather wrong and He did not like it. As you express how you feel about
some event or person, you might notice --if you listen in your conscience-- whether He likes
it or disapproves of the way you feel or react.

Once you have developed the habit you will learn other ways of listening (for example,
through reflection on the Scriptures or some spiritual reading book), but being attentive to
your conscience is basic.

Again, I would like to repeat one important clarification I made in the first pages. The
Church has always taught that conscience can commit mistakes; that is why we all have the
responsibility to develop a good conscience with the orientation of our confessor and by an
appropriate knowledge of the moral teaching of the Church. Thanks God, we have a good
and sure summary in the Third Part of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

How can I respond to God?

Finally, we should also learn how to respond to God in prayer. As you listen in your heart-
conscience, you will find out whether He is happy or displeased about what you did; this
awareness might prompt an spontaneous response, a "forgive me" or a "thank you", in your
heart. In a more mature kind of prayer, we learn to reflect on those good and bad things
and make resolutions to increase the good and correct the bad. At the beginning of our next
mental prayer we can report back to Him about how we did in our resolutions.

3. Tips for getting started

A) A Basic Method

Find a time and a place where you can spend about ten or fifteen in peace and alone with
God. Begin your prayer by becoming aware of God's presence right in front of you, or in
your heart.

SPEAK. Tell God about your day: your activities, your choices and reactions, etc.

LISTEN. Pause once in a while and ask him whether He was pleased or not with your
actions. Listen to him in your conscience.

RESPOND. Depending on what you "see or hear" make your responses explicit: ask

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forgiveness, give thanks, resolve to change an attitude or to follow an inspiration, etc.

End the prayer time summarizing what you gathered and tell God what you would do about
it.

B) Suggested Exercises

1. Get started with the habit this week following the basic method. Be ready for some
difficulties; we shall discuss some of them in the next chapter.
2. Take a personal notebook and make a prayer journal. Each day, at the end of your prayer
time, make a record consisting of two main points: what you told God, and what He told you.
You may even jot down your response or resolution. Be discrete about how you write
matters of conscience and where you keep your personal notebook.
3. At the end of the week, you can reflect on what happened to you in prayer: whatever
success or difficulty or failure, messages received and your responses, etc. You might find it
very helpful to discuss your reflections with a prayer adviser: your confessor or somebody
whom you can trust and is experienced in prayer life.

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3. Chapter Two: Simple But Not Easy Initial
Difficulties
You have met the Maligay family when they already had the habit of mental prayer. It looks
so easy for them, but they also went through some difficulties at the beginning as we shall
see in this chapter. We shall present four types of initial difficulties in mental prayer; for
each type we shall see an example of how it is experienced and also some tips in handling
it.

1. The greatest difficulty: To do it daily

TOM

Here am I Lord to spend time in our mental prayer. Since the last time... when was that?
Yesterday was Saturday, I got home so tired that I only wanted to eat a little and go to
sleep. I told myself that you would understand and I would do my prayer today. Thank you.
When was it --our last mental prayer? The previous day I was so busy and worried that I
told you I could not do the mental prayer. You know I was really busy; it was not my fault.
What happened last Thursday? Oh yes, I missed again. What was that? I must admit I got
hooked with the TV show. Sorry. Wednesday? I tried, but what happened? Nothing. I got
nothing. I think I got so distracted that I gave up and thought that I am hopeless to acquire
this mental prayer habit. What do you think, Lord?

(...)

Yes. You are right! I also think I lacked sincerity. The thing is --there was always something:
traffic, busy, a friend, tired.

(...)

You are right. I did not find time to talk with you but I found time for the TV, for sleep, for
my golf... Sorry, Lord, I really lack sincerity... Lord, motivate me more; make me experience
your presence, that you are here, that you care for me and for my family. That I cannot do it
alone, I mean --to be a family man.

(...)

Yes... Maybe, I should change the schedule of my mental prayer to an earlier time... But in
the morning I am always in a hurry... and what happens later is unpredictable...

Yes, Lord, you are right. I am still defensive and insincere. Motivate me more! As my friend

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said, good habits do not come automatically. I have to be more sincere and consistent..

Suggestions

As early as the first week of initiating the habit of mental prayer, some people will discover
that it is not easy to do it every day. The devil might present his first attack and put into
your mind this lie: "this thing of daily mental prayer is not for you because you are such a
busy person and you do not have the time". This is a typical trick of the devil. It is better to
dismiss it and be realistic by looking at how we find time for things we really want to do;
for example, breakfast. We seldom miss breakfast even when we are most busy. All we
need to do is to love the mental prayer as much as we love breakfast. Or take watching TV.
People who are tense during the day usually find time to relax through music or TV. All
they need in order to do mental prayer daily is to learn to see it as rest from their tensions
and worries, to rest with the Lord --it really works! Some people do not need any devil to
discourage them; at the time for prayer they just feel very tired and sleepy and so they tend
to postpone it for tomorrow which never comes. This problem can be solved by wise
scheduling; we can try different times and places (and postures) until we find the setup
where we are more alert, and then stick to it.

2. The most common difficulty: Lack of concentration

BETH

(…)

And this morning I met Sonia. She was wearing a beautiful dress and I felt envious... why
can't I buy beautiful things like her? ...I heard that there is a new shop in the big mall selling
imported items... how I wish I could go and see and buy... like the one I saw in that movie...
Funny --that movie with that scene in Paris... the perfumes from Paris... Pasig river smells
so bad... yesterday the garbage collector did not come... I have to prepare my meals before I
go to school... I am hungry now... it's so hot here...

Sorry, Lord. How distracted I am today! Sorry, Lord. Help me to concentrate, to become
aware of your presence... What were we discussing? Ah yeah. I was envious of Sonia...

(...)

Yes, Lord. I should rejoice that she is happy and has talents and money, but...

(...)

Yes, Lord, sorry. Give me your Spirit of detachment. You always say that we should not

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place our happiness on material things and vanities, but I am a girl…

Yes, Lord. You are right again. I am a Christian girl. I should know better than the poor
pagans. What counts is the inner beauty of a pure and loving heart...

Suggestions

We all experience what we might call "butterfly distractions". Sometimes, our mind lacks
concentration in maintaining our conversation with God. It keeps on jumping from one
memory to another, from a plan to another, from movie images to real people and events.
This kind of distractions is the most common thing in the world of prayer.

Beginners are prone to the attack of this other trick of the devil: "What is the use of
spending time in mental prayer if you get so distracted anyway? You'd better do it when
you feel you can concentrate well".

Do not listen to the devil and learn to handle the distractions wisely. Here are some tips.

1. Try to find a better place or time for your mental prayer. This alone will minimize
the distractions.
2. Begin your prayer by reading something spiritual and catchy (like a story from the
Gospel or some thought-provoking book) until your imagination gets caught at that
level. Then proceed with the basic method.
3. In any case, we should not get upset when we realize we got distracted. We can
always make an act of practical humility, ask help from God, and resume the
conversation with Him.
4. Sometimes, you might even resume talking about the subject of your distraction.

3. Pulsating distractions
ANNIE

Here am I again trying to do my mental prayer. Tell me something. I will read from the
book of meditations my friend gave me.

(...)

This is about humility. We should be humble... I wonder why Mrs. Lopez said that thing
about me. Maybe she is envious of me and my family. But why will she say that I am so
proud and arrogant? It really hurts. She is a witch; that is what she is!... Sorry Lord. I got

17
distracted. To think I was doing my prayer! Back to my spiritual reading...

(...)

We should be humble... But why would Mrs. Lopez talk about me in that wedding? What
had I done to her? This is so unfair. I thought she was a good and decent person and she
turned out to be such a witch... Sorry Lord. Sorry again. I shall read more.

(...)

We should be humble. But is Mrs Lopez humble? I think she is the opposite of humility. She
is so proud as if she has the right to judge everybody around... Sorry again. I think I cannot
do my prayer today. I will try next time.

(...)

O.K. I will try now, but don't you see I am distracted all the time by the thought of Mrs.
Lopez? What do you want me to do about it?

(...)

"Father, forgive them because they do not know what they are doing"... Yes, I remember;
you said that when they were crucifying you. Lord, I just cannot imitate you. Help me more;
teach me to forgive; teach me to imagine that she does not know what she is doing. Maybe,
after all, she did not mean it; or perhaps she did not say exactly what they told me she
said... Maybe, I was judging her without knowing well what she said and why she said it.
Father, forgive her and forgive me too. Father, forgive us, give us peace. Amen.

Suggestions

Pulsating distractions do not come from a "jumpy" imagination but from the heart. Some
times, whether we like it or not, the heart keeps on bringing up to our consciousness a
certain powerful emotion: an anxiety, a worrisome problem, an impressive event, a deep
desire for something or someone, a surging anger, etc.

The best way to handle these "pulls" is to give in and to make them the topic of
conversation with God. The first step is easy: we just tell the Lord about the fact and how
we feel about it, but we should not stop there. The second step is less easy: we should try to
listen to God and find out what He wants us to do about the disturbing situation or event.
To go through this second step, sometimes we have to ask Him whether we have some fault
in the way we feel (our pride, our attachment, etc.); then we can ask for light to understand
how He would act if He were in our situation. All of this listening is difficult but it is the way
to peace of mind and heart.

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4. Sin can be both: a difficulty or a reason for praying
JUN

Well, Lord, here I am. It has been quite sometime we haven't talked. The thing is I was
ashamed. I knew you would ask me to stop fooling my girlfriend. I was so happy that the
old trick was working: first I would be so nice and sweet to her; then, I would manage to be
alone with her and become physically affectionate until she finally would allow me to move
on to indecent things... Lord, I was so ashamed. I hope you understand I could not come to
you with all this garbage of impurity...

(...)

The story of the prodigal son? It's true. I should have still come back to tell you about it and
ask forgiveness. I wonder now why I did not come...

(...)

Pharisees? Well, if you ask me to be honest... I must admit I was more than embarrassed.
The thing is that I love her and I am very weak, and so I can't help it...

(...)

Still more honest? O.k. Lord. I will tell you the truth. I knew you would tell me it is a sin and
I just was not ready to give up the sin. I had so many rationalizations that I would not tell
you... But now I admit that they were just that --rationalizations. I have been lacking peace.
I feel guilty.

(...)

Thank you Lord for making me feel guilty. Here I am. What do you want me to do now?

(...)

Yes. A good confession --truthful, sincere repentance, to ask sincerely for advice... Thank
you Lord. Mother Mary, help me more. Thank you.

Suggestions

Sin in our heart can be both a difficulty or a help for our mental prayer.

If we do not repent from our sins, they are real difficulties because they stand as a gap or
wall between God and us. The solution is very simple: we just go to our prayer and tell the
Lord we would like to repent. If we listen attentively, He might make us realize how our

19
sins harm us (and others); we only have to respond with contrition, that is, being sorry and
deciding to go to Confession as soon as we can, especially if it is a big sin.

Repented sins are not a difficulty because Jesus says that the doctor is not for the healthy
but for the sick. In a way, our sins can help us go to the Lord in prayer since He is the divine
physician. But the devil might try another of his basic tricks and put into us a terrible
shame or discouragement preventing us from facing the Lord. We should see this shame as
something from the devil and we must try to overcome it. After all, Jesus knows our sins
already. It is just a matter of telling him that we are repentant --and that is nothing to be
ashamed of. Come to think of it: shame is good if it prevents us from doing bad things but it
is diabolic if it prevents us from going to God.

Some exercises

1. Try different schedules and places for your prayer and take note carefully of the
differences in terms of distractions. After a few weeks you will know what place and
schedule is better for you.
2. If you experience pulsating distractions, handle them as explained in this session.
Record the topics and results in your prayer journal. If you can, try to discuss them
clearly with your prayer adviser.
3. This week, try to improve the quality of your sacramental Confession: you will
notice how its cleansing grace makes prayer easier.

20
4. Chapter Three: Listening to God through Key
Questions
1. Mental prayer and spiritual growth

In this Chapter we shall suggest a practical way to make progress in our spiritual life
through the habit of mental prayer. Let us begin with a bit of theological presentation of
how to grow spiritually towards holiness.

There are two major ways of understanding spiritual progress. The classical treatises
present it as a double task: to grow in virtue and to lessen our faults. That is why the
Church declares that a person was a saint when we can prove that he or she lived Christian
virtues to a heroic degree while trying to avoid not only mortal and venial sins but even
non-deliberate faults and imperfections. On the other hand, a relational view of the
spiritual life presents spiritual growth as a process of deepening our loving relationship
with God and all his children. That is why all saintly people shine for their perfection of
charity --the perfection of their love for God and neighbor. In both presentations the quality
of our prayer is a key to spiritual growth.

Those two ways are related and should not be taken separatedly. A misunderstanding of
the classical view could lead to a sort of self-centered spiritual life: with too much emphasis
in self-perfection, we could develop a result-oriented approach with its risks of
perfectionism and frequent discouragements. Prayer life could be reduced to a monologue
of self-evaluation and decision-making to improve performance in our struggle to avoid sin
and acquire virtues.

On the other hand, a misunderstanding of the relational view could lead to a sort of
emotions-centered spiritual life: with too much emphasis on loving relationships, we could
develop a feelings-oriented approach with its risks of emotionalism and subject to the ups
and downs of our affectivity. Prayer life could be reduced to the experience of feeling loved
by God and feeling like loving others.

Contemporary spiritual theology is trying to make an integrative presentation of both

views to prevent those two reductionist misunderstandings. We cannot discuss it all in this
limited booklet. We just want to mark that our spiritual progress towards holiness should
take up the two dimensions emphasized by each view: the fact that spiritual life is
essentially a relational reality and the fact that such relationship should make us better
persons with real correction of sinful behavior and real virtuous deeds. Let us focus now on
the consequences of this integrative view for the quality of our prayer life.

In the first place, prayer could be not only the expression of a loving relationship with God,
but also a key means to grow and deepen our love for Him. Just like in human relationships

21
we become loving when we are loved, so it is in the spiritual life: our love for God grows
when we become aware that He loves us. The practical point for my daily prayer time is
that I should find ways to become aware of His love for me today. In as much as I discover
how real his love for me is I will almost effortlessly grow in love for Him.

On the other hand, prayer could be the time to make decisions on how to love God with
deeds and not only with feelings. Just like in human relationships we grow in mutual love
when we actually make the other person happy, so it is in the spiritual life: we become
more real lovers of God when we decide to follow his ways. The practical point for my daily
prayer time is that I should reflect on how --today-- I could avoid sin and act as Christ
would do in my place.

We could say that the first dimension --becoming aware of God's love-- is more of a gift
than the fruit of efforts and techniques: it is more the contemplation aspect of prayer. On
the other hand, the second dimension --decisions of avoiding sin and living virtue-- is our
response to the previous gift: it is more the meditative aspect of prayer. In any case, we
should aim at integrating the two dimensions in a quality prayer time. There are countless
ways and methods which could help to that integration. In this Chapter we shall present
just a simple one that we shall call the three questions. We shall also show a way to connect
this way of praying with the power to grow we can find in sacramental Confession.

2. Three key questions

Sometime after the Maligays had learned to practice the basic method, they heard this
advice coming from Saint Josemaria: we can practice examination of conscience daily by
asking these three questions:

1. Lord, what have I done right today?

2. What have I done wrong?

3. What could I have done better today?

The Maligays decided to try these three questions not only for their examination of
conscience but also during mental prayer, as a sort of outline to do the listening part of the
basic method.

Let us look into some excerpts of their prayer when they started to use those three
questions.

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TOM

Lord, what good have I done today?

(...)

Yes, I really tried to give myself to Annie. I listened to her with attention even if I was in a
hurry. At breakfast, she started to ask what to do with the invitation from Jimmy's school; I
did not feel like talking about it because I wanted to leave right away for the office. Then,
Lord, your light came to tell me that last night I had not listened to her. And so, I took all the
time to discuss it until we agreed that we should both attend. Thank you, Lord, for your
instant inspiration and for the grace to act rightly.

What have I done wrong today?

(...)

Sorry, Lord. Yes, I cheated in that transaction. I am sorry but I could not help it --it is the
only way to survive in business. What do you think?

(...)

You are right Lord. It is not the only way. I am so sorry I succumbed again to
rationalizations. I guess that without this mental prayer I would have justified my sin again.
I am really sorry. I will try to do something about the cheating. With your help, Lord.
Forgive me and help me more.

What could have I done better today?

(...)

Yes, I could have been more patient with Bong in the office. He really got into my nerves. He
was so slow to get instructions right; I have to correct him strongly...

(...)

Yes. I see your point. One thing is to correct clearly and another is to correct in a
humiliating manner.

Tomorrow I will make up for the cheating and try to apologize to Bong.

23
BETH

What have I done well today? --Nothing. I did everything wrong...

(...)

Sorry; I did not listen to you first. Speak Lord. What good have I done today?

(...)

Well, yes. I tried to be good and to listen to Cathy; I did console her. I also managed to come
to prayer here with you. Yes, but many things went wrong today...

(...)

You are right. One thing is that some things went wrong today, and another is to think that I
am bad or that this world is all wrong. But I did some wrong things like cheating in the
accounting test...

(...)

O.K. That is the question number two in the advice of Saint Josemaria. I should not jump; I
should recognize first the good things of the day. Yes. Thank you for all the good things you
did and for the good things I did. Finished the first question; now the second.

What did I do wrong? I told you --I cheated.

(...)

Yes. I am willing to make up and study well the coverage of that test. Thank you for
forgiving me again. Help me more.

What could I have done better? -I don't know. Oops... I haven't listened to you yet. Speak
Lord, tell me.

(...)

For one, I got into a negative mood again and started to look at myself and the world as if
all were bad.

(...)

Yes Lord, I am willing to control myself better; if tomorrow I begin to feel negative again, I

24
will come to you at least in my heart and ask your help to be more objective and positive.
Please give me more faith to recognize also all the good desires and happenings of the day.

3. The wisdom of the three questions

In these excerpts from Tom's and Beth's prayers we can see the wisdom of asking all the
three questions to grow spiritually.

We said at the beginning of this Chapter that, if we want to grow spiritually, we should
become more aware of God's love for us. This can be done in our daily prayer time by
reviewing the good things of the day. Since all good things come from God, both the good
things we do and the good things that happen to us, they all help to become aware of his
goodness and love for us. This is the wisdom of the first question --we listen to God telling
us of his love in deeds.

On the other hand, our response should not remain at the level of attitude or general
feeling; we should seek to please God with loving deeds. And here comes the wisdom of the
other two questions. By facing our faults through the second question we can listen to God
telling us --like a good Father-- the things that we should correct because they are not good
for us or and for others. Through the third question we listen to God telling us the good He
wishes us to do.

Again, we saw earlier the risk of reducing spiritual growth to the struggle of avoiding sin
and developing virtue; we could become perfectionists and eventually get discouraged, lax
or back to lukewarmness. Using the three questions in prayer is a simple and wise method
of keeping away from those risks. Through the first we do not lose sight of the goodness of
the Lord and, thus, we avoid discouragement. The second helps us see our sinfulness and
avoid laxity. Through the third we can see a goal or resolution to do better, thus avoiding
stagnation or lukewarmness.

4. Mental prayer and regular confession

To go to Confession is always an encounter with God and his mercy. In this sacrament, He
not only forgives our sins but He gives us his grace to do better in the things we confess.
Moreover, the Holy Spirit might give us some direction for our spiritual growth through the
advice of the confessor. For all these benefits, many a Christian does not appreciate regular
Confession when there is no mortal sins to confess. How can we develop a love for this
wonderful encounter with God?

The Maligays also learned another practical advice about the three questions in mental
prayer. It consists in writing down what they got in prayer as answer to the questions. This
they do in a personal notebook or journal, always in a discrete manner. After a week or
two, they would reflect on those notes in prayer.

This practice is very useful to understand the lead and direction from the Lord for our

25
spiritual growth. Moreover, those notes are very helpful to prepare and live a meaningful
Confession. Let us witness how they do all of this in prayer.

TOM

Today, Lord, let us talk about my spiritual progress for the past weeks. Send your Spirit.
Come Holy Spirit, show me some direction as I try to reflect on my daily notes about the
three questions.

On the first question I see that I am doing better and better about listening to Annie --thank
you Lord. I see all types of things on the second question: several days I noted irritations
about Bong; but lately it was o.k. On the third question my notebook shows almost nothing.
What does it mean? They said this question is crucial for growth. What shall I do?

(...)

That sounds good; yes, I will try to ask that friend who explained the three questions to me;
or maybe I will ask the priest when I go to Confession. There, I will confess about my lack of
charity with Bong and then I will ask suggestions on what points I should do better because
I do not see much in my day-to-day mental prayer.

ANNIE

This thing of the personal notebook is not so easy. Sometimes I misplace it but today here it
is. And here we are to see a summary of the past weeks.

My record on the first question is almost always blank. Actually, it is Tom who is improving
a lot since he started the habit of mental prayer. He has always been good but still he is
becoming a better husband and parent.

The second question is always with the same thing: distracted in my prayers, irritated with
some people, worried about everything, and talking too much about everybody.

(...)

Exactly. That is what the confessor is telling me: that I tend to generalize negatively. I think
Beth got it from me. Anyway, I will go to Confession with my usual faults and I hope the
priest does not get tired of hearing the same things. I will ask also for some advice on
prayer.

The third question. Most of the times I jot down "order". Yes Lord, I could organize myself
better and run the house better and plan my prayer life better. I will also ask advice about
order.

26
JUN

Lord, I am afraid of looking at the notes of the past week's prayers. Please help me to face
myself again. I would like to go to Confession tomorrow.

And now for the first question... I can see there is a lot of improvement since the time when
I started this habit of mental prayer but... There is the "but", Lord; I still did impurities two
times. This is the real bad news, I am still struggling on basic self-control.

(...)

Yes, it is encouraging that I am improving and that, at least, I do not justify my sins as I used
to do. This is your grace.

(...)

Yes; also my perseverance in this habit of mental prayer; yes it is your gift and grace. Thank
you. As for the third question, I see little. What do you think?

(...)

My confessor? Yes, he has been telling me to grow in my prayer life. He advised me to pray
with more humility, to pray the Rosary with my girlfriend, to do spiritual reading, to offer
my work to God, to help people...

(...)

I got it. I should be less fixated on my struggles in purity and try to grow in other aspects of
doing good. Maybe, you mean I should be specific in setting some goals in other areas and
be as sincere in pursuing them?

(...)

I shall begin with the goal of praying the Rosary daily.

(...)

Yes, I will try to tell her, but I am a bit shy about these things. I think the girls are supposed
to be the ones teaching the guys about these things. Anyway. Thank you for everything.

27
BETH

Lord, let us look at my prayer journal. Give me your directions for the next week.

In the first question: about the good news... Some days I see good things but some days I
see nothing good. I guess it varies with my moods.

In the question about bad news I can see plenty of my faults. I'd better go to Confession
this week. I will unload my "bad news" and you will erase everything. That will be great.
You are really great.

Look! In the question about growth I notice this pattern: the days I was attacked with
negative moods coincide with some difficulty in Accounting. What do you think?

(...)

Yes, it is clear. I should learn to handle this subject matter. Maybe I should ask somebody to
tutor me...

(...)

You are right; that is only a technical solution and you are here to improve my spiritual
life... but what is the spiritual dimension of it all?

(...)

Yeah. Maybe something about humility? Or is it serenity? I should not allow my difficulty in
Accounting to put me down. O.K., when I go to Confession I will ask about it.

JIMMY

Lord, I really like this idea of keeping a journal and answering the three questions. I like the
code I invented: first question I call it "R" for right; the second is "W" for wrong and the
third is "B" for doing better. Let us see what happened this week.

(...)

Most of the R's are followed by a circle. You know that means I did well in basketball. It is
really great. We are a great team and we had lots of fun. Thank you.

Oh, oh. Many days the W is followed by "TV". Some days I find "+TV", and other days it is
"iTV". You know: "+" for too much and "i" for indecent.

28
(...)

Yes, Lord I wish to repent and change. I will go to Confession about TV; I feel guilty about
iTV; I had lots of temptations of indecent thoughts because of the iTV. I am a bit ashamed.
Lord, help me to be brave and to confess clearly.

(...)

Thank you.

The B is always about studies. You know me Lord; I enjoy vacations and I dislike studying.
What can I do? I can't help it.

(...)

You are right Lord. I can do something about it if only i would lessen my TV and
basketball... Agggh! Basketball is o.k.! Lord, let me try just cutting a little TV --is it o.k.?
Please, let me try first. Promise: I will study harder and there will be no need to cut on
basketball. O.k.? You will see: if I change my W's, my B's will also change.

(...)

O.k. I will ask advice from Dad or my teacher first. Thank you again.

(...)

Yes, yes, I will go to Confession this week.

Some exercises

1. Practice the exercise of the three questions during two or three weeks. Do not forget to
take some notes of what you see in prayer.

2. Using your notes, prepare a meaningful Confession. You may prepare also some question
for spiritual direction from your confessor or your spiritual adviser.

29
5. Chapter Four: Meditation, Praying with the
Scriptures
1.Time to grow in prayer

One day, Tom was talking with the Lord about the problem of Boy, his contractual
employee; Tom was thinking of firing him for several reasons (financial and efficiency) but
something vague was bothering his conscience. When he consulted his spiritual director he
was told that time had come for him to grow: he should meditate on some points of the
Social Teaching of the Church. In his next prayer time Tom begun by reading and reflecting
on the Catechism of the Catholic Church nn. 2426- 36 and then he asked the Lord what to
do with Boy. The last point he read ("Unemployment almost always wounds its victim's
dignity and threatens the equilibrium of his life" CCC,2436) struck him, and his mind was
filled with some possible decisions other than to fire Boy.

One day in prayer, Annie was getting tired of herself as she was alwaysfalling in the same
thing: losing her temper with some people. When she consulted her prayer adviser she was
told to grow: she might read and meditate on the first chapter of the book The Way. Beth
was surprised to see her case written there; she resolved with the Lord in prayer to follow
the advice in paragraph 10 of that book.

One day, Jun was praying about his repeated faults in purity when being alone with his
girlfriend; he was complaining to the Lord for not helping him enough and a bit confused:
he did not know whether he should hate himself or just to learn to live with it, with lacking
self-control. When he consulted his confessor he was told to grow in prayer by meditating
on Mt. 5:27-30. As he did so in prayer he was struck by Jesus' words about cutting off one's
hand if needed; then he really listened to God and something came to his mind: he could
avoid the faults by simply avoiding to be alone with his girlfriend. He realized that "the
hand" to cut off was his habit of watching movies with her and riding a car by themselves.

Through experiences like these, the Maligays were led to practice regular meditation as
part of their prayer time. Eventually they follow what the Catechism says in n. 2707:
"Christians owe it to themselves to develop the desire to meditate regularly, lest they come
to resemble the first three kinds of soil in the parable of the sower (Mk 4:4-7;15-19)"
where the seed of the Word of God did not produce any fruit.

2. The practice of meditation

The Catechism of the Catholic Church says that "meditation is above all a quest. The mind
seeks to understand the why and how of the Christian life, in order to adhere and respond
to what the Lord is asking us" (CCC, 2705). That is, in meditation we are supposedto
meditate, to study: to read and reflect on Christ and his ways; but meditation is not the

30
same as theology because we reflect in order to put that knowledge into practice: I
meditate to see "what the Lord is asking" from me about this doctrine or moral value and
resolving to do something about it in my life and choices.

We could say that meditation is a way of enriching our capacity of listening to the Lord in
prayer; meditation does not substitute for the basic method of prayer, it is an addition to it:
meditating regularly on Christian truths and morals provides us with a background of
understanding the Lord and his ways, thus enriching our capacity to guess what He tells us
when we tell him about both, the big and small events and circumstances of our life.

To practice meditation, "we are usually helped by books, and Christians do not want for
them:the Sacred Scriptures, particularly the Gospels, holy icons, liturgical texts (..) works of
spirituality" (CCC, 2705).We have seen how Tom meditated with a text of the Catechism,
Annie with a book of spirituality and Jun reflected on some words of Jesus. When we
develop the habit we learn where to look for a text that fits the need seen in prayer; in any
case, it is good to meditate regularly, systematically and not only when the need arises. The
Churchnever ceases to invite us to reflect daily in the Scriptures; in fact, if we follow the
readings for the daily Mass, in a year we cover the whole four Gospels and most of the rest
of the Bible. There are many good books of spirituality, some of them offer a reflection for
each day of the year.

3. Meditating with the Scripture

You can just open the Bible during your prayer time and read attentively, always asking
God (usually we invoke the Holy Spirit) to make us see a message from him while we reflect
on the meaning of the text and how it applies to our life. Many people might find helpful to
have a minimum of structure or method. The one that follows is suggested by Saint
Josemaria (see Friends of God no. 253). It can be used for praying with the Gospels.

1. Read a passage from the Gospels (Mt, Mk, Lk or John); you may read from other parts of
the Bible but you should master the Gospels first.

2. Imagine that you are there, among those in the scene; you can imagine Jesus telling those
words to you or imagine that you are close to the person He is healing, etc.

3. Think on what Jesus says or does. Reflect on what kind of message He is trying to
present.

4. Listen in your heart by asking God to teach you how the message applies to you and your
life.

5. Respond accordingly: with gratitude, contrition, resolutions, praise, etc.

Of course, the crucial and fascinating thing about praying with the Scriptures is the
LISTENING part (more or less methodic or spontaneous); we simply never end discovering

31
their wealth, depth and variety of meanings, applications and insights. Indeed, through
prayerful meditation the written Word of God becomes alive: piercing like a two-edge
sword, changing us from within us, consoling us, correcting and guiding us.

Some practical questions

What if I get a wrong interpretation of a passage?

This is a good question. We can see in history, and until now, how other Christians
separated in the past from the Catholic Church and now keep on dividing themselves in
hundreds of different communities, groups and sects even if all of them claim to be based
on the Scriptures; and yet they have different and even contradictory interpretations.
Definitely, this is a good question, how can I be sure that I do not get an erroneous
interpretation myself? The answer lies in the facts of history.

In the XVI century, Luther proclaimed the principle of "sola Scriptura" or private
interpretation without any Church authority giving a frame and settling differences; as a
consequence, the divisions and redivisions started right then, still during the life of Luther.
On the other hand, the Catholic Church has always believed that Jesus promised the
assistance of the Holy Spirit to his Church, which He established with a visible authority:
the bishops in union with the successor of Peter; as a consequence, the Catholic Church has
remained undivided in doctrine. The teaching of the bishops in union with the Pope --called
Magisterium-- is always with us, it serves as the guide for interpreting the Scripture
according to the Holy Spirit who, after all, is the Author of the Scriptures.

The practical implication from those facts is that we should know the official Teachings of
the Church, guaranteed by the authority of the Church. If ever an interpretation contradicts
the Teachings of the Church we know it is a wrong interpretation.

But how can we get to know the Teachings of the Church? There are many ways but the
surest of all is to read the official "Catechism of the Catholic Church".This book should be
the necessary companion of any person wanting to pray with the Scriptures -- it is a sure
reference for a lifetime.Moreover, there are books with Catholic Commentaries to different
books of the Bible or to the whole. In any case, it is good to use Catholic editions of the Bible
(with the "Nihil Obstat" of a bishop in one of the first pages) which have more or less
extensive footnotes that guide the reader in some obscure or deep passages.

What books of the Bible are best for prayer?

We should begin with the Gospels and stay there for ever, but gradually you may add
prayer time on the rest of the books of the New Testament. As for the Old Testament, the
best books for prayer are the so called Sapiential, especially the Psalms, Wisdom and
Ecclesiasticus or Sirach. To cover the rest of the Old Testament you can trust the excerpts
selected asreadings for the Mass.In fact, many people pray with the Scriptures just using

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the readings for the daily Mass all throughout the year.

Some exercises

1. Before or after you spend your prayer time using the basic method, try to spend another
ten minutes meditating with the Scriptures or with an inspirational book.

2. Or you might prefer to have two periods of mental prayer: one for the basic method and
another for meditation.

3. Write down in your prayer journal whatever you get or resolve from it. After some time
trying, discuss it all in spiritual direction.

4. Ask your spiritual adviser for some inspirational book. For starters I would recommend
the well-knowm The Way by Saint Josemaria.

Meditating with the Scriptures

If you think you might need a systematic plan to begin with, here you have one:

1. Read the whole first Chapter of St. Mark. Note carefully which lines strike a cord within
you.

2. Read those lines again, more slowly or repeated times.

3. Ask God to speak in your heart by making you see the application of those lines to your
life or actual concerns and happenings.

4. Pause quietly until some light comes to your mind.

5. Respond to God accordingly.

6. Jot down the message received and your response.

The following days repeat this detailed method with the successive Chapters of St. Mark.
Eventually, discuss the records with your prayer adviser.

Enjoy discovering different messages in one single text. Meditate ona text until you get a
personal message from the Lord. For example, read Luke 12: 16-21and see how
theMaligays got different things from God in their prayer.Probably if you meditate on it you
might get still another meaning.

Then he told them a parable: ‘There was once a rich man who, having had a good harvest from
his land, thought to himself, “What am I to do? I have not enough room to store my crops”. Then
he said, “This is what I will do: I will pull down my barns and build bigger ones, and store all my

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 grain and my goods in them, and I will say to my soul: My soul, you have plenty of good things
laid by for many years to come; take things easy, eat, drink, have a good time”. But God said to
him, “Fool! This very night the demand will be made of your soul; and this hoard of yours,
whose will it be then?” So it is when a man stores up treasure for himself in place of making
himself rich in the sight of God’ (Luke 12: 16-21)

JIMMY

This man was really a fool: so much planning for nothing since he died that day, ha!What
about me?...You are right Lord, I think a lot how to have fun but little of how to bebetter…I
see you are telling me to become rich in the sight of God.But how?I will ask my mother.

BETH

You see Lord. All my distractions are aboutbuying things and going places... I really feel like
the guy of the story. Lord, why is my heart so full of butterflies?...

JUN

Wow! The man died that very night!…Do you mean I could die anytime?... Oops, oh, oh.As in
"this very night"?...Oh, oh... I should remember this basic truth when I feel some
temptations coming…By the way, Oops….I should schedule my confession ASAP….

ANNIE

You really hit me, Lord! How fool I am in postponing my mental prayer day after day...

TOM

Ok, ok. I got it. You could not be more direct. I shouldbecome rich in the sight of God. In the
office, or anywhere, what matters is to be good and to do good rather than to make money.
I have to fulfill myself by building my life according to your will.

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6. Epilogue
Some excerpts from John Paul II's homily and speech at the canonization of
Saint Josemaria

“All who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God” (Rom 8,14). These words of the Apostle
Paul help us understand better the significant message of today’s canonization of Josemaría
Escrivá de Balaguer. With docility he allowed himself to be led by the Spirit, convinced that
only in this way can one fully accomplish God’s will.

This fundamental Christian truth was a constant theme in his preaching. Indeed, he never
stopped inviting his spiritual children to invoke the Holy Spirit to ensure that their interior
life, namely, their life of relationship with God and their family, professional and social life,
totally made up of small earthly realities, would not be separated but would form only one
life that was “holy and full of God.” He wrote, “We find the invisible God in the most visible
and material things” (Conversations with Josemaría Escrivá, n. 114).

To fulfill such a rigorous mission [to bring Christ to the world], one needs constant interior
growth nourished by prayer. St Josemaría was a master in the practice of prayer, which he
considered to be an extraordinary “weapon” to redeem the world. He always
recommended: “In the first place prayer; then expiation; in the third place, but very much
in third place, action” (The Way, n. 82).

Saint Josemaría was chosen by the Lord to proclaim the universal call to holiness and to
indicate that everyday life, its customary activities, are a path towards holiness. It could be
said that he was the saint of the ordinary. He was really convinced that, for whoever lives
with an outlook of faith, everything offers an opportunity for a meeting with God,
everything becomes a stimulus for prayer. Seen in that way, daily life reveals an
unsuspected greatness. Holiness is really put on everyone's doorstep.

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