Tag Archives: prayer
That They May Be One!
As we arrive in Rome today, the home of the popes, and our pilgrimage draws to a close, it is good to meditate on the opening words of the late Pope John Paul II who, a little more than 30 … Continue reading
From Martin Luther’s “A Simple Way to Pray”
“First, when I feel that I have become cool and joyless in prayer because of other tasks or thoughts (for the flesh and the devil always impede and obstruct prayer), I take my little psalter, hurry to my room, or, … Continue reading
Spiritual Ecumenism, the Soul of the Movement
It’s good to watch our own speech; it’s good to listen and learn from others; it’s good to undertake fresh study into the Christian faith itself. But the Christian faith, though asking the best of our minds, is never content … Continue reading
Luther on How to Become a Theologian
From his “Preface to the German Writings” (1539): “I want to point out to you a correct way of studying theology… This is the way taught by holy King David (and doubtlessly used also by all the patriarchs and prophets) in … Continue reading
Mediator(s) and Saints
The Lutheran-Roman Catholic dialogue in the U.S. has been particularly productive and impressive in its output. One of its best works is the collection The One Mediator, the Saints, and Mary, which examines this obvious point of dispute between the … Continue reading
Spiritual Disciplines for Ecumenism: Prayer, Love, and Honesty
The first, foremost, and final thing Christians are called to do in ecumenism is to pray for the unity of the church. This prayer is Jesus’ own prayer, and we who are disciples of Jesus are called to make it … Continue reading
Cup Running Over
Today was a day abundant in answers to prayer! Last night we realized that we’d forgotten to book a room for tonight, and the pension where we were staying was already full. Not only that, but an annual violin concert … Continue reading
Luther Was Not a Monk
The decidedly urban character of Erfurt meant another important thing for our story: the presence of friars. Luther was not a monk, properly speaking, but a friar or better a hermit of Saint Augustine. He’s responsible for this error, as … Continue reading
Invitation to a Septuagint of Prayer
While only only two of us are making this whole pilgrimage on foot, the truth of a pilgrimage is always found in the prayerful spirit and intention, not primarily in the physical movement. So that’s why we’d like to invite … Continue reading
Prayers for the Journey
Along with blisters, bug bites, and hard beds, there’s something else you’re sure to encounter in mass quantity on a pilgrimage: prayer. Along the way we’ll be praying a short matins and vespers daily, based on the classic Western orders … Continue reading
