A common theme that arises in a spiritual direction is dryness in prayer. “I’m not getting anything out of it,” people say. This dryness in prayer is a moment of dramatic conversion. The desire is to be with the Lord, but He seems to be on vacation. The temptation is to give up. Like the disciples who followed Peter and returned to their old ways before they met Jesus. “I’m going fishing.”
Should we decide to stay with the Lord in prayer, a dramatic change will occur in us. We will see everything and everyone in a different way. We will see with the eyes of Jesus and begin to feel with His heart. Instead of trying new things to get something out of prayer, go into your heart and be with the Lord. Give Him whatever you are feeling at that moment.
It is like exhaling all the carbon dioxide, filled with the frustration of not progressing in our walk with the Lord as we would like. It sounds absurd, but REJOICE. The emptiness you experience inside is the space Jesus needs to love and work His wonders in others – through you.
Remember, the disciples had difficulty “seeing” (recognizing) Jesus after He rose from the dead. Our Lord’s great Paschal Mystery (His Passion, Death, and Resurrection) is happening in us during our “dryness,” Our minds and hearts are too small to experience the Divine at work in us. Mother Teresa of Calcutta lived in a drought all her life. Who would know it? When she spoke, we heard Jesus in our hearts.
Gospel Challenge:
That’s how it worked for her and can work for us. After a while, you forget about the perks and even want more of God. He doesn’t measure how much we are growing; he only estimates how much others are growing in Jesus because of us. We will have an eternity of bliss in heaven. Love Him that much, through the dryness.
March 9, 2026, Luke 4:24-30 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030926.cfm Homecoming. When I returned home from my studies in England, my family warmly greeted me at the airport terminal.
March 7, 2026, Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030726.cfm Home at Last. How heart-wrenching it is to stray from our Father’s loving embrace. Like the younger son
March 6, 2026, Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030626.cfm Someone is Missing. Mother Teresa recounts a story about a young drug addict she and her sisters met
March 20, 2025, Luke 16:19-31 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030526.cfm One Small Step. One Giant Leap. On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first person to walk on
Friday, 6th Week in Easter May 10, 2024
Father Rick’s Two Minute Homily for Friday, 6th Week in Easter
May 10, 2024, John 16:20-23
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051024.cfm
Love Jesus That Much.
A common theme that arises in a spiritual direction is dryness in prayer. “I’m not getting anything out of it,” people say. This dryness in prayer is a moment of dramatic conversion. The desire is to be with the Lord, but He seems to be on vacation. The temptation is to give up. Like the disciples who followed Peter and returned to their old ways before they met Jesus. “I’m going fishing.”
Should we decide to stay with the Lord in prayer, a dramatic change will occur in us. We will see everything and everyone in a different way. We will see with the eyes of Jesus and begin to feel with His heart. Instead of trying new things to get something out of prayer, go into your heart and be with the Lord. Give Him whatever you are feeling at that moment.
It is like exhaling all the carbon dioxide, filled with the frustration of not progressing in our walk with the Lord as we would like. It sounds absurd, but REJOICE. The emptiness you experience inside is the space Jesus needs to love and work His wonders in others – through you.
Remember, the disciples had difficulty “seeing” (recognizing) Jesus after He rose from the dead. Our Lord’s great Paschal Mystery (His Passion, Death, and Resurrection) is happening in us during our “dryness,” Our minds and hearts are too small to experience the Divine at work in us. Mother Teresa of Calcutta lived in a drought all her life. Who would know it? When she spoke, we heard Jesus in our hearts.
Gospel Challenge:
That’s how it worked for her and can work for us. After a while, you forget about the perks and even want more of God. He doesn’t measure how much we are growing; he only estimates how much others are growing in Jesus because of us. We will have an eternity of bliss in heaven. Love Him that much, through the dryness.
Love Your Neighbor!
Fr. Rick Pilger, IC
www.bscchurch.com
Share:
More Posts
Father Rick’s Two Minute Homily for Monday, 3rd Week in Lent,
March 9, 2026, Luke 4:24-30 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030926.cfm Homecoming. When I returned home from my studies in England, my family warmly greeted me at the airport terminal.
Father Rick’s Two Minute Homily for Saturday, 2nd Week in Lent
March 7, 2026, Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030726.cfm Home at Last. How heart-wrenching it is to stray from our Father’s loving embrace. Like the younger son
Father Rick’s Two Minute Homily for Friday, 2nd Week in Lent
March 6, 2026, Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030626.cfm Someone is Missing. Mother Teresa recounts a story about a young drug addict she and her sisters met
Father Rick’s Two Minute Homily for Thursday, 2nd Week in Lent
March 20, 2025, Luke 16:19-31 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030526.cfm One Small Step. One Giant Leap. On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first person to walk on
Categories
Send Us A Message