Comments on: How to deepen your relationship with Christ this Lenten season

By: Colleen

Colleen — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 14:57:00 +0000

Fr. John Bartunek’s book is awesome. I write about it often including most recently when I had to pick my favorite 3 spiritual books:
http://inadequatedisciple.blogspot.com/2012/02/current-favorite-3-religious-books.html

By: poetcomic1

poetcomic1 — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 17:51:00 +0000

You speak of praying at night. I find as I get older, I invariably have to (eh-hem) get up around 4 in the morning and can’t get back to sleep for an hour. I found myself lying there worrying, chattering to myself etc. One night I had the bright idea of offering up that worthless discomfort. I lie in bed and say three decades of the Rosary and offer it to those who are also lying awake in my big sleeping city tonight. The grief stricken who have lost a spouse or child, those who are dying, those who are full of shame and remorse, but above all, those who feel utterly abandoned by both man and God. Many a time I’ve fallen asleep in the middle and awake in the bright dawn, rosary in hand. I meditate on one image as I pray, all these different kinds of suffering people huddled under the mantle of our Mother with me.

By: Dan Burke

Dan Burke — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 11:23:19 +0000

Thanks Woody – I appreciate the confirmation. Regarding the Anglican Bishop – fascinating. Do you know him?

By: Woodyjones

Woodyjones — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 03:31:00 +0000

Dan, you have recommended the two best books for prayer/spiritual reading ever, in my view. I like your idea for their use this Lent and have resolved to follow it.

I also thought you, and Fr. John, might be interested to know that (Anglican) Bishop David Moyer, who is now shepherding the Blessed John Henry Newman Fellowship into the new Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of Saint Peter is obviously reading and profiting from The Better Part as he quotes rather frequently from it in his sermons and messages, the most recent one (on the occasion of a roadblock in their journey) being here:

.http://blessedjohnhenrynewmanfellowship.org/FBJHN_-_Message_120128.html

They are good people who, having been ejected from their Episcopal parish of Good Shepherd in Rosemont, PA, are meeting in borrowed space and keeping up the good fight, I gather, in somewhat difficuklt circumstances. It would be a good thing to visit them and give encouragement.

By: TUESDAY MID-DAY EXTRA | ThePulp.it

TUESDAY MID-DAY EXTRA | ThePulp.it — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:00:19 +0000

[...] Lent: How to Deepen Your Relationship with Christ – Dan Burke, Cthlc Spiritual Direction [...]

By: eding of the southwest

eding of the southwest — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 21:00:00 +0000

I’m a newcomer to your website . Thank you for having this, for it is a tremendous help with my spiritual journey. I like to share my story with you all. Having an affliction made me turn to God who have given me so much comfort & strength and especially peace. Psalm 119 (67-77) seems so appropriate for those who have afflictions. Getting up early to go to church for mass three times a week is quite a challenge. Last year in the Adoration Chapel on Ash Wednesday I said to the Lord to please tell me what He wants me to do for I have the usual lenten sacrifices that I offer Him & that I’m out of ideas. As I was reading my bible I heard this voice loud & clear, “Receive me everyday.” Never in my wildest dream to have that kind of experience. I looked at the Blessed Sacrament & tears just started pouring down my cheeks but no sound came out from my mouth for fear of distracting other people in the chapel. Since then I have been going to church everyday to attend mass & receiving the Eucharist, yes, it is still a hugh challenge getting up early especially in the winter when it is cold & dark, but with that kind of invitation ,who can resist. It is the least I can do to please Him who have done so much for me & for all of us. By the way, before my affliction, I was pro choice & advocate of Dr. Kavorkian. God in His mercy & love, our God of second chances, has to guide me back to Him by giving me this affliction of which I am grateful, for now I know He is the only way, the real truth & the only life. Thank you for your patience reading this.
May we all have a fruitful lenten season.

By: Eve Cook

Eve Cook — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 20:50:00 +0000

I also am a big fan of The Better Part! I recommend picking a “theme” from Index I and just following along in that theme for your daily meditation. Also, don’t forget that The Better Part is also available as an App for smart phones!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 15:15:00 +0000

It is only available in English and Spanish (Mexico Spanish).

By: Clare Northern

Clare Northern — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 14:23:00 +0000

while Clare disciplines her Pleasure for Prayer and Spiritual Life, she didn’t realize she also had to discipline her Pain. Once realized she began to Fast and began her journey with Contemplation.

So simple is My Lord for daughter,
Discipline your pleasure for Me, and do not forget to discipline your pain.
Clare

By: Sandy

Sandy — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 12:17:00 +0000

Dan, I agree that both of these books are excellent choices to help a person grow spiritually and will be great resources for Lent. I have both used The Better Part in the past and then passed the book on by donating it to a Catholic seminary in hopes that seminarians will use it in their formation. I purchased Divine Intimacy for Christmas and plan to use it as a part of my Lenten spiritual food. I just finished “A Retreat for Lay People” by Ronald Knox and found it filled with spiritual food and would highly recommend it to all of your readers.