Last Sunday, I watched my daughter compete in a triathlon. She did very well. She is a very competent swimmer, and an efficient bicyclist, and runner. She's in excellent physical shape.
You may think this is an odd confluence, but I connected this triathlon of physical events to a different kind of spiritual event--praying. It is an odd confluence, because there are many ways of praying as there are people. Just look at last week's Gospel (Luke 10:38-42) about Martha and Mary. There's two different ways of praying (active and contemplative). Now look at this week's Gospel (Luke 11: 1-13) where Jesus teaches his disciples to pray to their Father in heaven. And even in the beginning of this Gospel, the disciples mention that John taught his followers to pray: Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.
So maybe competing in a spiritual triathlon isn't such a reach. In fact, when I was thinking over all the different methods of praying, I realized that I compete in a spiritual triathlon every day. Yes! I do.
Every morning I pray using Lectio Divina with Liturgy of the Hours with my cup of coffee. Then I go to Mass. Before Mass, I pray a rosary. There, one--two--three.
Lectio Divina
Rosary
Mass
You may think this is an odd confluence, but I connected this triathlon of physical events to a different kind of spiritual event--praying. It is an odd confluence, because there are many ways of praying as there are people. Just look at last week's Gospel (Luke 10:38-42) about Martha and Mary. There's two different ways of praying (active and contemplative). Now look at this week's Gospel (Luke 11: 1-13) where Jesus teaches his disciples to pray to their Father in heaven. And even in the beginning of this Gospel, the disciples mention that John taught his followers to pray: Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.
So maybe competing in a spiritual triathlon isn't such a reach. In fact, when I was thinking over all the different methods of praying, I realized that I compete in a spiritual triathlon every day. Yes! I do.
Every morning I pray using Lectio Divina with Liturgy of the Hours with my cup of coffee. Then I go to Mass. Before Mass, I pray a rosary. There, one--two--three.
Lectio Divina
Rosary
Mass
