Flannery O’Connor, the American Catholic southern gothic writer,
once said, “I write because I don’t know what I think until I read what I say.”
That line has always resonated with me, but never more so than
when I sit down to write reflections on Scripture readings, verses that can
feel so familiar there seems nothing new to uncover. My latest book of
reflections, Not by Bread Alone 2021: Daily Reflections for Lent (Liturgical
Press), is my third book of Lenten meditations and prayers, and so the
challenge is real — but realer still is the truth that lives within Scripture.
Old passages can speak new hope to us at any particular moment of our lives if
we are willing to open ourselves up to the work and words of the Spirit. Even the
familiarity of Lent itself can turn a season of growth into a rote spiritual
exercise if we are not prepared to be surprised by God, sometimes in
uncomfortable ways.
Read more