Welcome, friend! Today we return to our regular series of reflections for Ordinary Time.

Happily, we’ve also just celebrated the Feast of the Transfiguration, the glimpse of glory Jesus gave to His apostles Peter, James, and John to carry them through the dark days of His passion and crucifixion.

Maybe you’re going through some dark days of your own. Maybe you, too, have been reading the newspaper and watching the news, finding nothing good there. Maybe you’re getting a little burned out on the whole “spirituality” thing…like today’s session says, “enough already.”

Maybe, this would be a good time to remember what spirituality is about, and reach for the promise and hope of our own transformation, before we cast it aside as a bad job. Let’s spend a few minutes with Fr. Freeh:

I empathize with John’s disciples who wanted to hear “something new.” I see in them my wish that there’s one last, final mystery, the “something new” that will finally unlock the “secret of life” and make everything…easy. I’ll finally get it all right, never screw up, lose weight, dispense to lesser mortals the wisdom of Solomon with the aplomb of Miss Manners, and maybe even win the powerball lottery. (On such desires, the entire late-night infomercial industry is built.)

But that’s not how it works. As Fr. Freeh points out, we must “put first things first.” Having heard the message of Christ, so succintly declared by the Beloved Apostle as “Love one another”–now, we have to live it. We must unpack the real meaning of Love in every moment of our lives. In our thoughts, our decisions, our words, our works. Not only what we do, but even what we don’t do (remember the lesson on sloth?).

But what is the first thing?

Prayer.

As Mother Teresa of Calcutta put it: “I used to believe that prayer changes things, but now I know that prayer changes us and we change things.”  And in a paradox only God could create, as we pray we become more truly who we are meant to be, finding our identity and purpose, by transcending ourselves moment by moment–by abandoning ourselves and conforming ourselves to Christ, sharing in His transfiguration.

Are you using the prayer process outlined by Matthew Kelly of DynamicCatholic.org? It’s a great first step. But St. Paul tells us to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thes.) So you might want to expand your tool kit….

This is where the “devotions” that Fr. Freeh mentions come in. I’ve highlighted a few on this blog already (for example, the Flame of Love and the Sacred Heart of Jesus). Here are a few more resources:

• Let’s start with the obvious. Read the Bible for fifteen minutes a day. Want to read the entire Bible? You can get reading plans online, and yes, there’s an app for that.

• If you haven’t said a Rosary in a while, now’s a good time to pick up this spiritual weapon and do your part to promote world peace. Fifteen minutes a day really can change the world. It certainly worked at the Battle of Lepanto. Never learned to say the rosary? Here’s one link among many websites to help you learn.

• A relative newcomer, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy was first promoted by a Polish nun in 1933, and championed by St. Pope John Paul II the Great.

• Speaking of apps…Have a smart phone? Get Laudate, “the number one free Catholic app.” This one app will open the treasures of Catholicism for you. The readings for daily Mass; the Order of the Mass; a Confession app (examination of conscience only; sorry, you still have to actually go talk to a priest!) 😉 the Rosary, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy; prayers…more prayers. Don’t leave home without it.

• Pray More Novenas…along with 125,000 people, for both your private intentions and public needs (currently, for persecuted Christians around the world). A new novena is launched every few weeks.

• Combine any of the above together with a visit to the Blessed Sacrament!

Remember the caveats Fr. Freeh mentioned about the place of devotions in our spirituality. They must be doctrinally solid; lead us to a better understanding of our faults and a firm purpose of amendment; and lead us to exercise charity. Devotions should help us to act on our faith in real and practical ways. And–as we nurture our personal prayer lives–should also enrich our participation in the liturgy of the Mass, our prayer as a community of Jesus’ disciples.

I’ll mention one more devotion, tying together our private and communal prayer. It’s okay to read ahead for Sunday Mass. Here’s a link to get you started.

Enough already? I’ve only scratched the surface. What are some of your favorite devotions? (I’ve got St. Anthony of Padua on speed dial…how ’bout you?) Please share!