Welcome to the fifth episode of Psalms of the Epiphany, a weekly series of heartfelt reflections guided by one of our pastors, Alicia Divers. As a Spiritual Director and Somatic Practitioner, Alicia seamlessly integrates mindful awareness of the body into her pastoral work. Inspired by St. Ignatius’ imaginative approach, she pairs these contemplative practices with Nan Merrill’s beautiful paraphrase of each week’s Psalm.

For Further Spiritual Exploration, Enhance your reflection by journaling the following questions available in our series overview:

How do you experience the presence of the Divine in your everyday life?
When life moves quickly and distractions pull you in many directions, how do you recognize the moments when divine guidance or a gentle illumination finds you? How might these moments invite you to pause and reconnect with your inner wisdom?

What does a sacred pause look like for you?
In times of uncertainty or challenge, how do you carve out moments of stillness to center yourself? What practices of silence, embodied presence, or mindful reflection help you gain clarity and reorient your path?

How do you translate the good news of hope, love, and justice into everyday actions?
As you experience personal transformation, in what ways can you share that renewed sense of purpose with those around you? How might your actions—both small and significant—contribute to healing and positive change in your community?

How do you connect your inner journey with the needs of the world around you?
When reflecting on your personal growth, how do you discern the interplay between your inner life and external responsibilities? In what ways does your personal reflection inspire you to foster greater compassion, inclusion, and justice in the broader world?

Resource Links:

• Book Resource: Psalms for Praying by Nan Merrill
• Good Shepherd New York: www.goodshepherdnewyork.com
• Find Out More About Alicia: www.somatic-spirituality.com

Music and Mixing:

• Music Credit: David Gungor
• Editing: David Gungor & Michael Rudzena

Closing Thoughts: We hope this first meditation enriches your faith and strengthens our community in Christ. Tune in each week for new reflections and continue your journey of spiritual growth with us.