It was a difficult prayer period today. My Father didn’t seem to be there. This seemed odd to me, as He had been very close to me earlier at Saturday evening Mass. I went through reading after reading until I had gone through all of the remaining additional readings. All the words were flat and lifeless without His presence. I tried to talk to Him, but ended up restless. My mind wandered. I couldn’t get comfortable and grew more restless. It was a long hour. (1)

(1) Spiritual director: You might have tried going back to one reading the next day to see whether they were still lifeless. If yes, then go to others. When you’re doing additional readings, it may help to go over the insights of that mediation, pray for the grace, and look at the theme. Of course, none of this is any guarantee that the reading won’t still be lifeless!