We Catholics must admit that there is a constant temptation among us to avoid the lectionary and the Word of God for private and pious devotions that usually have little power to actually change us or call our ego assumptions into question.

The quote "We Catholics must admit that there is a constant temptation among us to avoid the lectionary and the Word of God for private and pious devotions that usually have little power to actually change us or call our ego assumptions into question." by Richard Rohr is a bold critique of how many within the Catholic tradition engage with their spiritual practices. Rohr, a Franciscan friar, author, and spiritual teacher, is known for his emphasis on inner transformation, contemplative prayer, and non-dual thinking. In this quote, he challenges the tendency among Catholics to focus on ritualistic devotions that may feel safe and familiar but lack the deep transformative power of engaging with Scripture.

Rohr specifically calls out the avoidance of the lectionary—the structured schedule of biblical readings used in Catholic worship—and the Word of God, which he sees as essential for spiritual growth. He warns that substituting these with private and pious devotions might offer comfort but often fail to confront the ego, the part of the self that resists change, humility, and spiritual depth. His concern is that without this confrontation, faith becomes more about habit than conversion.

By highlighting the phrase "little power to actually change us," Rohr emphasizes that true spiritual transformation requires more than surface-level practices—it requires engagement with truth, vulnerability, and a willingness to question one’s assumptions. For Rohr, Scripture—when approached with openness—has the potential to unsettle, challenge, and ultimately reshape a person’s inner life in ways that purely emotional devotions often do not.

Ultimately, Rohr's quote is a call to return to the foundational sources of Christian faith with fresh eyes and honest hearts. He advocates for a spirituality that is not just comforting but disruptive, one that leads to growth, self-awareness, and deeper union with God. His message invites Catholics—and all spiritual seekers—to move beyond routine religiosity and embrace the living, active Word as a path to true transformation.