Friday, February 27, 2009
Pray lar...
I read a story about two priests who were praying the Vespers together one evening when a massive thunderstorm suddenly occurred. At the point when the fallen trees had knocked against the glass of the prayer room and the wind seems set to blow the church down, one priest interrupts his recitation, turns to his fellow priest and says, "I think we'd better put our breviaries down and start praying!"
This story is a reminder of how sometimes, we view the rosary, breviary and even the Mass as something that Catholics
need to do, and not as a personal invitation from God to enter into His embrace. It's sorta like an oxymoron; when we try to be attentive, it somehow becomes not quite sincere. Falling into a routine prayer (and not prayer routine) may be a regular affair for many, yet coming out of it leads nowhere either.
The thing is, when we find ourselves getting distracted or being insincere in prayer, that is not the time to stop praying or to pull out Plan B (which is to break out in spontaneity). Rather, it is a time to recall that without Christ, we can do nothing. Yes, not even pray. Therein lies the power of formulated prayers, together with the aid of the Holy Spirit to guide us when our hearts and actions are empty.
"The Spirit too, comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit itself intercedes with inexpressible groaning." (Rom8:26)As we embark on the season of Lent together, may you persevere in prayer and be steadfast in deed.
Three days in, but it's never too late. Click here to act.
Posted by Jo at 12:42 AM
