-
Sunday, March 10, 2019In Paul’s Letter to the Romans from today’s scripture readings, Paul says, “What does Scripture say? The word is near you in your mouth and in your heart – that is the word of faith that we preach – for, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him form the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:8-13)
The Good News of the Gospel changes one’s life through grace. When we truly believe and begin to live according to Jesus’ teachings God’s G.R.A.C.E., God’s Radical Action Changes Everything! Faith is a gift, but it is also a choice and we need to pray that God solidifies our choices for Him in our hearts and renews our faith in us each day. To be strong in our faith, we have to pay attention to Jesus. Jesus speaking to two very poor sisters in England told them that He was beside them always, but that they could not feel His Presence with them unless they shut out the distractions of the world. Jesus is the breath of our very soul, but to hear that breath, we have to shut ourselves in that secret place deep within our being, which is Jesus’ secret place too. Today, spend some time in that deep and quiet secret place deep within your heart to hear Jesus. Talk to Jesus from your heart and reflect on Him. Do not say what you think about Him. Rather rest in Him in the silence of your heart and listen. Over the course of your day, spend some time meditating on the story of two disciples on the road to Emmaus. Imagine Jesus opening the scriptures for you and feel the amazement of the two disciples when they recognized Jesus. (Road to Emmaus: Lk 24:13-35)
Lenten Action
If you are a regular practitioner of Contemplative prayer spend your normal time in such prayer.
If you are new to spending time in silent prayer, find a comfortable place where you can sit in silence and get yourself into a comfortable sitting position. Say a brief prayer telling God you want to be with Him and asking Him to help you silence your thoughts. Then direct the focus of your attention on your breathing. Feel the rising and falling of your chest. Feel the rhythm of your breathing as your lungs expand and contract. Rest in the rhythm of your breathing. When random thoughts intrude, notice them and then let them go and refocus your attention of the rhythm of your breathing. Try to extend your time in silent prayer if you were only doing 5 minutes. Don’t be upset if you don’t actually get to a place where your mind is silent. This is natural because your mind is made to think. Don’t judge your success in silent prayer by whether you were able to banish your thoughts and have a silent mind. Worldly measures here have no real value. Do not attempt to drive your thoughts away. This will only disturb your ability to sit in silence. Simply notice them and let them go.
Today is not a Fast day or a day to abstain from anything including TV, computer games, social media or other forms of electronic media on your phones and iPad. Have fun playing in the electronic world if you like, but try to find where God is in all this for you.