By Beth DeCristofaro
(Christ Jesus) though he was in the form of God, did not
regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form
of a slave, coming in human likeness; and, found human in appearance, he
humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. Because of
this, God greatly exalted him… (Philippians
2: 6-9)
The master then ordered the servant, ‘Go out to the
highways and hedgerows and make people come in that my home may be filled. For, I tell you, none of those men who were
invited will taste my dinner.’”
(Luke 14:23-24)
Piety
Almighty God, you
have generously made known to human beings the mysteries of your life through
Jesus Christ your Son in the Holy Spirit.
Enlighten my mind to
know these mysteries which your Church treasures and teaches.
Move my heart to love
them and my will to live in accord with them.
Give me the ability
to teach this Faith to others without pride, without ostentation, and without
personal gain.
Let me realize that I
am simply your instrument for bringing others to the knowledge of the wonderful
things you have done for all your creatures.
Help me to be
faithful to this task that you have entrusted to me. Amen.
Prayer of St. Charles Borromeo
Prayer of St. Charles Borromeo
Study
What awesome wonder!
What God chose to do for me – put aside Godness, become human with all limitations
included, choose a humiliating and excruciating death – just to show how much
God loves me and wants me to choose God, choose salvation rather than death and
sin. In an inspiring essay, Fr. Michael
Patella, OSB, examines Paul’s lyrical epistle and points out that we are part
of Christ’s body, the church, as we choose to pour ourselves out to others just
as Christ did for us. “Yet we cannot
give what we do not have, and so growing with God’s grace into our own selfhood
and becoming fully the persons God created us to be is the necessary first
stop. Anything less is self-annihilation
and not self-sacrifice.” [i]
Part of growing into
my own selfhood is looking at the less-than-perfect and knowing that God loves
me in spite of those deeds. God doesn’t
want me to beat myself up nor be irresponsible and make excuses because I
fail. Rather I ask forgiveness, be more
aware and empty myself a little more in outpouring love the next time. In doing so I allow myself to edge ever
closer to that awesome wonder that is my God, my Lord, my Savior.
Action
Pay attention: How often have I averted my head when someone
was in distress? Slow down, look again
and allow God to show me how to meet the need.
When I begin to speak with spite, gossip or venom, search instead for
words of love. How often have I judged
someone else because of my preconceived notions or opinions? I ask myself, are my views and attitudes so
godlike that I may sit in judgment? Find
room within my busy day to be open to those in the hedgerows and highways “bringing
others to the knowledge of the wonderful things (God) has done for all God’s
creatures.”
[i]
“Within the Word”, Give us this Day:
Daily Prayer for Today’s Catholic, November 2014, Liturgical Press, p. 37.
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