The "To Do" Task List from Jesus March 7

http://www.usccb.org/nab/030706.shtml

Today, Jesus teaches us HOW to pray…the way to pray. We use these words A LOT. But did you ever think that perhaps he doesn’t mean that in just a literal sense (or we would be saying this in Aramaic). He doesn’t say, “Use these words, only.” In fact, you could use fewer. I like these seven. You might like others…

Faith: Our Father, you are in heaven, holy is your name.
Hope: We await the coming of your kingdom (like Matthew 25) on earth as it exists in heaven
Love/Charity: Give all of us (not just the “haves”) our Daily Bread
Justice: Forgive us our sins
Prudence: As we forgive others
Temperance: Lead us not into temptation
Fortitude: Deliver us from evil

Prayer:

You showed us the way Jesus, but still our team waits. Our Cursillo community waits. Our potential candidates wait. All Christians wait. Yet as we wait what the future brings, you knew what your future held. You anticipated your cross because through it came your resurrection for us. No matter how much your humanity hoped that the cup would pass, you accepted it. Now, your patience is in us – waiting for us to build your kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. Give us the faith, hope and love to tackle this task, not because it is easy. Not because it is hard but just because you asked us to do it. And He sent the Holy Spirit to bestow the virtues and gifts needed to support us in our action.

Fourth Day Action:

This prayer that Jesus taught us is a “How to” manual for Christians. Every big job starts out with something little. Building the Chartres Cathedral took from 1194 until 1260. Someone had to turn over that first shovel of dirt…someone had to draw up the plans on paper. They didn’t live long enough to see it to completion but they got it started none the less. If not, we would not have it today.

Take a look at your task list…Open that Outlook folder. Review that Franklin Covey Weekly Compass. Or do you use a Day-timer or something else to plan your day. What’s on there that advances your Fourth Day? Morning prayer? Daily Mass? Reconciliation? A rosary? What are you studying? If nothing, then what will you start? Who are you forgiving today? What temptation is Jesus helping you to avoid? To whom are you and Jesus giving bread today? How will you be delivered from evil if something like this is not on your “To Do” list?

What is on “your plate” today? What cup of blessing will you accept? How will you turn over the first shovel of ground-breaking work on the Kingdom of God?

PS: It’s not too late to add a task like “Drop Congressman Davis – or Moran or Wolfe – and Senators Warner and Allen a note about that Immigration bill that would make workers in a soup kitchen subject to arrest for doing the corporal works of mercy.