May Your Faith Flourish August 28

by Beth De Cristofaro

Piety

Let us pray: God of Creation, God of my mothers, God of rainbows and meteor showers, help me today speak, act and think only for your Glory. Help me, as you helped St. Augustine to put aside those things which keep me from you. Help me “not speak evil of anyone,” as St. Augustine sought to do each day. Help me learn, help me love, help me reach out to others. Help me my walk in the grace of our God and Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Study

http://www.usccb.org/nab/082806.shtml

There are so many ways to pray. Humans want so much to experience God.

Tibetan Monks construct detailed, fragile sand paintings which are “then destroyed by lamas to heal and bless the environment and all living beings.”

Sr. Jose Hobday writes about Native American prayer: life as prayer, prayer as life. Her mother told the young Sr. Jose: “When you stir oatmeal, stir it slowly so you don’t forget that oatmeal is a gift and that you don’t take it for granted.”

Jesus often sought seclusion and silence. Matthew 13:14 When Jesus heard of (the execution of John the Baptist) he withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself.

In Exodus 15:20-21 “The prophetess Miriam, Aaron's sister, took a tambourine in her hand, while all the women went out after her with tambourines, dancing; and she led them in the refrain: Sing to the LORD, for he is gloriously triumphant; horse and chariot he has cast into the sea.”

Poem prayers are in Song of Songs 2:2-4

As a lily among thorns, so is my beloved among women.

As an apple tree among the trees of the woods,
so is my lover among men.
I delight to rest in his shadow,
and his fruit is sweet to my mouth.
He brings me into the banquet hall
and his emblem over me is love.

Walking a labyrinth such as in Chartres Cathedral at Chartres, France, is prayer, medi-tation, pilgrimage, journey, entering sacred space. The Benedictine Monastery in Bristow, VA, has constructed a labyrinth, open to the public, on their beautiful grounds.

We have the many wonderful rituals of the Church: Eucharistic Adoration, Stations of the Cross, the Rosary, and, of course, the celebration of Eucharist in the Mass.

Paul, in his letter to the Thessalonians, prays his thanks for a persecuted congregation. He prays that they will continue to be worthy of God’s calling and that Jesus will be glorified in the continued steadfastness of the community. It is interesting that he does not pray that they will be delivered from all mistreatment.

Jesus rebukes the scribes and Pharisees by pointing out that they put obstacles in the way of prayer. What is most important: the details, the formulas, the form of prayer or the object of prayer? In some ways we hear similar words used in Luke 5:32 "Can you make the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? The rules missed the point and held back those who truly sought to converse with God.

We always pray for you that our God may make you worthy of his calling and powerfully bring to fulfillment every good purpose and every effort of faith, that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, in accord with the grace of our God and Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thess)

Paul thinks that it was possible for the Thessalonians. He most likely thinks that it is possible now for us.

Action

We have so many opportunities to open ourselves and welcome God into ourselves. We rightly pray for the safekeeping and return of our troops from overseas. Do we pray that each action of the troops show the glory of God? We pray for help with our day-to-day, often complicated, decisions. Do we also hope and pray that we may made worthy of his calling and powerfully bring to fulfillment every good purpose and every effort of faith, that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him. (2 Thess).

What is your favorite way to pray? Post an answer in the comments section...