The past few weeks have found all of us in a totally different space than we thought we would be back in January 2020. What a gift! Gift, you say? Yes, for it is not a coincidence that I rediscovered this quote: “Stepping out of the busyness, stopping our endless pursuit of getting somewhere else is perhaps the most beautiful offering we can make to our spirit.” -- Tara Brach
So true! Things have certainly come to a standstill. Everything we are doing is centered around our homes - teaching, working, playing, eating, being together and the list goes on. For some of us it is easier than others, depending on our responsibilities. I do hope however, that there may be a few extra minutes for prayer and deepening your relationship with God. These challenging times certainly affect how we accomplish things. Each of us will have our own story to tell when this is all over.
I am sure there are times during the day when things seem to be going right and then there are those days when everything seems to be crumbling. This roller coaster ride does affect us and our hearts, you may say, for that is our feeling center. That is why I thought I would share with you this Litany of Hearts that I used during a retreat a few years ago.
As you pray this litany, may it stir into flame a heart ablaze for building up the Kingdom of God wherever you are, in whatever challenges you may find yourself in.
Loving God, maker of our hearts, we pray and ask for the grace this day that:
Broken hearts be mended;
Young hearts stay wonder filled;
Older hearts discover their wisdom;
Embittered hearts let go of hurt;
Compassionate hearts find strength;
Big hearts know their wealth;
Betrayed hearts recover trust;
Soft hearts not be wounded;
Hardened hearts begin to soften;
Sensitive hearts be vigilant;
Happy hearts announce their joy;
Courageous hearts keep risking;
Passionate hearts tend the flame;
Arrogant hearts learn humility;
Sympathetic hearts benefit others;
Determined hearts lessen their grip;
Jealous hearts accept what they have;
Lost hearts find their way home;
Loving hearts reach out to others;
Generous hearts receive in return;
Fearful hearts turn toward trust;
Empty hearts befriend loneliness;
Tepid hearts stretch into action;
Faithful hearts remain steadfast.
(Taken from Prayer Seeds: A Gathering of Blessings, Reflections, and Poems for Spiritual Growth. Copyright 2017, by Joyce Rupp. Used by permission of Ave Marie Press, Inc. All rights reserved.)
I pray that you will take the time to listen to your heart, especially during this coronavirus time. For at some point in our lives, we have experienced many of the above hearts. Reflect on this litany and pray for a heart that can continue on the present journey in a peace and joy that only God can provide.
Till next week,
Sister Theresita
