Recently the Pope wrote these telling words: “Every day god passes by and sows a seed in the soil of our lives. Making that seed grow depends on us, on our prayer, on the open heart with which we approach the Scriptures so that it might become for us the living Word of God.” (Pope Francis)
Interestingly enough, the apostles asked Jesus how to pray in the Gospel reading this past weekend. Perhaps they wanted to cultivate that seed that was placed in the soil of their hearts. Prayer is an interesting concept, as for some it can only mean ‘getting what they want’! Truly, prayer is so much more; it is developing that relationship with God, and it starts by having right relationships with those around us. After all – how can we love a God we cannot see while we don’t love those we do?
Prayer is also known not to change a situation, but to change the heart and mind of the one praying. It is there that the miracle takes place. I was recently speaking with a friend, and they shared what a difficult summer it has been. The aging process has slowed them down, and having moved from familiar places had them feeling low. My only suggestion was to accept the present and feel blessed by what is instead of what was. Not an easy thing to do, I know, but this is where prayer enters in! God is calling us to color outside the lines. We know how hard that can be for a perfectionist, but with God all things are possible.
During this week, reflect on your prayer life to see where and how you are deepening your relationship with God and neighbor. Where are you in solidarity with those for whom you pray? Where is God calling you to color outside the lines, be creative, and add color to the situation? Amazing things can happen when we turn to what God wants for our lives as opposed to what we want. Learn from your prayer, share it, and rejoice in what you find when you begin developing your relationships and coloring outside the lines.
Till next week,
Sister Theresita
P.S.: Folks often ask, ‘how do you come up with the stuff you write’? Well, this week I need to confess that I was inspired by three different homilies. They were given by Fathers Ciya Thomas, Tom Haggerty, and Bill Konicki. They left me with lots to think about. Thank you.
