Grasping Prayer (Sunday, April 10)

Prayer is often difficult to balance for me. How often we hear pray for this, that, and the other thing several times every day? By the end of the day I feel like I should have said about four Rosaries and two Masses to cover everything, so what is the balance? How much does God want us to pray and for what things? Today I heard a little analogy. (It didn't say anything about thankfulness, so I added my own thought on it.)

* It goes like this: start with your open hand. Think about what God has placed in it/given you or is trying to give you and thank Him for it—even if it’s not what you want or can understand, it is part of His plan for your happiness, so thank Him for all of it regardless.

* Next, look at your thumb, its closest to you so pray for those whom you are closest to in any way (loved ones and enemies).

* On your pointer/index finger, pray for those who instruct, teach, or heal (teachers, doctors, parents, religious—those who help/heal and point out the way for us in the world; they need strength and support in their call to minister to others).

* On your tallest/middle finger, pray for those who are high in leadership (the president, politicians, Pope; anyone in charge of anything important. They too need guidance and support to courageously lead and guide the rest of the world.)

* On your ring finger, which is also the weakest finger of your hand, pray for those who are weak, sick, in need, or trouble.

* Finally on your pinkie finger, the smallest and the last, pray for yourself. After you have prayed for everyone and everything else, you will have put your own requests into proper perspective and effectively put yourself as the least of all.  I hope this helps you simplify and improve your prayer life! 

May God Bless You Abundantly for You Efforts! =)

Transfigured (March 20th)

From all of His followers, Jesus took only Peter, James, and John to a high mountain. There on this serene, beautiful mountain, Peter, James, and John could be with Christ; listen to Him, SEE Him without the distractions of the world. They knew they were favored and loved because from everyone, Jesus chose them. In other words, they were about as intimate with Jesus in that moment as anyone could be. It is here, in this place and time, that Peter says: "Lord, it is good we are here."

Struggling to follow God's plans and Will in my life, I often find myself retreating to my own "mountain" to be intimately with God for as long as time permits: at Mass, in Adoration Chapel, or in a solid block of quiet time with Him. I want to stay there in that intimacy with Christ and I wonder, "If I truly loved Him, how could I choose to leave Him and go out into the world? How could I choose to live a life as anyone but a contemplative nun who can spend everyday on the "mountain" in that intimacy with Christ?" I often wrestled with this wondering if I didn't love Christ enough to choose a life where I could stay on the "mountain" with Him. But I realize now, though "it is good we are here" with Jesus, Christ doesn't say to Peter, James, and John, "Let us build a camp here so you three can live here and enjoy Me for the rest of your lives." No, Jesus takes them down off the mountain and we see Him and them going out to the world to touch and heal it; to live and give life to it.

So where is God calling you? Is He calling you to live on the mountain; to pour your life and love into all who seek refuge there, or is He calling you to flow from the mountain like a spring, a conduit of His living water? Is He calling you to be His hands and feet to this broken world by leaving the mountain like the first 3 visitors? Only you and God can know for sure, so take some time, go the mountain: wherever you can hear God best, and ask...and you shall receive!