My attempt to embrace the Liturgy of the hours was a semi-fail. It's a bit like deciding to run an Iron Man with the ability of a jazzercise participant. Full of goodness and fertile ground for spiritual growth, but a lot to take on in the summer with kids home and unpredictable schedules. So I learned and saw the benefit, but then gave myself the freedom to claim "defeat" and find a process more suitable for my life, right now.
Specifically carving out intentional quiet time has been great for the ordering of my days. Even if I couldn't keep up with the Liturgy of the Hours didn't mean I was giving up altogether. Because I wanted these times to be fruitful, planning how to pray instead of slowly dozing in and out of the mid afternoon snooze was important. I longed for a prayer life that harvested a deeper knowledge of Christ. But being the emotional personality that I am, sometimes my prayers centered too much around the mood of the day rather than the unchanging holiness of God.
Enter in the beauty of Rote prayer. That term can have negative connotations associated with it outside of the Catholic church. Rote prayers, to the unfamiliar Evangelical, seem like a bunch of repeated phrases that never coalesce into a heartfelt longing for God.
Yes, sometimes. Rote can become formulaic, cold, and distant. This is similar to the danger that spontaneous prayer can be controlled by emotion and circumstances rather than truth. Yet in a heart that desires the will of the Lord, both forms can be powerful elements that deepen the interior life, and promote relationship and adoration of Christ. Pope Benedict, in the book Jesus of Nazareth, states that our prayers,
"can and should be a wholly personal prayer. But we also constantly need to make use of those prayers that express in words the encounter with God experienced both by the Church as a whole and by individual members of the Church. For without these aids to prayer, our own praying and our image of God become subjective and end up reflecting ourselves more than the living God. In the formulaic prayers that arose first from the faith of Israel and then from the faith of praying members of the Church, we get to know God and ourselves well. They are a "school of prayer" that transforms and opens up our life."
So, I have entered into this "school of prayer," birthed through the written prayers of the Saints. I have begun to experience a sense of communion with faithful believers who have walked with, known, and loved Jesus at different times in Christianity. I am learning that to pray their words is to join my often feeble prayer to their intercessions. The bounds set by time are erased and that glorious cloud of witnesses spoken of in Hebrews seems to be cheering me on in my life of faith.
And it has done wonders for my afternoon quiet times. That time of the day when the brain energy of a mom has run it's course just in time for the kids to come running in; that time when the morning coffee has run dry and dinner is an endurance test away. In these times, rote prayer has become a lifeline. When I cannot think, my friends the Saints think for me. When my soul knows the greatness of the Lord; but my head is too tired to contemplate on it's own, I am reminded by the Church triumphant that the Mighty One has done Great Things. In reciting their words, I encounter Jesus in a new light that transforms and allows me to seem him clearer than I ever would have been able to on my own.
A bit like taking a jazzercise class from a world class gold winning athlete; so too is our reciting the words of Holy men and women of Jesus. For like St. Paul, they have "fought the good fight, finished the race, and have kept the faith" (2 Tim 4:7)... and with that knowledge, I can't think of any better coaches to show me the way to the crown of righteousness. (vs 8).
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Monday, January 18, 2016
The Little Flower's flower: part 2
I have faith that prayers are heard and God is always working his plan for our good. In praying "Thy Will be done," the Lord's prayer has been a particuarily helpful tool in training my mind to trust in this Goodness.
But sometimes, if I'm honest, I would admit I worry whether some requests have been heard or have drifted off into some sort of prayer grave yard. Especially if the prayers do not have decisive, timely answers.
Recently, I've had a specific request on my heart that continues to surface. I have asked that if it not be his Will, the desire would extinguish. Currently it remains strong. So in my new found learnings of St. Therese, I knew that she would be the ideal Saint to intercede for me in taking this request to the Lord.
A few weeks ago I heard an inspiring story about an encounter with Saint Therese and her desire to give roses as a sign of her prayers. She is known for sending flowers to those who request her intercession; giving her the name, the Little Flower.
I was impressed with the story but unsure if she would do the same for me. (Remember her and I didn't hit things off with a running start). Would she find me undeserving of a heavenly rose because of my harsh critiques of her Story? Would my request for prayers go unheard?
Nevertheless.. I found a Novena (multi day prayer) to St. Therese in my Laudate phone app. I decided I couldn't lose in reciting the prayer. Worst case scenario, I would have said more prayers than originally planned.. and who was ever harmed by praying more?
The Novena is five days long, and includes a request that St. Therese, "send a flower from the heavenly garden and send it to me with a message of love. Ask God to grant me the favor I thee implore, and tell him I will love him each day more and more." Simple.. yet daring (in my mind) to ask for so bold of a sign.
Upon day five, Sunday, I woke up and prayed before Mass. My prayer being not that the request would be fully answered but rather I would receive a sign (a rose in some form), giving me peace that St. Therese had indeed taken my prayer to the Lord.. that it was being raised before him as bowls of incense. (Rev. 8:4). I approached the day with hopeful, humble expectation.
Our priest gave a homily in which we could tell that the Holy Spirit had written. The wedding at Cana was the Gospel. He shared how the marriages of those around us were to be viewed as gifts for the whole church; as Jesus's marriage to the church was for everyone.
One such marriage was that in which an older man had loved his wife so greatly that when she passed away, he would daily take a rose and place it upon her grave; signaling his great love for her. My ears perked up at the word rose but I still wasn't convinced it was my heavenly rose...
Until the priest, as the Holy Spirit seemed to be ramping up his voice within him, turned to where I was sitting and stated plainly... This man's gift of a rose is a gift for all of you. Jesus, himself wants to give you a rose, right now from heaven, Today.
I could not help smiling... I knew that was it. It's January.. talk of roses is not popular. The wedding at Cana is one of my favorite passages in the whole Gospel. My priest had no idea that in discussing six seemingly random marriages during his homily, one of them would be so much more than an example of great love for my heart. But it gets better.
After Mass, there was a voice in my head that I couldn't ignore. It encouraged me to email him and share with him my thanks and appreciation for his words and my answer to prayer.
His email back was quick and amazed me. He stated, "Thanks,... the funny thing is that I gave that same homily at the previous Masses and didn't mention heaven giving us a rose. Then at 9am I looked at the Therese alcove and was overwhelmed. I consciously knew that the Lord wanted to give someone a rose at that moment. I knew it was happening as I spoke, even though I didn't know you were the one!"
Just call my spiritual socks knocked off.
I know now there's no graveyard for prayers. They reach the throne, of that I am sure. Sweet St. Therese blessed me yesterday and allowed me to experience the amazing Love of God, despite my faults and my questions and my doubts.
In the life of prayer, faith is called to guide our hearts. It is rare when we have clear confirmations of our hearts request. For God knows that we cannot be addicted to magnificent signs like a child is to candy. We would get a spiritual sweet tooth and our faith would suffer. But he does allow moments of reprieve. Moments when Heaven breaks free and we see through the mirror a bit clearer. Moments when he speaks to our hearts and allows us to see him, if only for a brief moment, face to face. (1 Corinthians 13:12).
My heart was touched by the Little Flower, and I can now state with confidence that in meeting Therese I have met love. It was undeserved and at times misunderstood, but she gave it anyway. In receiving the Little Flower's flower, I have an increased confidence in the power of prayer, and in the beauty of the heavenly garden. I have no doubt that it is overflowing with gifts just waiting to be showered upon earth. All we have to do is ask.
But sometimes, if I'm honest, I would admit I worry whether some requests have been heard or have drifted off into some sort of prayer grave yard. Especially if the prayers do not have decisive, timely answers.
Recently, I've had a specific request on my heart that continues to surface. I have asked that if it not be his Will, the desire would extinguish. Currently it remains strong. So in my new found learnings of St. Therese, I knew that she would be the ideal Saint to intercede for me in taking this request to the Lord.
A few weeks ago I heard an inspiring story about an encounter with Saint Therese and her desire to give roses as a sign of her prayers. She is known for sending flowers to those who request her intercession; giving her the name, the Little Flower.
I was impressed with the story but unsure if she would do the same for me. (Remember her and I didn't hit things off with a running start). Would she find me undeserving of a heavenly rose because of my harsh critiques of her Story? Would my request for prayers go unheard?
Nevertheless.. I found a Novena (multi day prayer) to St. Therese in my Laudate phone app. I decided I couldn't lose in reciting the prayer. Worst case scenario, I would have said more prayers than originally planned.. and who was ever harmed by praying more?
The Novena is five days long, and includes a request that St. Therese, "send a flower from the heavenly garden and send it to me with a message of love. Ask God to grant me the favor I thee implore, and tell him I will love him each day more and more." Simple.. yet daring (in my mind) to ask for so bold of a sign.
Upon day five, Sunday, I woke up and prayed before Mass. My prayer being not that the request would be fully answered but rather I would receive a sign (a rose in some form), giving me peace that St. Therese had indeed taken my prayer to the Lord.. that it was being raised before him as bowls of incense. (Rev. 8:4). I approached the day with hopeful, humble expectation.
Our priest gave a homily in which we could tell that the Holy Spirit had written. The wedding at Cana was the Gospel. He shared how the marriages of those around us were to be viewed as gifts for the whole church; as Jesus's marriage to the church was for everyone.
One such marriage was that in which an older man had loved his wife so greatly that when she passed away, he would daily take a rose and place it upon her grave; signaling his great love for her. My ears perked up at the word rose but I still wasn't convinced it was my heavenly rose...
Until the priest, as the Holy Spirit seemed to be ramping up his voice within him, turned to where I was sitting and stated plainly... This man's gift of a rose is a gift for all of you. Jesus, himself wants to give you a rose, right now from heaven, Today.
I could not help smiling... I knew that was it. It's January.. talk of roses is not popular. The wedding at Cana is one of my favorite passages in the whole Gospel. My priest had no idea that in discussing six seemingly random marriages during his homily, one of them would be so much more than an example of great love for my heart. But it gets better.
After Mass, there was a voice in my head that I couldn't ignore. It encouraged me to email him and share with him my thanks and appreciation for his words and my answer to prayer.
His email back was quick and amazed me. He stated, "Thanks,... the funny thing is that I gave that same homily at the previous Masses and didn't mention heaven giving us a rose. Then at 9am I looked at the Therese alcove and was overwhelmed. I consciously knew that the Lord wanted to give someone a rose at that moment. I knew it was happening as I spoke, even though I didn't know you were the one!"
Just call my spiritual socks knocked off.
I know now there's no graveyard for prayers. They reach the throne, of that I am sure. Sweet St. Therese blessed me yesterday and allowed me to experience the amazing Love of God, despite my faults and my questions and my doubts.
In the life of prayer, faith is called to guide our hearts. It is rare when we have clear confirmations of our hearts request. For God knows that we cannot be addicted to magnificent signs like a child is to candy. We would get a spiritual sweet tooth and our faith would suffer. But he does allow moments of reprieve. Moments when Heaven breaks free and we see through the mirror a bit clearer. Moments when he speaks to our hearts and allows us to see him, if only for a brief moment, face to face. (1 Corinthians 13:12).
My heart was touched by the Little Flower, and I can now state with confidence that in meeting Therese I have met love. It was undeserved and at times misunderstood, but she gave it anyway. In receiving the Little Flower's flower, I have an increased confidence in the power of prayer, and in the beauty of the heavenly garden. I have no doubt that it is overflowing with gifts just waiting to be showered upon earth. All we have to do is ask.
Sunday, January 17, 2016
The Little Flower's Flower: Part 1
St. Therese and I didn't hit it off right away. Many people love her and look to her as their patron Saint, but truth be told...her Story of a Soul didn't stir mine. I related to the Oxford taught, academic prowess of Cardinal Newman, and the pipe smoking, (I assume), moving classics of C.S. Lewis, and Tolkein. The sweet cloistered nun out of France seemed too far out of my interest.
And it started to bother me. So many of my friends love her that I felt guilty for not understanding. Why could I not relate to the girl who passionately loved Jesus? I began Googling any search terms I could conjure up to possibly, hopefully, find someone who thought like me. (I couldn't). Did no one else find her childhood stories too whiny for spiritual nourishment? Did everyone (but me) relate to her total detachment from society mentality? Why did she write as though interactions with humans were a burden? My world directly depended on my involvement with society; kids, school; friends, soccer practice; late nights and tired mornings. How would a stay at home mom with four kids ever become friends with cloistered Carmelite Nun?
In our church we have alcoves with large stained glass windows, each highlighting a different Saint. Saint Therese stands in one of these, the glass etched with multiple cascading roses. It's also the alcove in which confessions are made. Imagine giving a confession while staring at the Saint that largely makes you feel like a Catholic outsider. Then one night as I sat looking at her, receiving God's forgiveness, and words of wisdom from my favorite priest, (who happens to have a strong devotion to St. Therese), I realized that perhaps I had misunderstood her; perhaps I had expected perfection when instead she was giving an honest account of her life: failures and all. Perhaps, now in heaven, she would be willing to share her story in a way in which I could understand, if I was willing to try.
I went back to complete her Story of a Soul; to gain greater insight. Full disclosure; I will probably have to read it many more times. The writing is somewhat jumbled and it doesn't read as a straightforward biography. And it's not the type of writing that stirs me... but that doesn't make it bad. After a lot of prayer, I began to see that her theology is, in fact, profound. Her "Little Way," of doing small things with great Love, is a deep Christian truth. Becoming a trusting child in the eyes of God, realizing that even insignificant acts could be done out of great love for the Lord. Keeping in mind Matthew 18:3, "Truly I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."
I began to absorb her wisdom slowly, but was still regretting our rocky start. Would Saint Therese want a friend who was skeptical? Would she rather keep to the kind hearted, gentle Christ followers who openly accepted her ideas and quickly loved her back? If it is true that the Saints can and do intercede for us at the throne of God (Revelation 8:4 and Hebrews 12:1) then I had to make peace with my theological Saint frustrations. (Oh how God takes our lives in funny directions sometimes!).
That peace was recently given when her mission to "spend her eternity in heaven doing good on earth" was shared with me in a personal way. It was then that I realized her pledge was not a fanciful wish but rather a solemn promise... even to the skeptic.
And it started to bother me. So many of my friends love her that I felt guilty for not understanding. Why could I not relate to the girl who passionately loved Jesus? I began Googling any search terms I could conjure up to possibly, hopefully, find someone who thought like me. (I couldn't). Did no one else find her childhood stories too whiny for spiritual nourishment? Did everyone (but me) relate to her total detachment from society mentality? Why did she write as though interactions with humans were a burden? My world directly depended on my involvement with society; kids, school; friends, soccer practice; late nights and tired mornings. How would a stay at home mom with four kids ever become friends with cloistered Carmelite Nun?
In our church we have alcoves with large stained glass windows, each highlighting a different Saint. Saint Therese stands in one of these, the glass etched with multiple cascading roses. It's also the alcove in which confessions are made. Imagine giving a confession while staring at the Saint that largely makes you feel like a Catholic outsider. Then one night as I sat looking at her, receiving God's forgiveness, and words of wisdom from my favorite priest, (who happens to have a strong devotion to St. Therese), I realized that perhaps I had misunderstood her; perhaps I had expected perfection when instead she was giving an honest account of her life: failures and all. Perhaps, now in heaven, she would be willing to share her story in a way in which I could understand, if I was willing to try.
I went back to complete her Story of a Soul; to gain greater insight. Full disclosure; I will probably have to read it many more times. The writing is somewhat jumbled and it doesn't read as a straightforward biography. And it's not the type of writing that stirs me... but that doesn't make it bad. After a lot of prayer, I began to see that her theology is, in fact, profound. Her "Little Way," of doing small things with great Love, is a deep Christian truth. Becoming a trusting child in the eyes of God, realizing that even insignificant acts could be done out of great love for the Lord. Keeping in mind Matthew 18:3, "Truly I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."
I began to absorb her wisdom slowly, but was still regretting our rocky start. Would Saint Therese want a friend who was skeptical? Would she rather keep to the kind hearted, gentle Christ followers who openly accepted her ideas and quickly loved her back? If it is true that the Saints can and do intercede for us at the throne of God (Revelation 8:4 and Hebrews 12:1) then I had to make peace with my theological Saint frustrations. (Oh how God takes our lives in funny directions sometimes!).
That peace was recently given when her mission to "spend her eternity in heaven doing good on earth" was shared with me in a personal way. It was then that I realized her pledge was not a fanciful wish but rather a solemn promise... even to the skeptic.
Friday, January 15, 2016
The Magnificat Gift
A homiletic challenge has become joy for my soul. Pray the Magnificat.
The responsorial hymn of worship to an unimaginable gift. The Holy Spirit had overcome a lowly handmade and she had conceived the Savior. Unto her a child was to be born, and unto us all a Son was given. The Wonderful Counselor had come through a womb. Mary; full of Grace and praise.
The gift of Mary's Magnificat is not meant to remain static words bound to a page. Rather her prayer is to become our prayer; her praise, our praise. Her gift, a Son, gifted for the whole world.
The gift of Mary's Magnificat is not meant to remain static words bound to a page. Rather her prayer is to become our prayer; her praise, our praise. Her gift, a Son, gifted for the whole world.
The Mighty One has done great things for us all, and Holy is his Name.
For all generations who follow the Lord will be called Blessed. Lives of resounding grace that illumine mankind to the very heart of their Creator.
To pray the Magnificat is to pray alongside she who held and caressed the very face of God; to in turn behold his face in our hearts. It is to lift up our lowly souls to that heavenly glory which is our inheritance in Christ Jesus. It is to set aside our circumstances of the moment and praise Him, knowing that nothing is impossible with God.
The Magnificat is a gift that was meant to be opened, shared, and given away. Just as the Savior in whom it proclaims.
My Soul Magnifies the Lord
My Spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
For he has looked upon his handmaids lowliness;
Behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed.
The Mighty One has done great things for me,
and Holy is his Name.
His mercy is from age to age
to those who fear him.
He has shown might with his arm,
dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart.
He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones
but lifted up the lowly.
The hungry he has filled with good things,
The rich he has sent away empty.
He has helped Israel his servant,
remembering his mercy,
according to his promise to our Fathers,
to Abraham and his descendants forever.
Luke 1:46 - 55
If you don't want to take my word for it.. listen to Catholic singer, songwriter... Matt Maher. His song Great Things is one of my favorites, and a direct result of him internalizing the Magnificat.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOWP2AXHG1k
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