I guess for me, the “benefit” of these past few years living in this pandemic, job loss, challenges with kids, and now war is it “forced” me to look at my life and relationship with God. To contemplate and speak to Him and to rely on Him more. When life was “good”, I checked the box so to speak with God- I went to Mass, said prayers (used words but not from heart), etc. In many ways, I relied on myself (PRIDE). When the blank hit the fan, I suppose there were two ways to go…. Deeper reliance on myself or return to God but in a different way. I’m blessed that Holy Spirit moved me in the second direction. Now, please understand, I’m not “holier than thou”- I fall often, but as I like to say, “I’m walking”….sometimes one step forward, and 2 backwards . But the bottom line is I know my reliance is totally on God. And I pray for his guidance everyday. Todays second psalm from Morning Office… O Lord, do not withdraw your favour from us. Blessed are you, Lord God of our fathers: your name is glorious for ever for you are just in all you have done to us. For we have sinned and done wrong, we have deserted you and done all things wrong. Do not give us up for ever, for your name’s sake we beg you, do not dissolve your covenant. Take not your loving kindness from us, for the sake of Abraham, your beloved; and Isaac your servant, and Israel your holy one. You told them you would multiply their seed like the stars of the sky like the sand on the shores of the sea. But we, Lord, are made the least of all nations. Today we are brought low over all the earth on account of our sins. Today there is no prince no prophet, no leader, no holocaust, no sacrifice. No offering, no incense, no first-fruits offered to you – no way to obtain your mercy. But in our contrite souls, in a spirit of humility, accept us, Lord. Like a holocaust of rams and bulls, like fat sheep in their thousands, let our sacrifice be like these before you today. Bring to fruition the quest of those who follow you, for those who trust in you can never be confounded. And now we follow you with all our heart and we revere you and seek your face. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. O Lord, do not withdraw your favour from us. .
Bring to fruition the quest of those who follow you, for those who trust in you can never be confounded. And now we follow you with all our heart From the Psalm just posted by Miker, I'm claiming it
Yes, the prayer of Azariah when King Nebuchadnezzar had thrown him, along with Hananiah and Mishael, into the fiery furnace! I hope I can trust myself to pray like this for others while in the flames of Purgatory. https://media.ascensionpress.com/2018/11/02/can-souls-in-purgatory-pray-for-us/ Lord have Mercy!
I have to laugh! There I was claiming my first homily draft was full and complete last Monday, and now I have changed the whole thing. Well, at least I have the former filed away for another day! The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the Name of the Lord!
Strange Our Lady said that when we see the wind blow, we will find her in the wind. I am not quite sure what that means, but it sounds so beautiful. 'I am with you in the Wind'.
