|
|
Acquire the habit of speaking to God as if you were alone with Him, familiarly and with confidence and love, as to the dearest and most loving of friends. Speak to Him often of your business, your plans, your troubles, your fears - of everything that concerns you. Converse with Him confidently and frankly; for God is not wont to speak to a soul that does not speak to Him.
- St. Alphonsus Liguori
(Even great contemplatives and intellectuals like St. Alphonsus found this simple form of relational prayer helpful. St. Teresa of Avila recommended it as well. Be sure to pause and listen for responses within.)
|
|
|
1 Sm 17:32-33, 37, 40-51; Psalm 144:1b, 2, 9-10
Mk 3:1-6
Jesus entered the synagogue.
There was a man there who had a withered hand.
They watched Jesus closely
to see if he would cure him on the sabbath
so that they might accuse him.
He said to the man with the withered hand,
“Come up here before us.”
Then he said to the Pharisees,
“Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil,
to save life rather than to destroy it?”
But they remained silent.
Looking around at them with anger
and grieved at their hardness of heart,
Jesus said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.”
He stretched it out and his hand was restored.
The Pharisees went out and immediately took counsel
with the Herodians against him to put him to death.
USCCB lectionary
|
Reflection on the Scripture
|
“David selected five smooth stones from the wadi and put them in the pocket of his shepherd’s bag.” —1 Samuel 17:40
When David went into battle, he carried five “smooth stones” in his shepherd’s bag. When facing the giant in battle, “David put his hand into the bag and took out a stone” (1 Sm 17:49). The giant seemingly had greater weapons, more experience in battle, and was a formidable enemy, ready to kill David with his might. Yet David used the stone and his war-trained fingers and hands to defeat the powerful foe (1 Sm
17:49ff).
. . . We claim the Biblical promise that “no weapon fashioned against [us] shall prevail” (Is 54:17). We take out our rosaries, take on the battle, and do not allow evil to be unopposed. Though the sight of our meekness in praying the rosary against powerful enemies may seem ridiculous to the world, it is the forces of evil who will ultimately tremble and fall. Fight the good fight with the weapons of God (Eph
6:10-17).
Prayer: Father, in You will I trust without fear (Ps 62:9).
Promise: “It is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves. For the battle is the Lord’s.” —1 Sm 17:47
Presentation Ministries
|
|
|
Growing in Inner Freedom: A Guide for Today
- by Philip St. Romain. Liguori Publ., 1986.
24. Take the First Step
Ask, and you will receive. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened to you (Matthew 7:7).
So often we hear people make these or similar statements:
- “Nobody loves me!”
- “I just don’t have any friends!”
- “My life is dull; nothing seems to happen!”
If we feel lonely, neglected, or bored, then we should do something about it! Sure, we might be rejected and we might make mistakes; but we might also find romance or friendship or adventure. Living fully involves taking risks; but the risks we take to overcome loneliness are well worth our efforts. The only thing certain is that if we do not ask, seek, and knock, we
will become more lonely, neglected, and bored.
We need to take that first step in order to meet our needs and reach our goal in life.
Suggested Practices
- Invite neighbors or acquaintances over for a potluck dinner. Afterward, watch a movie together.
- Register for a course or workshop that will stimulate new interests and bring involvements with other people.
- Volunteer to lead a discussion group in your home.
- Find out what’s going on in your church and volunteer to help where you can.
- Join a self-help support group for people who share concerns similar to yours.
- If any of the above suggestions are more than you can handle, come up with one you would be willing to pursue.
|
|
Paperback, Kindle, ePub, PDF
|
|
Please support this outreach with a tax-deductible donation.
|
|
|
