Tag: prayer
Summer is a time refocus ourselves on the Word of God
Castel Gandolfo, Italy, Jul 18, 2010 / 08:48 am (CNA).- Before Sunday’s Angelus prayer from the intimate courtyard of his summer residence at Castel Gandolfo, Pope Benedict XVI spoke of the need to listen to the Word of God. As Mary does in Sunday’s Gospel, we must learn to choose the “best portion” in our… Read More ›
Let go of past grievances
The words of our Lord cannot be ignored: “And when you are praying, let go if you have something against anyone in order that your Father in heaven may let go of your transgressions for you” (Mark 11:25). … So long as I cling to another’s fault, I perpetuate it. The malice has left the… Read More ›
Self-knowledge is a step in knowing God
It is my experience that as long as I keep looking at myself, like Job, my eye is filled with bitterness. But if I look upward and raise my eyes to the help that comes from the divine mercy, then my former bitter vision gives way before the joyful sight of God. Then I say,… Read More ›
There Must be a Time …
There must be a time of day when the man who makes plans forgets his plans, and acts as if he had no plans at all. There must be a time of day when the man who has to speak falls very silent. And his mind forms no more propositions, and he asks himself: Did… Read More ›
Thoughts Count
At no time of day or night are we not thinking about something. The only real question is, What is it? What do I choose to ruminate about in the interstices of the day, in the dark quiet of the night? Where does my mind go when there is nowhere specific defined for it to… Read More ›
We Cannot Control Prayer
We are passive in prayer because prayer itself is active. Prayer cannot be measured on a scale of success and failure because it is God’s work – and God always succeeds. When we believe we have failed at prayer, it is because we decided what shape our prayer should have, and are now frustrated that… Read More ›
Conversion
Each Oblates makes a promise to a life of continual conversion. The following is a brief examination of conscience that could be followed each evening before bed. “Concretely, my examen might include the following steps: — I begin with a moment of grateful remembrance of God’s gifts to me this day and ask for divine… Read More ›
Enduring in Prayer
Abba Nazarius once said: “Standing in God’s temple, picture to yourself that you are in heaven itself, that you stand before God with the higher powers and do with them everything that they do. In picturing this to yourself, make a rule for yourself that under no circumstances will you leave church before the end… Read More ›
St. Joseph: A Prayer for Workers
O glorious Joseph! Who concealed your incomparable and regal dignity of custodian of Jesus and of the Virgin Mary under the humble appearance of a craftsman and provided for them with your work, protect with loving power your sons, especially entrusted to you. You know their anxieties and sufferings, because you yourself experienced them at… Read More ›
Desire for the vision of God
Insignificant man, escape from your everyday business for a short while, hide for a moment from your restless thoughts. Break off from your cares and troubles and be less concerned about your tasks and labors. Make a little time for God and rest a while in him. Enter into your mind’s inner chamber. Shut out… Read More ›