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Seeking God: Being hungry for His presence
Lent is right where I want to be. My prayer life is a mess. My time spent in quiet listening is all but nonexistent, and I long to long for the Lord.
And I know from the readings for this weekend that that is just where God wants me, hungry for His presence and making plans to put myself there where His love can reach me.
Two of the passages point in that direction: The end of the Psalm says, "Wait for the Lord with courage; be stouthearted and wait for the Lord." Then Paul writes to the members of the Phillipi community "to stand firm in the Lord."
Second Sunday
of Lent
(Sunday, March 4, 2007)
Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18
Psalm 27:1, 7-9, 13-14
Philippians 3:17--4:1
Luke 9:28b-36
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The other thing in these readings that makes me feel confident about my own feeble attempts to come closer to God is the evidence offered that all that is required of me is a willing heart and obedient response to God's invitation.
In Genesis we see Abraham entering into the covenant with God, having obeyed God's requirements of him, but passing out at the time when God consummates the agreement. Hmmm. It sounds like God's participation was the more important part of the equation.
Then we find Peter with Jesus (and James and John) at the Transfiguration coming out of the experience offering to build three little shelters from tree limbs, one each for Jesus,
Moses, and Elijah. It's sort of a silly response, but one that is passed over lightly with Luke's aside that "he did not really know what he was saying."
The two requirements of us to enter into a deeper, more glorious relationship appear to be obedience to what God has told us and simply being present.
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Reflection questions
• How is your prayer life these days?
• What are some specific plans you can make for spending time with God, seeking Him in Scripture, the sacraments, and solitude?
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I think I know two places I want to be as I enter this holy season of seeking and emptying of self so that God may enter in. I want to spend some time before the Blessed Sacrament and some time alone in the out-of-doors, asking for God's loving presence. I truly believe that if I show up, He will already be there waiting for me.
This column is presented in cooperation with the North Texas Catholic of Fort Worth, Texas.
This week's readings
Week of March 4 - 10, 2007
Sunday, March 4, 2007
Second Sunday of Lent
Reading I: Gn 15:5-12, 17-18
Reading II: Phil 3:17--4:1 or 3:20--4:1
Gospel: Lk 9:28b-36
Monday, March 5, 2007
Reading I: Dn 9:4b-10
Gospel: Lk 6:36-38
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Reading I: Is 1:10, 16-20
Gospel: Mt 23:1-12
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Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Reading I: Jer 18:18-20
Gospel: Mt 20:17-28
Thursday, March 8, 2007
Reading I: Jer 17:5-10
Gospel: Lk 16:19-31
Friday, March 9, 2007
Reading I: Gn 37:3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a
Gospel: Mt 21:33-43, 45-46
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Reading I: Mic 7:14-15, 18-20
Gospel: Lk 15:1-3, 11-32
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Pope's Prayer Intentions
March General Intention
Hearing God's Word. That the Word of God may be ever more listened to, contemplated, loved, and lived.
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March Mission Intention
Lay Formation. That the training of catechists and lay people may be the constant concern of those responsible for the young Churches.
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Prayer for St. Raphael Cathedral
O God,
Whose word is like fire,
who spoke to Your servant Moses in the burning bush;
who led Your people Israel out of bondage
with a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night:
hear Your people as we call upon You
in both need and gratitude.
May the Cathedral fire purify Your Church
in the Diocese of Madison
so that our hearts may burn with the knowledge
that Your Church is built upon the bedrock
of Your Son, Jesus Christ.
Through the intercession of Saint Raphael,
Your messenger of healing,
in union with our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI,
and with our Bishop, Robert C. Morlino,
may we find comfort in our affliction
and the courage to proclaim
the Good News of Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God forever and ever.
Amen.
For more prayer resources visit the Office of Worship's Web page at www.straphael.org/~office_of_worship/
(Click on the link on the main page.)
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