Why pray? Here are ten reasons:

1. Our Father who art in heaven
Because without prayer there is only – myself. Between the heaven of prayer and the hell of the self there is no middle way. The more I try to find myself, the more I am lost. To call on God as Father is to discover myself as someone God calls child.

2. hallowed be thy name
Not because prayer will give me what I want, but because it will knead and pummel my wants, stretching them my whole life long, until at the last hour of my life I have learned to want one thing only, the only thing worth having. And so my whole life becomes a secret sigh, an inarticulate utterance of the hidden Name of God. And so even my death will be my prayer, the sigh by which I give myself up into the presence of the holy Name.

3. thy kingdom come
Because my prayer encompasses not my own life only but the entire world of which I am a part. What defines this world is scarcity, injustice, and oppression – in other words, hunger. To pray is to find in my own hunger an echo of the hunger of the world, in my own small cry an echo of the cry for justice that rises like smoke from the scorched earth.

4. thy will be done
Because prayer is the end of willing, the beginning of wisdom. The life of prayer is a slow dying into the will of God, a slow awakening into the freedom to live.

5. on earth as it is in heaven
Not because prayer is a technique of self-improvement or an instrument of spiritual experience, but because it is beyond all human competency, beyond all language and learning and control. Prayer is the speech of heaven. To pray is to live beyond the narrow walls of the self and beyond whatever I can merely control. As sunflowers open to the morning, so the praying life opens towards heaven, standing up straight into the bright burning presence of the Name.

6. give us this day our daily bread
Because every day, morning and night, I hunger. The stuff of my life is hunger, need, and lack. Technology and affluence blind me to this truth, but one day – a single morning – without food is enough to show me the truth of what I am. I live by lack: God lives by fullness. I am only hunger: God is only food.

7. and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors
Because hurt and disappointment and resentment are always knocking at the door of my life. As soon as I drive one away another arrives, eager to come in and set up its home in the little house of my heart. I will die of resentment; I am destroyed by what I am owed. But I learn to forgive when God writes off my debts and makes me free. Now I can live, now I can clear the debts of enemies and friends, and speak the magic word of forgiveness that drives resentments back into the dark.

8. and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil
Because this world is only trial. Yet it is God’s world, and all the evils that crowd in upon my life can never hide my voice from the listening God.

9. for thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever
Because God is glorious. All my life I was asleep within myself, but when I bowed my head to pray I opened my eyes to the glory of God. Glory should be seen. Just as it is right for a mountain to be seen or a piece of music to be heard or the body of a lover to be loved, so it is right to give God thanks and praise, for God is glorious.

10. Amen
Because the life of God is prayer itself. It is deep calling to deep, the endless giving and receiving of unbounded self-divesting self-communicating joy. My prayer is an eavesdropping on the Prayer that is God. God’s speech is grace and truth, God’s life is love, God’s silence is the annunciation of the Name. The word of my life is a modest, small, yet glad and true, Amen.

LINK

Moses said to the people:
“Today I have set before you
life and prosperity, death and doom.
If you obey the commandments of the LORD, your God,
which I enjoin on you today,
loving him, and walking in his ways,
and keeping his commandments, statutes and decrees,
you will live and grow numerous,
and the LORD, your God,
will bless you in the land you are entering to occupy.

If, however, you turn away your hearts and will not listen,
but are led astray and adore and serve other gods,
I tell you now that you will certainly perish;
you will not have a long life
on the land that you are crossing the Jordan to enter and occupy.

I call heaven and earth today to witness against you:
I have set before you life and death,
the blessing and the curse.

Choose life, then,
that you and your descendants may live,
by loving the LORD, your God,
heeding his voice, and holding fast to him.
For that will mean life for you,
a long life for you to live on the land that the LORD swore
he would give to your fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.”

– 1 Dt 30:15-20

Good and gracious God,
with a wonderful love
You created the human race
with the freedom to
know, love and serve You
………….. or not.
Help me to choose
You,
life,
and Your
will for me
now and for ever.  Amen!

[Scripture texts in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All Rights Reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner.]

[Heartlight provides positive resources for daily Christian Living like today's picture.    LINK TO HEARTLIGHT: http://www.heartlight.org]

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Christians have always observed with great devotion
the days of our Lord’s passion and resurrection.

It became a custom of the Church to prepare for Easter
by a season of penitence, fasting and prayer.

This season of forty days
provided a time when converts to the faith
were prepared for initiation into the Christ and the Church.
It is also the time
when persons who had committed serious sins
and had been separated from the community of faith
were reconciled by penance and forgiveness, and
restored to fellowship in the Church.
When all believers began to receive ashes,
the whole Church was thus reminded
of the mercy and forgiveness found in the gospels
and of the need we all have to renew our baptismal faith.

I invite you, in the name of the Lord Jesus,
to observe a holy Lent by
self-examination,
penance,
prayer,
fasting,
charity,
worship, and
reading and reflecting upon the Word of God.

– Slightly adapted from the Church of England’s Book of Common Praise

A Lenten Prayer by Henri Nouwen

How often have I lived through these weeks
without paying much attention to penance, fasting, and prayer?
How often have I missed the spiritual fruits of the season
without even being aware of it?
But how can I ever really celebrate Easter without observing Lent?
How can I rejoice fully in your Resurrection
when I have avoided participating in your death?
Yes, Lord, I have to die—with you, through you, and in you—
and thus become ready to recognize you
when you appear to me in your Resurrection.
There is so much in me that needs to die:
false attachments, greed and anger, impatience and stinginess….
I see clearly now how little I have died with you,
really gone your way and been faithful to it.
O Lord, make this Lenten season different from the other ones.
Let me find you again. Amen.

[LINK to prayer]

[LINK TO Nouwen books]

[PHOTO by Madison1969 on photobucket]

A young man, a student in one of our universities, was one day taking a walk with a professor, who was commonly called the students’ friend, from his kindness to those who waited on his instructions. As they went along, they saw lying in the path a pair of old shoes, which they supposed to belong to a poor man who was employed in a field close by, and who had nearly finished his day’s work.

The student turned to the professor, saying: “Let us play the man a trick: we will hide his shoes, and conceal ourselves behind those bushes, and wait to see his perplexity when he cannot find them.”

“My young friend,” answered the professor, “we should never amuse ourselves at the expense of the poor. But you are rich, and may give yourself a much greater pleasure by means of the poor man. Put a small gold coin into each shoe, and then we will hide ourselves and watch how the discovery affects him.”

The student did so, and they both placed themselves behind the bushes close by. The poor man soon finished his work, and came across the field to the path where he had left his coat and shoes. While putting on his coat he slipped his foot into one of his shoes; but feeling something hard, he stooped down to feel what it was, and found the coin. Astonishment and wonder were seen upon his countenance. He gazed upon the coin, turned it round, and looked at it again and again. He then looked around him on all sides, but no person was to be seen. He now put the money into his pocket, and proceeded to put on the other shoe; but his surprise was doubled on finding the other coin. His feelings overcame him; he fell upon his knees, looked up to heaven and uttered aloud a fervent thanksgiving, in which he spoke of his wife, sick and helpless, and his children without bread, whom the timely bounty, from some unknown hand, would save from perishing.

The student stood there deeply affected, and his eyes filled with tears.

“Now,” said the professor, “are you not much better pleased than if you had played your intended trick?”

The youth replied, “You have taught me a lesson which I will never forget. I feel now the truth of those words, which I never understood before: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

Author unknown, retold by Artin Tellalian

[This picture  is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license and was created by Florian Prischl/Wikimedia Commons.]

[When I was in college seminary, we students sometimes made snide comments about "Hallmark Theology," which was something easy to understand, syruppy sweet, memorable, and small enough to fit on a greeting card. Now that I am older, wiser, and a lot less cynical, I actually enjoy some hallmark theology. Of course, as with choosing greeting cards, time and care are needed in the selection process.  Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Season of Lent.

This is yet another nice thought by Anonymous who is sometimes referred to by his first and middle names -- Author Unknown. Since we don't know who wrote it, the message gets all our focus. And, as always, what means nothing to one might speak volumes to another.]

What Should I Give Up for Lent?
Chocolate? – Ice Cream? – Soda?
Many of us try to be more disciplined for Lent and give up something that we really like.  That’s great!  Fasting has always been an important tradition of Lent.  This year however, let us also consider other things that we can give up.

Give up complaining – Focus on gratitude
Philippians 2:14&15 – Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure…
1 Thessalonians 5:18 – Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Jesus Christ.

Give up bitterness – Turn to forgiveness
Ephesians 4:31 – Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.
Ephesians 4:32 – Be kind and compassionate to one another forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Give up worry – Trust in God
Matthew 6:25 – “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life… who by worrying can add a single hour to his life?”
Matthew 6:33 – But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Give up discouragement – Be full of hope
Deuteronomy 31:8 – The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you: he will never leave you or forsake you.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
Isaiah 40:31 – But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Give up hatred – Return good for evil
1 John 2:9 – Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness.
Luke 6:27 – “But I tell you who hear me; Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.”

Give up anger – Be more patient
Matthew 5:22 – But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment.
Proverbs 15:18 – A hot tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel.

Give up gossiping – Control your tongue
Psalm 34:13 – Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.
Proverbs 21:23 – He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity.

http://godslittleacre.net/spiritualgrowth/what_should_I_give_up_for_lent.html

Cartoon source: http://catholiccartoonblog.blogspot.com/2011/03/lenten-struggle.html

“Why does this man speak that way?” 
To the rich young man a potential disciple:
“Sell everything you have, give to the poor,
then come and follow me.”

“Why does this man speak that way?”
To self-righteous, judgmental hypocrites:
“Let the one among you who is without sin
cast the stone” at the woman caught in adultery. 

“Why does this man speak that way?”
To people who hate and despise others –
Romans, Samaritans, struggling sinners:
“Love your enemies.   Do unto others 
as you would have them do to you.”

“Why does this man speak that way?” 
To would be followers then and now
who want the easier, softer way of the
prosperity gospel and feels-good faith:
“Deny yourself, take up your cross daily,
and follow in my foot-steps.”

“Why does this man speak that way?”
To people who think discipleship 
only asks that we do not sin, and
that faith is just between God and me:
“Whatever you do or to not do for 
one of my sisters or brothers in need,
you do or don’t do for me.”

“Why does this man speak that way?”
To people who thought and think that
they do not commit and have no sins: 
“If your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out!”

“Why does this man speak that way?” 
To the paralyzed man in today’s gospel 
who desperately wants to walk again
and to those who believed only God can:
“Your sins are forgiven.”

As all miracles stories do, this one about
a paralytic man lowered from a roof
has much to say about 
who Jesus is and why Jesus came. 

First of all, Jesus has the POWER 
to forgive sins and heal the sick
and speak with authority because
He is the promised & hoped for Messiah.

Second, came to given PARDON to sinners:
this man, Matthew, the woman at the well,
the woman caught in adultery, the man 
crucified beside him, and others.   

Finally, this miracle tells us of Jesus’ PURPOSE. 
Jesus came to save us from the power of
darkness, sin, disease and death.  
As bad as physical paralysis truly is,
spiritual paralysis caused by sin and addiction
is far, far worse because it causes us 
to fail to even see our sin,
to deny we even are sinners, and
to come to God for mercy and forgiveness.

“Why does this man speak that way?“
Our gospel is perfect for the Sunday
before Ash Wednesday and Lent – 
what the Church used to name Quinquagesima 
the fiftieth day before Easter Sunday.

On Ash Wednesday and during Lent
the Lord and the Church call some to
Baptism or Full Communion with the Church.  
They and we are called are challenged to
turn away from sin and be faithful to the gospel.
Believe that the same Lord Jesus Christ
who healed the man from physical & spiritual paralysis,
will forgive and heal us, too, if…………if………..
we will ask and allow it.   

A Quintessential Gospel for Quinquaegesima Sunday

Who Are “THEY?”

They sought Jesus for the benefit of the paralytic.
They desired to be in Jesus’ divine presence.
They went through extraordinary efforts.
They were hoping to obtain a miracle.
They had no doubt that Jesus could.
They found Jesus at His home.
They couldn’t get to the door.
They weren’t discouraged.
They opened up a way.
They were determined.
They broke through.
They struggled.
They did it.

the narrow gate

Jesus saw their faith.
Jesus didn’t let them down.
Jesus performed a miracle of mercy.
Jesus healed because of their great faith.
Jesus can heal spiritually…your sins are forgiven.
Jesus speaks with authority, only God can forgive sins.
Jesus can heal the physical body too…rise and go home.’
Jesus visibly proved his divine power through healing the paralytic.

They were four men of great faith…a circle of caring and devoted friends.
They are our circle of friends, those who believe that Jesus is the Son of Man.
They are our circle of friends, those who help us face the obstacles in our lives.
They are our circles of friends, those who support us when our souls are paralyzed.
They are you and me, when we bring the sick into the presence of Jesus through prayer.
They are you and me, when we are attentive to others physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.

Jesus knows, in this moment, what we are thinking.
In my thoughts, I am thanking God for my circle of friends.
Glory To God!

– Agnes Ann Mills

[There are hundreds of clean Catholic jokes.  Here are two.  Please feel free to email me some of your favorites by email and you may see it here some future Silly Saturday:
frpjw@sacredheartblfd.org]

A man is struck by a bus on a busy street in New York City. He lies dying on the sidewalk as a crowd of on-lookers gathers around.  ”A priest. Somebody get me a priest!” the man gasps.  A policeman checks the crowd—-no priest, no minister, no man of God of any kind. “A PRIEST, PLEASE!” the dying man says again. Then out of the crowd steps a little old man dressed shabbily and of at least eighty years of age.

“Mr. Policeman,” says the man, “I’m not a priest. I’m not even a Catholic. But for fifty years now I’ve been living behind St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church on First Avenue, and every night I’ve listened to the Catholic litany. Maybe I can be of some comfort to this man.”

The policeman agrees and brings the octogenarian over to where the dying man lay.

He kneels down, leans over the injured man and says slowly in a solemn voice:”B-4. I-19. N-38. G-54. O-72…”

———————————–
Years ago, someone asked the question:
“Where do monsignors come from — how are they made?”
It happened at a reception in honor of a newly named monsignor, Fr. Fenton J. Runge, director of the Papal Volunteer program of the St. Louis archdiocese.
“Well, it’s like this,” Msgr. Runge said in reply to the question.
“A priest is ordained.
“A bishop is consecrated.
“But a monsignor is only ‘created.’ And you know what creation is — that’s making something out of nothing.”

– J. F. Gecik (jgecik@desc.dla.mil), February 27, 2001

[Picture: This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.]

We can only learn how to pray by praying.

At times we got so wrapped up in words
about prayer that we forgot to pray.
The turn to transcendence made us aware
that without the experience itself of prayer
the words do not mean much to us.
We realize that not everything
about prayer can be put into words.

There is a unity between doing the works of God
and being listened to by Him when we pray.
In some way, it is really the same:
to do the works of God and to have our prayers answered.
Our prayers will be answered because we are doing daily the works of God.
And we do the works of God because our prayers are answered.

The transcendent knowing of God in prayer…
is making room in myself
for an experience of His loving presence
deep within me and all around me.

A Prayer by Fr. Adrian VanKaam
Lord,
you want me to learn from you
gentleness of heart.
No matter how I fail you,
your gentleness never fails me.
You are slow to anger;
your kindness is without limit.
You tell me not to be distressed,
to make your gentleness my own
so that my soul may find rest.
Give me the wisdom to make time in my day
for a gentle nursing of my soul.
Free me from arrogance,
from goals too sublime for me.
Still and quiet my soul
as a mother quiets the little ones on her lap.
Free me from the need for achievement.
Make my life less forceful, more gentle,
centered in you alone.
Let the splendor of your presence
light up my everydayness.
Make me a smooth channel for the outflow
of your Divine Will in this world.

Link to Epiphany Institute   http://www.epiphanyassociation.org

A few days ago I was watching the old version of the film
” the picture of Dorian Grey”.
Many of you could think that
this has little  or nothing to do with faith or religion,
but it takes me to a curious reflexion that I would like to share with you all.

The main character of the picture Dorian Grey
sold his soul to the devil so he could always be
so handsome and young as he appeared in the protrait
that a famous painter had made of him.

As time went by it was his portrait the one who got older,
it showed the signs of old age,
but at the same time it also showed the signs of moral degradation,
because in the”sale” Dorian´s soul was transferred to the picture.
This turned so disgusting due to his disolute and immoral way of life
that he could hardly stood the vision of it.
He even tried to change his life to see if this had any effect on the protrait,
but he got nothing because he didn´t want to do what was neccesary to do.

As I was watching the film I wondered,
what if everyone of us could have a portrait of our souls
where we could see the degradation produced in it by our sins?
What if we can phisically see the effects of sins in our soul?

I think that many of us would want
to change our lives,  to be better,
make things different so our soul was as pure and clean
as it was the day of our  baptisms,when we were cleaned of the original sin.

Most of us don´t like to see the ugliness that lies within us,
that that only God can see.
But we have the best instrument
that anyboudy could wish to fullfil this mission:
the sacrament of confession.

Let´s go to it, ask sincerely for pardon to God,
so He can see us  pure and  impeccable,
to His own Image as He created us.

[Ana Maria  Rodríguez lives and works in Sevilla, Spain and began her blog about the same time as this one began.  Her blog is Catholic Principles]