Discernment

"My cloistered brothers" are getting closer to the answer to "What do you expect to happen when you pray?".  We are reading Tomes Halik's Is God Absent?.  The discussion brought up the question.  We tied it to the Olympics, which is presently taking place.  We asked, "Is everybody praying to win?"

We decided asking God for things is like hoping magic happens.  Rather, our prayers should be contemplative, in trying to discern God's Will.  We should ask to understand God's plan for us. 

Conversing

 Remember a few posts ago, my "cloistered brother," Gordon, asked a question that has been on my mind, ever since.  "When you pray, what do you expect to happen?"

Today, I realized that prayer is a conversation between God and myself, which means that I don't expect anything to happen, no more than I would expect something to happen in any conversation.

What a dummy I am!  Most of the time, I'm not asking God for anything.  I am talking (praying) to Him.

The Effects of Prayer

 Thinking of yesterday's blog post regarding expectations when we pray, I read this quote, this morning, by St. Peter of Alcantara.

          In prayer the soul is purified from sin, charity is nurtured,
          faith takes root, hope is strengthened, the spirit gladdened.
          In prayer the soul melts into tenderness, the heart is puri-
          fied, the truth reveals itself, temptation is overcome, sad-
          ness is put to flight.  In prayer, the senses are renewed,
          lukewarmness vanishes, failing virtue it reinvigorated,
          the rust of vices is scoured away; and in the exchange,
          there come forth living sparks, blazing desires of
          heaven, in which the flame of divine love burns.

This satisfies me, but I don't think Gordon will accept this explanation.

Expectations

 The "cloistered brothers" are reading Simone Weil's Waiting for God. A discussion arose on prayer.  Gordon, does believe in God, but not prayer.  He figures that God is all knowing, so He knows what is going to happen, so what's the use of prayer.  He challenged the group with the question, "So what do you expect to happen?"  

This question has been bouncing back and forth, inside my head.  What do I expect to happen when I pray?  Today is two days removed from the question, and I've come to the conclusion that what I expect and what I hope are two different answers.

I hope that God will do what I want.  I expect that I will understand what God is doing.  I expect that my prayer will give me wisdom and understanding and patience to see God's plans.

I also expect that more understanding will come, in time.  I also expect that I will have an answer for Gordon, that will satisfy him.

Foucauld Prayer Project

Father Lennie Tighe posted this: 

Can you write a prayer to St Charles de Foucauld??

Wil you write that prayer for us??

A new project and I need your help.

Perhaps you have never written a prayer. All our lives we read the many prayers that people have written in the past. Some we can recite from memory, some from early childhood.

St Bernard, the great saint known for his writings on Our Lady, wrote the Memorare.

All our great Catholic prayers were written by someone, somewhere, for some reason.

St Charles de Foucauld wrote many prayers, to Our Lady and a multitude of his saintly community. Of course the "Prayer of Abandonment"

Now the challenge. I am asking you to write a prayer, your own prayer directly from your heart and life to Charles de Foucauld. From your heart. Nothing poetic, if you chose, not a literary gem..It can be as long or as short as your heart speaks.,

You create, you write your own personal prayer to St Charles, Brother Charles for most of us.

Your prayer can be for any reason, maybe a petition, maybe for health, maybe for cancer,

What could he be patron saint of in your life? Where would that prayer come from? And of course, praying for those we love, searching for God as he did? Those away from Church and the Sacraments?

Already you are thinking of something coming up from your spiritual heart, what you would say and ask, or thank.

Now all prayer is directed to God, Our Father, through the eternal unending prayer of Jesus, now as the contemplative of His Fathers face, but by means of the love and the fire of the Holy Spirit..But we do ask our family in the very concrete communion of the saints, for the help, the healing, the hearing, and their personal intercession, of however that works.

So now you have the invitation, There is no right way and no wrong way to do this, only YOUR way.

Can you please send them back to me?

I will compile them. Into something, not sure what that would look like.

It would be a sharing of our own open hearts, to read and share the faith of others in the life, holiness and friendship we have with our crazy friend, Charles Eugene de Foucauld, Charles of Jesus.

I will gather them into something to share with you. If you could send them before September 30.

Finally, Can I ask you to share this email with others, others you think might enjoy the invitation to create and share their prayer with us. Please use this email address: [stchdefoucauld@gmail.com](mailto:stchdefoucauld@gmail.com)

Are you in, with me on this??

St. Charles de Foucauld, you who lived and died in a violent world, I ask you to consider the violent state of my country, the United States of America. You who grew to abhor violence and knew that is not what Jesus taught. I beg for your intercession. Please continue my praying. Help my country to reflect Jesus. May God bless America. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

CCC 2763

 All Christians know the Lord's Prayer, or sometimes called, The Our Father.  But I bet you didn't know that the prayer is arranged in the sequence that prioritizes our needs. The prayer not only teaches us to ask for things, but also in what order we should desire them.  

Tune In

Sunday, I attempted to explain that prayer was like tuning an instrument to get a pleasant sound.  We try to tune our wills to God's Will.  This morning, I read about Moses coming across the burning bush. Here God calls Moses.  He gives Moses a mission.  And only after a long debate does Moses tune his will to that of God's.

I call this prayer.  He is communicating with God.  

 

Lenten Reading

 Arise from Darkness by Father Benedict J. Groeschel, CFR, was a good book to read, during Lent. I always enjoy reading Father Groeschel; I find him humorous in his practical assessments of situations and descriptions. I read a chapter, a day. Each chapter will put problems into perspective: death, tragedy, hardships, etc.  At the end of each chapter was a prayer addressing the topic of the chapter.

The end of the book were some interesting prayers to use as suggestions, for different life situations.  All in all, it was a helpful book.

Constant Conversation

 When you have the desire to improve, to get closer to Jesus, you need to start with prayer.  Luke 18:1, reminds us that we must pray continually and not get discouraged.  Jesus told his disciples in a parable, to pray and not give up. 

    1Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart, 2saying, “In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not respect man. 3“There was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me legal protection from my opponent.’ 4“For a while he was unwilling; but afterward he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor respect man, 5yet because this widow bothers me, I will give her legal protection, otherwise by continually coming she will wear me out.’” 6And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge said; 7now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them?

 Prayer is the foundation of any endeavor.  In order to get closer to Jesus, one needs to be more contemplative--keep Jesus in the forefront of one's mind. Try to maintain a constant conversation with Jesus.

If you forget, go back to Him.  Wouldn't that prove how serious you are in establishing a relationship with Jesus?

Destressing

  Any prayer will help.  Just sitting and meditating on Jesus will do.

Children's Novena

 A novena is simply a prayer you pray for nine days. Why nine?  Ask the Jews?  I don't think anyone can pinpoint exactly where praying for nine days started but the apostles prayed for nine days between Jesus Ascension into heaven, and the Holy Spirit coming.  They followed their Jewish customs.

In trying to teach my grandchildren persistence and consistent prayer, I thought that we would pray a novena.  We will pray:

Father, 
We pray for your help at school.  Help us to pay attention in classes and do well on tests. Help us to make good friends.  Help us obey school rules and have good behavior.  May I shine in hockey and all extracurricular activities.  Jesus be with me always.  Amen.

.

Bargaining With God

 Probably, the first prayer we all learn is the sign of the cross.  After that, something our mothers taught us.  Sunday School taught us more prayers.   But I remember the first time I really prayed.  I mean prayed from my heart, not a memorized prayer.

We were in the ninth inning of the annual softball game between Oakland Avenue School versus West Street School.  The fifth and sixth graders played.  I wanted to win, so I made a bargain with God.  If my school, Oakland Avenue won, I would pray every prayer I knew, every night, for the rest of my life.  This was no idle promise.  I was a sincere, albeit competitive, little girl, and meant every word of my promise.  

We won.  Dutifully, every night I prayed:

The Lord's Prayer

Hail Mary

Glory Be

Apostle Creed

Act of Contrition

Act of Faith

Act of Hope

Act of Love

Let me tell you.  This was a burden.  I hated it.  But I did it.  I forced myself, because a bargain is a bargain and I was going to honor it, especially a bargain with God.

Fast forward, a year. I'm in the sixth grade.  Again it's the ninth inning, and it's a tie.  I thought of my bargain.  It worked last year.  But it was such a burden.  Dare I, could I, should I...I couldn't help myself.  "O Lord, please don't let us lose.  I kept my promise of saying all those prayers during the year, and I promise to add to my list of prayers, the Salve Regina and the Memorare.  Please Jesus don't let us lose."

Just then, the bell rang.  Game was over.  We didn't win.  But we didn't lose.  Wait a minute.  What did I pray?  I prayed not to lose; I specifically asked for us not to lose.  But God knew I meant for us to win.  He is all knowing; He knows what I meant!

Gosh darn it.  "Jesus, you know what I meant."  But He did keep His part of the bargain.  We didn't lose.

Sigh.

Again, I prayed every night my list of eight prayers plus the new two.  I hated it.  But a promise is a promise.  I forced myself to get on my knees, beside my bed, and pray.  If I were sick, or too tired, I made up for skipping a night by doubling the prayers, the next night.  I was faithful to the point of stupidity.  

Finally, one afternoon when I went to confession, I told my confessor about the bargain I made with God.  The sin was my attitude towards prayer.  Surely, God doesn't want to listen to me praying through gritted teeth.  Prayer is talking to God.  Talking to God through my heart, not through my teeth is what God wants.  God knows what we want, what is good for us, I shouldn't bargain, just ask Him directly.  He always answers.  It may be no, not right now, it may be something better.  My confessor and I prayed and I felt released from my bargain.  I understood that God wants sincere talking from the heart prayers.  Bargaining with God is silly.  You can't win.  God always wins.  We can't even compete so forget about even trying.

Before I left the confessional, the priest asked if I were going to play in this year's softball game.   I explained that I graduated elementary school and was now in Middle School, so no more softball games.  "Good," he laughed, "I didn't want you promising to pray a rosary if you won."

No, I learned my lesson.  I never made a bargain with God, again.

Sacrilize Your Day

 How do you pray all day?  Make sure you pray a Morning Offering to God.  Offer Him all your work and business of the day.  That's your prayer.  

Remember the phrase, "Offer it up."  I always thought the phrase meant to stop complaining and give it to God.  Well, it does but it will be of more use if you pray, offering your complaint to God.  If anyone understands suffering, it would be Him.

Also, during the day, pray, "Oh God, come to my aid to help me."  Pray it often.

The aim is to think of God, throughout the day.  He is your friend.  He's like velcro.  Talking to Him is praying.  For more hints, watch this video by David Torkington.

 

Mark Your Calendar

 A day of prayer is asked for the people involved in this war between Israel and Hamas.  I love this man's name--Pizzaballa--Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa. He was just made a cardinal. He is the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem. It would be so good for us to join the Catholics and Christians of the Holy Land in this prayer wherever we are . . .

"The newly created cardinal who is also the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem is calling on Christians to pray and fast for peace in the Holy Land.

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa has asked that on Tuesday, October 17, “everyone hold a day of fasting, abstinence, and prayer.”

The cardinal, who just returned to Jerusalem after spending some time in Italy, issued a letter Wednesday on behalf of himself and other bishops of the Holy Land, in response to the escalating war between Israel and Hamas, the Islamic political organization that runs the Palestinian territory of Gaza."

Snip.

"But, the patriarch said, in order not to “remain helpless,” it is important to pray, “to turn our hearts to God the Father.”

“Only in this way we can draw the strength and serenity needed to endure these hard times, by turning to Him, in prayer and intercession, to implore and cry out to God amidst this anguish,” Cardinal Pizzaballa said.

As president of the Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land, he issued an invitation to “all parishes and religious communities to a day of fasting and prayer for peace and reconciliation.”

“We ask that on Tuesday, October 17, everyone hold a day of fasting, abstinence, and prayer,” he wrote. “Let us organize prayer times with Eucharistic Adoration and with the recitation of the Rosary to Our Blessed Virgin Mary.

Praying From the Heart

 Offhandedly, in talking about praying with the love of Jesus meaning more than glibly spouting off words, this quote was used:

Si cor non orat, in vanum lingua laborat.

"If the heart does not pray, then the tongue labors in vain."

St. Bernadine of Siena is reputed to have said this.  These words are over the entrance to one of the four Franciscan hermitages in the Rieti Valley in Italy.  St. Francis established four hermitages in this beautiful Italian village, in the shape of a cross.

The Lord says:

     "These people come near to me with their mouth
           and honor me with their lips,
           but their hearts are far from me.
      Their worship of me
           is made up only of rules taught by men..."
                                       Isaiah 29: 13

The Power and Glory are Jesus'

 This weekend in Boston there's the largest satanic convention, in history. At least, that's what they say.  Boston's Cardinal Archbishop, Sean Patrick O'Malley said not to give it any attention.  Just pray to Jesus.  

This morning at Mass, at the end of the Lord's Prayer, we always pray 

Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil,
graciously grant peace in our days,
that, by the help of your mercy,
we may be always free from sin
and safe from all distress,
as we await the blessed hope
and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
For the kingdom,
the power and the glory are yours
now and forever.

But today, because of satancon, this prayer had special meaning.

Artificial Intelligence

 

LECTIO:

Heavenly Father,
                We come to you today in humble prayer, seeking Your Grace and Mercy. We thank you for all that You have blessed us with and ask that You continue to guide us and protect us from harm.
                We ask that You give us strength and courage to face our daily challenges. Help us to remain strong in our faith, so that we may be a light for others.
                Give us the wisdom to make good decisions and to have faith in ourselves.  Lead us to be kind, patient, and forgiving, especially when it is hard.
                We know that You are with us at all times, and we thank You for that. We ask that You keep us safe from all harm and danger, and protect us from all evil.
In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen                                         AI

STUDIUM:

Artificial intelligence (AI) is the new technology that enables computers to perform different advanced functions, including writing this prayer under LECTIO.  If you use a GPS for directions, you are using AI.  If you use Google Translate, you are using AI.  Tesla uses AI to drive their cars.  Recently AI took a bar exam and passed. Here, I imagine a programmer fed The Lord’s Prayer, and scripture verses of praise, and thanks, and intercession, and asked the computer to compose a prayer.  And voila!

MEDITATIO:

Lord Jesus, is Artificial Intelligence good or bad?  Is it like most things—a little bit of both?  It depends on how one uses it.  Consider, Lord, this prayer written by Artificial Intelligence.  It is much better than any prayer I have ever written.  The robot even capitalized “You,” when it referred to God Almighty, showing reverence, just like I would do.  The robot respects God? 

There is something vital missing in this prayer.  Me.  The robot knows the right words, but it is not a sentient being.  It is not me. This prayer does not express the love I feel for You.  The prayer does not express my need for Your Love.

ORATIO:

Lord, help me not to admire the robot’s prayer, better, help me not to laugh at it.  Help me to pray better.  Help me to listen to Your Voice.  Help me to rest comfortably in Your Love.

CONTEMPLATIO:

I will keep my eyes on Jesus and not on every new invention.

RESOLUTIO:

I resolve not to use AI for Lectio Divina. There is only One God and AI is nowhere in the same class.

Prayer for Inmates

 While Cardinal Pell was in prison he met a few inmates who he thought were unjustly imprisoned.  Sadly, one, in particular, had been in prison since he was nineteen.  What were you doing at age 19?  Hei felt moved to compose this prayer that reminds me of my own "cloistered brothers."

God the Father, one of our foremost consolations is the knowledge that you are just, that in the after life the scales of justice are balanced accurately.  We know you are a God of love and mercy, that your Son's sufferings and death weigh the balance in our favour, and that you are never unjust, never punish sinners beyond what we deserve.

We ask you, through your Son, to bless those who work for justice in this life and to take particular care of all those who are imprisoned unjustly, especially those wrongly jailed for years and those who do not have the support of family and friends, or enough money and good lawyers as they struggle for justice.

Features of the Eucharist

 All three circles attempt to explain the important features of the Eucharist.  This conception is not my idea.  Kevin W. Irwin explains the Eucharist in three circles in the conclusion of his book, Models of the Eucharist, (which I will review some day). Father Irwin has the Liturgy the smallest of the circles, yet in the center.  Since prayer, to me, is liturgy, I make it smaller than liturgy.  Prayer make up the liturgy but liturgy includes more than that.

The center, of course, is the rite of the Eucharist, in the Catholic Mass. Our spirituality colors the words, music, gestures, and even the emotions that build on the prayers in the liturgical rite of the Eucharist.

The biggest circle is spirituality.  Picture this as the way Catholics think and view the world expressed in their worship.  It's Trinitarian, meaning we see the world through a Christian lens. We see life as grace with divine providence.

The smallest circle is how we Catholics communicate with God.  There are various ways--something for everybody.  Even our lives can be offered in prayer.  So can music and other forms of art.  Obviously, prayer is how we express our praise and thanks to our creator.

All three circles lead to the Eucharist.  Our Eucharistic spirituality views our lives as God's image.  Our prayer-- thanks and praise to God for His many graces and particularly for giving us His Body and His Blood in the Eucharist.

Passing the Time

 Due to the fact that I'm home bound with COVID, hubby has assumed the tasks I usually perform.  It is driving him crazy to wait.  I pick up one grandchild at 2 and then wait for the other one at 2:45.  We went to the grandchildren's home and waited for Dad to come home from work.

I usually embroider, read, listen to a podcast, or pray.  I always have a Rosary in my pocket.  Whereas, hubby doesn't embroider, or even know what a podcast is.  He reads newspapers but we only get the Sunday papers.  He isn't religious so he never prays.  Too bad, you're never alone when you talk to God.