Poets Have No Authority

 Poets have no authority.  They don't.  Well, their readers kind of give them authority, in that what they have read touches them.  Sometimes, that's more important than scientific facts.

I think that's why I like the Psalms so much.  Prayers, too!  Psalms and prayers from the devoted believers are from the heart. They are true to some.  They are understood by some.  They suggest to all.

BTW, the picture below is Jesus praying for us.  It is His last prayer at the Last Supper, before He goes out to be arrested.  John 17: 20-26

             Jesus Prayed for You – John 17:20-26 | Steve's Bible Meditations

Tuning

 Today, my "cloistered brothers" were discussing prayer.  What does praying mean to you?  I thought the best answer was a comparison.  Praying is like tuning an instrument.  The instrument is trying to find the correct pitch.  Praying is trying to tune your heart to God. 

Violins Prayers is sensitive instruments communication which relies on the tension of their strings attention to stay in tune focus. It does not take much for this tension to slacken or tighten, such as temperature conditions, or simply through regular, day to day usage routine. Tuning the violin heart is a delicate operation and can be a daunting process if you are unfamiliar with it. If the open strings (G, D, A & E) are your focus is out of tune, this can affect the tuning of the whole instrument prayer and subtly shift the placement of your attention. However, there are lots of different tips and tricks you can use to ensure your prayer life is perfectly in tune and will blend seamlessly with what you want to say from your heart.  

Some people begin by sitting in front of a visual aid, i.e., if you are praying for the health of a loved one.  Look at a picture of your loved one for inspiration.

You might want quiet.

Music sometimes can help.

Rote prayers to get one going, like the Lord's Prayer.

Reading some psalms.

Talk to God like you talk to your best friend.

How do you tune your prayers?

Intentions

 Have you ever heard, "Today's Mass is being offered for the intentions of ...."?

What does that mean?

This is an ancient custom.  It's a way of directing everyone's prayers toward some good for which we earnestly desire to pray.  The Mass can be offered for someone who needs help, for peace between nations, or for any other good intention that is pleasing to God and upholds his glory.

If you look at the bulletin of the parish, you will see the Mass intentions. When you attend a Mass offered for a particular intention, you should do your best to offer your own prayers for that intention.  That way the whole congregation, united in one prayerful body by Holy Communion, will be offering the same prayer intentions together.

Prayers for Europe

Credit to www.fraternitiesop

The Master of the Dominican Order has asked his order to pray for peace and order in Europe.  I thought it would hurt to have everyone in the world to pray likewise.  We are asking for the intercession of St. Catherine of Siena because she is co-patroness of Europe.  Please pray with us:

http://archive.fraternitiesop.com/Europa2019/02_EN%20Prayer%20INSIDE%20PAGESFinal.jpg

and

http://archive.fraternitiesop.com/Europa2019/02_EN%20Prayer%20OUTSIDE%20PAGESFinal.jpg

10 Priests to Pray For

Good Idea!    10 Priests to Pray For: August 4th marks the feast day of St. John Vianney, the saintly priest of Ars, and patron saint of parish priests.  This day affords us the opportunity to pause and pray for our priests.  Here are ten priests from your life you should pray for.

and prayers especially for Father Gordon MacRae.

Call to Prayer

Cardinal Seán O'Malley

Chairman, USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities

It is a great blessing to be joined in prayer with thousands of Catholics nationwide. The Call to Prayer is a reminder for all of us that we rely on God for everything; it is an invitation to grow in faith and love as we pray and fast together for the protection of life, marriage and religious liberty. Everyone can make a difference for the good of the Church and society through participation in this important campaign. Please join me and so many others in holding up the power of prayer.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is asking people to pray, do penance, and sacrifice, for the sake of renewing a culture of life, marriage, and religious liberty in our country.  Life, marriage, and religious liberty are good for society; they are not just the values of the Catholic Church.  The well-being of society rerquires that strong marriages and families, life, and our religious liberties are promoted and protected.

Our culture does not promote family values.  In many ways our government does not support our religious values and hampers our exercise of our religious freedom.  We live in a threatening environment.

So the USCCB has asked all people of good will to join together in prayer.  You can participate by:

1.  Host or attend a Eucharistic Holy Hour on the last Sunday of the month.

2.  Daily Rosary.

3.  Suggested Prayers of the Faithful, at Mass.

4.  Abstain from meat on Fridays.

5.  Pray

Lots of information on the Call to Prayer website.