18th
Sunday in Ordinary Time---August 1, 2010
by Sr. Rosalee Burke N.D.
Are there days when you ask God, “Will I ever learn who is in control?”
I remember when I am praying for things that I know I do not have the
power to make happen – Suzie to get well, the wars to end, or the
sun to shine. It is those things I do have some control over that give
me trouble.
Even as I sit at the computer I want to write something that will inspire
others. It takes a moment to remember that it is God who inspires me and
the people reading this.
In Luke we read of the man pulling down his grain bins to build larger
ones. He is planning to relax and enjoy himself. But he will die before
his new bins are built. Is he greedy? Does he think that he grew all the
grain by his own power?
Maybe one of the things the parable is saying is that we are not in control.
We never know what will happen next. But we can develop an attitude of
gratitude for all of the things we have been given by God and by our own
hard work. In the parable the man has the health to do the work and the
favorable weather for the crops as gifts. Do we thank God for our gifts?
At times I find it helpful to stop and examine my prayers for the day
and my attitude. What percent of my prayer was begging and what percent
was thanking? How many times did I see God’s action in my life and
say a quick thank you? That practice helps me to keep my priorities straight
and to adjust my prayer and attitude as necessary.
I think we all like to be around grateful people – people who
express their gratitude to us for what we have done and people who have
a positive outlook on life. If we can express our gratitude to God then
it becomes easier for us to notice the goodness of those around us and
to express our gratitude to them also.
Seeing and being grateful are exercises that help me to counter my need
for control. They remind me of the reality the God is in control.
17th Sunday in Ordinary time---July 25, 2010
by Sr Josita Hanus ND
In reading the Gospel for this Sunday we find these words: “Jesus
was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples
said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.”
One can only imagine how many times his disciples saw Jesus praying. What
thoughts went through their minds? What questions did they ask one another?
As we continue reading Jesus gave them the beautiful prayer we refer
to as “The Lord’s Prayer”. As one prays it slowly one
cannot help but reflect on all it contains. Each phrase, as written by
Luke for his community in the 80’s, reflects that those early believers
prayed for bread, forgiveness and strength to deal with evil. These words
were based on the lived experience of the church at that time.
Luke’s including Jesus’ story of a friend’s persistent
knocking at midnight gives something to think about. If we are willing
to “be bothered” by a friend’s request, maybe at an
inopportune time, how much more is God ready to attend to our “persistent”
prayers.
Luke also includes these comforting words from Jesus: “And I tell
you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door
will be opened to you.” And what greater answer to prayer than the
final words of today’s Gospel: “…how much more will
the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?”
Some questions to ask ourselves this week:
*How willing am I to “be bothered” to serve others?
*How faithful am I to prayer?
*How thankful am I for answered prayers?
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