Meditation is an ideal way to pray. Using God's word (Lectio Divina) allows me to hear, listen and reflect on what the Lord wants to say to me - to one of his disciples - just like He did two thousand years ago.
The best time to reflect is at the beginning of the day and for at least 15 to 30 minutes.
Prior to going to sleep, read the Mass readings for the next day and then, in the morning, reflect on the Meditation offered on this website.
I hope these daily meditations allow you to know, love and imitate the Lord in a more meaningful way.
God bless you!


Thursday, October 9, 2014

Lk 11:5-13 Accepting the Challenge

Thursday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
(Click here for readings)

Jesus said to his disciples:  "Suppose one of you has a friend to whom he goes at midnight and says, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, for a friend of mine...' and he says in reply from within, 'Do not bother me; the door has already been locked and my children and I are already in bed.'  ...I tell you, if he does not get up to give him the loaves because of their friendship, he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his persistence.

Praying is like accepting a challenge.  Late last night I received a phone call from a priest.  He's a young priest who has a lot on his plate.  He's energetic, enthusiastic and definitely willing to help out wherever he is needed.  Well, late last night he realized he double booked himself.  So he called for help.  He asked me if I were free in the morning, this morning, that is.  I was, but I was kind of hoping to spend the morning relaxing (Hey, I need it after back-to-back retreats).  He asked if I would be willing to help him out with two masses at a Catholic school.  I wasn't.  I was NOT WILLING AT ALL!  That would mean three masses for me and all before noon!  Almost immediately, my schedule went from very quiet to very intense.  All because of this late night phone call.  I couldn't believe it! 

"Why me?" was not what I shouted to myself.  Instead, I shouted, "Why did I have to read and reflect on tomorrow's Gospel!?"

"Do not bother me; the door has already been locked and my children are already in bed.."  In other words, I made my plans, my schedule is already set in stone. I was having a really nice night before you called!  Don't bother me!

Ugh!!!

I told him I would be more than happy to do it...and that he didn't owe me a thing.  I was perfectly honest with my priest friend and told him that this "double booking" thing only happens when we stretch ourselves thin...and that it happens to me all the time.  I was more than happy to help out.

Every time we pray, every time we meditate on the Gospel, we are opening the door to God's challenge.  "Ask and you will receive; seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you."  

What are we all asking for, and looking for and knocking for?  To see the Will of God starring right in front of me. 

Before my priest friend's phone call, I never imagined how today's Gospel passage would be so relevant and challenging to me.  It went from a nice story to a real-life story.  It went from words to flesh.  The word became flesh.   

God is always surprising us with His Word.

3 comments:

  1. Amen! That is an awesome witness of living in the word. Anyone can say Lord, Lord ... talking the talk & looking the part is easier than actually walking the walk & accepting the challenge. A true act of charity & honesty. Doing the right thing is not always the easy thing, but it sure is comforting to know that the more challenges we overcome against the will of the flesh, the easier it is to overcome them. Awesome reflection father.

    ReplyDelete
  2. LOVE the picture! It made me laugh so hard!

    Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thank you Fr. Alfonse for continuing to lead us by example and inspire us to do the will of God.
    -Rosa E.

    ReplyDelete

Updated: Comments that are judged to be defamatory, abusive or in bad taste are not acceptable and contributors who consistently fall below certain criteria will be permanently blacklisted. Comments must be concise and to the point.Comments are no longer accepted for posts older than 7 days.