What to do post-election?

Well, we have finally reached the end of a troubling election cycle here in the U.S.  

Some people are happy, some are angry.

Most are confused and now waiting to see what this all means.

But there is one piece of advice we should follow no matter what platform we believe in - PRAY.  

PRAY for our country and for all countries.  And PRAY for the Salvation of the World.

Prayer for the Salvation of the World

Father, hear our prayers for the salvation of the world. 

Grant Mercy to all souls that turned away from You. 

Open their hearts and minds with Your light.
Gather Your children from the east and the west, from the north and the south.
Have mercy O God on those who do not know You. 

Bring them out of darkness into Your light. 

You are our saving God Who leads us in our salvation. Protect us from evil.
Bless and praise You O Lord, hear our prayers and answer us. You, our Savior, are the hope of all the ends of the Earth and the distant seas. 

May Your way be known upon Earth; among all nations Your salvation.
We put the world in Your hands; fill us with Your love. Grant us peace through Christ, our Lord.
Amen  

Instead of Reading A Post From Me...

... please consider taking the next 2 minutes and join me in saying a Decade of the Rosary for those souls who have no one to pray for them.

Thank you and God Bless.

Starring Roles in Today's Epiphany

As I heard the Gospel today, it dawned on me that the Epiphany wasn't a one-time story.

It repeats itself even today.

And the stars are as follows:

1. Jesus as Himself.  While He is no longer an infant, He is certainly present for us to visit every day in the Eucharist.  
2. Those involved in abortions as Herod.  Herod killing all boys age two and under sounds like barbaric history.  It was. But it also happens today - in even greater numbers.
3. Some of us as the Magi.  There are some who seek Him, not only at Mass, but in other people as well.  They pay respect to Him.  And venerate in awe of Him.
4. Others of us as the rest of the world.  Yes, the wise men and shepherds proclaimed the wonder of God.  And sometimes we are like them.  But the rest of the world most likely went about their daily lives - oblivious to His presence right in front of them.  And, unfortunately, we are also sometimes like them as well.

When we aren't starring as the Magi or Others, we have the opportunity to pray.  

To pray that we never lose sight of Him, the way the wise men never lost sight of that star.  To pray that when we find our Savior, we acknowledge His presence and pay Him the homage he deserves.  And to pray that those who practice abortion have a change of heart and repent.    

God Bless.

But Mostly, I Pray

I see the destruction of Superstorm Sandy all around me, and I wonder how people will deal with the giant trees on their houses.  Or the debris blocking the roads.  Or not having power for two weeks.

But mostly, I pray.

I wonder how we could get a Nor'easter in November, and how people with no power kept warm in the middle of a snowstorm.

But mostly, I pray.

I wonder how people can give blankets and coats to those who lost everything, and then curse each other out while waiting on a mile-long gas line.  

But mostly, I pray.

I wonder if America made the right decision to re-elect President Obama, and how much more of God's will will be removed from this country.

But mostly, I pray.

I wonder if people used these past two weeks to reflect on all that God has given them, and realize that even if they lost their home, clothes, gadgets, cars and power, they will still have the most important thing in the world.  His love.

But mostly, I pray.

God Bless.

Or I Could Pray Instead

And the one poor child that saved this world,  

And there's ten million more that probably could,

If we all just stopped and said a prayer for them.

                   - Better Days, Goo Goo Dolls

Ok, not the first band or song that comes to mind when you think about spiritual inspiration.  But the other day, in an odd moment when my radio was not tuned in to the Christian Rock channel, this song came on and those lyrics echoed in my head.

I wondered how many things I could change if I said one more prayer a week.  

One more a day.

One more an hour.

The world usually thinks about "change" in terms of money.  Your $50 can help the parish support its retired priests.  $10 can feed the homeless for a week.  Just one dollar can get a child in Africa the medicine he or she needs.

Which inevitably leads to a tug-of-war in my head.  Did I give enough to charity this week?  How many kids could I have fed with the $4 I just spent on that latte?  Who suffered because I didn't donate that one extra dollar?

Well, those song lyrics added a whole new dimension to the game.  While we are all limited financially in how much we can give, the only true barriers to prayer are dedication and time.  

What if I said one more prayer instead of surfing the net?  Instead of watching that football game?  Instead of arguing with someone?  

How many people could I help that way?

How many souls?

God Bless.


P.S.  Just to show you I'm a man of action, instead of proofreading this post, I said I prayer for all of you!

Fifteen Percent

That is the percentage of Catholics - defined as all who were baptized - in our diocese that attend Mass weekly.

Fifteen percent.

Now I know that the Northeast tends to have the lowest attendance rate in the United States, but fifteen percent is still awfully depressing.   (I don't even want to think about what that number looks like if you take out those over 60 and under 18.) 

Interestingly enough, two weeks ago when we read the "Doubting Thomas" passage (Jn 20), I felt a strong parallel to those that were not at Mass.  Thomas had a hard time believing because he was not around the risen Jesus, or those that were celebrating Him.  He missed out on the joy and love they felt that day.

It's the same for the 85% of those that are not at Mass each week, hearing the Word and receiving the Eucharist.   

And so I continue to pray for them.  Not only because their eternal future depends on it, but because I want them to feel the overwhelming love and joy that Mass can bring. 

Sure, many of them think their lives are just fine without it.

But I doubt it.

Am I Really Writing About A Psalm?

The psalms are beautiful, inspirational, and poetic.

And yet I never really write about them.

Worse yet, of the entire Liturgy of the Word section of Mass, I probably focus the least on the psalms.

Maybe it is because they are sung.  Maybe it is because they are more like poetry than prose (my high school English teacher will tell you that brick walls understood poetry better than I did).  Or maybe it is because I am always looking ahead to the letters from Paul or the Gospel readings.

But today, Psalm 40 really hit home.

"Here I am Lord; I come to do your will."

What a wonderful prayer to start every day with.  It is so level-setting, and grounds us in the real reason we are given the gift of life.

I often wonder how many times I "miss" God calling me to do something.

Wouldn't it be a nice change of pace if I asked Him each morning what He needed from me that day?

(Of course, Jesus might be so shocked at this behavior coming from me, that he starts laughing ... which would answer the question I put forth in my last post.)


God Bless.

A New Year's Prayer

Dear Lord, please give me…

A few friends who understand me and remain my friends;
    

A work to do which has real value,

without which the world would be the poorer;

A mind unafraid to travel, even though the trail be not blazed;

An understanding heart;

A sense of humor;

Time for quiet, silent meditation;

A feeling of the presence of God;

The patience to wait for the coming of these things,

With the wisdom to recognize them when they come.

Amen.

                                             - Author Unknown

A Blessed and Holy 2011 to you and your families.

  

Three Favorite Prayers

I've been tagged by Anne at Imprisoned in My Bones to list my three favorite prayers. 

I'm sure most of you that read this blog also read Anne's - so I don't need to gush on and on about what an inspiring blog she hosts.  (But I certainly will upon request ...)

I have to admit, this MEME really got me thinking.  After long introspection, I learned that the prayers I gravitate to are either traditional or short/plainspeak.  I'm assuming the spirit of this MEME is to share new or less common prayers with each other, so I will focus my list on the latter.   (Otherwise, I would obviously have to start and end the list with the Our Father - the perfect prayer given to us by Jesus himself.)

Ok, here goes.  You all know the first one, but perhaps not the second two ...

1)  The Fatima Prayer  
Oh my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those that most need Thy mercy.  Amen.

Why this prayer?  For starters, it was given  to us by Mary (if you believe in the Fatima miracle).  Second, in just a few words it requests (a) forgiveness, (b) a path to Paradise, and (c) mercy on those souls in need.   How's that for efficiency?


2)  Morning Prayer
Lord, thank you for this beautiful day.  Please help me to do everything in my power for your honor and glory.


Why this prayer?  It's one of the first "non-traditional" prayers I ever learned.  It was taught to me through a sermon by the late, great, Fr. Joseph Rosetti (who God blessed with 100 years on this earth).  I'll never forget how he emphasized the word beautiful - so that it was clear that every day should be considered as such because it is a gift from God.  


It also keeps me focused on what the day should really be about - God's will.  


3)  Mind and Heart
Jesus, please fill my mind with your Peace and my heart with Your Love.


Ironically, I just learned this one yesterday from a traveling priest at a Church I was visiting.  (There goes God, working in his mysterious way again ...)  I've actually prayed versions of this before, but I usually clutter them up by adding "and also ..." to them.  This one is clean and simple.  Could you imagine how wonderful this world would be if we all let Jesus fill our minds and hearts?


*As with all of my lists, this one is subject to change the minute I hit "publish post".

God Bless.

Unanswered Prayers

"So I say to you, ask and it will be given to you ... For everyone that asks receives." 

Luke 11:9-10

I always had trouble with today's Gospel as a child. 

Like most kids, I took it literally and was sorely disappointed when the hundreds of things I asked God for failed to materialize.

Of course, as I got older, and with the help of this Garth Brooks song, I realized that sometimes God just has to protect us from ourselves and our faulty plans.

And so on occasion, when I am thanking God for all the things He has given to me, I remember to thank Him for all those He purposefully hasn't as well.  

Because as Mr. Brooks put it, sometimes those are God's greatest gifts to us.

God Bless.

Yeah, What He Said

I came across this prayer by Thomas Merton the other day.

It so fully captures what I am thinking half the time (and should be thinking the other half), that I won't clutter it up with any additional commentary. Its quite beautiful on its own.

My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going.

I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end.

Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.

But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you and I hope that I have that desire in all that I am doing.

And I know that if I do this, you will lead me by the right road although I may know nothing about it.

Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death, I will not fear, for you are ever with me and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.

God Bless.

Gifts

As I strolled through the airport this week, I passed a few men and women in military uniform. The large duffel bags they were carrying led me to believe they were not there for security purposes, but rather to travel.

When I reached my gate, I saw about five more waiting for the same flight I was.

I didn't think much of it at the time, but assumed they were on leave, perhaps off to enjoy a long Memorial Day week.

As I boarded, I noticed two open seats in first class - a rarity in a world where upgrades are used to buy loyalty.

Shortly thereafter, I noticed a flight attendant summoning two of Our Nation's Finest up to first-class to fill the open seats there.

A nice gesture, I thought to myself.

But it's what happened next that left me speechless.

One by one, three first-class passengers got up and exchanged their plush seats for the amenity-free joys of coach so that the other uniformed men could fly in luxury with their pals.

If you have ever glanced at the cost of a first-class ticket, you know what a generous gift that was.

The gesture took on even more meaning when we landed, and learned those five men were not on leave. They were headed off to serve the United States in Iraq and Afghanistan.

I've been thinking a lot about those gifts this Pentecost Sunday. And I pray that the Holy Spirit strengthens you and I to be as brave in serving our Lord as those five men are in serving their country, and as generous as those three folks that gave up their first-class seats.

God Bless.

P.S. Speaking of gifts, Victor has written another wonderful book ... and is offering it to everyone for free. If you have read Victor's blog, Time For Reflections, you know that he is a very gifted and entertaining writer. If you haven't, you can check it out here. (Victor: I'm about a third of the way through the book and am enjoying it very much. Thank you for your gift.)

Prayer for a Restart

How long does it take you to read one of my posts?

Two minutes, perhaps?

Today, I'm going to give you back a minute and a half of your time in exchange for a favor.

Don't worry - it's really quite easy.

You see, this Holy Week, many people are going to make their semi-annual appearance at Church. There will also be many others that show up, as they do weekly, but just go through the motions - unmoved by the miracle of our Mass.

So instead of reading another 90 seconds of me reflecting, I'm asking you to use that time to say a prayer that the Holy Spirit enlightens these people, and strengthens them to "restart" their spiritual lives this Easter season.

Even if our combined prayers help just one soul, this will be the best 90 seconds we spend together all year.

Thank you in advance, and God Bless you.

reyarP

"Keep alert and pray. Otherwise temptation will overpower you." - Matthew 26:41

"Then Jesus told His disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up." - Luke 18:1

"One of those days, Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God." - Luke 6:12

"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." Col 4:2

"Pray without ceasing." 1 Thess 5:17

-------------------------------------------------------

What does it take to pray - with strict concentration - for an entire night?

What does it really mean to devote yourself to prayer?

In today's hectic world, how on earth do we "pray without ceasing"?

I entered this Lenten season thinking about what true prayer looks like, and with a commitment to get better at it than I am now. Right now, aside from morning and evening, I usually end up squeezing prayer into openings in my day.

Which means it is taking a back seat to my day to day life.

And something in my soul tells me that I've got that backwards.

God Bless.

Pray Like it's 1999

What have you been doing since 1999?

(That's ten years ago, for those of you keeping score.)

If you are like me, and the years are starting to blur together, here are some random events from 1999 to give you some perspective:

• The Euro was born
• The first episode of Sponge Bob SquarePants aired
  
• The DOW crossed 10,000 for the first time (ironic, as we just crossed it again)
• Apple launched the first iBook (not iPhone)
  
• Exxon completed its merger with Mobil
• JFK Jr. died
• Fight Club and Matrix were top movies

Oh, and some folks in Kansas City started praying.

And haven't stopped since.

St. Paul tells us to "Pray without ceasing" (1 Thess 5:17), and the folks at the International House of Prayer in KC have been doing just that.

Ten straight years of prayer. Day and night. 24/7.

I can't even remember watching the Matrix for the first time, and these people have been praising God relentlessly ever since.

And as I think back to some of the silly ways I spent my time over the past ten years, I ask myself, "Who spent their time more wisely, these people or me?"

(Please don't answer that, I already know who.)

May God continue to inspire the folks at the International House of Prayer.
And may they, in turn, continue to be an inspiration for all of us.

God Bless.

Grace and Thanks

I was reading this post over at LA Catholic about saying grace.

We try and say grace before every meal in our house, using the traditional:

Bless us O Lord, and these Thy gifts,
which we are about to receive,
from Thy Bounty, through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Then we usually spend a moment in silent thanks. I like the fact that no matter how crazy my day, I know there will always be time
set aside to thank God for everything he has done for me.

LA Catholic adds that they follow grace with this prayer:

May the souls of the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.

I think that is wonderful. Its so important to remember and pray for those souls
that have passed. I'm going to start saying that prayer regularly as well.

God Bless.