11th Week OT (Th)
We will spend about 30 minutes this morning at Mass telling God stuff He already knows. We'll ask for things He already knows we need. And we'll give thanks for everything He has already freely given us or will give us. Instead of spending this time reminding God of who He is for us, we could be on our third cup of coffee and second doughnut. But here we are! Sat in a room telling Him what He already knows and asking for what He has already given. It would be absurd if it weren't absolutely necessary. Of course, we know that what we're really doing is reminding ourselves of what we need from Him. That way we remember that everything we have and everything we are is a gift from Him. Nothing is truly ours, including ourselves. We live and breath as gifts. As gifts given to be re-gifted to one another. The whole point of prayer is to grow in humility so that we can approach total surrender to divine providence and detach from everything and everyone but Christ. The moment of perfect surrender – think of Christ on the cross – is the moment we become Christ. Everything we say, think, and do up until that moment should strengthen our dependence on God alone.
Sounds easy enough, right? And it is. . .from God's view. From ours, things get complicated. We want a plan. We want control. We think we need measurable spiritual objectives and real-world results. We look for improvement or progress. And we despair when it looks like we aren't moving fast enough or far enough. Am I praying correctly? Am I praying the right prayers? What am I missing? Probably, probably you're forgetting that it is not you who prays but the HS who prays through you. As the instrument of prayer, our job is to get out of the HS's way. Detach from the need “to improve” or “to progress.” Detach from the lie that there's a “correct prayer to pray.” Detach from praying in scarcity – I need, I want – and pray in abundance: thank you, Lord for all you have given me and will give me. He is Our Father. You are a child of the Most High. We are heirs to the Kingdom. Everything He has is already yours. So, why pray like an orphan? Like an orphaned pagan! Pray instead like a beloved child b/c your Father knows what you need before you ask.
