Prayer and transformation

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to be open to prayer as the path to the marvelous mystical approach of children to Love.

Walking with

The Letter of James features final instructions to the Christian community that focus on the power of prayer.

* [5:15] The results of the prayer and anointing are physical health and forgiveness of sins. The Roman Catholic Church (Council of Trent, Session 14) declared that this anointing of the sick is a sacrament “instituted by Christ and promulgated by blessed James the apostle.

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus presents children as having characteristics that resonate with living in the Kingdom Of God.

* [10:15] Whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child: i.e., in total dependence upon and obedience to the gospel; cf. Mt 18:3–4.

Dennis Hamm, S.J. notes that adults are going to have to be childlike in some crucial way if we are going to recognize and accept that kingdom already present to us now.

That’s a key to the childlike quality Jesus means.  Wealth, and the power that comes with it, can delude a person into thinking that they are not really dependent on anything.  In that condition, we can lose the childlike capacity to receive the kingdom of God already present to us. So, ironically, grown-up spirituality means that—without becoming dumb or irresponsible--we have to become a child, to “let go and let God.”

Don Schwager asks Why does Jesus say that we must receive the kingdom of God like a child (Mark 10:15)?

In the ancient world children were at the bottom of the social ladder. They had no rights or privileges of their own and they had no means or resources to care for themselves. They were totally dependent on their parents for everything they needed. Scripture teaches us that we are totally dependent on God as our eternal Father and Provider. We owe our very existence to him because he is the Creator, Author, and Sustainer of life. We could not find our way to God if he did not first seek us out and draw us to himself. That is why the Father in heaven sent his only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus, to show us the way to the Father.

The Word Among Us Meditation on Mark 10:13-16 concludes with a prayer.

“Jesus, help me to rely on you. Teach me how to receive your kingdom with joy and gratitude.

Friar Jude Winkler comments that James Letter emphasizes everything should be associated with God. Prayer is a sign of love to transform reality. Friar Jude observes that children are natural mystics filled with the sense of awe and wonder for the gifts around us.

Franciscan Media reflects on St Philip Neri, Saint of the Day.

Many people wrongly feel that such an attractive and jocular personality as Philip’s cannot be combined with an intense spirituality. Philip’s life melts our rigid, narrow views of piety. His approach to sanctity was truly catholic, all-embracing, and accompanied by a good laugh. Philip always wanted his followers to become not less but more human through their striving for holiness.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, offers chanting as contemplative practice that naturally draws our focus to the present and embodied presence.

Chant has a place in many sacred traditions, from Gregorian melodies to Native American drumming to the polyrhythmic chants of West Africa. There are as many ways to chant as there are bodies and vocal cords. You may enjoy exploring different kinds of chant, or even creating your own, as a way of entering into contemplation.

The very physical act of breathing and forming sounds brings body and mind together. The chant of Psalms is a ritual to release our prayers to God.
References


(n.d.). James, chapter 5 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved May 26, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/james/5

(n.d.). Mark, chapter 10 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved May 26, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/mark/10

(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections .... Retrieved May 26, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html

(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 26, 2018, from http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/

(n.d.). Meditations - The Word Among Us. Retrieved May 26, 2018, from https://wau.org/meditations/

(n.d.). Saint Philip Neri – Franciscan Media. Retrieved May 26, 2018, from https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-philip-neri/

(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archives - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 26, 2018, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/