| |
A spiritual writer once said: "Prayer is an end to isolation." At creation, God said, "It is not good for man to be alone" (Gen. 2:18). Loneliness and isolation can be the cause of great human suffering. On a human level, Jesus experienced loneliness and abandonment, particularly in His Passion, as He foretold at the Last Supper. The Letter to the Hebrews affirms that Jesus became a human being like us, enduring the same trials that we do except for sin (Heb. 4:15). However, in the depths of His soul, He had the comfort of knowing that the Father was with Him.
As human beings, we will not have the same experience of the Father's presence that animated Jesus in this life. Yet, through faith, we realise that Jesus' experience of human existence is somehow both a model and a promise for us. If the Father was with Jesus, the Father is with us, though differently. We proclaim this mystery at Christmas when we affirm that Jesus is Emmanuel, "God with us". Turning to the Father in prayer, we enjoy the comfort of God's presence, and we experience in faith that we are not alone.
Our Father in Heaven, strengthen our faith that we may enjoy the comfort of Your presence in all the trials of life.
|
|
DAILY OFFERING
|
Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.
|
|
PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
|
INTENTION
We pray for young people, called to live life to the fullest; may they see in Mary's life the way to listen, the depth of discernment, the courage that faith generates, and the dedication to service.
Elaboration
|
|
