(Day 13). Following the example and teaching of Jesus, whenever we pray in silence and solitude, so as better to listen to the Lord, we do not hide from the needs of others, but open our hearts to their sorrows and fears. The Catechism teaches that our intercessory prayer, in communion with all the saints, participates in Christ’s own prayer (cf. No. 2635). While the whole Church has the mission of interceding for all – especially for those who suffer, those who do not know how to pray or have lost their way in life – this duty falls particularly to those in positions of responsibility, such as parents, teachers or priests. Although often hidden from the world, our intercessions are never hidden from God, who always hears those who cry to him. Like Christ the Good Shepherd interceding with his heavenly Father for all his children, may our own prayer always be attentive to those most in need, and so contribute to the great network of intercession that sustains the life of the world. (12/16/20)

 

(Day 14). Since the Holy Spirit who inspired the writing of the sacred texts also dwells in the hearts of every believer, we are enabled, through our frequent and prayerful encounter with the revealed word, to enter more deeply into relationship with the Triune God. As a living word, the Scriptures speak to us in the here and now of our lives, illuminating new situations, offering fresh insights and often challenging our habitual way of thinking about and seeing the world. The interplay of prayer and the reading of Scripture is seen especially in the practice of lectio divina. This consists of slowly reading a biblical passage, then spending a period of time meditating on the text in openness to the Holy Spirit, letting God speak to us through a particular word, phrase or image. The fruit of this prayerful dialogue is contemplation, as we silently rest under the Father’s loving gaze. The Scriptures thus become an inexhaustible source of peace, wisdom and strength as we grow in faith and give it concrete expression in charity and service of others. (1/27/21)

 

(Day 15). The Second Vatican Council stressed the importance of the liturgy, together with personal prayer, for the spiritual life of Christians. Indeed, all Christian spirituality is grounded in the celebration of the sacred mysteries, in which Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit, becomes present in the midst of his people through the mediation of the sacramental signs of bread and wine, water and oil. Just as, in the Incarnation, the Son of God took flesh and dwelt among us, so too he now becomes present in all his saving power, through the liturgical celebration of word and sacrament. Our personal prayer is meant to interiorize and draw enrichment from the spiritual treasures of the Church’s liturgical prayer. Because the liturgy is the source and summit of our Christian prayer, all of us are called to take an active part in this great act of worship, by offering our own lives in union with Christ as a holy and pleasing sacrifice to the Father. (2/3/21)

 

(Day 16). All our thoughts and activities should be a part of our daily conversation with the Lord. The Catechism teaches that “it is in the present that we encounter God, not yesterday or tomorrow, but today” (No. 2659). There is no aspect of our everyday lives, however mundane, that cannot be offered in prayer to God and become an occasion of deeper union with him. As we come to know Christ more intimately in prayer, our hearts are expanded to embrace in love and solidarity all those around us, above all the poor, the unhappy and those in need. Blaise Pascal once observed that human beings are so frail that even a drop of water can destroy us (cf. Thoughts, No. 347). Yet in our fragility, prayer is a mark of our supreme grandeur, for prayer can work miracles in our world, transform lives and history, and serve the coming of God’s kingdom of justice and peace. (2/10/21)

 

(Day 17). Prayer leads us into the life of the Holy Trinity, into the eternal mystery of God’s love, which is the source and joy of the entire universe. Jesus himself revealed this path for us by taking on our flesh and revealing the Father’s infinite love. By his paschal mystery, he opened for us the gates of heaven and by the gift of the Holy Spirit he has given us a share in his own filial relationship to the Father. Conscious of our unworthiness of so great a gift, we, like the disciples, can cry out “Lord, teach us to pray” (Lk 11:1). Jesus teaches us not only the words to use in prayer, but shows us the boundless mercy of the Father, who embraces his prodigal children and goes freely in search of every lost sheep. May our prayer awaken in us the consciousness of our lofty vocation in Christ and draw us ever more fully into the loving communion of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. (3/3/21)