Tag: Prayer

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Knocking on Heaven’s Door

Mediation                             

When I was a child, living with my large and crazy family, my father once told me I was the mediator of all the siblings. I think I had to go look the word up in the dictionary – what’s a mediator? When I learned the meaning of the word, I felt proud that I, one of the youngest, was deemed the one to settle disputes and bring about truces.

Where my sibling are concerned, I haven’t had to use this skill in a very long while. I hope this gift hasn’t become rusty with lack of use though, because this pandemic seems to be creating a rift between my sons and it weighs heavy on my heart. I bring this concern to God daily in my prayers and I ask for the ability to find the words to say to each of them that will smooth out these troubled waters.

There have not been angry words spoken, just hurt feelings. One is not afraid to get together; wants to see his brother and family, the other is taking every precaution and is fearful of contracting the virus. He was the one eager to get the vaccine, his brother is refusing to get it. Will the one ever feel it’s safe to be around his brother again? The tension builds and I am squarely in the middle.

Though I do talk to each of them gently, softly and, I hope, with very little applied pressure, I do constantly remind them of their strong familial love for each other. Differences of opinion on a pandemic that will one day pass should not destroy what a lifetime has built up.

Prayer has been my constant. Of all the hardships the pandemic has brought about, I never thought it would rock this foundation of love. Deep down in my heart I know the foundation is strong, and I know my prayers will one day be answered, but isn’t it typical to want and expect immediate results from our prayers?

I’ve been reading about St. Alphonsus Liguori, who died on the 1st of August in 1787 and whose feast we celebrate today. A writer of over 100 books, his Prayer, the Great Means of Salvation, eventually gained him the title “Doctor of Prayer” by the Catholic Church. He, and his strong devotion to the Mother of God, has inspired me.

I strongly believe in the power of prayer and I am certain it will get all of us through these difficult situations the pandemic has created in our lives. And, as a mother, I am also compelled to invoke the intercession of Our Blessed Mother – the greatest mediator of them all. Hear our prayer!

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Knocking on Heaven’s Door

Come, Holy Spirit

Early on, when I first began writing pieces for the bulletin, a compliment was given and my response, which I no longer remember, brought forth this reply from a parishioner – ‘That’s the Holy Spirit’s doing.’ Wow. I’m pretty slow at times, but when she said that, I felt it and I knew that it was true.

Sometimes, when I’m thinking and praying, I often don’t distinguish which of the Three-Persons-in One I’m addressing, I just think – God. But since it was brought to my attention that the Holy Spirit was often at work in my writing, I now pray directly to the Holy Spirit to guide my thoughts and help me to make my words clear. Just because we go through this ritual each time – it doesn’t always bring success. That’s through no fault of Spirit’s – it’s all on me. I may get distracted; I may have my own agenda; or I’m simply not paying attention. Isn’t that often the case in everything we do? Paying attention is crucial.

The Holy Spirit also guides me – when I’m paying attention – in my conversations with others, especially with my kids and grandkids. Saying the right thing at the right moment can make all the difference in helping to ease tension, or bring to light a different perspective – not with preaching, but with Spirit-filled words of love and understanding.

The Holy Spirit is a powerful force in our lives which, if you’re like me, may sometimes go ignored. We should never ignore the urgings of the Holy Spirit. In Acts, the Spirit is depicted as a wind, or a tongue of fire. Within each of us, I think, it most often comes in a different form – a nudge, perhaps; a push to say or to act in a way that is pleasing to God. It sounds easy, doesn’t it? If we are led by the Spirit we will remain on the right path. So what happens? How do we get so lost sometimes?

We forget to pray. Prayer should always be an essential practice in a life of faith. If we choose to be led and not to lead, guidance from the Holy Spirit, through prayer, is key.

On a slightly (but not entirely) different topic – I have been using these very quiet lockdown, pandemic days, to compile my bulletin pieces. I’m attempting to put them into book form, as a fundraiser for the new rectory. It’s a slow project and, at times, a frustrating pastime. Did you know I had recycled some of these pieces, giving them different titles? I had forgotten. Say a prayer to the Holy Spirit for me, to lead and guide me in this endeavor – for its success in generating necessary funds. Thank you and God bless.

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Find the Joy

I know, I know, it’s becoming more and more difficult to remain positive. For over a year we’ve been locked down and isolated – from our loved ones…from our former lives. Turmoil and confusion are the general order of the day, but let’s not despair. There are two things happening right now that we can look to with joy and hope: the blessed season of Easter…and the perennial season of spring!

I love the Acts of the Apostles; reading Acts is like having a front row seat in the planning stages of the early Church: the apostles working everything out; remembering and following Jesus’ direction. The words are infused with the excitement of these new Christians; a contagious energy that can’t help but fill us with the same excitement and joy.

The gospels unfold in a similar way, beginning with the Apostles hiding behind locked doors, despairing Jesus’ death. We see their fear and disbelief at his initial appearance; timid and uncertain at first, eventually they are filled with a joy that gives them a sense of power and purpose. The readings during the Easter season are Good News indeed!

At exactly the same time, the temperature is rising outside. Flowers are showing themselves and the buds on the trees are more pronounced with each new day. The days are longer too allowing us to enjoy the outdoors without freezing to death. Go for a walk, listen to the birds and the peepers and find joy as God renews the face of the earth.

Since we can’t be with our families, we need distractions to keep us from dwelling on that fact. How about sending cards or letters to your grandchildren – going completely old school? Ask them to write back. Begin new traditions. COVID-19 will forever be the turning point in our lives. From here on in, stories and events will be remembered as pre-COVID and post-COVID. Begin new practices with your family that will continue post-COVID. Prayer is always a good place to start. Prayer centers us, and directs us away from ourselves to the needs of others, and during this pandemic everyone needs our prayers! There are those who are sick with the virus, those with cancer whose operations and treatments have been compromised and, in some cases, delayed; there are those with anxiety issues that are heightened during these frightening times. In addition to all of this, we have people who, though understandably angry and fed up, are thwarting our best efforts, leaving us discouraged and confused. We all need prayer!

Jesus, the Good Shepherd, will not abandon us. The last day I was able to attend Mass, these words in the Preface Acclamation (Holy, holy, holy) jumped out at me: Heaven and earth are full of your glory, and it’s true. By remaining positive we will see it. Pray those words aloud: Heaven and earth are full of your glory! Then get some fresh air – get outside and find the glory…find the joy! by Margery Frisch