Praying with the Saints

There are so many beautiful prayers, especially the ones given to us by the saints and those found in Scripture.

Sometimes you find one that you want to make part of your daily prayers.

I recently found a beautiful prayer by St. John Neumann, whose memorial we celebrated Jan. 5. The excerpt I saw was printed in the Magnificat monthly prayer publication. And I think the prayer is a keeper.

"I feel within myself and ardent desire to love Jesus and to be closely united with Him. The daily reception of His Sacred Body and Blood brings with it immense graces to my soul. But I find that I am not sufficiently watchful over my senses. I am indolent in the discharge of my duties. I say my prayers with distraction. O my dearest Jesus, what a great privilege to visit You daily, as often as I choose, and to receive You each day in Holy Communion!...
O my God, I  have consecrated myself to You.
Do with me whatever is most pleasing to You.

I beg of You, O my God, to let me see clearly what I ought to do.
O Jesus, grant me and to all the courage to resist the evil that is in the world.
You know, O my Jesus, that I would willingly suffer and die for You, though I am unworthy of such a grace.
I have consecrated myself entirely to You! You are my only Lord.
How gladly, O Lord, I thank you for the innumerable benefits You give me.
You are the best of fathers. I will be faithful in keeping Your commandments.
Take entire possession of me, O my dearest Jesus. To You I consecrate all the powers of my soul, my body and my whole being.
Teach me Your will, O dearest Lord, that I may begin and end all my actions for Your greater glory."

Amen!

I have a long way to go to be like St. John Neumann, but may his prayer help me on the path to Heaven. May his prayers, and those of all the saints, bless us all!

And with the Lord's help, may sanctity be our New Year's resolution and lifelong goal.

Inspired by the Year of Faith, Susan Szalewski began writing weekly columns for us. Although that year is over, we liked them so well that we asked her to keep writing. Thankfully, she said yes. So watch for these on Thursdays and see the Year of Faith Blog here.

Make Time for a Walk

This morning I made myself get up early.

I had lots to do, and I was ready to forge into the busy day.

I was dressed and almost ready to go, but then I saw my daughter and carpool buddy, Rose, at the top of the steps, still in the clothes she slept in and looking drowsy. “Are you still planning on leaving early?” she asked.

“No,” I answered. “I can work on the computer here.

By then a familiar black dog was at my feet, and I bent over to let her cover my face with kisses. She’s so sweet and loving first thing in the morning, but she quickly reverts to her feisty self. At that moment, though, she melted my heart, and I gave in. “Come on, Ciara, we’ll go for a walk.” And she happily consented.

I attached her leash, and she tore through the front doorway and down some steps, pulling me behind. But then she slowed down to sniff . . . and sniff . . . as we walked down the block. The morning was beautiful, still dark and cool, with only a hint of light changing the sky from black to a deep, soft violet blue.

My plans had changed a bit. I still faced a lot of work, but now I had a moment to pause, relax and breathe in the fresh air. I had a moment to stop and think about my day and invite God into it for help.

I thought about a phone conversation I had the previous week with a noted spiritual writer, Heather King, who frequently contributes to Magnificat magazine and is planning a visit to Omaha. (That’s a great job perk, by the way, talking to people about faith.)

Right off the bat, King told me she doesn’t have a theology degree. She mostly writes about her personal experiences and finds inspiration in ordinary things – like on the walks she takes.

Others, too, have found inspiration in ventures outside, like the main subject of the conversation we had, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, who saw Christ in all of creation – including little wildflowers and even a jam sandwich – King pointed out.

I rarely go on walks alone. I usually have a dog and one or more kids with me, but that doesn’t prevent me from finding God. In fact, it often helps. They lead me to places I never would have gone or to see things I never would have seen (in both the physical journey and in thought) if had I had been by myself.

Walks provide time for conversations. And the young, being so alert, discover treasures – and lessons – I might have missed.

I suppose Ciara is no longer a puppy, but she still has puppy enthusiasm and energy. As we walk she is attentive to everything: a leaf blowing down the street, a person taking out trash, a distant bark.

I guess you just never know, in everything around us, what God might be trying to say at that very moment.

Yes, life is busy. But every day I should make time for a walk.

Inspired by the Year of Faith, Susan Szalewski began writing weekly columns for us. Although that year is over, we liked them so well that we asked her to keep writing. Thankfully, she said yes. So watch for these on Thursdays and see the Year of Faith Blog here.

Ask

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”

Thursday’s Gospel reading from St. Matthew invites us to give our needs and desires to God, and Jesus promises that He will answer our prayers.

But are some of the things we ask for too petty? Is it okay to pray that your sports team will win, that you will find a parking place, that you will pass a test at school? Should we bother God with the minutiae of our lives, when there are weightier things (the salvation of souls, world peace, etc.) for which to ask?

I think those questions are answered in a reflection contained in the monthly devotional Magnificat: 

“God takes delight in answering His people’s prayers, whether in great matters such as Queen Esther’s plea for the life of her people or in small daily needs. All He asks in return is our trust.”

I think trust is crucial here. When I pray for my favorite sports teams, a parking space for an oversized van or the success of my children at school, God often gives me what I want. (Of course I try to keep “Thy will be done” in mind.) When God answers my little prayers, He builds my trust in Him, teaching me to lean on Him in matters big and small. So that when I ask our Lord to bring souls to Heaven, heal the sick, and reconcile all that divides us, I know that He listens and cares.

For Jesus teaches us:

“Which one of you would hand his son a stone when he asked for a loaf of bread, or a snake when he asked for a fish? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good things to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask Him.”

Inspired by this Year of Faith we will be posting columns like this from Susan Szalewski about exploring and/or deepening our faith. Watch for it on Thursdays.

Lent: There's an App

The publishers of the Magnificat, used by many of our parishioners, have also created a Lenten app which can be used with an iPhone, iPad or as an Ebook. You can see details here.