As I poked my head into a "Come Lord Jesus" Bible study group on Friday afternoon I received a great challenge. The giver of the challenge may not have been aware of it, but he called me to greater conversion and to a greater commitment to prayer. The challenge came when we were discussing the recent tragedies in the Colorado at the opening of "The Dark Night Rises". After discussing the details of the shooting, several people made comments along the lines of "what is our world coming to?" My initial reaction was to try to be positive, since many times these conversations can turn into doom and gloom prophesies. However, Jesus told us that the gates of hell will not prevail!
In order to steer the conversation in a more positive direction, I made the comment that we need to pray more, all of us. This is when the challenge came. One gentleman in all sincerity said "That's your job. You lead and we'll follow." Wow! I am less than two years away from being a priest and just over a year away from being a deacon. When I become a deacon, I will make a promise to God through the bishop to pray the Liturgy of the Hours (the official prayer of the Church) for His people. I will become an official leader of prayer. In Fr.'s homily this weekend he mentioned that his most important role as pastor is spending time on his knees in front of the Blessed Sacrament praying for his people.
As I come closer to becoming a deacon and ultimately a priest, I realize that I still have a long way to go. If I don't learn anything else this summer, I think it will still be a success if I remember that I am still need to grow in my love for God. This growth will come through time spent with Him, in adoration, in silence. Lord, help me to take time out to be quite with you each day. Help me to move aside so that people no longer see me, but You.
In Christ,
Patrick
In order to steer the conversation in a more positive direction, I made the comment that we need to pray more, all of us. This is when the challenge came. One gentleman in all sincerity said "That's your job. You lead and we'll follow." Wow! I am less than two years away from being a priest and just over a year away from being a deacon. When I become a deacon, I will make a promise to God through the bishop to pray the Liturgy of the Hours (the official prayer of the Church) for His people. I will become an official leader of prayer. In Fr.'s homily this weekend he mentioned that his most important role as pastor is spending time on his knees in front of the Blessed Sacrament praying for his people.
As I come closer to becoming a deacon and ultimately a priest, I realize that I still have a long way to go. If I don't learn anything else this summer, I think it will still be a success if I remember that I am still need to grow in my love for God. This growth will come through time spent with Him, in adoration, in silence. Lord, help me to take time out to be quite with you each day. Help me to move aside so that people no longer see me, but You.
In Christ,
Patrick
