Daily Retreat 09/06/07
2007 Sep 6 Thu
Col 1: 9-14/ Ps 97(98): 2-3ab. 3cd-4. 5-6/ Lk 5: 1-11
From today’s readings: “From the day we heard about you, we do not cease praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will.... The Lord has made known His salvation.... Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch....”
Ongoing prayer
Sometimes, we think of praying on an “ad hoc” basis - asking God for some particular help, or turning to Him for some other momentary reason. But God is more than an “on call” serviceman, and so our prayer with Him should be ongoing....
Paul, writing to the Colossians, confirmed that his prayer was continuous, for “...we do not cease praying for you....” And, far from praying for a “quick fix” for the Colossians, Paul’s prayer was for their whole lives to fit God’s plan, that they may be filled completely (through all spiritual wisdom and understanding!) with the knowledge of God’s will, so that they would live in a manner worthy of the Lord, thereby bearing the fruits of good works and growing in the knowledge of God.
Of course, there’s nothing wrong with turning to God with a special intensity of prayer in time of great need, as we all can and should do, for instance, in response to the recent hurricane and other catastrophes. But our prayer for ourselves and for others needs to reflect our ongoing relationship with God, whose love and care for us is continuous!
Col 1: 9-14/ Ps 97(98): 2-3ab. 3cd-4. 5-6/ Lk 5: 1-11
From today’s readings: “From the day we heard about you, we do not cease praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will.... The Lord has made known His salvation.... Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch....”
Ongoing prayer
Sometimes, we think of praying on an “ad hoc” basis - asking God for some particular help, or turning to Him for some other momentary reason. But God is more than an “on call” serviceman, and so our prayer with Him should be ongoing....
Paul, writing to the Colossians, confirmed that his prayer was continuous, for “...we do not cease praying for you....” And, far from praying for a “quick fix” for the Colossians, Paul’s prayer was for their whole lives to fit God’s plan, that they may be filled completely (through all spiritual wisdom and understanding!) with the knowledge of God’s will, so that they would live in a manner worthy of the Lord, thereby bearing the fruits of good works and growing in the knowledge of God.
Of course, there’s nothing wrong with turning to God with a special intensity of prayer in time of great need, as we all can and should do, for instance, in response to the recent hurricane and other catastrophes. But our prayer for ourselves and for others needs to reflect our ongoing relationship with God, whose love and care for us is continuous!
posted by FrPitstick | 9/05/2007
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