Daily Retreat 10/31/07
2007 Oct 31 Wed
Rom 8: 26-30/ Ps 12(13): 4-5. 6/ Lk 13: 22-30
From today’s readings: “We do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit Himself intercedes with inexpressible groanings.... My hope, O Lord, is in Your mercy.... Strive to enter through the narrow gate....”
We don’t know how to do WHAT?
Have you ever had that annoying experience of a particularly presumptuous person pointing out that you didn’t know how to do something which you thought you had been doing just fine all your life. Whether it was the meddlesome mother-in-law or the know-it-all teenager, I imagine we’ve all heard things like, “You know, you walk funny,” or “Don’t you know there’s a better way to tie your shoes,” or, my personal favorite, “Are you sure that’s how you spell your name?”
Of course, generally, you and I would respond to such provocations with patronizing sympathy for that poor simpleton who can’t think of anything better to do with his time than to rate people’s perambulatory skills or crusade for one certain method of tying or lacing shoes.
However, particularly when the observation is made by a true expert in the field, there can at times be quite an element of truth in at least some such annoying claims. For instance, if a trusted family doctor remarked that “You know, you’re a bit stiff when you walk - why don’t you relax a bit more?”, most of us would at least consider the possibility that maybe we can improve our walking style. Even so, such observations are still difficult to accept because they demand extraordinary humility - the personal admission that something basic and fundamental in my life still needs improvement.
So I wonder how the Romans reacted when Paul made that audacious claim (in chapter 8 of the letter he sent them) that “ we do not know how to pray as we ought.” Maybe their response was a bit of indignation, “Aren’t you happy enough with the fact that we are praying, and most of us have been praying all our lives? What kind of hang-up do you have, Paul, that you feel the need to offer advice even in this area?”
On the other hand, maybe even the proud Romans were humble enough, and maybe you and I can be humble enough today, to realize that Paul was a true expert in this field, and so worthy of being taking seriously in even such an audacious claim.
St. John Damascene defined prayer simply as “the raising of one's mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God.” Simple enough - so then, how is it conceivable that you and I do not know how to do this the way we ought? It boils down to one word: humility. Humility is the foundation, the essential ingredient of all true prayer. All too often when you and I pray, we speak from the height of our own pride and will, and essentially dare to ask God to do our will, because we think we know what’s best for ourselves, or for our loved ones, and we certainly know what’s best for the people who annoy us!
In contrast, true prayer comes “out of the depths” of a humble and contrite heart. Only when you and I begin by humbly acknowledging that “we do not know how to pray as we ought,” are we then ready to receive freely the gift of prayer. “Man is always a beggar before God,” as St. Augustine put it.
So, are you and I convinced that "we do not know how to pray as we ought"? Are we asking God for "what is good for us"? Our Father knows what we need before we ask him, but He awaits our petition because the dignity of His children lies in their freedom. We must pray, then, with His Spirit of freedom, to be able truly to know what He wants.
Rom 8: 26-30/ Ps 12(13): 4-5. 6/ Lk 13: 22-30
From today’s readings: “We do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit Himself intercedes with inexpressible groanings.... My hope, O Lord, is in Your mercy.... Strive to enter through the narrow gate....”
We don’t know how to do WHAT?
Have you ever had that annoying experience of a particularly presumptuous person pointing out that you didn’t know how to do something which you thought you had been doing just fine all your life. Whether it was the meddlesome mother-in-law or the know-it-all teenager, I imagine we’ve all heard things like, “You know, you walk funny,” or “Don’t you know there’s a better way to tie your shoes,” or, my personal favorite, “Are you sure that’s how you spell your name?”
Of course, generally, you and I would respond to such provocations with patronizing sympathy for that poor simpleton who can’t think of anything better to do with his time than to rate people’s perambulatory skills or crusade for one certain method of tying or lacing shoes.
However, particularly when the observation is made by a true expert in the field, there can at times be quite an element of truth in at least some such annoying claims. For instance, if a trusted family doctor remarked that “You know, you’re a bit stiff when you walk - why don’t you relax a bit more?”, most of us would at least consider the possibility that maybe we can improve our walking style. Even so, such observations are still difficult to accept because they demand extraordinary humility - the personal admission that something basic and fundamental in my life still needs improvement.
So I wonder how the Romans reacted when Paul made that audacious claim (in chapter 8 of the letter he sent them) that “ we do not know how to pray as we ought.” Maybe their response was a bit of indignation, “Aren’t you happy enough with the fact that we are praying, and most of us have been praying all our lives? What kind of hang-up do you have, Paul, that you feel the need to offer advice even in this area?”
On the other hand, maybe even the proud Romans were humble enough, and maybe you and I can be humble enough today, to realize that Paul was a true expert in this field, and so worthy of being taking seriously in even such an audacious claim.
St. John Damascene defined prayer simply as “the raising of one's mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God.” Simple enough - so then, how is it conceivable that you and I do not know how to do this the way we ought? It boils down to one word: humility. Humility is the foundation, the essential ingredient of all true prayer. All too often when you and I pray, we speak from the height of our own pride and will, and essentially dare to ask God to do our will, because we think we know what’s best for ourselves, or for our loved ones, and we certainly know what’s best for the people who annoy us!
In contrast, true prayer comes “out of the depths” of a humble and contrite heart. Only when you and I begin by humbly acknowledging that “we do not know how to pray as we ought,” are we then ready to receive freely the gift of prayer. “Man is always a beggar before God,” as St. Augustine put it.
So, are you and I convinced that "we do not know how to pray as we ought"? Are we asking God for "what is good for us"? Our Father knows what we need before we ask him, but He awaits our petition because the dignity of His children lies in their freedom. We must pray, then, with His Spirit of freedom, to be able truly to know what He wants.
posted by FrPitstick | 10/29/2007
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