This is easy! Each week on Thursday I post my homily idea...my main focus for preaching this coming Sunday. What I am hoping for is a reaction from people in the pews. Does my "focus" connect with your daily life, faith, and experience? Or not? Either affirm the direction I am going in (by giving me an example from your life) or challenge me, ask for clarification! Questions are the best! Reaction rather than reflection is what I'm looking for here. Don't be afraid, get in the ring. Ole!
Friday, July 26, 2013
Homily Video Prep for July 28
-Last Sunday's homily is available by email
-This Sunday's Scriptures can be found at USCCB.org
-I will be celebrating mass this weekend at 12:30 and 6:00pm
It is all too easy to be self-centered and, if not careful, I can be a real whiner in prayer! Because of this homily reflection I gave a lot of thought to the Lord's Prayer - reviewing it in my mind. It seems to me that not only did Jesus give us a prayer in and of itself, but also a formula that we can follow in our praying. It is begins with praise to the Father; acknowledging His will and that it be our own; recognizing communion of heaven and earth; requesting His assistance in providing for our basic needs in daily living; seeking forgiveness while also encouraging ourselves to offer our own; and finally, protection from the Evil One. What a great pattern to follow - so as to avoid the self-referential mode of “demanding” that you point out for us!
I am asking & seeking & knocking from the time I get up to the time my head hits the pillow. It's become so frequent & unconcious now that it's like a married couple that know what the other thinks and how they move. It's like ballroom dancing (love that tango!) and following the lead, knowing the steps, but only as they are led. My biggest question is, "What do you think of THIS, Lord?" and "How should I see this, Lord?"
I've asked for everything from good weather, parking spots, green lights, and less congestion of people or cars all the way to help with caring for my parents and a quick & happy death for my Dad. And not only are all my prayers answered, the Lord throws in surprises & blessings & great details & marvelous circumstances. It's not only incredible, it's a marvel that I HAVE to share with others. And I suppose the marvel is not so much that all my prayers are answered as much as I know with surety that every single thing in my day is given to me for my good and the good of others and I that I am given the strength & conviction to accept it ALL as gift & blessing. Cool, cool, cool!
I used to consider blessings as a one-shot deal, somewhat one-dimensional... but now I see that every blessing is a blessing that continues to give & give & give... YOU, Father, gift & blessing ... this blog...gift & blessing...this computer ... and on & on ... and the marvel of it is that it all points to the Giver, our good & generous & extravagant & clever God! Blessed be God!
4 comments:
It is all too easy to be self-centered and, if not careful, I can be a real whiner in prayer! Because of this homily reflection I gave a lot of thought to the Lord's Prayer - reviewing it in my mind. It seems to me that not only did Jesus give us a prayer in and of itself, but also a formula that we can follow in our praying. It is begins with praise to the Father; acknowledging His will and that it be our own; recognizing communion of heaven and earth; requesting His assistance in providing for our basic needs in daily living; seeking forgiveness while also encouraging ourselves to offer our own; and finally, protection from the Evil One. What a great pattern to follow - so as to avoid the self-referential mode of “demanding” that you point out for us!
I am asking & seeking & knocking from the time I get up to the time my head hits the pillow. It's become so frequent & unconcious now that it's like a married couple that know what the other thinks and how they move. It's like ballroom dancing (love that tango!) and following the lead, knowing the steps, but only as they are led. My biggest question is, "What do you think of THIS, Lord?" and "How should I see this, Lord?"
I've asked for everything from good weather, parking spots, green lights, and less congestion of people or cars all the way to help with caring for my parents and a quick & happy death for my Dad. And not only are all my prayers answered, the Lord throws in surprises & blessings & great details & marvelous circumstances. It's not only incredible, it's a marvel that I HAVE to share with others. And I suppose the marvel is not so much that all my prayers are answered as much as I know with surety that every single thing in my day is given to me for my good and the good of others and I that I am given the strength & conviction to accept it ALL as gift & blessing. Cool, cool, cool!
I used to consider blessings as a one-shot deal, somewhat one-dimensional... but now I see that every blessing is a blessing that continues to give & give & give... YOU, Father, gift & blessing ... this blog...gift & blessing...this computer ... and on & on ... and the marvel of it is that it all points to the Giver, our good & generous & extravagant & clever God! Blessed be God!
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