DOES NOT RETURN TO ME EMPTY

PRAYER MOMENT

Tuesday 11 March 2014.

DOES NOT RETURN TO ME EMPTY

Pause. Be still in the presence of God.

Reading: “So the word that goes forth from my mouth does not return to me empty without carrying out my will.” (Isaiah 55:10-11, Matt 6:7-15)

Reflection. The word ‘Lent’ comes from the lengthening of days that happens at this time of the year in the northern hemisphere. Nobody arranges it; it just happens as a result of the sun rising in the sky. Isaiah tells us that God’s word goes out and performs its work like the rain on the earth. Nobody arranges the rain. It just happens. But we have to receive the sun and the rain and use the energy and growth they offer by preparing the ground. Lent is like that. God is at work. We don’t arrange that. We don’t “do” anything in Lent to make us better people. We simply open our doors to welcome, not just the sun, but the Son. We welcome, not just the rain, but the Word. In that sense we do something but what we do is to allow God to do. That is easier said than done. Still, if we are convinced it is a matter of opening our door to him we have made a start.     

Prayer. Lord, you are at work in our world. You are at work in my heart. But I want to arrange what you do. Help me to let go and allow you to break down the barriers around my heart. Amen.

David Harold-Barry SJ