A DEEP IMPRESSION

PRAYER MOMENT                          

Thursday 26 June 2014  

A DEEP IMPRESSION

Pause. Be still in the presence of God.

Reading: “His teaching made a deep impression on the people because he taught them with authority, and not like their own scribes.” (Matt 7:21-29)

Reflection. “To teach with authority!” I hope we can say that we can remember at least one teacher who made a deep impression on me. I can recall one who was fascinated by his subject and conveyed his own enthusiasm to me. You feel yourself drawn forward to new horizons; you expand your consciousness. The word ‘authority’ comes from the Latin ‘augere,’ to grow. A person in authority – any kind of authority; in the family, school, church, business or government – is there to help people to grow and expand their experience. The task is to touch that vital part in a person where energy is released and excitement is generated. Isn’t that what ‘making an impression’ means? The opposite is ‘control and power’ over people which suppresses that vital spark and leaves us less human.    

Prayer. Lord Jesus, we thank you for the people who have ‘made an impression’ on us in our lives. Help us, in our turn, to be so authentic and true that others pick up the spark of life from us. Amen.

David Harold-Barry SJ