A DOUBLE EDGED SWORD

PRAYER MOMENT Saturday 17 January 2015 A DOUBLE EDGED SWORD Pause. Enter into the stillness of God within. Reading: “The word of God is something alive and active; it cuts like any double edged sword but more finely; it can slip through the place where the soul is divided frim the spirit. or joints from the marrow; it can judge the secret emotions and thoughts.” (Hebrews 4:12-16) Reflection. Psychologists tell us that the life we are conscious of is the tip of the iceberg. There is a whole side of us which is hidden from us: the unconscious. It is a bundle of our history, culture and compulsions. It influences the way we think and act. We spontaneously respond to people and situations in good ways and in not so good ways. We often do not understand our own behaviour. God knows us better than we know ourselves. Augustine said he is closer to us than we are to ourselves. Our unconscious self need not be a tyrant out of control. It too can be redeemed and no longer be a master but a friend. Prayer. Lord, help us to become sensitive to our hidden depths. Come to heal us here too that we may walk in peace all our days. Amen. David Harold-Barry SJ