In the 33 Days to Morning Glory retreat, Father Michael Gaitley talks about giving to Jesus, through Mary, all the graces that might be attached to anything we might have done. That means that when I pray I don’t pray for my intention alone, but I pray with the knowledge that if my intention is not the most needed thing at the moment, that Mary, with her Spouse the Holy Spirit, will mold that prayer into something more important, something more eloquent. What does that mean?
It means that I might pray:
“God, every time I see that truck with the bright lights on I want to lose my temper! Can you make it to where we don’t leave the house at the same time?”
That prayer in a way is selfish. We believe that Mary, through the will of God, is able to see and guide my prayer to be more like this:
“Jesus, your brother is praying for the man in the white truck. That man’s brother is dying of cancer. Would you bring a miracle to that family for us?”
So how do I then go before God with my hands full? To bring the gifts of my charity, my will for justice, those moments I have refrained from doing the things my flesh would rather I do? I guess in a way we have to come before God both with our hands full of good works, of prayers and kindness.. but at the same time open and empty by giving them to Him to do with as He pleases.
Detachment. Not being attached to even the reward of Heaven, but rather simply loving Jesus and our neighbor. Knowing that God will do with our works, with the graces that they might in some way merit, as we continue to work in the vineyard, what is necessary to bring about the Kingdom of God here and now. To give up everything to follow Jesus.
Lent is here. It begins tomorrow with a show of repentance. Christians all over the world will journey to receive the mark of ashes on their forehead, to show their commitment to God to change. To grow. To become detached to everything, leaving only attachment to God. Don’t go there lightly. Don’t just receive the ashes like some sort of blessing, some sort of ‘free gift.’ They are a reminder that you are going to die. That you need to be getting ready now…. making sure that your hands aren’t empty…. because if you’ll let go of all of those things that you’re still clinging to? God will place himself right there, and what greater gift can you approach the altar of God with than the Eucharist?
A reflection on the readings for March 5, 2019: Tuesday of the 8th week of Ordinary Time, Year 1
Love this reflection. Thank you and God Bless you.