Habits--Dry Bones--Mindset--Barren Elizabeth
ENTER INTO HIS GATES --WITH A SMILE!
Photo By: Flickr/Michelle Jones UK
My eyes noticed a family coming into Mass last night--and noticed that there was not one smile on any of the faces. More like the 'another week, another Mass ---and we have to come' look. As Mass continued, smileless faces were noticed more and more. Then the questions began in my heart. Why? What is wrong with this picture?
We are in Your Presence, Lord, why are we not just as excited as if we would be in the presence of a celebrity, or seeing someone come home that has been gone for a long time? You are here in this PLACE Lord!! Why are we not happy to come see You?
We are about to enter into the CELEBRATION like no other---Mass, where bread and wine are consecrated and YOUR PRESENCE comes down! Then we are invited to COME and RECIEVE, Your very BEING into our being. To be touched by the power of God and changed too, healed of all that is 'sick' with in our being. That is, if we BELIEVE--we are in YOUR PRESENCE.
God, please have mercy on us and open our eyes, our mind and our heart to YOUR PRESENCE---not only at Mass, but in all of Your creation. May be also see You in all that come into our life in some way or another. You are present in all of mankind, in all of your creatures, and in all of your creation that surrounds us daily --IF WE SEE WITH EYES OF FAITH. Give us that gift of Faith Lord. We also need the gift of LOVE too, Your love. For others and ourselves and also for YOU--so that we DETEST anything that will keep us from being in YOUR PRESENCE.
Show us, Oh Lord, all the human ways, the addictions, and the behaviors that keep us in a state of darkness instead of being in Your Light, Your Presence.
Most think of addictions as drug use, and alcohol use. But there are compulsive behaviors, Lord, that can keep us apart: gambling, hoarding, workaholic, cell/self phone use, binging on television or any games to numb ourselves, and EATING when we are not hungry, and just want comfort!
We are in Your Presence, Lord, why are we not just as excited as if we would be in the presence of a celebrity, or seeing someone come home that has been gone for a long time? You are here in this PLACE Lord!! Why are we not happy to come see You?
We are about to enter into the CELEBRATION like no other---Mass, where bread and wine are consecrated and YOUR PRESENCE comes down! Then we are invited to COME and RECIEVE, Your very BEING into our being. To be touched by the power of God and changed too, healed of all that is 'sick' with in our being. That is, if we BELIEVE--we are in YOUR PRESENCE.
God, please have mercy on us and open our eyes, our mind and our heart to YOUR PRESENCE---not only at Mass, but in all of Your creation. May be also see You in all that come into our life in some way or another. You are present in all of mankind, in all of your creatures, and in all of your creation that surrounds us daily --IF WE SEE WITH EYES OF FAITH. Give us that gift of Faith Lord. We also need the gift of LOVE too, Your love. For others and ourselves and also for YOU--so that we DETEST anything that will keep us from being in YOUR PRESENCE.
Show us, Oh Lord, all the human ways, the addictions, and the behaviors that keep us in a state of darkness instead of being in Your Light, Your Presence.
Most think of addictions as drug use, and alcohol use. But there are compulsive behaviors, Lord, that can keep us apart: gambling, hoarding, workaholic, cell/self phone use, binging on television or any games to numb ourselves, and EATING when we are not hungry, and just want comfort!
We are suffering within and only You can heal us, but only if we WANT to be healed, only if we want to walk in Your ways---oh only if, Lord. "Search us Lord, You know our Heart, try us in all of our ways, and if there be any wicked way in me--Forgive me." Psalm 139.
Lord, give us the gift of DETESTING all things that would keep us from DESIRING to be with YOU! Give us that give of REPENTENCE, and the desire to seek forgiveness from you. Please Father, please and thank you. Amen. Blessed Mother, and all you Angels, Saints and Poor souls in Purgatory--Pray for us. Please and thank you. God knows we need your prayers.
Lord, give us the gift of DETESTING all things that would keep us from DESIRING to be with YOU! Give us that give of REPENTENCE, and the desire to seek forgiveness from you. Please Father, please and thank you. Amen. Blessed Mother, and all you Angels, Saints and Poor souls in Purgatory--Pray for us. Please and thank you. God knows we need your prayers.
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