Sounds in the Night remind us of the need for Prayer

Sounds in the Night remind us of the need for Prayer

There are those who must work at all hours and it is from that need that there must be contemplatives who also consider other persons safety and spend sleepless hours for them.  These are first responders, medical personnel in hospitals, and priests who are there for the Sacrament of Anointing.  

Each one of these selfless individuals might be available due to assignments but most will adapt their position by a sense of ministry whether clerical or social.  It is here that the prayers in the night call upon God, for God, and because of God’s never-ending love to reach each person in a time of life’s immediate requirement for help.  

Looking at a painting of the disciples in a ship under a severe storm with the winds almost toppling the boat white Jesus is asleep in the stern.  They woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”  He woke up, rebuked the wind,  and said to the sea, “Quiet!!  Be still!”  The wind ceased and there was great calm.  (Mk 4: 38 - 39).  

A perfect example of what the position from one who can turn the tide of disaster saving another soul, or in this case many souls.  Sometimes the storms that affect people on the street, or heart attacks, and of course fires, robberies, or accidents require someone like Christ to come to the aid of a human being and is there at the most crucial moment.

The position of a contemplative also is of a particular need even when they are called upon at different times for someone’s stress.  However, since particular needs for suffering people in various situations occur at every moment of the day, the response of a contemplative never ends.  So when taking a period of speaking with the Lord at all hours they must keep these brothers and sisters in his/her mind.  

What is contemplative prayer?  St. Teresa answers: “Contemplative prayer in my opinion is nothing else than a close sharing between friends; it means taking time frequently to be alone with him who we know loves us.  (St. Teresa of Jesus, The Book of Her Life).  Contemplative prayer seeks him “whom my soul loves.”  It is Jesus, and in him, the Father.  We seek him, because to desire him is always the beginning of love, and we seek him in that pure faith which causes us to be born of him and to live in him.  In this inner prayer we can still meditate, but our attention is fixed on the Lord himself.  (CCC 2709).

Contemplative prayer is the prayer of the child of God, of the forgiven sinner who agrees to welcome the love by which he is loved and who wants to respond to it by loving even more.  But he knows that the love he is returning is poured out by the Spirit in his heart, for everything is grace from God.  Contemplative prayer is the poor and humble surrender to the loving will of the Father in ever deeper union with his beloved Son.  (CCC 2712).

Contemplative prayer is a communion of love bearing Life for the multitude, to the extent that it consents to abide in the night of faith.  The Pascal  night of the Resurrection passes through the night of the agony and the tomb-the three immense moments of the Hour of Jesus (and not “the flesh which is weak”) brings to life in prayer.  We must be willing to “keep watch with him; one hour.”  (CCC 2719).

Ralph B. Hathaway