Standing In Your Light

(727 words, 4 minutes read time.)

? A Past Meditation ?
Written in the past and newly restored.

When I stand before You, face to face at the end of my life, will I have the courage to see You and to be seen by You?

Lord, so often we canonize one another at funerals. Yet the truth is that most of us carry many impurities that still need healing before we behold Your glory.

Show me all that chokes Your grace within my soul, and give me the courage to root out whatever keeps me from loving You more perfectly. I long to behold You with joy upon my face and a clear conscience. Grant me the grace of the Last Rites at my end, and help me today to strive for complete holiness, all for Your glory and pleasure.

You came to earth and suffered to the extreme—not merely so that I might reach Purgatory, but so that I might receive every grace that leads to holiness. Help me never to waste Your grace. Let Your love mold, shape, and carve me into Your beauty and likeness.

It is such a struggle here below. Day by day, the pressures of life pull me here and there, and I come before You confessing my “seven sins” a day. Teach me obedience in all things. Give me the courage and strength to fight the good fight for love of You. Help me fall so deeply in love with You that I long to persevere to the end and to the heights of holiness.

We know neither the day nor the hour when our earthly life will end. Give me this day to live well for You. All my todays, faithfully lived, become a lifetime poured out like an alabaster jar at Your feet. I hold nothing back but give You everything. May our joy be complete on that day.

May all the good You accomplish through my life give You glory for all ages and all eternity. Let Your light shine through me, that souls may see Your goodness and be drawn to Your love. I desire that all may come to know You as Father and Friend.

You are such a good Father. You desire only what is best for my soul. You use so many thorns to help me grow. Teach me to love Your ways and to surrender to Your gentle craftsmanship. I long to lose myself in You until others see less of me and more of You.

Your beloved St. Teresa of Calcutta reflected Your beauty and purity so radiantly. Like her, help me attain the glory You have prepared for me. Whether it is great or small in the eyes of the world, it gives You delight because it is Your holy Will.

You know every weakness within me. Strengthen me day by day against the waves that rise around me. Build virtue within my soul, that I may live according to Your calling, relying more and more upon Your grace.

You persevered, step by step, through Gethsemane and Calvary. By Your example, teach me to follow You through storm and calm alike, walking always in peace. Everything You permit is meant to draw me more deeply into Your loving embrace. Remind me of this through every token of Your affection, whether painful or sweet.

I love You, Lord, yet I see how imperfect my love still is. I long to bring You more joy than sorrow. Send every grace, every friendship, and every opportunity that will deepen my love for You. Make my love holy.

Give me the courage to keep striving without discouragement after my falls. You know how long and difficult the journey is. Prepare my path with grace and love. Though I see it strewn with thorns and nails, I also see in the saints a beautiful love for suffering—a love that consoles You while Your purifying fire heals them.

Teach me to love this beautiful suffering. Love filled every drop of Blood You shed upon the Cross. Love is what You feed me with in Holy Communion.

Take my hand, dear Lord, and lead the way. Prepare my wedding garment until the day I stand before You, forever in Your light.

Amen.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

As you read this prayer, what part speaks most deeply to your heart? Is there an area where the Lord is inviting you to greater trust, surrender, or holiness? How is He preparing your “wedding garment” today? Feel free to share your reflections below.