There is a modern curse which harms our relationships with God and with each other. It is the phrase I am so busy. We know this can be many things but often it comes to our belief that there are not enough hours to attend to all the things I want to do. Also there can be a nagging belief that if I am not doing something then I am nothing! Our busyness can reflect that at least I am worthwhile because I am involved in this or that activity. We can seem to chase our tails and the faster we go the more it alludes us.
The images we have in this weeks readings is our willingness to sit down at a banquet and be fed. To take time not only to be physically nourished but also to be filled with a life we cannot receive solely by our own efforts. It calls us to become people who are willing to step aside and to be present to the one who calls us to the table. He uses this image of rising to a high mountain, to receive an invitation from a king and to come before God as we are. The prompting is that we hear the invitation and respond appropriately. This means that we need to be interested in what will be provided for us. This is not just setting a brief time for prayer so that we can move on with the rest of the day but rather that our life becomes prayerful. This anticipation for the life that God gives us is at the heart of all our activities. In fact it sees our life as having value so that we be present to God and to others in all we do.
This is why it is not possible just to squeeze prayer into those spare moments of our days but seeing it is the bedrock of who we are. It calls us to take time to become present to ourselves and to God so that we can be present to others. By being open to God at certain times of the day and making these appointments ahead of time we can find a way of discovering that everything we are engaged in takes a new freshness and purpose.This allows us to be amazed and surprised by what God helps us to see. It allows us to be transformed to discover where we are able to be present at this moment and this day. It doesn't mean that suddenly all our work will disappear but it will allows us to discover the work that we are called to take to heart. That which brings value to us and to our world. To know that our lives have eternal worth.
The images we have in this weeks readings is our willingness to sit down at a banquet and be fed. To take time not only to be physically nourished but also to be filled with a life we cannot receive solely by our own efforts. It calls us to become people who are willing to step aside and to be present to the one who calls us to the table. He uses this image of rising to a high mountain, to receive an invitation from a king and to come before God as we are. The prompting is that we hear the invitation and respond appropriately. This means that we need to be interested in what will be provided for us. This is not just setting a brief time for prayer so that we can move on with the rest of the day but rather that our life becomes prayerful. This anticipation for the life that God gives us is at the heart of all our activities. In fact it sees our life as having value so that we be present to God and to others in all we do.
This is why it is not possible just to squeeze prayer into those spare moments of our days but seeing it is the bedrock of who we are. It calls us to take time to become present to ourselves and to God so that we can be present to others. By being open to God at certain times of the day and making these appointments ahead of time we can find a way of discovering that everything we are engaged in takes a new freshness and purpose.This allows us to be amazed and surprised by what God helps us to see. It allows us to be transformed to discover where we are able to be present at this moment and this day. It doesn't mean that suddenly all our work will disappear but it will allows us to discover the work that we are called to take to heart. That which brings value to us and to our world. To know that our lives have eternal worth.
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