Above: Shrine in the church of Our Lady and the English Martyrs in Cambridge, UK. Photo by Father Lawrence Lew, O.P.
There is nothing we can do to cause God to love us more, absolutely nothing. He loves us perfectly. So, then why talk to Him? So we can receive His perfect love.
When we ask for something and someone gives it to us we express thanks. When someone doesn’t give us something we ask for, we ask again, and again, and when we receive it, we express thanks and relief. When someone gives us something we didn’t ask for and didn’t deserve, it moves us to profound gratitude, to silence, even to an overwhelming sense of love and devotion. It even moves us to do the same for others.
It is so easy to get caught making sure we “do all of our prayers” so that we are “acceptable to God.” Sometimes, when we are in the presence of someone we want to impress, we worry about our appearance, our manner, words, and our actions, so it makes it difficult to just enjoy just being present with the person. Our Lord loves us and wants us to enjoy His presence. He knows what we need and wants to give it to us. Talk with Him, receive from Him, and allow yourself to be loved by Him.
St. Dominic imitated Jesus in his prayer. It is said he spoke only of God or to God. May we today, in imitation of Our Lord and St. Dominic, intercede for others.
Father and leader of our Holy Order, Pray for us!
|
|
