Word to the Wise
Wednesday, October 30, 2013 - Wednesday in the 30th Week in Ordinary Time
[Rom 8:26-30 and Luke 13:22-30]The Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes with inexpressible groanings. And the one who searches hearts knows that is the intention of the Spirit, because he intercedes for the holy ones according to God's will. [Romans]
The passage from Romans today presents all kinds of theological and spiritual challenges! Yet, I think a first impression really captures the essence of it. That first impression is the experience that so many of us have in not knowing what to say in prayer when we are overwhelmed by circumstances or experiencing a period of "dryness" when God seems distant! Sometimes all we have is the desire to pray! St. Paul assures us that this is sufficient!
The Scottish spiritual writer, George Herbert MacDonald [1824-1905], wrote a "prayer sonnet" for each day of the year. It was published under the title, DIARY OF AN OLD SOUL. In the sonnet for November 14, he has these lines at the end of the sonnet: "Take, Lord, my prayer in thy hand and make it pray" God's providence extends even to the prayers of our hearts and minds. Even if all we can do is yell, "Help!" or throw a rock at the sky, the Spirit prays with us. AMEN