Word to the Wise
Wednesday, October 27, 2021 - 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 what is the intention of the Spirit, because he intercedes for the holy ones according to God's will. We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. [Romans]
For the past six days or so I have been on "retreat" out in Tucson, AZ. It is a time to assess my life as an ordained Dominican friar. The longer I live, of course, the more material I have to deal with! I chose as a theme a line a student friend used in concluding a talk she gave to fellow students about the Holy Spirit: "You are not alone!" The framework I use for assessment is based on the four "pillars" of Dominican life: Prayer, Study, Community, Ministry. I turn those four "pillars" into questions: "How am I praying, learning, loving, serving?" St. Paul's words in today's first scripture from his Letter to the Romans addresses the first of those questions in a profound way that suits the theme I chose: "You are not alone!"
The great American poet, James Dickey, once wrote that "prayer is not in the words but in the breath." St. Paul's idea of the Spirit praying with us and on our behalf with "inexpressible groanings" gives us the breath of prayer. Lord knows there are millions of "prayers" on paper or other media that devotion might call on, but ultimately we stand before God to express our faith, our hope and our love each in our own way, whether by words, tears, gestures, etc.... But we do not do this alone. St. Paul assures us that if we love God "all things work for good." Years ago, a student parishioner who knew me well and knew of a difficult decision I had to make quoted that passage to me!!!
Many students have heard me say in response to their complaint that they do not pray "enough," that when they wake up in the morning and put their feet on the floor, all they need to say or think is, "God, nothing can happen today that you and I can't handle together." In this way, we know that we will not be alone! That is the way I have to pray! AMEN