Readings:
Galatians 3: 1-5
Luke: 11: 5-13
Reflection:
Luke stresses the importance of prayer in Jesus’ life, showing that our prayer is integral to our discipleship.
Jesus prayed often, alone and with others. He sought quiet, stillness, reflection, insight, renewal … Jesus included all in his prayerful embrace and in his relationship with God. His experience of God was such that he called him ‘Father / Abba’ – a familiar affectionate term, indicating his felt close relationship with God in a new relational intimacy, not known previously. Jesus was not afraid to show his emotions in prayer. His prayer was from his heart; it was his love language with his God, creating stronger and deeper relationship and connection, as his ministry unfolded. When you pray who is the God you encounter? Have your experiences and images of God evolved and changed how you pray today?
We know that relationships need maintenance in order to thrive. Can we imitate Jesus’ prayer as a form of love language in his relationship with God and in his relationship with all humankind? His activity flowed from his prayer and back into it again as a pattern of his being, offering a balance of both mission and prayer, a resonance in both his words and actions. Paul of the Cross sought this balance for his companions. How can you find such a harmony and balance in your own daily life, ensuring contemplation and ministry complement each other?
Luke highlights that trust and perseverance need to infuse our prayer. Too often we can prioritize our activities, neglecting prayer. However, prayer can empower our activity by changing us, gracing us, increasing our trust, hope, courage, perseverance … in living faithfully with whatever comes … expected or not, wanted or not. Isn’t this what we really want?
Pam Storey is a member of the Passionist Faith Community at Holy Cross, Templestowe, and one of the founding members of Passionist Companions. After a very active and varied family, church and working life, Pam is now focusing on developing a slow spirituality.