FROM ASHES TO FIRE (4)

BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD

Be in your prayer space, follow the usual steps and settle into silence.

Sit still…..Relax…….Do not rush………

Take a couple of gentle, slow and deep breaths…becoming aware of your breath going in and out… stay focused on this breath of life……

Now from the depth of your heart begin to wish your mind well……….

Take a moment. Bless your day. Let your day Bless you……

Take another moment. Bless your world. Let your world bless you……

In our last meditation titled “From Ashes to Fire (3)” we reflected on the moving story of Abraham journeying in faith. We were amazed at the faith that empowered Abraham and Sarah to get up and leave all they had known with no other guide or equipment than that of God’s call. Abraham’s act of obedience began a lifelong habit of saying “yes” with his life to whatever God planned.

We also reflected on the disciples being challenged to leave their experience of glory, come down the mountain and accept life with all its joys and sorrows, even accept the cross and eventual death. They had to continue their journey into the unknown, uncertain and insecure future. They had to walk in mystery!

In this meditation, we take time to remember and pray with those who struggle on their journey with various issues. Journey “From Ashes to Fire”, from death to resurrection, from repentance to new life……is often hard, difficult and very challenging.

Take a moment….begin to pray from your heart…..

We remember those who live constantly with anxiety, fear, worry and other such slings and arrows………………….

We remember those who are deep in depression, whose inner world is bleak and dark and sad and lonely……………..

We remember those who have recently said farewell to loved ones and who feel that joy may never return……….

We remember those who are running through life being busy with too many activities…..

We remember those who struggle to believe in their own goodness and the goodness of others and those who have lost their dreams and their enthusiasm for life………

We remember those who are experiencing failures in relationships and in work situations………..

We remember those who doubt their inner self and who are unable to trust themselves, who feel unworthy of love and trust………….

We remember those who struggle on their journey with God and are uncertain about their journey of life………..

We remember those who never seem to get beyond financial worries and the pain of caring for the essentials of life…………………

We remember those who have been rejected, deserted, betrayed, abandoned……….

We remember those who live in the grips of addictions, compulsions, obsessions and self-absorption……………….

We remember those who have lost hope and who daily battle with thoughts of running away from life and may be, even ending life……………..

Now we take a moment to remember and pray with one of those struggles we all share, our experience of sin and guilt and our need for forgiveness and healing….

YOUR OFFENCES……. YOUR SINS,

I REMEMBER NO MORE!

(Isaiah 43:25)

As far as the east is from the west,

So far has he put our transgressions!

(Ps. 103:12)

For all the harm I have done to myself, knowingly or unknowingly, I forgive myself!

For all the harm I have done to others knowingly or unknowingly forgive me!

For all the harm others have done to me, knowingly or unknowingly, I forgive them!

Take another moment and pray……

Cleanse me from my hidden faults….

Restrain me from wanton (undisciplined, self-indulgent, hard to control, presumptuous) sins and let them not rule over me………..

May I be blameless and innocent……

May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart

find favor before you, O Lord………….. (Ps. 19:14-15)

Yahweh knows what we are made of;

Yahweh remembers that we are dust. Ps. 103:14

Anyone who has ever done cleaning knows that dust must be handled carefully, even delicately. If not, it easily breaks up and scatters. The Psalmist reminds us that God relates to people gently, tenderly. God handles us delicately. God knows that we are soft, fragile, vulnerable, easily broken – much like a dust ball.

The kindness of the Lord is from eternity to eternity,

Toward those who fear him. Ps.103:17

Bless the Lord, O my soul….

Remember…….

God pardons all your iniquities, heals all your ills.

God redeems your life from destruction.

God crowns you with kindness and compassion….. Ps.103:3-5

Our God is abiding, abundant, steadfast, unconditional love – Grace.

Our God is God of enduring, everlasting blessings.

So, there is no reason for…

Memories to stay damaged……

Resentments to grow…………………

Joy to be stifled……………………………..

Past to be hurting………………………………..

Future to be fearful…………………………………….

Abide in these thoughts for some time.

Fr. Gus Tharappel, msfs