Dedication to Prayer

Jay's sister just returned from a retreat in Hulbert, Oklahoma. Our Lady of the Annunciation of Clear Creek Monastery is where this bundle of energy spent the last 10 days . . . in peace and solitude and prayer. Driving her home from the airport around midnight last night, she had so much to share about her trip. She spent most of her time in prayer. She didn't miss a Mass. She lived as the monks and cloistered nuns live on a daily basis. She was blessed to hear Holy Mass and the Divine Office celebrated in Latin and sung in Gregroian Chant. One of the most important things she took away from this experience . . . reverence for the Holy Eucharist. Reading the brochures this morning about the monastery, I am so thankful for the men and women dedicating their lives unselfishly in prayer for all of us on the outside. I read the following and had to share its beauty:

The Purpose in America

The contemplative religious life, wholly dedicated to prayer, is a rarity in our active, contemporary world. This world changes rapidly - and, indeed, at times it seems that change is the only constant. People will always have, however, a profound need for faith and the culture that derives from faith. They need a place in which they can reconnect with creation and with the silent center of their own being, where God awaits them. The monastery is such a place.

Todays Gospel (Mark 9:14-29) teaches us prayer is always the answer:

As Jesus came down from the mountain with Peter, James, John and approached the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and scribes arguing with them. Immediately on seeing him, the whole crowd was utterly amazed. They ran up to him and greeted him.  He asked them, “What are you arguing about with them?” Someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I have brought to you my son possessed by a mute spirit. Wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive it out, but they were unable to do so.” He said to them in reply, “O faithless generation, how long will I be with you? How long will I endure you? Bring him to me.”  They brought the boy to him. And when he saw him, the spirit immediately threw the boy into convulsions. As he fell to the ground, he began to roll around  and foam at the mouth.  Then he questioned his father, “How long has this been happening to him?”  He replied, “Since childhood. It has often thrown him into fire and into water to kill him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” Jesus said to him, “‘If you can!’ Everything is possible to one who has faith.” Then the boy’s father cried out, “I do believe, help my unbelief!” Jesus, on seeing a crowd rapidly gathering, rebuked the unclean spirit and said to it, “Mute and deaf spirit, I command you: come out of him and never enter him again!” Shouting and throwing the boy into convulsions, it came out. He became like a corpse, which caused many to say, “He is dead!” But Jesus took him by the hand, raised him, and he stood up. When he entered the house, his disciples asked him in private, “Why could we not drive the spirit out?” He said to them, “This kind can only come out through prayer.”

In Volume Five, Jesus encourages us to pick up our cross for Him, and get to work:

"There is work to be done. Souls must be brought back to My heart and it is through you, My servants, that I will do that. My mother stands ready to assist you in everything. Pray now, always. Offer every task, however humble, to Me in the spirit of prayer and it will become a divine ransom for a soul who is tumbling about in the darkness of your world. Offer Me every task and I can use each one to provide comfort and strength to a good and holy soul who is being attacked by the enemy. Are you sweeping the floor? Are you driving your car? Give those things to Me in prayer, little children. I will use them. You live for Me. Give Me everything in your life and I can perform the greatest of feats with the humblest of tasks."

Lay apostles, being called to the religious life is definitely a calling. It isn't my calling, but as I read about the lives of these monks, it evokes the need to become even more focused on my spiritual and prayer life. Take the time to read about the monastery and the men praying for you. Give Him everything, and He will save souls.

Thank you, Lord, for Mo arriving home safely and sharing the beauty of life in the monastery. Thank you for showing me a way of life I must strive to emulate.

God bless,
Bonnie