| Friday, May 02, 2003 St. Athanasius, Bishop, Doctor of the Church (Memorial) |
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The following is, as usual, from The Word Among Us:
Have you ever experienced the indigestion that can come from eating while standing up or rushing around? Our bodies need to sit and relax while we eat and digest our food. The same is true for our spiritual digestion. We need to slow down and relax so that Jesus can feed our spirits. "Spiritual indigestion" can occur when we pray only while on the go. We can become drained by the pressures of our daily lives, and while our prayer to Jesus should be at all times, this is not necessarily the best quality time we can spend with him. Experience tells us how difficult it can be to hear God's voice and rest in his love when every moment of the day is hectic and rushed.
The people whom Jesus fed followed him to the mountainside because they were hungry for answers--for hope, purpose, and a personal encounter with God's love. They had many needs: Some were sick, and some were oppressed. For others, just surviving day-to-day was difficult. But Jesus saw all of their needs and answered them on every level. He had them sit down and rest so he could feed them. He gave them food to strengthen them for their trip home. He preached to them the good news of the kingdom. He even healed them physically, spiritually, and emotionally.
Two thousand years later, our lives are still demanding. Suffering is all around us. Everyone faces needs and pressures. It's easy to find our minds racing, even when we try to sit still and pray. And still, Jesus asks us to sit down, calm our minds, and receive from him.
One way to help you in prayer is to use your imagination. Picture yourself on the mountainside with Jesus and the apostles. Imagine that you are watching Jesus look to heaven as he asks his heavenly Father to bless the bread and fish. Then, watch as one of the apostles comes to offer you as much as you want. Let Jesus fill you with peace and joy as he promises to help you with each one of your needs.
"Jesus, I give you all the concerns on my mind right now. Help me to quiet my heart so that I can sit at your feet and share the banquet of your wisdom for my life."
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God bless.
AC
