“Man has a noble task: that of prayer and love. To pray and to love, that is the happiness of man on earth.”
READ: LUKE 11:27–36
Now as he was speaking, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said, “Happy the womb that bore you and the breasts you sucked!” But he replied, “Still happier those who hear the word of God and keep it!” The crowds got even bigger and he addressed them, “This is a wicked generation; it is asking for a sign. The only sign it will be given is the sign of Jonah. For just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. On Judgement day the Queen of the South will rise up with the men of this generation and condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and there is something greater than Solomon here. On Judgement day the men of Nineveh will stand up with this generation and condemn it, because when Jonah preached they repented; and there is something greater than Jonah here. No one lights a lamp and puts it in some hidden place or under a tub, but on the lamp-stand so that people may see the light when they come in. The lamp of your body is your eye. When your eye is sound, your whole body too is filled with light; but when it is diseased your body too will be all darkness. See to it then that the light inside you is not darkness. If, therefore, your whole body is filled with light, and no trace of darkness, it will be light entirely, as when the lamp shines on you with its rays.”
YOUR THREE-STEP GUIDE TO DAILY MENTAL PRAYER
REFLECT
It must have warmed Christ’s heart to hear the cheer this woman let loose in the middle of His homily. She had detected His goodness and His beauty and couldn’t hold back her praise. What a contrast with the many self-righteous intellectuals who sneered at the humble rabbi from Nazareth! But Jesus doesn’t luxuriate in the compliment. He seizes the opportunity to reveal the secret that mankind had been seeking since before history began: what makes for a happy life. The human heart was made to find its true, lasting satisfaction only by living in communion with God, by knowing God and loving God — hearing and heeding God’s word. The blessedness that comes from that outstrips even the most profound and worthy natural delights, such as that of being a parent to a great and wise rabbi. Jesus came to make that kind of happiness once again possible. Whoever trusts in Him, follows His teachings, and stays close to Him will experience it, just as the example of His closest friend of all time — His mother, Mary, whose moral and spiritual beauty He subtly complements in His response to the cheer — eloquently attests to.
RESPOND
When I take time to think about who You really are, Creator and Redeemer of all things, the infinite One, the all-powerful and all-loving and all-knowing God, I am filled with wonder. And to think that You want to walk with me, to guide my life. You suffered every kind of sorrow and humiliation in order to be able to prepare me a place in Your Kingdom. Blessed be Your name.
REST
The pace of life often carries me away, and I forget to keep You in my sight. I have to admit, the seductions of pleasure, wealth, popularity, power — they still attract me. Part of me still reaches out to those things. But my eye, the eye of my soul, recognizes that only You and Your will can give lasting meaning and fruitfulness. I want You, Lord. Teach me to do Your will.
RESOLVE
How can I carry this encounter with me into the day? (Write / Journal)
CLOSING PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Most Blessed and Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, thank You for Your love and Your grace in allowing me this time of prayer with You.
The world, the flesh, and the devil will all propose things I should focus on and run after today. I beg You to fill me with Your Holy Spirit and help me instead to know and embrace Your will. Help me to see what You desire of me each moment of this day. Give me the wisdom, strength, and fortitude I need to avoid distractions, discern Your will, and focus on and carry out that which Wisdom reveals. Help me to work and live at a pace of peace and prayerfulness, always attentive to You, able to hear Your voice and to say no to anything that hinders my journey to You and a complete yes to every Holy prompting from You.
Help me to humbly and purposefully live, light, and lead others to the path of union with You and to tell everyone about this way of life. Amen.
About the Author
Fr. John Bartunek was ordained in 2003. He has taught moral theology at various ecclesiastical institutions at the graduate and undergraduate levels, and has authored many books, including the Gospel companion, The Better Part, and Inside the Passion, the only authorized behind-the-scenes look at the film, for which he provided on-set spiritual support. His online retreat guides are available in multiple formats at RCSpirituality.org. Fr. John currently resides in Atlanta, where he is serving as territorial vicar for the Legionaries of Christ.
