WEEK TWENTY THREE: LIFE AFTER THE RETREAT - DAY 4
MORNING FACE TO FACE WITH GOD:
Begin with Prayer to the Holy Spirit
CONTEMPLATION TO ATTAIN THE LOVE OF GOD, #236 Read #236; then the Reflection; ask for an intimate knowledge of the many blessings received, that filled with gratitude for all, I may in all things love and serve the Divine Majesty (#233). (After pondering each bullet point, express your sentiments in a short prayer)
• # 236. "This is to consider how God works and labors for me in all creatures upon the face of the earth, that is, He conducts Himself as one who labors." God takes care of us in a very personal way, being the perfect Father that He is.
• "Thus, in the heavens, the elements, the plants, the fruits, the cattle, etc., He gives being, conserves them, confers life and sensation, etc." Revolve your gaze upon all of creation to see how intimately present God is to us as Emmanuel.
• #234. "I will make this offering of myself: Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty, my
memory, my understanding, and my entire will, all that I have and possess. Thou hast given all to me. To Thee, O Lord, I return it. All is Thine, dispose of it wholly according to Thy will. Give me Thy love and Thy grace, for this is sufficient for me." (Refer to Day Two for a more detailed appreciation of the implications of the Take and Receive prayer).
• Conclude with an Our Father.
I began my face to face with God as I do most mornings, saying an Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be, Acts of Faith, Hope, Charity and the daily offering while I wait for the water to boil. Then God and I sit with a cup of coffee. This morning we pondered the vastness of the simple cup of coffee and what is involved for us to be able to do that. We went all over the world, into different countries, we traveled through time as technology caught up with the ability to move commerce and capture natural resources. God orchestrated all of this so we could sit and enjoy a simple cup of coffee. Then I pondered Jesus living amongst us and the love that such an infinite God has for us to live in the world that He created. It makes you feel very small and gives you a great appreciation of His love that "I" am that important to Him.
What is God saying to you? You are that important and we do enjoy the coffee together. I enjoy our time together as you grow with me. A Fathers love is never ending and I want to endow the greatest gifts to My children. Thank You for taking time with Me today. You have work to do and memories to make, go into the day knowing You are My treasure whom I will protect.
Dear Father, Awe is an experience that is hard to describe. I treasure our time together, I love being with You and I also know the more I learn, the less I know but that is ok for You are my teacher. Thank You for the sensation of awe and admiration over our simple cup of coffee, it is much better with You than without You. Prayers of thanksgiving for friends coming home from hospital this week Lord, thank You! Prayers for another still in recovery, may his skin reattach and grow back together, You are the Great Healer with infinite wisdom. Bless this day Lord, keep us safe and out of harms way, I ask this in Jesus name, Amen.
Mary, Mother of Love, Pray for us.
St Joesph, Foster Father of Jesus, Pray for us.
Viva Cristo Rey
Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. 1 John 4:4b
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