We are not alone.
Tradition in the Catholic Church has it that the saints who have gone before us to heaven will intercede on our behalf before God.
There are great litanies which ask vast numbers of saints to pray for us. We can imagine that many of those who have gone before us would be pleased to present us to God. Our parents and grandparents, our relatives, those we are named after, people who for whatever reason we feel have something in common with us.
God has graced us with divine life. We already live in relationship with God and the Communion of Saints. Ignatius of Loyola, a man of his time, was aware of this. When he places himself before God, he recognises he is also in the midst of many holy women and men. Perhaps we could use the words below from the Spiritual Exercises as we start our Lenten journey today:
Eternal Lord of all things, I make my offering, with your favour and help. I make it in the presence of your infinite Goodness, and of your glorious Mother, and of all the holy men and women in your heavenly court.
Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius Loyola: 98
TRIPPING OVER JOY
What is the difference
Between your experience of Existence
And that of a saint?
The saint knows
That the spiritual path
Is a sublime chess game with God
And that the Beloved
Has just made such a Fantastic Move
That the saint is now continually
Tripping over Joy
And bursting out in Laughter
And saying, “I Surrender!”
Whereas, my dear,
I am afraid you still think
You have a thousand serious moves.”
Hafez
I Heard God Laughing:
Poems of Hope and Joy
Quote
Our hearts are being drawn continuously into unity.
Gerard W Hughes SJ
Today’s Scripture
Colossians 3 New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Catholic Edition
12 As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. 13
Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord[f] has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14
Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body.
And be thankful. 16
Thought for the Day
Perhaps there are holy women and men you might choose to invite to journey with you this Lent:
- Those who have influenced you
- Whose wisdom has guided you
- Who have helped you in a troubled time
- Whose spirituality or theology influenced you
- Who brought you joy and affirmation
- Who hold a special place in your life