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"Now prayer, in its general notion, may be defined by be an elevation of the mind to God . . . expressing, or at least implying, an entire dependence on Him as the author and fountain of all good, a will and readiness to give Him his due, which is no less than all love,
all obedience, adoration, glory and worship, by humbling and annihilating the self and all creatures in His presence; and lastly, a desire and intention to aspire to an union of spirit with Him."
- Augustine Baker -
(How does this compare to your own understanding and experience of prayer?)
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JON 1:1–2:1-2, 11; JONAH 2:3, 4, 5, 8
LK 10:25-37
There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test Jesus and said,
"Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
Jesus said to him, "What is written in the law?
How do you read it?"
He said in reply,
"You shall love the Lord, your God,
with all your heart,
with all your being,
with all your strength,
and with all
your mind,
and your neighbor as yourself."
He replied to him, "You have answered correctly;
do this and you will live."
But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus,
"And who is my neighbor?"
Jesus replied,
"A man fell victim to robbers
as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho.
They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead.
A priest happened to be going down that road,
but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.
Likewise a Levite came to the place,
and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.
But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him
was moved with compassion at the sight.
He
approached the victim,
poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them.
Then he lifted him up on his own animal,
took him to an inn, and cared for him.
The next day he took out two silver coins
and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction,
'Take care of him.
If you spend more than what I have given you,
I shall repay you on my way back.'
Which of these three, in your opinion,
was neighbor to the robbers' victim?"
He answered, "The one who treated him
with mercy."
Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."
USCCB lectionary
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Reflection on the Scripture |
Jonah "paid the fare, and went aboard to journey
with them to Tarshish, away from the Lord." —Jonah 1:3
Jonah refused to go to the Ninevites and tell them to repent (Jon 1:2ff). When he refused to do God's will, he could not stay where he was; instead, he felt compelled to flee (Jon 1:3). In his flight, Jonah caused a "furious tempest" (Jon 1:4). Next, he was thrown into the sea and swallowed by a large fish, in whose belly he remained
for "three days and three nights" (Jon 1:15—2:1). Then Jonah was regurgitated onto the shore (Jon 2:11).
If we say "no" to living with God, we begin living hell. We separate ourselves from God and turn our lives into "a violent wind" and "furious tempest" (Jon 1:4). If we refuse to do God's will, we will feel as if we
are drowning and swallowed alive by circumstances beyond our control. In our sin, we live in a cavernous darkness, and like a dog we return to our vomit (see 2 Pt 2:22) until we are thrown up.
"The Lord, indeed, knows how to...continue the punishment of the wicked up to the day of judgment" (2 Pt 2:9). A life of
selfishness, disobedience, and sin has its pleasures but also its horrors — not only after death but also before death. Live the only good life. Give yourself to Jesus, "the Way, and the Truth, and the Life" (Jn 14:6).
Prayer: Father, may I repent and do penance.
Promise: "You shall love the Lord your God with
all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." —Lk 10:27
Presentation Ministries
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Theological Gems from Emile Merch's Theology of the Mystical Body - selected by Jim and Tyra Arraj
Book V: In Christ
Chapter 19: Sanctifying Grace 600. Grace has an essential relationship with the Trinity.
The Blessed Trinity is the ultimate transcendent source of all grace, and the humanity of the Word is its first interior principle.
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