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Prayer is not so much the means whereby God’s will is bent to our human desires, as it is that whereby our will is bent to God’s desires… The real end of prayer is not so much to get this or that single desire granted, as to put human life into full and joyful conformity with the will of God.
- Charles H. Brent (1862-1929), With God in the World
(“What desires are you in touch with at this time in your life? Present each one to God, praying “Thy will be done.”)
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EX 20:1-17; PS 19:8, 9, 10, 11
MT 13:18-23
Jesus said to his disciples:
"Hear the parable of the sower.
The seed sown on the path is the one who hears the word of the Kingdom
without understanding it,
and the Evil One comes and steals away
what was sown in his heart.
The seed sown on rocky ground
is the one who hears the word and receives it at once with joy.
But he has no root and lasts only for a time.
When some tribulation or persecution comes because of the word,
he immediately falls away.
The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word,
but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word
and it bears no fruit.
But the seed sown on rich soil
is the one who hears the word and understands it,
who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold."
USCCB lectionary
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Reflection on the Scripture
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"The Israelites had marched on dry land through the midst of the sea, with the water like a wall to their right and to their left. Thus the Lord saved Israel on that day from the power of the Egyptians." —Exodus 14:29-30
Where's the Red Sea in your life? Where must you make an act of faith and leave the enemy behind? Possibly your marriage, children, church, health, or finances are situations where you need to believe God for a miracle. Stretch out the hand of faith (Ex 14:21), put your foot in the water, and expect God to be God.
The Lord is our Savior. He didn't bring us this far to leave us. His love endures forever (Ps 118:1-4). "He's able." "He can make a way out of no way." He is the Way (Jn 14:6). Alleluia!
When the Red Sea is before you, the devil is behind you, and the mountains are around you, rejoice. There's a way out of trouble and a way into the promised land. Jesus is the Way! If you're in an impossible situation, remember "nothing is impossible with God" (Lk 1:37). If you're being pushed into a sea of problems, Jesus will either part the waters or have you walk on them (see Mt 14:29). Rejoice! Problems
are merely occasions for God to manifest His all-conquering love.
Prayer: Father, may I see problems as opportunities to claim Your victory.
Promise: "Whoever does the will of My heavenly Father is brother and sister and mother to Me." —Mt 12:50
Presentation Ministries
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Abandonment to Divine Providence
- by Jean-Pierre de Caussade
CHAPTER II. THE DIVINE ACTION WORKS UNCEASINGLY FOR THE SANCTIFICATION OF SOULS.
SECTION XII. The Divine Word, Our Model
The divine action alone can sanctify us, for that alone can make us imitate the divine Example of our perfection.
The marvels of this work, of which we read for the purpose of satisfying our curiosity, often only tend to disgust us with things that seem trifling but by which, if we do not despise them, the divine love effects very great things in us. Fools that we are! We admire and bless this divine action in the writings relating its history, and when it is ready to continue this writing on our hearts, we keep moving the
paper and prevent it writing by our curiosity, to see what it is doing in and around us. Pardon, divine love, these defects; I can see them all in myself, for I am not yet able to understand how to let You act. So far I have not allowed myself to be cast into the mould. I have run through all Your workshops and have admired all Your works, but have not as yet, by abandonment, received even the bare outlines of Your pencil. Nevertheless I have found in You a kind Master, a Physician, a Father, a
beloved Friend.
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