E&W 11-3-13

Sacred Story

Encouragements & Wisdom: November 3, 2013

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Encouragements and Wisdom: November 3, 2013 (PDF).

E & W reflections are additional helps for your Sacred Story prayer journey. Reflect on them at week’s beginning or outside of your 15-minute prayer periods.

The Affirmations

My life’s greatest tragedies can be transformed
into my life’s major blessings.

 
It is important to listen to the phrasing of this week’s affirmation. The “can” in “can be transformed” does not limit what God “can” do. It indicates the possibility of transformation that relies on my cooperation with God’s grace. There is nothing that God cannot transform. No tragedy, disaster or hopeless case is beyond God’s power. But the “can” indicates that God needs my active faith and cooperation to work His miraculous transformations.

As difficult as it might be at the time of some personal misfortune or tragedy, we must have the presence of heart to turn to God and call upon His graces to bring light out of darkness. But we are invited to go even further than this. We should begin to thank God for the ways in which these events, that seem like “the end of the world,” will be transformed to my benefit by the miraculous grace of God.

If we begin with the “sacrifice of praise” at the moment of some misfortune, we begin to activate our faith in the God for whom “nothing is impossible” (Lk 1:37). Our spirits can be lifted up, even in great misfortune, and we can be restored to a measure of interior peace and hope. Be not afraid. “I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.” (Jn 16: 33)

Lord Jesus, I affirm that you are the Lord of Life. All sickness, disasters, and misfortunes—yes even death itself—are transformed by your redeeming love. Give me the grace to open my heart to you, especially at times of great misfortune, so that you can work your miracles of grace in my life and the lives of those I love. May even the greatest misfortunes eventually be transformed into your
Creation, Presence, Memory, Mercy and Eternity.

The Lord is faithful in all his words
and holy in all his works.
The Lord lifts up all who are falling
and raises up all who are bowed down.

(Psalm 145:13,14)

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