E&W 12-15-13

Sacred Story

Encouragements & Wisdom: December 15, 2013

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Encouragements and Wisdom: December 15, 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

The insights and graces I need to move forward in life’s journey
unfold at the right time.

 
The last words of Jesus in Matthew’s Gospel always bring me great joy:
Go, therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age. (Mt 28: 19-20)

Each of us must learn as we advance in our spiritual lives that the Lord never leaves us orphans. We learn, gradually and not without anxiety, that the Lord always gives us what we need, and at just the time we need it. Learning to trust the Lord and to resist doubt is part of the purifying fires that burn away our self-centeredness.

We must also learn, as we are called to make disciples of all nations, that the Lord will give us the resources we need for the task. I remember a story of Mother Theresa of Calcutta on one of her visits in the United States. A Catholic non-profit organization was strapped for cash and told Mother about their problems. She asked them who their patron was and they said St. Joseph. She asked them if they had requested his help and they said no. On her inspiration and embarrassed, they prayed for the intercession of St. Joseph and the money they needed was donated the next day.

The Lord watches out for us in our personal lives and in all our apostolic works. His grace and blessings will always come through.

Lord Jesus, may we always take the necessary spiritual risks. May we learn to trust that you will provide the grace and support we need at each step of the way. Move us beyond our complacency and always come to our aid
so we can praise you in
Creation, Presence, Memory, Mercy and Eternity.

The LORD God keeps faith forever,
secures justice for the oppressed,
gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets captives free.

(Psalm 146: 6-7)

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