Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Homily for 16 June 2016

16 June 2016

The woman came into church quietly; the aroma of incense was still heavy, and there were about ten people praying before the Blessed Sacrament.  She knelt in the pew, closed her eyes, and said in her heart: “Almighty God, I come before you . . .”  And no more words came to her.  She tried to stir up some words to say to God, but none came. 

For a couple minutes, she knelt there in silence, struggling to force some words out.  But none came; she had no words to say to God, even though she felt she should.  She almost started to cry in frustration.  But then an angel came and inspired her to simply say: “Father.”  Like a slowly tolling bell, she said again and again: “Father. . . Father. . . Father. . .”  Each time a little quieter. 

And after a while, she slipped into the most sublime prayer: the prayer of just being with God.  Like a couple who just enjoys being with each other; no words spoken.  Or like a child who falls asleep on a parent’s shoulder, or while resting against a warm chest, and just murmurs quietly: “Our Father . . . Our Father . . .”

Sometimes the glory of God is shown in mighty deeds, like those of Elijah and Elisha.  Other times, the glory of God is easy to miss, like that woman in the pew who eventually came to enjoy just being with God.  God doesn’t need our many words in prayer; instead, he desires us simply to rest in him.  May we have a touch of God’s glory, by simply being with Our Father from time to time . . . in stillness and in peace. 

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