READING 1
Psalm 131
O Lord, my heart is not proud, nor haughty my eyes. I have not gone after things too great, nor marvels beyond me. Truly, I have set my soul in tranquility and silence. Like a weaned child on its mother, as a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, hope in the Lord, both now and forever.
READING 2
From a sermon given during the last synod he attended, by Saint Charles, bishop
I admit that we are all weak, but if we want help, the Lord God has given us the means to find it easily. One priest may wish to lead a good, holy life, as he knows he should. He may wish to be chaste and to reflect heavenly virtues in the way he lives. Yet he does not resolve to use suitable means, such as penance, prayer, the avoidance of evil discussions and harmful and dangerous friendships. Another priest complains that as soon as he comes into church to pray the office or to celebrate Mass, a thousand thoughts fill his mind and distract him from God. But what was he doing in the sacristy before he came out for the office or for Mass? How did he prepare? What means did he use to collect his thoughts and to remain recollected?
Would you like me to teach you how to grow from virtue to virtue and how, if you are already recollected at prayer, you can be even more attentive next time, and so give God more pleasing worship? Listen, and I will tell you. If a tiny spark of God’s love already burns within you, do not expose it to the wind, for it may get blown out. Keep the stove tightly shut so that it will not lose its heat and grow cold. In other words, avoid distractions as well as you can. Stay quiet with God. Do not spend your time in useless chatter.
REFLECTION
Jesus teaches us that unless we become like a child we cannot enter the Kingdom of God (cf. Matthew 18:1-5). The psalmist leads us in praying that our hearts not be proud, but that we learn to find rest, like a child in its mother’s arms. The preparation of our hearts for fulfilling our commitments is a daily challenge that we must take up with the proper means. We do well to ask ourselves, “Am I surrounding myself with good friends? Am I engaging in healthy conversations? Am I avoiding worldliness in entertainment? Am I guarding my evenings?” These are the ways that we can empty our hearts of noise and distractions so that we can protect the tiny spark of God’s love that burns in our hearts.
Prayer of Surrender of St. Ignatius
Litany of Penance by St. John Henry Newman
Consecration to the Heart of Jesus Through the Hearts of Mary and Joseph
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