Because Advent began last Sunday, I would like to pause in relating
Kathy's Rosary Story, and will continue it next week.
Most of us live very busy lives. It seems we are running as soon as our
feet hit the floor in the morning (or evening, if one works a night shift). If we aren't
busy making a living, we are busy doing for others or ourselves.
Americans are doers. Oh, sure, we need our lazy moments, and probably
take a lot more of those than we really need. But we are, generally, very active
people, sometimes so much so that we find it difficult to find time for prayer.
Someone once said: "A person, who is too busy to pray, is too busy."
I think that is very true! As a matter of fact, our work really would go
better, if we prayed first. Our Lady of Medjugorje said this very thing. "Pray first,
then your work will go better."
Since I started praying three rosaries before beginning my office work, I
find that, indeed, my work goes easier, better and I have more energy to do it. It's
the honest truth! We've all heard the saying: "We always have time to do the things we
really want to do!" That is also true!
It goes without saying that preparing for the birthday of Our Lord,
Jesus, would warrant that we try to pray more during Advent. Let's not forget the TRUE
meaning of Christmas! Christmas is important MOST OF ALL because we are celebrating the
birthday of the Son of God, Our Savior and Redeemer. The giving and
receiving of presents is VERY secondary.
But let's face it. We all struggle with distractions and sometimes with
the ability to concentrate on our prayers, especially, if we leave our prayer until
evening after a day full of all kinds of activities.
But one of the greatest aids to prayer and concentration in prayer is GOOD
SPIRITUAL READING. One does not need to read a lot. Sometimes only a few
sentences will do. To read from the Scriptures, autobiography of a saint or
any other book that would be inspiring to us is a great help to lift our minds and
hearts to God, which is a definition of prayer.
Do not feel that you must read very much to let good reading raise your
mind and heart to God. Stop immediately, as soon as something you read moves you to
adore God, praise Him, thank Him or tell Him you are sorry for your sins. (We're all
guilty!)
If you only have a minute (literally), open a holy book and let it bring
your heart to prayer.
I think sometimes people don't take the time to pray because they think
that they must give a large allotment of time to it, which they don't feel they have.
I often eat lunch alone. I find that to be a good time to put a good
book in front of me and read a bit while I munch.
God is pleased with whatever time we give Him. But we MUST give Him
time.
Have a holy preparation for the birthday of Our Jesus!
God bless you!