Welcoming the Holy

Here we invite you to take time for yourself in personal prayer. The following spiritual reflection offers words and images which we hope will evoke for you an experience of God.

Nineteenth   Sunday in Ordinary Time   

Prayer 

Loving God whom we dare to call our Father, we bring our hopes, our confusion, our joys and sorrows to You. Give us the grace to bear up under difficult times and to remember that you are with us, supporting us and gracing us with your strength. We ask this in Jesus’ name.  Amen. 

Reading 

Scripture : 1 Kings 19:9a, 11-13a.
At the mountain of God, Horeb, Elijah came to a cave where he took shelter. Then the Lord said to him, “Go outside and stand on the mountain before the Lord; the Lord will be passing by.” A strong and heavy wind was rending the mountains and crushing rocks before the Lord – but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake – but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake there was a fire – but the Lord was not in the fire. After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound. When he heard this, Elijah hid his face in his cloak and stood at the entrance to the cave.

Reflection

Elijah has been running for his life and wonders, “Where is God in all this?” We might ask the same question in light of these past four and a half months of the pandemic. Our lives have undergone subtle changes and we’re living in what is called the ‘new normal.’ So, where IS God in all this? Well, God is where we least expect to find healing grace – in the still eye of the storm. The story of Elijah is concrete and dramatic. Things have become hopeless for Elijah, and Elijah is fleeing for his life. Roused out of his despair by a heavenly messenger, Elijah is brought to the holy mountain to confront God. God is not found in the storm or earthquake or fire, but in the stillness at the center of it all.

The eye of our storm may be the sheltering at home, wearing a mask, keeping social distancing, and in new life experiences. God is with us, supporting us and helping us to keep safe and keep others safe. We need to find our quiet place. For it is in that stillness, in the depths of our hearts, that Christ comes to us; that we realize our own inner resources and ask for, pray for, God’s amazing, God’s healing grace. We will endure, with God’s help.

Ponder: Am I able to take even a couple of minutes and sit in quiet?

Even with distractions, am I able to return to a place of stillness? Remember, God is there even in the distractions.

Prayer

May God support us all the day long till the shades lengthen and evening comes and the busy world is hushed and the fever of life is over and our work is done.

Then in his mercy may he give us safe lodging and a holy rest and peace at the last. Amen.                                                    Blessed John Henry Newman