Wednesday, 24 December 2008

Blessed are those who keep ...

There are many other beatitudes besides the eight that we traditional refer to when we say “Beatitudes”. One which strike a chord with me as a formator is from the Gospel of Luke:
As he said this, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts that you sucked!” But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” (Luke 11:27-28)

There were a few people who asked to speak to me because they were thinking about the priesthood. I was surprised when they told me that they did not pray. If they did not pray, how could they claim that they were called by God? Yet, I understand that God can work in any way he wills. However, to enter into the discernment process, prayer is very important. Here, I am not referring to spiritual activity confined solely to praying the rosary and saying traditional formula prayers. Prayer should include the rosary, the stations of the cross and other traditional spiritual and devotional activity. However, to discern, these are not enough. Here is where this Lucan beatitude comes in. We need to pray using scripture as guide. We need to meditate and contemplate on the Word. Only then can we keep the Word of God that we hear. This beatitude also describes our Blessed Lady perfectly as St. Luke himself notes that Mary noticed these things and kept them in her heart (2:19,51) Mary pondered the things she kept in her heart. Although we had not had the opportunity to experience Jesus as Mary did, we still have the opportunity to keep and ponder the Word in our hearts.

1 comment:

Distant feet said...

well said. I am also trying to know things about prayer. I just posted something about it , since i have crave so much for some answers why we need to really pray and be honest when we are praying, without praying i don't see a growth in us and our virtues, but i also agree that God has his ways but then on my own , I can experience God on praying until i had a spiritual tepidity which i couldn't understand... My seeking and thirsting never stopped and just grateful that I have been led to good readings lately.