“Pray without ceasing.” Thessalonians 5:17
Philokalia, “Love of the beautiful.” If two words could be written on my heart beside Jesus, it would be love and beautiful. Philokalia, a Greek word that represents a set of spiritual texts of old. Through prayer, I came upon Philokalia in a most intriguing book titled, The Way of a Pilgram” translated from the Russian by R.M. French and Foreword by Huston Smith. It portrays the traditions and interior life of Eastern Orthodox spirituality written by an anonymous Russian Christian. A monk on a pilgrimage to understand the meaning behind, “Pray without ceasing..” is handed the original manuscript on Mount Athos. The monk visits monasteries and shrines in order to understand, “Pray without ceasing”. He meets staret, a Russian spiritual master who teaches him the spiritual discipline, the Jesus prayer, an uninterrupted mantra to invoke the name of Jesus. The Jesus prayer, “Lord, Jesus Christ have mercy on me.”
The world is filled with many people trying to do good works and fill it with kindness and love for one another. In and of itself how wondrously it can change people lives for the good. The Gospel reminds us that for our life to fruitful in the path that God has laid for us, we ought to “pray without ceasing”. When we have decisions to make or need clarity God asks us to take all things to Him. Whether it is something small or life changing, God asks us to bring it to him. Often times we see people of faith and misguided alike seek opinions from people, media or world for answers that only God can give. Hours of research or time spent in bearing it to others may still leave you empty and maybe even more confused. God will give you clarity and lead you on the perfect path. The Jesus prayer, “Lord, Jesus Christ have mercy on me.”
At times people seek to be asked, to do, to be wanted in order to seek fulfillment and they rely on others opinions or push and at times that is needed. On the flip side when through prayer we allow God to guide us, we feel secure and rest in his love that we are enough. In deep prayer we begin to rely less on the opinions of others and more on what God wants and thinks. If we rely on others to fill us our reservoir feels empty compared to allowing God to fill us with His wisdom. Personally, my journey of prayer has taken me from minimal and asking for things, to deep contemplation and centering prayer to living in God’s love in meditation and in the Rosary. Throughout Lent I am becoming more aware to recite this mantra. The more we immerse ourselves in knowing we are sinners and need guidance and in a dialogue with Jesus, the more our heart and eyes open to new love. Prayer can become every breath we take, when we breath in the love of Jesus in all things. When we do our words, thoughts, actions become fruitful. “Lord, Jesus Christ have mercy on me.”
Scripture reminds us that when we pray we ought to close the door and not be showy like the Pharisees, and although humility and authentic spirituality is a must in our lives, God has shown me that praying in front of others can be an example and lead others to prayer. We can be a source of comfort to those around us. In the time of Jesus prayer was very prominent on street corners and in synagogues. Sadly today society is changing, people can be embarrassed, shy or uncomfortable to pray but unknowingly thirst for prayer and guidance to the path of goodness. This makes it so meaningful for us to pray in private and public, as well as pray for people to come to prayer and share in God’s love for them. “Lord, Jesus Christ have mercy on me.”
When we pray, we can offer praise and thanks, suffering, forgiveness, save souls and ask for virtues and guidance to live a healthy, full life. Billions of people exercise their body, let us make healthy our heart and the rest will follow. When our heart, mind, body and soul and healthy, we love ourselves and we can share the real truth of God’s love with others and live an abundant life. This Lent and all your days to come, ask God and the intercession of Holy Mary to lead you to prayer. As the body is filled with blood flowing through our veins so must the prayer of Jesus and God’s love. The more we pray we become filled with love, hope and wisdom. This Lent I seek Love of the Beautiful and I trust in God in its unfolding. “Lord, Jesus Christ have mercy on me.”
St. Francis pray for us. Mother Mary pray for us. God convert the souls of the world. “Lord, Jesus Christ have mercy on me.”
Peace,
Claudia
Our Nourished Soul