Prayer

I was talking with my pastor today, and he shared this prayer with me. He said that it was one of his favorites. It comes from Thursday Daytime prayer in week 2 of the psalter. It reads:

Lord Jesus Christ, victim for our sins, you trusted in your Father's protection and kept silent when you were tormented. Give us that same confidence and we will gladly suffer with you and for you, offering the Father our living sacrifice of praise and walking before him in the light of the living.


I really like that. :-)

Excerpts from my heart

Several weeks ago, I attended the Evangelic Catholic Summer Training camp, with the support of several of my fellow parishioners, here is a little thank you for their support:

As Christians we are called to live out our faith. We are called to be evangelical. About 2000 years ago, Christ started with twelve men and in particular three (Peter, James and John). After spending three years with them, he had trained them to teach others about God and the importance of His love. With the help of the Holy Spirit, those twelve men have transformed the world, and started what we now know as the Catholic Church. It didn’t happen overnight, but by giving their testimonies, many disciples came to Christ.
As members of the Body of Christ in today’s Church, we are called to continue this mission. Before Jesus was crucified, he spent time in the garden praying. He prayed, “I pray not only for them, (his disciples), but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me.” (Jn 18:20-21) Here he prays particularly for those who spread the Gospel. We are called to share the Good News with others.
At the Summer Training Camp, the focus was on a relationship with God. We spent the first hour of each day in prayer. Then throughout the day, we would be given time for reflection. We were shown the importance of a daily interior conversion towards God. We do this by choosing God’s will before our own. It was emphasized that this is done with a Rich Sacramental Life and through a life of Prayer and Scripture Study. One method that was introduced was Lectio Divina, or meditation on Holy Scripture.
After emphasizing methods of improving our own personal relationship with God, we learned how to share our faith. We learned how to facilitate small groups as well as how to give a three-minute testimony. These methods help us share in a Strong Christian Community and evangelize to others. Finally, by obedience to the word of God and the Church’s teaching, we are able to live an Evangelical Catholic life.
A couple days ago, I was asked to speak to our Newman Club on “Living an Evangelical Catholic Life.” After some thoughts and prayers, I felt ready to lead the meeting. The meeting went well and I enjoyed sharing a different aspect of the Catholic faith with my friends. During my preparation, I noticed the importance of scripture and prayer in my own life with Christ. I hope to be able to share this with others, letting them know that God truly desires a relationship with us, for “whoever remains in me, and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.” (Jn 15:5)
The Evangelical Catholic Summer Training has shown me ways to live out my faith. I am now much more open to sharing His love with others. However, I must admit that the thought of being both Evangelical and Catholic at the same time amazes me but I now understand that we are called to be just that though, both Evangelical and Catholic.

Again thanks for all your support.