Reflection for Friday, November 22, 2013: 33rd week in Ordinary Time.
No Thumbnail Available
Authors
Zuegner, Carol
Issue Date
2013-11-22
Volume
Issue
Type
Essay
Language
en_US
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
"My house is a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves."||In the gospel, Jesus is speaking of the temple, but it could be my house. Is my home a house of prayer? There certainly are thieves that I let in that take me down a very different road from one of prayer. I too often offer a litany of excuses instead of a litany of prayer. I'm too busy, too tired, too frustrated, too angry, too bored, too everything to pray. But all of those times are exactly when I should stop. Take a deep breath. And pray. I can say thanks for a life that is busy and fulfilled. I can ask for help when I become overwhelmed with work and commitments. I can ask God to help me deal with my frustration and to defuse my anger. I can take a minute to pray for someone else when I am feeling bored or restless. I can reach out to someone who needs an ear or a friendly hello.|I let those thieves of frustration, anger and irritation into my house of prayer. I am stealing from myself. I can also drive the thieves out. I can listen to Jesus' words and respond to him. I can be mindful of my heart and mind. I can be more like St. Cecilia, whose feast we celebrate today. A martyr of Rome, she was said to have had a song to the Lord in her heart when she married. She's the patroness of music and musicians. Music, too, can be a prayer to fill my house with joy. My prayer today is to make my house a house of prayer, to make my litany of excuses into a litany of thankfulness and gratitude.
Description
Citation
Publisher
University Ministry, Creighton University.
License
These reflections may not be sold or used commercially without permission. Personal or parish use is permitted.
Journal
Volume
Issue
PubMed ID
DOI
Identifier
Lectionary Number: 501