Final Thougts on "A Morning Resolve"
Sorry this took so long, but here are my final thoughts on this wonderful prayer.
Remember "ora et labora"? That's what St Benedict's monks do and what we should do every day: pray and work. That should be the bulk of the day. What else could be more important?
To supplement our efforts at prayer and work, you should study and exercise. Study builds and strengthens the mind; exercise does the same for the body. We are created body and soul, in the image and likeness of God. Take care of yourself. Your Father - the Father who created you out of love, who had no need to create you and no need to sustain you except that He is Love and so created you strictly because He loves you. Don't disappoint Him and let your mind and body get run down or - worse - go to waste.
Eating and sleep come with the territory of having a physical body. Without food and rest, we'd fall apart. And while it's always good to mortify yourself during the day from time to time, don't be excessive in your mortifications. There's no point to that. Be moderate. If you're not sure what this means, ask you spiritual director if you have one. If you don't have one and feel the need for clarification, get one.
If you pray, work, study, exercise, eat and sleep guided by the light of the Holy Spirit, you'll be doing just fine.
And don't rely on yourself is all this. Don't use your prayer and work life to build up your ego and start thinking you're a tough guy who relies on himself and doesn't need anyone else, just because you lead a disciplined life. Forget that, or you'll wind up overwhelmed by pride - and "with pride goeth the fall," as the saying goes.
Keep asking God for strength to persist, to do all you can with moderation and without ego. Don't look in the mirror for your source of strength. Keep your eye on God and not yourself.
One image I like is something I learned from former pro baseball player, Mike Sweeney (who learned it from someone else). Think of your daily efforts as riding a bicycle built for two, where Jesus sits up front and steers and you sit behind and just peddle. Peddle like crazy, work until your exhausted if that's appropriate some days. Just always let Jesus lead.
After today, we're going to look at how to plan for next year. Keep "A Morning Resolve" handy. You'll see why as we go through our planning for next year. (Yes, it's time to start already!)
In particular I will try to be faithful in those habits of prayer, work, study, physical exercise, eating, and sleep which I believe the Holy Spirit has shown me to be right.
And as I cannot in my own strength do this, nor even with a hope of success attempt it, I look to thee, O Lord God my Father, in Jesus my Savior, and ask for the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Remember "ora et labora"? That's what St Benedict's monks do and what we should do every day: pray and work. That should be the bulk of the day. What else could be more important?
To supplement our efforts at prayer and work, you should study and exercise. Study builds and strengthens the mind; exercise does the same for the body. We are created body and soul, in the image and likeness of God. Take care of yourself. Your Father - the Father who created you out of love, who had no need to create you and no need to sustain you except that He is Love and so created you strictly because He loves you. Don't disappoint Him and let your mind and body get run down or - worse - go to waste.
Eating and sleep come with the territory of having a physical body. Without food and rest, we'd fall apart. And while it's always good to mortify yourself during the day from time to time, don't be excessive in your mortifications. There's no point to that. Be moderate. If you're not sure what this means, ask you spiritual director if you have one. If you don't have one and feel the need for clarification, get one.
If you pray, work, study, exercise, eat and sleep guided by the light of the Holy Spirit, you'll be doing just fine.
And don't rely on yourself is all this. Don't use your prayer and work life to build up your ego and start thinking you're a tough guy who relies on himself and doesn't need anyone else, just because you lead a disciplined life. Forget that, or you'll wind up overwhelmed by pride - and "with pride goeth the fall," as the saying goes.
Keep asking God for strength to persist, to do all you can with moderation and without ego. Don't look in the mirror for your source of strength. Keep your eye on God and not yourself.
One image I like is something I learned from former pro baseball player, Mike Sweeney (who learned it from someone else). Think of your daily efforts as riding a bicycle built for two, where Jesus sits up front and steers and you sit behind and just peddle. Peddle like crazy, work until your exhausted if that's appropriate some days. Just always let Jesus lead.
After today, we're going to look at how to plan for next year. Keep "A Morning Resolve" handy. You'll see why as we go through our planning for next year. (Yes, it's time to start already!)
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