Preparing For Our Time of Preparation on This 23rd Sunday after Pentecost

On this 23rd Sunday after Pentecost, we continue last Sunday's push to prepare for Advent. Since Advent itself is a time of preparation, it seems we're preparing for our preparation - or something like that.

In any case, it is Sunday, and, as such, Holy Mass takes its place center stage. And we have a respite from our usual worldly tasks - certainly from servile labor, in the case of those whose servile labor is not necessary for the common good.

What's necessary? One of our sons is a police officer. Sundays are typical work days, with some exceptions. Maybe you have a job that requires you to work on some or all Sundays and that job provides for the security and sufficiency of your family. But besides such necessary work, the rest of us - the vast majority - may need to remind ourselves that this is the Lord's Day, with the addition of one of the Ten Commandments: Keep Holy the Lord's Day.

(Read the Old Testament and you can't miss that message, and how seriously God considers this obligation.)

Of course, in our post-Christian secular world, those who live in the 'burbs may be taking kids to various team sports. One may ask why the powers that be don't recognize Sunday for what it is and refuse to schedule these on Sunday. Ask if you wish; but we already know it won't do any good. It's the way of our world in these times in which we were placed on this earth by our Loving Father.

So be it.

And, of course, those of us who work long and hard during the week, perhaps even on Saturday, may find that Sunday is the only time to get "essential" shopping done (read: food, and other necessities). 

What about domestic stuff like outdoor work, inside home improvements (for those with such skills)? Any ideas our there? Is that considered servile labor?

But whatever our circumstances and our practices, here we are on this 23rd Sunday after Pentecost, steadily creeping up on Advent. We can - really should, no? - make some time for the Lord on His Day. Sure, Mass. But some extra time for prayer, meditation, reading Scripture, spiritual reading - especially if we don't have these as part of our daily routine. 

And maybe we perform these with attention and devotion such that our efforts will bear fruit in this coming Advent. If so, we will surely be better armed to resist the secular hoop-la we discussed last Sunday.

For today, let's access some instruction regarding mental prayer - i.e. meditation. If we're not in the habit, why not give it a shot? This instruction will give you a feel for it. If we are in the habit and it seems that we've hit a kind of "dry" wall, this instruction may be just the antidote to relieve us of any anxiety or despondency that may cause us to give up our efforts.

(If we can't get serious about our spiritual life on Sunday, then when?)

“The exercise of mental prayer, whether it be infused or not, is ordinarily broken by periodic intervals of dryness, darkness, and temptation. At such times the soul must not be guided by sentiment, but persevere quietly in her efforts, even though she perceive no results. The will, by this means, acquires a singular energy and gives to God the most genuine proof of its love. In difficult circumstances like this, the soul must be very determined, must give the full time to prayer, and unite herself to Jesus Christ in the Garden of Olives. Those who remain faithful, in spite of distractions, aridities, and interior troubles, surmount one of the greatest difficulties of the spiritual life. In these trials it is better not to complain overmuch, even to our Lord, about one’s powerlessness, but repeat to Him, even though it requires great effort, the habitual acts of love, abandonment, and humble prayer. It does not matter in the least how we feel, as long as Jesus is satisfied.

“Mental prayer thus understood, is within the reach of every soul of good will, no matter how special her difficulties may be. Every soul aided by grace, which is never wanting, can unite herself directly with God, by a simple act of the will. And any soul, by humble prayer, of which she is always capable, can, by degrees, dispose her will to adhere still more closely to God. If it pleases His Sovereign Majesty to make you accomplish the journey to the summit of prayer on foot, and by the long and winding path of dry prayer, follow Him confidently, for in leading you thus, God secures more humility for you and more glory for His providence. He could easily take you in His arms, but that would deprive Him of the pleasure of witnessing your heroic constancy. He would especially be deprived of the intense personal joy of lifting you up when you fall, consoling you in your depression, and pardoning you your inevitable faults.” (Fr. Joseph Schryvers, C.SS.R.)

Happy 23rd Sunday after Pentecost!