Above all, trust in the slow work of God.We are quite naturally impatient in everything to reach the end without delay.
We would like to skip the intermediate stages. We are impatient of being on the way to something unknown, something new.
And yet, it is the law of all progress that it is made by passing through some stages of instability - and that it may take a very long time.
And so I think it is with you; your ideas mature gradually - let them grow, let them shape themselves, without undue haste.
Don't try to force them on, as though you could be today what time, (that is to say, grace and circumstances acting on your own good will) will make of you tomorrow.
Only God could say what this new spirit gradually forming in you will be.
Give our Lord the benefit of believing that his hand is leading you, and accept the anxiety of feeling yourself in suspense and incomplete.
John Predmore, S.J., is a USA East Province Jesuit and was the pastor of Jordan's English language parish. He teaches art and directs BC High's adult spiritual formation programs. Formerly a retreat director in Gloucester, Massachusetts. Ignatian Spirituality is given through guided meditations, weekend-, 8-day, and 30-day Retreats based on The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Ignatian Spirituality serves the contemporary world as people strive to develop a friendship with God.
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I quoted this prayer on my blog as a way of understanding the complex mix of affirmations and sometimes humorous realities.
ReplyDeletethanks for having this on the web!
www.janicemcwilliams.com
Gotta love Teilhard. This prayer is a favorite of many. It in insightful. John
DeletePerfect prayer for my life right now.
ReplyDeletePray for us Teilhard.
Judy
Good. I'm glad it works for you, Judy. I think it is terrific.
DeleteThank you Fr John for this wonderful prayer. I sometimes think about how we often think more about our destination in the places we travel, and forget about enjoying the journey. God wants us to walk with upright hearts, for He gave us His Only Son for our Salvation. I firmly believe that while on earth, we will never truly know the beauty of this gift. Our human faculties cloud our minds from this incredible reality, but it should never hinder us from passionately responding with pure gratitude. Jesus asks us to bring this message to our broken world, and it is through this commission that we make a true difference…in our homes, our churches, our communities and in the world. Praise Jesus!!!
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