If we do not pray, perhaps we
will be good pastoral and spiritual entrepreneurs, but the Church without
prayer becomes an NGO, it does not have that unctio Sancti Spiritu. Prayer is
the first step, because it is opening oneself to the Lord to be able to open up
to others. It is the Lord that says, “Go here, go there, do this ...”, you will
be inspired by the creativity that cost many saints a lot. Think of Blessed
Antonio Rosmini, who wrote The Five Wounds of the Church, he was a creative
critic because he prayed. He wrote that which the Spirit made him feel. For
this, he entered into a spiritual prison, that is in his house: he could not
speak, he could not teach, he could not write…. Today, he is Blessed! Many
times creativity takes you to the cross. But when it comes from prayer, it
bears fruit. Not creativity that is a little sans façon and revolutionary,
because today it is fashionable to be a revolutionary; no, this is not of the
Spirit. But when creativity comes from the Spirit and is born in prayer. It can
bring you problems. The creativity that comes from prayer has an
anthropological dimension of transcendence, because through prayer you open
yourself to the transcendent, to God.
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.
Amen! Prayer is an essential ingredient in our relationship with God. Prayer comes before action. Pope Francis brings us back to the very basics of our faith.
ReplyDeleteMay more people learn how to pray in a way that is satisfying for them.
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