Throughout the centuries, the richness of our Christian faith has inspired an abundance of beautiful prayers. Most of us can recite many of them from memory.
Prayer is a loving dialogue: Sometimes we worship, give thanks, ask for things and share our thoughts with the Beloved One. Other times, we must listen with delight to the Beloved.
Without a doubt, the heart of our beloved Jesus is attuned to our joys, sufferings, desires and emotions. Without a doubt, he also wants us attuned to his heart, listening to what his divine heart holds.
The heart of Jesus is always listening with love and needs us to listen in this same manner — a dialogue between two loved ones instead of a monologue from a person in need.
Jesus has heard that we need healing from this dire pandemic. Now he needs us to hear that our pain draws us closer together, in solidary with each other.
He has heard that we are paralyzed by fear. Maybe now he needs to hear how we trust that he will never abandon us.
Jesus has already heard that many innocent people have died. Now he likely needs us to hear that the suffering of the just redeems us.
He surely has heard that we are exhausted and about to give up. Now he only needs us to hear that, for centuries, he has patiently waited and has had faith in humanity.
Jesus has heard that we know he is the creator of all things, and at any time, he can set them right. Now he needs us to accept responsibility for the intelligence we possess and the freedom to put it into action in our world.
Jesus has often heard that if he is love, why does he allow pain? He only needs us to hear that pain can exist without love, but not one act of love comes without pain.
On our feet, seated, or on our knees, let’s prepare our hearts to listen to Jesus’ heart. His heart will speak loudly but tenderly, telling us he seeks to find in our hearts an oasis where he can rest and refresh himself. In me, he should find a heart like his, not looking for its own good, but one that wants everyone to discover that he is the living water which satisfies our thirst.
If we are attentive and listen with our hearts, we will only need to say “Father,” so that it resonates in the depths of our interior, “son.” In this way, we will develop an intimate dialogue with the Creator, and nothing will shake our trust in his will.
Jesus said that God the Father knows what we need before we ask him (Matthew 6:8). Mary was a good listener and therefore responded to the call of her God. Listening to God, we discover the plans of love he has for each one of us, we can share his joys and pains and, like the disciples on the way to Emmaus, our hearts will burn in that intimate conversation between the human and the divine.
Northwest Catholic — June/July 2022