Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed. (Mt 8:8)
This confession and request of a Roman centurion we speak at every mass before taking communion. Not only those dependent on us, but ourselves included. Oh, that i had such unshakable faith! I remember my time in the military, when one did what one was ordered to do. No room for discussion, even if there was plenty of grumbling. But if the order came from the Creator, Life-giver, Universal King, Love itself? Why would i not do as commanded? Why would i grumble? Is there anything asked of me that i am not able to do? God is not telling me to dig a latrine ... He is telling me to love Love and love all mankind. And yet, i find myself unworthy because of the Self that says 'no, that's not in our own interest'. The ego that whispers 'Are you crazy? You've worked so hard to get where you are and now you what to give it up? And what about all those dependent on you? Are you going to disappoint them? Abandon them? That's not love! Better not even think of changing the recipe! You know better!'
Zen Buddhist teaching stresses 'emptiness'. Quite simply, if ones cup is full, there is no room for anything else. In this case, the cup (or chalice) is full of ego. If our mind is full of its Self, then there is no room for caring, no room to respond adequately to the problems of other's around us. Like the Roman officer, if we care about those with whom we are charged to protect, our own chalice cannot be full. When our own chalice is empty we can fill it again and again and again and thus be present for many of those around us. Be empty. Be filled.
O my God, Trinity whom i adore, help me forget myself entirely so to establish myself in you, unmovable and peaceful as if my soul were already in eternity. May nothing be able to trouble my peace or make me leave you, O my unchanging God, but may each minute bring me more deeply into your mystery! Grant my soul peace. Make it your heaven, your beloved dwelling and the place of your rest. May i never abandon you there, but may I be there, whole and entire, completely vigilant in my faith, entirely adoring, and wholly given over to your creative action. (Prayer of Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity)
Oremus:
I pray the prayer of the Blessed Elizabeth, that i can forget myself entirely and let you fill me with peace. I pray for the resolution and vigilance to never abandon you that i too, may share in your creative action for the benefit of my brothers and sisters and this glorious world. Amen
Deo gratias.
This confession and request of a Roman centurion we speak at every mass before taking communion. Not only those dependent on us, but ourselves included. Oh, that i had such unshakable faith! I remember my time in the military, when one did what one was ordered to do. No room for discussion, even if there was plenty of grumbling. But if the order came from the Creator, Life-giver, Universal King, Love itself? Why would i not do as commanded? Why would i grumble? Is there anything asked of me that i am not able to do? God is not telling me to dig a latrine ... He is telling me to love Love and love all mankind. And yet, i find myself unworthy because of the Self that says 'no, that's not in our own interest'. The ego that whispers 'Are you crazy? You've worked so hard to get where you are and now you what to give it up? And what about all those dependent on you? Are you going to disappoint them? Abandon them? That's not love! Better not even think of changing the recipe! You know better!'
Zen Buddhist teaching stresses 'emptiness'. Quite simply, if ones cup is full, there is no room for anything else. In this case, the cup (or chalice) is full of ego. If our mind is full of its Self, then there is no room for caring, no room to respond adequately to the problems of other's around us. Like the Roman officer, if we care about those with whom we are charged to protect, our own chalice cannot be full. When our own chalice is empty we can fill it again and again and again and thus be present for many of those around us. Be empty. Be filled.
O my God, Trinity whom i adore, help me forget myself entirely so to establish myself in you, unmovable and peaceful as if my soul were already in eternity. May nothing be able to trouble my peace or make me leave you, O my unchanging God, but may each minute bring me more deeply into your mystery! Grant my soul peace. Make it your heaven, your beloved dwelling and the place of your rest. May i never abandon you there, but may I be there, whole and entire, completely vigilant in my faith, entirely adoring, and wholly given over to your creative action. (Prayer of Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity)
Oremus:
I pray the prayer of the Blessed Elizabeth, that i can forget myself entirely and let you fill me with peace. I pray for the resolution and vigilance to never abandon you that i too, may share in your creative action for the benefit of my brothers and sisters and this glorious world. Amen
Deo gratias.
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