Since we begin our new Sunday Series today, and this first season focuses on How to Pray, let’s take a moment to consider one of Catholicism’s shortest prayers: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
I wonder how many of us have breezed right through that prayer, focused perhaps on a longer one to follow or secretly glad that it’s short enough to endure without a lot of introspection. Indeed, I wonder how many of us can flick past it like our prayers are under the remote-control power of someone (my husband?) comfortably ensconced in a well-worn recliner: “There it is!” Blink. “And there it goes!” I know I have done that.
And of course, we should cut it out. Because even when we’re feeling La-Z, and especially when we’re in the midst of any kind of struggle, we can take great solace in the gift of this simple, profound prayer. It reminds us of some mighty important truths:
- Someone else is in charge. (Not us! Phew!)
- That Someone is an all-powerful, eternal God who by His trinitarian nature exposes His ultimate purpose for us: membership in a divine, all-loving community. We are made for love. And we are eternally loved by Love Himself.
- The trinitarian Creator-God (from before Eden’s beginning) and the three-fold God of our Heaventime (the world-without-end One) is the SAME God who is extremely present to us right now. Today. In the middle of our fear, sadness, pain, mess, and confusion. In every current heartbeat, every breath, our Glorious God IS! Right now. Right here. Hallelujah!
So, let’s pray that little prayer like it’ll never go out of style. ‘Cause it won’t. Amen?
Marian Bart
Evangelization Coordinator
P.S. Attention Missionary Outreach Team Members! If you are already committed or you are newly curious about reaching out to our neighbors to share the love of Jesus, please meet with Rob Moilanen on any or all upcoming Sundays after Mass and/or Thursdays at 5:30 in Room A. Starting today! Some folks will then “hit the streets” and some will pray by the tabernacle or from home. This season will wrap up at the end of October when the chill gets chillier and the evenings darken quicker. Please contact Rob directly for more information or connect with him through Marian at 313-865-6300.