Today’s Readings:
Isaiah 40:25-31
Psalm 103:1-4, 8, 10
Matthew 11:28-30
In this part of the world, the words that follow “Good Morning” are “I hope you slept well?” Sleep is one of the most delightful and healthy activities in life. When you can enter into a deep and refreshing sleep, you are strong and ready for a new day. The opposite is also true. When you grow restless and find it hard to sleep, you can suffer numerous ill effects, especially when a lack of healthy sleep becomes the norm.
Our souls crave rest as much as our bodies. For many people, “spiritual rest” is something foreign. The spiritual routine usually involves saying a few prayers each week, attending Mass, or even making a holy hour. This is only the beginner’s level. You have to enter into a form of prayer that is deep and transforming to experience the interior spiritual rest you need.
The first step in deep prayer is to recognize the noise in your environment and detoxify. We are often daily bombarded with the lies of the evil one, the hostility of a growing secularized culture and an assault on our senses through the numerous forms of media we daily digest (content that encourages the worship of money and showing of "bum bum"). These and many other things we encounter every day have the effect of wearing us down interiorly on a spiritual level. As a result, we need the spiritual refreshment that comes only from our Lord.
The second step is to recognize and accept your challenges. Each day we often face spiritual hardships and challenges, such as temptations, confusion, disappointments, anger and rejection. Such challenges are bound to come and we should be prepared for them.
The third step is to wilfully surrender yourself in prayer, recognizing that God alone can heal and transform your life. This is only possible if we heed Christ’s invitation to come to Him with every fibre of our being, surrendering to Him all that we are and all that we encounter each day.
Jesus’ invitation in today’s Gospel to “Come to me…” This is an invitation to become transformed, interiorly. Take to heart the words of Isaiah the Prophet: “The Lord is an everlasting God… He gives strength to the weary, he strengthens the powerless. Young people may grow tired and weary, and youths may stumble, but those who hope in the Lord renew their strength, they put out wings like eagles. They run and do not grow weary, walk and never tire” (40:28-31). You shall receive a renewal of strength today through Christ our Lord. Amen.
JUDE-MARY OWOH
To surrender your life to Christ, say this prayer aloud: Father, thank you for Jesus Christ. Forgive my sins, take control of my heart and lead me in your righteous path by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Thank You, Lord. Congratulations! Prayerfully look for a living church and report to the resident pastor or priest.
Prayer:
I surrender my being to You, everlasting God. Help me to realise when I am running low on grace, keep me close to You and lead me to that true rest which my soul desires. Amen.
May the LORD deliver you from all that troubles and burdens you, fill you with the peaceful presence of the Holy Spirit and meet you at every point of your need. Amen.
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