22 Jun
Mon
12th Week in Ordinary Time
Gen. 12:1-9
Ps. 32(33):12-13,18-19,20,22
Mt. 7:1-5
(Ps Wk IV)
How To Pray With Shalom
Home Page of Shalom
Index of This Month
 

Spiritual masters sometimes speak about "inner space" and "outer space." "Outer space" is narrowly or widely, the world in which we live. "Inner space" is essentially the disposition of our hearts. If our "outer space" is very noisy, troubled, ugly, our hearts too will easily become very troubled, filled with much noise and ugliness.

Spiritual formation best takes place in quiet, tranquil, beautiful, inspiring surroundings. Such formation expands our "inner space". We can then with tranquillity and peace go back to the troubled outer space in which we most frequently live and serve. From our "inner space" we can draw upon resources of tranquillity and strength to become better instruments of the Gospel and to integrate more firmly our work for faith, justice, peace and harmony in our very broken world.

Jesus does not speak in terms of "inner space" and "outer space": we borrow these terms from elsewhere. However, in his own terms of "judging" and "being judged", "measure", "speck and plank" Jesus is teaching us something similar. The outer circumstances and relationships of our world, whether immediate or more widespread, do exercise much influence on the dispositions of our hearts and minds.



Lord Jesus, by the light of your truth, lead us to deeper spiritual experiences that we may be instruments of change and hope in our world.

DAILY OFFERING
Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.

PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
INTENTION
That International attention towards the poorer countries may give rise to more concrete help, in particular to relieve them of the crushing burden of foreign debt.
Elaboration

- END -


© Copyright Shalom 2009. All rights reserved.