From the time I was a child, I've prayed the Hail Mary and Our Father. Through the years I've added some more prayers to my repertoire and increased my devotions to Our Lady and other saints. I put my Guardian Angel to work a lot. But, I've come realize something.
Where's Jesus in the mix?
When I say prayers directed toward God, it typically means in my mind, God the Father. I ask the intercession of Our Lady and the saints A LOT. I pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy more than I say the Rosary. Prior to having kids, I tried to make it to Mass on First Fridays. At Adoration I typically pray the chaplet and the rosary, but don't specifically focus on Jesus. Jesus seems to be kind of distant.
Maybe this is because I have always been taught to go to Jesus through Mary. Petition the saints with my prayers because they can bend the ear of our Lord better than I can. I don't know if others have experienced this. Is it a result of my Catholic upbringing or is it just me?
I think that will be my goal this Christmas season. Develop a better relationship with Jesus. Place Him where he should be and not bother Him with my whining or petitions.
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May Thy Heart dwell always in our hearts!
May Thy Blood ever flow in the veins of our souls!
O sun of our hearts, Thou givest life to all things by the rays of Thy goodness!
I will not go until Thy Heart has strengthened me, O Lord Jesus!
May the Heart of Jesus be the King of my heart!
Blessed be God. Amen.
St. Francis de Sales
8 comments:
I used to feel this same distance. Don't worry, keep up your devotion to Mary and she will bring you to her Son. Also, I find it VERY helpful to think of Christ the King. Imagine Him seated on a throne and dressed at the greatest King and just bow down in spirit before Him. We can relate easier I think to a King than to God because we are so much "of the flesh" Let me know if this helps!
Thanks, Sanctus. It does help. I think there is some work to be done on my end since Jesus certainly is available 24/7. Think I need to slow my life down, way down. Very hard with the kids! My favorite short prayer during the day is "Jesus I trust in You," but the mental visual you mention should help.
just wanted to drop by and wish you a happy thanksgiving!
"My favorite short prayer during the day is "Jesus I trust in You," but the mental visual you mention should help."
This (<--click) is my favorite Divine Mercy image. Oh, btw, I've found that a good headache cure is to picture myself being embraced by Jesus.
Vincenzo:
I like that image too.
I'll have to try your cure for a headache...sounds very "holistic." Anything without drugs is good!
When I first returned to the Church 5 years ago I was pretty terrified of God the Father. Mary was a lot easier to relate to (mother, woman, etc.)Plus she looks so pretty in holy cards LOL. But a funny thing happened...after a couple of years and being restored to the Sacraments after my anulment, I realized I was thinking about Mary a lot less...and about Jesus a LOT more! Like Sanctus said...Mary WILL lead you to her son.
When I pray the Rosary I try to make it more a meditation on Jesus than Mary's part in the mystery. Also reading the Gospels helps to come to know Jesus better. And of course Adoration when you can get to it.
Thanks, Angela. I am taking a bible study right now on the Gospel of St. Matthew, but think I approach it more intellectually than spiritually. Will have to try your suggestion of meditating more on Jesus, which I do in the Chaplet of Diving Mercy, but am just going through a spiritual valley it seems. Probably due to neglect on my part. I've gotten out of the habit of a few things I had been doing. I need to get back up on the horse!
One frequent prayer is the Glory Be. It also has the added benefit of being short and sweet. Also when I'm having trials a short "Help me, Jesus, help me." seems to work best.
BTW, for me, a strong intellectual component is useful too. I never have wavered in faith, but have examined it from every angle, including intellectually. I'm not surprised you think along those same lines either.
Karen
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