SPIRITUALITY 101
SPIRITUAL REFLECTION- 101
Deacon Jim Breazile o.c.d.s.

SPIRITUALITY 101 SPIRITUAL REFLECTION- 101 Deacon Jim Breazile o.c.d.s. A is a young man who had a terrible struggle within his soul. He was tempted by many appetites, and responded to most. He had sorrow for his sins, and on a regular basis would confess them and receive absolution, Within a short time however, he would return to the very same sins for which he has vowed to avoid. He was about to despair when he decided to seek help. He shared his problem with a good friend whom he knew to have a good relationship with the Lord. After listening to the lad, his friend gave him this counsel. "It is important for you to realize that the Lord wants you to avoid these sins even more than you wish to avoid them. He loved you enough to send His only Son to die on the cross in order that your sins be forgiven and that you be strengthened against sin. He will extend His grace to you in your moment of temptation if you simply remember to speak His name. When you feel even the slightest thought or inclination toward a temptation simply speak His name in reverence and you can overcome all temptations." The young man took this advice to heart. When he felt temptation rise within him, he simply would say "My Father, help me!" This happened often, as he had been many habits of thought and actions that led him to temptation, soon he was saying "My Father, help me!" from hour-to-hour and minute-to-minute. It then became a continuous prayer impressed in his mind through repetition. If you see this young man, you will know him by his wisdom, peacefulness, gentleness and goodness. He is a saint who lives near you. You won't see his lips move, but you will know that he is in constant conversation with his Father who is helping him. We may wish to do the same. 

DEVOTION - Growth in love- 3rd stage 
DEVOTIONALS- MEDITATION-SACRAMENTALS-THE ROSARY-28 
OUR FATHER-4 

"Hallowed be thy name," continues the Lord's Prayer. This represents the first petition of the prayer. It is a contrasted to the second commandment, "You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain," (Exodus 20:7). Gods name is Holy, and must be treated as such. To speak His name is in itself a holy act. At the speaking of the name of His Son Jesus, "every knee should bend, of those i heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:10-11)

Before the earth was created, the Almighty God reigned supreme with only Angels to sing His raises and to adore Him. With the creation of the visible world, God extended and manifested His powers and glory into what he had created. When we contemplate Gods creation we find ample reason to give him praise and glory for having created us with an intellect and a will that would allow us to see the qualities of His nature within His creation. We rarely hear the word "hallowed," used in modern day conversation. Usually it is applied to ground that is made holy or sacred for the burial of our loved ones. Saint's are "hallowed," because they have become holy by the cooperation of their will with the grace of God. Thus we pray that God as a person will remain holy in the minds and hearts of his people and that his name will be used with recognition of Who He is, and with reverence.

It is important that these words be more than just a part of a prayer. They must take root in our hearts and from there grow into a deep abiding knowledge of His presence in all things and in all time. Through this recognition we become more aware of the respect admiration and love of which God is deserving. Through this constant awareness, reflection on the petition, "Hallowed be His name," is particularly significance in nurturing the virtues infused in us through sanctifying grace.

As we recognize the growth of the virtues in our lives, we find ourselves sometimes being surprised by our actions. When we would have been humiliated by some action or situation, we find that our ability to accept the circumstances with humility. When we would normally be called to anger by an accusation or a betrayal, we find that we are more likely to exhibit love and forgiveness. These changes may take place within us so gradually that they are hardly noticeable, and others will take notice of them before we ourselves become aware.

A more noticeable change takes place however, that we will be much aware of. We will find ourselves praising God in our mind, and in our speech. It is only through our virtuous actions that others will come to know our Lord. Matthew (4:16) writes, "Your light must shine before others that they may see your good deeds and glorify you heavenly Father."

NEW CATHOLIC CATECHISM 
ARTICLE NO. 1073 

The liturgy is also a participation in Christ's own prayer addressed to the Father in the Holy spirit. In the liturgy, all Christian prayer finds its source and goal. Through the liturgy the inner man is rooted and grounded in "the great love with which [the Father] loved us" in his beloved Son (Eph. 2:4; 3:16-17). It is the same "marvelous work of God" that is lived and internalized by all prayer, "at all times in the Spirit." (Eph. 6:18) 

ROOTED IN LOVE
Deacon Jim Breazile o.c.d.s.

In Holy Spirit we join our prayer
With Christ who made us grateful heir 
Of Fathers love in which we share 
And bring ourselves into His care 
To celebrate the grace we bear

The Father sent a friendship gift 
To provide basis to repair the rift 
Within our selves set adrift 
In need of Church's Holy shrift 
He give His Son our souls to lift

His love is our life's goal and source 
We are grounded in its gentle force 
Implanted in His gentle course 
Rooted in Love is our resource 
His plenteous gift which we introrce 
And in our prayers expunge remorse

Ó2001 DR. JAMES E. BREAZILE, deacon 
JOHN PAUL EVANGELIST OCDS