Monday, October 13, 2008 (No. 35)
Why Pray?
Blessed are the pure of heart, for they will see God. (Matthew 5:8)
In the movie, The Passion of the Christ, there is a scene where Jesus remembers washing his hands before the Last Supper. The camera pulls in close on his hands as he dips them into the bowl of water and then shifts into slow motion as he gives one gentle flick to shake the water off before reaching for a towel. What a powerful symbol of purification and of baptism.
As a response to that one scene, coupled with the Beatitude above, came this prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ,
purify my heart so that I may see You,
so that I may see You in others,
and so that others may see You in me.
The more I pray this prayer, the more I am convinced that the last line is the most important.
Help me Jesus,
that what I ask of You,
I will give to others,
Mercy, both in word and deed.
Keep hope alive. Dare to trust. Surrender to grace.
Our Lady of Mercy, pray for us.
