The last year of my life has taken me on an interesting journey, with highs and lows and some struggles to work through or better yet, to try to surrender to God. In this journey I have fell upon some interesting religious and spiritual teachers, some Catholic and some not. What is interesting is that they all have the same powerful message and oddly enough (not knowing this at the time of my first reading and study) they actually often quote or refer to one another. This has lead me to believe that I did not fall on these individuals randomly, but perhaps through God's will. Their message is simple, stay in the present moment. Through their teachings on staying in the present moment, they talk about one's ego and the false sense we have of ourselves, how this can distract us with worries and things we think we should be. In the end, realizing that all we have is the present and the rest to some extend is an illusion of the mind in our past and future thinking, can lead us to state of peace, love and consciousness--simply being. That we can still be productive in the present, but not a slave to the past or future.
In my morning mediation, I reflected on a message from Our Lady in Medjugorje. In this message she states:
"Dear children, sometimes you oppress your hearts with certain matters, but this is not necessary. Sometimes you are frightened by this or that, but again, why do you need that? Who is with Jesus need not fear. Do not worry or be anxious about what will happen tomorrow or a few years from now. Abandon yourselves to Jesus, for only that way can you be the faithful sheep that follow their Shepherd."
Again, sometimes we fall upon things and it is simply not random that we do so. I felt that these words were speaking directly to me and perhaps I need to read this message at the start of each day and then again at the end. Perhaps these words will also speak directly to you too. Being present is what Christ calls us to do, he does not call us to be stuck in the past or hurrying to the future. In the present we can just be, taking one moment at a time, being healed one step at a time.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank you for the present moment. Help me not to give away this gift you've given me today. Amen.
Citation:
Beyer, Richard. (1993). Medjugorje Day by Day. Notre Dame, IN: Ave Maria Press.
The journey of surrender can be a long one indeed, beginning with one step at a time. To live in the present moment is both gift and grace.
ReplyDeleteOur Lady's message brings to mind a Gospel passage, "do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? “Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? Matthew 6: 25-26
God bless
Hi DG. Thank you for your thoughts. I have that passage from Matthew tagged and refer to it often. The daily prayer book from Medjugorje also mentions this passage in various reflections--I think it is because like so many of her messages she is trying to keep us mindful of trusting in her son.
ReplyDeleteI think we should think of this passage alot since we all fall into the category of being afraid. Fear brings on many things good and bad. If we truly trust in Jesus then we leave our fears with Him. But it is hard to let go!!
ReplyDelete