On these Sundays, school is definitely in session. Thanks to Luke's Gospel, the curriculum is expanding to include so far mission, love and prayer. It is a school on life well lived, thus nourishing the soul. Prayer sounds a bit dry or obtuse? Well, no way, for I picked up my textbook and read:
"There is no life without prayer. Without prayer, there is only madness and horror."
Now that is definitely not boring.
I was enlivened to be affirmed in believing that prayer is much more than reciting words. It goes much further and deeper to our being the prayer. St Francis of Assisi said - "We should seek not so much to pray but to become prayer".
Prayer is life. It is grasped with passion, with the passion we have for life. If we have no passion, our life will be dry and dull. The school of Luke is about giving us that passion for life and for continuing life, full steam ahead . It is about never giving up, never believing the best days are over, for the next adventure awaits. .Failure is part of life but does not direct life for, after the failure, we get on with the next challenge. Prayer is all part of this as it builds up our strength and nourishes our life, as it is meant to be - lived with God and for the other.
Listen to the wisdom of the Desert Fathers and Mothers.
"When talking about prayer, it is about the struggle. Life is a struggle. And we are immersed in that struggle, as we immerse ourselves more and more in prayer. ... God demands everything from us. ... Do you wish to be saved when you die? Go and exhaust yourself, go and labour. .... The present age is not a time for rest and sleep, but is a struggle, a combat, a voyage. Therefore, you must exert yourself and not be downcast and idle. ... Nothing comes without effort. The help of God is always ready and always near."
The curriculum is definitely expansive and life giving.
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