Sometimes my mind is too tired or distracted to engage in detailed meditations during prayer time. I look for a simple image to focus on that will bring me into God’s presence and still my scattered thoughts. One of my favorite images is fire. I can easily imagine red flames in the dark. I think of the flames as God’s love, burning away my sins and attachments as I submit to Him.
The other day while praying in this way, I began to think of Elijah’s sacrifice on Mt. Carmel. Do you remember the story?
Elijah2“Then Elijah said to the people, ‘I, even I only, am left a prophet of the Lord; but Baal’s prophets are four hundred and fifty men. Let two bulls be given to us; and let them choose one bull for themselves, and cut it in pieces and lay it on the wood, but put no fire to it; and I will prepare the other bull and lay it on the wood, and put no fire to it. And you call on the name of your god and I will call on the name of the Lord; and the God who answers by fire, he is God.’ And all the people answered, ‘It is well spoken.’” (1 Kings 18:22-24)
The prophets of Baal, not surprisingly, got no answer from their false god, no matter what they did. Then it was Elijah’s turn.
Read more: http://spiritualdirection.com/2014/11/26/god-turns-sinners-into-saints
What a wonderful story of Elijah, a vividly powerful example of the power of God. Thank you!
You’re welcome, Connie!
I am reminded of something Christian philosopher Soren Kierkegaard (1813-1855) wrote:
“God creates out of nothing. Wonderful you say. Yes, to be sure. But he does what is still more wonderful: he makes saints out of sinners.”
Interesting. Thanks for the quote, Paul.
Wow! Praise be to God!
Thank you, Connie, for sharing your wisdom with us all.
I am praying for ways to share this to inspire a love for the sacraments in the little second graders I teach…and their parents.
I am so sad that somehow it all seems so unimportant to them… I don’t know how to pour my intense love for the sacraments into them, though I suspect the answer lies in more prayer and sacrifice for them.
Any suggestions you might have?
HD
Children love stories. I would share with them some stories about the Eucharist, such as The Weight of a Mass by Josephine Nobisso and the story of Bl. Imelda Lamertini, patron saint of first communicants. Also, to connect Our Lord’s Passion to the Eucharist as much as you can. Read about and discuss His suffering and death and teach your students that this great loving act of Jesus comes to us in the Eucharist. When we prepare our hearts to lovingly receive Him, we are responding to the love He showed in dying for us. Your enthusiasm should helps some, but of course the best help for them would be enthusiastic parents. God bless your efforts.
Thank you, Connie. You are absolutely right about the use of stories, and the focus as well. King of the Golden City is another excellent one, although best read at home due to the length. Thank you much for the reminder.