Contemplative Prayer

Hello dear readers! Much has happened since I last wrote, three years ago. My first introductory article was written during my sophomore year at Thomas Aquinas College. Since then I’ve graduated, and am teaching in Phoenix. I really love this blog and have decided to return to writing again. I hope you will still have me!

I am so grateful for the education I received at Thomas Aquinas College. Most especially, the exposure to the Catholic faith that is so alive among the students and faculty. I have come to love the traditions, history, and culture of the Catholic faith ever more, as well as see the beauty of pursuing wisdom in the disciplines of the liberal arts as a Catholic intellectual.

 I have been challenged on occasion with difficulties of faith, but somehow the Holy Spirit has been there to steer me in the right direction, even though the way was dark. Last October, something happened in my life where I began to feel truly sorrowful for those who are searching for God, but just cannot seem to believe in Him, or find Him present in their lives. At this point, I wanted to console the heart of Jesus, and become part of His redemptive Passion in praying for these souls. I became immersed in the quest of contemplative prayer.

St. Teresa of Avila once said: “Let nothing disturb you. Let nothing frighten you. All things are passing. To him who has God, all is well. God alone suffices.” 

                                           

I began to wonder if it is possible to obtain a joyful serenity that does not change despite the worries and anxieties of the day. I wondered if through contemplative prayer, which really is nothing more than “an intimate sharing between friends...taking the time frequently to be alone with Him who we know loves us” (St. Teresa of Avila), one can, indeed, become so conscious of the presence and existence of God dwelling in one's soul. I have read that when we are able to maintain an attitude of prayer where we are completely receptive of grace from the Holy Spirit, we can truly be charitable towards God and our neighbors. Finally, that this is how we are able to evangelize and preach the gospel to those seeking God, for we would be so in love with Him that it would radiate and shine forth as a sort of sign to those around us of God’s love.

I plan to write a three part series of blogs sharing my discoveries of contemplative prayer. The first will mostly be a collection of notes based off of Fr. Dubay’s book called “Fire Within”. The second will be about other Carmelite saints, St. Therese of Liseux and St. Teresa of the Andes, and what they thought of prayer. The third will be about what I have encountered in my attempts of contemplative prayer. I am not very good at it, as I am new, but I can share what it has been like.

 My class' graduation quote was “If you are what you would be, you would set the whole world on fire.” (St. Catherine of Siena) I think it is neat to think that by simply taking the time to reflect, meditate, and really just listen to the Holy Spirit, we can be transformed by God’s love to love Him more, and to reflect His love to others. I do not know if the Lord calls everyone to pray in this way, but it seems like a beautiful way that all should try, for it allows one to be constantly  aware of the reality of the sacred that is present right now.

Painting:  http://www.wikipaintings.org/en/william-adolphe-bouguereau/prayer-1878