"Thus says the LORD: Just as from the heavens the rain and snow come down and do not return there till they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, giving seed to the one who sows and bread to the one who eats, so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it." - Isaiah 55: 10-11
This week, my parish is hosting it's Lenten Mission, with our special guest Fr. Oscar Lukefahr, a Vincentian Priest and director of the Catholic Home Study Service, from Perryville, Missouri. He has a pretty decent series of books, and this week he is concentrating on prayer, based on his book We Pray. (See books from Fr. Luke) Like a faithful Missourian, Fr. Luke shared a quote last night from Mark Twain: "It's amazing what God lets man get away with, when lightning is so cheap." Aside from the usual, and very genuine laughter that follows the utterance of any Twain quotation, this one made me say out loud, "That's fantastic!"
In a spirit of understanding the nature of prayer, my God has given us many examples to follow in this life of ours. Christ himself, offered us his own prayer, calling on "Our Father", praising His name, and thanking him for our "daily bread", asking Him for strength in the face of temptation, and "deliverance from evil", showing us that God desires to be in relationship with His people.
The Prophet Isaiah, offers the reason why Twain's God has no plan for striking us down with a low cost lightning bolt. Just as the rain has a purpose for watering the earth, helping things grow, so to does God's Word seek to help us. It's place and purpose allows us to know of His love, and get good at recognizing the goodness that comes from BEING, and being loved. It gives us a vehicle for building a meaningful relationship, founded in trust and honesty. It allows us to celebrate, and even complain without the fear of retribution. Prayer is a lifelong conversation that seeks to guide us to the God who simply wants us to live, and love, and be loved forever and ever... Amen!
One Post Script on the Subject of Cheap Lightning: I'm sure that this picture taken just hours after Pope Benedict XVI announced his unique retirement from the Papacy was God's way of having a little fun, with Mark Twain at his side... Peace!
"Uh Oh!" :)
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