Starting Over Talk - Peer Coaching Support Site

Hi everyone
This was the cover of our Parish Bulletin this week.
When I first read it, it really did not sink in.
I reread it, and began to fully understand what this person was trying to tell us.
It is true that many times our prayers are a mirror of ourselves, and not a window where I am able to focus on God.

I hope you find the meaning of these powerful words.
Hugs


Mirror or Window?
Have you ever run into people who are completely self-absorbed?
Whatever the topic of conversation, they always succeed in focusing attention on themselves.
When that happens to me, I…or This reminds me of the time I… In their presence, our only option is to be the audience.

In the Gospel today, the Pharisee resembles these self-centered individuals.He uses prayer as an opportunity to showcase his achievements, as he said to God, How fortunate you are to have created me. This may seem like a caricature of a real person and our immediate reaction is: I’m not like that.

But let’s examine the situation further. When Jesus told the story of how the Pharisee and the Publican prayed, he pointed out a temptation that often affects those who pray. There are times when our prayers are only encounters with ourselves, rather then with God. If I only speak about my joys, my
failures and my successes, I’m not praying. It is the nature of prayer to open my thoughts and desires to something or Someone other then myself. If this does not happen, then the words I have spoken become a monologue, not a dialogue. My prayer becomes a mirror whereby I see myself instead of being a window through which God Almighty is revealed. Through this window I am able to focus on God.

My conclusion: Our first prayer request should be to begin a dialogue with God.

Georges Mandore
Traslated by Honore Kerwin Borrelli

Thanks for that, hugs. It is so true, and so easy to fall into the mirror catagory.

When I try-----oh, there I go--- I can see your point! Hugs, you are a great woman of insight! [hearts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!]

very true hugs we all can do that at times.

Curly

Hugs, Thanks for passing on such insightful words!
HD

Such wonderful information to share, hugs. Great to reread.

hugs4u2 wrote:
[quote]

It is the nature of prayer to open my thoughts and desires to something or Someone other then myself.

I like that!