Taking off the lid

 


The insistence on “babbling like pagans” (Matthew 6,7) tempts us: it is freely embraced when God’s graciousness no longer suffices, and the cross is belittled. 

Sometimes, we yearn for His gifts, rather than His presence, taking comfort in our presumptions! To understand our craving, which might take time, we need to place the cross as the key to sustaining our integrity. 

The cross is God’s therapy, enabling us to encounter our fears and frustrations. It recalls us to its silence and how this experience contributes to the formation of our conscience (Catechism num. 1783-1785). 

This silence sustains a dialogue of love: ignoring it reflects an attempt to hide our hearts from God: frustrated, because, as Jeremiah warns, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (29,13). Restless, ignoring prayerful dialogue, this endeavour is unrealistic. 

Prayer exposes our hearts to God: recognising deceptions while discerning what underlies our dialogue of love, conscious that "He heals the brokenhearted and binds their wounds" (Psalm 147,3).

Despite the beautiful words, persistence in one’s inconsistent ways is not uncommon, as we imitate the ‘saqiyah’: a waterwheel powered by a donkey condemned to roaming in circles, its eyes covered, fantasising about arriving! 

Illusions disappoint, especially when they are confused with genuineness. It is, therefore, necessary to understand things objectively because subjectivity is a great fabricator of illusions. 

The best way to prevent illusions is to live what delineates discipleship: in other words, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3,3). A longing accompanies: “As I mused, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue: ‘O LORD, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am'”  (Psalm 39,3)! 

Enkindled, the heart’s wakefulness is sharpened. Hence, a need arises to make room for the Magister’s presence in my heart and, wisely, understand its significance, which associates with childlikeness and pureness of heart now renewed by the Spirit's truthfulness.  

Nothing should be taken for granted because an invasive complacency readily reduces our ability to enjoy the fruits of the Spirit: “committed love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 3,22-23). 

These qualities are acquired slowly through our choices and a willingness to deepen and refresh our human insights. The hitches and struggles encountered help us to better understand others without the need to judge them: an insight enriched by an intimate dialogue experienced in prayer.

Taking off the lid, our recognised fragility serves as a springboard, witnessing the Magister’s reassuring presence and reaching other hearts seeking His restfulness: a shared experience that recalls the Magister’s invitation, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11,28). 


Martin



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