Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Letters to Jesus
Because I had no Internet connection for a few days, I began writing by hand. Somehow that felt more comfortable than doing so in 'Word,' on the computer. It seemed I was being led into a kind of darkness, a solitude with Jesus, in which the only light whose presence I could imagine was that of a firelit torch.
My writings turned smoothly into letters. I began scribbling in a regular notebook (not a journal), and lo and behold. Before I knew it, I was writing letters to Jesus Himself.
I realized by yesterday morning that my Lenten 'exercise' is to continue writing letters to Our Lord.
Oh, but this is so much more than an exercise. It is reality. Jesus can 'read' what I write. Yes, He's right here and I can talk with Him; there is no reason to write my thoughts on paper. Except: my mind wanders all over, at times, during prayer. Writing helps the thoughts stay on track, or get back when they've drifted. Writing helps me remain conscious of the One to Whom I write. Already I'd felt drawn to pray with Scripture during Lent - and Scripture is a letter from God, after all. How rude I would be not to answer it.
My thought at present is to spend time with the daily scriptures from Mass, reading them as one would read letters from a loved One. And then: to genuinely, as prayer, write back.
I'd like to share, here, some of what happens. I will write to Our Lord by hand, but I have a feeling He won't mind (!) if I share with you, later in the day, snippets of our conversations.
Where will these go? I have no idea. I just know this much. It's still personal. And apparently getting more so all the time.....
"The Bible is a letter from Almighty God to His creatures," (Pope St. Gregory)
Painting: Florent Willems, The Important Response
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