Catholic Hermit: Can't Help Myself

Here it is again, a new morning the Lord has gifted!  The pain is so great, and I'm past waiting for the pain meds to have more effect than what they are capable, and added a "Super Strength Excedrin" despite nsaids (ingredient of Excedrin and all aspirin products) known to impede bone growth and healing--of which my spine needs, of course).  The Excedrin with coffee will help tame the spinal headache that's been brewing since awaking around 4 a.m.

I've thought about the man the Lord has sent who is quite willing to do the Costco errand for me, undaunted by what I consider a lengthy list but will have me stocked up on food items to carry through for a couple more more months.  Praise be to God for this man's willingness.  The man also sees much around here that needs some timely effort of which I certainly can do nothing about--other than I was going to attempt my handy dolly to roll the trees and shrubs yet in pots, into the garage and back by the single window in the garage, to overwinter, for better or worse.

The man has not had the same type of death therapy of which I've been blessed, although he surely has had other forms of the Lord's honing his mind, heart, and soul.  I'm impressed in the man saying he does not ask God for things anymore but rather praises God as his prayer.  I definitely still ask God for much--and I admitted to the man I'd asked the day before, for God to please send someone to do the Costco errand for me, as buying in the larger quantities on rare occasion seems more prudent than trying to find someone to pick up groceries that do cost more in small quantities, but need replenishing more often.

I did not get into my praying for conversions (for those who have not given themselves to Christ) and for deeper conversions for myself and the rest of us.  So I still pray asking for this or that, as asking for deeper conversions for souls is asking for something, true enough, even if it is a type of asking for something God wants of us all--come increasingly closer, repeatedly, to, through, with, and in His Real Presence.

Still, a higher form of prayer is, as the founder of the Order of St. Sulpice taught, the prayer of affection, or "affective prayer."  This is essentially what the helpful man is doing--praising God.  The prayer of affection comes to that of sighs of love--of non-verbal affection for God, of a wordless praising and love of God.  However, in reality and as the spiritual masters of prayer, including the prayer that Jesus taught us to pray, includes various aspects of praying--verbal, mental, contemplative, asking, praising.

I can't help myself, but this morning upon seeing what Catechism excerpt would pop up on the site that sends daily the Scriptures and extra readings and information, I appreciate in extra measure the Lord's reaching into my time of such extra suffering.  This excerpt featuring prayer, I share with you.  It means so much--and I'm too wearied from the higher pain level this morning to go on a writing "riff" of thoughts on this selection.  

(The man yesterday wanted to converse, and I stood too long even though we did a little outside walk when he noticed my struggle in standing.  I, also, converse readily as I do with writing, for discussion of God and Church in any format and angle, takes me far from pain; but of course, the pain remains and then some, in greater measure.  Such is my plight this morning, this new morning the Lord has gifted.  All the more I turn to God.)

2849 "Such a battle and such a victory become possible only through prayer.  It is by his prayer that Jesus vanquishes the tempter, both at the outset of his public mission and in the ultimate struggle of his agony.  In this petition to our heavenly Father, Christ unites us to his battle and his agony.  He urges us to vigilance of the heart in communion with his own.  Vigilance is 'custody of the heart,' and Jesus prayed for us to the Father:  'Keep them in your name.'  The Holy Spirit certainly seeks to awaken us to keep watch.  Finally, this petition takes on all its dramatic meaning in relation to the last temptation of our earthly battle; it asks for final perseverance.  'Lo, I am coming like a thief!  Blessed is he who is awake.'"

God bless His Real Presence in us!  

Yes, I ask for final perseverance!  May I remain alert and awake in Christ!  And I offer myself as His child, His beloved, His mystic hermit, to the praise of God in Himself, in loving God in Himself.  Thank God for temporal helps in pain relievers and in kindly people, and in waiting for God to give us strength vigilance, and for always keeping us in His name.  Glory to God in this new day!