Holy Spirit help me. Please help me love Jesus more so that I can do his will in my life. Please be a merciful Advocate, and send me grace so that I can listen to Jesus in my life. Do not forsake me. When my heart is far from Jesus I can hardly hear his voice. How can I love him and do his will if I don’t know what that is, If I am a blind sheep that cannot hear his voice?
Holy Spirit help me obey the Eternal Father’s words. He says Jesus is his beloved Son and I must listen to him. Help me listen to Jesus and live. Holy Spirit, you are the Spirit of truth, please guide me to do the will of God in my thoughts, words, and deeds. Please be loud so I am not confused or misled by the evil one. You will help me live in truth and have peace. Your gift will make me be confident in faith. Please, Holy Spirit, guide me to take up my cross and follow Jesus all the way to Jerusalem.
Sunday of the 2nd Week of Lent(Liturgical Year B)
Holy Spirit help me listen to Jesus
A Reflection for Prayerful Meditation
Join me in a prayerful reflection and meditation for your Lenten journey with Christ to Jerusalem.
Holy Spirit help me listen to Jesus
Opening Prayer
Enter into the prayer of silence before the Lord
Holy Spirit, my Paraclete,
I believe you are truly here and present to me right now. I desire to be present to you. Guide my heart and mind to listen to Jesus, the Beloved Son. Holy Spirit help me, please speak loudly today. Holy Spirit, you are the breath of God, a spiration of love between the Father and the Son. I thank you and I praise you for guiding me since my Baptism by your inspirations. Holy Spirit please enkindle in me the fire of your Love so that I might grow in faith, hope, and charity.
Holy Spirit of God, I want to worship you with a pure heart and without distraction. Help me to separate myself from all worldly attachments and spend these 15 minutes with my heart and mind completely fixated on you.
My Paraclete, breathe into my soul the fire of your love. You know all my weaknesses and that I can’t elevate my heart or my mind without your help. Please give me the grace right now to pray my mental prayer well and to love you in a way that is pleasing to you. I want to grow to love you more perfectly.
Thank you, Spirit of Truth, for every consolation, desolation, time of silence, difficult trial, and temptation of the evil one. I understand that everything that happens in my life is by your holy will, whether it be your divine providence or your permissive will due to my sin and negligence.
Please humble me as I walk with you toward Jerusalem. Help me carry my cross well and do so with great love in my heart for you.
AMEN.
Say Nothing Just Take Him In
Spend 1-3 minutes in silence gazing at the Lord with love and gratitude, in a prayer of silent contemplation.
Now we will contemplate the Lord by listening to him speak to us in the Gospels. We are with Jesus, Peter, James, and John. It is August, about nine months before the arrest, flogging, crucifixion, death, and resurrection of Christ.
Imagine yourself walking up the side of Mount Tabor with Jesus, Peter, James, and John. When you look down the mountainside you can see the Jezreel Valley beneath you, ruled by the Romans, but populated with Jewish farmers and craftsmen. As you climb you take in the scenery surrounding you, a forested area filled with oak, pistachio, carob, and turpentine trees. You gaze down at your feet and see blooming crocuses, lilies, and anemone flowers. It is a peaceful place to contemplate God’s abundant creation and be grateful for his goodness….
Holy Spirit help me listen to Jesus
Blinding Light of Christ
Mark 9:2-10
Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them.
Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses, and they were conversing with Jesus.
Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here! Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified.
Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them; then from the cloud came a voice, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.”
Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone but Jesus alone with them.
As they were coming down from the mountain, he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone, except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what rising from the dead meant.
Let us imagine being on that mountain witnessing the transfiguration of Christ. His glorified body was so dazzling and bright that the disciples could not even describe the brilliance of his appearance.
Let’s listen to the final part, “So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what rising from the dead meant.”
They were confused.
Use your imagination to envision this scene. I see myself walking down the mountain with Peter, James, and John, about 20 paces behind Jesus…. just out of earshot. I imagine they are whispering among themselves about what just happened and sharing what each thought it all meant, this cryptic statement of Jesus. Meanwhile, Jesus is ahead quite a few paces and probably praying to the Father.
We can see in hindsight the folly of Peter, James, and John’s reaction in this passage. They just didn’t understand the fullness of what Jesus was revealing. Of course our modern audience ‘knows the whole story’ and we can see the ignorance of these three future Apostles as they hike together down that mountain— pontificating.
Why didn’t they just ask Jesus? Wouldn’t that have just been the prudent thing to do in that situation? But they didn’t. They chose to stay confused and rely on their own understanding. This kind of self-reliance is a form of spiritual pride, but we can’t be too harsh on Peter, James, and John here. After all, they did not have the Holy Spirit yet.
But if you have been Baptized, you DO.
So, let me ask you, then—
When you are confused, do you ask Jesus? Do you pray, “Holy Spirit help me”? Or do you stay confused and rely on your understanding like Peter, James, and John did in this passage?
Think about a spiritual consolation that you have had in your life that you did not fully understand. At the time did you continue praying about it with great patience asking the Holy Spirit to help you discern? Over time, did the Lord slowly reveal to you things that you did not originally see or understand?
Sometimes Jesus wants us to ‘exercise’ our spiritual muscles. He reveals a little but we have to ‘hike a bit further’ down the spiritual path before he will reveal a bit more. It is a mercy that he does this because we are so ignorant and uncharitable. He feeds us what we are able to digest, always with the end goal of our eternal salvation in mind. We have to stick with it, and invest a little ‘sweat equity’ in our spiritual walk with Christ, trusting in him like children who know he knows better.
Let us take a moment and pray
Jesus, I have also been confused like Peter, James, and John by the spiritual experiences you have given me. I have also reacted the way they did, seeking counsel from others who were equally ignorant without just asking you first. I see the folly in not patiently waiting for you to respond. I assumed things without having humility or obedience to your will.
Please, Lord, be merciful to me and lead me always on the right path. Teach me humility and increase my love for you so that I am not confused by the grace you give me or deceived by the evil one on account of my pride or ignorance.
Help me to pray for wisdom, knowledge, and understanding every time I have a spiritual consolation. Let me never be afraid of things that I do not yet fully understand. Help me be patient and wait for your perfect timing in all things. Your ways are not our ways and sometimes we have to be patient and lean on you when we don’t fully understand. Thank you for loving me and guiding me all the days of my life. Jesus, I love you, and I thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit to guide me.
AMEN.
Let’s Reflect…
Take a moment to ask Jesus questions from your heart…. Give the Holy Spirit time to respond. Wait on the Lord. What is the burden on your heart? Be honest with Jesus and tell him your fears. Has he shown you something? You may want to write it down.
Let us continue our mental prayer with a meditation from Chapter 3 of Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis. In this passage we contemplate our limited knowledge without the light of the Holy Spirit of divine Truth to guide us.
Holy Spirit help me listen to Jesus
The Doctrine of Truth
by Thomas a Kempis
HAPPY is he to whom truth manifests itself, not in signs and words that fade, but as it actually is. Our opinions, our senses often deceive us and we discern very little.
What good is much discussion of involved and obscure matters when our ignorance of them will not be held against us on Judgment Day? Neglect of things which are profitable and necessary and undue concern with those which are irrelevant and harmful, are great folly.
We have eyes and do not see.
What, therefore, have we to do with questions of philosophy? He to whom the Eternal Word speaks is free from theorizing. For from this Word are all things and of Him all things speak — the Beginning Who also speaks to us. Without this Word no man understands or judges aright. He to whom it becomes everything, who traces all things to it and who sees all things in it, may ease his heart and remain at peace with God.
O God, You Who are the truth, make me one with You in love everlasting. I am often wearied by the many things I hear and read, but in You is all that I long for. Let the learned be still, let all creatures be silent before You; You alone speak to me.
The more recollected a man is, and the more simple of heart he becomes, the easier he understands sublime things, for he receives the light of knowledge from above. The pure, simple, and steadfast spirit is not distracted by many labors, for he does them all for the honor of God. And since he enjoys interior peace he seeks no selfish end in anything. What, indeed, gives more trouble and affliction than uncontrolled desires of the heart?
A good and devout man arranges in his mind the things he has to do, not according to the whims of evil inclination but according to the dictates of right reason. Who is forced to struggle more than he who tries to master himself? This ought to be our purpose, then: to conquer self, to become stronger each day, to advance in virtue.
Every perfection in this life has some imperfection mixed with it and no learning of ours is without some darkness. Humble knowledge of self is a surer path to God than the ardent pursuit of learning. Not that learning is to be considered evil, or knowledge, which is good in itself and so ordained by God; but a clean conscience and virtuous life ought always to be preferred. Many often err and accomplish little or nothing because they try to become learned rather than to live well.
If men used as much care in uprooting vices and implanting virtues as they do in discussing problems, there would not be so much evil and scandal in the world, or such laxity in religious organizations. On the day of judgment, surely, we shall not be asked what we have read but what we have done; not how well we have spoken but how well we have lived.
Tell me, where now are all the masters and teachers whom you knew so well in life and who were famous for their learning? Others have already taken their places and I know not whether they ever think of their predecessors. During life they seemed to be something; now they are seldom remembered. How quickly the glory of the world passes away! If only their lives had kept pace with their learning, then their study and reading would have been worth while.
How many there are who perish because of vain worldly knowledge and too little care for serving God. They became vain in their own conceits because they chose to be great rather than humble.
He is truly great who has great charity. He is truly great who is little in his own eyes and makes nothing of the highest honor.
He is truly wise who looks upon all earthly things as folly that he may gain Christ. He who does God’s will and renounces his own is truly very learned.
Next, let us meditate for a moment on the words of Saint Paul the Apostle. Let’s take heart while reading about the love of God for his chosen ones. Reread this passage a second time, praying the words from your own heart. Then take a moment to speak to Jesus. What do you want to tell him?
Holy Spirit help me listen to Jesus
If God is for Us, Who can be against us?
Romans 8:31-34
Brothers and sisters: If God is for us, who can be against us?
He who did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all, how will he not also give us everything else along with him?
Who will bring a charge against God’s chosen ones? It is God who acquits us.
Who will condemn? It is Christ (Jesus) who died, rather, was raised, who also is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us.
We can see that through a full surrender of our will the Lord not only gives us great peace and understanding but also a tremendous confidence in his love for us.
Holy Spirit help me listen to Jesus
I Will Bless you Abundantly
Genesis 22:1-2,9-13,15-18
God put Abraham to the test. He called to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am!” he replied.
Then God said: “Take your son Isaac, your only one, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah. There you shall offer him up as a holocaust on a height that I will point out to you.”
When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. Next he tied up his son Isaac, and put him on top of the wood on the altar.
Then he reached out and took the knife to slaughter his son.
But the LORD’S messenger called to him from heaven, “Abraham, Abraham!”
“Yes, Lord,” he answered.
“Do not lay your hand on the boy,” said the messenger. “Do not do the least thing to him. I know now how devoted you are to God, since you did not withhold from me your own beloved son.”
As Abraham looked about, he spied a ram caught by its horns in the thicket. So he went and took the ram and offered it up as a holocaust in place of his son.
Again the LORD’S messenger called to Abraham from heaven and said: “I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you acted as you did in not withholding from me your beloved son, I will bless you abundantly and make your descendants as countless as the stars of the sky and the sands of the seashore; your descendants shall take possession of the gates of their enemies,
and in your descendants all the nations of the earth shall find blessing–all this because you obeyed my command.’
Let’s contemplate this passage “I know now how devoted you are to God, since you did not withhold from me your own beloved son.”
The obedience of Abraham; his love for God, pleased the Lord so much that he was promised an abundant blessing.
Abraham did not have to sacrifice his beloved son, But the Eternal Father did so that through Jesus we could receive the Holy Spirit of Truth.
Imagine Jesus gazing at you and he says to you, “If you love me, keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth” John 14:15-17.
You have a choice. Will you keep his commandments? In what tangible way can you start to do this? Do you know what they are? How can you learn? Take a moment to be with the Lord and answer his call. Take 1-3 minutes to listen for his response to your heartfelt prayer.
Pray the next Lenten Meditation
The Third Sunday of Lent, Year B
You are Merciful to Me, I Love You Lord, I’ll Obey Your Laws
You are merciful to me, Lord. I will learn your teachings. I love you Lord, and I’ll obey your laws because you are trustworthy and your rules are just.