The Spirituality of Waiting

I love the Irish Jesuit's Sacred Space books for Advent and Lent. They empower me to maintain the right mindset and heart space during those periods of spiritual preparation. In the spirit of not hoarding, I am letting go of some of the old books. Here are some of my favorite quotes therein:

Advent/Christmas 2015-16:

• "The ends and the beginnings - past and future -- are always in the present tense of love."

Lent 2016:

• Jesus "is determined to break down dramatically the barriers that fragment human community . . . if we want to be with him at the table, we must accept the companionship of people we previously despised."
• "I ask for the grace to be free of my own preoccupations and open to what God may be saying to me."
• "We can be smug and content with our conventional good behavior. Jesus, however, says to us: "But what about your anger? What about insulting someone? Do you despise anyone, ever? Such behavior won't do anymore."
• "our hearts must embrace our enemies in genuine love."
• "If we work int he world we must, again and again, climb to the top of the mountain, to be alone with God and with ourselves, our memories and desires. There we renew our strength to continue the struggle for a more just world."
• "God is with me, but more, God is within me. Let me dwell for a moment on God's life-giving presence in my body, in my mind, and in my heart"
• "without an eye for the needy around us, our life becomes self-centered and callous. Jesus is asking his listeners to open their eyes to what is around them and to open their ears to the simple commands of the gospel: love your neighbor."
• "Prayer is enjoying moments of being loved."
• "conversion is possible; we can return to our best - our truest - selves, and when we do we will find our loving God ready to welcome us home with open arms."
• "I remind myself that there are things God has to teach me yet and ask for the grace to hear them and let them change me."
• "Wise love takes many forms: it is not timid and passive; it can be demanding as well as long-suffering."
• "I am God's dwelling place."
• "Cleanse my heart and would so I may live joyously in your love."
• "We, too, are never alone; the love, grace, and help of God are always with us."
• "Jesus' promise is that the truth will make us free. Lord, I do want to be free, so let me listen to those who tell me the truth about myself. Let me listen also to your word, which tries to reach into my heart and liberate me."
• "We are asked to suffer, if necessary, in order to foster the values of the kingdom . . .Jesus shows us how to bear it with love. Such love radiates and inspires others."
• "Lord, when I find myself critical of others, it may be my own warped vision that needs to be corrected."

Lent 2017:

• "Lent is a good time to stop our activity long enough to look at it carefully, prayerfully, and to determine the specific truths of the situation."
• "Holiness is a greater marvel than special effects but less easily recognized."
• "Jesus, help me be fully alive to your Holy Presence. Enfold me in your love. Let my heart become one with yours."

Advent and Christmas 2018-19:

• "The true light . . . enlightens everyone"
• "How will I know when it is my time to decrease, and how can I prepare my heart to respond graciously?"

Lent 2019:

• Listening to Christ means "setting out on the journey with him to make oneself a gift of love to others"
• "Prayer increases within us our capacity to love."
• "Do I share with [God] all that I am living, my struggles and my joys, and the concrete situations for which I need his help?"
• "[Jesus'] open and generous heart is the heart of God, inviting us all to rest where we are known and loved, to find enduring life and lasting refreshment." 
• "You know how painful it is if your motives are misunderstood, if a twisted interpretation is put on your good intentions. Such experiences help you identify with Jesus and feel with him. Be there with him; share your experiences with him." 
• "Do I think ill of others more readily than I credit them with good? Lord, give me the grace to see the best in others, as I'd wish them to see the best in me." 
• "I find it so easy to feel superior to others in one way or another while being blind to my own shortcomings."
• "I have no right to look down on those whose sins are paraded in the media."
• "Prayer for another strengthens bonds, softens hearts"
• "Compassion, kindness, and courage in my life are what make my words credible. May my life reflect what I profess."
• "What is my image of God? The best image is to see God as Pure Love."
• "If we live in this way, we transform the world."

Lent 2020:

• "service that is large-hearted and humble."
• "I ask for the grace to trust myself totally to God's love."
• "Jesus is the one of universal welcome . . . I ask him to open my heart to be as welcoming to his."
• Luke 1:38 -- Mary: "let it be with me according to your word."
• "We are all called to live the truth."
• "God is with me, but even more astounding, God is within me."
• "Teach me to live in the knowledge that you will never abandon me [or others!]."
• "help me to follow you and thus accept truth and demonstrate it through love." 
• "Do I appreciate that I, too, am a temple of the living God?"
• "We might allow moments of prayer this week to reach the zones within us that need tolerance, healing, and forgiveness."
• "Jesus, may I give to you freely and not care about others' opinions and reactions."