One Minute Reflection – 12 October – “Month of the Holy Rosary” – Readings: Dan 3:31; 3:29; 3:35, Ps 118:1, Eph 5:15-21, John 4:46-53
By the streams of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered you, O Sion.
Ps 136:1
REFLECTION – “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved”.
But I, I do not just call on him: above all else I believe in his greatness.
Not for his gifts do I persevere in my pleading, but because he is true Life and in him I breathe. Without him there is neither movement nor advance.
Not so much by the bonds of hope but by the bonds of love am I drawn. Not for the gifts but for the Giver do I long. It is not glory that I am reaching out for but the glorified Lord whom I desire to embrace. The thirst for life is not what is consuming me but the remembrance of him who gives life.
The desire for happiness is not why I am sighing, why I break into sobs from the depths of my heart, but from the desire for him who prepares it. It is not for rest I am seeking but for the face of him who will pacify my suppliant heart. I am pining, not for the wedding feast, but because of my desire for the Bridegroom.
In sure expectation of his power in spite of the burden of my sins, I believe with unquenchable hope, while entrusting myself into the hands of the Almighty, that I shall not simply gain forgiveness but will see him face to face thanks to his mercy and pity, and though I fully deserve to be banished, I shall come into possession of heaven.
St Gregory of Narek
PRAYER – Lord God, open our hearts to Your Grace, that we may be filled with Your light and overflow with gratitude for Your merciful love. May we love and adore and worship You in return. Although we are sinners, our hearts long to thank You in total trust and humble thankfulness. Grant that by the prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mary Queen of our Hearts and of the humble St Serafino, we may grow in holiness. Through Your only Son, our Saviour and Redeemer, with the Holy Spirit, God, forever, amen.
