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Quiet Contemplation
by Carolyn Kenney In the stillness of the church, a priest kneels in quiet contemplation before the tabernacle. We witness genuine holiness as he kneels in humble adoration before Jesus, truly alive within the sacred sanctuary. Jesus is the one, true and everlasting love of this priest. The heart of God and the heart of priest unite; reverence and love permeate throughout the church. What a pure and holy example of surrender we behold from the humble servant called to the sacred priesthood. He shows us how we are called to live as he silently prays in the presence of Jesus. He kneels with profound adoration praying for his family, friends and parishioners who have been entrusted to his care. He prays that as they grow closer to their Savior, their faith and trust will increase in intensity. Then, they will not fear to walk through the storms of life, for God will be by their side. He prays also for them to be filled with the Holy Spirit who will gently caress away their troubles and their pains. How many of us kneel before the material pleasures of the world? Yet, the only desire of this gentle priest is to spend time with the one true God. Jesus comes to dwell within the heart of this faithful servant where true love and unending joy are welcomed. There is no place this priest would rather be than with Jesus, his teacher and redeemer. He has been called by name just as Peter and John were called to walk with their Messiah. Jesus knows well the minds of men - their desires, their pains and their inner longing to find true peace. Our Lord taught the Apostles and now teaches this faithful servant who answered his own "call" with a heartfelt "yes." The love and strength of the priest come from God. He carries on the work entrusted to him while living his vocation in a world in desperate need of God's love. He is filled with the Holy Spirit, yet seeks a closer relationship - a closer unity - with the triune God. He reflects God's love to everyone he meets as he brings forth the utmost from each person. This priest is holy and thus is filled with the virtue of humility. He gives of himself totally and seeks only the love of God in return. He is a listener, but even more he is a true leader. He carefully guides the flock he is blessed to lead and together they walk the rock-strewn hills and valleys of life. Such a journey is enough to deter the spirits of many men, but this humble, caring priest carefully makes his way along the path. His focus stays on the road ahead which is amassed with rocks, branches and numerous pitfalls. He knows where the path leads, but does not deter or shrink from it for Jesus waits for Him - and for us - at the end where at last we are enveloped forever in God's eternal love. For over four years, Ms. Kenney has writen weekly articles for her church bulletin. Some of these reflections developed into a short devotional book titled "Meditations of the Heart." Her interest is devotional and childrens writing. Her website is www.myspace.com/carolyn8390 Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |