Oct 13 2008
Our “Daily” Bread
An except from today’s meditation from In Conversation with God:
A certain Asian legend tells of a king and his son. The king bestowed upon the prince a royal endowment that would enable him to live in a worthy fashion for all twelve months of the year. But the king decided that rather than give these things away all at once he would distribute them in daily allotments. In this way the king was able to see his son every day of the year and vice versa.
This legend is somewhat analogous to our relationship with God. “Our daily bread” depends upon the prayers we offer each day. The fact that we ask only for today’s needs implies that we will have another encounter with our Father God tomorrow. This is the way the Father encourages us to be steadfast in saying his prayer.
What strikes me most about this passage is that the emphasis is on the king wanting to see his son. Personally, I find it difficult to believe that God loves me so much he wants me to come to him everyday in prayer — that he wants to see me. I suspect I’m not alone in this, either.
This reminds me of a post I put up a few days in which I cited a passage from Fr. Thomas Dubay. Fr. Dubay said this about the saints: “They make up their minds to take the Lord at his word and with no dilution of his message.”
This passage has haunted me the past few days. Do I really take God at his word? Do I really believe that God wants me to come to him everyday? Do I, as St. Ignatius of Loyola might ask, really believe that if I hand myself over completely to God that I will be shocked at what he desires to give me in return?
Essential questions, these are.
Yes, there is a haunting uneasiness in considering that a God could love us at all, let alone love each of us so completely. An extremely humbling thought to say the least (and humility is most definitely not a virtue I possess in abundance). Actually, I think I’d go so far as to say He can and does make Himself irresistible, doesn’t He?
The first podcast was, I thought, excellent. I especially like your idea of the comprehensive discussions–when discussing The Annunciation where the discussion will not only focus on God’s request of Mary, but expand on the angels and the Trinity in order to give a complete understanding of each event.
I’ve decided to follow the podcasts with reading the appropriate gospel as well to help with any questions that may arise after hearing the podcast.
I’ve also begun reading This Tremendous Lover, which is such an enormous help. So much to learn.
Hi Laura,
Thanks for the kind words about my podcast. I really appreciate them. I hope you like the others just as well.
God bless.