Thursday, August 26 : Homily attributed to Saint Macarius of Egypt

To pray we have no need of gestures, cries or prostrations. A prayer that is both wise and fervent is one that is a waiting for God to come and visit our souls through every point of entry, in all its ways and through all its senses. Enough of our silences, groanings and weepings: let us seek nothing in prayer but God’s embrace. When we are working, don’t we make use of every bodily fibre in the effort? Don’t all our limbs take part in it together? Let our soul also devote itself wholly to prayer and love of the Lord; may it not allow itself to become distracted or pulled about by its thoughts; may it be focussed on Christ. Then Christ will give it light, will teach it true prayer, will give it that pure and spiritual supplication that is according to the mind of God, an adoration “in spirit and in truth” (Jn 4:24). Someone employed in business transactions is not simply trying to make a profit. He also tries, by every means in his power, to increase it and make it grow. He undertakes even more trips and abandons those that seem to him to be fruitless; he does not set out unless in hope of a transaction. Like him, let us know how to conduct our soul along the most diverse and opportune ways. Then – O true and greatest profit! – we shall gain that God who teaches us how to pray in truth. The Lord places himself within the fervent soul; he makes of it his throne of glory; he takes his seat within it and dwells there.

Roman Catholic Ordinary Calendar – rosary,team