Today we are going to discuss Day 8 of our St John Vianney Lenten Reading Plan.
I wonder what would happen if when asked our occupation, we responded in the words of St John Vianney…
Man has a beautiful occupation, that of praying and loving.
1. So how do we employ this Divine occupation while we attend to our earthly occupations?
2. Do you agree with St Vianney when he states that “prayer never leaves us without sweetness?
It struck me when he spoke of us having a heart to love God with and a tongue to bless Him with…The Psalms are full of exhortations to bless the Lord:
Psalm 34:1
Psalm 96:2
Psalm 103 is full of encouragement to “Bless the Lord”
Psalm 104:1
And the list continues…
3. So, do I use my tongue to bless the Lord?
There is nothing so sweet, and nothing so perfect, as to do the will of God.
I appreciated St John Vianney going through a part of the Our Father.
4. I pray, “Thy will be done” each time I pray the Our Father, do I mean it? Do I even realize what I am praying or is it just habit?
Join us in the comments to discuss today’s Lenten reading. What stood out to you as you read the words of this great saint? And don’t forget to pray for our priests this Lenten season!
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Such a nice reading for today!
1. So how do we employ this Divine occupation while we attend to our earthly occupations?
Praying and loving..I think these can become one and the same when we spend our day in tune with God. We do our work out of love for God, and it becomes a prayer.
2. Do you agree with St Vianney when he states that “prayer never leaves us without sweetness?
I definitely agree. I find that even when I spend a few moments giving my day to God, or bringing some problem to him, or even just a moment of thankfulness..these leave me with a more peaceful, whole, and full feeling than if I had not prayed. Definitely “sweetness”.
3. So, do I use my tongue to bless the Lord?
Ah, the tongue. Such a vital part of the body, but such a troublesome one too! I am guilty of not always using my tongue to bless the Lord, which is sad since God created the tongue for his greater honor and glory, just like the rest of our bodies. Its a good idea for Lent to strive to use our tongues to bless the Lord. If it doesn’t give glory to him, don’t say it.
4. I pray, “Thy will be done” each time I pray the Our Father, do I mean it? Do I even realize what I am praying or is it just habit?
So often I find myself just rattling off this prayer without thinking about it..but its such an important part of the prayer: THY WILL BE DONE. We need to mean it. I’ll do it, Lord, even if it hurts. I’ll do it Lord, even if it changes my life. I’ll do it, Lord, even if it’s not what I want to do.
1. So how do we employ this Divine occupation while we attend to our earthly occupations?
St. John Vianney stated that “God, in His goodness, has permitted us to speak to Him”. What an awesome gift prayer is for us. I think that the way I can employ this Divine occupation during my earthly occupations is to speak to Him throughout the day as I go about my activities. This doesn’t have to be anything long and elaborate. I can just speak to Him as a friend. I can talk to Him about what is going on in my life, my concerns, my worries, my joys and hopes. He listens because He gave me the ability to speak to Him.
2. Do you agree with St Vianney when he states that “prayer never leaves us without sweetness?
Yes, I do agree with him. When I am troubled or loaded with concerns that I want to talk to God about, I talk to Him about these and afterwards I do feel a sense of release. There also have been times at Eucharistic Adoration when the hour just flies by. Before I know it the next person has come in to relieve me and it seems like I had just started my hour.
3. So, do I use my tongue to bless the Lord?
Mostly, yes; but not when I am using it to detract or slander one of His other children.
4. I pray, “Thy will be done” each time I pray the Our Father, do I mean it? Do I even realize what I am praying or is it just habit?
I need to mean it, because His will ‘will be done’ whether I want it or not! Saying it, as I habitually do, when reciting the Our Father can be come routine and without attention. I catch myself from time to time – whoa- you were totally inattentive when you sent up that prayer! I try not to beat myself up though. This is all part of being human (imperfect), instead I try to start again and try to do better – next time.