Thursday, Sept. 14, 2006

Today’s reading

Philippians 1:12-15

“I want you to know, beloved, that what has happened to me has actually helped to spread the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to everyone else that my imprisonment is for Christ; and most of the brothers and sisters having been made confident in the Lord by my imprisonment dare to speak the word with greater boldness and without fear” (Phil 1:12-15).


Prayer

What matters, dear Friend? What should live at the center of my heart so that nothing and no one can displace it? Around what axis should everything turn? Paul’s words draw me. He is centered, full of joy and focused on one thing—making you known. He remains determined, undeterred by hardship and suffering. Those, it seems, do not matter.

What matters is that you, heart of my heart, are exalted, glorified, made known to friend and foe. Joy flows from this core condition of the heart: in all, may you be known, and may you be known in all.

I want this joy, dear Friend, the joy of having you—the exuberant heart of all reality—at the center of my heart. But grant, first, clear awareness of what most matters: that you O Holy Mystery, blest Christ, be known whatever else happens to me this day. This most matters, for you are life, you are joy and wonder, you are the clear and blessed face of eternity. To know you is to have all we need to live fully and with joy. This day, may we know you. That will be enough for us. Amen.

Pr. David L. Miller
Dean of the Chapel, Cornelsen Director of Spiritual Formation