Daily HOMILY for March 24, 2014: Monday of the 3rd Week of Lent, Cycle A

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In 2014, I am facilitating a 12-week interactive online course in contemplative prayer and action for priests with Saint Luke Institute.  Please visit SLIconnect.org to learn more:  https://www.sliconnect.org/product/living-god-program-contemplative-life-2/

Monday 3^rd Week of Lent

Mepkin Abbey

March 24, 2014

HOPE, A LITTLE GIRL +++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  In his novel, Portal of the Mystery of Hope, Charles Peguy (pay-gee (~glee)), French essayist & poet, has God say, “Hope is a little girl”

Ø  She says prayers evry nite, goes 2 bed & sleeps well

Ø  Hope rises w/ the morning, meeting ea day w/ fresh outlook, greets poor people & orphans 

Ø  She is like a bud, promise of springtime, pledge that better times & renewed life R coming

NAAMAN’S LITTLE GIRL +++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  Though valiant, Naaman has no hope 4 a cure of leprosy except for little girl, who’s servant of wife

Ø  Embodied in little girl, hope stirs up Naaman’s attention 2 new possibilities 4 health & wholeness

Ø  Even at that, almost misses chance becz shifted gaze from modest ways in which hope is stirring

Ø  Almost got stuck in expectation that new life & restor’d health can come only fr dramatic intervntn

Ø  Huffs at Elisha’s directions from messenger

Ø  “Go wash 7 times in Jordan, & flesh will heal, & you’ll B clean”

Ø  Turns his back & walks away

Ø  “What’s this washing in Jordan? Can’t be so simple! If twere, I could’ve washed in rivers at home,” must’ve thought

Ø  Again, it’s little people w/ their quiet, reasonable voices who steer him back to trust that health & wholeness will come 2 him in a simple way

Ø  “If prophet had told you 2 do something extraordinary, wouldn’t U have done it?” they ask  

OUR “LITTLE GIRLS” ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  Prophetic wd of G often comes 2 touch & heal us thru simple folks & ordinary ways:

Ø  The simple act of noticing, of plunging into pres momnt, of allowing self to B surprised, line of Ps

CONCLUSION +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  What little voices of hope calling 4R attention today?

Ø  May we open R eyes & B sensitive 2 God’s presence & action in ordinary places & events

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++