MEDITATION:
Written by Valerie E. Hess, a contemporary Christian author. This is an excerpt from her book “Spiritual Disciplines Devotional.”
Some people are never satisfied. The Irish saint Columbanus is reported to have said, “The man [or woman] to whom little is not enough will not benefit from more.” We all know people like this. Give them an all-expenses-paid trip to an exotic destination and they complain about the view from their hotel room. Take them to a place of beautiful scenery, and they complain of being tired from all the traveling. Show them another culture with all of its marvelous characteristics, and they hate the food and the bathrooms. These kind of people always find something wrong because they are looking for perfection on earth, a quality that is simply not available in this life.
One way to practice the discipline of simplicity is through a spirit of contentment. This is so contrary to the culture around us that people are bound to take notice. We can strive to be sincerely thankful for all of the little things in life. Sure, there may be struggles or things we wish were different or needs or wants we would like to see met, but we are invited to keep them from becoming our defining reality. When we respond in peace and joy to the question “How are you?” we can be a witness to others of God’s goodness in all things.
PRAYER:
Written by Basil the Great (330-379) of Caesarea, an influential theologian and pastor. He was one of the Cappadocian Fathers.
O God and Lord of the Powers, and Maker of all creation, Who, because of Your clemency and incomparable mercy, sent Your only-begotten Son and our Lord Jesus Christ for the salvation of mankind, and with His venerable cross tore asunder the record of our sins, and thereby conquered the rulers and powers of darkness; receive from us sinful people, O merciful Master, these prayers of gratitude and supplication, and deliver us from every destructive and gloomy transgression, and from all visible and invisible enemies who seek to injure us. Nail down our flesh with fear of You, and let not our hearts be inclined to words or thoughts of evil, but pierce our souls with Your love, that ever contemplating You, being enlightened by You, and discerning You, the unapproachable and everlasting Light, we may unceasingly render confession and gratitude to You: the eternal Father, with Your only-begotten Son, and with Your all-holy, gracious and life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
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