A Sunday Prayer
A Reflection by Fred Schaeffer, OFS
Sundays are generally quiet days in my life. The highlight of my Sunday is attending Holy Mass. I try to leave the heavy work for other days, because our Lord doesn't really want us to work on Sundays. Our Lord created the seventh day of the week for rest, and for honoring the Father. I began this Reflection on a Sunday.
Today, the following day, happens to be the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, a good day to honor our Lady. He wants us to become holy in our daily lives. Holiness manifests itself when there is no longer any difference between our words and our actions. As Catholics we promise to love God and our neighbor (that means everyone) as ourselves. The intention to do so are our words. The action is when we do as we promise. We can stop sin in our lives. We have that power with the help of the Holy Spirit. God has given us a free will, so let us exercise that free will for the better. Heaven is not something you will earn five minutes before you breathe your last breath, if you have neglected it all your life. But God is merciful and compassionate. Heaven is earned by a life-long pursuit of prayer (that is, talking with Jesus, with God) and comparable action. People who pray and pray, and every time they meet other people act foolishly, sinfully, are hypocrites. They are simply not acting upon God's goodness. So we may pray for them by simply asking God to bless them and make their hearts like His. That they may live in His presence now. "As a deer yearns for running streams, so I yearn for you, My God. In you is the source of life, by your light we see light" (cf. Ps. 42)
"God's love brings us to full blossom. With God's love, we can, in His name, accomplish almost anything. His love nurtures us as it does a most exquisite flower. Don't shut Him out, but prepare each day to make Him welcome in your life and your soul. Be joyful and grateful when He visits, and be Christ to everyone you meet each and every day.
May the Lord bless you and keep you well.
Fred Schaeffer, OFS
2012, rev. 12/8/2025