OUR IGNATIAN RETREAT PART 7

Our March meeting focused on the prayer. As Father Don began to share some thoughts on the topic, I wondered whether we were getting the Ignatian view on prayer or the Don Beaudois view. I was still discombobulated by the heaven yes, hell no discussion.

I also felt that Father could never appreciate the extent to which prayer had been such a significant part of our lives since my cancer time.

In fact, like a bull in a chemistry lab, he toppled our idea that formula prayer is where it’s at.

“Don’t go repeating the same words over and over again unintelligently. Do you even know what you’re saying half the time,” he roared?

Father Don cranks it up when he’s passionate about something.

“I’ve got a few prayers for you that I think have true meaning. Here, take a look.”

One of the prayers was Morning Has Broken. I didn’t have the courage to tell Father that Cat Stevens had ruined that one for me years ago. Another was a morning offering and a third was a prayer to each person of the Trinity.

“These may not work for you but give them a try. Say the prayers slowly, pausing to reflect on each word. The Morning Has Broken prayer is on my lips to start every day. I’m convinced that the simplest way to draw closer to God is to see His divine hand through nature,” he added.

“I’ve got one more suggestion,” he continued. “After you’re up in the morning and have made that cup of tea or coffee, retreat to a quiet place in your house. Don’t talk to each other for at least thirty minutes,” he suggested. “Use that time for reading and reflection.”

Sounded easy enough but for a few weeks, I was still drawn to watch Sportcentre as the kettle boiled.

Now, after a few months, a quiet start to the day has become an integral part of our morning routine and probably the most important take away from our entire retreat experience to date.

For some, especially those with young children, I know it’s almost impossible to make time for prayer and reflecting in the morning. Certainly I never did when I was working. And yet, when we had three small kids, I faithfully got up every morning at 6:00 am to go running. What were my priorities then? What God was I really serving?

How do you start your day?

Morning has broken, like the first morning,

Blackbird has spoke, like the first bird.

Praise for the singing! Praise for the morning!

Praise for them springing fresh from the Word!

Sweet the rains new fall, sunlit from heaven,

Like the first dew fall on the first grass.

Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden,

Sprung in completeness where His feet pass.

Mine is the sunlight! Mine is the morning,

Born of the one light Eden saw play!

Praise with elation, Praise every morning.
God’s re-creation of the new day

…….AND OF ME.