The same prayer that Mary prays at the beginning of the Gospel is the same prayer that Jesus prays at the end of the Gospel. “Let Your will be doneâ€.
In our fast-paced world. Where the consumer often wins. The ego and individual often gets the control seat.
As a male we like to be in control. We like to call the shots. We like to eat when we are hungry. We like to have sex when we feel a need. We like to sleep when are tired. We like to work when we need money. But, are we designed simply with the individual and ego in mind?
In the centre of the prayer Jesus gives us “Father let Your Will be doneâ€. Did we miss that? Your will. Not my will. It is very hard for us to do this. Let God’s will be done. Let God’s desire be done.
In Jungian psychology we often see two halves of life. In the first half we see the person motivated by the self-ambition. A need to achieve. A need to earn a lot of money. A need to not to do wrong. To see things as right or wrong. To see things as black or white. The 10 commandments are a clear list of to-dos or not dos.
But in the second half of life, things change. In the second half of life my purpose and way of seeing things is no longer about me. Rather, we see the bigger picture. We need to care for our family. We recognise God who is not just a simple formula like the Trinity, but a mystery like the cloud of unknowning who is forever revealing God self. Money. Sex. Alcohol. Entertainment. Ambition no longer seems very important. Rather, what gives my life meaning? I am something more than me. I am part of the body of Christ. I am part of the cosmos. I am part of a unique tapestry which I did not simply create me, but rather is happening to me.
In my own life I often flick or move between the two halves of life. The problem is at times I fall back into the first half of life. Of smaller things. Of sin. As the Greeks term of “missing the markâ€. This is where we need something greater than the self to reveal God self. This is where we need a community of believers to show us the way. The shadow gets in the way. That part of us which is not perfect. That part of us which blocks us from seeing the Divine revelation. That is why we need God. Jesus. The Word who has become flesh.
As a father of three children, it important I learn to sacrifice myself for the one of love. My wife. My partner. My children. But as part of this is me. I need to sacrifice myself. I need to care for the one who is love. God. To allow God’s love to flow through me.
A Reflection Task Find a quiet space. Set your alarm for seven minutes. Click start. Sit up straight. Close your eyes. Focus on your breathing. Breathe slowly. Breath in and breath out. Breath in and breath out. “Let my desire be Your desire†Repeat these words and breathing for seven minutes. Repeat this Reflection task in the morning and evening.
(Audio Available)
