Posted by Chuck Scherl
Parishioner Chuck Scherl is head of the New Beginnings Grief Support Ministry and leader of the Liturgy of the Hours Prayer Group. Chuck takes his two dogs walking most mornings at a local dog park.
A reflection from the Office of Readings today, featuring a quote from a discourse by St. Andrew of Crete:
"Let us spread the thoughts and desires of our hearts under his feet like garments, so that, entering with the whole of his being, he may draw the whole of our being into himself and place the whole of his in us."
This passage struck me deeply, resonating in a way I cannot ignore. I find myself returning to it again and again. What are the thoughts and desires of my heart? How do I lay them the feet of Jesus?
I am called to detach myself from everything I desire apart from Jesus. But what does this truly mean?
It requires surrendering all that I desire—not only my conscious longings but also those hidden deep within my heart, the ones I may not even be fully aware of. For me, this reveals a tension, a duality of motivations. I am grateful for the gift of prayer, inspired by the Holy Spirit, yet I recognize within myself a subtle self-satisfaction. This satisfaction does not come from you, Lord, but from my own flesh.
Deep within, I catch myself congratulating myself for being a "good Christian." Though I am striving to be one, the subtle self-congratulation serves no purpose. Lord Jesus, I place even these faults—the deepest desires of my heart that are not directed toward you—under your feet. These desires are not for you; they are for my own self.
As much as I long to let go of these selfish desires, they cling to me. I cannot free myself from their grip without your help. Lord, purge me. Burn these faults out of me, that nothing remains but the space you created in me for yourself. Enter into my soul, Lord, and make me one with you.
I prayerfully imagine myself falling gently and slowly into a pile of rags at the feet of Jesus. Some of the rags are pure silk, beautiful and flawless. Most, however, are rough, filled with burrs, and little more than half-rotting pieces of burlap.
May my whole being be emptied of all of this, Lord Jesus, so that you may step into me. May I become one with you, and that you become one with me.
Lord, I give you my very self to the best of my human ability. The rest is up to you.
Empty silence waits,
Love steps into yearning hearts
Union yet to bloom.
