Ways to deepen our Friendship with God

How to Become a Saint

▪St. Ignatius: Principle and Foundation▪Purpose of human life▪To love and serve God on this earth in order to be with him forever in heaven.▪To grow in our friendship with God and to be transformed more and more into the likeness of our Lord

Introduction

▪St. Paul▪Put Jesus Christ at the center of your life▪Pray without ceasing (1 Thess 5:17)▪Give thanks in all circumstances (5:18)

How do you do that?

▪How to be a contemplative in action as a busy business person or professional?▪How can we live always in the presence of the Lord and learn to do his will always?

How do you do that?

▪Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. (John 14:23)

God’s Promise

▪ Questions we will try to answer▪How can I become more aware of the Lord throughout a busy workday?▪How can I grow from praying 15 minutes to praying all day long?

What We Will Cover

▪We need to develop new habits ▪This involves discipline and repeated actions and never giving up

A Challenge

▪ Beginning and end of each day▪ First habit▪ As soon as you open your

eyes in the morning praise the Lord for the new day▪ As you settle down to fall

asleep thank the Lord for the day past

▪ Second habit▪ Twice a day (lunch and at

night) make an examination of conscience, general and particular

Becoming More Aware of God’s

Presence

▪Third habit▪Always say grace before

and after meals▪Whether you are alone

or with others▪ Fourth habit▪Add “God minutes” all

throughout your day▪After a task▪Before a meeting▪While on the road

Growth in Awareness of

God’s Presence

▪The commitment of 15 minutes of prayer and 15 minutes of reading Scripture is here presupposed▪Additional methods▪The Jesus prayer▪The rosary

Praying Always

▪The Way of the Pilgrim▪http://desertfathers.webs.com/th

ewayofthepilgrim.htm

▪Method▪To repeat the following

prayer over and over again▪ Lord Jesus Christ, Son of

God, have mercy on me a sinner

▪You can shorten it▪ Lord Jesus Christ have

mercy on me ▪Or just “Jesus mercy”

The Jesus Prayer

▪Purpose of the rosary▪To contemplate the

mysteries of our Lord’s life with and through our blessed Lady

▪Purpose is NOT saying Hail Marys▪Purpose is to focus on Jesus

and his life and ministry▪How can I focus more and

more on Jesus and not just rattling off prayers?

The Rosary

▪Mystery: the nativity of the Lord▪Hail Mary full of grace.

The Lord is with you. You are blessed among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb JESUS▪WHO WAS BORN IN

BETHLEHEM▪Holy Mary, Mother of

God pray for us sinners now and in the hour of our death. Amen

The German Way

1. Baptism in the Jordan2. The Wedding Feast at

Cana3. The Proclamation of

the Kingdom4. The Transfiguration5. The Institution of the

Eucharist

Luminous Mysteries

▪ Use the rosary to contemplate today’s Gospel, eg.

1. Jesus thought to be one of the prophets

2. Jesus thought to be John the Baptist come to life again

3. Jesus thought to be Elijah

4. Jesus, the Messiah, the Son of the living God

5. Jesus, the King of the martyrs John the Baptist and Paul Mikki and companions

Make up your own Mysteries

▪During the day use the rosary to think of the Lord▪When in transit▪When taking a rest▪When taking a walk, etc.

Use the Rosary to Remain in

God’s Presence

▪We need to remove the things that distract us from the Lord▪Certain use of Media▪Observe how you actually spend your time

Final Challenge

▪May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this. (1 Thess 5:23-24)

Final Encouragement

1. How do you keep aware of God’s presence now?

2. What could you do immediately to grow in awareness of his presence?

Discussion Question