Holiness Habit #1: PRAYER
by Joe Paprocki, DMin
All 3 Lenten disciplines assist us in developing a sense of selflessness which is the
key to holiness. This means breaking the habit of putting ourselves and our own
needs first.
We assert ourselves and our egos by talking. In fact, the ego by definition is that
internal voice that yammers incessantly about me, me, me. One of the best ways
to “pick up our cross daily”—to extinguish our old self, our ego self—is to take
some time away from words.
When our words cease, the ego is neutralized. At the same time, a space opens
up into which God can speak instead. What does he say? He says exactly what we
need to hear: that we cannot (and do not have to) save ourselves. He reminds us
that this mission has been accomplished for us by Jesus’ death on the cross, and
that, although we are not worthy of this gift by nature, we have been made
worthy of it through grace.
This is why Jesus said, “When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as
the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many
words” (Matthew 6:7). It’s also why God said through the psalmist, “Be still, and
know that I am God!” (Psalm 46:10). Both are God’s polite way of saying, “Please
shut up, just for a moment.”
The essence of prayer is silence—which douses the ego as
surely as water does fire. It also creates a space into which a
host of other good and selfless habits can flow.
So, the first thing you need to do this Lent is to find some time
to be silent…just stop the flow of words, even if only for a few
minutes each day. Neutralize your own ego and create some
space for God to speak to you for a change.
© 2014 Loyola Press. All rights reserved.
Find this and more resources for catechists at http://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com