Today’s Consuming Fire Meditation- – A Daily Dose of the Flame of Love Diary Served Up with Today’s Scriptures
Memorial of Saint Benedict
Wrestling With God
I felt that immersing myself in the Most Holy Trinity was the only way to avoid giving up forever the exhausting struggle, which despite everything I did, refused to leave my soul. (Elizabeth) (October 23-24, 1963)
Today’s Readings: The man then said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go until you bless me.” The man asked, “What is your name?” He answered, “Jacob.” Then the man said, “You shall no longer be spoken of as Jacob, but as Israel, because you have contended with divine and human beings and have prevailed.” (Genesis 32)
Prayer Meditation- Lord, we all have our times when we feel like we have gone a few rounds with You in the ring of our lives. We all strive for holiness and perfection- a lot of times that is the problem because we are trying to do it all in our own strength. And so, we struggle and we wrestle- our wills continually trying to prevail in a match we will never win. Lord, help us to surrender to You and to rest in You because this continual struggle is just exhausting. Because You are the God who will hold us and keep us steady even as we strive mightily to wriggle away. As in the Gospel of today (Matthew 9), Your heart is moved with pity for us, You are nothing but love and mercy! Lord help us not to give up in our struggles but like Jacob let us come boldly to You asking blessing from the God who is Our Father who loves us without limit!
