A Pro Sanctity "MUST READ" Book!Day 16. # 32 The late Cardinal Nguyen Van Thuan, a prisoner for thirteen years, nine of them spent in solitary confinement, has left us a precious little book: Prayers of Hope. During thirteen years in jail, in a situation of seemingly utter hopelessness, the fact that he could listen and speak to God became for him an increasing power of hope, which enabled him, after his release, to become for people all over the world a witness to hope—to that great hope which does not wane even in the nights of solitude.
Reflection by Msgr. Vaccari
In prayer we find the hope that otherwise eludes us. Turning to the Lord in prayer, we place ourselves in contact with the one who is always watchful of us. There is the grace we find which will overcome discouragement, give us strength to turn again in penance for our sins, the inner resources to forgive the offenses of another and to seek forgiveness for our own offenses. As Cardinal Van Thuan experienced in the darkness of solitary prison, we can listen to God and hear his voice, even if we are in the surroundings of our world that are sometimes noisy and unruly. In prayer we learn to be more and more realistic in our hope since we become more attuned to God's presence in our lives.
In prayer we find the hope that otherwise eludes us. Turning to the Lord in prayer, we place ourselves in contact with the one who is always watchful of us. There is the grace we find which will overcome discouragement, give us strength to turn again in penance for our sins, the inner resources to forgive the offenses of another and to seek forgiveness for our own offenses. As Cardinal Van Thuan experienced in the darkness of solitary prison, we can listen to God and hear his voice, even if we are in the surroundings of our world that are sometimes noisy and unruly. In prayer we learn to be more and more realistic in our hope since we become more attuned to God's presence in our lives.
Reflection by Teresa Monaghen
It is amazing that Cardinal Van Tuan from the desperate situation of solitary confinement, physical and physiological deprivation and absolutely no certainty that he would ever see the light of day could find hope and survive. We who are ready to jump ship and give in at the slightest distress or disappointment have no idea of the courage and strength that the Lord will give us in our darkest moments. The Lord has lifted up Cardinal Van Thuan to tell us not to give in or give up. There is hope, God is always with us, and He does not leave us in the darkness but comes to us in the secret places of our inner life. Hope can be learned in the school of suffering and in fact it is a primary place of learning that God never abandons us. Cardinal Thuan did incredible things in his so called hopeless situation; he thought of others and was able to give a word of hope and joy to all in the midst of tragedy! The psalmist says it so well “Happy those whose help is Jacob's God, whose hope is in the LORD, their God’ (Psa 146:5).
2 comments:
Ok, just when I swore, no more books, you just give me a reason to buy another one!!! terpls
Even if the rest of the document was as dull as doorknobs, it would be worth it all for what he has to say in this section about prayer!! Luckily, the rest ofhis reflections throughout the encyclical are beautiful and rich, as well!!
Post a Comment