Pope Francis: Say the 'Jesus Prayer' throughout the day.

Started by Xavier, June 10, 2021, 06:39:12 AM

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Xavier

From: https://www.ncregister.com/cna/pope-francis-say-the-jesus-prayer-throughout-the-day

"VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis on Wednesday encouraged busy Catholics to say the "Jesus Prayer" throughout the day.

Speaking at the general audience June 9, the pope recommended the short prayer at the heart of Eastern Christianity's mystical tradition.

Referring to the 19th-century Russian spiritual classic The Way of a Pilgrim, he said: "The spiritual journey of the Russian pilgrim begins when he comes across a phrase of St. Paul in the First Letter to the Thessalonians: 'Pray constantly, always and for everything give thanks' (5:17-18)."

"The Apostle's words struck the man and he wondered how it was possible to pray without interruption, given that our lives are fragmented into so many different moments, which do not always make concentration possible."

"From this question, he begins his search, which will lead him to discover what is called the prayer of the heart. It consists in repeating with faith: 'Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'"

He asked pilgrims in the San Damaso Courtyard of the Apostolic Palace to repeat the words out loud, saying that it was a prayer "that, little by little, adapts itself to the rhythm of breath and extends throughout the day."

"Indeed, the breath never stops, not even while we sleep; and prayer is the breath of life," he said.

The pope's live-streamed address, dedicated to "Perseverance in love," was the 37th meditation in his cycle of catechesis on prayer, which he launched in May and resumed in October following nine addresses on healing the world after the pandemic.

He also cited The Way of a Pilgrim in his 30th address, in April, praising it as "a book that is accessible to all."

Telling pilgrims that his latest address was his "penultimate catechesis on prayer," he reflected on how to sustain prayer amid the pressures of daily life.

He said: "A father and a mother, caught up in a thousand tasks, may feel nostalgia for a time in their life in which it was easy to find regular times and spaces for prayer. Then come children, work, family life, aging parents..."

"One has the impression that it will never be possible to get through it all. And so it is good for us to think that God, our Father, who must take care of all the universe, always remembers each one of us. Therefore, we too must always remember Him!"

He said that throughout Christian history work had been held in high esteem and not disparaged.

"Everything in the human being is 'binary': our body is symmetrical, we have two arms, two eyes, two hands... And so, work and prayer are also complementary," he explained.

But it would be "inhuman," he said, to become so absorbed by work that prayer falls by the wayside.

"At the same time, a prayer that is alien from life is not healthy," he commented. "A prayer that alienates itself from the concreteness of life becomes spiritualism, or worse, ritualism."

He noted that after the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor, Jesus and his disciples resumed their daily lives. 

"Because that experience had to remain in their hearts as the light and strength of their faith; also a light and strength for the days that were soon to come: those of the Passion," he said.

"In this way, the time dedicated to staying with God revives faith, which helps us in the practicalities of living, and faith, in turn, nurtures prayer, without interruption. In this circularity between faith, life, and prayer, one keeps alight that flame of Christian life that God expects of us."


"And let us repeat the simple prayer that it is so good to repeat during the day. Let's see if you can still remember it. All together: 'Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner,' Saying this prayer continually will help you in the union with Jesus."

A precis of the pope's catechesis was then read out in seven languages. After each summary, he greeted members of each language group.

Addressing Spanish-speaking Catholics, he said: "I cordially greet the Spanish-speaking faithful. In these days in which we prepare to celebrate the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, let us ask the Lord to make our hearts like his: humble, merciful and persevering in love, prayer, and good works."

Turning to Polish-speaking pilgrims, he said: "This Friday we will celebrate the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. On this day, the 100th anniversary of the consecration of the Polish nation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, your bishops will solemnly renew this act. I encourage you to be permeated by God's love and to work towards building a civilization of love."

Finally, addressing Italian-speakers, he said: "The day after tomorrow we shall celebrate the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in which God's love made itself known to all humanity."

"I invite each one of you to look with trust to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and to repeat often, especially during this month of June: Jesus, meek and humble of heart, transform our hearts and teach us to love God and our neighbor with generosity."

The general audience ended with the recitation of the Our Father and the Apostolic Blessing."
Bible verses on walking blamelessly with God, after being forgiven from our former sins. Some verses here: https://dailyverses.net/blameless

"[2] He that walketh without blemish, and worketh justice:[3] He that speaketh truth in his heart, who hath not used deceit in his tongue: Nor hath done evil to his neighbour: nor taken up a reproach against his neighbours.(Psalm 14)

"[2] For in many things we all offend. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man."(James 3)

"[14] And do ye all things without murmurings and hesitations; [15] That you may be blameless, and sincere children of God, without reproof, in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation; among whom you shine as lights in the world." (Phil 2:14-15)

dellery

Blessed are those who plant trees under whose shade they will never sit.

The closer you get to life the better death will be; the closer you get to death the better life will be.

Nous Defions
St. Phillip Neri, pray for us.

spiraliskt

Pope Francis recently encouraged Catholics to incorporate the "Jesus Prayer" into their daily routines during his general audience. This prayer, central to Eastern Christianity's mystical tradition, is a simple yet profound invocation: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner."
Key Points from the Pope's Address
Spiritual Journey: The Pope referenced the 19th-century spiritual classic The Way of a Pilgrim, highlighting how the protagonist begins his spiritual journey upon encountering St. Paul's exhortation to "pray constantly" (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18). This notion of continuous prayer is essential, especially in a fragmented world.
Integration into Daily Life: He emphasized that the Jesus Prayer can adapt to the rhythm of one's breath, making it a constant companion throughout the day. This approach aligns prayer with everyday life, suggesting that prayer should be as natural as breathing.
Work and Prayer: Pope Francis discussed the balance between work and prayer, noting that while work is important, it should not overshadow one's spiritual life. He warned against becoming so absorbed in daily tasks that prayer is neglected.
Faith and Life Connection: The Pope illustrated how prayer revitalizes faith, which in turn supports daily living. He pointed out that after significant spiritual experiences, such as the Transfiguration, Jesus and his disciples returned to their everyday lives, carrying their faith with them.
Encouragement for All: In addressing various language groups present at the audience, he encouraged them to cultivate hearts like that of Jesus—humble and merciful—especially as they prepare to celebrate the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Conclusion
Pope Francis's call to repeat the Jesus Prayer throughout the day serves as an invitation for Catholics to deepen their relationship with God amid life's busyness. By integrating this simple prayer into daily activities, believers can maintain a continuous connection with their faith and nurture their spiritual well-being.



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post dąbrowskiej zasady

Michael Wilson

He most probably says the "Ghandi" version of it.
"The World Must Conform to Our Lord and not He to it." Rev. Dennis Fahey CSSP

"My brothers, all of you, if you are condemned to see the triumph of evil, never applaud it. Never say to evil: you are good; to decadence: you are progess; to death: you are life. Sanctify yourselves in the times wherein God has placed you; bewail the evils and the disorders which God tolerates; oppose them with the energy of your works and your efforts, your life uncontaminated by error, free from being led astray, in such a way that having lived here below, united with the Spirit of the Lord, you will be admitted to be made but one with Him forever and ever: But he who is joined to the Lord is one in spirit." Cardinal Pie of Potiers

Antonius

I expect PF, will expect people to say the prayer in any language but Latin.
Nemo me inpune lacessit.

KreKre

God understands every language, human or angelic, even those that do not exist, so from His point of view, it does not matter in which language you say it. But for us, it is good to say it in Latin, as that is a proper, dignified language of prayer that elevates our hearts to God more than any vernacular. Therefore, say it like this:

Dómine Jesu Christe, Fili Dei, miserére mei peccatóris.
Christus vincit! Christus regnat! Christus imperat!