MANILA, Philippines - Zaccheus, in a sycamore tree looking out for the Lord, is a fitting image of a person at prayer. (Lk 19:1-10) Moved by a desire to see Jesus, he positions himself in such a way that the Lord might catch a glimpse of the Lord. The religious easily identify with Zaccheus. They need to find their own “sycamore” tree with branches strong enough to lift them above whatever crowds out the Lord and prevents them from seeing Jesus face to face.
Holistic prayer involves imitating Zaccheus’ resourcefulness and spontaneity. In time, the tall trees of concerns and the crowd of people that obstruct their view of Jesus will slowly give way to an eye-to-eye meeting with Him.
A little girl approached a nun and asked, “Sister, why do people look so serious and sad when they pray?”
Yes, indeed, out of the mouth of babes come wisdom and insight. In the clear pool of their innocence, adults can sometimes see their own ugly spots; they can see how rigid and lifeless their prayer may become. There’s a need to find freshness and new life.
In this light, the Dominican Sisters of Regina Rosarii are inviting everybody to attend Creative Approaches to Prayer (CAP), a seminar that will attempt to let heart and head come together bringing freshness and new life to our relationship with God. Prayer is a relationship through Jesus with the Father and like other relationships it needs constant rekindling.
CAP will be conducted on July 17 and 18 at the Regina Rosarii Center for Contemplative Prayer, #70 Scout Fernandez Street, Brgy. Laging Handa, Quezon City. Seminar facilitators are: Sr. Eppie Brazil, IP; Sr. Matthew Brasil, OP and Sr. Menchi Advincula, OP.
For details, call Sr. Ding at tel no. (02) 372-5327 or 0928-7545475; or email regina seminars@yahoo.com. You may also visit www.reginarosarii.org.