Consecrating the day means that I leave behind whatever apprehension or misgivings, whatever preconceived notions of failure, fear, or foreboding that may linger somewhere—leave them with the words “Thy will be done.”
We may not be accustomed to thinking of consecration in such terms. For those of us who are Catholic, but not priests, the idea of consecrating something may not be a part of our religious language or way of thinking. We may not yet have processed the idea of consecrating beyond the sacramental context of what it means to consecrate a thing. There is a sense in which consecrating or making holy belongs on the same level as any other act of consecration that we are able to experience firsthand in our subjective life.
In all honesty I must admit that I am in need of the grace that consecrates the day as much as anyone else. I too often have begun my day with apprehension and misgiving, though I know that I’m not alone in it. Whenever human beings come together with one another certain difficulties are bound to arise—perhaps sometimes merely out of personality differences, or at other times over serious issues that need to come to a swift resolution.
Whenever human beings meet each other in the crowded stream of life there are bound to be challenges or difficulties. However, these difficulties—regardless of how irreconcilable they may seem--need not be destructive to the spirit. When met with consecration those individuals whom we may deem to be most difficult can become a channel of joy.
If we hope to gain spiritual success, or perhaps any other kind of success, we must be willing to consecrate the day. Some might say that we must allow the Lord to do it for us, and I really have no great argument with that point of view. However, I know that we human beings are people who act decisively in situations, though some more than others. Our being, our existence, is not passive in itself. Our actions define us both individually and as a whole. Therefore, we must take part personally in consecrating the day.
What it means to consecrate the day is to take the responsibility to fill it with goodness. Every negative impulse—either that I notice in myself or in another—must be taken and formed newly: formed in the way that the hands of God touch and heal and overcome. In consecrating we add the positive and good where ever we find it missing.
Surely, we may think, the consecration of the day must start with a prayer, a blessing, perhaps a word of thanksgiving. Whether at home or when we arrive at our workplace, the power of our words may be put in place to be effective through the entire day. Sometimes our prayer will be of fewer words or perhaps of no words at all, but be assured that whatever words we choose during the day will make the difference. Our actions are formed from our words and every word gives rise to new actions. Consecration may mean saying, “I can make a difference today. I will act decisively. All I do will make a path for goodness to emerge.”
I have arrived here at this place where sometimes Lord I’ve struggled with humanity, and always I’ve seen the real side of exactly what it means to be a human…to be a man, or to be a woman. I arrive here where too often I’ve seen shadows and my spirit and courage have failed. May I offer goodness this morning, this day; may I offer peace in place of emptiness. May I fill the dark room with light. May I offer a strong heart by connecting to a heart that beats much stronger than mine. May this day be holy and may your will be done today.
Amen! No foreboding, simply the "Thy will be done" and "to consecrate the day is to take the responsibility to fill it with goodness." A terrific reminder/great thought with which to kick off the new year.
Posted by: Carol | January 05, 2010 at 06:56 AM