7.17.12 Lectio: Is 10.5-7, 13b-16 Meditatio: "Will the axe boast against the him who hews it? Will the saw exalt itself above the one who wields tit? As if a rod could sway him how lifts it, or a staff him who is not wood? Is 1o0.15 Oratio:”O God, You use people and even nations to carry out Your will. I remember You used Assyria to bring Your chosen people back to their senses - but that did not make Assyria greater than you - only Your instrument. Grant that I may always remember You are the potter we are the clay, the work of Your hands and to allow You to mole us as You desire. I ask this of You, who lives and reigns with Jesus and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever. Amen.” Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes. Operatio: Reflect on “cause and effect”; saws, rods, axes are instruments that bring about effects but their users are the cause because without a user these instruments remain inert and produce nothing. In prayer ask for the grace to be open to the instruments God uses to accomplish His will so as to please Him out of love rather than out of force. Tomorrow’s reading: Is 26.7-9, 12, 16-19 P.S. the pilgrimage to Poland was an awesome and inspiring one - and a successful one as we were able to obtain for the parish a first class relic of St. Faustina; and all of you were remembered in my daily masses.