Salt + Light Television

Perspectives

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On this Friday’s edition of Perspectives…

March 12, 2010 edition

Nationalistic Pride

Most of us run on a tight schedule morning until night with hardly enough of a pause to sit down to a meal. So what about our soul’s food? Are we unknowingly denying our soul of its sustenance? Although prayer need not include hours of scheduled contemplation on end, we are all called to “pray without ceasing” even in the midst of rush hour.

St. Thérèse of Lisieux said: "For me prayer is a surge of the heart, it is a simple look towards Heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy."

But this is not a simple decision. Or is it? Is prayer more than an act of the will? Does prayer require effort and discipline? It is much like asking “does love require effort?”

Join host Pedro Guevara Mann as he sits down for a featured conversation on prayer with Brother Emile of the Taizé community in France. An ecumenical community with roots as far back as the 1940’s, the Taize community’s simple yet profound musical prayer has become a staple in many faith communities around the world.

Be sure to join us at 7pm and 11pm ET (8pm PT) for a closer look at the Taizé community’s spirituality and how its application need not be exclusive to the pilgrim destination in France.

As always, don’t forget to visit our blog and our facebook page for updates as they happen.

“Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel!” 1 Corinthians 9:16

In his message for the 44th World Day of Communications, Pope Benedict XVI urges priests to open up “broad new vistas for dialogue” and compares cyberspace to the “Court of the Gentiles”, that is, a place to meet and to commune with those of our brothers and sisters who have not yet heard the Good News.

The Holy Father writes that with the “almost limitless expressive capacity” of the new technologies, the Church has an increased duty to harness the media in order “to help our contemporaries to discover the face of Christ”.

With these words from scripture and with John Paul the Great’s “be not afraid” still ringing in our ears, we at Salt +Light are pleased to present Perspectives, our newest programming initiative and our gift to Mother Church as She works to claim technological terrain for Christ. With the wisdom of the Church as our guide, we will be speaking with those on the “front lines” and also with you, our viewers, for your take on things as the Church navigates the digital age. Whether it is blogging priests, film-directing nuns or simply earnest analysis you seek, we’ve got it and we want to hear from you!

Click here to see all previous questions.

Comments

Angela Santana: I wonder how my friends would feel if I asked whether keeping in touch with them should require effort...

Matt Farnand: I'd probably be praying right now if it didn't. The effort is part of the journey and the blessing of the result.

Mélissa Fleurent: I agree with Matt. Nicely said.

Mary Joy Rile: e.g. as to setting a fix time of prayer, yes it does require an effort. but praying per se, one needs only grace for a meaningful prayer experience... :)

Ana Vargas: I don't think there is a "should" I think that everyone goes through different stages in their prayer life and as long as one keeps it up God will take care of the rest.

David Tim Thurton: My prayer certainly does! But I don't think it should become a chore or that we should feel that minute we don't pray God will abandon us.

Ana Vargas: I kind of feel the other way around. When I don't pray I feel I'm the one who has walked away. I really do feel God's absence when I don't pray and that is usually what makes me go back and pray, I miss him too much.

Chantal Leger: Prayer is prayer no matter what it requires. If it comes easy for me than bonus, if I need to sacrifice in order to do it than well I have the ability to become holier.

Del Myers: Good question. If prayer is defined simply as communion with God, that leads to the question: does the Beatific Vision require effort? It doesn't seem that it would require any effort on our part. But, as I am not in Heaven, I can't really answer that one. But, as long as we live in this world, it doesn't matter whether or not praying _should_ require effort. It is a fact that praying _does_ require effort. Even the simple act of breathing requires effort. We can't expect prayer to be any different. Life is a wonderful journey, and the work that we put into every aspect of life is part of what helps us to understand its meaning. Our effort in life and in prayer helps to bring joy into life.

Mary Swanson: Yes

Cheryl Caron: sometimes it does and sometimes it is easier.....

Angie Myatt: I think all relationships require a certain level of effort

Janet Bosco: yes for kids...then it becomes habit and it is more like conversing with God...there are some standard prayers we keep saying without even thinking and then there is an effort to do more...i make an effort to read Bible in my commute to work and say a small prayer eventually it would become a habit....

Dave Wood: If not effort, at least concentration. Sometimes that concentration is on silent waiting.

Mary Swanson: well u should out in an effort as u put in the effort to talk to a friend because pray is talking to a friend and that friend is God

Haiku Hamu: Is there ever any genuine value in the things that are effortless?

Salt + Light TV: well said, everyone! Thank you for your reflections. Has anyone ever read "Time for God" by Fr. Jacques Phillippe? Excellent book on this very topic.

Devin Watkins: no. it's an open line of communication between you and God, who is powerful enough to hear your prayers without effort.

Connie Robinson Spuria: Praying: The act of praying: no, it can be done anywhere.
Prayer itself: Yes, you're deep in thought and contemplation; their is an emotional investment.

Daily Edition

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Join host Pedro Guevara Mann on Fridays at 7pm ET. Pedro, artistic director for WYD02... read more

Tune in Monday through Thursday at 7pm ET for our 5-minute daily current affairs edition of “Perspectives”.

On Fridays, at 7:00pm ET, join us for Perspectives: The Weekly Edition, a 30-minute program featuring in-depth discussions on the week’s hot topics, with host Pedro Guevara Mann and special guests.

Check our blog each week for insides on upcoming guests and for a chance to offer your “perspective” on our weekly topics.