When I was in high school, a favorite teacher of mine, Sister Mary Mark, taught me how to brainstorm. It was a very helpful organizational tool when I was presented with a problem to solve or a challenge such as a school essay. Brainstorming can be used in many life situations, not just in school.
As with most things, there can be a dark side. If you, like me, have a vivid, creative, problem-solving imagination, it is easy to brainstorm undesirable scenarios as I do when I fall into my worry mode. Worry is a habit that is difficult to break. Despite all my efforts to live my faith in a loving God, I often fall prey to worrying. Intellectually, I know worrying is a waste of time. Problem-solving and preventative preparation for the future do not have to be overshadowed by dismal fears. I have practice good and holy and positive brainstorming.
How about brainstorming when I pray? A prayer that most of us know is “The Divine Praises.” This prayer, which concludes Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, is like brainstorming truths we know about the Trinity, Mary, and St. Joseph. As is often the case, when we get to know a prayer very well through repetition, we can overlook many of its implications or details.
Let us look at “The Divine Praises” a little closer.
Blessed be God.
Blessed be His Holy Name.
How many times do we hear God’s name used in a very unholy way? The expression OMG, oh my God, shows up in everyday conversation as an outburst of surprise or excitement, but is it really meant as a prayer, or is it just pronounced to add a sense of importance to the situation? Are we really calling on God for his attention? Certainly, God is with us in our daily struggles, and he is only a genuine prayer away.
Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true Man.
Blessed be the Name of Jesus.
Blessed be His Most Sacred Heart.
Blessed be His Most Precious Blood.
It is good to pray about the different facts we know about our Savior. Jesus understands so much about us because he is truly human as well as truly divine. He has been here as a man! He was there at the beginning of time as well. And he loves each of us with all our brainstorming ability. We can call out that Precious Name which we must hold sacred. his Most Sacred Heart is always open to us, and his Most Precious Blood was willingly and lovingly shed for us.
Blessed be Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar.
Since the Last Supper, we have had Jesus present in the Eucharist. May we never take for granted that awesome Food of Life!
Blessed be the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete.
The Paraclete will intercede for us, advocate for us, counsel us, and inspire us. Do we call on the Holy Spirit in faith? I have, and I have received wonderful answers to prayer.
Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary most Holy.
Blessed be her Holy and Immaculate Conception.
Blessed be her Glorious Assumption.
Blessed be the name of Mary, Virgin and Mother.
It is good to meditate on our beautiful heavenly Mother. From her very beginning to her earthly end, Mary is such a perfect example of goodness, faithfulness, humility, self-sacrifice, and holiness. Honor Mary and thank her.
Blessed be St. Joseph, her most chaste spouse.
Although not much is said about Joseph in the Bible, we know he was there for Mary and Jesus, helped keep them safe on their early journeys, and modeled obedience to God’s will.
Blessed be God in his Angels and in his Saints. Amen.
We cannot forget about our guardian angels who help us, and the saints who give us marvelous life examples of virtue, strength, and reliance on God.
†††
Painting: Madonna on Floral Wreath, Peter Paul Rubens with Jan Brueghel the Elder, circa 1619. Alte Pinakothek, Munich
Sharon Krause is a RENEW volunteer whose writing has appeared in several resources for small-group faith sharing. She is a wife, mother, and grandmother residing in Manchester, Connecticut. Over the years, she has served in many parish ministries.