Repetition

3 Apr

“You affect your subconscious mind by verbal repetition.” ~ W. Clement Stone

It is Easter again! We reflected upon that yesterday on Monday of the Octave of Easter. Each day this week we celebrate the Easter mystery, the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead. As we repeat Easter again today, we reflect upon the importance of repetition itself.

We all know that one of the best ways to improve a skill is by repetition. The more often we practice something, the more it becomes a part of us. If we throw enough baseballs, the “perfect pitch” becomes a part of muscle memory so that we do not have to think about it as hard as when we first began. If we drive a route often enough, we no longer look at a map or at road signs. We go on “auto pilot”. Our faith is very much the same.

When we first begin in the faith, we use prayer books and other prayer aids. The words to the prayers often sound very foreign to us. They come off of our tongues quite clumsily. We find it hard to say and, maybe, just as hard to believe. However, when we say a prayer often enough, it begins to feel quite natural. Then, we no longer think about the words we are saying. Instead, we can begin to reflect upon the deeper reality spoken about in the words we use.

Families that are used to praying together do it quite naturally. When they sit down to eat, for example, no one needs to say, “Are we going to pray?” Instead, they sit at the table for their meal and begin their prayer. The verbal repetition of their prayers together affect their subconscious mind to the point that they would not think about eating without praying.

That is a reason to celebrate Easter for an octave. When we gather to pray each day, when we sing the Gloria each day, when we use the Easter Alleluia each day, we become a changed people. We embrace the joy that the day brings to us and we remember that Easter is not just a day, that it is a reality.

Some day, we are going to be called from this world to face God. We look forward to the day that we can live the reality of Easter — peace, love, joy, and life — for all eternity.

Christ has risen as He said. Alleluia, Alleluia!

FAITH ACTION:  Take time to pray some of your favorite prayers today. Even better, if possible, teach someone — a child, family member, or friend — prayers that they can use on a regular basis.