You are the giver of all good things. All good things are sent from heaven above, rain and sun, day and night, justice and righteousness, bread to the eater and seed to the sower, peace to the old, energy to the young, joy to the babes. We are takers, who take from you, day by day, daily bread, taking all we need as you supply, taking in gratitude and wonder and joy. And then taking more, taking more than we need, taking more than you give us, taking from our sisters and brothers, taking from the poor and the weak, taking because we are frightened, and so greedy, taking because we are anxious, and so fearful, Taking because we are driven, and so uncaring. Give us peace beyond our fear, and so end our greed. Give us well-being beyond our anxiety, and so end our fear. Give us abundance beyond our drivenness, and so end our uncaring. Turn our taking into giving … since we are in your giving image: Make us giving like you, giving gladly and not taking, giving … [Read more...]
Finish Well – Lectio Divina
So here's what I think: The best thing you can do right now is to finish what you started last year and not let those good intentions grow stale. Your heart's been in the right place all along. You've got what it takes to finish it up, so go to it. Once the commitment is clear, you do what you can, not what you can't. 2 Corinthians 8:10-11 (The Message) Every year, Lord, I start with a bang of enthusiasm, launching new goals and plans for the coming year. I ask you for your blessing and guidance on each year’s new beginning. But this verse in this unique translation stopped me cold. “Finish what you started last year” shouted to my heart and shook my good intentions into the light of day. What does this mean, Lord? I recognize the sound of your quiet whisper and am aware of your touch upon my spirit. I feel your nudge - “look again upon 2013 - finish what you have started.” I want to close the door on 2013. I want to move onto the fresh newness of … [Read more...]
Wake Up, My Child- Lectio Divina
"Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believes; the night is far gone, the day is near." Romans 13: 11-12 a"Therefore you must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour."Matthew 24: 44Lord, I love the twilight when you first arouse me from slumber.I sense your presence sitting by my bed, gently awakening me for the day ahead."Wake up, my child." I smile. You smile. Time to get ready.The night is gone and the day is near.I don't know what this day will hold, Lord.Maybe I will get done all I have planned.Perhaps you will bring interruptions of more importance into my path.God surprises may take me into unplanned twists and turns. I don't know, but you do, Lord.Lord. You contain all time. You hold the future with one hand and embrace us with the other.When will you come back for us, Lord?Will I be ready?"Wake up my child."You tell me it's time to wake up. Get … [Read more...]
Advent Prayer – Quote of the Week – Henri Nouwen
Advent Prayer. How will Advent shape your prayers this year? Will you pray about the light of Advent? Hope? The anticipation of the new birth in your Advent prayer? Will all the busy preparations come from a place of chaos and pressure or from a place of Advent prayer? Who is your heart focused on this season? The news? The weather? Or the presence of Jesus? I found peace and stillness in praying the following Advent prayer each day during this time of year. May it bless your season also. Lord Jesus,Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas. We who have so much to do seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day. We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us. We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom. We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence. We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light. To you we … [Read more...]
Soften Us, O Living God – Quote of the Week – Edwina Gateley
O living God, soften us! Let the fire of Your love thaw the frost within us. Let the light of Your justice sear away our blindness. Let the grace of Your compassion heal our hardened spirits. O living God, soften us! That, flowing with Your grace, we be impelled to face the world in bold compassion, that, driven to justice, we may dare to cry aloud for the little ones, the raped, the beaten, the imprisoned, and the hungry. O living God, soften us! Sweep us forward in a Mighty Wave of Mercy to heal our darkened world. Edwina Gateley You may also like this post about compassion. How do you increase the compassion in your heart for others? What has worked for you in the past? What would you like to try to do differently as you learn to love others more fully? Have you ever prayed to have God soften your heart? Which line moves you the most? My favorite line which has become a breath prayer for me … [Read more...]
Prayer – Quote of the Week by David Steindl-Rast
“Source of all blessings, you bless us with memory — that sacred ingathering of the past into the present that allows us to recognize faces, learn poems by heart, find our way back when we are lost, and bring forth old and new from its nearly inexhaustible store. May I know what to forgive and forget and what to retain and treasure, keeping in mind the smallest kindness shown to me and spreading its ripples for a long time.” — Br. David Steindl-Rast … [Read more...]
Let My Bones Be Soaked With Your Love – Quote of the Week
O my God,let me, with thanksgiving,remember, and confess unto youyour mercies on me.Let my bones be soaked with your love,and let them say unto you,Who is like you, O Lord?You have broken my chains in pieces.I will offer unto you the sacrifice of thanksgivingAnd how you have broken them, I will declare;and all who worship you, when they hear this, will say:Blessed is the Lord in heaven and in earth! Great and wonderful is his name!St Augustine … [Read more...]
Autumn Prayer
AUTUMN PRAYER God of all creation, you give us the gift of seasons to mark our journey through time. The season of autumn, with its change of colors and falling leaves, reminds us that sometimes things must die and fall away for new life to arise. Such is the message of the cross — that through death to self we find life in all its richness. In those moments when we experience setbacks for failures, help us to remember that you are with us always, and that there is no failure or sin your love cannot heal. Help us to trust in you and in your promise of new life. Peter Jarret, C.S.C. What is your autumn prayer? How are you praying this season? Try writing your own autumn prayer. Share your autumn prayer in social media and in the comments below. Take the time to talk with God this fall and see what he reveals to you in your words. You may be surprised! For more weekend reflections check out this post. … [Read more...]