"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...]
Praying Persistently – Lectio Divina
"Be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable."2 Timothy 4: 2bThe Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lost heart."Luke 18: 1Your lesson this week, Lord encourages me.Be persistent.You don't mind me bothering you.Repeating requests.Whining a bit.Dare I say - bargaining and begging at times.I come to you with a whole range of prayers - some for myself, many for others.Sometimes I tell you what I need to you to do. Thanks for listening. . . and forgiving my bossiness.Some times I can't find the words, so turn my prayer over to you knowing the Holy Spirit will carry it into your heart.But you invite me back.You persistently welcome me into your presence.You cheer me on to keep praying no matter what.What a glorious invitation this is: To approach the King, our Savior, the Lord Creator, with my petty, transitory, and fear drenched pleas.I talk, yell, plead, barter and even argue and you listen with love.You say come.I come with too much … [Read more...]
Change Me, Oh God – Quote of the Week
Change me, oh God, Into a tree in autumn And let my dying Be a blaze of glory! Drape me in a Crimson, leafy gown, And deck my soul In dancing flakes of gold! And then when Death Comes by, and with his hands Strips off my rustling garment Let me stand Before him, proud and naked, Unashamed, uncaring, All the strength in me revealed Against the sky! Oh, God Make me an autumn tree If I must die! Esther Pope, 1896-1958 … [Read more...]