Presence

What I pay attention to has a hold on my becoming.
I reflect on the presence of God always there in love,
amidst the many things that have a hold on me.
I pause and pray that I may let God
affect my becoming in this precise moment.

Freedom

Thank you for the gift of freedom, Lord.
Grant that I may always choose to follow You.
Keep me ever mindful of Your ways,
of Your love and concern for all people.

Consciousness

We all need to take time out from our daily chores.
We know that our bodies need a rest.
When we come into Your presence, Lord,
our hearts and minds are refreshed, our spirits lifted.

The Word of God

³⁰They went on from there and passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know it, ³¹for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again.” ³²But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him.

³³Then they came to Capernaum, and when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” ³⁴But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. ³⁵He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” ³⁶Then he took a little child and put it among them, and taking it in his arms he said to them, ³⁷“Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.”

Inspiration

Jesus reminded his disciples of the direction of his prophetic life. Each time he mentioned suffering and death, they did not want to hear his message or could not accept it. Lord, may we hear the truth of your good news, where we know that our sufferings can lead us to Your glory (Luke 24:26).

The disciples seemed more concerned about themselves and their own glory. They were discussing who was the greatest among them. Lord, give us childlike hearts that can truly welcome you and help us to be welcoming of others, all of us equal, as your children.

Conversation

Jesus, You are always there waiting for me.
Sometimes I get bogged down
with the concerns of this life.
Grant that I may be still more often,
To know Your peace, Your calm.

Conclusion

I thank God for His gift of love
as I go forth with joy and hope
to serve His people.

Amen