Presence

Let my heart rejoice and be glad
in this time of prayer.
Remind me often of the great
blessings You have bestowed on me, oh my God.

Freedom

“I am free.”
When I look at these words in writing,
they seem to create in me a feeling of awe.
Yes, a wonderful feeling of freedom.
Thank You, God.

Consciousness

Jesus, thank You for this moment where I am conscious of Your presence with me. Help me to be more and more aware of Your presence in my daily life, and in everyone I meet.

The Word of God

¹³Jesus went out again beside the sea; the whole crowd gathered around him, and he taught them. ¹⁴As he was walking along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax-collection station, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him.

¹⁵And as he sat at dinner in Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were also sitting with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. ¹⁶When the scribes of the Pharisees saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, they said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” ¹⁷When Jesus heard this, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician but those who are sick; I have not come to call the righteous but sinners.”

Inspiration

Was this Levi’s farewell meal for his friends before he took to the road and followed Jesus? In the call to follow Jesus we have to leave many things behind. What are the things we still cling to that hinder our total commitment to being followers of Jesus?

The Pharisees wanted to have nothing to do with those they deemed sinners. In contrast, Jesus always sought out the company of sinners and worked tirelessly to bring them back to God. All of us remain sinners and in constant need of God’s merciful forgiveness and healing. We ask the Lord to show us this more fully.

Conversation

Dear Lord, stay by my side always.
Gain for me a trusting heart.
Thank You for loving me.

Conclusion

Filled with the loving presence of God,
I ask Him to bless me and guide my steps
as I go to do His work in my daily life.

Amen