Presence

My soul longs for Your presence, Lord. When I turn my thoughts to You, I find peace and contentment.

Freedom

Lord, too often I think I am the one in control of my life.
Help me to see that I am powerless over so much.
I ask for the grace to be able to hand over my life to You
and experience the joy of that freedom.

Consciousness

I ask how I am within myself today.
Am I particularly tired, stressed, or off-form?
If any of these characteristics apply,
can I try to let go of the concerns that disturb me?

The Word of God

²⁹When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, “This generation is an evil generation; it asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. ³⁰For just as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so the Son of Man will be to this generation. ³¹The queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the people of this generation and condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to listen to the wisdom of Solomon, and indeed, something greater than Solomon is here! ³²The people of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the proclamation of Jonah, and indeed, something greater than Jonah is here!

Inspiration

Today people will still flock to see external signs and wonders, but the true sign for all Christians will always be the figure of Christ on his cross. ‘As Moses lifted up the servant in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up’ (John 3:14). And  ‘When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all people to myself’ (John 12:32). And this is how Jesus wants us to remember him. When he said at the Last Supper, ‘Do this in memory of Me,’ he wanted us to recall his life-giving sacrifice on the cross.

Truly, ‘something greater than Solomon is here.’ Every time we come to prayer we are being invited to a private audience with someone greater than anyone else on the planet.

Conversation

What word or phrase has caught my attention from today’s Gospel? I ask the Lord what He wants to say to me through this word…

Conclusion

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

Amen