Presence

I pause for a moment
and think of the love and the grace
that God showers on me,
creating me in His image and likeness,
making me His temple….

Freedom

God is not foreign to my freedom.
Instead, the Spirit breathes life into my most intimate desires,
gently nudging me towards all that is good.
I ask for the grace to let myself be enfolded by the Spirit.

Consciousness

I remind myself that I am in the presence of the Lord.
I will take refuge in His loving heart.
He is my strength in times of weakness.
He is my comforter in times of sorrow.

The Word of God

²⁵At that time Jesus said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; ²⁶yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. ²⁷All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

²⁸“Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. ²⁹Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Inspiration

A saying of Saint Catherine of Siena was ‘Where we see sins, God sees weakness'.  She points to the reality that many people try to do their best but find their faults and failings often overcome them.  God sees the heart and sees our efforts to do good, even though these efforts do not always succeed.  God's Spirit, given with many gifts and energies for the world, also brings the gift of Divine forgiveness.

The last lines today have been a huge help and consolation to millions of people over the years.  We all know the times of carrying heavy burdens of failure, pain, loss, shame, guilt, depression, hopelessness.  We can all add to this list.  All can be part of our prayer and relationship with God.  Only in honestly admitting our big needs can we find the rest of soul which we need.  A soul at rest can share with many the peace of God.

Conversation

“Stay and watch with me.”
These were Your words, Lord, to the disciples,
before Your suffering and death.
I know, Lord, You will stay and watch over me
all the days of my life.

Conclusion

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning,
is now and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen.

Amen