Presence

The peace of God is the treasure of treasures, “the pearl of great price” – Lord, may I experience this peace right now, in Your holy presence.

Freedom

Your death on the Cross has set me free.
I can live joyously and freely,
without fear of death.
Your mercy knows no bounds.

Consciousness

Heavenly Father, thank You that Your love never fails and that Your mercies are new every morning. May I never fail to turn to You with my needs, with my love.

The Word of God

⁷Now Herod the ruler heard about all that had taken place, and he was perplexed because it was said by some that John had been raised from the dead, ⁸by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the ancient prophets had arisen. ⁹Herod said, “John I beheaded, but who is this about whom I hear such things?” And he tried to see him.

Inspiration

Herod had heard much about Jesus, and he was both curious and puzzled about him, yet he did not go and hear Jesus speak. Zacchaeus was also curious about Jesus, but he went to the trouble to climb a tree to catch sight of him. How much do we want to come to know Jesus, and are we willing to give time and energy to reading the gospels and to pray to him? 

In the Spiritual Exercises, the prayer St Ignatius asks to be repeated in every meditation of the Second Week is, ‘Lord help me to come to know you more, so that I may love you more, and follow you more closely in my life.’

Conversation

May Your Holy Spirit guide me
in all my dealings with others.
May I use the gift of speech with kindness.

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