Presence

I bring myself into Your presence, O God.
May I always take time to notice and enjoy
the beauty You have created
for my pleasure.

Freedom

“Leave me here freely all alone, in cell where never sunlight shone. Should no one ever speak to me, this golden silence makes me free.” Part of a poem written by a prisoner at Dachau concentration camp.

Consciousness

Lord, You are present in all things
and when I take time to simply sit and be with You,
my mind rests
and I feel Your peace.

The Word of God

³¹At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” ³²He said to them, “Go and tell that fox for me, ‘Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. ³³Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.’ ³⁴Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! ³⁵See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’ ”

Inspiration

Jesus shows great tenderness and compassion in his use of the image of the brooding hen gathering her chicks under her wing. I am reminded of a line in one of G. M. Hopkins’s poems, ‘God’s Grandeur’ – ‘Because the Holy Ghost over the bent /world broods with warm breast and with ah! bright wings.’ Our God still longs to gather each of us to himself with great mercy and tenderness.

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