Presence

Jesus waits, silent and unseen, to come into my heart.
I will respond to His call.
He comes with His infinite power and love.
May I be filled with joy in His presence.

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

How am I really feeling? Lighthearted? Heavy-hearted?
I may be very much at peace, happy to be here.
Equally, I may be frustrated, worried or angry.
I acknowledge how I really am. It is the real me that the Lord loves.

The Word of God

¹¹Soon afterward he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went with him. ¹²As he approached the gate of the town, a man who had died was being carried out. He was his mother’s only son, and she was a widow, and with her was a large crowd from the town. ¹³When the Lord saw her, he was moved with compassion for her and said to her, “Do not cry.” ¹⁴Then he came forward and touched the bier, and the bearers stopped. And he said, “Young man, I say to you, rise!” ¹⁵The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. ¹⁶Fear seized all of them, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has risen among us!” and “God has visited his people!” ¹⁷This word about him spread throughout the whole of Judea and all the surrounding region.

Inspiration

Without any request being made to him, Jesus is filled with compassion for the grieving widow and says to her, ‘Do not weep.’ He then gives her back her son. This is he who is  ‘gentle and humble of heart’. Jesus Christ knows intimately all the circumstances of our lives, and he is at work in them for our good. Let us share with him about our own troubles, trusting in his great compassion and love for us.

Conversation

What feelings, questions, doubts or inspirations does today’s Gospel stir in me? Can I bring all that I am feeling and thinking to Jesus, in the comforting knowledge that He is really here with 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