Presence

Lord, You are always there
waiting for me.
May I never be too busy to
find time to spend in Your presence.

Freedom

Everything has the potential to draw forth from me a fuller love and life.
Yet my desires are often fixed, caught, on illusions of fulfillment.
I ask that You, God, through my freedom, may orchestrate my desires
in a vibrant, loving melody, rich in harmony, fulfilling Your will through me.

Consciousness

As I spend this time with You, Lord,
I am aware of how blessed I truly am.
I think of the love and graces in my life,
and I feel grateful.

The Word of God

⁴³The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” ⁴⁴Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. ⁴⁵Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him about whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.” ⁴⁶Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” ⁴⁷When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, “Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!” ⁴⁸Nathanael asked him, “Where did you get to know me?” Jesus answered, “I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.” ⁴⁹Nathanael replied, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” ⁵⁰Jesus answered, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.” ⁵¹And he said to him, “Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”

Inspiration

Philip has one particular talent that brings joy and spiritual nourishment to many. He seemed to have the gift of being able to hang around the periphery of visitors who came seeking Christ’s company but who were shyer than they might have liked to be and were reluctant to introduce themselves to the Lord or to ask Jesus for whatever it was they required. If I similarly find it hard to intercede with Christ on my own or others’ behalf, perhaps Philip might take on for me the task that I find so difficult. 

Conversation

Remembering that I am still in God’s presence,
I imagine Jesus Himself standing or sitting beside me,
and say whatever is on my mind, whatever is in my heart,
speaking as one friend to another.

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