Presence

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

Freedom

I ask for the grace to believe
in what I could be and do
if I only allowed God, my loving Creator,
to continue to create me, guide me and shape me.

Consciousness

Dear Lord, open me to hear and receive Your Word today. May it bear much fruit in my life, and in the lives of others.

The Word of God

²²“The Son of Man must undergo great suffering and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes and be killed and on the third day be raised.”

²³Then he said to them all, “If any wish to come after me, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. ²⁴For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. ²⁵For what does it profit them if they gain the whole world but lose or forfeit themselves?

Inspiration

The last sentence in today’s gospel was used repeatedly by St Ignatius of Loyola to St Francis Xavier when they were students together in Paris. Clearly, Ignatius felt that wise people invest their time and energy in things of lasting value rather than frittering away their hours and talents on baubles.

Conversation

What graces does God want to bestow on me in this time of prayer? If I listen deep inside, in the quiet of my heart, what is the Lord saying to me there?

Conclusion

I thank God for His gift of love
as I go forth with joy and hope
to serve His people.

Amen