Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed, saying:
“Holy Father, keep them in your name
that you have given me,
so that they may be one just as we are one.
When I was with them I protected them in your name that you gave me,
and I guarded them, and none of them was lost
except the son of destruction,
in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
But now I am coming to you.
I speak this in the world
so that they may share my joy completely.
I gave them your word, and the world hated them,
because they do not belong to the world
any more than I belong to the world.
I do not ask that you take them out of the world
but that you keep them from the Evil One.
They do not belong to the world
any more than I belong to the world.
Consecrate them in the truth.
Your word is truth.
As you sent me into the world,
so I sent them into the world.
And I consecrate myself for them,
so that they also may be consecrated in truth.”
John 17:11b-19 (NAB)
Prayer Reflection
Dear Father we have read so many accounts on behalf of your love for us. Today we have a prayer of deep love for us and for you. A prayer of consecration by your Son. It is the beauty of Jesus' protection in this prayer against the evil one that speaks just as loudly. Who in this world has not been touched by Jesus' prayers and deliverance from sin in their need to repent. How often do we call out Jesus' name when we feel out of control with our lives. Not at peace. Jesus brings us peace, he frees us from evil, he restores truth in our lives. Many have stopped believing in this truth and began believing in the world. Does that truth reveal the depths of how much we rely on the world rather than Jesus when we no longer use the sacrament of penance. It is there where we find freedom from sin and evil, it is there where we begin our journey back to Jesus and to you dear Father. Let our hearts open to the love of God and his son Jesus, let us be cleaned of sin and find the consecration that belongs to our hearts.
Showing posts with label prayer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label prayer. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Sunday, May 04, 2008
Prayer
Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said,
“Father, the hour has come.
Give glory to your son, so that your son may glorify you,
just as you gave him authority over all people,
so that your son may give eternal life to all you gave him.
Now this is eternal life,
that they should know you, the only true God,
and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ.
I glorified you on earth
by accomplishing the work that you gave me to do.
Now glorify me, Father, with you,
with the glory that I had with you before the world began.
“I revealed your name to those whom you gave me out of the world.
They belonged to you, and you gave them to me,
and they have kept your word.
Now they know that everything you gave me is from you,
because the words you gave to me I have given to them,
and they accepted them and truly understood that I came from you,
and they have believed that you sent me.
I pray for them.
I do not pray for the world but for the ones you have given me,
because they are yours, and everything of mine is yours
and everything of yours is mine,
and I have been glorified in them.
And now I will no longer be in the world,
but they are in the world, while I am coming to you.
John 17:1-11 (NAB)
Prayer Reflection
Dear Father Jesus gave us a beautiful example of his conversation with you in a prayer. He says what he does for you and states what you do for him. In harmony with your Will he has been. He is taking leave of the apostles to be at your side watching over us. To be with us always when they pray over and consecrate the Bread. Where we know the truth of how truly glorious his rising was. He is Risen! It is for us to always believe in his presence, that not only is he sitting at your right hand, but that he is always right beside us. Heaven is a realm that is pure and clear a place where there are no shadows. That's why Jesus seeks us to be with him and you for all time and eternity.
“Father, the hour has come.
Give glory to your son, so that your son may glorify you,
just as you gave him authority over all people,
so that your son may give eternal life to all you gave him.
Now this is eternal life,
that they should know you, the only true God,
and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ.
I glorified you on earth
by accomplishing the work that you gave me to do.
Now glorify me, Father, with you,
with the glory that I had with you before the world began.
“I revealed your name to those whom you gave me out of the world.
They belonged to you, and you gave them to me,
and they have kept your word.
Now they know that everything you gave me is from you,
because the words you gave to me I have given to them,
and they accepted them and truly understood that I came from you,
and they have believed that you sent me.
I pray for them.
I do not pray for the world but for the ones you have given me,
because they are yours, and everything of mine is yours
and everything of yours is mine,
and I have been glorified in them.
And now I will no longer be in the world,
but they are in the world, while I am coming to you.
John 17:1-11 (NAB)
Prayer Reflection
Dear Father Jesus gave us a beautiful example of his conversation with you in a prayer. He says what he does for you and states what you do for him. In harmony with your Will he has been. He is taking leave of the apostles to be at your side watching over us. To be with us always when they pray over and consecrate the Bread. Where we know the truth of how truly glorious his rising was. He is Risen! It is for us to always believe in his presence, that not only is he sitting at your right hand, but that he is always right beside us. Heaven is a realm that is pure and clear a place where there are no shadows. That's why Jesus seeks us to be with him and you for all time and eternity.
Friday, February 22, 2008
The Chair
Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter, Apostle
And Jesus came into the quarters of Cesarea Philippi: and he asked his disciples, saying: Whom do men say that the Son of man is? But they said: Some John the Baptist, and other some Elias, and others Jeremias, or one of the prophets. Jesus saith to them: But whom do you say that I am? Simon Peter answered and said: Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answering, said to him: Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona: because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but my Father who is in heaven. And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose upon earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven.
Matthew 16:13-19 (Douay-Rheims Bible)
Prayer
Glorious Father, you sent us your Son to establish a living Church on earth. In the ensuing years we have perfected our faith in your most Holy Word. We have been graced with many chosen ones to guide us along the way with those who were seated upon the first Chair of the Church. We pray for the safekeeping of the one who sits upon it, the Pope, who acts in your stead. May our prayers unite with his to bring peace to the world. Amen
And Jesus came into the quarters of Cesarea Philippi: and he asked his disciples, saying: Whom do men say that the Son of man is? But they said: Some John the Baptist, and other some Elias, and others Jeremias, or one of the prophets. Jesus saith to them: But whom do you say that I am? Simon Peter answered and said: Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answering, said to him: Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona: because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but my Father who is in heaven. And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose upon earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven.
Matthew 16:13-19 (Douay-Rheims Bible)
Prayer
Glorious Father, you sent us your Son to establish a living Church on earth. In the ensuing years we have perfected our faith in your most Holy Word. We have been graced with many chosen ones to guide us along the way with those who were seated upon the first Chair of the Church. We pray for the safekeeping of the one who sits upon it, the Pope, who acts in your stead. May our prayers unite with his to bring peace to the world. Amen
Friday, February 08, 2008
Prayer
Office of Readings from the Liturgy of Hours
Reading
Exodus 2:1 - 22
There was a man of the tribe of Levi who had taken a woman of Levi as his wife. She conceived and gave birth to a son and, seeing what a fine child he was, she kept him hidden for three months. When she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket for him; coating it with bitumen and pitch, she put the child inside and laid it among the reeds at the river’s edge. His sister stood some distance away to see what would happen to him.
Now Pharaoh’s daughter went down to bathe in the river, and the girls attending her were walking along by the riverside. Among the reeds she noticed the basket, and she sent her maid to fetch it. She opened it and looked, and saw a baby boy, crying; and she was sorry for him. ‘This is a child of one of the Hebrews’ she said. Then the child’s sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, ‘Shall I go and find you a nurse among the Hebrew women to suckle the child for you?’ ‘Yes, go’ Pharaoh’s daughter said to her; and the girl went off to find the baby’s own mother. To her the daughter of Pharaoh said, ‘Take this child away and suckle it for me. I will see you are paid.’ So the woman took the child and suckled it. When the child grew up, she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter who treated him like a son; she named him Moses because, she said, ‘I drew him out of the water’.
Moses, a man by now, set out at this time to visit his countrymen, and he saw what a hard life they were having; and he saw an Egyptian strike a Hebrew, one of his countrymen. Looking round he could see no one in sight, so he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. On the following day he came back, and there were two Hebrews, fighting. He said to the man who was in the wrong, ‘What do you mean by hitting your fellow countryman?’ ‘And who appointed you’ the man retorted, ‘to be prince over us, and judge? Do you intend to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?’ Moses was frightened. ‘Clearly that business has come to light’ he thought. When Pharaoh heard of the matter he would have killed Moses, but Moses fled from Pharaoh and made for the land of Midian. And he sat down beside a well.
Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters. They came to draw water and fill the troughs to water their father’s sheep. Shepherds came and drove them away, but Moses came to their defence and watered their sheep for them. When they returned to their father Reuel, he said to them, ‘You are back early today!’ ‘An Egyptian protected us from the shepherds;’ they said ‘yes, and he drew water for us and watered the flock.’ ‘And where is he?’ he asked his daughters. ‘Why did you leave the man there? Ask him to eat with us.’ So Moses settled with this man, who gave him his daughter Zipporah in marriage. She gave birth to a son, and he named him Gershom because, he said, ‘I am a stranger in a foreign land’.
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Reading
A homily of Pseudo-Chrysostom
Prayer is the light of the soul
The highest good is prayer and conversation with God, because it means that we are in God’s company and in union with him. When light enters our bodily eyes our eyesight is sharpened; when a soul is intent on God, God’s inextinguishable light shines into it and makes it bright and clear. I am talking, of course, of prayer that comes from the heart and not from routine: not the prayer that is assigned to particular days or particular moments in time, but the prayer that happens continuously by day and by night.
Indeed the soul should not only turn to God at times of explicit prayer. Whatever we are engaged in, whether it is care for the poor, or some other duty, or some act of generosity, we should remember God and long for God. The love of God will be as salt is to food, making our actions into a perfect dish to set before the Lord of all things. Then it is right that we should receive the fruits of our labours, overflowing onto us through all eternity, if we have been offering them to him throughout our lives.
Prayer is the light of the soul, true knowledge of God, a mediator between God and men. Prayer lifts the soul into the heavens where it hugs God in an indescribable embrace. The soul seeks the milk of God like a baby crying for the breast. It fulfils its own vows and receives in exchange gifts better than anything that can be seen or imagined.
Prayer is a go-between linking us to God. It gives joy to the soul and calms its emotions. I warn you, though: do not imagine that prayer is simply words. Prayer is the desire for God, an indescribable devotion, not given by man but brought about by God’s grace. As St Paul says: For when we cannot choose words in order to pray properly, the Spirit himself intercedes on our behalf in a way that could never be put into words.
If God gives to someone the gift of such prayer, it is a gift of imperishable riches, a heavenly food that satisfies the spirit. Whoever tastes that food catches fire and his soul burns for ever with desire for the Lord.
To begin on this path, start by adorning your house with modesty and humility. Make it shine brightly with the light of justice. Decorate it with the gold leaf of good works, with the jewels of faithfulness and greatness of heart. Finally, to make the house perfect, raise a gable above it all, a gable of prayer. Thus you will have prepared a pure and sparkling house for the Lord. Receive the Lord into this royal and splendid dwelling — in other words: receive, by his grace, his image into the temple of your soul.
Reading
Exodus 2:1 - 22
There was a man of the tribe of Levi who had taken a woman of Levi as his wife. She conceived and gave birth to a son and, seeing what a fine child he was, she kept him hidden for three months. When she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket for him; coating it with bitumen and pitch, she put the child inside and laid it among the reeds at the river’s edge. His sister stood some distance away to see what would happen to him.
Now Pharaoh’s daughter went down to bathe in the river, and the girls attending her were walking along by the riverside. Among the reeds she noticed the basket, and she sent her maid to fetch it. She opened it and looked, and saw a baby boy, crying; and she was sorry for him. ‘This is a child of one of the Hebrews’ she said. Then the child’s sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, ‘Shall I go and find you a nurse among the Hebrew women to suckle the child for you?’ ‘Yes, go’ Pharaoh’s daughter said to her; and the girl went off to find the baby’s own mother. To her the daughter of Pharaoh said, ‘Take this child away and suckle it for me. I will see you are paid.’ So the woman took the child and suckled it. When the child grew up, she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter who treated him like a son; she named him Moses because, she said, ‘I drew him out of the water’.
Moses, a man by now, set out at this time to visit his countrymen, and he saw what a hard life they were having; and he saw an Egyptian strike a Hebrew, one of his countrymen. Looking round he could see no one in sight, so he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. On the following day he came back, and there were two Hebrews, fighting. He said to the man who was in the wrong, ‘What do you mean by hitting your fellow countryman?’ ‘And who appointed you’ the man retorted, ‘to be prince over us, and judge? Do you intend to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?’ Moses was frightened. ‘Clearly that business has come to light’ he thought. When Pharaoh heard of the matter he would have killed Moses, but Moses fled from Pharaoh and made for the land of Midian. And he sat down beside a well.
Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters. They came to draw water and fill the troughs to water their father’s sheep. Shepherds came and drove them away, but Moses came to their defence and watered their sheep for them. When they returned to their father Reuel, he said to them, ‘You are back early today!’ ‘An Egyptian protected us from the shepherds;’ they said ‘yes, and he drew water for us and watered the flock.’ ‘And where is he?’ he asked his daughters. ‘Why did you leave the man there? Ask him to eat with us.’ So Moses settled with this man, who gave him his daughter Zipporah in marriage. She gave birth to a son, and he named him Gershom because, he said, ‘I am a stranger in a foreign land’.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reading
A homily of Pseudo-Chrysostom
Prayer is the light of the soul
The highest good is prayer and conversation with God, because it means that we are in God’s company and in union with him. When light enters our bodily eyes our eyesight is sharpened; when a soul is intent on God, God’s inextinguishable light shines into it and makes it bright and clear. I am talking, of course, of prayer that comes from the heart and not from routine: not the prayer that is assigned to particular days or particular moments in time, but the prayer that happens continuously by day and by night.
Indeed the soul should not only turn to God at times of explicit prayer. Whatever we are engaged in, whether it is care for the poor, or some other duty, or some act of generosity, we should remember God and long for God. The love of God will be as salt is to food, making our actions into a perfect dish to set before the Lord of all things. Then it is right that we should receive the fruits of our labours, overflowing onto us through all eternity, if we have been offering them to him throughout our lives.
Prayer is the light of the soul, true knowledge of God, a mediator between God and men. Prayer lifts the soul into the heavens where it hugs God in an indescribable embrace. The soul seeks the milk of God like a baby crying for the breast. It fulfils its own vows and receives in exchange gifts better than anything that can be seen or imagined.
Prayer is a go-between linking us to God. It gives joy to the soul and calms its emotions. I warn you, though: do not imagine that prayer is simply words. Prayer is the desire for God, an indescribable devotion, not given by man but brought about by God’s grace. As St Paul says: For when we cannot choose words in order to pray properly, the Spirit himself intercedes on our behalf in a way that could never be put into words.
If God gives to someone the gift of such prayer, it is a gift of imperishable riches, a heavenly food that satisfies the spirit. Whoever tastes that food catches fire and his soul burns for ever with desire for the Lord.
To begin on this path, start by adorning your house with modesty and humility. Make it shine brightly with the light of justice. Decorate it with the gold leaf of good works, with the jewels of faithfulness and greatness of heart. Finally, to make the house perfect, raise a gable above it all, a gable of prayer. Thus you will have prepared a pure and sparkling house for the Lord. Receive the Lord into this royal and splendid dwelling — in other words: receive, by his grace, his image into the temple of your soul.
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
The Hidden Room of Our Hearts
Ash Wednesday
Take heed that you do not your justice before men, to be seen by them: otherwise you shall not have a reward of your Father who is in heaven. Therefore when thou dost an almsdeed, sound not a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be honoured by men. Amen I say to you, they have received their reward. But when thou dost alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doth. That thy alms may be in secret, and thy Father who seeth in secret will repay thee. And when ye pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, that love to stand and pray in the synagogues and corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men: Amen I say to you, they have received their reward. But thou when thou shalt pray, enter into thy chamber, and having shut the door, pray to thy Father in secret: and thy Father who seeth in secret will repay thee.
And when you fast, be not as the hypocrites, sad. For they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Amen I say to you, they have received their reward. But thou, when thou fastest anoint thy head, and wash thy face; that thou appear not to men to fast, but to thy Father who is in secret: and thy Father who seeth in secret, will repay thee.
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 (Douay-Rheims Bible)
Prayer Reflection
Dear Father it's nice to know that I will always be a child in your eyes, where I can go to my secret and hidden room to spend loving moments with you. Jesus taught us to pray to you this way. It's a way I have always prayed to you so no one would know those moments I've silently slipped into the secret room of my heart. I wonder if others also go to their secret room and pray while the days activities take control of their lives. It is refreshing to spend silent moments talking with you and giving you my concerns of the moment, but one thing I never concerned myself was being repaid for the time I spend with you dear Father. Nor should I seek it when I spend time with others and do your Will. I do things out of love for you and love for my neighbor. I am nothing but you are everything to me and as I said at the beginning, I will always be a child in your eyes, I will always find you in the very hidden depths of my heart.
Take heed that you do not your justice before men, to be seen by them: otherwise you shall not have a reward of your Father who is in heaven. Therefore when thou dost an almsdeed, sound not a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be honoured by men. Amen I say to you, they have received their reward. But when thou dost alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doth. That thy alms may be in secret, and thy Father who seeth in secret will repay thee. And when ye pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, that love to stand and pray in the synagogues and corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men: Amen I say to you, they have received their reward. But thou when thou shalt pray, enter into thy chamber, and having shut the door, pray to thy Father in secret: and thy Father who seeth in secret will repay thee.
And when you fast, be not as the hypocrites, sad. For they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Amen I say to you, they have received their reward. But thou, when thou fastest anoint thy head, and wash thy face; that thou appear not to men to fast, but to thy Father who is in secret: and thy Father who seeth in secret, will repay thee.
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 (Douay-Rheims Bible)
Prayer Reflection
Dear Father it's nice to know that I will always be a child in your eyes, where I can go to my secret and hidden room to spend loving moments with you. Jesus taught us to pray to you this way. It's a way I have always prayed to you so no one would know those moments I've silently slipped into the secret room of my heart. I wonder if others also go to their secret room and pray while the days activities take control of their lives. It is refreshing to spend silent moments talking with you and giving you my concerns of the moment, but one thing I never concerned myself was being repaid for the time I spend with you dear Father. Nor should I seek it when I spend time with others and do your Will. I do things out of love for you and love for my neighbor. I am nothing but you are everything to me and as I said at the beginning, I will always be a child in your eyes, I will always find you in the very hidden depths of my heart.
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Storms of Life
And immediately he obliged his disciples to go up into the ship, that they might go before him over the water to Bethsaida, whilst he dismissed the people. And when he had dismissed them, he went up to the mountain to pray. And when it was late, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and himself alone on the land. And seeing them labouring in rowing, (for the wind was against them,) and about the fourth watch of the night, he cometh to them walking upon the sea, and he would have passed by them. But they seeing him walking upon the sea, thought it was an apparition, and they cried out. For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he spoke with them, and said to them: Have a good heart, it is I, fear ye not. And he went up to them into the ship, and the wind ceased: and they were far more astonished within themselves: For they understood not concerning the loaves; for their heart was blinded.
Mark 6:45-52 (Douay-Rheims Bible)
Prayer Reflection
Dear Father I am reminded of the many storms that pass through our own lives and fail to recognize you walking with us when we are battered about by the seas of life. How we are so blinded by our sins and the many things we have that are not really needed. Why is it that the disciples failed to understand that you provided for many, and you also are there in times of disquiet through your Son Jesus. Why are we too, often troubled when you provide for us in these ways, are we just as blinded. Are our hearts that closed to any of your help in the way that we have just read about. It's not such a mystery after all Jesus revealed your love and how you provide for those who have nothing. Even when we doubt you show us like Jesus did with the Apostles the calming of the storm raging around them. Yet even in our faith we fail to recognize you in our own lives your hand in the storms that we encounter. May we find trust in you this day and the blindness that covers our eyes we may see your hand in soothing the turbulence of the elements that rock our boats.
Mark 6:45-52 (Douay-Rheims Bible)
Prayer Reflection
Dear Father I am reminded of the many storms that pass through our own lives and fail to recognize you walking with us when we are battered about by the seas of life. How we are so blinded by our sins and the many things we have that are not really needed. Why is it that the disciples failed to understand that you provided for many, and you also are there in times of disquiet through your Son Jesus. Why are we too, often troubled when you provide for us in these ways, are we just as blinded. Are our hearts that closed to any of your help in the way that we have just read about. It's not such a mystery after all Jesus revealed your love and how you provide for those who have nothing. Even when we doubt you show us like Jesus did with the Apostles the calming of the storm raging around them. Yet even in our faith we fail to recognize you in our own lives your hand in the storms that we encounter. May we find trust in you this day and the blindness that covers our eyes we may see your hand in soothing the turbulence of the elements that rock our boats.
Friday, December 07, 2007
Sight for the Sightless
And as Jesus passed from thence, there followed him two blind men crying out and saying, Have mercy on us, O Son of David. And when he was come to the house, the blind men came to him. And Jesus saith to them, Do you believe, that I can do this unto you? They say to him, Yea, Lord. Then he touched their eyes, saying, According to your faith, be it done unto you. And their eyes were opened, and Jesus strictly charged them, saying, See that no man know this. But they going out, spread his fame abroad in all that country.
Matthew 9:27-31 (Douay-Rheims Bible)
Prayer Reflection
Dear Father no matter how close I try to get to you there are days when I too cry out to you have mercy on me, oh Lord. Then I ask you am I blind to those around me, do I see them as you do with love in your heart. How blind am I Lord that I don't see the way I should see. I cry out to you to heal the blindness in my soul, let my faith bring healing to the darkness that blinds me to see the pain in those I see around me. The hurt and struggles they suffer in their faith. But as you opened my eyes to your love you also opened my eyes to their anguish. Their hearts also call out to you, have mercy on us. Our prayers become one then, as we continue to learn of your healing grace in our lives. May we find sight and healing as we continue on this Advent journey. And bring healing and sight to another from our faith in you. Amen
Matthew 9:27-31 (Douay-Rheims Bible)
Prayer Reflection
Dear Father no matter how close I try to get to you there are days when I too cry out to you have mercy on me, oh Lord. Then I ask you am I blind to those around me, do I see them as you do with love in your heart. How blind am I Lord that I don't see the way I should see. I cry out to you to heal the blindness in my soul, let my faith bring healing to the darkness that blinds me to see the pain in those I see around me. The hurt and struggles they suffer in their faith. But as you opened my eyes to your love you also opened my eyes to their anguish. Their hearts also call out to you, have mercy on us. Our prayers become one then, as we continue to learn of your healing grace in our lives. May we find sight and healing as we continue on this Advent journey. And bring healing and sight to another from our faith in you. Amen
Friday, November 23, 2007
House of Prayer
And entering into the temple, he began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought. Saying to them: It is written: My house is the house of prayer. But you have made it a den of thieves. And he was teaching daily in the temple. And the chief priests and the scribes and the rulers of the people sought to destroy him: And they found not what to do to him: for all the people were very attentive to hear him
Luke 19:45-48 (Douay-Rheims Bible)
Prayer
Dear Father I've often wondered and realized that when we don't like what we hear from our Pastors about money and why they are asking for more and more. That this reading seems to come to mind, how your house is a house of prayer. Even though it is a building to hold we the people who make up the Church, funds are needed to keep the place in repair. It's not easy for the ministers of Your Church, they were taught to be shrewd businessmen in order to run a Parish. It is when their concerns are mainly that of the building and not of the body that Jesus speaks of. We are all like that too, our homes and the buildings we live in we make sure are in perfect shape. But we overlook the body that lives within it. Are we nurturing the faith and keeping the body in shape or are we setting it aside for external repairs and goings on. The house of prayer that we are is often neglected within ourselves in our own homes. In our Churches we come together to build the house of prayer within, filling ourselves with the food that nurtures our souls as well as the Word to keep us strong. May we keep ourselves open to the nourishment of the Mass and use the Sacraments that build a stronger foundation of the house of prayer. Amen
Luke 19:45-48 (Douay-Rheims Bible)
Prayer
Dear Father I've often wondered and realized that when we don't like what we hear from our Pastors about money and why they are asking for more and more. That this reading seems to come to mind, how your house is a house of prayer. Even though it is a building to hold we the people who make up the Church, funds are needed to keep the place in repair. It's not easy for the ministers of Your Church, they were taught to be shrewd businessmen in order to run a Parish. It is when their concerns are mainly that of the building and not of the body that Jesus speaks of. We are all like that too, our homes and the buildings we live in we make sure are in perfect shape. But we overlook the body that lives within it. Are we nurturing the faith and keeping the body in shape or are we setting it aside for external repairs and goings on. The house of prayer that we are is often neglected within ourselves in our own homes. In our Churches we come together to build the house of prayer within, filling ourselves with the food that nurtures our souls as well as the Word to keep us strong. May we keep ourselves open to the nourishment of the Mass and use the Sacraments that build a stronger foundation of the house of prayer. Amen
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Memorial of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, religious
And he spoke also a parable to them, that we ought always to pray, and not to faint, Saying: There was a judge in a certain city, who feared not God, nor regarded man. And there was a certain widow in that city, and she came to him, saying: Avenge me of my adversary. And he would not for a long time. But afterwards he said within himself: Although I fear not God, nor regard man, Yet because this widow is troublesome to me, I will avenge her, lest continually coming she weary me. And the Lord said: Hear what the unjust judge saith. And will not God revenge his elect who cry to him day and night: and will he have patience in their regard? I say to you, that he will quickly revenge them. But yet the Son of man, when he cometh, shall he find, think you, faith on earth?
Luke 18:1-8 (Douay-Rheims Bible)
Prayer
Dear Father it is hard to pray at times when life was mired in sin. Often out of the depths of despair we have turned to you. Even when we have felt we were wronged we placed our trust and prayers with you for help in delivering us from our enemies. In our world today many pray to you for deliverance of their debts and the wrongs done to them as well as their own wrongdoing by spending what they have not. We often pray to be delivered without seeking the help to change what we have done in the first place. Help me dear Father to change my habits that create problems in my life. The same with my neighbor, if the love in my heart for them is dull then help me to brighten it up. There are many ways to fix me so I may do your will dear Father, then my prayers will be for others rather than for my own selfish reasons. Amen
Luke 18:1-8 (Douay-Rheims Bible)
Prayer
Dear Father it is hard to pray at times when life was mired in sin. Often out of the depths of despair we have turned to you. Even when we have felt we were wronged we placed our trust and prayers with you for help in delivering us from our enemies. In our world today many pray to you for deliverance of their debts and the wrongs done to them as well as their own wrongdoing by spending what they have not. We often pray to be delivered without seeking the help to change what we have done in the first place. Help me dear Father to change my habits that create problems in my life. The same with my neighbor, if the love in my heart for them is dull then help me to brighten it up. There are many ways to fix me so I may do your will dear Father, then my prayers will be for others rather than for my own selfish reasons. Amen
Friday, October 19, 2007
Value
And when great multitudes stood about him, so that they trod one upon another, he began to say to his disciples: Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed: nor hidden, that shall not be known. For whatsoever things you have spoken in darkness, shall be published in the light: and that which you have spoken in the ear in the chambers, shall be preached on the housetops. And I say to you, my friends: Be not afraid of them who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will shew you whom you shall fear: fear ye him, who after he hath killed, hath power to cast into hell. Yea, I say to you, fear him. Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? Yea, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: you are of more value than many sparrows.
Luke 12:1-7 (Douay-Rheims)
Prayer
Dear Father your words say much this day, but I see also that you value us all. How often in my life have I felt unworthy and yet in this passage you tell me you know how many hairs are on my head and not to fear because I am of more value than the many sparrows. That alone is a consolation in itself. How sin can bring our self worth down and you when we are forgiven free us from it. You value us more than anything. Life to you is precious and we let evil in to destroy that very life. How can I reveal the love that you give and the peace that is in a heart free from the grips of sin. Love is an answer that always comes to mind when I think of you dear Father. On those occasions when I find myself thinking back on my life and the areas that are clouded and lack peace, I know it is then in that moment of my life that I was away from you. But again I am reminded of how much you love and value me, to save me from the clutches of sin and death. Dear Father thank you from the depths of my heart for letting me know that I am valued in your eyes most of all. Amen
Luke 12:1-7 (Douay-Rheims)
Prayer
Dear Father your words say much this day, but I see also that you value us all. How often in my life have I felt unworthy and yet in this passage you tell me you know how many hairs are on my head and not to fear because I am of more value than the many sparrows. That alone is a consolation in itself. How sin can bring our self worth down and you when we are forgiven free us from it. You value us more than anything. Life to you is precious and we let evil in to destroy that very life. How can I reveal the love that you give and the peace that is in a heart free from the grips of sin. Love is an answer that always comes to mind when I think of you dear Father. On those occasions when I find myself thinking back on my life and the areas that are clouded and lack peace, I know it is then in that moment of my life that I was away from you. But again I am reminded of how much you love and value me, to save me from the clutches of sin and death. Dear Father thank you from the depths of my heart for letting me know that I am valued in your eyes most of all. Amen
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Thursday the Seventh Week of Easter
Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed saying:
“I pray not only for these,
but also for those who will believe in me through their word,
so that they may all be one,
as you, Father, are in me and I in you,
that they also may be in us,
that the world may believe that you sent me.
And I have given them the glory you gave me,
so that they may be one, as we are one,
I in them and you in me,
that they may be brought to perfection as one,
that the world may know that you sent me,
and that you loved them even as you loved me.
Father, they are your gift to me.
I wish that where I am they also may be with me,
that they may see my glory that you gave me,
because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
Righteous Father, the world also does not know you,
but I know you, and they know that you sent me.
I made known to them your name and I will make it known,
that the love with which you loved me
may be in them and I in them.”
John 17:20-26
Prayer
Dear Father we have read a glorious prayer that your Son Jesus prayed that we be one with you and him as he and you are one. I pray also as your son has to be one with you, that you may be in me and me in you. A daily prayer that may bring you glory because I love you as you love me. May all who love you share in this love to bring you to the world so others may come to know you as well. That their life and love will be complete. Amen
“I pray not only for these,
but also for those who will believe in me through their word,
so that they may all be one,
as you, Father, are in me and I in you,
that they also may be in us,
that the world may believe that you sent me.
And I have given them the glory you gave me,
so that they may be one, as we are one,
I in them and you in me,
that they may be brought to perfection as one,
that the world may know that you sent me,
and that you loved them even as you loved me.
Father, they are your gift to me.
I wish that where I am they also may be with me,
that they may see my glory that you gave me,
because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
Righteous Father, the world also does not know you,
but I know you, and they know that you sent me.
I made known to them your name and I will make it known,
that the love with which you loved me
may be in them and I in them.”
John 17:20-26
Prayer
Dear Father we have read a glorious prayer that your Son Jesus prayed that we be one with you and him as he and you are one. I pray also as your son has to be one with you, that you may be in me and me in you. A daily prayer that may bring you glory because I love you as you love me. May all who love you share in this love to bring you to the world so others may come to know you as well. That their life and love will be complete. Amen
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Saturday the Third Week of Lent
Jesus addressed this parable
to those who were convinced of their own righteousness
and despised everyone else.
"Two people went up to the temple area to pray;
one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector.
The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself,
'O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity—
greedy, dishonest, adulterous ( or even like this tax collector.
I fast twice a week,
and I pay tithes on my whole income.'
But the tax collector stood off at a distance
and would not even raise his eyes to heaven
but beat his breast and prayed,
'O God, be merciful to me a sinner.'
I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former;
for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled,
and the one who humbles himself will be exalted."
Luke 18:9-14
Prayer
Dear Father we are not perfect and our lives have blemishes. You call us to love our neighbor so we will not be any better nor less than the others but equal in your eyes. The world we live in is so diverse yet so many exalt themselves while many live humbly for you. Teach us to pray as the sinner in the parable where we also pray, O God, be merciful to us for we are sinners. Amen
to those who were convinced of their own righteousness
and despised everyone else.
"Two people went up to the temple area to pray;
one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector.
The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself,
'O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity—
greedy, dishonest, adulterous ( or even like this tax collector.
I fast twice a week,
and I pay tithes on my whole income.'
But the tax collector stood off at a distance
and would not even raise his eyes to heaven
but beat his breast and prayed,
'O God, be merciful to me a sinner.'
I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former;
for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled,
and the one who humbles himself will be exalted."
Luke 18:9-14
Prayer
Dear Father we are not perfect and our lives have blemishes. You call us to love our neighbor so we will not be any better nor less than the others but equal in your eyes. The world we live in is so diverse yet so many exalt themselves while many live humbly for you. Teach us to pray as the sinner in the parable where we also pray, O God, be merciful to us for we are sinners. Amen
Monday, February 19, 2007
Prayer
Dear Father, in my (our) journey toward you. Help me (us) when I (we) falter. My (Our) prayers I (we) know you answer. And in those times when I (we) don't seem to feel they are, then please help my (our) unbelief in those moments to believe. Because I (we) know with faith all things are possible. I (We) pray today to ask for help in the areas of my (our) life that need a greater faith. Amen
Saturday, February 17, 2007
A Simple Prayer
Lord, come into my life and transfigure me. Let my heart be open to the purity of your love. Teach me to do your will above my own. Lord, let your presence shine in me as you shone on the mountain that day before your Apostles. Let me be a witness of your love. Amen.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Prayer for the Help of the Holy Spirit
(By Saint Anthony of Padua)
O God, send forth your Holy Spirit into my heart
that I may perceive,
into my mind that I may remember,
and into my soul that I may meditate.
Inspire me to speak with piety,
holiness, tenderness and mercy.
Teach, guide and direct my thoughts
and senses from beginning to end.
May Your grace ever help and correct me,
and may I be strengthened now
with wisdom from on high,
for the sake of Your infinite mercy.
Amen.
O God, send forth your Holy Spirit into my heart
that I may perceive,
into my mind that I may remember,
and into my soul that I may meditate.
Inspire me to speak with piety,
holiness, tenderness and mercy.
Teach, guide and direct my thoughts
and senses from beginning to end.
May Your grace ever help and correct me,
and may I be strengthened now
with wisdom from on high,
for the sake of Your infinite mercy.
Amen.
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