In Your infinite wisdom, You loved us into being. A gathering—heart, soul, mind, bound together in body. Created in your image, everyone, always, to you, seen and heard, and held dearest.
The one thing you ask, just one, to live and breathe with Your love, in our hearts and on our minds. Sometimes it seems quite simple, sometimes it is rather hard, but You make it possible, if only we walk Your way.
It is Your love, Yours alone, that inspires a heart to grow, to be open to others, celebrating one and all. Recognizing Whom we’re from, is what brings us together, helps us withstand the weather.
He said to him, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.” – Matthew 22:37-40
Envision all the places where you go, what you do, what you don’t, and what you won’t, drawn up alongside thoughts and spoken words, that swim about, inside and all around. What paves your way? What picture do you paint?
Consider where and what you long to be, the goal—the object of your desire, with whom your heart is shared, or maybe spared, as you maneuver about, here and there. What drives you? In what do you find purpose?
Imagine all your living, broken down, bit by bit, into service and giving, drawn up alongside thoughts and spoken words, that swim about, inside and all around. Who paves your way? What picture do you paint?
Do not have Jesus Christ on your lips, and the world in your heart. – St. Ignatius of Antioch
When I was young, I recall the warmth of the sun, And the gentle breeze as if echoing goodwill. I did not know it then, but now I do for sure.
Presence, carrying me, instilling love and hope. Peace, keeping me steady, ready for Your wisdom. The joy of knowing You, or thinking that I do, Helps my unbelief, turning doubt into a prayer.
The times, they may seem dark, and danger lurks about. Yet, Grace, I remember, and carry in my heart, The blessing like no other, the gift that Thou art.
The Lord is near to all who call upon him, to all who call upon him in truth. – Psalm 145:18
Some things are born out of convenience, Some come at the hands of happenstance, Still others, by design or decree. Yet, of what rises to the surface, Only that which embodies promise, With painstaking care, love and grace, Turns honest labor into real strength.
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me. – John 10:27
With each step, weathered, sturdy, or unsure, You keep me steady and moving forward. Even when it seems I’ve fallen behind, Your gentle reassurance and guidance, Instill calm, a sense of being blessed—graced.
No matter where I am or where I go, Your love and wisdom abide within me. The signs, all around, sometimes I catch them, Sometimes I don’t, but still, I know they’re there. Of Your presence for me, for all, there’s no doubt.
The Lord is with me to the end. Lord, your mercy endures forever. Never forsake the work of your hands! – Psalm 138:8
Reflecting on the past week, think about a couple of things that really grabbed your attention whether out of concern, celebration, etc. What was it that pulled you in, caught your eye or ear, and/or touched your heart?
What is it like now as you recall these things?
In the First Reading for the Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Isaiah 55:1-3, it is written:
Come to me heedfully, listen, that you may have life. – verse 3a
Continuing to think about the past week, how have you been attentive to the Lord? In what moment(s) have you felt closest to the Lord? What have you shared and what insights have come to light through listening and prayer?
The Psalm for this Sunday (Psalm 145: 8-9, 15-18) reminds us of the way the Lord meets our needs:
The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness. The Lord is good to all and compassionate toward all his works. The eyes of all look hopefully to you, and you give them their food in due season; you open your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing. The Lord is just in all his ways and holy in all his works. The Lord is near to all who call upon him, to all who call upon him in truth.
Take some time to consider the qualities described in these verses and the ways you have experienced the Lord meeting your needs. Allow time to express the sentiments that arise within as you recall these graced moments.
In the Second Reading (Romans 8:35, 37-39), St. Paul writes:
Brothers and sisters: What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword? – verse 35
The answer—nothing. There is absolutely nothing; no matter how big or powerful or existential. There is nothing that can “separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (v. 39).
Take a few moments to let that sink in!
When ready, reflect again on the past week and name the moment(s) where you felt closest to the Lord. How was that moment(s) different than a moment where perhaps you didn’t feel as close to the Lord?
In the Gospel passage, Matthew 14:13-21 (included below), Jesus has stepped away from the crowds after learning of John the Baptist’s death. However, he is followed by them to the place to which he has retreated. He knows they’re following him from the start. And what does he do? He doesn’t go further away, turn his back on them, or tell them, “Go away”, “Come back tomorrow”, “Maybe another time”, or “Too late”.
Instead, Jesus’s “heart was moved with pity for them, and he cured their sick.” Not only that, but also as the day grows even longer and into the evening, rather than sending the crowd away or taking leave of them, he feeds them—all 5,000—with five loaves of bread and two fish.
What speaks to you most about this passage?
Spend the next few minutes envisioning the Lord’s care, strength, hope, love, and wisdom being poured upon you and filling your heart, body, and soul. Allow yourself to encounter the warmth and generosity of the Lord.
What do you imagine the Lord wants you to know about the things that caught your attention this past week? And the ones that will catch your attention in the week ahead?
When Jesus heard of the death of John the Baptist, he withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself. The crowds heard of this and followed him on foot from their towns. When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, and he cured their sick. When it was evening, the disciples approached him and said, “This is a deserted place and it is already late; dismiss the crowds so that they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves.” Jesus said to them, “There is no need for them to go away; give them some food yourselves.” But they said to him, “Five loaves and two fish are all we have here.” Then he said, “Bring them here to me,” and he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up the fragments left over— twelve wicker baskets full. Those who ate were about five thousand men, not counting women and children. – Matthew 14:13-21
When darkness casts its shadow over the light of day, and honesty, integrity, and justice for one and all, fall prey to villainous cries, Spirit, true and wise, persists, quietly raises up prayer, instills faith and inspires change, working steadily for good, uncovering all ill will, and making known the Divine.
Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord. – Psalm 89:2a
Through the waves of dissonance, steady and in great calmness, Truth works its way to the front, making known what was hidden, replacing what’s distorted, shining light on what’s debased, transforming what’s been disturbed, renewing all purpose and bringing a meaningful state.
The Spirit of truth will testify to me, says the Lord; and you also will testify. – John 15:26b, 27a
We are His, the Lord’s, people, the sheep of His flock. The One we belong to, so much better than great, Carries all without blame, no excuses, no lies, Just a care that runs deep and a heart of pure Love.
While one pretends, leading others astray and awry, The Lord, ever-present, makes clear to the willing, What’s honest and true, compared to what’s opposite. Eyes open or not, the Lord is faithful to all.
Know that the Lord is God, he made us, we belong to him, we are his people, the flock he shepherds. – Psalm 100:3
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