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
To remember the Lord God across experiences, in the bliss of greatest highs, during the lulls and lows too, and all the places between, is but part of honest faith.
Giving praise and all glory involves so much more than that, a heart, mind, and soul willing and free, receiving great Love, breathing out in word and deed that same Love without distance.
Taking and giving what’s Good, sharing among the many, knowing Christ in body, blood, guiding light, for what is right, showing care to all, for all, with room to grow, not to shrink.
Because the loaf of bread is one, we, though many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf. – 1 Corinthians 10:17
In the First Reading for the Seventh Sunday of Easter, after Jesus ascends into heaven, it is written of the apostles:
When they entered the city they went to the upper room where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer, together with some women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. – Acts 1:13-14
Envision yourself in the upper room with those who are close to you. You’ve just witnessed Jesus ascending into heaven, and have experienced the living word of God, individually and collectively. What is in your heart and on your mind, and what is your prayer regarding it?
The response for the Psalm is, “I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.” (Psalm 27:13).
The verses of the Psalm for this Sunday, begin with:
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear? The Lord is my life’s refuge; of whom should I be afraid? – Psalm 27:1
Take some time to consider, one by one, anything that has been on your mind and makes you feel concerned, anxious, afraid, or troubled. Imagine yourself bringing each thing that comes to mind to the Lord and, as you do, picture the Lord gently receiving each care and taking it from you, as you say:
“I have seen the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.”
Allow yourself to be present to whatever thoughts and feelings arise. Converse with the Lord about them and listen to the Lord to get a deeper sense of the message or sentiment that is awaiting you amid your earthly cares.
In the verses of the Second Reading it is written:
But rejoice to the extent that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice exultantly. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let no one among you be made to suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as an intriguer. But whoever is made to suffer as a Christian should not be ashamed but glorify God because of the name. – 1 Peter 4:13-16
What phrase or part of these verses sticks out to you most, as if jumping off the page?
In the verse that comes before the ones in the Second Reading, it is written:
Beloved, do not be surprised that a trial by fire is occurring among you, as if something strange were happening to you. – 1 Peter 4:12
What comes to mind as you consider both what stood out to you in verses 13-16 and this verse? What would you like to say to the Lord about it? What do imagine the Lord wants to say to you in reply?
In the Gospel passage, it is written:
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 17:1-11a
What happens when you reflect on Jesus giving glory and honor to God by his love, prayers, devotion, and dedication to the well-being of those placed in his care?
Jesus says in the verses above, “I pray for them.” How might his prayer be applied to today’s world? And how do you desire to be devoted “with one accord” (united with others) thru that prayer?
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