Saturday, November 22, 2003
Morning Prayer to the Sacred Heart
This day, O Lord,
may all my works, words and thoughts
be permeated by the sweet love you have given me,
and give willingly to all who will accept it.
Use my imperfect hands to pass on the wonder of your touch,
Use my mouth, too often guilty of words of harm, to pass on words of your blessing,
Use my imperfect mind to realize your presence even in the most unseemly person,
and thus kindle in me
and those I come in contact with
the fire of your love.
O Sacred Heart of Jesus,
gentle and humble,
loving beyond comprehension,
make my heart like yours.
This day, O Lord,
may all my works, words and thoughts
be permeated by the sweet love you have given me,
and give willingly to all who will accept it.
Use my imperfect hands to pass on the wonder of your touch,
Use my mouth, too often guilty of words of harm, to pass on words of your blessing,
Use my imperfect mind to realize your presence even in the most unseemly person,
and thus kindle in me
and those I come in contact with
the fire of your love.
O Sacred Heart of Jesus,
gentle and humble,
loving beyond comprehension,
make my heart like yours.
Labels: Morning Prayer, Sacred Heart
Friday, November 21, 2003
Morning Prayer
O my Jesus,
On this day, and every day, I give you myself to you.
I offer you my today with all its sorrows, pain, pitfalls.
I offer you my today, with all its hopes and joys, pleasant anticipations, enjoyments.
I offer you my today, full of opportunity to say your name, to draw close to you, to call you dear.
Use my hands, beloved Master,
Use my words, my feet, my heart
as tools to spread your light,
to heal the sick,
comfort the sorrowful,
help those in need
pointing the way back to you.
Let me remember always
the sorrow and pain you willingly bore
to give me life with you,
and ever in thanks and joy and wonder
may I speak your holy name with love and awe.
Amen
O my Jesus,
On this day, and every day, I give you myself to you.
I offer you my today with all its sorrows, pain, pitfalls.
I offer you my today, with all its hopes and joys, pleasant anticipations, enjoyments.
I offer you my today, full of opportunity to say your name, to draw close to you, to call you dear.
Use my hands, beloved Master,
Use my words, my feet, my heart
as tools to spread your light,
to heal the sick,
comfort the sorrowful,
help those in need
pointing the way back to you.
Let me remember always
the sorrow and pain you willingly bore
to give me life with you,
and ever in thanks and joy and wonder
may I speak your holy name with love and awe.
Amen
Labels: Morning Prayer
Thursday, November 20, 2003
A prayer when feeling discouraged
Help us, O Lord,
to rest secure in your love and promises
on those days when it feels like we are pouring water through a sieve,
when all our efforts seem to be as solid as a puff of smoke,
when our best efforts seem futile,
useless,
unwanted.
Remind us then, Lord,
that we are sowers of your seed,
and that the growth and harvest remain
in your hands,
and only you can really know
the repercussions of all our actions.
Teach us to know that the least thing we do in your name is one of those seeds,
able to bear unexpected fruit.
Help us to remember that
the kind word said to a person who didn't expect it,
a letter send,
a cup of water given,
all these little actions have meaning beyond our knowing,
and are every bit as important to spreading your light
as are the words and actions of the great.
Thank you for giving us the chance to spread your light.
Amen.
Susan E. Stone, 2003
Help us, O Lord,
to rest secure in your love and promises
on those days when it feels like we are pouring water through a sieve,
when all our efforts seem to be as solid as a puff of smoke,
when our best efforts seem futile,
useless,
unwanted.
Remind us then, Lord,
that we are sowers of your seed,
and that the growth and harvest remain
in your hands,
and only you can really know
the repercussions of all our actions.
Teach us to know that the least thing we do in your name is one of those seeds,
able to bear unexpected fruit.
Help us to remember that
the kind word said to a person who didn't expect it,
a letter send,
a cup of water given,
all these little actions have meaning beyond our knowing,
and are every bit as important to spreading your light
as are the words and actions of the great.
Thank you for giving us the chance to spread your light.
Amen.
Susan E. Stone, 2003
Labels: Help Me O Lord
Wednesday, November 19, 2003
Peter in the Courtyard: A Paschal meditation
A nightmare night,
a night of shadows,
he sat there by the fire,
cold,
alone,
afraid,
yet drawn to this place of danger
by a desperate desire to do something.
The darkness of his soul
how it matched the darkness of the night
as he sat by the fire
not listening to the jibes
of those who sat near him.
He stared into the fire
and waited.
His world falling apart,
he thought there was nothing left but fear.
"No, I don't know him," he said,
the words escaping his lips
in an unstoppable reflex
of self preservation.
Fear and anger and anguish,
the darkness of the night,
the pain of waiting,
"No, you are mistaken!"
he chokes on the words, perhaps,
torn in two.
The third time with curses,
and then he sees
the eyes that know,
the eyes so tired, so sad,
the eyes touch his
with loving forgivness
and his soul plunges into the final darkness
as the cock crows.
Susan E. Stone, 2003
A nightmare night,
a night of shadows,
he sat there by the fire,
cold,
alone,
afraid,
yet drawn to this place of danger
by a desperate desire to do something.
The darkness of his soul
how it matched the darkness of the night
as he sat by the fire
not listening to the jibes
of those who sat near him.
He stared into the fire
and waited.
His world falling apart,
he thought there was nothing left but fear.
"No, I don't know him," he said,
the words escaping his lips
in an unstoppable reflex
of self preservation.
Fear and anger and anguish,
the darkness of the night,
the pain of waiting,
"No, you are mistaken!"
he chokes on the words, perhaps,
torn in two.
The third time with curses,
and then he sees
the eyes that know,
the eyes so tired, so sad,
the eyes touch his
with loving forgivness
and his soul plunges into the final darkness
as the cock crows.
Susan E. Stone, 2003
Labels: Passion of Christ
