The first scripture for t0day's mass seemed just what I needed to read as I was planning to go to town hall and vote in the midterm elections. I found myself wishing that everyone could read this before voting - not because it's political but because it speaks so beautifully of who we are before the power the majesty and the governance of God over creation... Let's begin by spending some time with St. Paul's words - and then we'll pray through them again, with our own words interlinear...
I kneel before the Father,
from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,
that he may grant you in accord with the riches of his glory
to be strengthened with power through his Spirit
from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,
that he may grant you in accord with the riches of his glory
to be strengthened with power through his Spirit
in the inner self,
and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith;
that you, rooted and grounded in love,
may have strength to comprehend with all the holy ones
what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge,
so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith;
that you, rooted and grounded in love,
may have strength to comprehend with all the holy ones
what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge,
so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to accomplish far more
than all we ask or imagine,
by the power at work within us,
to him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus
to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
by the power at work within us,
to him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus
to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I kneel before the Father,
from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named..
from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named..
We need to remember, Lord,
that you are our Creator, Maker of all that is good,
all that is true, wise, pure and beautiful,
that all power and glory are yours,
that we are your children, your family,
all of us brothers and sisters...
that he may grant you in accord with the riches of his glory
to be strengthened with power through his Spirit
that he may grant you in accord with the riches of his glory
to be strengthened with power through his Spirit
in the inner self...
How blessed are we, Lord,
that from your divine generosity
you should choose to share with us
- the riches of your glory!
that you choose to share with us, even now, on earth,
the mercy and grace, the pardon and peace
that belongs to realms beyond our reach,
beyond what we could ever earn, merit or deserve
- and all of this - through
through Christ who dwells in our hearts through faith...
through Christ, your Word, spoken in love,
through Christ, your Son, made flesh for us,
through Christ, our Lord, who offered his life
for us, your chosen,
rooted and grounded Jesus' love
that we might find strength, might have strength
that we might find strength, might have strength
to comprehend with all the saints
the breadth and length and height and depth,
the love of Christ whose wisdom surpasses
all that we know of your fullness, O God,
the fullness of grace that dwells in our hearts...
To you, O God,
who are able to do, to create and bring forth
more than we in our dreams might hope
or in our works might accomplish,
to you, O Lord, be power and glory
in the church, in the world and in every age
forever and ever and ever...
Protect us, Lord while we're awake
and watch over us while we sleep
that awake, we might keep watch with you
and asleep, rest in your peace...
Amen.
What better song could there be for tonight's prayer?
Dwelling Place by John Foley, SJ
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I fall on my knees to the Father of Jesus,
The Lord who has shown us the glory of God.
The Lord who has shown us the glory of God.
May he in his love give us strength for our living
The strength of his spirit the glory of God.
The strength of his spirit the glory of God.
May Christ find a dwelling place of faith in our hearts
May our lives be rooted in love, rooted in love
May grace and peace be yours
in God our Father and in his Son
May Christ find a dwelling place of faith in our hearts
May our lives be rooted in love, rooted in love
I fall on my knees to the Father of Jesus,
The Lord who has shown us the glory of God
The Lord who has shown us the glory of God
May Christ find a dwelling place of faith in our hearts
May our lives be rooted in love, rooted in love
