Pause for Prayer: THURSDAY 10/8

Photo by Timothy Burnett*

I'll meet you, Lord,
down by a bend in the river of my life
where I pray you'll calm my soul
as you slow the water's flow
to a peaceful, even stillness,
shimmering with your presence...

By the stone wall of my troubles, Lord,
we'll get together, you and I,
and sit in sweet communion
in October's chapel, quiet
save for the psalms of a few spare birds...

Under frescoes freshly painted by your hand
we'll speak from heart to heart
in words that fail my lips,
in speech no ear can hear,
in prayers I know you've heard
before they groan within my soul...

Let this be our place, Lord,
be it on the river bank or in my heart
or my imagination: let there be a place
where you and I will meet today,
down by a bend in the river of my life,
where your grace flows and my heart finds
the peace that only you can give...

Amen.

*This spot is at the northwest corner of the yard at the Old Manse in Concord, where the Concord River makes a bend to the west.

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 All's well!  Just taking a breather - see you on Thursday morning!

 

 

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NIGHT PRAYER: Tuesday 10/6

It seems, Lord, that if there's any way

we human beings can make a mess of things

- that's exactly what we'll do... 

It's not that we don't know the right thing to do:

    not that we don't know what justice demands,
    not that our ultimate goals aren't noble,

    not that our hearts aren't in the right place,

    not that we just don't know any better,

    not that we're ignorant of the facts,

    not that we lack the personnel

        to achieve what we know must be done,

    not that we don't have the talent or assets

        to do the best possible job

    - it's none of this, Lord...

We mess things up when we fail to be faithful

    to the path of truth, 

    the law of your word,

    the demanding dictates of conscience,

    the choice of right over wrong,

    the pursuit of the greater good,

    the toll of personal sacrifice,

    the authority of proven facts,

    the search for impartial justice,

    the clarity of unbiased thought,

    and the desire to work together...

 

What was it Saint Paul wrote? 

    For I do not understand my own actions...

    I have the desire to do what is right, 

        but not the ability to carry it out.

    For I do not do the good I want, but rather,

        the evil I do not want 

            is what I keep on doing...

    - Romans 7:18-20 

 

Give us your grace, Lord, 

the heart we need

    to do what is just,

    to love what is good

    and to walk humbly at your side...

 

Give us your grace, Lord, 

the heart we need,

    to accept the things we cannot change,

    to change the things we can

    and the wisdom to know the difference...

 

Give us your grace, Lord, 

the heart we need,

    to do the next right thing

    - before we do what we don't want to do...

 

Lead us, Lord, to make of our world 

    with the help of your grace,

the place you made for us to live

    together, in peace, in joy...

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.

Easier Said Than Done by Tom Defrange

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Los Angeles and San Diego...

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Pause for Prayer: TUESDAY 10/6

Image source

 

What a shame 
when the burdens and sorrows 

and the fears and worries 
of any given day
keep me from seeing, hearing, tasting,
touching, knowing and enjoying
the simple blessings and joys
that same day holds...

 

No doubt, Lord,

this day will have its share of problems
but however troubled and anxious I may be
let nothing keep me from this day's peace,
its refreshment and delights,
from it's sweeter moments and hidden blessings:
from the simple peace 

your presence always  brings...

Amen.  

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NIGHT PRAYER: Monday 10/5

The gospel at mass today was from Saint Luke, the story of the Good Samaritan...

It was a parable you told, Lord: it wasn't an event you witnessed or and item you read in the Jericho Daily Journal...

 

And the priest and the Levite: we know they passed by the man left for dead on the side of the road - but we don't know that anyone witnessed the way they ignored the poor guy's plight.  And given the victim's situation, it's not likely he had a clue that two had failed to stop and help him - especially since they passed by "on the other side of the road..."

 

I'd like to think that had I been traveling that stretch of road, I'd have stopped to help a man in such dire circumstances.  But I'm not so sure, Lord, that I always stop to help someone whose troubles aren't so severe...

 

How many times a day or a week do I pass by others (be they family, friends or strangers) others with needs, troubles, cares and concerns that I might be able to address, alleviate, resolve, soothe and comfort - but I don't... Instead, I pretend not to notice... or I make a show of being very busy... and I just quietly pass by on the other side of someone's hurt - in favor of my schedule, my comfort, my convenience...

 

Whether my neighbor's needs are large or small, urgent or longstanding, shouted out loud or whispered - you call me to stop, Lord, and tend to the needs of my brother or sister and do what I can to provide for their healing and peace...

 

You never pass by me, Lord, when I'm down and out, hurt and wounded and all by myself on the side of the road... You never pass by on the other side... You lift me up and walk by my side... You ease my pain with your healing touch... You pledge to stay with me until time does its work and heals my soul in its pain....

 

You never pass by me, Lord, so I pray tonight: open my eyes to see others' pain... deepen my love for any in need... help me prevail over my selfishness, my sense of entitlement, my putting myself and my comfort ahead of the needs of whomever I meet on the road I travel each day...

 

And for all the times I've passed by others - times when I've passed by you, O Lord - have mercy, forgive and pardon me... and teach me to stop and attend to my neighbor who waits for my helping hand...

 

Protect me, Lord, while I'm awake

    and watch over me while I sleep

that awake, I might keep watch with you

    and asleep rest in your peace...

 

Amen. 

 

Who Is My Neighbor? by David MacGregor 

 

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Monday Morning Offering: 10/5

Morning Coffee by George Mendoza

Good morning, good God!

Today I offer you all my rough edges
and I pray you'll buff them smooth
with the gift and grist of your grace...

I offer you the many things I've left undone,

unfinished business with you,

with my neighbor and with myself...

Send your Spirit to nudge and guide me
to act, to move, to complete and accomplish
the work that's mine to do...

I offer you my indifferent, apathetic side:
send the power of your Spirit
to stretch, expand and grow me,
to broaden, open and deepen me
to the fullness of the person
you created me to be...

I offer you this morning

the corners of my heart and mind:

crevices in my soul,

overgrown with bitter weeds,

cluttered with resentments

and grudges I don't want or need

but yet collect and hoard...

 

Send your Spirit, Lord,

to weed, clean and simplify my life

until my heart's a home 

where you are pleased to dwell...

And I offer you all my unfulfilled dreams,
my frustrated plans, my unmet expectations,
and my dashed hopes...

Send your Spirit, Lord, to help me discern and accept:

the plans I should commit to - and those I should abandon;

the paths you'd have me follow - and those I should avoid;

the dreams I should pursue - and those I should let go...

Let your Spirit fall afresh on me,
to purify my mind and heart:
    anoint my soul with mercy,
    remake me in your image,
    and sustain me with your grace
this morning, day and evening
and all through the week ahead...

Amen.

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NIGHT PRAYER: Sunday 10/4

On Sundays, Night Prayer will focus on an element from the day's celebration of Mass. Tonight our prayer is rooted in these readings, especially the second. 

Finally, brothers and sisters, think on these things:

 

Whatever is true...

    What are the truths by which I live?

        the truths which root me in my faith? 

            the truths that shape my life?

    Think on these things...

 

Whatever is honorable...

    What in my life do I respect and honor?

        who are the people I admire and esteem?

            to whom, to what am I loyal and devoted?

    Think on these things...

Whatever is just...

    What works of justice am I proud to support?

        what injustices move me to act?

            how might I be more honest, fair and just?

    Think on these things...

 

Whatever is pure...

    What's the purest thing I've ever seen?

        the purest love I've ever known?

            the purest hope I've ever had?

    Think on these things...

 

Whatever is lovely...

    Where do I find beauty in the world around me?

        who's the loveliest woman, the loveliest man 

            I've ever known?

        what do I find to be lovely in God? in prayer?

            in the arts, in science - in myself?) 

        Think on these things...

 

 Whatever is gracious...

    Who are the kind and gracious people in my life?

        what gracious things have others done for me?

            have I told God I'm grateful

                for his gracious mercy?

        Think on these things...

 

If there is any excellence

    in the lives and work and love of those around me

and if there is anything worthy of praise,

    admiration, acclaim and appreciation

         Think on these things...

     

And then the God of peace will be with  me...

 

Protect me, Lord, while I'm awake

    and watch over me while I sleep

that awake, I might keep watch with you

    and asleep, rest in your peace...

 

Amen.

Think On These Things by Lee Dengle

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Whatever is true, whatever is honorable,

whatever is just, whatever is pure,

whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious,

if there's any excellence

or anything worthy of praise:

think on these things,

 think on these things

What you have heard from me,

what you have learned from me,

what you have seen in me

you, too, must do

and if you do

the God of peace will be with you

Whatever is true, whatever is honorable,

whatever is just, whatever is pure,

whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious,

if there's any excellence

or anything worthy of praise:

think on these things,

think on these things,

think on these things,

think on these things

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