Pause for Prayer: Saturday, August 15

     The Assumption of Bertha Huber by Marcia Sandmeyer Wilson

 

Reminder: Today is the Feast of the Assumption but because it falls on a Saturday, the obligation to attend Mass today is lifted. More info here.) 

 

This morning's post doesn't include a prayer text but does offer four stories: Bertha's Story, The Assumption Story, Margaret's Story and Our Story...  Let these stories be "prayer starters" for your day...

 

Bertha's Story

This is the 19th year I've posted this delightful painting on the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin. I offer this not out of any irreverence or even playfulness but rather to help us understand what happened in Mary's life and how this relates to ours. About this piece, the artists, Marcia Sandmeyer Wilson writes:

"This 16x20 oil painting is called The Assumption of Bertha Huber. It is the third version I have done of this theme. Miss Huber was godmother to my three children. She died at age 87 in August, 1975 and I told the children I would paint what it 'really' looked like.

"Miss Huber was from Munich so I know she was expecting nice blond angels waiting for her in heaven...

"At the bottom of the painting is supposed to be me and the three children weeping for her at the nursing home where she had expired just moments before our arrival. It was a very good nursing home, by the way, named Calvary, in the Bronx."

Painting in the folk art style, Wilson has given us a folk art appreciation of the Assumption. The word comes from the Latin assumere which means to take to one's self. 

 

The Assumption Story 

The feast of the Assumption celebrates the Lord's taking to himself his beloved Mother, the Mother of us all, who, the Church has taught from early times, was assumed into heaven body and soul lest her body, which bore the Christ into the world, should undergo any corruption.

We pray that one day the Lord will take us to himself at the time of our passing from this life to life forever with God: one day the hands reaching down in Wilson's painting will reach out for you and me. No, we will not be assumed body and soul: this mortal coil of ours will undergo the inevitable corruption of nature. Yet one day, we pray and hope, the Lord will waken each of us to glory and our souls will be reunited with our bodies in a glorified state, the beauty of which we cannot yet imagine. 

Margaret's Story
I remember being called, some years ago, to visit and pray with a woman who was dying. Margaret was only a few weeks shy of her 103rd birthday! I saw her only hours before her death and yet she was as sharp as a tack, greeting me by name, thanking me for coming to see her, and joining wholeheartedly in the prayers I offered with her and for her.

But there were moments during my visit when Margaret seemed distracted from our conversation, straining to see something above her that I couldn't see. And several times she turned her head, as if to listen more closely to a voice I could not hear...   I don't know, but I would not be surprised if this beautiful woman was attending to the faces of all the saints, all of her loved ones in heaven, of Mary, and of the Lord himself as he prepared to take her to himself...

 

Our Story 

There’s a prayer that comes at the end of a Catholic funeral mass and it gives beautiful expression to this faith and hope of ours. I'll use Margaret as the name for the deceased here...

 

Trusting in God,

we have prayed together for Margaret

and now we come to the last farewell.

 

There is sadness in parting,

but we take comfort in the hope

that one day we shall see Margaret again

and enjoy her friendship.

 

Although we may leave here in sorrow,

the mercy of God

will gather us together again

in the joy of his kingdom.

 

Therefore let us console one another

in our faith in Christ Jesus.

 

That's good news!  We shall indeed see and know and love one another in heaven!  The mercy of God will gather us together again with those who have gone before us!

 

But we don’t even have to wait until heaven to have communion with those who have gone before us: with Mary, the mother of Jesus and of us all; and with our loved ones whom the Lord has taken to himself.

 

Each time we approach the altar, we have a taste and a sip of that eternal banquet which awaits us in the Lord’s kingdom and which, we hope and pray, those who have gone before us are already enjoying.

  

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Is today a holy day of obligation?

 

In addition to every Sunday, the dioceses of the United States observe 6 holy days of obligation every year.  If January 1, August 15 or November 1 fall on a Saturday or Monday, the day's feast is celebrated but the obligation to attend Mass that day is lifted.  This weekend, the feast of the Assumption (August 15) falls on a Saturday so it will not be a day of obligation.

 

January 1:  

    Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

 

40 days after Easter 

   or the Seventh Sunday of Easter 

(as determined by the local ecclesiastical province

   - follow the link for an interesting view of things!) 

    Solemnity of he Ascension of the Lord 

August 15:  

    Solemnity of the Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary

 

November 1:  

    Solemnity of All Saints

 

December 8: 

    Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

 

December 25: 

    The Nativity of the Lord 

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Pause for Prayer: FRIDAY 8/14

For some this post will seem to come too early but students go back to school at various times and I don't want to miss any of them!

Below you'll find three prayers I wrote for those who are returning to the classroom: one for students, one for parents, one for teachers and one for empty nesters.

Following my prayers, you'll find another prayer for empty nesters from Diana Macalintal's fine book, The Work of Your Hands: Prayers for Ordinary and Extraordinary Moments of Grace.

Share these prayers! In addition to you and your immediate family, are there others in your extended family, among your neighbors and friends or in your parish who might benefit from these prayers?  Please pass them on! 

 

 + + +

A Student's Prayer

You might pray this at home with your children, on the first day of school.  Or you could slip a copy into backpacks and lunch kits - or post it on the family bulletin board or the refrigerator door!

 

Dear God,
Help me remember that you’re always by my side,
    at school and all day long.
Help me be the best student I can be,
    using all the gifts and talents you’ve given me.
Help me study well and often
    – especially when I don’t feel like studying at all!
Help me finish all my homework – on time.
Help me listen to my teachers and coaches.
Help me play fair and play safely.
Help me be honest when I’m tempted to cheat.
Help me always tell the truth.
Help me be kind to everyone at school
    and to treat others as I’d want them to treat me.
Help me make good friends
    and help me be a good friend to others.
Help me see how I can help others
    and to ask for help when I need it myself.
Help me love and respect, trust and appreciate my parents
- and be honest with them.
Help me remember that you’re with me always, Lord,
    and that you’ll never leave my side.
Amen.

+ + + 

A Parent's Prayer for Students 

Here's a prayer for those who stay at home or take off for work as the kids leave for school... 

 

Dear Lord,
As my children leave for school,
I pray you keep them in your care.
Send your Spirit to open their minds
    to all that's true and beautiful and good.
Help them see the gifts and talents
    you have given them 
        and teach them to use them well.
Help them to grow in knowledge and wisdom.
Help them to be kind to others
    and lead others to be kind to them.
Give their teachers patience and understanding
    and help them teach what's just and true.
Send your angels to guide and guard my children
    and to keep them from all harm.
Open their young hearts to your presence
    and enfold them in your peace and protection.
Hold them in the palm of your hand, Lord,
    and at day's end, bring them safely home.
Amen.

+ + +

A Teacher's Prayer

And let's not forget teachers and school staff and administrators! 

 

Dear God,
A new school year is about to begin
    and my classroom door will soon open
        to the students you've assigned to my care...
Open my mind and heart to each of them
    and especially to the ones
        who will challenge me the most...
Help me challenge my students, all of them,
    to study, to learn, to grow in knowledge
        and even a little wisdom...
Help me remember, Lord,
    how young my students are:
        give me patience to help them grow up
            and insight to know the help they need...
Help me understand that sometimes
    my students may not understand me:
        help me be clear in all I say and do...
My students don't know the burdens and worries
    my heart brings to the classroom, Lord,
so help me remember how anxious and how heavy 

    my students' hearts may be...
Keep me from favoring any particular students, Lord,
    except for those who need my help the most...
Let my choices and decisions in the classroom
    be fair and just, honest and true...
Send your Spirit to fill me with gifts
    of knowledge and understanding, counsel and wisdom…
Lord, open my mind and heart to my students' parents,
    especially those who'll challenge me the most...
Help me challenge parents to challenge their children
    to study, to learn and to grow...

Teach me to teach as you would, Lord:

    with understanding when I need to be firm,

    with gentleness in all things 

    and with patience ‘til the last bell rings…  

Amen.

+ + + 

Reflections for Empty Nesters

For parents sending their high school graduates off to college, the military or the work force (in two versions: for a daughter, for a son).

When a son is leaving home: 
Yes, it's hard...
but it was, in large measure, just for this
    that you brought him into the world:
        for him to grow and mature,
    to begin to be on his own,
        loving you not any less at all
    and perhaps even loving you more     

        for all you've given him up 'til now
    and how you'll love him yet
        as he becomes more and more his own man,

            this child you love so much...
 

Through your tears ask God to help you now

    to find the joy that’s rightly yours

in the life of the fine young man you've raised:

    your child, your son, born of you,

        of your love, your heart and your soul.

Amen.

 

When a daughter is leaving home: 

Yes, it's hard...
but it was, in large measure, just for this  
    that you brought her into the world:
        for her to grow and mature,
    to begin to be on her own, 

        loving you not any less at all
    and perhaps even loving you more
        for all you've given her up 'til now
    and how you'll lover her yet
    as she becomes more and more her own woman,

        this child you love so much...
 

Through your tears ask God to help you now

    to find the joy that’s rightly yours

in the life of the fine young woman you've raised:

    your child, your daughter, born of you,

        of your love, your heart and your soul.

Amen.

+ + +
 

And here's Diana Macalintal's  Parent’s Prayer When Children are Leaving Home, in two versions: for a daughter, for a son.

 

A Parent’s Prayer When A Daughter Leaves Home 

Gracious God, you blessed me with the gift of my child
    and entrusted me with her care.
Surround her with good people and watch over her each day.
And let her know that I will always be near
    whenever she may need me.
Heal any hurts we may harbor with each other
    and forgive our failings
        as we learn to be in a new kind of relationship with each other.
And when the sight of her empty room
    pierces my heart with sadness,
may I find comfort in knowing that my child is your child too,
    filled with your grace and sheltered by your love.
Amen.

Copyright 2014 by Order of Saint Benedict.   
Published by Liturgical Press, Collegeville, Minnesota.  
Used with permission.  

 

A Parent’s Prayer When A Son Leaves Home 

Gracious God, you blessed me with the gift of my child

    and entrusted me with his care.
Now he leaves this home and begins a new life apart from me.
Surround him with good people and watch over him each day.
And let him know that I will always be near
    whenever he may need me.
Heal any hurts we may harbor with each other
    and forgive our failings
        as we learn to be in a new kind of relationship with each other.
And when the sight of his empty room
    pierces my heart with sadness,
may I find comfort in knowing that my child is your child too,
    filled with your grace and sheltered by your love.
Amen.

Copyright 2014 by Order of Saint Benedict.   
Published by Liturgical Press, Collegeville, Minnesota.  
Used with permission. 

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Pause for Prayer: WEDNESDAY 8/12

 

What problem am I bringing to God today?

Am I so anxious about tomorrow or next week
that I miss the help the Lord offers me today?  

Am I having a hard time "keeping it in today?"

The Lord's with me right now, 
    in this very moment, while I'm on line...

The Lord's not waiting for tomorrow  

    or next week or next month,

he's waiting right now  

    to give me just the help I need 

    to make it through today,

    one day at a time...

Help me just today, Lord:
that's what I really need.... 

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4 million is a lot of votes!

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Pause for Prayer: TUESDAY 8/11

Lead me along this day's path, Lord:

    help me leave the past behind

    and open my heart to the future...

 

Lead me along this day's path, Lord,

    though I can't know, though I may fear

    what's down the road for me...

 

Lead me along this day's path, Lord,

    keep me from dragging my butt

    and dawdling, stalling, delaying...

  

Lead me along this day's path, Lord,

    and keep me in the moment:

    don't let me turn back...

 

Lead me along this day's path, Lord:

    point me in the right direction

    and let let nothing change my course...

 

Lead me along this day's path, Lord:

    help me trust the road you map for me

    though I don't know where it ends...

 

Lead me along this day's path, Lord:

    show me the way and stay by my side

    with every step I take...

 

Lead me along this day's path, Lord, 

    as I know you always do

and give me the grace to follow 

    where your love and wisdom lead...

 

Amen. 

 

This is probably NOT the "Lead Me, Lord" you know!

 

Lead Me, Lord by Gary Valenciano 

 

If a video doesn't appear below, click here! 

 

 

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NIGHT PRAYER: Monday 8/10

I'm thinking, Lord, of all the ways my life is 

touched, bruised, blessed, shaped and changed

    by family and by friends,

    by strangers passing by,

    by grudges and resentments,

    by a word of consolation, 

        affirmation and support,   

    by a gentle or a harsh remark, 

    by an open, outstretched hand,  

    by a not so subtle snub,  

    by another's smile or tears,  

    by a rumored piece of gossip

        or a teasing provocation, 

    by attention and neglect, 

    by an understanding glance,

    by the smallest deed of kindness

        done in secret and with love...

All of which causes me to wonder, 

how does my life, Lord,

touch, bruise, bless, shape and change the lives

    of my family and my friends,

    of strangers passing by,

    of those I live and work with,

        those entrusted to my care, 

    of those who serve my many needs,

    of those I disagree with, 

    of those who have forgotten me,

    of those who most annoy me,

    of those who lift me up,

    of those who need my help,

    of those whom I've offended

    and of anyone who's most in need

        of what is mine to share... 

 

We touch, bruise, bless, shape

    and change each other's lives, Lord,

and often without knowing,

    without seeing or perceiving

how much and in how many ways

    we touch, bruise, bless, shape 

        and change the precious lives 

    of family and of friends,

        of acquaintances and neighbors,

            and of strangers passing by,

    all brothers, sisters 'round the world,

        all one in you, our God...

 

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. 

 

One of the joys of writing these Night Prayer posts is searching for music and finding pieces I've never heard before.  That's the case tonight: Pastor Nancy Rabbe has set Shirley Erena Murray's poem to music and the result is, as the title indicates, gentle and light... 

 

Go Gently, Go Lightly by by Nancy Rabbe

 

If a video doesn't appear below, click here!

 

 

Go gently, go lightly,
go safe in the Spirit,
live simply, don’t carry
much more than you need:
go trusting God’s goodness,
go spreading God’s kindness,
stay centered on Jesus
and where he will lead.

Go singing, go bringing
the gifts of the Spirit,
go hopefully searching
for things that are true:
in living, in loving,
whatever befalls you,
God keep you, God bless you
in all that you do.

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