NIGHT PRAYER: Saturday 9/26

Tonight's prayer is prompted by Pope Leo's address (9/25/26) to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).  Here are some excerpts from his speech which I encourage you to read in its entirety.

What does it mean to be human? Every culture is challenged by this question, which lies at the heart of every form of knowledge, every art and every religion…

Before all else, the human person is someone who is conceived and born. Thus, first of all, to be human means to be a child. None of us chose to be so. None of us decided from whom, when or where to be born. This evident truth sheds light on something that is not merely biological but ethical: as children, we are all brothers and sisters. From the outset, our humanity is a gift and a trial, a promise and a responsibility…

Secondly, we are all born naked and in need. We are poor by birth, in need of bread and words, of care and affection — that is, of all that nourishes body and spirit. We know this well, and yet, as we become adults, we risk forgetting it. It is precisely those in need who suffer the greatest consequences of this forgetfulness, whenever their humanity is betrayed or cast aside, exploited or deceived…

Thirdly, to keep alive the memory of our common humanity is to recognize its grandeur — that is, its immense potential — even though it is diminished by many forms of evil and injustice. Those engaged in the fields of education, science and culture are called all the more to care for every person, so that the beauty of our freedom may shine forth. This beauty has a name: justice. Freedom is indeed beautiful when it is oriented toward goodness and truth; it is disfigured when it descends into arbitrariness, violence or the thirst for power. To be human, then, implies a responsibility before history: the human being is one who grows, learns and works with both hands and mind. By that labor, we may cultivate the earth or disfigure it, create works of art or destroy them. At this particular juncture, we must recognize that the most terrible of “human works” is war, for then science itself is placed at the service of an inhumane will to destroy and to kill.

First of all, Lord,

help me to be human...

 

Help me to be a brother, a sister,

to all of my brothers and sisters

and remind me, Lord,

that everyone is sister and brother to me...

 

Let me see, Lord,

that my deepest human needs

are the needs of every human being,

of all my brothers and sisters

wherever they may be

and that their poverty is my poverty

and that my wealth belongs to them...

 

Help me see, Lord, and help me delight 

in the beauty of freedom, 

in the light of justice,

in the graciousness of peace: 

help me know my own personal responsibility

for cultivating beauty in all my thoughts,

in my words and in the work of my hands...

 

Help me to be human, Lord,

for human is what you made me to be... 

 

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. 

 

Pope Leo speaks, of course, in the context of Christian faith.  Tonight's song doesn't reference that faith but yet speaks beautifully of what it means to be - human...  In my posts, I have purposely avoided using AI generated music - but, curiously and ironically, I'm making an exception here...

 

See Me As Human by Non Film Songs

 

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Don’t judge me by the shade I wear, 

Don’t weigh me by my name. 

Don’t draw a border round my life 

From bloodline, rank or faith. 

Stand before me just once 

And look beyond what you assume. 

Before you read my identity— 

Read the way I move through the world. 

See me— See me as human. 

Past every label, Read what lives within. 

Don’t place my worth On prejudice’s scale— 

Let what I do Become my name. 

See me— See me as human. 

Beyond division, Look for equal regard. 

Ask whose burden I helped carry— 

That is where My truth begins. 

When I place food In a hungry hand, 

Why should faith Be questioned first? 

When I lift someone Who has fallen, 

Why should lineage Matter then? 

One word that gives A grieving heart courage 

Can become a kind of prayer. 

And standing beside A shattered soul— 

Even silence can be compassion. 

Conscience never asks me— 

“How much did you acquire?” It asks—  

"Whose pain Became lighter because of you?” 

That is the measure That matters. 

See me— See me as human. 

Past every label, Read what lives within. 

Don’t place my worth On prejudice’s scale— 

Let what I do Become my name. 

If the house is taller, Is the heart taller too? 

If the title shines, Does character shine with it? 

If hands overflow with fortune 

But empathy has disappeared— 

What does that splendour mean? 

 Don’t measure me Only by what I say. 

Measure the trust I refused to betray. 

Measure the darkness In somebody’s life 

Where I chose To become a light. 

Do not carve my name Into stone. 

Let it remain as courage Inside one heart. 

I do not need A crown to remember me— 

If I became relief To someone’s suffering, 

That is enough. 

The voice born in me today 

May echo through a thousand minds tomorrow— 

To see a human being Simply as human— 

That is what Real progress looks like. 

See me— See me as human. 

Past every label, Read what lives within. 

Beyond colour! Beyond division! 

Let what I do Become my name. 

Human! Human! Greater than status. 

Human! Human! Greater than division. 

Compassion! Equal regard! 

Let humanity prevail! 

 Beyond colour… 

Beyond names… 

Beyond prejudice… 

Look once With an open heart— 

I am… Human. 

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Pause for Prayer: SATURDAY 9/26

So often, Lord,
I let worry and fear build walls
that keep me from your grace, your strength
and your desire to help me 

    do the next right thing,
    speak the next right word
    and make the next right move...

Too often, Lord, I isolate 

and fail to see, to accept,

to welcome all the help you offer
    when I'm trapped and lost in  worry,
    when I doubt my self in fear
    and distrust myself to do what I must do...

All too often, Lord, I find a way,

a reason to excuse myself from my responsibility,
to seize the opportunity
    to do the next right thing,
    speak the next right word 

    and make the next right move...

Way too often, Lord, I give in

    when worry weakens my resolve,
    when old fears frustrate my best plans

    and doubt disarms my will 

    to do the next right thing...

So, break through, Lord, I pray:
break through my fear with your sure grace, 

break through my worry with your peace,
break through my doubt and strengthen me 

    to do the next right thing, 

    to speak the next right word 

    and to make the next right move...

Amen.
 

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I'll be moving!

I want to let you know that in a few months I’ll be moving.  My 5 years at Good Shepherd Parish in Wayland have been very good and I’m grateful to the people and the two pastors with whom I served there for their warm welcome of me as a senior priest in residence.  I knew when I arrived in Wayland that, God willing, it would not be the last time that I’d unpack and settle into new quarters. Now, after much prayer and reflection, I believe it’s time to make what will likely be my last move -- not to worry! -- I’m in good health and I hope to live in my new digs for many years to come!

 

I’ll be moving just a little bit east - to downtown Boston, to the archdiocesan residence for retired priests.  My new home will be Regina Cleri (Latin for Queen of the Clergy) which is located on Cardinal O’Connell Way, just behind Mass. General Hospital. 

 

 

Regina Cleri is home to more than 60 priests. I know many of them (some better than others) and several of my ordination classmates are already living there.  At my new place I’m choosing a medium size suite which includes a study, bedroom and a full bath.  This is more expensive than a small suite (yes, I will be paying rent) but the medium size is more comfortable and comes with one of the balconies you see in the photo above.  Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served daily in the dining room. (I’ve had lunch and dinner there and the food is excellent!)  Also included are weekly housekeeping and laundry service, as well as phone/WIFI/cable. While my rooms will be furnished, I’m free to bring any of my own furniture with me.  (My recliner will definitely be coming with me!)   

 

My new home will be within a 10-15 minute walk to the Esplanade, Starbucks, Government Center, the State House, Quincy Market, the North End Downtown Crossing, North Station and the various transit lines. And a parking space for my car!

 

While I hope what I've written thus far answers most of the questions you might have, you might still be wondering, “Why?  Why now?”  I’m pleased to respond!

 

I retired from assigned ministry 5 years ago and I’m very grateful to be in good health and living an independent lifestyle. Still, I know the time will come when I’ll need to depend more on others in my daily life – more than rectory living situations can easily accommodate or provide for.  While I still handle stairs quite well (at my own pace and with a bannister!) the days of living on the second floor won’t last forever and yes, Regina Cleri has an elevator! I know, too, that I’ll maintain a much healthier diet when my meals are regularly prepared by folks who will pay more attention to my nutrition than I usually do.  I’m in my 80^th year and I’ve known for a long time now that while I like to think of myself as still being young in spirit, the rest of me continues to age and slow down.

 

So I’ll be moving from one independent lifestyle setting to another – with the option of greater care when and as I may need it.  I believe this is a wise move to make – and that now’s the time to make it.

 

Once I’m settled in, I’ll look for a parish where I might help out by presiding and preaching at a Sunday mass.  While I have no particular place in mind, I’ll be looking something not too far from downtown Boston. 

 

And yes, of course, I will continue writing my blog!

 

I hope this gives you a fair picture of what’s ahead for me - and I hope you’ll rejoice with me!  I don’t at all feel that I had to make this decision. As I drove away from Regina Cleri after my interview there, I felt a deep certainty that this is the next right thing to do in my life – and that brings me much peace.

 

When will this happen?  I don’t have a definite date but I hope to have moved in by Thanksgiving.

 

I’m not moving far away – my new home is only a little about 20 miles from where I live now. in. Please pray for me - and join me in thanking God for this great opportunity.

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NIGHT PRAYER: Friday 9/26

Sometimes at night, Lord, I look back and wonder: 

    how did I spend my time today 

        - wisely or foolishly?
    did I do enough?  

    did I do too much?

         - just what DID I do?      

    did I do what was mine 

       to do this day?

    and did I do it generously 

      and graciously? 

    did I waste any precious time today? 

    did I lose this day

        because I was stuck in yesterday?
   did I forfeit this day,

        worrying about tomorrow?
   did I spend a part of this day 

        reaching out and caring for others?
   did I spend a part of my day

        in prayer with you?
   did I take the time today to thank you, Lord

        for all the time you spent with me today?

Scripture tells me there's a time for everything, Lord,
   and a time for every purpose under heaven...

If I wasted my day,
   forgive me, Lord;
if I was selfish with my time,
   forgive me, Lord;
if I was foolish with my time,
   forgive me, Lord;
if I gave in to purposes not worth my time today,
   forgive me, Lord;
if I took today's time for granted,
   forgive me, Lord;
and if I failed to praise and thank you 

    for the gift of this day's time,
       forgive me, Lord...

Day is done, it's time to pray
   you'll bless the night ahead
with good rest, deep sleep 

    and the grace of peaceful dreams... 

May the time I spend asleep tonight
   restore, refresh and ready me
for the time I'll have tomorrow 
   to grow in love and serve you
       in loving and serving others...

Protect me, Lord, as I lie awake
   and watch over me when I'm fast asleep
that awake, I might keep watch with you
   and asleep, rest in your peace...

Amen.

Turn, Turn, Turn by Pete Seeger,

    sung by Judy Collins

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To everything (turn, turn, turn)
There is a season (turn, turn, turn)
And a time to every purpose, under heaven

A time to be born, a time to die
A time to plant, a time to reap
A time to kill, a time to heal
A time to laugh, a time to weep

A time to build up, a time to break down

A time to dance, a time to mourn
A time to cast away stones, 
A time to gather stones together

A time of love, a time of hate
A time of war, a time of peace
A time you may embrace,
A time to refrain from embracing

A time to gain, a time to lose
A time to rend, a time to sew
A time for love, a time for hate
A time for peace, I swear it's not too late

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Pause for Prayer: FRIDAY 9/25

 

In the morning, Lord,

    I open the curtains and raise the shades

        to let in the light of day...

Remind me then
   to pull back the curtains veiling my heart
      to welcome the light of your presence...

Whether the day be cloudy or clear,

    when I lift what shades and shields my heart,

        your healing light illumines my soul...

So, shine on me, Lord, from dawn to dusk,

    'til I draw the curtains hung by my windows

        and open my heart to moonlit peace...

Amen. 

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NIGHT PRAYER: Thursday 9/24

I posted this a few years back but I've recently been with some folks who have shared their tears with me - or who worked hard to keep their tears from flowing...  Tonight's prayer has several parts: 

    (1) I listen to the Lord speak in the scriptures  

    (2) I respond to the word I've heard

    (3) The Lord answers my prayer!

    (4) I speak to the Lord once again..

 

Lord, you keep track of all my sorrows,

   you collect my tears in a jar, 

      you record each one in your book...  

 (Psalm 56:8)

 

If you're collecting all my tears, Lord,

then by now you must have gallon jugs 

filled with the dew of the sadness and joy 

I've wept over all these years...

 

For a long time, it seemed, 

my tears only flowed 

in sadness and in sorrow,

washing my bruised and wounded heart,

a drop at a time or a steady stream...

But the older I get the quicker tears come

at the least little joy:

    some beautiful sight,

    a memory recalled,

    a word I've read,

    a song I've heard

letting stream from within 

the waters that flow 

from my story of who I am...

 

You record my tears in a book, Lord?

I imagine, then, sacral, lachrymal pages,

tear-stained, watermarked, carefully kept

by you who number

my days, my sorrows, my joys...

And the Lord responds...

I know your joys and your sorrows:

    both your tears of laughter 

    and your tears of grief...

 

And because they're all so precious to me

I store all your tears in a jar:

    droplets of grace, salty memories 

    of every time you turned to me, 

    leaned on me and cried to me

        in sorrow and in joy... 

And I pray...

In good times and bad you're with me, Lord,

as you tenderly, gently, dry the tears

that moisten my face and roll down my cheeks

in streams of love from the springs of my heart...

Receive my tears as prayers, O Lord:

    some, a cry from my broken heart;

    some, a plea for your healing touch;

    and others, a psalm of grateful praise

        for your comfort, peace and compassion...

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.

 

You Have Collected All My Tears 

   by Dan opdeVeigh

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You catch and collect every drop on my cheek

You know all my sorrow, you feel all my grief

You stand with me through the fire and fear

You redeem every tear

You redeem every tear

You clean every stain, you forgive all my sins

You raise me to life now my heart beats again

My hope will rise as your glory appears

You redeem every tear

You redeem every tear

So all things shall be well

All things shall be well

Take heart, child of God,

All things shall be well

You count every hair and you number my days

You search me, you know me, you call me by name

You weep with me as you always draw near

You redeem every tear

You redeem every tear

You promise to stay ever close by my side

And work for my good through the pain of the night

Heaven will come to the earth you hold dear

All your beauty made clear

When you wipe away all my tears

Image source

 

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• ANNIHILATE • A Catholic critique of POTUS' speech at the UN

Once again, Arthur Holquin offers an accessible and telling Catholic theological critique of a current event: Trump's speech at the UN General Assembly.

 

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Pause for Prayer: THURSDAY 9/24

 

Thanks, Lord, for your patience with me,

even when I'm impatient with you:

    when I want (and demand!)

        that you do what I want, 

    that you follow my plan

    that you work on my schedule

    - instead of yours...

 

Thanks, Lord, for your attentiveness to my prayer,

especially when, for long periods of time,

    I pay you little attention

    - except when I want to ask you for a favor... 

 

Thanks, Lord,

for giving me so many second chances

    after I've blown so many before

    and don't really deserve yet another opportunity

    and the grace of a new beginning...

Thanks, Lord,

for loving me, especially when I fail to love 

    my neighbor,

    my colleagues at work

    and even members of my own family;

thanks for loving me, Lord,

    when I fail to love myself

    and, most of all,

    when I fail to love and trust in you...

And thanks, Lord,

for bearing with me on that one thing

that bothers me so much:

    - be patient with me as I try to let go;

    - hear and answer my prayer in my struggle;

    - be faithful in helping me work through this;

    - and give me, again and again,

         the grace to be free of that one thing

        that troubles me so much...

And thanks, Lord, for loving me:

with the love that's yours alone to give:

    the love from which I came to be,

    the love that keeps me going, day to day,

    the love for which I am most truly grateful...

Love me, Lord,      

    with love enough to spare,

    with love enough to share 

    with everyone 

    I know and meet today...

Amen.

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