NIGHT PRAYER: Sunday 12/18

On Sundays, Night Prayer will focus on an element from the day's celebration of Mass. Tonight, Saint Joseph, a key figure in today's gospel will lead us in our prayer - and perhaps, even in our dreams...

Did you know Saint Joseph was a dreamer? Joseph doesn't utter a word in the gospels - we learn about him through his four dreams concerning the birth of Jesus (in the first and second chapters of Matthew's gospel.) In the first dream he learns about the divine nature of Mary’s pregnancy and is told ‘not to be afraid’ but to take her as his wife. In the second, he's warned to leave Bethlehem and flee to Egypt. While in Egypt, he has a third dream revealing that it is now safe for him and his family to return to Israel. In the fourth dream, he's warned again of danger and takes the Holy Family to Galilee instead of back to Judea. 

 

So, tonight we pray in the spirit of this dreamer...

 

Like Joseph, we all face times, Lord,
when you allow things to happen
that critically touch and shape us,
turning our lives around,
often in ways we never dreamed would happen,
in ways we hoped would never happen…

And in all of this your word to us
is the angel’s word to Joseph in his dream: 
    “Be not afraid!" 

    because in everything, in all things,
    God is with you...

Was Joseph ready for this, Lord?

Was he any more or any less ready 

than we are?

Are we ready to renew our trust

in all the ways your presence
weaves itself into our lives:
    touching and shaping and turning our lives around
    in ways we may have never imagined 

    - or wanted.

And most of all, Lord, are we ready
to trust that you're with us
    in everything

    and in all things...

Tonight, Lord, we remember Joseph's doubts, 

    his anticipation, his confusion, his regrets, his fears,

    his concern for Mary

      - and his wonder and his awe...

We remember him placing his troubles in your hands
    putting his fears aside and trusting in you...

We remember Joseph's dreams

    and tonight, each of us prays with him...

I come to you this night, Lord, 
I come with a heart sometimes ready and sometimes not,
    to love you, trust you and follow you...

My problems, my worries and my burdens
    often loom larger than life
and back me into corners where I feel alone,
    wondering where you've brought me,
    where you'll lead me
        - even if you're still with me...

My heart needs a dream, an angel, a message
    good news reminding me: be not afraid...

All day long and even in my sleep, Lord,
    remind me, even as you reminded Joseph,
that with you I can face all things,
    do all things, endure all things,
        accept all things...

Especially when my life's been
    spun around, turned upside down;
    when my sense of direction fails me;
    when I fear the path on which I walk:
remind me then, Lord, to not be afraid,
    to trust that you're there, right by my side
    and I can be ready
        for whatever may come my way... 

I pray tonight, Lord, with an open heart
    sometimes ready and sometimes not:
but ready or not, Lord
- here I come!

Ready or not, Lord
- here I am
and here I stand
in need of your strength, your mercy and love..

          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.

 

 Joseph's Song by Michael Card

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

 

How could it be
This baby in my arms
Sleeping now, so peacefully
The Son of God, the angel said
How could it be?

Lord, I know He's not my own
Not of my flesh, not of my bone
Still Father let this baby be
The son of my love

Father show me where I fit
Into this plan of yours
How can a man be father
To the Son of God
Lord, for all my life
I've been a simple carpenter
How can I raise a king?
How can I raise a king?

He looks so small
His face and hands so fair
And when He cries
The sun just seems to disappear
And when He laughs it shines again
How could it be?

Father show me where I fit
Into this plan of yours
How can a man be father
To the Son of God
Lord, for all my life
I've been a simple carpenter
How can I raise a king?
How can I raise a king?

How could it be
This baby in my arms
Sleeping now, so peacefully
The Son of God, the angel said
How could it be?
How could it be?

Advent Blessing  

    composed by Michael Joncas and Alan Hommerding

 

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