NIGHT PRAYER: Sunday 4/23

On Sundays, Night Prayer will focus on an element from the day's celebration of Mass. Tonight we'll pray with some words from today's gospel and the story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus.

That very day, the first day of the week,
two of Jesus' disciples were going to a village called Emmaus,

seven miles from Jerusalem...

 

Like the two disciples, Lord,

my every day and every  week,

the course of my whole life,

is one long series of

comings and goings,

tos and fros,

from here to there and back again,

all the time searching

for a quiet, gentle time and place

to stop and take a breath,

to pause, to rest

and be at peace

with you...

And they were conversing 

about all the things that had occurred.

And it happened that while they were conversing and debating,
Jesus himself drew near and walked with them,
but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him.

Oh, how often, Lord, do I miss you?

How often am I too busy to look for you?

How often do I miss your presence at my side?

How often do I ignore you

or even pretend you're not there

even though I know

you're living in my heart?

He asked them,
"What are you discussing as you walk along?"
They stopped, looking downcast.
One of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply,
"Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem
who does not know of the things
that have taken place there in these days?"

 

How often, Lord,

do you in your compassion and kindness

ask what's on my mind and in my heart

though you know so much better than I 

everything that passes through thoughts

and through my soul,

listening patiently while I, like a child,

pour out my sorrows and my hurt,

seeking healing and comfort

from you who know my story

so fully and so well...

As they approached the village to which they were going,

Jesus gave the impression that he was going on farther.
But they urged him, "Stay with us,
for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over."
So he went in to stay with them.

 

Even when I fear you've drifted off, Lord,

even when I search but cannot find you,

even and especially then

do you stay right by my side

and make your home within my heart

through the heat of day to sunset

and then all through the night...

And it happened that, 

while he was with them at table,
he took bread, said the blessing,
broke it, and gave it to them.
With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him,
but he vanished from their sight.
Then they said to each other,
"Were not our hearts burning within us
while he spoke to us on the way?"

 

When I cannot find you,

when you've vanished from my sight,

then open the eyes of my faith, Lord,

and open my heart and soul,

my mind and my thoughts,

my spirit and my imagination!

Open the whole of me

to the whole of you

in all the ways you join me

on the many paths I walk.

Let your Spirit's wisdom burn

in your every whispered word

as you feed my deepest hunger  

in the breaking of your bread...

Then the two recounted
what had taken place on the way
and how he was made known to them 

in the breaking of bread.

 

I'm at the end of my day, Lord,

it's time to find a quiet place

to rest and find some peace,

to remember that you're right by my side

and to listen for your gentle voice

and hear the healing word you speak

from your heart to my own...

 

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.

 

On the Journey to Emmaus by Marty Haugen

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

 

 

 

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