NIGHT PRAYER: Sunday 8/23

On Sundays, Night Prayer will focus on an element from the day's celebration of Mass. This weekend I preached on "keys," and the "keys of grace" entrusted to Eliakim and Peter in today's readings. I began my homily by asking, "Do you know where your keys are?"  At one time or another (or much more often!) we've all misplaced our keys and we know the panic that ensues...

Among my possessions, Lord,

    among the things I might misplace,

which might trigger the most anxiety

    and desire to find what I've lost? 

My keys?  My cell phone?

    My wallet? My glasses? My lap top? 

 

It's because I really believe 

    I really need these things,

        that I can't get along without them

that when I lose them

    I feel like I've lost my security,

        my safety - myself... 

Would that I'd panic as quickly, Lord,

 would that I'd worry as greatly

  and search as diligently:

 

    - when I lose my connection with you

        when I'm "way too busy" to pray...

 

    - when I lose my sense of well-being

        when I fail to care for myself....

 

    - when I lose my sense of direction

         when I follow a foolish path... 

 

    - when I lose myself to sorrow

        when I cling to grief I won't let go...

 

    - when I lose my sense of purpose

        when I surrender to disappointment...

 

    - when I lose my faith in you

        when I narrow my trust in your care...

 

    - when I lose my hope for tomorrow

        when I surrender myself to the past...

 

    - when I lose my joy in living

        and I lock the door of my heart... 

 

Of all the things I think I need, 

  of all that I truly treasure,

let these things, Lord, be most important

  and my finding them my greatest joy:

    - my relationship with you 

    - the abiding gift of your mercy 

    - awareness of my personal dignity

    - trust in where you're leading me

    - living mindfully, in the moment

    - accepting the whole of my life as gift

    - trust in the breadth and depth of your love

    - faith that you're always with me

    - courage to open my soul to all love

Phones and wallets, keys and glasses,

    all these will pass, Lord, can be replaced  

so focus my heart on what really matters,

    help me treasure the greatest gifts,

and help me rejoice and share the good news

    when I've found what I thought I had lost...

 

And just one more thing, Lord:

    when I am lost and all alone,

        be like the shepherd who lost his sheep,

        like the woman who lost her coin,

    and search, search, search and search

        'til you've found me,

        'til I know, deep in my heart,

         that indeed, I have been found by you... 

 

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.

 

Tonight's music comes not from the pages of scripture or a hymnal - but from hit Broadway musical.  I suspect the composers were writing about human friendship but as a believer, I can't help but think of God as the one who is always searching me out and finding me over and over again...

 

You Will Be Found from Dear Evan Hansen

    by Pasek and Paul

 

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Have you ever felt like nobody was there?
Have you ever felt forgotten in the middle of nowhere?
Have you ever felt like you could disappear?
Like you could fall, and no one would hear?

Well, let that lonely feeling wash away
Maybe there's a reason to believe you'll be okay
'Cause when you don't feel strong enough to stand
You can reach, reach out your hand

And oh, someone will come running
And I know, they'll take you home

Even when the dark comes crashing through
When you need a friend to carry you
And when you're broken on the ground
You will be found

So let the sun come streaming in
'Cause you'll reach up and you'll rise again
Lift your head and look around
You will be found

There's a place where we don't have to feel unknown

And every time that you call out
You're a little less alone

If you only say the word
From across the silence
Your voice is heard

And oh, someone will come running
Oh, they'll take you home

Even when the dark comes crashin' through
When you need a friend to carry you
When you're broken on the ground

You will be found!

So when the sun comes streaming in
'Cause you'll reach up and you'll rise again
If you only look around
You will be found

You will be found
You will be found

Out of the shadows
The morning is breaking
And all is new, all is new
It's filling up the empty
And suddenly I see that
All is new, all is new

You are not alone

Even when the dark comes crashin' through
When you need someone to carry you
When you're broken on the ground

You will be found!

So when the sun comes streaming in
'Cause you'll reach up and you'll rise again
If you only look around
You will be found

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