Pause for Prayer: SATURDAY 10/24

 

There's something different, Lord,

these crisp October days

- something different in the sunshine...

 

Old Sol, up in the sky, 

assumes an arced autumnal angle, 

warming a true lustrous glow 

on branches brushed with beauty,

on leaves alive in light 

no summer's green could ever match...

 

The light's above, Lord,

but I would swear the leaves are glowing 

from within...

 

In my reverie, the trees,

still warm with sun soaked in from August skies,

now turn heavenward, 

offering up a psalmody 

of color, light and shadows...

 

Could it be, Lord?  Can it be 

that summer's warmth and light are rising still, 

in praise of you, their maker?

 

Driving down long, arbored roads 

I find the glow is here and there, 

not everywhere and -well, of course! 

it's the evergreens -

backdrop for October's gift, 

of glowing leafy finery...

Your light's above and all around,

from every angle shining

and from deep within me, warming

to the depths of who I am...

 

I join the prayers of trees and leaves 

and lift to you a psalm to praise 

the beauty you reveal, Lord, 

the beauty that you are… 

 

There's something different, Lord,

these crisp October days, 

- something different in the sunshine...

 

And for this - I give you thanks...

 

Amen. 

 

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On the move!

I'm planning on moving to my new home in Boston on November 2. As you'll note on the map, I'm only moving 23.5 miles away although I think the estimated drive time of 33 minutes should be closer to 50 minutes, depending on traffic and time of day.  

So...  I'm in the midst of the sorting-through/cleaning-out/saving-pitching purge of a life time!  This work is partly physical, partly emotional and most of all filled with anticipation, excitement and peace!

Between now and my moving date, my posting here will be less regular than usual - probably along the lines of once instead of twice a day. Thanks for your patience and I look forward to returning to my regular schedule soon! 

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NIght Prayer: THURSDAY 10/22

The first scripture for t0day's mass seemed just what I needed to read as I was planning to go to town hall and vote in the midterm elections.  I found myself wishing that everyone could read this before voting - not because it's political but because it speaks so beautifully of who we are before the power the majesty and the governance of God over creation...  Let's begin by spending some time with St. Paul's words - and then we'll pray through them again, with our own words interlinear... 

 

I kneel before the Father,
from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,
that he may grant you in accord with the riches of his glory
to be strengthened with power through his Spirit 

in the inner self,
and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith;
that you, rooted and grounded in love,
may have strength to comprehend with all the holy ones
what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge,
so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

 

Now to him who is able to accomplish far more 

than all we ask or imagine,
by the power at work within us,
to him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus
to all generations, forever and ever.  Amen.

 

                    ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

 

I kneel before the Father,
from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named..

We need to remember, Lord, 

that you are our Creator, Maker of all that is good,

all that is true, wise, pure and beautiful, 

that all power and glory are yours,

that we are your children, your family,

all of us brothers and sisters... 
that he may grant you in accord with the riches of his glory
to be strengthened with power through his Spirit 

in the inner self...

How blessed are we, Lord, 

that from your divine generosity

you should choose to share with us

- the riches of your glory!

that you choose to share with us, even now, on earth,

the mercy and grace, the pardon and peace

that belongs to realms beyond our reach,

beyond what we could ever earn, merit or deserve

- and all of this - through  

through Christ who dwells in our hearts through faith...

through Christ, your Word, spoken in love,

through Christ, your Son, made flesh for us,

through Christ, our Lord, who offered his life

for us, your chosen, 

rooted and grounded Jesus' love 
that we might find strength, might have strength 

to comprehend with all the saints

the breadth and length and height and depth,

the love of Christ whose wisdom surpasses

all that we know of your fullness, O God,

the fullness of grace that dwells in our hearts...

 

To you, O God, 

who are able to do, to create and bring forth

more than we in our dreams might hope 

or in our works might accomplish,

to you, O Lord, be power and glory

in the church, in the world and in every age

forever and ever and ever...

 

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. 

 

What better song could there be for tonight's prayer?

 

Dwelling Place by John Foley, SJ 

 

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I fall on my knees to the Father of Jesus,
The Lord who has shown us the glory of God.

 

May he in his love give us strength for our living
The strength of his spirit the glory of God. 

 

May Christ find a dwelling place of faith in our hearts

May our lives be rooted in love, rooted in love
 

May grace and peace be yours 

in God our Father and in his Son 

 

May Christ find a dwelling place of faith in our hearts

May our lives be rooted in love, rooted in love

I fall on my knees to the Father of Jesus,
The Lord who has shown us the glory of God 

 

May Christ find a dwelling place of faith in our hearts

May our lives be rooted in love, rooted in love

 

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Civic duty done!

 

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Pause for Prayer: THURSDAY 10/22

I need some peace and quiet, Lord...

I need a quiet place,
free of noise, free of sounds,
- and I know that with a little work
I can make that happen..

But I need more than a quiet room:
I need some quiet in my head,
in my heart and in my soul...

I need to hush
the jumbled thoughts that fill my mind,
the worn worries that clog my heart,
the useless fears that plague my soul...

I need to mute the work
that shouts from screen and desk,

the obligations calling for my time,
the unsolved problems crying for
and needing my attention...

 

I need the quiet peace Lord,

that comes from you and only you,
from your heart and from your grace,
the peace I know
that only you can give...

 

So I'll make a quiet time, Lord,
and find a quiet place
and pray you'll hush

 the furies in my mind
brush the worries

huddled in my heart
and shush the fears 

that haunt and taunt my soul...

 

I need some quiet time, Lord,
and the peace I know you'll help me find,
the peace that only you can give,

the peace my heart desires...

Amen.

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Night Prayer: WEDNESDAY 10/21

Today is the feast of Saint Hilarion (c. 291 – 371), considered to be the founder of Palestinian monastacism. Known for his wisdom and deep insight, he often went on journeys to escape the crowds who followed him.  This icon (from the Menologion of Basil II) pictures Hilarion having finally found some peace and quiet:

 

 

 

So I'm proposing Hilarion as the Patron Saint of Those Who Want to Get Away From It All (or whatever/whomever you need to get away from! )

 

Sometimes, Lord, 

sometimes I just need to get away!

 

Sometimes, Lord, 

I just need the peace 

of some time by myself, 

with no interruptions:

just the sweet solitary peace of being alone

    - with you - 

for I know you're always with me,

that your gentle, calming presence

offers me the very peace

my soul so much desires...

 

Sometimes, Lord, 

I just need to get away 

from all the busyness 

that clutters up my days 

and complicates my life...

 

Sometimes, Lord, 

I need a respite 

from my worries and my fears:

a time and place to sit, in peace,

secure in knowing you're right there,

to calm and soothe my anxious heart...

 

Sometimes, Lord, 

I just need that blessed quiet

where my soul in stillness waits

- for you -

and for the warmth of your presence 

and the wisdom of your word

and for the gift of your Spirit,

breathing deep within me,

filling me with grace...

 

Sometimes, Lord,

I just need to get away

and to be alone with you:

to reveal my hurt and pain,

to lay bare my need for healing,

for your mercy and forgiveness

and to cry the tears that well up

from a place that's deep inside me,

tears I know you'll keep and treasure

as a measure of my faith...

 

Sometimes, Lord,

I just need to get away,

to run away, 

to flee into your arms

and find there what I long for

in the quiet of your presence,

in the stillness of my prayer... 

 

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 Are My Hiding Place

    by  Michael Ledner

 

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You are my hiding place

You always fill my heart

with songs of deliverance

whenever I am afraid

I will trust in you

I will trust in you

Let the weak say 

"I am strong

in the strength of my Lord" 

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Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

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Pause for Prayer: WEDNESDAY 10/21

 

Here's Michael Garrepy's arrangement of Amazing Grace sung by my favorite vocal group, Ensemble Altera!

 

Amazing Grace - Ensemble Altera

    arranged by Michael Garrepy 

 

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Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now am found
Was blind, but now I see

‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed 

The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures

He will my shield and portion be

As long as life endures

 

Through many dangers, toils and snares

I have already come
'Twas grace has brought me safe thus far
And grace will lead me home

When we’ve been there ten thousand years
Bright, shining as the sun
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun

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Night Prayer: TUESDAY 10/20

Sometimes, Lord, 

I pray that you'll help me get through

    a rough patch, a hard time, a difficult moment...

 

And sometimes I look back, Lord, in gratitude

for how you helped me negotiate 

    a rough turn of events,

or navigate

    some rough and stormy seas,

or endure

    what I feared I might not withstand...

 

But tonight I'm aware of all the times

    - how all of the time - 

I'm held in the palm of your open hand;

    embraced in the warmth of your strong arms

    sheltered under your unfurled wings;

    safe and secure in the power of your grace;

    watched over, cared for, tended and led

    by your wisdom and counsel,

    your light and your love...

 

You're there for me, Lord

    you're with me and 'round me

in good times and bad, 

    in all times, Lord, 

        and all of the time... 

 

So, 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 song begins very softly and end with great strength! 

Lord, You Are Always There

    lyrics: Bishop Robert Solomon 

    music: Justin Yeo and Leong Shengyu

 

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When troubles come my way 

And my life is in dismay, 

My heart – herein battles rage 

And I’m like a bird within a cage; 

Then, in my soul Your words awake: 

That me You’ll never leave nor forsake. 

 

Lord, You are always there, 

My burdens to help me bear; 

And in the darkest night, 

To bring the glow of Your eternal light. 

 

The waters that I pass, 

They may threaten me alas, 

But You turn my fear to hope 

When You promise, Lord, to help me cope; 

For o’er me waters will not sweep 

And me, Divine Shepherd, You will keep. 

 

My soul looks up again – 

There are clouds that will bring rain; 

The parched landscape of the soul 

Will be drenched with joy and songs will roll 

To greet the new morn bright and fair, 

And You, the Friend who is always there. 

 

Lord, You are always there, 

My burdens to help me bear; 

And in the darkest night, 

To bring the glow of Your eternal light. 

 

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Pause for Prayer: TUESDAY 10/20

Our nation is divided, Lord,
    by bitterness, anger and mistrust, 

    by animosity, prejudice and ill will,
    by sarcasm, hostility and snark,
    by name calling, rancor 

        and hardness of heart...

It's so painful to see 
    how broken and divided we are,
    how deep our common wounds,
    how great our need for healing

and how we're too stubborn to yield:

    our opinions to the facts,
    our comfort to self-sacrifice, 

    our partisanship to consensus... 

    our fraudulence to justice,

    our lies to the truth...

 

We need healing, Lord,

    and we need to pray for healing 

because we'll never right these wrongs 

    all on our own;

or salvage Amereica's honor

    by our self-determination;

or rescue this land's liberty

    apart from feedom's laws... 

 

We will not - we cannot -

   do this by ourselves

but only with your help, Lord,

    with your mercy and your grace...

 

And so, we pray:

    send your Spirit to shape us

        to mold us in your image,

     and to strengthen and refresh us 

        for the work that's ours to do...

 

E pluribus unum 

From the many - make us one, Lord! 

   

From the many we are, Lord,

    call us to be one...

from the diversity we embody,

    call us to be one...

from rumors and rash judgments,

    call us to be one... 

from our prejudice and bias,

    call us to be one... 

from our factions, camps and enclaves,

    call us to be one... 

from the differences we manifest,

    call us to be one...

from our colors, creeds and races,

    call us to be one;

from beyond the grip of politics

    call us to be one... 

out of all that might divide us, Lord,

    call us to be one.. 

Amen.

 

Unity Hymn by Mike Donehey 

 

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