A Concord Pastor Comments

9/28/26

Monday Morning Offering: 9/28

I'm 79 years old but I'm betting that folks of any age can make this same prayer!

The line above was the original intro to this post: need further proof of my age? Well, I'm grateful to the faithful reader who just got in touch with me to ask (at 4:30 p.m.!) if there would be a MORNING offering today! So, here's your Monday AFTERNOON Offering!

Good morning, good God!

Been thinking, Lord,

been thinking 'bout what to offer you today

but nothing I came up with seemed just right

- and then it dawned on me -

maybe I need to offer you the whole enchilada,

the works, the whole kit and caboodle...

Maybe I need to offer you - me!

Yes, that's it!

I need to offer you,

I want to offer you

- the rest of my life...

And if I'm right about this, Lord,

and I think I am... well, I hope I am...

(maybe I'm afraid I am?)

then I've also got lots of questions to offer,

questions like:

Just how long is the rest of my life?

How will I spend the rest of my life?

What are YOUR plans, Lord

for the rest of my life?

What blessings and joys are in store for me?

And the losses and sorrows I know will come

- will I find the faith to endure their pain?

What challenges wait to test me

and prove my trust in your love for me?

How will the time ahead prepare me, Lord

for time beyond all time, the timelessness

of life with you forever?

All these questions are mine, Lord,

because the rest of the life I offer you

is a story spun from your mystery,

unfolding now in ways beyond my ken...

But now's the time (it's always time!)

to offer you the life you've offered me:

the life I've known, the love I've lived

and the rest of my life - all yours!

So there it is, Lord: the full monty,

all nine yards and the whole ball of wax;

the rest of my life, offered today,

into your hands from my heart to you...

Amen.

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9/27/26

NIGHT PRAYER: Sunday 9/27

On Sundays, Night Prayer will focus on an element from the day's celebration of Mass. Today's scriptures (especially the first reading and the gospel) urge us toward a change of heart and mind as we stand before our God...

Lord, some things in my life need changing
and I wish these changes would happen overnight
but change comes slowly to me -
perhaps because I come so slowly to change...

Help me change, Lord,
help me change…

Open me
   to the changes I want to make
   the changes I need to make,
   the changes you're calling me to make...

Change me from the inside out!
Reboot my heart
   ‘til it beats in rhythm with yours, Lord,
   ‘til my heart’s in sync
   with your wisdom, word and will...

Change and stretch me, Lord,
to become, to be
the person you created me to be...

Stretch me, Lord,
‘til I’m satisfied with being nothing less
than the person you created me to be...

Open my eyes, Lord,
to see your Spirit at work in my life
helping me to change,
day by day by day...

Open my ears to hear your voice
guiding me through the changes I need to make...

Open my mouth in prayer to ask for your help
in making the changes I most need to make...

Open my mind to know and to learn
how my thoughts and ideas might need to change…

Open my hands to work for change
that will serve and help and lift up my neighbor…

Open me to changes I need to make
in places I’m now complacent, smug and content…

Open my heart to your Spirit, Lord,
changing, shaping and molding me in your image…

Open me to the ways you’re leading and guiding me
   through changes I don’t want to make
   and changes I’m afraid to make,
   and changes that I need to make:
       the changes, Lord, that you by grace
             are working to make in me...

So much in my life needs change, Lord,

so I pray you’ll
   heal what’s wounded, mend what’s broken,
   sweeten what’s soured, refresh what’s lost,
   and refresh what’s grown weary within me…

Change me, Lord:
   help me serve those in need,
   cheer those in sorrow,
   comfort those who grieve,
   stand with those who stand alone
   and rejoice with those whose hearts are glad…

Change me, Lord, in all the ways
   you and I know I need to change,
especially when I’m slow to change
   or even resist and refuse to change…

You humbled yourself on the Cross, Lord,
   you opened and emptied yourself for me,
   you exchanged your life for mine
     that I might have life forever,

that I might have life and peace with you…

Now change me, Lord, change me, I pray:
humble, open and empty my heart
for the sake of all whose paths cross mine,

for the glory of your name…

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.

Change My Heart by Maranatha Music

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Pause for Prayer: SUNDAY 9/27

Two ears,

two eyes,
a mouth
and a nose:
in these we’re all alike, Lord,
so very much alike...

So, help me see
behind these features
deeper, into others' souls
whose infinite variety
offers me a glimpse
of all the beauty that is you
in all of them
and in myself:
in every one uniquely
and in all of us
the same...

Amen.

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9/26/26

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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9/25/26

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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