NIGHT PRAYER: Monday 12/7

 

In this Advent time, Lord,

in this season set apart for waiting

I find myself embarsassingly - impatient!

I'm impatient with the pandemic,

with its devastating toll on human life

and its hold on so many simple things

that bring me comfort, joy and peace...

I'm impatient with the political scene,

with our leaders and all of us

for how we're conducting our affairs

- at the expense of our nation's soul...

I'm impatient with all the things

(sometimes large, more often small) 

that divide and spoil our personal relationships

in our families and neighborhoods

and in our faith communities 

 

I'm impatient with the weather, other drivers,

the speed of my laptop, the marketing of Christmas,

long lines at Stop and Shop, the loss of daylight saving time,

the red light at Church and Lexington

and December, January and February in general!

And I'm impatient with myself, Lord:

for being so demanding and impatient

with others' faults

but so patient and understanding 

of my own...

And, truth, be told, Lord,

I'm sometimes impatient with you

for not swooping down and taking control

and doing the work entrusted to our hands

which means I'm impatient 

with your leaving us to be

just whom you made us all to be:

human beings, fashioned in your image,

given grace to do things well,

if we'd be patient with each other,

with ourselves and your desires ...

They say patience is a virtue, Lord:

then fill my veins, my heart and soul

with the patience you show each of us 

hour by hour and day by day...

 

Give me patience in this Advent time

as I wait your word and grace:

give me patience until Christmas, Lord,

'til at last you come again...

Protect me, Lord, as I lie awake

and watch over me as I sleep

that awake, I might keep patient watch

and asleep, rest in your peace...

Amen.

 

Patience, People by John Foley, S.J.

 

Patience, people, 

till the Lord is come.

 
See the farmer await the yield of the soil.
He watches it in winter and in spring rain.

 
Patience, people,
For the Lord is coming. 

Patience, people, 

till the Lord is come.

 
You have seen the purpose of the Lord.
You know of his compassion and his mercy.

 
Patience, people,
For the Lord is coming. 

Patience, people,

till the Lord is come.

 
Steady your hearts for the Lord is close at hand.
And do not grumble, one against the other.

 
Patience, people, 

for the Lord is coming.

 

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