Let us pray that we grow in union with the One who fulfills our heart’s desire: Almighty God, you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in you. Lead us by your Spirit so that in this life we live to your glory and in the life to come enjoy you forever. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(NZPB)
Like the Psalmist in the 42nd Psalm, we may struggle to feel the presence of God. We may feel that we are driven from God or that we have driven God from us. When Jesus met a man who undoubtedly felt that he had been driven from God and others, Jesus triumphed over that which had driven him away from God and others (Luke 8:26-39).
What drives us from God and others? It could be a painful addiction; a simple misunderstanding that became a complex misunderstanding; to such issues such as religion, language, economic standing, politics, nationality, and so forth. Christ shows us a better way than our learned patterns of destruction that drive us away from God and one another. Christ brings the joy of restoration and wholeness and enlists us in this divine endeavor of bringing healing and restoration to the world.
Let us pray to God, full of compassion and mercy: Father, you sent your Word to bring us truth and your Spirit to make us holy. Through them we come to know the mystery of your life. Give us the grace to respond to your goodness through the Holy Spirit poured into our hearts. Inspire us to love our brothers and sisters, because you have loved us first in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
(Claretian Communications)
The Holy Spirit continually leads us in all truth (John 16:12-15). This is not necessarily truth in a scientific or mathematical sense; rather, it is truth as it relates to living a life of truth. It takes patience to gradually integrate the truth of God’s love into our lives. The Holy Spirit guides us as we are able and ready to receive such guidance and truth.
Although our circumstances and situations constantly change, the Holy Spirit leads us to base our life upon the truth of God’s love revealed in Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1-5). Through the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ, we are drawn into closer communion with God the Father and with one another. May we be guided by the Holy Spirit to a deeper and closer walk with God in imitation of the truth of God’s love revealed in Jesus Christ.
The way that Jesus addressed God was “Abba.” He taught his disciples to address God in this manner. We address God the same way. No, we do not use the Aramaic word “Abba,” but we do begin the Lord’s Prayer with “Our Father” which affirms a closeness with God that has been extended to us Gentiles through Christ who restores all human-kind to God (Romans 8:14-17).
God invites us to participate and draw closer to God and one another; thus, we serve God not out of fear, coercion, or blind obedience; but, rather out of the freedom that arises from our love of God and others. If you have little love for someone or a group of people ask yourself why? Then, ask to be led by the Holy Spirit for growth in the love for God and others.
Let us pray that the Father send us the Holy Spirit: God our Father, may the Holy Spirit surprise us with his fire and vigor. May the Holy Spirit renew our days, love, and lives. May the Holy Spirit bring us tenderness and joy as well as openness to one another and the courage to stand up for all that is right and just. May the Holy Spirit unite us and lead us to you. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Claretian Communications)
Let us pray that the Spirit of the risen Lord guide us: God our Father, our risen Lord Jesus Christ lives now in your presence. When we keep looking for him in the clouds, help us turn to the task he has given us to do here on earth. May we learn to recognize his face in our brothers and sisters. We make this prayer in the name of him whom we await, Jesus Christ, our risen Lord. Amen.
(Claretian Communications)
Ephesians, one of the later letters of the New Testament, reveals that the early Church had come to terms with the “no quick return” of the Messiah (Ephesians 1:15-23). The Church had been “left behind.” This is not necessarily a bad thing because the Church has been “left behind” to make a difference for the good: To make the world a better place!
We, the Church, are the body of Christ upon this earth. God’s love overflows through us and into the world revealing God’s love and compassion and the hope that love and compassion engender.
