Reflection   “Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be firm, steadfast, always fully devoted to the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” –1 Corinthians 15:58   Prayer   Empowering God,  Today we pr

Prayer

Empowering God,

Today we pray for all associates who are struggling at work, or who may feel like their labor is in vain. We lift up those colleagues whose devotion to the mission we share is being challenged by what seems like an endless stream of need, or resistance, or setbacks over which they have no control. Empower them today by your spirit. Lead them back to their wellspring of hope. And may we be there for them, to see them and help them stand firm in their calling, that we all might go forward together. Always together. Amen.

God of light and life, 

Today we begin our celebration of the sacred season of Lent. Inspire us to use the opportunity Lent provides to draw closer to you, to grow as people, and to build ever stronger bridges with others. May this sacred season serve to renew our response to your call to each of us to serve the reign of God, making the world a more just, free, and compassionate place for all. With trust, we pray. Amen. 

     

 
    Reflection   “Pray as you can, and do not try to pray as you can’t.” –Dom John Chapman   Prayer   Word of life,  Why do we so often complicate our pathway to you? Your ear is inclined to us always. Yet for some reason, we get overly anxi

Prayer

Word of life,

Why do we so often complicate our pathway to you? Your ear is inclined to us always. Yet for some reason, we get overly anxious in our striving for you. We get trapped in performance, thinking we must say or do the right combination to unlock the door to your favor. Free us from such a burdensome religiosity and lead us instead to pray as we can. Simply and honestly. Through whatever it is that helps us become present to you, we ask you to use it to change us, refresh us, and keep us attentive to the grace all around us. Amen.

Presidents Day (US)

Presidents Day (US)

Prayer

God,

Our Catholic tradition insists that all people have been gifted with a natural desire to seek what is good. And yet we know that so much gets in the way. Baggage and hurt and division prevents us from realizing greatness together—as people and as nations around the world. Today, on Presidents Day, and with our country’s tensions clearly in view, we shall not romanticize our past or idealize our present. For we know, it will be a far greater testament to the best of our leaders if, instead, we will answer leadership’s call: to continue to believe in the goodness of humanity, and to continue to elicit greatness from the people around us. Amen.

     

 
    Reflection   “If anyone says, “I love God,” but hates his brother, he is a liar; for whoever does not love a brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.” –1 John 4:20   Prayer   Loving God,  Keep us mindful of this sim

Prayer

Loving God,

Keep us mindful of this simple yet profound truth, which you have revealed through your word: if we refuse to love those we encounter each day—the brothers and sisters with whom we share a common humanity—how can say we love you? Hatred between us reveals our deceit and should drive us to plead for forgiveness. Open our eyes, as one human family, to see your image reflected in neighbors and patients, family and acquaintances; anyone you happen to send into our path. May our caring compassion and love for them be a genuine reflection of our love for you. Amen.

     

 
    Reflection   “All are but parts of one stupendous whole, Whose body Nature is, and God the soul.”  –Alexander Pope   Prayer   Creator,  Your goodness is manifest in nature’s diversity. Each living thing uniquely displays such remarkable

Prayer

Creator,

Your goodness is manifest in nature’s diversity. Each living thing uniquely displays such remarkable creativity, and yet all find their place within a stupendous whole that is greater than the sum of its parts. Give us eyes to see you reflected in this harmonious showcase of creatures that together sing of your goodness. Help us respond by joining the chorus and daily accepting the challenge to care and protect its most vulnerable members. Amen.

     

 
    Reflection   “As long as the earth lasts, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, Summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.” –Genesis 8:22   Prayer   Promise keeper,  By your word, you have promised us you will sustain and provi

Prayer

Promise keeper,

By your word, you have promised us you will sustain and provide for the earth on which we dwell. And you have shown us throughout your long history with us, that you are on mission to bring all creation to its proper fulfillment. Yet we see every day how we have not always partnered with you in this plan. We have abused your creation and threatened its livelihood, including our own. Forgive us and inspire us to participate now in the ways that we can, for the healing and restoration for all living things. Season by season, day by day. Amen.