Pray As You Go - Daily Prayer

Pray As You Go
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Dec 20, 2024 • 13min

Friday 20 December 2024

Today is Friday the 20th of December in the 3rd week of Advent. Julia Shaw with We Are Bread And Wine sings, ‘God is With Us’. From dust we are and shall return Naked we came and shall return Fullness of breath in our lungs Was your first gift to us So breathe again and we will live closer to love Marvellous light flashed in your eyes as you hung the sky Your world teemed with life branches and vine chaos refined No eye has seen no ear has heard How you make beauty with time Teach us your ways Teach us to die So we may rise Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah God is with us Today’s reading is from the Prophet Isaiah. Isaiah 7:10-14 Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, saying, Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven. But Ahaz said, I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test. Then Isaiah said: ‘Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. In this passage we see in prophecy a sign of God’s presence and help. God, through Isaiah, offers a promise of hope: a young woman will bear a child named Immanuel, meaning "God is with us." In Ignatian spirituality, contemplation invites us to place ourselves imaginatively within the scene to encounter God personally. We might imagine ourselves as someone at the court of Ahaz, alarmed perhaps at his anxiety, and so also fearful about the future. How might you respond to God's invitation to trust? Do you struggle with fear and a need for self-reliance, resisting God's signs of hope? Imagine being a witness as the prophet Isaiah proclaims the message of Emmanuel. Let yourself hear those words directed toward you: “God is with you.” Reflect on where God is active in your life even when you are uncertain. How is God speaking to you now? What signs of God’s presence—no matter how small—can you discern in your daily life? As you listen to the passage again consider how, as we prepare for Christmas, we are invited to deeper trust, letting go of self-reliance and welcoming God’s love. “Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign.” Take time to hear Isaiah’s prophecy within your heart, reminding you to hold onto hope, to trust in God’s promise of presence, and to prepare for the coming of Christ, who is truly Emmanuel—God with us. O Wisdom Lord and Ruler Root of Jesse Key of David Rising Sun King of the Nations Emmanuel Come, Lord Jesus
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Dec 19, 2024 • 13min

Thursday 19 December 2024

Today is Thursday the 19th of December in the 3rd week of Advent. The Convivium Singers sing Margaret Rizza’s setting of the Benedictus, Zechariah’s song: “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel! He has visited his people and redeemed them. He has raised up for us a mighty saviour in the house of David his servant, as he promised by the lips of holy men, those who were his prophets from of old. Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke, which we will only hear read once. Luke 1:5-25 In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years. Once when he was serving as priest before God and his section was on duty, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and offer incense. Now at the time of the incense-offering, the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified; and fear overwhelmed him. But the angel said to him, ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.’ Zechariah said to the angel, ‘How will I know that this is so? For I am an old man, and my wife is getting on in years.’ The angel replied, ‘I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. But now, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time, you will become mute, unable to speak, until the day these things occur.’ Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah, and wondered at his delay in the sanctuary. When he did come out, he could not speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept motioning to them and remained unable to speak. When his time of service was ended, he went to his home. After those days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she remained in seclusion. She said, ‘This is what the Lord has done for me when he looked favourably on me and took away the disgrace I have endured among my people.’ This passage from the gospel of Luke tells the story of the angel Gabriel's announcement of John the Baptist’s birth to Zechariah, inviting us to deeply engage with the Advent themes of hope, waiting, and faith. Using imaginative prayer, take time to engage with and reflect on this encounter. Zechariah and Elizabeth had longed for a child for many years. They represent the deep desire for God's intervention, much like the longing of Israel for the Messiah. How might this reflect on your own hopes and desires, especially during this season of Advent? Place yourself in Zechariah's shoes, entering this most holy place, a great privilege, but perhaps with his own longing uppermost in his mind. Reflect on the desires of your heart—what are you longing for this Advent season? After many, many years, who would have expected an angel? Gabriel stands in the presence of God - bringing good news. A true miracle for Zechariah and Elizabeth. Receiving the message, who can blame Zechariah for his question? How might you be called to listen to God’s messengers during this Advent season? Ask for the grace to be open to the surprises God may have for you. What promise do you believe God has given you that you are waiting to see fulfilled? In response, Zechariah, though righteous, is struck mute when he questions Gabriel's message about his wife Elizabeth bearing a son in her old age. During Advent, this silence may call us to reflection and inner stillness. Perhaps to imagine what Zechariah might have felt during those months when all he could do was to go home and wait. Reflect on whether this is a time when God may be asking you to be more patient and attentive to God’s plan for you. Elizabeth’s life is completely transformed and her joy at being pregnant is a powerful testament to God’s grace. In Advent, we are called to experience joy, not just for ourselves, but for the unfolding of God’s plan for all of humanity. Imagine Elizabeth rejoicing in her pregnancy. How is God inviting you to experience joy and gratitude this Advent? How might you see that your life is a part of God’s larger plan for the world? In this passage we witness a profound story of waiting, hope, and fulfilment—deeply appropriate themes for Advent. Allow the stillness and waiting of Zechariah, the faithfulness of God, and the joy of Elizabeth to be part of your Advent journey. O Wisdom Lord and Ruler Root of Jesse Key of David Rising Sun King of the Nations Emmanuel Come, Lord Jesus
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Dec 18, 2024 • 13min

Wednesday 18 December 2024

Today is Wednesday the 18th of December in the 3rd week of Advent. One Hope Project sings, ‘O Little Town’. How does this carol speak to you afresh today? Do any lyrics stay with you? Notice what arises… O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie! Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by. Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light; the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight. For Christ is born of Mary; and, gathered all above, while mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wond'ring love. O morning stars, together proclaim the holy birth, and praises sing to God the King, and peace to men on earth. How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is giv'n! So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His heav'n. No ear may hear His coming, but in this world of sin, where meek souls will receive Him still, the dear Christ enters in. O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray; cast out our sin and enter in; be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels, the great glad tidings tell; O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel! Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 1:18-25 Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’ All this took place to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: ‘Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel’, which means, ‘God is with us.’ When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus. Today’s passage brings us the character of Joseph, the quiet man of scripture, whose actions alone call us to faith and help us to reflect on our relationship with God. Imagine you are Joseph, receiving this news from Mary. What emotions arise? In his quiet righteousness, Joseph chooses to act with compassion. What might you do if you were in his place, facing such a moment of uncertainty? And then, Joseph's dream, and the angel's affirmation. How might it feel to receive such a profound revelation? Reflecting on Joseph’s immediate, obedient response. Consider how you respond to God's call in your life, especially when it calls you away from the path you think you have chosen. How might you find the courage to say ‘yes’? As you listen to the passage again, consider how Joseph is called to faith in the midst of uncertainty. Joseph had his own plans, but God invited him to a greater journey. Take a moment to reflect on where God might be inviting you, even if it disrupts your comfort or desires. ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid…’ Joseph’s role in this story reminds us that even in moments of doubt and uncertainty, God is working out His divine plan. Take a moment in prayer to respond with trust, and to open your hearts to the ways in which God seeks to enter our lives. O Wisdom Lord and Ruler Root of Jesse Key of David Rising Sun King of the Nations Emmanuel Come, Lord Jesus
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Dec 17, 2024 • 13min

Tuesday 17 December 2024

Today is Tuesday the 17th of December in the 3rd week of Advent. Juliano Ravanello sings Veni Veni Emmanuel: ‘O come, O come Emmanuel’. Veni, veni Emmanuel! Captivum solve Israel! Qui gemit in exilio, Privatus Dei Filio. Gaude, gaude, Emmanuel nascetur pro te, Israel. Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 21:28-32 ‘What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, “Son, go and work in the vineyard today.” He answered, “I will not”; but later he changed his mind and went. The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, “I go, sir”; but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?’ They said, ‘The first.’ Jesus said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, the tax-collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax-collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him. In this passage, Jesus tells the parable of two sons. A father asks both sons to work in his vineyard. The first son initially refuses but later changes his mind and goes to work. A simple tale that easily resonates with many of us. Imagine being one of those listening to the parable. Notice the emotions and expressions of those around you. Nodding heads and raised eyebrows, perhaps? How about your response? What do you feel as you listen to Jesus' words? Advent, a season of anticipation and repentance, asks us to reflect on our own faith lives. Where do you see yourself in this moment? Are there times where you’ve been the first son—resistant to God’s call, but now feel called to change? Or perhaps you resonate more with the second son—with faith as an ideal but hard to put into action? As you listen to the passage again, reflect for a moment on the father in the parable. Consider his patience, his lack of anger, and his continued invitation to both his children to participate in the work of the vineyard and respond to His call. What actions can you take this Advent to more fully live out your faith? End this reflection entering into the presence of our loving Father, and with a prayer asking for the grace to respond to God’s call, with a heart that turns toward God and desires to act on His will. O Wisdom Lord and Ruler Root of Jesse Key of David Rising Sun King of the Nations Emmanuel Come, Lord Jesus
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Dec 16, 2024 • 13min

Monday 16 December 2024

Today is Monday the 16th of December in the 3rd week of Advent. The Porter’s Gate sings, ‘Advent Song’. You might recognise these words from our closing prayer each Advent using the ‘O Antiphons’. Which phrase describing Jesus stands out for you? God of wisdom Lord and ruler Root of Jesse King of David Rising sun King of the nations Immanuel Immanuel Immanuel Immanuel Lord Jesus, come Lord Jesus, come Lord Jesus, come Lord Jesus, come Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 21:23-27 When [Jesus] entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, ‘By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?’ Jesus said to them, ‘I will also ask you one question; if you tell me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?’ And they argued with one another, ‘If we say, “From heaven”, he will say to us, “Why then did you not believe him?” But if we say, “Of human origin”, we are afraid of the crowd; for all regard John as a prophet.’ So they answered Jesus, ‘We do not know.’ And he said to them, ‘Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.' In this passage, the chief priests and elders challenge Jesus. The question of ‘authority’ is also a question of willingness to see our own preconceptions as something that may prevent us from fully welcoming Jesus. The temple leaders have come to believe that they own their power. They question Jesus’ authority because he is not one of them. Consider how much your sense of power or status means to you? When something new is revealed, in faith, in life, how do you respond? The leaders struggle to respond to Jesus’ question, trapped in their unwillingness to believe. How do you respond to the leaders' avoidance of the truth? Where in your life do you struggle to trust Jesus’ authority? “Why then did you not believe him?” As you listen to the passage again, consider how is God calling you to deepen your trust during this season of waiting? Take a moment now to talk with the Lord who comes to share his life with ours. O Wisdom Lord and Ruler Root of Jesse Key of David Rising Sun King of the Nations Emmanuel Come, Lord Jesus
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Dec 15, 2024 • 13min

Sunday 15 December 2024

Today is Sunday the 15th of December, the 3rd Sunday of Advent. Good Shepherd Collective sings 'O Come O Come Emmanuel'. O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel. O come, O Key of David, come and open wide our heavenly home. Make safe for us the heavenward road and bar the way to death's abode. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel. O come, O King of nations, bind in one the hearts of all mankind. Bid all our sad divisions cease and be yourself our King of Peace. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel. Today’s reading is from Saint Paul’s Letter to the Philippians. Philippians 4:4-7 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ‘Rejoice in the Lord always;’ St Paul writes to the Church of the Philippians. How do you feel about this exhortation today? Is it easy or difficult to rejoice in the Lord? If it’s difficult, try for a moment to identify the reasons or feelings which hold you back. On the other hand, if you can rejoice today, take a moment or two to simply do this, delighting in God. Paul also reminds the church that, ‘The Lord is near.’ Stay with these words for a while, perhaps repeating them a few times, and let them minister to you. The Lord is near. As you listen to the reading again, notice which phrase most moves you. Knowing that the Lord is near, you might like to ask God for his peace to guard your heart and mind. Try to imagine this ‘guarding’ presence surrounding you and those you love and pray for, perhaps letting this image shape your prayer for the rest of the day. O Wisdom Lord and Ruler Root of Jesse Key of David Rising Sun King of the Nations Emmanuel Come, Lord Jesus.
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Dec 14, 2024 • 10min

Saturday 14 December 2024

Welcome to the Saturday Examen. As you approach the Lord in prayer today, you might like to light a candle, so if you would like to safely do this, pause the prayer now. As you recall the past week, notice where you experienced light, either physically or spiritually. Give thanks for these times. Now recall any experiences of physical or spiritual shadows or darkness. How did these feel? Offer these moments to Jesus, the Light of the World, asking him to illuminate these dark moments. Now, a selection of scriptures will be read, one from each day in the past week, as a reminder of the prayer times. Then Mary said, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her. Comfort, O comfort my people,  says your God. ‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest’. ‘Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, proclaiming, ‘Now have come the salvation and the power  and the kingdom of our God  and the authority of his Messiah.’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.’ Which of these readings do you feel bring most light to you today? Spend time with the Lord now, with these words, resting in his presence and his light. As you come to the end of this time, focus on your week ahead. Picture Jesus as light, going ahead of you, illuminating your path. O Wisdom Lord and Ruler Root of Jesse Key of David Rising Sun King of the Nations Emmanuel Come, Lord Jesus.
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Dec 13, 2024 • 12min

Friday 13 December 2024

Today is Friday the 13th of December, the feast of Saint Lucy, in the 2nd week of Advent. Eliza King sings ‘Receive Him’. How will you receive Christ this Christmas? In rumours of old, whispers from the heavens Prophets foretold, of signs and seasons One who would come, through the line of David A Bethlehem King, of whom angels would sing Would we recognise God If He came without gold, without riches and Spent His first night on earth With the wanderers and wise men and shepherds? Born unto men, and born the King of angels Let us come adore Him, in the starlit manger His name shall be great, and His kingdom evеrlasting Find the Ancient of Days, in the еyes of this babe Would we recognise God If He lay in the hay like a poor man, with No appearance of might Nor beauty or rank or importance? Would we recognise God As a foreigner seeking asylum, who Had to flee in the night Without any place to reside in? I will receive Him, this King of heaven Prepare Him room within my soul, oh oh Love's revelation The King of glory come in humble form Emmanuel is born I will receive Him, this King of heaven Prepare Him room within my soul, oh oh Love's revelation The King of glory come in humble form Emmanuel is born Would you recognise God As He played on the knee of a virgin? Learned to speak, learned to walk Divine but in every way human Would you recognise God If He came and He carried your burden? Lived a man on the earth So that every man might come to know Him Would you know Him then? Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 11:16-19 ‘But to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market-places and calling to one another, “We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.” For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, “He has a demon”; the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, “Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax-collectors and sinners!” Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.’ John the Baptist came to call people to repent, in readiness for the coming of Jesus. Then Jesus taught about the Kingdom of God and healed many people as he revealed that he was the Son of God. Yet in this reading, Jesus describes the petty criticisms, rejection, and perhaps misunderstandings, as like being with children playing games in the market-places. In your journey of faith, have you also come across people who’ve criticized you, who’ve mocked your faith, and perhaps rejected you? Can you recall how you felt when this happened? Picture this person, or these people now. Why do you think they might have reacted in this way? As you listen to the reading again, try to feel the Lord’s exasperation of his generation. “Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds”, Jesus says. As you approach the end of your prayer, ask the Lord to show you where your own deeds have been a witness, for example, your love for others, or your faithfulness to God, or something else. End your prayer time today in gratitude for the words, works and promises of John the Baptist and Jesus, and how, because of these, their wisdom is lived out through your faith. O Wisdom Lord and Ruler Root of Jesse Key of David Rising Sun King of the Nations Emmanuel Come, Lord Jesus.
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Dec 12, 2024 • 13min

Thursday 12 December 2024

Today is Thursday the 12th of December, the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, in the 2nd week of Advent. The nuns of Mary, Queen of Apostles, sing Rorate Caeli: ‘Drop down dew, ye heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain down the Just One’. Today’s reading is from the Book of the Apocalypse. Apocalypse 11:19, 12:1-6,10 Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple; and there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail. A great portent appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. She was pregnant and was crying out in birth pangs, in the agony of giving birth. Then another portent appeared in heaven: a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. Then the dragon stood before the woman who was about to bear a child, so that he might devour her child as soon as it was born. And she gave birth to a son, a male child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron. But her child was snatched away and taken to God and to his throne; and the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, so that there she can be nourished for one thousand two hundred and sixty days. Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, proclaiming, ‘Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Messiah, for the accuser of our comrades has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. Today’s very dramatic and powerful reading is also mysterious, a narrative that we may not fully comprehend. Imagining these images might be like watching an intense action film which tells the story of the end times. In Advent, not only do we look forward to celebrating the birth of our Saviour, but we also anticipate the time when He will return in glory, the time when he will reign forever. Is this something you can look forward to with excitement? Or perhaps you feel frightened, or maybe it’s a mixture of both? There must have been many moments in history when people have wondered if they are living in the end days. Take a moment to recall with God any current events that concern you. Pray now, for one area in the world where you see such suffering, that you wonder if people are longing for the return of the Lord. As you listen to the reading again, notice what strikes you most. ‘Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, proclaiming, “Now have come the salvation and the power  and the kingdom of our God  and the authority of his Messiah…”’ Imagine what it might be like to live fully in the Kingdom of God, under the authority of the Messiah. Now, as you think about the world as it is right now, pray with the words, ‘Come Lord Jesus, Come.’ Perhaps, making these words, your prayer for today. O Wisdom Lord and Ruler Root of Jesse Key of David Rising Sun King of the Nations Emmanuel Come, Lord Jesus.
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Dec 11, 2024 • 12min

Wednesday 11 December 2024

Today is Wednesday the 11th of December in the 2nd week of Advent. Paul Zach sings, ‘O Christ, Draw Near’. How do you sense Christ drawing near to you today? O Christ, who waited for the chosen time To join Yourself with fragile humankind Draw near enough to catch our falling tears And weep Your own with us O Christ, draw near O Christ, draw near O Christ, draw near O Christ, draw near O Christ, who hid within your mother's womb You know the seeds we hide that wait to bloom Draw near enough to reach us through these fears And breathe Your peace on us O Christ, draw near O Christ, draw near O Christ, draw near O Christ, draw near O Christ, who knows the tenderness of flesh The sting of longing and the rush of breath Draw near enough our whisperеd pleas to hear And answer all our criеs O Christ, draw near O Christ, draw near O Christ, draw near O Christ, draw near O Christ, who came to draw us to Himself To open doors and tear the veil of death Draw near enough to walk beside us here And lead us all back home—O Christ, draw near Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 11:28-30 ‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’ In today’s reading, Jesus tells us that he is “gentle and humble in heart.” Imagine now, that the Lord is standing or sitting with you, wherever you are right now… What does this gentle and humble Lord look like? What is it like to let him simply look at you? Now, if you can, let him reach out take your hand, and hold it… If you feel comfortable, try to let this closeness continue, and as you listen to the reading again, imagine that the Lord is saying these words to you. What came to mind as you heard these words? Continue to sit with the Lord now, either speaking together, or in silence, letting him minister to you. O Wisdom Lord and Ruler Root of Jesse Key of David Rising Sun King of the Nations Emmanuel Come, Lord Jesus.

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