Category: PRAYERS

AN INVITATION TO THE DESERT (Mark 1:12-15):  01 March 2009 (First Sunday of Lent)

Today’s Readings

Lord Jesus,

Why did you decide to begin your public ministry by going through the desert?  I fear the desert.  I’m afraid of its barrenness and its bareness.  I’m scared of going hungry there.

Something about going hungry brings out the worst in people, doesn’t it?  If it doesn’t kill you, the deprivation–whether self-imposed or not–can make us irritable or resentful.  I’m afraid that if I go hungry and stay hungry, I may not like the “me” that I see.  What was your point in going to the desert–not to mention stayingthere for 40 days and 40 nights–anyway?

FRIENDS IN THE LORD (Mark 2:1-12):  22 February 2009 (Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time)

Today’s Readings

Dear Jesus,

In today’s Gospel story, you healed a paralyzed man before the crowd.  For some reason though, what caught my attention was not so much the miracle you performed, but the sheer determination of the paralytic’s friends to bring him to you. 

WHAT YOU SEE (Mark 1:40-45):  15 February 2009 (Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time)

Today’s Readings

Dear Lord,

About that leper you met in today’s gospel story:  When the man fell on his knees before you and pleaded, “If you wish, you can make me clean”–what were the thoughts that first ran through your head?  That first moment you laid eyes on him, what did you actually see?  

AFTER DAMASCUS (Mark 16:15-18):  25 January 2009 (Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul)

Today’s Readings

Dear St. Paul,

Today we remember your conversion–that dramatic, life-changing event in your life on the road to Damascus.  The account says that you were on your way to arrest Christians when you found yourself suddenly surrounded by a great light.  Falling to the ground, you heard the voice of the Lord–and the rest was history.  From a zealous Pharisee out to arrest every possible Christian, you turned into an even more zealous missionary determined to make a Christian of every possible person.

WHEN YOU SHOW YOUR FACE (Mark 1:7-11):  11 January 2009 (Baptism of Our Lord)

Today’s Readings

Dearest Lord,

You know well that I lost a friend this week.  After a long battle with his illness, Father Joey died.  In his last days, all he wanted was to leave the hospital, go home, and die among his family and community.  Thank you for granting him his last wish.  That evening on the very same day he returned to his community, he took one last breath and was gone.  Mercifully, no pain.  Only peace.