A Nod to Prayer

A Nod to Prayer

---

“And he said to them, 'Come away privately, just yourselves, to a desert place and rest for a bit' (Mk 6:31).” “Oh, I can’t possibly. I’m so tired!” Have you ever heard yourself utter these words when invited to drop by Church after work for the rosary or a novena? And what about a few minutes for night prayer before retiring?
Now imagine what you will be doing with that half-hour or those few minutes you cannot spare. “But, I really am tired,” you say. Of course, you are tired from a day of working or even studying. You should be tired. But, does life end because we are tired? No, we come home and make supper, pick up the kids, walk the dog, clean the dishes, straighten and dust, pay some bills, prepare for tomorrow, and so much more. After that you are even more tired. Welcome to your very normal life! Read more >>

Gospel Reflection:
I pray that your life in me may flow out to others

 

Lectio: Luke 1:1–4, 4:14–21 Meditatio: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me . . . ” Today’s Gospel involves beginnings: the beginning of the Gospel according to Saint Luke, and the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. Both Luke and Jesus clearly know that they are carrying out a specific mission for the sake of others. Luke writes: “so that you may realize the certainty of the teachings you have received,” and Jesus uses the words of the prophet Isaiah to speak abut the freedom and new life that his ministry will bring. At this time of year, near the beginning of our new calendar year and the weeks of Ordinary Time in the Church, it can be helpful to reflect on our own beginnings as well. As Christians, the Holy Spirit came upon us in particularly powerful moments at our Baptism and Confirmation. These are two of the sacraments that initiate our life in Christ and in the Church, so that we, too, can say with Isaiah and with Jesus, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me . . . .” This anointing of the Spirit does not leave us simply with a gift that makes us feel good, a gift to keep to ourselves. Rather, the gift of the Spirit sends us, as it sent Isaiah, Jesus, and the Gospel writer, to proclaim “glad tidings” and “liberty” with the Good News of the Gospel. This gift and call that the Holy Spirit extends to us at our Baptism and Confirmation continues into the “today” of our lives, here and now. The Holy Spirit calls each of us to proclaim the Gospel in the midst of the particular family, work, and relationships that make up the fabric of our daily lives. I want to pay attention to the many opportunities the Lord gives me each day to bring “liberty to captives,” including listening to others, forgiving those who have hurt me, and comforting those who grieve. Oratio Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one God in three persons, I want to treasure the gift of your presence within me. At my Baptism, you placed your special seal within me and made me your child. I pray that your life in me may flow out to others. Help me to be attentive to your promptings and open to your grace that sends me in love to bring new life, liberty, and joy to the people in my life today. Excerpted from Ordinary Grace: Daily Gospel Reflections by the Daughters of St. Paul - Weeks 1-17

---

As we near the end of the month of January, we Daughters of St. Paul celebrate one of the great feasts of St. Paul: the Conversion of St. Paul. Know that we are keeping you in our thoughts and we offer our promise of prayers for any special intentions you may have. A thought from St. Paul to pray during the week: "It is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me."

God bless you,
Daughters of St. Paul