Sunday Evening Dec. 13th St. Lucy Almighty God, I give you thanks for the witness of your servant Lucy, who served the poor in dark places, being herself a light of your mercy. Hold her up in my heart, that I would honor her as You do, giving honor to the saints–not as the world honors–but as You honor service and servanthood. Amen. Our Father…
Monday Morning Dec. 14th John of the Cross Lord God, as your servant, John, renewed the life of contemplative prayer in his time, grant us such fervent hearts in our time. Kindle lively spirits within us, that seek You in all things. In the changes and chances of life. In the wide world, and in our hearts. Give us hearts that yearn for scripture, prayer, and the holy sacrament, that by these we may direct our spirits to You are our origin and beginning. Amen. Our Father…
Monday Evening As the world prepares for Christmas with money and vanity, prepare my heart better. Give me ears to hear your Word, that it may prepare my heart to hear your voice. Give me worthy lips to sing your praises. Give me a body worthy to receive your sacrament. Open my soul to receive greater things. Amen. Our Father…
Tuesday Morning Fix in my mind firm knowledge of Hope. That as You give it to me in Christ Jesus, I might come to a fuller knowledge day by day. And that knowing You by Hope, I would not fear the dangers of this world, but trust in You, who made it. Amen. Our Father…
Tuesday Evening At the end of another day, I give You thanks for the opportunity to work. As all work is pleasing to You, I am grateful that I am still able to do some work. Give me strength and determination to accomplish much, and thereby imitate You, who did work for six days in making the world. Amen. Our Father…
Wednesday Morning Lord God, You have put so many people in my life, and I often take them for granted. Forgive me that. Open my eyes in thankfulness for the blessing of my fellow men. Remind me that, though imperfect, they bear your Image. And for that, are precious. Amen. Our Father…
Wednesday Evening Lord Jesus, on this night, You were handed over to the authorities by a false friend. The world is full of such, and at times I have been no better. Change the hearts of ones like Judas and like me. Give honest repentance to betrayers, and in your eternal mercy, forgive us all for the sake of the sufferings of your Son, our Lord. Amen. Our Father…
Thursday Morning Lord, give me simplicity. A simply heart, to love what is good. A simple mind, to know You and the world rightly. Simple hands, that do their work. A simple mouth, that speaks only truth. A simple stomach that is pleased with health. Lord, give me simplicity. Amen. Our Father…
Thursday Evening Dec. 17 Daniel and the Three young Men Lord God, your servants were faithful in the time of exile. As I am now an exile and stranger on this earth, keep my hope fixed in heaven. Grant strong faith, until You call me to the fatherland. Amen. Our Father…
Friday Morning At Massah and Meribah, your people complained of your mercy and denigrated your grace after being brought out of slavery in Egypt. I am not so different from these. My heart has little thanks. Yet, You feed me, all the days of my life. For this, I am not thankful enough. But, now, make me remember. You, in whose mind are all people and all times. Amen. Our Father…
Friday Evening Lord Jesus, on this night You were crucified, broken so that the world might be restored. This great mystery: my healing in your wounds, my joy in your suffering, are too much to bear. So great is your divine love. So great, your mercy. A crown of thorns for You, that I might be a child of God. Amen. Our Father…
Saturday Morning Dec. 19th Adam and Eve Lord God, I do not live of myself alone. But, I am a child of Adam and Eve, my first father and mother. Such glory You gave, in your Image and your Spirit. And such sin in their disobedience, which lives in my heart still. I am willful and prideful. But by your greater mercy, forgive us our many sins. Amen. Our Father…
Saturday Evening Tomorrow I will gather with all your saints in worship. Give me faith to see fully, not only those present in body, but all the company of heaven, present–even beyond death–in Christ. As I have been baptized and been brought into your body, the church, grant me a heart to see what my eyes cannot. Amen. Our Father…
Sunday Morning Lord of joy, I give You thanks for the opportunity to worship. There are many who are prevented by the laws of their land and the evils of false religion. Let me not take this for granted. Give me a true spirit of appreciation for this, and all You have done for me. Amen. Our Father…
Locus Communis 