On this Ash Wednesday, I think about how much the lent season has changed for me over the years. Every year there are new challenges to face, and I am grateful to the Lord for embarking me on this journey to renew my Faith in the Lord. This journey is fresh and brand new and I will not be taking it alone. We are blessed to be taking this journey together. I am grateful to the Lord for the strength to stand up for what is overflowing in our hearts. It makes me think of the peace and justice so many have struggled for so that we can live.
I came upon this prayer from Cesar Chavez of the United Farm Workers that can be used as a daily devotional during this season of Lent.
SHOW ME THE SUFFERING OF THE MOST MISERABLE;
SO I WILL kNOW MY PEOPLE'S PLIGHT
FREE ME TO PRAY FOR OTHERS
FOR YOU ARE PRESENT IN EVERY PERSON
HELP ME TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR MY OWN LIFE;
SO THAT I CAN BE FREE AT LAST
GIVE ME HONESTY AND PATIENCE
SO THAT I CAN WORK WITH OTHER WORKERS
BRING FORTH SONG AND CELEBRATION
SO THAT THE SPIRIT WILL BE ALIVE AMONG US
LET THE SPIRIT FLOURISH AND GLOW
SO THAT WE WILL NEVER TIRE OF THE STRUGGLE
LET US REMEMBER THOSE WHO HAVE DIED FOR JUSTICE;
FOR THEY HAVE GIVEN US LIFE.
HELP US LOVE EVEN THOSE WHO HATE US
SO WE CAN CHANGE THE WORLD.
AMEN. (by Cesar Chavez 1927-1993)
I pray to the Lord for all those people who are seeking to get closer to the Lord but are not sure how. I pray that the Lord can light their path towards Him. I pray that they can make time to get to know Christ through His word and by doing things that can help them stay focused on Christ in such a busy chaotic world that is not always God-friendly.
That is why the Lord gave us His church so that we have a safe space we can worship Him in. I do believe that we can worship Him anywhere at anytime, but church is unique in that it helps us come together with our brothers and sisters in Christ. It creates a community of people that are learning to love and serve Christ and to love and serve one another. That is what Jesus asks of us to love Him with all our heart, with all our mind, with all our soul and to love one another as He loves us.
I came upon this prayer from Cesar Chavez of the United Farm Workers that can be used as a daily devotional during this season of Lent.
SHOW ME THE SUFFERING OF THE MOST MISERABLE;
SO I WILL kNOW MY PEOPLE'S PLIGHT
FREE ME TO PRAY FOR OTHERS
FOR YOU ARE PRESENT IN EVERY PERSON
HELP ME TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR MY OWN LIFE;
SO THAT I CAN BE FREE AT LAST
GIVE ME HONESTY AND PATIENCE
SO THAT I CAN WORK WITH OTHER WORKERS
BRING FORTH SONG AND CELEBRATION
SO THAT THE SPIRIT WILL BE ALIVE AMONG US
LET THE SPIRIT FLOURISH AND GLOW
SO THAT WE WILL NEVER TIRE OF THE STRUGGLE
LET US REMEMBER THOSE WHO HAVE DIED FOR JUSTICE;
FOR THEY HAVE GIVEN US LIFE.
HELP US LOVE EVEN THOSE WHO HATE US
SO WE CAN CHANGE THE WORLD.
AMEN. (by Cesar Chavez 1927-1993)
I pray to the Lord for all those people who are seeking to get closer to the Lord but are not sure how. I pray that the Lord can light their path towards Him. I pray that they can make time to get to know Christ through His word and by doing things that can help them stay focused on Christ in such a busy chaotic world that is not always God-friendly.
That is why the Lord gave us His church so that we have a safe space we can worship Him in. I do believe that we can worship Him anywhere at anytime, but church is unique in that it helps us come together with our brothers and sisters in Christ. It creates a community of people that are learning to love and serve Christ and to love and serve one another. That is what Jesus asks of us to love Him with all our heart, with all our mind, with all our soul and to love one another as He loves us.
2 comments:
I like that prayer. Thanks for sharing. Way to put God and the Churches social justice teaching in a prayer. I also agree that church is special, and of course the Catholic one is my fav! I pictured today all the Catholics around the world with their ashes on the forehead, so far away, yet we are so united. Just like when we celebrate the Eucarist. Just beautiful.
Yes Yolis you are so right...its so amazing that we can go anywhere in the world and we will find a place of worship because the Catholic Church is everywhere...that my friend is a true blessing...we are all connected.
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