Sue O’Donnell. 20.02.21
“ ‘It was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day’.” (Luke 24 v 46 NLT)
Prayer enables us to recognise and respond
To the merciful love of our Father,
As gifted us in Christ Jesus, by the Holy Spirit.
The promptings of the Holy Spirit are invaluable to us
In all of life’s circumstances,
Especially that of the mystery of the Holy Eucharist.
Here the Lord Jesus comes to us as God’s gift,
The gift of the living Bread come down from heaven.
It is Jesus’ life and death which justifies our hope
That the scope of holy love reclaims us.
“ ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ You are witnesses of all these things.” (Luke 24 v 47, 48 NLT)
Love redeems us, restores us to innumerable graces.
The richest grace of which is the power of love gifted us,
Through the life and death of our Saviour Brother.
He, by the Spirit, aids our life to reach perfection.
Jesus shares His holiness with us to this end.
That is why He does send the Holy Spirit.
The Third Person of the Trinity is our Counsellor,
Our Advocate, a Paraclete standing always ready to meet with us.
We are in receipt of the loving care of Christ Jesus,
Helping us to persevere with love and sincerity in society.
“I urge then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone.” (1 Timothy 2 v 1 NIV)
To live to give glory to God in our daily life we must pray.
We are equipped to judge wisely life on earth
And to love sincerely the things of heaven.
The Holy Spirit keeps us in the presence of Jesus,
So we never need be separated from Him.
The Holy Spirit makes us children of God,
Brothers and sisters of Christ Jesus,
Making His love the foundation of our life.
We learn thankfully, to long for heaven
Realising that to gain verity, we must belong to God .
“We want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up in life. God Himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee has given us His Holy Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 5 v 4, 5 NLT)
Body, soul and spirit we belong entirely to Jesus’ holy authority.
By the Spirit, our Saviour Brother will guide our way on earth,
Until we reach our eternal homeland in heaven.
What a lot we have to live for, this hope and dream.
It is not a forlorn thought, for we have been bought,
Our sinless life purchased by the blood Jesus shed for us.
The †is not a symbol of death, but life,
The new life won for us by love with love, through Christ Jesus.
Our Father’s plan and purpose of holiness become mercifully
Our own, as we devote our life to following Christ Jesus.
“The Lord be with you always and be you with Him always and in every place.” (The blessing of St Clare)
“First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world.” (Romans 1 v 8 NIV)
Let us pray then with all thanksgiving for the scope of holy love.
Let us pray with rejoicing for Christ Jesus’ friendship.
Let us pray anticipating the invaluable help of the Holy Spirit.
Let us pray and daily extol and exalt the Trinity.
It is Lent. Let us pray for the mercy required to forgive us all sinfulness.
Let us pray with the joy of repentance, expressing remorse from a truly contrite heart.
Let us pray asking to make better progress in all the ways of holiness.
Let us pray for today knowing tomorrow will take care of itself if we pray then too.
Let us pray and be happy for the many blessings of God’s grace and favour. Amen.
Images by Artist Christine Garwood
http://www.christinegarwoodartist.co.uk/
Season
Key Themes
LOVE
HOLY
