A QUOTE by Henri Nouwen, A TEXT from Corinthians AND A PRAYER by St Polycarp
A QUOTE
We enter into solitude first of all to meet our Lord and to be with Him and Him alone. Only in the context of grace can we face our sin; only in the place of healing do we dare to show our wounds; only with a single-minded attention to Christ can we give up our clinging fears and face our own true nature. Solitude is a place where Christ remodels us in his own image and frees us from the victimizing compulsions of the world.
Henri J.M. Nouwen
A TEXT
It is not ourselves that we proclaim; we proclaim Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants, for Jesus’ sake.
For the same God who said, “Out of darkness let light shine,” has caused his light to shine within us, to give the light of revelation — the revelation of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:5-6
AND A PRAYER…OR TWO
O sweet Saviour Christ, in your undeserved love for us you were prepared to suffer the painful death of the cross: let me not be cold or even lukewarm in my love for you.
Lord help me to face the truth about myself. Help me to hear my words as others hear them, To see my face as others see me; Let me be honest enough to recognise my impatience and conceit;
Let me recognise my anger and selfishness; Give me sufficient humility to accept my own weakness for what they are. Give me the grace – at least in your presence – to say. ‘I was wrong – forgive me.’
God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, increase in us faith and truth and gentleness and grant us part and lot among the saints.
St. Polycarp 69-115
Dear Lord, You live in each one of us, and we must be Your hands in our struggling world. Make us alive to the real needs around us, and help us to respond with generous hearts and open minds. Bless the work that we do in Your name, and strengthen us in Your power. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen