Category: Prayer

Prayer for Our Beloveds

On By Renee Yann, RSMIn Community, holiness, inclusivity, Prayer, Uncategorized5 Comments

Wednesday, June 6, 2018

Readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/060618.cfm

Today, in Mercy, we have the first of a few readings from Timothy, Paul’s beloved protégé in the faith.  Timothy had the blessing of not only Paul’s mentorship, but also of his own mother and grandmother who were devout Christian converts.

Lois and Timothy

Rembrandt’s Timothy and Lois

Today, we might give thanks for all those who have nurtured us in faith and love. We might also consider those who depend on us for the example and encouragement which leads them closer to God and to their best selves.

We might also pray for those desperate families and children seeking refuge at the US border. They also belong to us in Christ. May our prayer and advocacy help them to avoid harm.

It is our duty, in gratitude and mercy, to keep all these beloveds in our constant prayer, as Paul did Timothy in today’s tender reading.

Music: The Prayer

I pray you’ll be our eyes
And watch us where we go
And help us to be wise
In times when we don’t know

Let this be our prayer
When we lose our way
Lead us to a place
Guide us with your grace
To a place where we’ll be safe.

I pray we’ll find your light
And hold it in our hearts
When stars go out each night
Remind us where you are.

Let this be our prayer
When shadows fill our day
Lead us to a place
Guide us with your grace
To a place where we’ll be safe.

A world where pain and
sorrow will be ended
And every heart that’s
broken will be mended
And we’ll remember we
are all God’s children
Reaching out to touch you
Reaching to the sky.

We ask that life be kind
And watch us from above
We hope each soul will find
Another soul to love.

Let this be our prayer
Just like every child.
Needs to find a place
Guide us with your grace.
Give us faith so we’ll be safe

In Every Age

On By Renee Yann, RSMIn Faith, Prayer2 Comments

Tuesday, June 5, 2018

Readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/060518.cfm

Today, in Mercy, we remember St. Boniface, the great Apostle of Germany, and considered one of Europe’s founders. A quote from his extensive writings says: “What we ourselves cannot bear, let us bear with the help of Christ.”

Today’s psalm carries a similar sentiment: 

“In every age, O Lord,
you have been our refuge.” 

This prayer offers us at least two considerations for our meditation:

  1. Consider how faithful God has been to you throughout your “generations “, and to the many generations of your family on whose shoulders you stand.
  2. What is it, at this age in your life, for which you most need God’s help and “refuge”?

In Every Age

In your prayer, let yourself rest against God’s love and strength, as you would rest against a sturdy rock. Imagine that the afternoon sun has warmed a crevice in that rock, just your size, and waiting to embrace you. When you leave it at the end of your prayer, leave all your worries, fears and anxieties with it – trusting them to God’s kindness and power.

Music: In Every Age ~ Janèt Sullivan Whitaker

Devotion

On By Renee Yann, RSMIn Faith, holiness, Jesus, Prayer, Uncategorized2 Comments

Monday, June 4, 2018

Readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/060418.cfm

Adoro Te

Today, in Mercy, we resume our readings, now in the second letter of Peter. Peter describes the infinite blessings that are ours through Jesus Christ. These blessings allow and invite us to a life of grace and devotion. This kind of life burns pure, and clear and powerful by the power of God.

In the reading, Peter uses the word “devotion” twice. In the original Greek, the word meant “Godliness”. When we are deeply devoted to someone or something, we take on characteristics of their nature. By our devotion to Jesus, we will become like Him – conveying His grace and peace in our lives. But we can only become like Him by being with Him in our prayer, scripture reading and works of mercy. That is devotion.

The music is a second hymn written by Thomas Aquinas, Adoro Te Devote. The translation below was written by the holy Jesuit poet, Gerard Manley Hopkins.

Godhead here in hiding, whom I do adore,
Masked by these bare shadows, shape and nothing more,
See, Lord, at thy service low lies here a heart
Lost, all lost in wonder at the God thou art.
Seeing, touching, tasting are in thee deceived:
How says trusty hearing? that shall be believed;
What God’s Son has told me, take for truth I do;
Truth himself speaks truly or there’s nothing true.
On the cross thy godhead made no sign to men,
Here thy very manhood steals from human ken:
Both are my confession, both are my belief,
And I pray the prayer of the dying thief.
I am not like Thomas, wounds I cannot see,
But can plainly call thee Lord and God as he;
Let me to a deeper faith daily nearer move,
Daily make me harder hope and dearer love.
O thou our reminder of Christ crucified,
Living Bread, the life of us for whom he died,
Lend this life to me then: feed and feast my mind,
There be thou the sweetness man was meant to find.
Bring the tender tale true of the Pelican;
Bathe me, Jesu Lord, in what thy bosom ran—
Blood whereof a single drop has power to win
All the world forgiveness of its world of sin.
Jesu, whom I look at shrouded here below,
I beseech thee send me what I thirst for so,
Some day to gaze on thee face to face in light
And be blest for ever with thy glory’s sight. Amen.

Thirsting for God

On By Renee Yann, RSMIn Faith, Prayer, spirituality2 Comments

Saturday, June 2, 2018

Readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/060218.cfm 

ps63

Today, in Mercy, we pray with the deep longing of Psalm 63. Though God is closer to us than our breath, there is always that small – or large – gap in our comprehension where we feel an emptiness. As humans, we depend on our senses to understand reality. But we are loved by a God Who does not speak, or move, or respond in our language or dimensions. We long for the Divine consolation that comes ever so fleetingly in a wordless prayer, in a subtle melody, a child’s glance, a thunderous rain. The psalmist “gazed toward the sanctuary” to satisfy her thirst. Where will you open your gaze today to experience God?

Music: My Soul Is Thirsting ~ Michael Joncas

Pray

On By Renee Yann, RSMIn Faith, Love, Prayer5 Comments

Saturday, May 26, 2018

Readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/052618.cfm

James 5_pray

Today, in Mercy, in our first reading, James tells us to pray. In the Gospel, Jesus gives us a wonderful clue about how to pray – with the innocence and openness of a child. Throughout our lives, as we deepen in our spiritual life, prayer becomes simpler. More often it is silence rather than words; presence rather than petition; quiet trust rather than expectation.

As with all relationships, the more comfortable we are with our companion, the fewer words are necessary. It is enough to sit quietly with someone we love to savor each other’s presence. So it is with prayer.  It is in this sense that St. Paul tells us to “pray always”. We are always in the loving presence of God Who delights in us and wills our good.

It is in this sense, as well, that our prayers are always answered. Our prayers are not requests or demands. They are the opening of our experience to the Presence of God so that God pervades our life with grace and holy understanding.

Because wordless music is a good analogy for prayer, please enjoy this rich orchestral rendition of Bach’s Arioso from Cantata 156, conducted by Leopold Stokowski, renowned conductor of the Philadelphia Orchestra in the early and mid-1900s.

Mary, Mother of the Church

On By Renee Yann, RSMIn Mary, Mercy, Prayer2 Comments

Monday, May 21, 2018

Readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/052118.cfm

Today, in Mercy, we celebrate the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church. It is a day to honor Mary for giving life to Jesus for the sake of all humanity. It is day to beg her intercession for a world so desperately in need of Christ’s continued revelation.

Mary is the door through which Heaven visited earth to heal it from sinful fragmentation. May she continue to carry her beautiful grace to broken hearts and even to the twisted souls who broke them. Through her, may we all find healing.

Mary, Mother of Mercy, intercede for all Creation that we may embrace the love your Son taught us.

( Friends, I began my annual retreat on Pentecost evening. All of you, dear followers, will be very much in my prayers. Please pray for me too. ❤️)

Music: Ave Maria ~ Michael Hoppè

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SLoaDz1af0M

We Are God’s Gifts

On By Renee Yann, RSMIn Eternal Life, Jesus, Love, Prayer2 Comments

Thursday, May 17, 2018

Readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/051718.cfm

Today, in Mercy, in John 17, we are folded into the prayer of Jesus as He talks to the Father about us. We are the humble, silent listeners to a Divine Conversation. Jesus prays that we may be part of His unity with the Father. He calls us His gifts and asks to keep us with Him in eternal life. He asks to live within us through the gift of the Father’s love. These are awesome prayers that may be too much for us to comprehend.

But picture this: a loving parent embracing a frightened or injured child. The parent looks up to heaven, asking God to keep this child safe; to never let them be lost; to fill them with love, joy and life. The praying parent promises to always protect and guide their cherished child like a precious gift and to hold them securely in times of trouble.

This is the way Jesus prays for us. Awesome, indeed!

John17_24

Music: He Will Hold Me Fast ~ Keith and Kristyn Getty