1st. February. 2021. Daily Devotion.
“28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, ‘Of all the commandments, which is the most important?’
29 ‘The most important one,’ answered Jesus, ‘is this: “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one] 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.] 31 The second is this: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” There is no commandment greater than these.’
32 ‘Well said, teacher,’ the man replied. ‘You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. 33 To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbour as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.’ Mark 12:28-32
Mine deep enough in every heart and you’ll find it: a longing for meaning, a quest for purpose. As surely as a child breathes, he will someday wonder, “What is the purpose of my life?”
Some search for meaning in a career. “My purpose is to be a dentist.” Fine vocation but hardly a justification for existence. They opt to be a human “doing” rather than a human “being.” Who they are is what they do; consequently they do a lot. They work many hours because if they don’t work, they don’t have an identity.
For others, who they are is what they have. They find meaning in a new car or a new house or new clothes. These people are great for the economy and rough on the budget because they are always seeking meaning in something they own. Some try sports, entertainment, cults, sex, you name it.
All mirages in the desert of purpose … Shouldn’t we face the truth? If we don’t acknowledge God, we are flotsam in the universe. From: In the Grip of Grace ML
Prayer for Purity of Worship
Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires are known, and from whom no secrets are hidden: Cleanse the thoughts of my heart by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that I may perfectly love you and worthily praise your holy name. Through Christ I pray, Amen.
Glory to God
Glory be to You, mighty God, for calling me into being.
Glory to You, for showing me the beauty of the universe.
Glory to You, for spreading out before me heaven and earth
Like the pages in a book of eternal wisdom.
Glory be to You for Your eternity in this fleeting world;
Glory to You for Your mercies, seen and unseen;
Glory to You through every sigh of my sorrow;
Glory to You for every step of my life’s journey
For every moment of glory. Glory to You, O God, from age to age. Amen.
Gracious God. Hear this our prayer in these disturbing times.
We ask you to hear the sounds of those who are
gasping for each breath in hospitals, nursing homes
and old age facilities, and those suffering alone
on the streets of our cities and towns.
Reach out with your healing power
to those who are grieving the loss of loved ones.
Be present to the doctors, nurses and front-line carers
who are exhausted from their efforts
in this time of a pandemic that threatens
the lives of so many of your people worldwide.
Strengthen with your wisdom our public government
and health officials who are seeking ways to stop and control
the spread of this virus by encouraging their citizenry
to be calm, reflective and obedient to the restrictions
imposed for the benefit of all.
We make this prayer in your most holy name. Amen. ~ Columban Fr. Mike Dodd
