Lk 23: 50-56 The Burial of Jesus

"Meanwhile the women who had come from Galilee with Jesus were following behind."

Dear Lord Jesus,

Martha, Mary, Mary Magdalene, and your mother followed behind you after you died. They were with you in death as in life. May I be with you always. May I be faithful to your teaching.

May you bless Jon Tripp, Marilyn, Jan, Catherine and Jon's wife and daughter. Bless them with faith. Give them faith that somehow Jon's death was not in vain. Help them to survive and to grow in faith. Help them through their pain.

Amen.

Lk23: 1-49 Passion and death Part 2

The two criminals
"'Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us as well.'"

"'Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.' He answered him, 'In truth I tell you today you shall be with me in paradise.'"

Dear Lord,

I know I have been both criminals. I have been full of fear and doubt and have lashed out in my own self-righteousness and anger. I have looked outward to find fault with others and to justify my own inappropriate behavior. I have compared myself with others hoping to find some sense of worth. I have lied to myself. I have sinned.

Lord Jesus, help me to find my inner love, to access the peace that comes from knowing that I am already and have always been loved. Help me to ask you for assistance today and everyday to live as I ought to. To follow you and your way. The way of truth. The way of love. The way of knowing that ll that matters is that I love others. When I honestly do this, I will see myself in all people. I will see myself in every action and understand that I am one with all and we are one in life. My job, my vocation, my daily calling is to embrace others and in so doing embrace you.

I seek to be with you in your kingdom now.

Amen.

Lk23: 1-49 Passion and death Part 2

Dear Lord,

I know you were an innocent man, yet you accepted your fate as divinely inspired.

Help em to have the faith to accept my fate and the fate of the ones I love.

Please bless Jon Tripp and receive him into heaven. Receive him into your care and heal his spirit with your power and grace.

Please help Jan, Marilyn, Catherine, Jon's wife and step daughter as they try to understand the reasons behind his suicide. Lord, give them comfort - I don't know how, but give them comfort. Let his death not be in vain, as I believe that no death is in vain.

Is abortion death? I don't know. I know it feels like death on some levels and not as much on others. I know the point is, is that no life or death exists without a purpose and meaning, and it seems like that purpose and meaning is to glorify you God, in some way. i may not know what that way is, but I must have the faith to believe that there is a reason why things happen. Although I don't know the reason, i believe that it exists, and that is the essence of my faith. The belief.

My I believe in you, love you, love myself, and love others.

Amen.

Lk 22: 47-71 The Passion 1

"'But from now on, the Son of man will be seated at the right hand of the Power of God.'"

Dear Lord Jesus,

Help me to know your divinity and your humanity. Help me to feel your human pain and suffering in the days leading up to Easter. I know that you are a man and also God, but I seek to fully appreciate the range of human emotions you experienced and to know that you understand and empathize with every emotion I've ever felt.

As you are divine and human you have the benefit of bridging both worlds. You suffered greatly and unjustly, but you accepted your fate as the will of your father.

May I live in serenity, may I love as you loved, and may I have the faith to know that I am doing your will every day, without fear.

Amen

Lk 22: 47-71 The Passion 1

"'Woman, I do not know him'"
"'I am not, my friend'"
"'My friend, I do not know what you are talking about'"

Dear Lord,

I know there are times when I am like Peter and I am afraid. I fear for consequences of what I think other people will say or do. I deny you by not doing your will and not living the way I ought to live as a Christian and a good human being.

May I always be true to who I am and what I stand for. May I not be afraid of anything, but operate from a principle of pure love. I know when I speak from love and with love that I am filled with faith, and I don't have to be afraid.

I am sorry for my transgressions. I will live today from a position of fearlessness. i will breathe deep and bring in the Holy Spirit to fill me with the love of you that is always there.

Amen.

sday, April 5, 2011 Mt 27: 1-56 Crucifixion and Death

Dear Lord,

Help me to withhold judgement,
to have patience
to have faith
in all I have
in all I do
in all I am.

Help me to look to you for strength,
to see your example as one to emulate,
of strength
of forbearance
no matter what may come.

Amen

Mt 27: 1-56 Crucifixion and Death

"To make fun of him they mocked him, saying 'All Hail King of the Jews'"

Dear Lord,

Forgive me the times I have mocked others from my own fear and insecurity. Fill me with with love.