Jesus said: "Whoever puts his hand to the plow but keeps looking back is unfit for the reign of God" (Lk 9:62). Paul said: "I give no thought to what lies behind but push on to what is ahead. My entire attention is on the finish line as I run toward the prize to which God calls me — life on high in Christ Jesus" (Phil 3:13-14). The author of Hebrews remarks that if men and women of faith "had been thinking back to the place from which they had come, they would have had the opportunity of returning there. But they were searching for a better, a heavenly home. Wherefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them" (Heb 11:15-16). If we look back, we're not fit for God's kingdom, we lose the race. Moreover, the Hebrews text quoted above even implies that God might be ashamed to be called our God. If you still have any leftover sins from the past in your life, repent, be healed, and move on. The Lord does not want us living in the past or the future. We must live in the "now." We thank God for what has been and rejoice in what will be, but live in what is. We learn from the past and walk into the future but love God in the present. The past is over, the future may not be. "Now is the acceptable time! Now is the day of salvation!" (2 Cor 6:2)One Bread, One Body
<< Tuesday, June 30, 2009 >>
First Martyrs of Rome
Saint of the Day
Genesis 19:15-29
View ReadingsPsalm 26:2-3, 9-12
Matthew 8:23-27
NOW OR NEVER?
| This is an excellent moment for an examination of conscience. In a communal celebration of Compline, one of the penitential acts given in the Missal may be recited. |
| Hymn |
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Now that the daylight dies away,
By all thy grace and love,
Thee, Maker of the world, we pray
To watch our bed above.
Let dreams depart and phantoms fly,
The offspring of the night,
Keep us, like shrines, beneath thine eye,
Pure in our foe’s despite.
This grace on thy redeemed confer,
Father, co-equal Son,
And Holy Ghost, the Comforter,
Eternal Three in One.
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| Psalm 142 (143) |
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| A prayer in time of trouble |
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Lord, I trust you: do not hide your face from me.
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Lord, listen to my prayer:
in your faithfulness turn your ear to my pleading;
in your justice, hear me.
Do not judge your servant:
nothing that lives can justify itself before you.
The enemy has hounded my spirit,
he has crushed my life to the ground,
he has shut me in darkness, like the dead of long ago.
So my spirit trembles within me,
my heart turns to stone.
I remind myself of the days of old,
I reflect on all your works,
I meditate once more on the work of your hands.
I stretch out my arms to you,
I stretch out my soul, like a land without water.
Come quickly and hear me, O Lord,
for my spirit is weakening.
Do not hide your face from me,
do not let me be like the dead,
who go down to the underworld.
Show me your mercy at daybreak,
because of my trust in you.
Tell me the way I should follow,
for I lift up my soul towards you.
Rescue me from my enemies:
Lord, I flee to you for refuge.
Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God.
Your good spirit will lead me to the land of justice;
for your name’s sake, Lord, you will give me life.
In your righteousness you will lead my soul
away from all tribulation.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.
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Lord, I trust you: do not hide your face from me.
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| Reading | 1 Peter 5:8-9 |
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Be calm and keep watch. The Devil, your enemy, is circling you like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, strong in faith.
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| Short Responsory | ? |
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Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.
– Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.
You have redeemed us, Lord, God of faithfulness.
– Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
– Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.
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| Canticle | Nunc Dimittis |
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Keep us safe, Lord, while we are awake, and guard us as we sleep, so that we can keep watch with Christ and rest in peace.
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Now, Master, you let your servant go in peace.
You have fulfilled your promise.
My own eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of all peoples.
A light to bring the Gentiles from darkness;
the glory of your people Israel.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.
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Keep us safe, Lord, while we are awake, and guard us as we sleep, so that we can keep watch with Christ and rest in peace.
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| Prayer | |
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Let us pray.
Of your kindness, Lord, dispel the darkness of this night, so that we your servants may go to sleep in peace and wake to the light of the new day, rejoicing in your name.
Through Christ our Lord, Amen.
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May the almighty Lord grant us a quiet night and a perfect end.
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| A M E N |