Facing Evil

Jesus lived a human life as God’s true Son, overcoming the temptations all of us inherit by being born into this world. On Good Friday, Jesus went to his death trusting that his dear Father would bring victory out of what seemed the total defeat of his mission. In the garden on the night before his death, he seems to have faced for the last time the temptation to fear, but he was able to hand over his life in trust to his Father. He went to his death believing that his way of being Messiah was the way to bring about God’s Kingdom, and he absorbed human evil without passing it on. His faith made this possible. —William A. Barry, SJ , Lenten Meditations

The Presence of God

Be still and know that I am God. Lord, may your Spirit guide me to seek your loving presence more and more. For it is there I find rest and refreshment from this busy world.

Freedom

By God’s grace
I was born to live in freedom.
Free to enjoy the pleasures he created for me.
Dear Lord, grant that I may live as you intended,
with complete confidence in your loving care.

Consciousness

In God’s loving presence I unwind the past day, starting from now and looking back, moment by moment. I gather in all the goodness and light, in gratitude. I attend to the shadows and what they say to me, seeking healing, courage, forgiveness.

Conversation

Jesus, you always welcomed little children when you walked on this earth. Teach me to have a childlike trust in you, to live in the knowledge that you will never abandon me.