Daily Prayer for Monday, January 5, 2009

"Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise."

Opening Prayer:
Lord, let the light of your glory shine within us, and lead us through the darkness of this world to the radiant joy of our eternal home.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Today's Readings:
Daily Meditation:
This is how you can know the Spirit of God: every spirit that acknowledges Jesus Christ come in the flesh belongs to God, and every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus. 1 John 3

"The people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen." Mt. 4

Jesus hears that John has been jailed. He realizes his time has come. He begins by quoting Isaiah, chapter 8. He is the light who has come into our lives, which are so often overshadowed by death, in so many ways.

In this week after Epiphany, let us keep letting the light shine into the places of darkness within us and around us. And where we have seen and felt his enlightening, freeing presence, let us continue to rejoice with Christmas joy.

Today's Daily Reflection:
Intercessions:
All the ends of the earth have seen Jesus Christ, the saving power of God. Let us praise him and cry out in joy: Glory be to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Redeemer of all, you came to tear down the walls separating Jew from Gentile root out the prejudices which erode the depths of our humanity.

Through your incarnation and your birth you established your presence among us, teach us to recognize the many forms of your presence in the Church and in one another.

You are the fullest revelation of God to men and women, show us how we can assent to your word with integrity of faith and action.

You are God-with-us, wondrously transforming all creation, let every heart, every voice, every deed throughout the universe now be transformed.

Closing Prayer:
Radiance. Your radiant light blazes in my world today. I know I will have difficult times and the darkness will gather around me again. But today the shining light of your love comes into my life and frees me.

There are other days that are shadowy, when I don't always know where I am going, Lord. When the gloom gathers in my life, lead me through it. I will reach out my hand in the darkness, put aside my fears and walk next to you, comforted by your presence and the warmth of your unending love.

May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.