Opening Prayer: Lord Jesus, forgive us when we succumb to the
temptation to take the easy way out, to try to come to you yet avoid the high
cost you being fully yours. Forgive us
when we worship and serve the things of this world rather than the One who made
them. Help us, O Lord, at all times and
in all ways, to worship you and you alone.
Amen.
Scripture: Matthew 4:8-11
Journal: Who or what are you really worshipping these
days? How can you tell? What are you truly pursuing in life these
days? What is getting the majority of
your time and energy? What does that
tell you?
Reflection:
Why should I want to be rich, when You were
poor? Why should I desire to be famous
and powerful in the eyes of men, when the sons of those who exalted the false
prophets and stoned the true rejected You and nailed You to the Cross? Why should I cherish in my heart a hope that
devours me—the hope for perfect happiness in this life—when such hope, doomed
to frustration, is nothing but despair?
My hope is in what eye has never
seen. Therefore, let me not trust in
visible rewards. My hope is in what the
heart of man cannot feel. Therefore, let
me not trust in the feelings of the heart.
My hope is in what the hand of man has never touched. Do not let me trust what I can grasp between
my fingers. Death will loosen my grasp
and my vain hope will be gone.
Let my trust be in Your mercy, not
myself. Let my hope be in Your love, not
in health, or strength, or ability, or human resources. (Thoughts in
Solitude by Thomas Merton)
Prayer
Closing Prayer: Let my trust, O Lord, be in Your mercy, not
myself. Let my hope be in Your love, not
in health, or strength, or ability, or human resources. Help me to worship You, O lord, and You
alone. Amen.
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