We’re called to trust where God is taking us even if we’re scared and don’t know where we’re going. As Catholics, we turn to God in times of fear and uncertainty as we do in times of joy and celebration. Let’s join together as we pray for God’s heart of love, mercy, and truth to dwell in us and show us how to face the challenges posed by the new coronavirus. 
 
Pray for people who are infected with COVID-19 or facing quarantine. 
 
Jesus, during Your ministry on Earth You showed Your power and caring by healing people of all ages and stations of life from physical, mental, and spiritual ailments. Be present now to people who need Your loving touch because of COVID-19. May they feel Your power of healing through the care of doctors and nurses. 
 
Take away the fear, anxiety, and feelings of isolation from people receiving treatment or under quarantine. Give them a sense of purpose in pursuing health and protecting others from exposure to the disease. Protect their families and friends and bring peace to all who love them.  
 
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God”. —Philippians 4:6 (NIV) 
 
Pray for people at higher risk of developing the disease. 
 
Dear Lord, we lift to You our concern for people who are more likely than others to become severely ill from COVID-19 — the elderly and people with chronic health conditions. Protect them from harm and be their comfort in this time of uncertainty and, for many, preventive isolation from loved ones. 
 
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you”. —1 Peter 5:7 (NIV) 
 
Pray for medical professionals, caregivers, and researchers responsible for fighting the new coronavirus. 
 
God, as more people get sick, healthcare workers and first responders are working longer hours with fewer supplies and with more risk of contracting the new coronavirus themselves. Renew their energy and sustain them on long shifts. Bring Your protection upon them as they work with patients. Multiply their supplies so they have the protective items needed to stay safe on the job.  
 
Inspire and invigorate the research doctors developing better tests to diagnose the virus, create vaccines to prevent it, and identify protocols to eliminate the disease’s spread. 
 
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me”. —Psalm 23:4 (NIV) 
 
Pray for leaders responsible for making decisions about the new coronavirus. 
 
Father, we seek Your wisdom daily. Be with people making decisions that affect the lives and futures of our families, communities, countries, and the wider world. We pray that they communicate clearly, truthfully, and calmly — with each other and with the public — and that their messages are received and heeded. May truth and empathy be the touchstones of people setting policies for our protection. 
 
“He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers …”—2 Corinthians 1:10-11 (NIV) 
 
Pray for business owners and families facing financial stress. 
 
Jesus, we thank You for Your faithfulness in how you have guided and equipped people in their jobs and have provided in the past. It can be scary and overwhelming not knowing how bills and obligations will be met or to not be able to provide for families. As people feel financial strain during the uncertainty, bring them comfort and peace, reminding them that You are there for them. Provide for them in their times of need. 
 
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid”. —John 14:27 (NIV) 
 
Pray for grocery store workers and delivery drivers. 
 
Lord, we are so grateful for all the people who continue to work each day so that people are able to eat. We ask that You bless and protect them as they serve. Give them grace to handle disgruntled customers during supplies shortages. Keep their bodies healthy as they unload and stock boxes of supplies. Keep their cars and trucks running smoothly as they deliver needed supplies and food people have ordered online. And please protect them all from contracting the new coronavirus. 

“Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness”. —Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV) 
 
Pray for the disease to stop spreading. 
 
Almighty God, we know that everything is in Your sovereign control. We ask that You keep this new coronavirus from continuing to spread. Give government officials the ability to safely handle people arriving from other countries. Help people decide to stay home instead of traveling or going out needlessly. Holy Spirit, remind people to wash their hands properly. And while it may be heartbreaking, comfort families as they decide to keep their distance from elderly or other high-risk family members. 
 
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea …” —Psalm 46:1-2 (NIV) 


SOURCE: https://www.worldvision.org/disaster-relief-news-stories/prayers-people-affected-new-coronavirus 

Photo by Anuja Mary Tilj on Unsplash

"It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt." - Attributed to Mark Twain 

We are all fools on our own, especially when we try to manage our own lives.  Those are the times when we open our mouths and quickly become gullible to displaying our own foolishness. 

But when we pause, turn to the Lord, and seek his help and guidance, our works are in tandem with His.  Our foolishness does not prevail. 

Lord, let me turn to you to save me from myself.  Amen.

“Do this, don’t do that, can’t you read the sign?” 
 
Some people may remember a song that was popular almost 50 years ago.   In 1971, a group from Canada called the Five Man Electrical Band had a hit called "Signs".  The song is about how signs are always telling us what to do, and the chorus says, “Do this, don’t do that, can’t you read the sign?” 
 
Almost five decades later, the question it poses — “Can’t you read the sign?” — is one we might ask ourselves today.  We are going to be signed with ash in the sign of our Faith, the cross.  “Can’t you read the sign?” 
 
The cross of ashes means that we are making a commitment — that we are undertaking Lent as a season of prayer and penitence, of dying to ourselves.  It also describes our human condition: it says that we are broken and need repair; that we are sinners and need redemption.  Most importantly, it tells us that, as followers of Jesus Christ, we are to carry our crosses.  It also reminds us that we are dust and ashes — mortal human beings carrying an immortal soul. 
 
By receiving the ashes, we confess that we are sinners in need of the mercy of God, and we ask forgiveness for the various ways in which we have hurt our brothers and sisters.  Lent is a time for forgiveness and reconciliation.  Let us allow the spirit of forgiveness to work its healing influence in our parishes and families. 
 
Merciful Jesus, lead me into this season of Lent with a heart enlarged for prayer and penitence.  Help me to “read the sign” and re-commit to my commitment to You.  Amen.
 
 
SOURCE: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2018-02/ash-wednesday-commentary.html

"Jesus answered [him], 'You would have no power over me if it had not been given to you from above.'" - John 19:11 

We have heard a lot over the past weeks and months about an "abuse of power."  While the power of government leaders throughout the world is worthy of wisdom and direction, our ultimate power is from above as Jesus tells those desiring to decide his fate. 

May we commit to never abuse the power of God, and instead follow his wisdom and direction. 

O King of Heaven and Earth, your almighty power is true.  Amen.

"No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care." - a friend to Fr. A. Juguilon, OSC 

You may be the brightest and most knowledgeable person in your field, in your workplace, or in your home.  People may turn to you for advice and help.  You may be able to recite every statistic from the latest baseball game, or document every step in a complex procedure. 

But do you care?  Do you show people that you care?  Is your concern for others genuine and more noticeable than the actions you take or the words you speak? 

O Lord of Mercy, help me to be like the Good Samaritan and show people I care.  Amen.

"You may be the only gospel another person reads." - a familiar saying 

Have you read a good book lately?  Did you tell another person about the good book you read?  Did you hear about the good book that someone else read? 

Novels, short stories, science fiction, essays, biographies, romance, history.  There are all kinds of books to read, from every genre and from every age. 

But YOU may be the "book" that another person reads.  You are the character, you are the story: the way you live and work and speak and love. 

Are you a good read? 

Father, write your story on the pages of my life so that others may see Your gospel through me.  Amen. 


Photo by Joel Muniz on Unsplash

Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,
   The flying cloud, the frosty light:
   The year is dying in the night; 
Ring out, wild bells, and let him die. 
 
Ring out the old, ring in the new,
   Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
   The year is going, let him go; 
Ring out the false, ring in the true. 
 
Ring out the grief that saps the mind
   For those that here we see no more;
   Ring out the feud of rich and poor, 
Ring in redress to all mankind. 
 
Ring out a slowly dying cause,
   And ancient forms of party strife;
   Ring in the nobler modes of life, 
With sweeter manners, purer laws. 
 
Ring out the want, the care, the sin,
   The faithless coldness of the times;
   Ring out, ring out my mournful rhymes 
But ring the fuller minstrel in. 
 
Ring out false pride in place and blood,
   The civic slander and the spite;
   Ring in the love of truth and right, 
Ring in the common love of good. 
 
Ring out old shapes of foul disease;
   Ring out the narrowing lust of gold;
   Ring out the thousand wars of old, 
Ring in the thousand years of peace. 
 
Ring in the valiant man and free,
   The larger heart, the kindlier hand;
   Ring out the darkness of the land, 
Ring in the Christ that is to be. 
 
--Alfred Lord Tennyson - 1809-1892

The Church has invoked the titles of Christ in the O Antiphons for at least 1,300 years. These seven ancient prayers have been prayed by over millions of Christians. The medieval monasteries used to ring their largest bell as the choirs of monks intoned Mary’s Magnificat and these Advent antiphons. They are invoking Christ in seven messianic titles. 
 
They are seven heart cries for Jesus to come anew in our life. Each one of them is preparing us to invite the Christ child more completely in this blessed season. 
 
Like a final crescendo, these O Antiphons are intoned during Evening Prayer on the seven days leading up to Christmas Eve, from December 17 to December 23. Each night they form luminous bookends around Our Lady’s Magnificat, like seven prayers she prayed during her week-long journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. All seven are in the oracles of the Old Testament prophet Isaiah, who gives us many memorable images of the Messiah. They are rich meditations on the One who is to come. 
 
Although there are seven titles in the O Antiphons, only one has remained firmly in popular Christian culture, thanks to an Advent hymn: "O Come, O Come Emmanuel". This messianic title is the final of the O Antiphons. The seven titles prayed on each day are: 

• December 17: O Wisdom (Sapientia) - Isaiah 11:2-3  
  
• December 18: O Lord of Might (Adonai) - Isaiah 11:4-5 
  
• December 19: O Root of Jesse (Radix Jesse) - Isaiah 11:1; 11:10 
  
• December 20: O Key of David (Clavis David) - Isaiah 22:22 
  
• December 21: O Radiant Dawn (Oriens) - Isaiah 9:2 
  
• December 22: O King of the Nations (Rex Gentium) - Isaiah 2:4; 9:6; 11:10-12 
  
• December 23: O Emmanuel (Emmanuel) - Isaiah 7:14 
  

SOURCE: https://media.ascensionpress.com/2018/12/13/the-o-antiphons-explained-a-daily-series-leading-to-christmas/

"Again his voice roars, his majestic voice thunders ..." - Job 37:4 

The cacophony of noise drums in my head.  The medical term for it is "tinnitus"; I simply call it "aggravating".  While some refer to it as "ringing" or "buzzing" in the ears, I wish it were only a "ring" or a "buzz". 

I have read of some  people who patiently pray for the noise to stop so that they can sit silently and listen for the voice of God.  There has to be a different approach. 

Maybe this is God's way of getting my attention.  Perhaps He is speaking, loud and clear; I just refuse to listen to it.  I see it as "aggravating noise"; He sees it as a still voice speaking thunderously to me. 

"Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening." - 1 Samuel 3:9

"... For the holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you should say." - Luke 12:12 

I visited my friend on a Monday.  He had brain cancer for 14 months.  He told me the doctor recently told him there was nothing more they could do for him.  He said he no longer cared about work, sports, or anything else: "those things aren't important anymore," he remarked. 

I held his hand, kept silent for a bit, and then tried to convey encouraging, uplifting, positive thoughts.  "It is all in God's hands," I told him.  "Yeah ... God," he said.  When I left, I told him I would see him again in a few weeks. 

My friend died five days later.  I guess I didn't get it.  It didn't seem like he would die that soon after I saw him.  I was planning on seeing him again.  Should I have said more?  Did I say the right thing? 

Yes.  I will see him again.  At some point in time.


Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash