Marist Association Daily Prayer

Let us always remember that

we are in the holy presence of God

May God continue to live in our hearts

In the name of the Father,

Son and Holy Spirit

Amen

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  • Intention of the Day
  • Today's Gospel
  • Breaking Open the Word
  • Marist Source
  • Reflection
  • Meditation
  • Call to Action
  • Closing Prayer

Intention of the Day

That we continue to develop a thirst for Jesus, and to follow him in the way of Mary.
For Marists attending the Footsteps 1 Programme at Mittagong.

That we continue to develop a thirst for Jesus, and to follow him in the way of Mary.
For Marists attending the Footsteps 1 Programme at Mittagong.

Today's Gospel. Saint Monica.

Blind Pharisee! Clean the inside of cup and dish first so that it and the outside are both clean.

Matthew 23: 26.
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Matthew 23: 23 - 26.

23 'Alas for you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay your tithe of mint and dill and cummin and have neglected the weightier matters of the Law-justice, mercy, good faith! These you should have practised, those not neglected.

24 You blind guides, straining out gnats and swallowing camels!

25 'Alas for you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of cup and dish and leave the inside full of extortion and intemperance.

26 Blind Pharisee! Clean the inside of cup and dish first so that it and the outside are both clean.

Breaking Open The Word

What constitutes life-giving religious practice?

Taken from: Give Us This Day
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Taken from: Give Us This Day

Weighty Things.

What a study in contrasts we find in today’s readings. St. Paul’s tenderness and affection for the Christian community at Thessalonica shines through the first reading. The humility of the apostles and their unselfish love for the young community invites gratitude and offers an inspiring example. This is followed by the psalmist’s achingly beautiful testimony to God’s intimate knowledge of and relationship to each of us; we pray not to a distant and indifferent God but to one who knows us inside and out, and is always near. It is tempting to rest in either one of these consoling passages.

But then we are confronted by something completely different: condemnations, woes, and the prophetic rage of Jesus against the hypocrisy and shallowness of what passed for religious practices in his time. A challenging conclusion to what started as a warm and loving Liturgy of the Word!

Jesus’ harsh words raise questions for us today. What constitutes life-giving religious practice? Are we content to give a good outward appearance, while on the inside we are corrupted by jealousy, hatred, indifference, and any number of other sins? Do our parishes breathe concern for the weighty things—“judgment, mercy, faithfulness”—or do they get caught up in politics and pettiness? Do we “strain the gnat” in criticizing the faults of others, as we “swallow the camel” of our own self-righteousness?

The humility of Paul and the confidence of the psalmist show us a better way—one that leads not to woe but to joy in God’s presence.

Rita Ferrone. Taken from Give Us This Day.

Rita Ferrone is contributing writer at Commonweal magazine. She lives in Mount Vernon, New York.

That we continue to develop a thirst for Jesus, and to follow him in the way of Mary.
For Marists attending the Footsteps 1 Programme at Mittagong.

Marist Source

We bring Christ-life to the world of those whose lives we share.

# WFR 26.

That we continue to develop a thirst for Jesus, and to follow him in the way of Mary.
For Marists attending the Footsteps 1 Programme at Mittagong.

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Where has the Spirit drawn you in today's prayer?

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Closing Prayer

All Loving God

Cultivate in us a spirituality that flows out of Marian simplicity, humility and modesty.

Release in us wellsprings of refreshment, inspiration and excitement for your work in which we share.

Help us set our gaze on those people and places most in need of Christlife,

Impel us to respond together,

And lead us to be in communion with one another, and with you.

Like Mary, we listen for your invitation,

Like Mary, we set out joyfully and in haste to the hill country of the lives of young people,

Like Mary, we build communities in ways that are Christ-centred.

All Loving God, come and live in our hearts.

 

 Amen