Last Sunday Fr. Dan McMullen took us on a wonderful journey in prayer. (You can see the entire talk on our website.) He spoke about our desire for “good feelings” during prayer and how the lack of them does not mean God is far away. He helped us see how God’s presence can come to us through sacred scripture in the practice of Lectio Divina (Sacred Reading).
To help us see the “tracings” of God’s presence in our day, he left us a set of questions we might ask ourselves at the end of the day. Take your time with these. The answers only come gradually! I like the first one the best. Maybe this could be your evening prayer. Pick one or two and speak them to the Lord.
Fr. Tim
At the End of the Day – A Mirror of Questions
What dreams did I create last night?
Where did my eyes linger today?
Where was I blind?
Where was I hurt without anyone noticing?
What did I learn today?
What did I read?
What new thoughts visited me?
What differences did I notice in those closest to me?
Whom did I neglect?
Where did I neglect myself?
What did I begin today that might endure?
How were my conversations?
What did I do today for the poor and the excluded?
Did I remember the dead today?
Where could I have exposed myself to the risk of something different?
Where did I allow myself to receive love?
With whom today did I feel most myself?
What reached me today? How deep did it imprint?
Who saw me today?
What visitations had I from the past and from the future? What did I avoid today?
From the evidence – why was I given this day?
From Benedictus: A Book of Blessings by John O’Donohue, p. 115
Scripture Readings for the 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time
First Reading: Sirach 27:4-7
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 92:2-3, 13-14, 15-16
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:54-58
Gospel: Luke 6:39-45
Scripture Readings for the First Sunday of Lent
First Reading: Deuteronomy 26:4-10
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 91:1-2, 10-15
Second Reading: Romans 10:8-13
Gospel: Luke 4:1-13
