COVID – Prayer-16: God of our Hope

Lord, our God, 

We dream of a life no longer merely endured but enjoyed, no longer imposed but in-born, no longer coveted but creative, no longer feared but loved. And, Lord, these days, we continue to experience a life that is limited and conditioned. Our hands, called to open, stay closed. Our homes invited to welcome, stay shut. Our churches designed to praise and worship, are silenced. Our hearts remain frozen, O Lord, with fear and anxiety. No, our road leads not to the penetrating sweep of the light of day, but to choking, stifling night, we fear, O Lord.

Holy Week -2 Meditation: Jesus Emptied

I look at the crucified Lord here and in life. I see him stripped of everything:

*-Stripped of dignity*, naked before his friends and enemies...

*-Stripped of all his possessions*: I remember the times when people wanted just to touch the fringe of his garments.

COVID – Prayer-15: Living by the True Realities of Life

Dear Lord, our God,

As we go through the news of the ravages COVID has created in our world, in our neighbourhoods and in our lives, we console ourselves through the words of our spiritual leader Pope Francis who said, “God has not promised us a sky without storms, roads without accidents, bodies without illnesses, work without fatigue, relationships without misunderstandings and disappointments.” You ask us to learn to find strength in forgiveness, hope in battles, security in the stage of fear, love in discord. You teach us not only to enjoy the smile, but also to reflect on the sadness, not only to celebrate the successes, but to learn lessons from the failures, not only to feel happy with the applause, but to be happy in anonymity. Being happy is not a fatality of destiny, but an achievement for those who can travel within themselves. Blessed be God for these lessons. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Monday of Holy Week, Apr 6th

Isaiah 42:1-7 / John 12:1-11 

Judas criticizes Mary: “Why was this oil not sold?”

William Barclay says of Judas’ reaction to Mary’s anointing of the feet of Jesus: “Judas had just seen an action of surpassing loveliness; and he called it extravagant waste. He was an embittered man who took an embittered view of things.” Judas’ reaction illustrates an important fact: “We see things not as they are, but as we are.” H. M. Tomlinson

Holy Week-1: Jesus –Broken

 Into our broken world you came, Lord Jesus. You embraced our darkness, even though you are pure light.

COVID – Prayer-14: Waiting for the Lord’s Time

Dear Lord, our God,

These days, we have been waiting for the lock-down to be lifted, so that we can travel freely, explore the streets and stores, meet with friends and family and continue to catch up with our commitments, assignments and exams. Sometimes, Lord, this waiting has been difficult, worrisome, exhausting and frustrating.

COVID – Prayer-13: Change in Our Lives

Lord, our God,

You have asked us to get into a “Noah’s Ark” these days, an ark that was made according to a particular size, design, shape and material. We were asked to make a journey of uncertain length, floating in unknown waters, not knowing where it would go and when it would end and how we would survive. We were only asked to trust in the Lord. Forty days and forty nights it rained, the winds swayed and tossed the boat like a toy in the turbulent waters. We were only asked to trust in the Lord.