Weekly Reflection

Presence

Lord, God, my Creator,
Be close to me now.
My soul yearns for your presence.

Freedom

Thank you God for my freedom, may I use this gift to do what I can for those who are oppressed or burdened.

Consciousness

I remind myself that I am in the presence of the Lord.
I will take refuge in His loving heart.
He is my strength in times of weakness.
He is my comforter in times of sorrow.

The Word of God Luke 11:37-41

While Jesus was speaking, a Pharisee invited him to dine with him; so he went in and took his place at the table. The Pharisee was amazed to see that he did not first wash before dinner. Then the Lord said to him, "Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You fools! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? So give for alms those things that are within; and see, everything will be clean for you."

Some thoughts on today's scripture

There is a Pharisee in all of us, big or small, who prefers cleaning the outside of the cup rather than tackle the greed and wickedness inside. The only way to deal with this conflict is to make my own the prayer of the publican in the temple, 'Have pity on me, a sinner'.
Jesus sees a link between almsgiving and purification of the heart. Elsewhere he insists that true almsgiving must be sincere, and not to gain the admiration of others: it is not what we give but why and how we give it. How do I react to those who ask for my material help? What does my reaction to the current migrant crisis tell me about the state of my heart? I pray for real freedom to love those in need.

Conversation

Lord, stay by my side always.

Gain for me a trusting heart.

Thank you for loving me.

Conclusion

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
As it was in the beginning,
is now and ever shall be,
world without end.

Prayers for Prisons Week

prayers for Prisons Week (13th - 19th October). This week is a time when we are asked to keep prisoners, their families and the victims of crime in our prayers. We have two prisons local to us so these people are part of our wider community.

?Daily intentions:

Monday - praying with prisoners

Tuesday - praying with the victims of crime

Wednesday - praying with families

Thursday - praying with communities

Friday - praying with those working in prison

Saturday - praying with those working in the criminal justice system

Prisons Week Prayer

Lord, you offer freedom to all people. We pray for those in prison. Break the bonds of fear and isolation that exist. Support with your love prisoners and their families and friends, prison staff and all who care. Heal those who have been wounded by the actions of others, especially the victims of crime. Help us to forgive one another, to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly together with Christ in his strength and in his Spirit, now and every day. Amen.