OPENING PRAYER
God our Father, life of the faithful,
glory of the humble, happiness of the just, hear our prayer.
Fill our emptiness with the blessing of this time of prayer together,
the foretaste of eternal joy.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
AMEN.


I ARISE IN GOD        (from Music of the Heart, David Adam, p. 115.  SPCK, London.)
    I arise today,
    In the strength of the Creator,
    Who shaped the earth,
    The Maker of sun and moon,
    The designer of the stars,
    In the power of the Almighty.

    I arise today,
    In the strength of the Saviour,
    In the might of his crucifixion,
    In the joy of his resurrection,
    In the glory of his ascension,
    In the power of the Redeemer.

    I arise today,
    In the fellowship of the Spirit,
    In his guidance and direction,
    In his wisdom and life giving,
    In his renewing and restoring,
    In the power of the Sanctifier.

    I arise today,
    In the mystery of the Trinity,
    God's might to uphold me,
    Christ's love to enfold me,
    The Spirit's grace to guide me.

    I arise today,
    In the power of the Trinity.
    I worship the unity,
    I praise the diversity.
   

    I arise today,
    In the presence of the Holy Three.
    I rejoice in the Trinity.

    Glory be to you ...


I AM UNSURE    (from Music of the Heart, David Adam, p. 94.  SPCK, London.)
    Lord, I am unsure:
    The future is all unknown.
    I do not know what to do,
    Or what lies before me.

    Let me know who is there.
    Let me know you are here.

    I do not know what will happen:
    I cannot predict my path.
    I often walk in the darkness,
    I cannot see what is ahead.

    Let me know who is there.
    Let me know you are here.

    I do not know where I shall go:
    I am unsure of the road.
    I do not know much of tomorrow,

    Yet I know you and your love.
    I know you will meet me there.

    I am uncertain of the way:
    I do not know where I am to travel,
    I am so able to get lost.

    Yet you are there as my guide.
    I know you will meet me there.

    I do not know how life will treat me:
    I do not know if friends will leave me,
    Or if health and strength will fail me.

    Yet I can depend on you and your love.
    I know you will meet me there.

    Glory to you ...


GOSPEL READING         Love Your Enemies  (Taken from The Message)

"Here's another old saying that deserves a second look: "Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.' Is that going to get us anywhere? Here's what I propose: "Don't hit back at all.' If someone strikes you, stand there and take it. If someone drags you into court and sues for the shirt off your back, gift wrap your best coat and make a present of it. And if someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously.

MEDITATION OF THE DAY
Offer No Resistance
The chief thing I ask is that in the course of the day you should continually recollect yourself and lift your heart up to God to say a few short words telling (God) of your faithfulness and love.

As to the afflictions of your heart, you can easily see for yourself those for which there is a remedy and those for which there is none. Where a remedy is possible you must try and apply it gently and peacefully; where there is none, you must bear it as a mortification sent by Our Lord to try you and make you all his.

Be careful not to give way to complaining; make your heart suffer in stillness. If you are seized with any sort of impatience, restore peace and gentleness in your heart the moment you become aware of what is happening. Believe me, my dear daughter, God loves the souls that are tossed about by the waves and tempests of the world, as long as they receive their hardships as coming from God=s hands, and like valiant warriors, try to keep faithful in the thick of the attack and fighting.
            SAINT FRANCIS DE SALES
 

PAUSE FOR REFLECTION AND SHARING

INTENTIONS
God is our shield and defender. Let us put our trust in our God, as we pray:
    - O Lord our strength, to you we turn.

Father, those who put their trust in you cannot be shaken:
    - strengthen in faith those who are afraid.
 

Father, you surround your people with your all-powerful love:
    - open the eyes of faith to see your presence.
 

Father, the rule of wickedness shall not rest on your people:
    - guard the hearts of the young and uncertain.
 

Father, your peace dwells all around your people:
    - let those who have died live on in your peace.

    PERSONAL INTENTIONS

CLOSING PRAYER
May the God in whose ways our fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been our shepherd from our birth to this day, the Angel who has delivered us from all harm, bless us and keep us in peace. Amen. (cf. Gn 48: 15-16)