Vol.5 No.46 DoM E Message
Spiritual Gift of the Week
We pray for the grace to deepen in the life of prayer.
Like Mary, we pray to embrace God’s will and cooperate with God’s grace.
Spiritual Instruction of the Week
Lord, on the day I called for help you answered me…Psalm 138
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Dear Beautiful Daughters of Mary,
Pope Benedict XVI has called the Book of Psalms, “the book of prayer par excellence.” The 150 prayers “express all human experience,” he said. His words are encouraging to those of us to pray the Psalms daily. The Psalms may be prayed in sorrow or joy, as repentance or lament, as praise and in gratitude, as petition or simply, as an acknowledgment that God helps us in time of need. They may be used during personal prayer for our meditation, contemplation or simple conversation with God. One Psalm that is especially meaningful is Psalm 138, which will be used as the Responsorial Psalm during this Sunday’s liturgy. It is a beautiful hymn—and a profound and sensitive prayer to God who answers our cry for help.
The following is an example of the way in which we may pray through the stanzas of Psalm 138, during our personal quiet time, to prepare for Sunday.
R. Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.
We all ask for things in prayer. Think of some thing or some event for which you have prayed. And God answered your prayer. Get this thing (or event) firm in your mind.
Let us pray: I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all my heart,
for you have heard the words of my mouth; in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise;
I will worship at your holy temple and give thanks to your name.
R. Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.
We all have weaknesses and strengths—and in both—we know our need and we pray for God’s strength. Think of a time when you felt weak, weary or unable to cope, and you prayed for strength. And God answered your prayer. Get this time firm in your mind.
Let us pray: Because of your kindness and your truth;
for you have made great above all things your name and your promise.
When I called you answered me; you built up strength within me.
R. Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.
We all experience animosity, rejection, contempt, and even hatred. Think of the actions of those that made you feel insulted, humiliated or even hated— and how you prayed for relief and consolation. And God answered your prayer. Get this feeling firm in your mind.
Let us pray: The LORD is exalted, yet the lowly he sees, and the proud he knows from afar.
Though I walk amid distress, you preserve me;
against the anger of my enemies you raise your hand.
R. Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.
We have all come face to face with some danger or threat. Think of a physical illness or natural disaster—your own addiction or disorder—or a personal challenge or cultural issue—and the way you prayed for God’s saving power. And God answered your prayer. Get this experience firm in your mind.
Let us pray: Your right hand saves me. The LORD will complete what he has done for me;
your kindness, O LORD, endures forever; forsake not the work of your hands.
Let us pray: Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me. Amen.
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Each day we pray for God’ mercy. Let us recall the words of Pope Francis: “Jesus Christ is the face of the Father’s mercy. Whoever sees Jesus sees the Father (Jn 14:9). Jesus of Nazareth, by his words, his actions, and his entire person, reveals the mercy of God.”
Veni, Spirito Santo, la misericordia di Dio ci salva—Come Holy Spirit, it is by God’s mercy that we are saved,
Deb
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