Dear Jesus, I have been doing some good things,
but at other times just spinning my wheels.
Gradually, I have come to realize
the extent of Your love, understanding and mercy,
but that needs to sink deeper into my heart.
May Your example be an opportunity to draw closer to You.
Amen.
— By a Columban Missionary
Dear Jesus, when I look back at my life
I recall the many people who have influenced me.
Things that they did or said struck me
and formed part of who I am.
Their kind words, encouragement, even warnings,
and corrections helped me to grow.
Some now have gone on to their reward
while others remain.
I am grateful for who they were and are.
May I, in my own way, help others to appreciate
and cherish Your great love that calls us all to be life givers.
Amen
— By a Columban Missionary
Dear Jesus,
You were faithful to Your mission
for the Kingdom of God.
Some did not listen.
Your disciples did not fully grasp
what You were about.
Others opposed You.
You faced hypocrisy, indifference, and misunderstanding.
Yet through it all Your love of the Father
supported You even to the point of death.
Help me to be faithful when difficulties come.
Share with me Your cherishing of God's love.
Amen.
— By a Columban Missionary
Dear Jesus,
We pray that Your Spirit may continue
to give new life to Your Church.
Some have fallen away.
Enlighten their hearts to find You and accept
the embrace of Your love so as to live
with new purpose in their lives.
Strengthen us to be Your apostles
in our day to day lives.
Bring us together as sisters and brothers
in Your new creation.
Amen.
— By a Columban Missionary
Dear Jesus,
Sometimes the challenges of life seem to dim
our eyes and we see things in a narrow view.
Yet You appreciated the beauty that surrounded You.
You spoke of the lilies of the field and the birds of the air.
You welcomed the little children to come to You.
Help me to see and cherish the beauty in
the everyday events and people that touch my life.
Open my heart to all the wonders of Your creation.
Amen.
— By a Columban Missionary
Dear Jesus,
I get discouraged when I see people,
communities, nations that cannot or do not
want to get along with one another.
When I look into my own heart I can see
my own biases and resentments.
Bring healing to our brokenness.
Let us experience the joy of showing respect,
of being open to different views,
of growing together rather than apart.
Amen.
— By a Columban Missionary
Dear Jesus,
At times, painful experiences crop up in our lives,
the loss of someone beloved, illness,
economic loss, and other woes.
When they come upon us suddenly,
they are all the heavier.
We may at times grow numb,
not knowing what to say or do.
We see how fragile we are.
In our weakness we cry to You
to give us the strength and serenity
to carry on, to live in hope.
Your death brought forth new life.
Share that new live with us.
Amen.
— By a Columban Missionary
Dear Jesus,
When we look back on our lives,
we see the depth of Your care for us.
It forms a pattern unique to each
and binds us together in the embrace of Your love.
You call us day by day to love in turn.
We are not without fault or backsliding
but Your mercy encourages us forward
to spread Your ways of compassion and peace
by the example of our lives.
Amen.
— By a Columban Missionary
Dear Jesus,
You give each of us a special call to follow You.
Yet, we are not called merely singly,
but as members of the communities in which
we live-family-parish-friends-work-town-nation-creation.
Enlighten our hearts and minds with Your love.
Help us see what we can do to spread
Your message of peace, healing and new life.
Amen.
— By a Columban Missionary
Dear Jesus,
Sometimes, I get caught up in the dos and don'ts
of religious practice.
It comes to feel almost too mechanical.
I don't think that is what You want.
You criticized the Pharisees for being too concerned
with the details of the law while forgetting its purpose.
Help me to be a reflection of Your love
so that I can become a more faithful and loving person.
Amen.
— By a Columban Missionary
Dear Jesus,
We hope for many things - success, adequate resources,
health for ourselves and for those dear to us,
and other genuinely good desires.
Yet in the long run, what we really need
is to grow in friendship with You.
May this day provide the opportunity to take some time out
to be with You and share our thanks and hopes.
Amen.
— By a Columban Missionary
The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah,
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I dedicated you…”
We can say the same is true for us.
The Lord has chosen each one of us
for a special purpose.
At times we feel at a loss.
We think the Lord is absent.
Does the Lord really care?
Then we remember that the Lord has delivered us
and preserves us for that special calling.
Even when things are not going well
I wait for you, Lord.
I am confident that your kindness
will follow me wherever I go
and that with you I can accomplish
what you dedicated me for.
— By a Columban Missionary
Lord help me to forgive as I have been forgiven.
Sometimes I glide over the words
of your prayer the Our Father.
“Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive
those who trespass against us”.
But often I don’t forgive.
I harbor grudges.
I want revenge.
Maybe I even think I can never forgive
such an insult or injustice.
Lord you died that I might be forgiven.
Help me to offer that forgiveness to others.
And, surprise, it brings a peace that I thought not possible.
— By a Columban Missionary
Lord there are so many reasons
to be fearful in our world today.
Help me to realize that you are always with me.
You created me and sustain me.
You are my refuge.
Guide me and help me to do what I can
to live in full confidence that you areat my right hand.
Let me live with deep trust in your constant care for me.
— By a Columban Missionary