Tuesday, October 14, 2008

evening prayer

As I sat down to recite the evening office I was moved by the closing prayer.  I have been  pondering the beauty of life but also the frailty of life. 

Tomorrow I will preside at the funeral of twins born into this world on Friday past to parents who wanted nothing more than to have the opportunity to love their children and watch them grow.  For little more than an hour, they held these tiny persons in their arms and loved them with all their might, cherishing every drop of time they had.  Tomorrow we give them back to God, our Father, who gave them.

The mystery of life and death is a stark reality.  

Why are there parents who love their children and want their children and do everything to keep and guard the lives of the children they have been given and yet they must let go long before they are ready; and there are other parents who neither want nor love the children they are given and do everything to get rid of them.  

I do not understand the mystery of life but I remember the words of Jesus, "do not let your hearts be troubled, have faith in me."  I believe and there hope remains.

We pray today around the world in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic voice:

"Lord, may our evening prayer come before you and let the faith our lips profess live in the prayerful thoughts of our hearts.  We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one god forever and ever. Amen."

Let the faith we profess live in our hearts and animate our life that you have given and keep the flame of hope burning bright.  For the light shines on in darkness and the darkness has not over come it.

Riley and Reese pray for us.

Protect us Lord as we stay awake, watch over us as we sleep; that awake  we may keep watch with Christ and asleep rest in His peace.

No comments: