Daily Prayers for December 10

Thomas Merton (1915 – 1968)

Thomas Merton pursued the ideals of pleasure and freedom in early adulthood only to reject them as an illusion and embrace a life of prayer and silence as a Trappist monk. His 1949 conversion story, The Seven Storey Mountain, was a surprise bestseller, introducing millions of modern -people to the gifts of monasticism. A mentor to many activists in the Catholic peace movement, Merton became a prophetic voice for peace and nonviolence in the twentieth century, despite the fact that his “political” writings were censored by his order. Convinced that contemplative life must engage the world, he prepared the way for a new monasticism.

O Lord, let my soul rise up to meet you

as the day rises to meet the sun.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Come, let us sing to the Lord : let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.

Song “Be Thou My Vision”

Behold, God is my helper : it is the Lord who sustains my life.

Psalm 54:1 6

Save me, O God, by your name : in your might, defend my cause.

Hear my prayer, O God : give ear to the words of my mouth.

For the arrogant have risen up against me, and the ruthless have sought my life : those who have no regard for God.

Behold, God is my helper : it is the Lord who sustains my life.

Render evil to those who spy on me : in your faithfulness, destroy them.

I will offer you a freewill sacrifice : and praise your name, O Lord, for it is good.

Behold, God is my helper : it is the Lord who sustains my life.

Isaiah 5:13 – 17, 24 – 25 Luke 22:1 – 13

Behold, God is my helper : it is the Lord who sustains my life.

Thomas Merton wrote, “The monk does not come to the monastery to ‘get’ something which the ordinary Christian cannot have. On the contrary, he comes there in order to realize and to appreciate all that any good Christian already has. He comes to live his Christian life, and thus to appreciate to the full his heritage as a son of God. He comes in order that he might see and understand that he already possesses everything.”

Prayers for Others

Our Father

Lord, teach us to live as contemplative activists, trusting that your Spirit and your word provide all we need to dance with the angels on Jacob’s ladder between heaven and earth. Amen.

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you : wherever he may send you;

may he guide you through the wilderness : protect you through the storm;

may he bring you home rejoicing : at the wonders he has shown you;

may he bring you home rejoicing : once again into our doors.

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