OPreach » prayer

Jesus Practiced what He Preached

opreach — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 14:05:08 +0000

Yesterday Jesus encouraged his followers to find a place and time for prayer, rest, and reflection.
In today’s Gospel we see how this was his practice, and it was the place from which he drew his strength for ministry.

Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.

If we are truly followers of Jesus, how can we not do the same?

The Golden Gate Bridge early on a deserted morning

Come and Rest

opreach — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 16:15:17 +0000

From today’s Gospel reading:

Jesus said to them, “Some away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest for a while.”

Come and rest for a while.

This particular resting place can be found at Presentation Center in Los Gatos.

If You’ve Never Heard about Etty Hillesum . . . learn about her

opreach — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:36:33 +0000

You may not have heard about Etty Hillesum. If you haven’t, do a little research. Do you want to read an inspiring journal of courage, then read An Interrupted Life.

A desire to kneel down sometimes pulses through my body,
or rather it is as if my body has been meant and made for the act of kneeling.
Sometimes, in moments of deep gratitude,
kneeling down becomes an overwhelming urge,
head deeply bowed, hands before my face.

~Etty Hillesum An Interrupted Life~

Who doesn’t know this feeling?

Forever We Will Sing the Goodness of God

opreach — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 14:19:14 +0000

Today our responsorial psalm is Psalm 89, and we read:

Blessed are the people who know the joyful shout;
in the light of your countenance, O Lord, they walk.
At your name they rejoice all the day
and through your justice they are exalted.

Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

All creation sings the Goodness of God.

Here I Am, Your Servant Is Listening

opreach — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 14:31:07 +0000

Our Scripture readings continue with the theme of call. Yesterday’s was the calling of Jesus’disciples, and today, in the First Book of Samuel, we read about the calling of the prophet Samuel.

Then Eli [the prophet] understood that God was calling the youth. So Eli said to Samuel, “Go to sleep, and if you are called, reply, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” When Samuel went to sleep in his place, the Lord came and revealed his presence, calling out as before, “Samuel, Samuel!” Samuel answered, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

And in today’s response from Psalm 40 we read:

Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.

We will only be able to answer God when we have learned to recognize God's voice. So we need to take time for solitued, prayer, and reflection.

A Beautiful Advent Morning!

opreach — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 02:55:33 +0000

In today’s Responsorial Psalm, we proclaimend:

Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.

And today I’ll let this morning’s sunrise in Bolinas do the preaching!

The morning sun give praise to our God!

If You Could Ask for Just One Thing . . .

opreach — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 12:50:10 +0000

The following is from today’s responsorial psalm, Psalm 27:

One thing I ask of the Lord; this I seek:
To dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
That I may gaze on the loveliness of the Lord and contemplate God’s temple.

This is the one thing the psalmist asks of God. What would you ask?

Amidst the redwoods it can feel like you are in a cathedral. The trees draw us closer to God. It's a wonderful place to contemplate what is really important.

Appreciating Beauty as Prayer

opreach — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 16:51:34 +0000

May our appreciation of creation become prayer and praise.

Last week Gratefulness.org published this quote.

What is real prayer? Praise to God. And the meaning of praise? Appreciating; thus opening the heart more and more to the divine beauty one sees in manifestation.

- Pir-O-Murshid Hazrat Inayat Khan
Bowl of Saki

Let God’s Glory Be over all the Earth

opreach — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 16:20:17 +0000

From today’s Morning Prayer:

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!

Psalm 108

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!
Let your glory be over all the earth!

In Awe of the Simple Gifts of LIfe

opreach — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 14:58:47 +0000

The following is the closing prayer from Vespers for this evening.

May we experience awe in the presence of the Simple Gifts of Life.

O gracious God, open our hearts and our eyes to the wonders of your presence among us. May we see the signs of your beauty within and about us and ever be in awe of the simple gifts of life. Help us to reach beyond ourselves and to give thanks for all of your creation that shares this universe with us: peoples of every nation, animals of every species, all forms of vegetation, the planets, stars, and all the elements. We pray this in union with the incarnate Word of God in whose image all was created. May you be blessed throughout the ages and for all eternity. Amen.