I wrote this prayer for our Holy Cross religious at Holy Cross House based on today’s scriptures.

Holy Cross House: Prayers For Under Our Roof

October 1, 2023: The Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

“…Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend…” Philippians 2 

God of our longing,

You invite us into humility and love.

You encourage us to bend our knees at the name of Christ Jesus.

You desire us to live with generosity and patience of heart.

Loving Father,

We are your servants who have traveled the world.

We have crossed the complexities of pastoral life,

The intricacies of the classroom,

And the unforeseen terrains of missionary lands.

We have found you in unexpected journeys and in surprising relationships.

Now, we live and pray under a common roof.

The treasures of our experiences are often tucked away in our tired hearts.

Our arthritic knees no longer bend easily to your presence.

Our memories humbly turn to your life within us.

We rely on you as we rely on one another.

We lean on canes and walkers but you still lead us home.

Gracious God,

Reveal your tenderness in our nighttime anguish.

Show your healing remedy when pain overwhelms us in daylight.

Unveil your soothing grace when loneliness stifles our voices.

Turn toward us as we rest our souls in you.

Unveil your mercy as we bend our hearts to your name in love.

Amen

(text: Ronald Raab, CSC)