Trust In God

It is true there are times of trials and days of darkness, when the best of us are apt to mistrust the providence of God over us, and are tempted to lose heart and hope altogether; but if we are seeking first the kingdom of heaven we shall understand that it is God who takes away; and that He gives and takes away for our soul’s sake, that we are of much more value in His sight than the birds of the air. We shall put our trust in His providence and suffer not the wants of the body, the things of the sense, and the trials of this life to fill ours souls with bitterness; we shall be trustful in the hour of need, patient in the hour of disappointment, tranquil in the hour of trial, and when the hour of deliverance shall come we shall count as nothing the anxiety and sorrows through which we have passed for “the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory to come that shall be revealed to us.”

Prayer for God's Protection and Christ's Presence

As I arise today, may the strength of God pilot me, the power of God uphold me, the wisdom of God guide me. May the eye of God look before me, the ear of God hear me, the word of God speak for me. May the hand of God protect me, the way of God lie before me, the shield of God defend me, the host of God save me. May Christ shield me today...Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit, Christ when I stand, Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me, Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me. Amen. - Saint Patrick of Ireland, Bishop and Missionary

The Simplest Form of Meditation

The Royal Psalmist says: “I remember the days of old, I meditate on all Thy works: I mused upon the works of Thy hands. Cause me to hear Thy mercy in the morning; for in Thee have I hoped. Make the way known to me wherein I should walk; for I have lifted up my soul to Thee.” (Ps. cxlii. 5, 8)

As we read in “The Crown of Jesus”: We can meditate when we sit in the house; when we walk on the way; when we lie down; when we rise up. We can meditate by considering all earthly things as types of holy truths. In trees, the wood of the cross, our Redemption; in dust, our origin. In the sky, heaven, our reward. In the stars, the heavenly mansions of those who by their glorious deeds have brought many to justice. In the moon, the Queen of Heaven. In the sun, the Son of justice. In the sea, the ocean of eternity. In the waves, the progress of time. In the seashore covered with the waters, our mortality. In the footmarks of sand erased, fame. In the sudden darkness, mortal sin. In the bright light, God’s grace. In the gentle wind, the breathe of the Holy Ghost, the Comforter. In bread, the Blessed Sacrament, the true Bread of life. In water, the cleansing grace of Baptism. In oil, the anointing of the young and the sick. In the sound of the clock, the irrevocable progress of time.”

“We can meditate by adoring the presence of God all around us, as we walk in the midst of Him, or as causing by His presence in each object we behold, its continued existence and its qualities of good.”