March 31, 2020

Daily Devotions


Meditation for March 31, 2020
Henri Nouwen, Bread for the Journey

Travelling with the Eyes of God

Traveling—seeing new sights, hearing new music, and meeting new people—is exciting and exhilarating. But when we have no home to return to where someone will ask us, “How was your trip?” we might be less eager to go. Traveling is joyful when we travel with the eyes and ears of those who love us, who want to see our slides and hear our stories.

This is what life is about. It is being sent on a trip by a loving God, who is waiting at home for our return and is eager to watch the slides we took and hear about the friends we made. When we travel with the eyes and ears of the God who sent us, we will see wonderful sights, hear wonderful sounds, meet wonderful people…and be happy to return home.
Today’s prayer comes from the United States Council of Catholic Bishops.

For all who have contracted coronavirus, We pray for care and healing.

For those who are particularly vulnerable, We pray for safety and protection.

For all who experience fear or anxiety, We pray for peace of mind and spirit.

For affected families who are facing difficult decisions between food on the table or public safety, We pray for policies that recognize their plight.

For those who do not have adequate health insurance, We pray that no family will face financial burdens alone.

For those who are afraid to access care due to immigration status, We pray for recognition of the God-given dignity of all.

For our brothers and sisters around the world, We pray for shared solidarity.
For public officials and decisionmakers, We pray for wisdom and guidance.

Father, during this time may your Church be a sign of hope, comfort and love to all. Grant peace. Grant comfort. Grant healing. Be with us, Lord.

Amen.

Copyright © 2020, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. All rights reserved. This text may be reproduced in whole or in part without alteration for nonprofit educational use, provided such reprints are not sold and include this notice.

Here’s a prayer bonus you might want to tape above your most used hand- washing sink.

A 20 Second Prayer During Handwashing Rabbi Joseph Meszler

As I take up my hands to wash them and reassure my heart, I pray for healing and wholeness for the whole world. I remember that every life is unique and of infinite value: from those living on the most remote part of the globe to those in our cities to our neighbors and family members. Let me use my hands for good to help bring love and compassion to others. “Let us lift up our hearts and hands to the Eternal.” (Lamentations 3:41). Amen.


I’m switching it up a bit with this cartoon from Wiley Miller’s Non Sequitur. It might be especially appropriate for those finding themselves with an unexpected overdose of togetherness.

Today’s links!

My thanks to Jill Lawrence for sending me this link telling the story of a group of Nashville artists, connected only by their cellphones, who sang “It Is Well with My Soul.”

David Von Drehle, a Washington Post reporter, wrote a beautiful essay on “What the Gift of This Unpleasant Infection Has Helped Me Understand.“

Watch this French man run a quarantined marathon in honor of health care workers on a seven-meter (23 feet) long balcony.

And, finally, here’s the story of an astrophysicist who got magnets stuck up nose while inventing a coronavirus device.

Stay safe and stay well!

Bob