From Psalm 29 Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name. He sits enthroned over the flood as King forever. His voice thunders over the mighty waters, powerful and majestic. His voice breaks the cedars of Lebanon into pieces. His voice twists the oaks and strips the forests bare. His voice is lightening, shaking the desert. And yet, His voice blesses the people with peace and gives them strength. In his temple all cry, "Glory!"
0 Comments
"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty" (Revelation 1:8). Jesus is the beginning and the end. He existed before time and he will continue to exist after time ceases. He was present at the creation. His birth inaugurated a new age for humankind and his return will bring a renewed creation. He is Lord of the past, the present and the future. The title Alpha and Omega brings to mind the ancient teaching of exitus et reditus. We come from God and we will return to God. We are made in God's image and we will find our fulfillment in complete union with God. As Jesus and the Father are one, we hope one day to be one with the Trinity. For Reflection: Is Jesus the beginning and the end of my day? Is he Lord of my past, my present and my future? Am I on the path to unity with God? (For further study, see Isaiah 44:6, 48:12-13; Revelation 4:8, 21:6 and 22:13.) Let us pray. Jesus, you are the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. You were present at the creation and you will be present at the end. You chose to become one of us at your birth, bringing salvation by your life, death and resurrection. You are worthy of all praise. Today is an excellent day to praise God with an early Christian prayer called the Te Deum. You are God: we praise you; You are the Lord: we acclaim you; You are the eternal Father; All creation worships you. To you all angels, all the powers of heaven, Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise: Holy, holy, holy, Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. The glorious company of apostles praise you. The noble fellowship of prophets praise you. The white-robed army of martyrs praise you. Throughout the world the holy church acclaims you: Father, of majesty unbounded, your true and only Son, worthy of all worship, and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide. You, Christ, are the king of glory, the eternal Son of the Father. When you became man to set us free you did not spurn the Virgin's womb. You overcame the sting of death, and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. You are seated at God's right hand in glory. We believe that you will come, and be our judge. Come then, Lord, and help your people, bought with the price of your own blood, and bring us with your saints to glory everlasting. Many times when people are considering a new job, they ask about the benefits. Is there health insurance, life insurance or some kind of retirement plan in the pay package? God has a benefits package too. It is partially outlined in Psalm 103. God forgives all our sins, heals all our diseases and redeems our life from the pit. He crowns us with love and compassion like a father. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love. He satisfies our desires with good things. He renews our youth like the eagle's. If we are oppressed, he works righteousness and justice for us. He is slow to anger. When he is angry, he won't stay that way forever. He knows how he formed us, that we were made from dust. He knows that our days are short, but he remembers us and loves us forever and ever. For reflection: Let us be thankful today that God made us, that he knows us completely, and that he loves us. Let us pray. Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. (Psalm 103: 1-2) |
AliceI started this website and blog on May 1, 2012. I am a Catholic who has been in ministry for many years. I first developed what I would call a close relationship with Jesus in the early 1970s. Ever since then I have been praying with people for healing and other needs. It is because I have seen so many of these prayers answered that I am so bold as to offer to pray for you individually through this website and phone line. Archives
July 2021
Categories
All
|