- St. John Chrysostom

Let us remember that we are in the holy presence of God.

In the name of the Creator,

the Redeemer and the Sanctifier. Amen!

Day after day we bless you God;

We praise your name for ever,

yes, forever.

Out of your goodness, God,

keep us from harm today.

Blessed are you, God of our ancestors,

worthy are you of praise. Glorious is your name for ever. Amen!

[Early Greek Liturgy]

"Pay close attention now: I'm creating new heavens and a new earth. All the earlier troubles, chaos, and pain are things of the past, to be forgotten. Look ahead with joy. Anticipate what I'm creating: I'll create Jerusalem as sheer joy, create my people as pure delight. I'll take joy in Jerusalem, take delight in my people: No more sounds of weeping in the city, no cries of anguish; No more babies dying in the cradle, or old people who don't enjoy a full lifetime; One-hundredth birthdays will be considered normal– anything less will seem like a cheat. They'll build houses and move in. They'll plant fields and eat what they grow. No more building a house that some outsider takes over, No more planting fields that some enemy confiscates, For my people will be as long-lived as trees, my chosen ones will have satisfaction in their work. They won't work and have nothing come of it, they won't have children snatched out from under them. For they themselves are plantings blessed by GOD, with their children and grandchildren likewise GOD-blessed.

Before they call out, I'll answer. Before they've finished speaking, I'll have heard. Wolf and lamb will graze the same meadow, lion and ox eat straw from the same trough, but snakes--they'll get a diet of dirt! Neither animal nor human will hurt or kill anywhere on my Holy Mountain," says GOD.

Response

Speak comfortably to those entrusted to your care --

tell them that their warfare is ended,

that their iniquity is pardoned.

Cry out to them "Make ready the way of the Lord."

Create a pathway for them in the desert of their lives

where their valleys are raised up

and their mountains are made low,

where their crooked ways are made straight

and their rough places plain.

Then indeed they will see the glory of God

for God has promised this!

[Isaiah 40:1-5, adapted]

Blessed Edmund Rice is a shining example of the fruitfulness of the Christian life when, as St. Paul writes to the Philippians, we "fill our minds with everything that is true, noble, good and pure" (cf Phil, 4:8-9). Here we have an outstanding mode! of a true lay apostle and a deeply committed religious. The love which he first gave to his daughter, blossomed into a host of spiritual and corporal works of mercy, as he helped the clergy of his parish meet the pressing needs of his fellow citizens oppressed by poverty and the weight of anti-Catholic legislation.

The Spirit eventually led him to the total consecration of himself and his companions in the Religious Life.

Today, his spiritual sons, the Christian Brothers and the Presentation Brothers, continue his mission: a mission which he himself described in this simple and clear intention;- "Trusting in God's help, I hope to be able to educate these boys to be good Catholics and good citizens". Who will ever measure all the good that has come from the spiritual insight, warm heart and determined faith of Blessed Edmund Ignatius Rice ? Once more Ireland has given the Church and the world a striking testimony of complete fidelity to Christ: "Keep doing all the things that you have been taught by him...

Then the God of peace will be with you." (cf Phil. 4:9)

                        - Pope John Paul II

... Speak your truth quietly and clearly

and listen to others,

even the dull and ignorant;

they too have their story. ...

Be yourself. ...

Take kindly the counsel of the years,

gracefully surrendering the things of youth. ...

You are a child of the universe,

no less than the trees and the stars;

you have a right to be here,

And whether or not it is clear to you,

no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,

whatever you conceive God to be,

and whatever your labors and aspirations,

in the noisy confusion of life,

keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams,

it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful.

Strive to be happy.

               [Desiderata]

Lord, you are my patience, my strength, my light and my counsel. You guide me in what I have to say to my pupils and/or those I serve each day, and you make them responsive to my words.

Be with them and with me at all times. Give me for their sake a share in the gifts of your Holy Spirit especially wisdom, the wisdom to see you in each face before me this day.

Increase my faith today and give me zeal to be constant in building your kingdom. Accept my daily ministering and prayer as in some small way the continuation of your divine Son’s earthly ministry. I ask this in His name. Amen!