Providence

Embracing a Common Future

Edmund Rice Christian Brothers

North America

Thursday, 09 August 2007

New Wineskins for New Wine

PROVIDENCE IN GOD IN A TIME OF CHANGE
(a short prayer service on the relationship between providence and security)

ALL: Let us remember that we are in the holy presence of God.
In the name of the Creator, the Redeemer and the Sanctifier. Amen!

Hymn: We Will Drink the Cup
We will drink the cup, we will win the fight:
We will stand against the darkness of the night!
We will run the race, and see God’s face,
And build the kingdom of love!

SCRIPTURE: Psalm on the Journey of Life

God, you are the one who sent your Son
and left him not alone.
Your are with us also because you called us and sent us.
Let us walk with you on our new journey into an unknown future. Jn 8:29

May we have the confidence, the trust of our brother, Jesus,

thanking you God, for hearing us at this time.

We know that you always hear us as you heard Blessed Edmund. Jn 11:42, 43

In love, God, show us all that you are doing.

As we journey as a new province, show us even greater things.

May we wonder at your power. Jn 5:20

We wish we knew you as Jesus does,

for we are from you also

and you have sent us to serve your people, the most needy. Jn 7:29

We have made your name known to many

and will continue to make you known,

so that the love with which you love us may be in them. Jn 17:25, 26

When we meet the cup of suffering

- and from our brothers and congregation it cannot pass -

let us have the faith to embrace it with open hands.

Your will be done, my God. Mt 26:42

Make us one with your command,

that the world may know our love for you,

in the daily deeds of service and compassion,

for to glorify ourselves or our congregation means nothing.

It is you who will glorify us in secret. Jn 14:31

With Jesus we desire to be with you,

For you loved us before the foundation of the world.

Show us your glory one day. Jn 8:54

Adapted From Psalming the New Testament

REFLECTION ON PROVIDENCE

In every one of his endeavors, (the Founder) had his own special way of trusting in Divine providence. If God wanted something to happen, God would provide. "Unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain who build it." (Psalm 127, 1)

There is a very fine line between prudent planning for the future financial welfare of a Province and putting our openness and faith in God’s Providence at risk. This openness to Providence ought to characterize every religious movement. How far can we go before we sever our dependence on God? If we have the capacity to get involved in important apostolic works that challenge us to take an active part in alleviating pain and poverty in our world, the money will come. It is a matter of being in solidarity in a way that goes beyond the tenets and conventional wisdom found in the world of finance. This is only possible if we gave an attitude of detachment and confidence on God.

Brother Benito Arbués, Former General, Marist Brothers

PAUSE

Sharing on the groups reflection and prayer.

RESPONSE BY INDIVIDUALS: A PRAYER FOR ZEAL

1/ Implant within our hearts, O God,

the fiery zeal of a Jeremiah,

the conviction of a Ruth or Rebecca

and the zest of a Francis of Assisi.

2/ Stir our slumbering souls,

that they might sing a song of passion and devotion,

drunk with dancing joy and desire for you,

our divine and loving Friend.

3/ May our hearts be as hot as the heart of Moses

for all your children burdened by slavery,

for all who feel oppression’s steely heel

or suffer rejection in an alien land.

4/ May we, like your son Jesus,

be consumed with zeal for you, Divine Beloved,

for life, for justice and for peace;

for all that we know in faith.

All/ Fill us with zeal, O God.

Amen.

RESPONSE BY THE WHOLE GROUP

            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.

                    (from Desiderata)