Monday in Ordinary Time

Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise. The Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing; and he will show him greater works than these, so that you will be astonished. Indeed, just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whomever he wishes. The Father judges no one but has given all judgment to the Son, so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. Very truly, I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and does not come under judgment, but has passed from death to life.
“Very truly, I tell you, the hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For just as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself; and he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. Do not be astonished at this; for the hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and will come out—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.” John 5:19-29 

Monday in Ordinary Time

Dear God of ordinary and extraordinary times
we face a bright new day and a new week
with hope and dread, sorrows and joys
all our human conditions displayed before us.

We are living in what feel like catastrophic times
the ordinary normal has been lost and forgotten
we cling to flotsam floating by in this storm
and pray that these days of isolation will end soon.

Days have become like weeks and weeks like months
the season is turning yet many will not move on
children will start school without other children
offices remain empty and too many are dying still.

Let us be the light for others in these dark times
let us bear love as gifts and symbols of your presence
help us be strong when there is no life left in us
make us the carriers of your contagious and healing love. Amen