Monday, July 10, 2017

A Powerful Prayer for God's Protection

Photograph by Loci B. Lenar







































An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. - Luke 22:43


Psalm 91

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

They say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."

Surely he will save you
from the fowler's snare
and from the deadly pestilence.

He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.

A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.

You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.
If you say, "The LORD is my refuge,"
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.

For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

"Because they love me," says the LORD, "I will rescue them;
I will protect them, for they acknowledge my name.
They will call on me, and I will answer them;
I will be with them in trouble,
I will deliver them and honor them.
With long life I will satisfy them
and show them my salvation."

If you examine the photograph closely, sunlight is creating a beautiful and interesting reflection of Jesus on the right side of the window.

The reflection gives the appearance of a helmet being worn by Jesus and reminds us of the following scripture: "Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." (Ephesians 6:14-17)

The stained glass window can be seen inside Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church, Boonton, New Jersey, USA.

Photograph Copyright Loci B. Lenar



Sunday, July 09, 2017

A Harmonious Unity

Our World, in the heart and mind of God, is the "house of harmony and peace,"...it is the space in which everyone is able to find their proper place and feel "at home," because it is "good." All of creation forms a harmonious and good unity, but above all humanity, made in the image and likeness of God, is one family, in which relationships are marked by a true fraternity not only in words: the other person is a brother or sister to love, and our relationship with God, who is love, fidelity and goodness, mirrors every human relationship and brings harmony to the whole of creation.  -Pope Francis

Vigil of Prayer for Peace, St. Peter's Square
Saturday, September 7, 2013

Published in Caring for Creation: Inspiring Words from Pope Francis

Shop.FranciscanMedia.org

Photo credit: Catholic Church (England and Wales) Pope Francis via photopin (license)