Thomas Aquinas College:
Santa Paula, California
Opening Prayer
You, O Lord, will keep me from all evil; You will preserve my soul. You will watch over my coming and going from this time forth and forevermore. -Psalm 121: 7-8 (silent reflection) Prayer of the Bible The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers. Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully. He will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob. -Psalm 24:1-6 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of Sin Forgive me when I desert you, the Rock who begot me, and forget you, the God who gave me birth -Deuteronomy 32:18 (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of Jesus And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. -Mark 1: 23-26 (Think deeply on these life-giving words of Jesus) Prayers for Ourselves and Others Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. -Romans 8:26 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing Prayer I thank You, O God, for Your care and protection this day, keeping me from physical harm and spiritual corruption. I now place the work of the day into your hands, trusting that You will redeem my errors, and turn my achievements to Your glory. And I now ask You to work within me, trusting that You will use the hours of rest to create in me a new heart and new soul…Let me rest tonight in Your arms, and so may my dreams that pass through my mind be holy. And let me awake tomorrow, strong and eager to serve You. Amen -Jacob Boehme (1757-1624) 
Assisi, Italy
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