Monday 1 June

Today is Monday the 1 June, in the Ninth Week of Ordinary Time.

  The monks of Pluscarden Abbey sing Domine praevenisti eum. ‘Lord, you advanced to meet him with rich blessings. You have placed a crown of precious stones on his head.’ As I listen, can I ponder for a moment the blessings the Lord bestows on me, all the things for which I want to give thanks to God?  

Today’s reading is from the Second Letter of Peter.  

2 Peter 1:2-7 [JB]

May you have more and more grace and peace as you come to know our Lord more and more. By his divine power, he has given us all the things that we need for life and for true devotion, bringing us to know God himself, who has called us by his own glory and goodness. In making these gifts, he has given us the guarantee of something very great and wonderful to come: through them you will be able to share the divine nature and to escape corruption in a world that is sunk in vice.   But to attain this, you will have to do your utmost yourselves, adding goodness to the faith that you have, to your goodness, understanding; to your understanding, self-control; to your self-control, patience; to your patience, true devotion; to your devotion, kindness towards your fellow men and women; and to this kindness, love.  

The reading speaks of the gifts that God has given us.  Take a moment to ask God to show you some of the gifts in your life – of friends or family or situations or personal gifts, all the things that bring you life, energy and lightness of heart.

As you consider these gifts, ponder how they can help you to come closer to God, how they offer you opportunities for faith, generosity, patience or love.

Listen again to the reading. As you listen, notice if there is a particular gift that you desire, or one that particularly appeals to you.

Take a few moments now to talk to God as you might to a friend, giving thanks for the gifts in your life and asking for what you desire as you come to know God himself.  

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end.  Amen.