peoplejourneys

“Many are the troubles of the just man, but out of them all, the Lord delivers him!”

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Keep safe and keep well friends. And most importantly, remember that our Lord is always with us and will never abandon us.

My mom sent me these short stories this morning, and in light of #COVID19 # anxiety, I thought that you would find them as encouraging and uplifting as I did!

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Lord, you call us to your service and continue your saving work among us. May your Love never abandon us, give strength and protection to those serving the sick, mercy for the poor and suffering, and grace for ourselves and families during these difficult days. We ask all this, through Christ our Lord, who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever, Amen.

Fear has gripped the very best us during these uncertain times. COVID-19 has wrought havoc, not only in our lives as we know it, but in our minds and dispositions. And yet, amidst all the uncertainty, fear and doubt, we are blessed by the words of our Lord, who assures us of His presence and His love, in these trying times.

The following reading has been taken from the 2nd reading, treatise on Flight, from the World by Saint Ambrose, bishop (Saturday, Office of Readings,page 203, Lenten edition, the Liturgy of the Hours.)

“Hold fast to God, the one true good”

“Where a mans heart is, there is his treasure also…God is not accustomed to refusing a good gift to those who ask for one. Since He is good, and especially to those who are faithful to him, let us hold fast to Him with all our soul, our heart, our strength, and so enjoy his light and see his glory and posses the grace to supernatural joy.

Let us reach out with our hearts to possess that good, let us exist in it and live in it, let us hold fast to it, that good which is beyond all we can know, or see and is marked by perpetual peace and tranquility, a peace which is beyond all we can know or understand.”

Thank you Lord, for reminding us that nothing is greater than your love for us. Thank you for reminding us that your good, will carry us through the the uncertainties that lie ahead.

Found my joy again last week at the Australian Workplace Learning Conference where I met “my tribe” of likeminded L&D professionals who like me, came out of this knowledge filled, enlightening two days, revitalised, inspired and renewed in our purpose of enabling and facilitating learning in the workplace.

Here is an excerpt taken from my Lauds prayers morning, which captures the joy and love in my heart for being able to come back to L&D, and the People space.

“I will remember the works of the Lord. I will remember your wonders, from the beginning.

I will ponder on all you have done,

think deeply through all your great deeds.”

JOHN 15:1-8

Jesus said to his disciples: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and everyone that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit. You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you. Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.”

PSALMS OF THE DAY

Psalm 118(119): 9-16

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

How will the young retain purity?

By obeying your word.

Wholeheartedly I have sought you:

do not let me stray from your commandments.

I have treasured your promise in my heart

so as not to sin against you.

Blessed are you, O Lord:

teach me your judgements.

My lips have counted

all the rulings your mouth has spoken.

I delight in following your decrees,

uncountable riches.

I shall strive to follow your commands

and to contemplate your ways.

I shall delight in your judgements:

I shall not forget your words.

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.