March 14, 2025
Second day of the Festival of Purim
(click here to listen to or read today’s scriptures)
Litany of Humility
If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?
My friend and fellow writer Don Follis shared his early morning Lenten prayer, written by a Catholic cardinal named Rafael Merry del Val in the 19th century. Reading this every day brings us face to face out the standard God sets for us, a standard we cannot reach but must always strive for.
Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord! Hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my voice in supplication.
Sit. Quietly. Listen to the birds, if they are singing in the sunrise. Breathe deeply. Take more than one deep breath. Begin to read aloud in the silence of your space.
Lord Jesus. Meek and humble of heart, Hear me.
   From the desire of being esteemed, Deliver me, Jesus.
   From the desire of being loved, Deliver me, Jesus.
   From the desire of being extolled, Deliver me, Jesus.
   From the desire of being honored, Deliver me, Jesus.
   From the desire of being praised, Deliver me, Jesus.
   From the desire of being preferred to others, Deliver me, Jesus.
   From the desire of being consulted, Deliver me, Jesus.
   From the desire of being approved, Deliver me, Jesus.
   From the fear of being humiliated, Deliver me, Jesus.
   From the fear of being disliked, Deliver me, Jesus.
   From the fear of being rebuked, Deliver me, Jesus.
   From the fear of being criticized, Deliver me, Jesus.
   From the fear of being forgotten, Deliver me, Jesus.
   From the fear of being ridiculed, Deliver me, Jesus.
   From the fear of being lonely, Deliver me, Jesus.
   From the fear of suffering, Deliver me, Jesus …
   From the fear of losing control, Deliver me, Jesus.
  Oh Jesus, help me to put my self-importance aside.
  Oh Jesus, make my heart like yours.
  Oh Jesus, teach me your ways.
  Oh Jesus, deliver me from evil.
Now make the sign of the cross, turn your palms upward and pray:
Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day. Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity. In all that I do, direct me to fulfill your purpose in my life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (From the Book of Common Prayer)
In this way, honoring the humility of Jesus, we move forward through this season of Lent toward our own crucifix, toward our own life after death, toward heaven.
I trust in the LORD;
   my soul trusts in his word.
My soul waits for the LORD
   more than sentinels wait for the dawn.
 (Ezekiel 18, Psalm 130, Ezekiel 18, Matthew 5)
(posted at www.davesandel.net)
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