Noon
Thursday, January 21, 2027
Opening
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Hymn
This is my Father’s world: I rest me in the thought Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas; His hand the wonders wrought.
Maltbie D. Babcock (1858–1901); first published 1901. Public domain.
The reading
Pause in the middle of the day. Read slowly, as if someone were speaking to you.
No Gospel is published for this date.
Joshua 1:6–9
Be strengthened and be steadfast. For you shall divide by lot, to this people, the land about which I swore to their fathers that I would deliver it to them. Therefore, be strengthened and be very steadfast, so that you may observe and accomplish the entire law, which Moses, my servant, instructed to you. You may not turn aside from it to the right, nor to the left. So may you understand all that you should do. The book of this law shall not depart from your mouth. Instead, you shall meditate upon it, day and night, so that you may observe and do all the things that are written in it. Then you shall direct your way and understand it. Behold, I am instructing you. Be strengthened, and be steadfast. Do not dread, and do not fear. For the Lord your God is with you in all things, wherever you may go.”
Reflection
Which word or phrase caught your attention?
What would you like to tell Jesus?
Silence
Rest here for a minute. Let the reading settle.
Psalm
Psalm 121 (120):8
Ant. Guard my comings and goings this afternoon, Lord, and bring me home to you.
May the Lord guard your entrance and your exit, from this time forward and even forever.
Ant. Guard my comings and goings this afternoon, Lord, and bring me home to you.
Today’s lesson from Jesus
The house on the rock
Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and does them shall be compared to a wise man, who built his house upon the rock. And the rains descended, and the floods rose up, and the winds blew, and rushed upon that house, but it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them shall be like a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand. And the rains descended, and the floods rose up, and the winds blew, and rushed upon that house, and it did fall, and great was its ruin.”
Matthew 7:24–27
Where do these words meet your day?
Intentions
Add your own personal intentions
Shared by the community
For Mary and Dewey as they prepare for their upcoming wedding, may the Holy Spirit be with them and help grow their love for one another through Holy Matrimony.
R. Lord, have mercy.
Prayer on Fire intention
Bless the labor of this hour — the seen and the hidden — and let it become a quiet offering.
R. Lord, have mercy.
Prayer on Fire intention
In meetings, errands, and unfinished lists, let us not lose the person; hold us present until the work is love.
R. Lord, have mercy.
Closing
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.
Father, we bring you our work, our worries, and the conversation we are dreading. Go before us into the afternoon. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.