Slow Down

We Sing

Gather your people, O God, here in this time and this place.
As we wait, as we hope, as we long for your coming, O God.

© 2006, Monica Brown. Published by Emmaus Productions
All rights reserved. Used with permission.

We Gather

Word of God, we notice you when we listen to others’ stories. Slow the pace of our lives in this busy season. Slow us down enough so that we have time to be quiet enough to listen, that in the stillness we might hear you call our name. When we hear your voice, may we be ready to say, “Speak, for your servant is listening”. Amen.

We Listen

Matthew 7: 11

Jesus continued, “As bad as you are, you wouldn’t think of such a thing. You’re at least decent to your own children. So don’t you think the God who conceived you in love will be even better?”

We Reflect

God loves to give us good things. The created world testifies to the fact that God loves to pour out good things for us in wonderful, beautiful abundance. The problem is that we are often very bad at accepting these gifts. We rush on in our lives, so intent on the next task to be done that we miss what God yearns to give us.

We Pray

Take time to feel God’s love surrounding you.

We Act

Take time out and do something really nice that you have wanted to do for a long time.

We Bless

We sign ourselves with the sign of our faith as we pray:

May God, Creator, bless us.
May God, Redeemer, heal us.
May the Holy Spirit enlighten us and give us all we need.
Amen.

We Go

Ready the way, ready the way, ready the way of the Lord.
Ready the way, ready the way, ready the way of the Lord.

© 2004, Curtis Stephan. Published by Oregon Catholic Press.
All rights reserved. Used with permission.