Praying the Communion Antiphon Series: Monday of Holy Week

 Praying the Communion Antiphon Series

Praying the Communion Antiphon 

A Time Set Apart: Monday of Holy Week

Do Not Hide Your Face

Communion Antiphon (Psalm 102:3)
Do not hide your face from me in the day of my distress.
Turn your ear toward me; on the day when I call, speedily answer me.

 

Thinking About the Words

“Do not hide your face from me…”

This is a deeply relational prayer.

In Scripture, the face of God means:

• presence
• closeness
• favour

So, this is not just about help. It is about not being abandoned.

“In the day of my distress…”

Again, we hear this word — distress.

 now it becomes more personal.

This is not just pressure or suffering.

It is the fear that in that suffering, God might feel distant.

 

“Turn your ear toward me…”

The prayer becomes more urgent.  It is not enough that God exists.

The heart longs to know:Is He listening?
Is He near?

“Speedily answer me.”

This is very human. When we are in distress, we do not want delay.

We want:

• response
• reassurance
• presence

 

A Deeper Insight

Now, in Holy Week, this takes on a profound meaning.

This is not only our prayer.

This becomes the prayer of Christ.

On the Cross, Jesus will pray:

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

So this antiphon allows us to enter into that space:

The place where distress meets trust.

 

Connection to the Gospel

Today’s Gospel (John 12:1–11): Mary anoints Jesus. It is a moment of:

• tenderness
• devotion
• love

And yet, underneath, Jesus says:

“She has kept this for the day of my burial.”

So, while the Gospel shows love poured out, the antiphon reveals what lies ahead:

distress… and the cry for the Father’s presence

Holding Both Together

This is the beauty of Holy Week:

• Love is present
• Devotion is real
• Suffering is approaching

And in that tension, we hear the prayer:

“Do not hide your face…”

 

At Communion

As we receive the Eucharist:

We receive the One who:

• will enter this distress fully
• will cry out to the Father
• and will remain in trust

 

Reflection (Keep it Gentle Today)

• Where do I feel God’s face is hidden from me?
• Can I bring that honestly into prayer?
• Do I trust that God is listening, even in silence?
• How can I remain close to Christ this Holy Week?

 

Prayer

Lord,
when I am in distress,
do not hide your face from me.
Turn your ear toward me
and draw me close to you.

 

Personal Note:  I have been sick this past week and still not well.  Sorry for the late posting.