 |
| Praying Communion Antiphon |
A Time Set Apart : Tuesday Fourth Week of Lent
Two Paths Today
Option
1: Lenten Day (Tuesday, Week 4)
Communion Antiphon (cf. Psalm 20:4–5)
O Lord, grant the desires of those who entreat you
and fulfil the prayers of those who hope in you,
so that we, who rejoice in your saving power,
may exult in the name of our God.
Thinking
About the Words
“Grant
the desires of those who entreat you…”
This
is a bold prayer.
It
assumes that the heart is already being shaped by God.
Because not every desire leads to life — but a heart turned toward God begins
to desire what is good.
“Fulfil
the prayers of those who hope in you…”
Hope
is key. This is not demand, but trustful
waiting. The psalm speaks of a
relationship where prayer is offered in confidence that God hears and responds.
“We
rejoice in your saving power…”
The
focus shifts from our desires to God’s action.
Joy comes not simply from receiving what we ask, but from recognising
what God is doing.
Connection
to Lent
Lent
refines our desires.
We
begin by asking for many things,
but gradually our prayer becomes simpler:
“Lord,
shape my heart to desire what leads to life.”
Option
2: Solemnity of St Patrick
For
those celebrating today, the Communion Antiphon (depending on the Mass) often
reflects mission and proclamation.
St
Patrick’s life embodies this line:
God
fulfils the desires of those who hope in Him.
Patrick
desired to return to Ireland — the very place of his captivity — not out of
obligation, but out of mission.
A
Brief Insight into St Patrick
- Once a
slave in Ireland
- Escaped
and returned home
- Then
felt called by God to go back
- Became a
missionary bishop
- Proclaimed
the Gospel with courage and simplicity
His
life shows a beautiful transformation:
From
fear which led to calling. This then led to mission and proclamation
The
Connection Between the Two
The
Psalm says:
“Grant
the desires of those who hope in you.”
St
Patrick shows us what happens when:
- desire
is purified
- hope is
deepened
- and
God’s will becomes our own
His
desire was no longer self-protection, but the salvation of others.
Reflection
- What
desires am I bringing to God at this stage of Lent?
- Are my
desires being shaped by prayer and trust?
- Where
might God be inviting me to hope more deeply?
- Like St
Patrick, am I open to God transforming my desires into mission?
This
is a beautiful day liturgically. Whether
through the quiet unfolding of Lent
or the bold witness of St Patrick, the message is the same:
God
takes the desires of the heart… and transforms them into something life-giving
Prayer
Lord,
shape my desires according to your will.
Teach me to hope in you
and to trust in your saving power.
No comments:
Post a Comment