But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree; and he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am no better than my fathers.”
And he lay down and slept under a broom tree; and behold, an angel touched him, and said to him, “Arise and eat.”
And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank, and lay down again.
And the angel of the LORD came again a second time, and touched him, and said, “Arise and eat, else the journey will be too great for you.”
And he arose, and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb the mount of God.
1 Kings 19: 4-8

God send these angels to me in my hours of need.
And let me be such an angel to others when their turn comes.

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Oh, restore me to health and make me live!
Isa 38: 16

My spirit has taken such a battering. There is so much suffering with no end in sight. But I know, in spite of that, that there is a spark somewhere, waiting for me and it to connect.
Lord, bring on the day when that spark will light the fire that will make me fully alive. May that day come, and come soon.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,
For he has made known to us in all wisdom and insight the mystery of his will, according to his purpose which he set forth in Christ
as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
Eph 1: 3, 9-10

We know that ultimately God will gather us all together yet we don’t know it too. We want the earth and all that is in it to be healed but can’t see how it can or will possibly work out. It’s beyond our understanding. Step up, faith. In spite of doubts and incomprehension, faith will see us through, get us over the rough patches that seem so hopeless … hopeless, but only for a time: we have God’s promise, through Jesus.
Dear God, let me glimpse the promise of future things by showering me with your loving kindness whenever sadness envelops me.

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few;
pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
Matt 10: 36-38

Jesus was alert to the crowds and knew many there were troubled. How often do we not give a thought to those with whom we come into contact? We don’t stop to spend the time. People can look fine because that’s the mask they’re wearing. They could be putting on a brave face when they’re troubled by physical or mental illness, family problems, unemployment, money problems, the list could go on. We are the labourers who are meant to be caring for each other, yet so often we’re blind to the need about us.
God grant us the gift of attentiveness to others so that we know when to show your compassion to those with heavy hearts.

And on the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue; and many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get all this? What is the wisdom given to him? What mighty works are wrought by his hands!
Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.
And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.”
Mk 6: 2-4

It feels so lonely to be part of a dysfunctional family, especially when you’re the one who is the outsider. It feels like you’re unique, the only one to feel like this, to experience this level of rejection. And yet, there are many of us. No, I don’t meet such people every day – thank God! – but there are more than enough around. We are loved by friends, valued by work colleagues, sought out for what we’re able to contribute in various ways, in various places and organisations. Yet those who should love and value us most don’t honour us. As Mark tells us, Jesus has experienced this scorn.
Pray that the equanimity of Jesus may descend on us and alleviate our woundedness.

And as he sat at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples.
And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.
Matt 9: 10-12

Once upon a time I followed the Catholic line, but not any more. Why is the Eucharist held out as a reward for the good rather than food for the starving? Those whose path in life is less than smooth – gay, divorced (and remarried!), striving for Christian unity – do not these need the strength of the Eucharist more than most, rather then less?
Dear Lord, satisfy the needs of those who hunger after you, as you promised.

You satisfy the hungry heart with gift of finest wheat,
Come give to us, O saving Lord, the bread of life to eat.
Music and lyrics by Robert E. Kreutz

Arise, cry out in the night,
at the beginning of the watches!
Pour out your heart like water
before the presence of the Lord!
Lift your hands to him
for the lives of your children
Lam 2: 19

God is there to bind the wounds when we pour out our distress at whatever is troubling us. It doesn’t always seem like it though. Like me starting at the gym to try to get fit, it’s all pain and no gain for what seems like so long. It takes time and hanging in there, keeping on keeping on. God is there for the long haul, not the quick fix.
God grant me patience and perseverance during the time it takes to heal my broken heart.