Seeking God's Face is a daily, contemplative devotional — rooted in the ancient traditions of the Divine Office and "lectio divina" — guiding you to renewed communion with God through sacred Scripture and universal prayer.

February 15, 2025

— Epiphany • Day 41

Invitation Psalm 68:19-20

"Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death."

Quiet

Bible Song Psalm 43

Vindicate me, my God,
and plead my cause
against an unfaithful nation.

Rescue me from those who are
deceitful and wicked.

You are God my stronghold.
Why have you rejected me?

Why must I go about mourning,
oppressed by the enemy?

Send me your light and your faithful care,
let them lead me;

let them bring me to your holy mountain,
to the place where you dwell.

Then I will go to the altar of God,
to God, my joy and my delight.

I will praise you with the lyre,
O God, my God.

Why, my soul, are you downcast?
Why so disturbed within me?

Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.

Bible Reading Mark 3:20-30

Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, "He is out of his mind."

And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, "He is possessed by Beelzebul! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons."

So Jesus called them over to him and began to speak to them in parables: "How can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come. In fact, no one can enter a strong man's house without first tying him up. Then he can plunder the strong man's house. Truly I tell you, people will be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin."

He said this because they were saying, "He has an impure spirit."

Quiet

Dwelling

Read again slowly ... find a word or phrase that catches your eye or moves your heart ... slowly repeat it ... pray your thoughts, desires, needs, and feelings from your meditation ... enjoy the presence of your Lord and Savior.

Free Prayer

  • for the Christlike ability to deny ourselves and serve others
  • for the commitment to do justice and show mercy
  • for those who mourn a death, and those who minister to them

Prayer BC 28

Living truth, how easily I fail to discern good from evil, not recognizing the true source of things. Empower me by your Holy Spirit to see clearly, judge rightly, and speak truly, so that your name may be glorified in all I think, do, and say. In Jesus' name, amen.

Blessing Jeremiah 31:3

"I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness."