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 20, 2025

— Epiphany • Day 46

Invitation Lamentations 3:25-26

"The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord."

Quiet

Bible Song Psalm 48:1-3, 12-14

Great is the Lord, and most worthy of praise,
in the city of our God, his holy mountain.

Beautiful in its loftiness,
the joy of the whole earth,

like the heights of Zaphon is Mount Zion,
the city of the Great King.

God is in her citadels;
he has shown himself to be her fortress...

Walk about Zion, go around her,
count her towers,

consider well her ramparts,
view her citadels,

that you may tell of them
to the next generation.

For this God is our God for ever and ever;
he will be our guide even to the end.

Bible Reading Luke 8:26-33, 38-39

They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, which is across the lake from Galilee. When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don't torture me!" For Jesus had commanded the impure spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary places.

Jesus asked him, "What is your name?"

"Legion," he replied, because many demons had gone into him. And they begged Jesus repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss.

A large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside. The demons begged Jesus to let them go into the pigs, and he gave them permission. When the demons came out of the man, they went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned...

The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, "Return home and tell how much God has done for you." So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.

Quiet

Dwelling

Leisurely read again ... is there a word or idea that stirred within you? Linger over it and give it your attention ... is there something about the reading you'd like to ask God about? Pray your life to God ... take a moment to rest in God's presence.

Free Prayer

  • for governments, leaders, and the needs of our world
  • for the continent of Europe
  • for international crises

Prayer CD 5.4

Holy God, sometimes the slow, seductive power of evil overpowers me and vandalizes all of your good. I think indulging a proud attitude or a selfish act to be harmless, when I'm actually under the influence of the evil one. Preserve and strengthen me in your demon-destroying power, and never let me stray from the leading of grace. Amen.

Blessing Psalm 33:22

"May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you."