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.

March 6, 2024

— Lent • Day 19

Invitation Isaiah 6:3

"Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory."

Quiet

Bible Song Psalm 26:1-3, 8-9

Vindicate me, Lord,
for I have led a blameless life;

I have trusted in the Lord
and have not faltered.

Test me, Lord, and try me,
examine my heart and my mind;

for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love
and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness...

Lord, I love the house where you live,
the place where your glory dwells.

Do not take away my soul along with sinners,
my life with those who are bloodthirsty.

Bible Reading John 2:13-22

When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, "Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father's house into a market!" His disciples remembered that it is written: "Zeal for your house will consume me."

The Jews then responded to him, "What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?"

Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days."

They replied, "It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?" But the temple he had spoken of was his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.

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 our national and local communities
  • for the continent of South America
  • for the poor and local poverty issues

Prayer HC 10

Merciful and just God, I rage against the regularity of evil in the world. Thank you that you are a just judge and will punish all such sin, now and in eternity. Yet when the tables get turned, I see how puny my anger is next to yours. And along with justice, I pray for mercy. Forgive me in Jesus' name, amen.

Blessing Psalm 32:1-2

"Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them."