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.

November 13, 2023

— Ordinary Time • Week 25 • Day 2

Invitation Matthew 11:28

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

Quiet

Bible Song Psalm 124

If the Lord had not been on our side —
let Israel say —

if the Lord had not been on our side
when people attacked us,

they would have swallowed us alive
when their anger flared against us;

the flood would have engulfed us,
the torrent would have swept over us,

the raging waters
would have swept us away.

Praise be to the Lord,
who has not let us be torn by their teeth.

We have escaped like a bird
from the fowler's snare;

the snare has been broken,
and we have escaped.

Our help is in the name of the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

Bible Reading Isaiah 6:1-8

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another:

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

At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.

"Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty."

Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, "See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for."

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?"

And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"

Quiet

Dwelling

Read again, perhaps out loud ... how has God's Word moved you? Ponder and meditate what has connected with your heart or mind ... pray to God what it is that has moved you today ... turn your thoughts to God and quietly enjoy being with him.

Free Prayer

  • for our role as caretakers of creation
  • for wise stewardship of our physical resources
  • for our commitment to reduce, reuse, and recycle

Prayer HC 14/15

High and exalted God, your holiness crushes my pride and pretense, and I cry, "Woe is me." Thank you for Jesus, the cleansing fire from your heavenly altar who takes away my guilt so I may hear your call. Amen.

Blessing Psalm 119:41

"May your unfailing love come to me, Lord, your salvation, according to your promise."