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 17, 2024

Ordinary Time • Week 27 • Day 1

Invitation Psalm 67:4

"May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples with equity and guide the nations of the earth."

Quiet

Bible Song Psalm 137:1-4, 7-9

By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept
when we remembered Zion.

There on the poplars
we hung our harps,

for there our captors asked us for songs,
our tormentors demanded songs of joy;
they said, "Sing us one of the songs of Zion!"

How can we sing the songs of the Lord
while in a foreign land? ...

Remember, Lord, what the Edomites did
on the day Jerusalem fell.

"Tear it down," they cried,
"tear it down to its foundations!"

Daughter Babylon, doomed to destruction,
happy is the one who repays you
according to what you have done to us.

Happy is the one who seizes your infants
and dashes them against the rocks.

Bible Reading Ezekiel 2:1-5

He said to me, "Son of man, stand up on your feet and I will speak to you." As he spoke, the Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet, and I heard him speaking to me.

He said: "Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against me; they and their ancestors have been in revolt against me to this very day. The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn. Say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says.' And whether they listen or fail to listen — for they are a rebellious people — they will know that a prophet has been among them."

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 the risen Jesus to dwell in your heart
  • for spiritual renewal and refreshment

The Lord's Prayer

Prayer BC 3

Revealing God, thank you for the no-nonsense prophets you sent to deliver your word to stiff-necked people. I too often avoid the claims of your Word, obstinate to your ways of grace. Invade my life with searching prophetic truth that cuts to the core and calls me to so much more of your life. Amen.

Blessing Psalm 67:1-2

"May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine on us — so that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations."