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.

June 13, 2024

— Ordinary Time • Week 4 • Day 5

Invitation Deuteronomy 33:12

"Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders."

Quiet

Bible Song Psalm 138:1-3, 6-8

I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart;
before the "gods" I will sing your praise.

I will bow down toward your holy temple
and will praise your name
for your unfailing love and your faithfulness,

for you have so exalted your solemn decree
that it surpasses your fame.

When I called, you answered me;
you greatly emboldened me...

Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly;
though lofty, he sees them from afar.

Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve my life.

You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes;
with your right hand you save me.

The Lord will vindicate me;
your love, Lord, endures forever —
do not abandon the works of your hands.

Bible Reading Galatians 5:1-6

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

Quiet

Dwelling

Remind yourself you are in God's presence and read again ... notice how God might be speaking to you through his Word — dwell on a word or phrase that jumps out at you ... let your heart respond to God in prayer ... take refreshment in God's presence.

Free Prayer

  • for growth in holiness
  • for God to uncover the idols of our hearts
  • for God's forgiveness, and for the readiness to extend it to others

Prayer WC 11.2

Mighty God, remind me today that faith is a verb, an active trust in Jesus. I don't want a coffee-table faith that's mostly display, a Sunday-only faith that's limited piety, or a bookish faith that only lives in my head. Give me a faith that lives and breathes and walks out the door into everyday life, carrying with it joy, peace, and love for all, always trusting in what Jesus has done for me. In his name, amen.

Blessing Philippians 1:11

May you be "filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ — to the glory and praise of God."