Divine Challenger

“When will you decide to truly listen?
How long will it take for you to forgive?
Have you considered being patient?
Are you judging that person fairly?
Does your honesty help or hurt?
What will it take for you to trust?
When will you cease your deception?
Do you know that I care about you?”
Ah, in so many ways you challenge us
Because you believe in who we can be.

Today : I follow through on a divine challenge.

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This excerpt from Fragments of your Ancient Name by Joyce Rupp is reprinted with permission of the publisher, Ave Maria Press.

One Who Weeps

Anselm Grün

Scripture tells twice of your weeping,
But undoubtedly there were other times
Besides your tears for a friend entombed
And a heartless city swept up in selfishness.
Surely your tender tears continue to emerge
As you look upon this hurting planet today.
Tears for children who are brutally betrayed
And every person’s wrenching desolation,
Tears for the world’s greed and plunder
And the careless way we treat one another.

Today : I renew my endeavor to be compassionate.

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This excerpt from Fragments of your Ancient Name by Joyce Rupp is reprinted with permission of the publisher, Ave Maria Press.

Christ

Mark 1:1–11

You are the Christ, the Anointed One,
Baptized in the Jordan by your cousin,
Hearing the beautiful word “Beloved”
Spoken of you by the divine Father.
What happened in the depths of yourself
When you heard such immense love
In that blessed moment of naming?
Did this designation awaken and stir in you
A desire to give your life in devoted service?
Did you know what a gift you would be?

Today : I do everything in a spirit of loving service.

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This excerpt from Fragments of your Ancient Name by Joyce Rupp is reprinted with permission of the publisher, Ave Maria Press.

Mother of the Weary

When we are worn from a day’s work
Or bent beneath our suffering,
When we absorb the pain of another
Or tire from trying to do better,
When we are fatigued from reaching out
Or lose the strength to resist injustice,
You wrap your spacious maternal arms
Around our tiredness and affliction.
You cradle us with infinite compassion
And rock us gently with your love.

Today : I rest in the arms of the Mother.

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This excerpt from Fragments of your Ancient Name by Joyce Rupp is reprinted with permission of the publisher, Ave Maria Press.

The Subtle One

The Qur’an

Rarely do you communicate with us
Through exciting, burning-bush scenes.
Rather, you show up in our lives
In hushed, unobtrusive visitations,
lowly penetrating our ordinariness
Like the quiet melting of spring snow.
Continue to teach us how near you are,
To trust in this truth although we do not see.
To love you, although we do not feel.
To speak with you, although we do not hear.

Today : I do not need a burning bush.

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This excerpt from Fragments of your Ancient Name by Joyce Rupp is reprinted with permission of the publisher, Ave Maria Press.

Silent Sentinel of My Soul

How closely you watch with me,
Silent in your careful observation,
Generous with your constant regard.
As vigilant as a night sentry on duty
Guarding prized treasures in a vault,
As careful as a concerned parent
Overseeing explorations of the child,
As quietly as the doting mother bird
Resting in the nest with her newborn,
So is your attentiveness to my soul.

Today : The Silent Sentinel guards my soul.

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This excerpt from Fragments of your Ancient Name by Joyce Rupp is reprinted with permission of the publisher, Ave Maria Press.

Healer

Psalm 107:17–22

We look to you for graceful balm,
Your medicine for our interior life.
Reach toward our old heartaches.
Help us to end what causes distress,
To release what stunts our growth
In becoming all we are meant to be.
Show us our troublesome blind spots
So we are not secretly ruled by them.
Touch the soreness of our spirit
And heal us of our inner ailments.

Today : I bring what hurts in me to the Healer.

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This excerpt from Fragments of your Ancient Name by Joyce Rupp is reprinted with permission of the publisher, Ave Maria Press.

Consoler

2 Corinthians 1:3–4

You remain our core consolation
When depression digs deeply
Into the remains of our energy,
When loss obliterates our joy
And emptiness predominates,
When turmoil rules our mind
Or disappointment engulfs us.
You are a gentle touch of kindness,
A soothing word of genuine support,
A strengthening hug of sympathy.

Today : I bring what hurts in me to the Healer.

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This excerpt from Fragments of your Ancient Name by Joyce Rupp is reprinted with permission of the publisher, Ave Maria Press.

Deliverer

Psalm 18:16–19

Deliver us
From restless anxiety and impatience,
From the desire to dominate others,
From disregard for those in need,
From seeking to be the perfect one,
From destructive, gossiping words,
From immersion in selfish ambition,
From self-pity and self-doubt,
From intolerance of others’ faults,
From all that attempts to destroy love.

Today : I pray for my deliverance.

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Mother Hen

Matthew 23:37

Like a Mother Hen with chicks
You attentively care for us,
Gathering us under your wing,
Feeding us with wisdom,
Protecting us from harm,
Nursing our wounds,
Teaching us responsibility,
Leading us on the way,
Expecting us to follow,
Trusting us to grow up.

Today : I find a home under Mother Hen’s wing

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This excerpt from Fragments of your Ancient Name by Joyce Rupp is reprinted with permission of the publisher, Ave Maria Press.