The Collect for the Eighth Week of Ordinary Time:
[During Ordinary Time, the masses during the week use the same collect as the previous Sunday]“Grant us, O Lord, we pray, that the course of our world may be directed by your peaceful rule and that your Church may rejoice, untroubled in her devotion. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.”
Reflection
Our prayer this week is a straightforward request for peace and tranquility. It’s interesting that we ask the course of the world to be directed by God. In one sense, it is always directed by God’s providence. When looked at from the other side however, this can also be seen as a prayer for the world (us) to let itself be directed by God’s peace. Often enough, this is not the case and the Church’s devotion is interrupted by war and violence. Thus, this prayer is always timely and necessary.
So, for your daily contribution to the Church’s collection of prayer,
Consider how well you let God direct your life. Is your influence on the world, however great or small, an instrument of God’s peaceful reign? Pray especially for the grace of prudence to let God’s rule work through you. Then spiritually unite that prayer to all the Masses throughout the world today. That way, when the priest says “Let us pray,” you can be a part of that “us” even if you don’t get to attend Mass.