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The Alleluia verse today comes from an incident in Paul's missionary work. At Philippi, Lydia listened to Paul preaching. Luke says: "The Lord opened her heart to accept what Paul was saying." She listened to Paul but the grace of God led her to accept what she heard. She listened to Paul but she heard the word of God and so believed in Jesus.
This Alleluia verse makes a perfect opening prayer for any Bible-sharing session. Whatever we do, we need God's grace and so we pray for the grace to listen with an open heart. We listen not only with our ears but with the heart, the organ of love. Love expresses itself strongly in desire. When we read the Bible under the guidance of this prayer, we should approach the written words not only to understand them but to love the truth more. St John teaches us that Jesus is the Word (Jn 1:1, 14). Hence the Alleluia prayer teaches us to approach the bible, especially as the word of God's Son. Then more deeply, we come to desire to go beyond the written words to get to know Jesus, the Word of God made flesh. We learn to move from study to contemplation, from exegesis to union with Christ.
Open our hearts, O Lord, to listen to the words of Your Son.
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DAILY OFFERING
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Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.
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PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
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INTENTION
That the riches of the created world may be preserved, valued, and made available as God's precious gift to all.
Elaboration
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