"We are travellers…not yet in our native land" – St. Augustine
Since we’ve got a lot of martyrs this week, rather than simply repeat the Prokeimenon and Alleluia of the martyrs which I’ve used for the past two days (because that’d be far too easy!), we’re going to do using the changeable parts based on the day of the week. Since tomorrow is Wednesday, they’ll come from the section on the Holy Cross…
Troparion (Tone 4)
Prokeimenon (Tone 7)
Alleluia (Tone 1)
One of the books I read during my sabbatical was Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence, a lay Carmelite who inspired so many people by his simple, practical approach to spirituality, which focuses on always being mindful of God, even throughout everyday tasks, such as doing the washing up.
Yesterday my sabbatical ended and I start back at work. Inspired by this Carmelite’s book, I’ve decided that I’m going to begin each workday with the prayer which Brother Lawrence mentions in the book:
Before beginning any task I would say to God, with childlike trust:
“O God, since You are with me, and it is Your will that I must now apply myself to these outward duties, I beg You, assist me with Your grace that I may continue in Your Presence; and to this end, O Lord, be with me in this my work, accept the labour of my hands, and dwell within my heart with all Your Fullness”
– Brother Lawrence, Practice of the Presence of God