Thursday in the Eleventh Week of Ordinary Time

We pray through Thursday of the eleventh week in ordinary time and listen to Saint Cyprian unpack the Lord’s Prayer with a sharp focus on daily bread and daily mercy. We connect the Eucharist to spiritual life and face the daily need for repentance so we can remain close to Christ in grace. 
• opening prayers and offering of the day’s work, joys, and sufferings 
• Saint Cyprian’s reading on “give us this day our daily bread” in both literal and spiritual senses 
• Christ as the bread of life and the Eucharist as the food of salvation 
• the danger of serious sin leading to abstaining from communion and separation from Christ 
• “forgive us our trespasses” as a daily reminder that we sin and need God’s mercy 
• 1 John on self-deception, confession, and God’s faithful forgiveness 
• closing prayers for grace, perseverance, and entrustment through the heart of Mary 
If you found this time of prayer and reflection fruitful and would like more opportunities to grow in your faith, consider joining the Cristeros and purchasing our publications now available on Amazon.com. The Cristeros app is available on the Apple app and Google Play Store. More information on the Cristeros can be found at the Cristeros.org. 

Transcript

Opening Prayers And Intentions

SPEAKER_00 0:02

Thursday, in the eleventh week of ordinary time. In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. O God, come to my assistance. O Lord, make haste to help me. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. O my Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer you my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of this day, in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world, for the remission of my sins, for the intentions of my family and friends, and in particular, for the intentions of the Holy Father. Amen.

Saint Cyprian On Daily Bread

SPEAKER_00 0:43

From a treatise on the Lord's Prayer by Saint Cyprian, Bishop and Martyr. As the Lord's Prayer continues, we ask, give us this day our daily bread. We can understand this petition in a spiritual and in a literal sense. For in the divine path, both senses may help towards our salvation. For Christ is the bread of life. This bread does not belong to everyone, but it is ours alone. When we say our Father, we understand that He is the Father of those who know Him and believe in Him. In the same way we speak of our daily bread, because Christ is the bread of those who touch His body.

Eucharist As Food Of Salvation

SPEAKER_00 1:19

Now we who live in Christ and receive His Eucharist, the food of salvation, ask for this bread to be given us every day. Otherwise we may be forced to abstain from this communion because of some serious sin. In this way we shall be separated from the body of Christ, as he taught us in the words, I am the bread of life, which has come down from heaven. Anyone who eats my bread will live forever, and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world. Christ is saying, then, that anyone who eats his bread will live forever. Clearly they possess life who approach his body and share in the Eucharistic communion. For this reason we should be apprehensive and pray that no one has to abstain from this communion, lest he be separated from the body of Christ and be far from salvation. Christ has warned of this if you do not eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you will have no life within you. We pray for our daily bread, Christ, to be given to us. With his help, we who live and abide in him will never be separated from his body and his grace.

Forgiveness As A Daily Need

SPEAKER_00 2:26

After this, we ask pardon for our sins. In the words, and forgive us our trespasses. The gift of bread is followed by a prayer for forgiveness, to be reminded that we are sinners and forced to ask forgiveness for our faults is prudent and sound. Even while we are asking God's forgiveness, our hearts are aware of our state. This command to pray daily for our sins reminds us that we commit sin every day. No one should complacently think himself innocent, lest his pride lead to further sin. Such is the warning that John gives us in his letter. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, the Lord is faithful and just and will forgive our sins. His letter includes both points, that we should beg forgiveness for our sins, and that we receive pardon when we do. He calls the Lord faithful, because he remains loyal to his promise by forgiving our sins. He both taught us to pray for our sins and our faults, and also promised to show us a Father's mercy and forgiveness. In you, Lord, is my hope, and I shall never hope in vain, for you are my rock and my fortress. For your name's sake, lead and guide me. Look at my misery and suffering, and forgive all my sins. For your name's sake, lead and guide me.

Closing Prayer And Blessing

SPEAKER_00 3:55

O God, strength of those who have hope in you. Graciously hear our pleas, and since without you mortal frailty can do nothing, grant us always the help of your grace, that in following your commands we may please you by our resolve and our deeds. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen. All that I have, and all that I am, I give to your hands, Jesus, through the heart of Mary, your blessed mother. Amen. Sacred heart of Jesus, have mercy on us. Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Invitation To Join Cristeros

SPEAKER_00 4:38

If you found this time of prayer and reflection fruitful and would like more opportunities to grow in your faith, consider joining the Cristeros and purchasing our publications now available on Amazon.com. The Cristeros app is available on the Apple app and Google Play Store. More information on the Cristeros can be found at the Cristeros.org.