For our Sunday reflection we have pleasure in presenting a series of prayers reflecting on the Gifts and the Fruits of the Holy Spirit that have been adapted from a recent series presented in the Daily Prayer in the Classroom program published by the the Catholic Education Office, Parramatta.

Prayer Text:

Let us direct our prayer today to God, Our Father,
the Creator of Life, the Universe and Everything.

Oh Father in Heaven and at the centre of our souls,
we remember today your Apostle, James,
who trod the stony pathways in ancient Spain -
bringing the Good News of your Son, Jesus, to the world.

James understood what piety was.
Teach us to understand what piety is.

Teach us that it's not some sickly sweet obsequiousness engaged in
by people trying to curry favour with people in positions of power, like yourself.

Teach us that piety is the ability to discern between
those things in life which are sacred,
and which need to be revered, and held as precious, because they are sacred,
and those things which are not sacred and can be handled in more profane ways.

Father, through your Holy Spirit, teach us your Wisdom, your Understanding,
your good Counsel, your Fortitude and your Knowledge,
so that we might learn piety -
the ability to discern between the sacred and the profane.

We ask for these, the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, through Jesus Christ, Our Lord, Amen

*This reflection was originally published on the Feast Day of St James, Apostle

©2007 Catholica Australia

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