Birthday prayer – 11

Tearing away the veil of darkness   the day dawns with joyful notes in the air and in the hearts of everyone gathered in your loving presence Lord. Every flower that blooms and spreads fragrance today sings the melody of your praises.  The smoke of the incense rises before you Lord, with our hearts, minds and all our whole being in humble adoration and worship. As the heavens rays call the nature to rise with songs of joy and happiness in a celebrative mood we come to you with hearts full of joy and gratitude we perform these Arathy.  

                           THE SKIT

               One day a guru called his three disciples to him, gave an egg each and said “Take it and keep it with you, and do with it whatever you want but I also will be happy if you a come and report to me what you with it”. The first one went home but had no thought of the egg at all, so as he moved about the egg in his hands dropped and smashed on the floor.( he comes and reports  everything to the guru).The second one was careful also eager to do something about the egg. So he placed it in a corner but eventually he had forgotten about it. As a result the egg got rotten and gave out foul smell.( he too comes back and  reports).

               The third one was eager and interested in the egg. He was careful and kept it under the protective wings of the brooding hen. The long period of incubation made the egg warm. At the peak of the unique process the egg broke up and brought forth a lovely chick. The egg broke up and lost its identity in order to create a new life.

              Days and months passed but third one had not yet returned. Therefore the guru sent for him. When the disciple returned to the Guru he  said to him,’

“Forgive me my Lord for my delay I could  find no time to return immediately, But now I am very glad to tell you what happened to that egg which you have given to me. I was extremely happy to see the new life coming forth from that small egg. What a marvelous thing it is!” Then the guru replied with joy “ this is what I wanted you all to learn, an egg is a symbol of new life, a wonder of God’s creation, when its shells are broken its shape is destroyed and a new life emerges. Yet, it is not so simple thing as it appears to be, but involves along process of much care and patience.” The Guru continued,

                           * How good to know as I know/do

                             That God is watching over you

                   And each day & moment too

                             His love is always guiding you*

Yes dear sisters, Life is a journey we are always on the road, each birth day is a milestone greeting us and inviting us to celebrate the priceless gift of life and it calls to reaffirm  and re-experience the warmth and the goodness of the Lord. This  day also soberly reminds us the unfinished tasks and how far we still have to go. As we pause for s while we acknowledge our disappointments and regrets while appreciating how far we have come. This day is also a splendid time to clear our vision to take stalk of our vision and to refresh our dreams as we set out  once more on the journey.

               Sometimes we have been exhausted  on the road worn out and weary we may fear to enter the next year or  we rush into this new year with enthusiasm

And eagerness excited about the possibilities to growth and happiness or we may meet this new year with deep contentment and peace of heart  full of gratitude for the years gone by that was so full of God’s abundant love and mercy.

             Dear Sr….. This is the day the Author of your life wrote you into history specially ordained your unique place in the universe. This day puts forth before you a wonderful opportunity to renew-rejuvenate and rejoice.   

St. Rose of Leema lived a life of penance and mysticism, she remains always an example for holiness  and  integrated life. We pray that she may continue to be your  guide and model as you progress in your life journey.

Hymn;   'Tis so sweet 

Dear sister we thank and appreciate all that you are to us and all the joys, happiness and God’s concern which you share with us generously. Dear sister you are a blessing to us. We appreciate your kindness to the entire community member, students of theology and formation & working staff of this institute and all the good things you do to show us what a beautiful person you are. Like a mother your presence in the house is a blessing. You give yourself so silently that only when we approach you do we know how kind you are. We thank you and we thank God for you and for all that you are to each one of us. Now let us join silently as sister prays.

THE PSALM

Thank You father ,for the gift of life, for this undeserved grace I receive constantly. Thank you for this marvelous secret, this most precious of gifts which I take for granted.

          Thank you for the year of life I have had and for the years or moments that you will still give me on this earth. All the beauty I have seen ,all the love I have received and given, all the things I have been able to do.

         

What more has your love prepared for me? What marvels of your tender mercy are still hidden from my sight?  You invite me to trust you in the future, and to expect still greater gifts from you.

          My  Birthday reminds me of the greatness of your love the goodness of my dear ones, and the fleeting pace of life.        

           ( dear sisters I invite you all to fold your fingers together and as we call out the names of the fingers, kindly unfold them one by one slowly, praying for various intention)