Lock Down

Being in lockdown brings its challenges. Some are practical - food, shopping, medicine. Some are financially worrying when we look to the future - can we afford the mortgage, the rent. Others are more fundamental - will I get through this? Will I be well? Will those I love be OK? Loneliness and isolation can bring its challenges, as indeed can being in such close quarters with those around us.

But lockdown can also bring its opportunities, even if we don’t particularly want them! We have time on our hands. So pray. Pray for the people who you know need your prayers. But also go through your life. What do you have to make up for? What is on your conscience? Even if you've been to confession about it, do you still need to add more prayers? And if you haven't been to confession about it, then make a good intention to do so, and say your prayers now. Are there people in the corners of your memory who you need to bring to God? This is the time, while you still have the time. How about a good prayer regime? If there are children around, then pray as a family. Make it realistic. Put them in charge of it. Morning and Evening and before they go to bed (and before you go to bed!).

Let me assure you all that Dom Anselm and Dom Bede, your monks, are offering the Office at the Shrine in Glastonbury, and each day at 7.30am offer their conventual Mass. If you are up, then unite your prayers with ours. We are praying for you. Please pray for us.

My Jesus,
I believe that You are present
in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things,
and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace You as if You were already there
and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You.
Amen.