Feast of Mother Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows      

 
Luke 2:33-35 & John 19:25-27

 
Single or married, childless, parent to one or surrogate parent to many, ‘Aunty’ or grandparent, consecrated or lay person, – each of us has a vocation, a calling that is God-given for our own good and the good of humanity.  Mother Mary too had a vocation; she was called to be the mother of Christ Jesus, the incarnate Son of God. Like Mary, any of us who is called by God to a particular state in life we all experience indescribable joys mixed with unspeakable sorrows. Our purification and sanctification in the eyes of God, and our usefulness in fulfilling our role in his kingdom depend  not on our own ability to deal with the ups and downs of life,  but on the incredible grace and mercy of God.  These are available to us every minute of every day to help us make sense of our lives. The grace and mercy of God also allow us to remain standing, like Mother Mary did at the foot of Jesus’ cross. Then with our heads up, looking for the salvation of God, no matter what the circumstances, chipping away the protrusions and the rot in our beings, and sanctifying us to be able to be at home in the Kingdom of Heaven.  Will I, like Mary, real-ize my life’s calling and allow myself to be purified by my state in life? Father God, help me by your grace to be sanctified by your calling.  Holy Spirit of God, sanctify me by my vocation.
                                                                      
Take me out of the net that is hidden for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hand I commit my spirit. You have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.     (Psalm 31:4,5)
 
Give us strength in temptation,
Endurance in trials,
And Gratitude in prosperity.
Hear us, O Lord!
Week IV Wednesday Morning Intercessions, the Liturgy of the Hours Soli ad gloriam
 
Gospel Mystery of the Day on FaceBook
& www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca
                                                                                  

 
Philippians 2:6-11
 
Parenting a seventeen year old who has just got his driver’s license, I am all too aware of the tensions of adolescence. When one is getting used to having the power to do almost anything imaginable, it takes steady humility to accept guidance from someone older and more experienced, and so wisely navigate all the circumstances and possibilities of life. As his guardian, I long for the day when my young man is able to freely and always make wise choices, so that he has a ‘good life’. In a sense I am always an adolescent in the eyes of Father God. He gives me tremendous power to love, to think, to say and to act  - and longs that I will always in humility refer first to his wisdom and guidance, so that I can receive the abundant life he has designed me to have. Jesus showed us the way to be humbly obedient to God, by praying his way through his ministry and death. Jesus’ resurrection manifested the rising of the human spirit in full obedience to the Spirit of the Living, all-wise Father God. Will I, like Jesus, live in humble obedience to God to rise up into new life ? Holy Spirit of Jesus, help me, like you, be humbly obedient to God.
                                                                      
You have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling. I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living.     (Psalm 116:8-9)
 
According to most philosophers, God in making the world enslaved it. According to Christianity, in making it, He set it free.
G.K. Chesterton
 
Soli ad gloriam
Gospel Mystery of the Day on FaceBook
& www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca
                                                                                  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Mark 8:27-35

Peter was quick to identify incarnate holiness of Jesus as the Messiah. Just a short while later, it was Peter who abandoned his Master when he was on trial, and even denied that he knew him despite the fact that he knew Jesus’ true identity. But ultimately, Peter proclaimed Jesus as the Son of God and the Redeemer of the world with all his being. He spoke unceasingly to any one who would hear him – to crowds, to Jews as well as  Gentiles, to slaves and to those who were free, to Emperors, to beggars, to the Christian faithful, and even to his jailers. The Big Fisherman walked his talk in word and deed proclaiming that Jesus was the Redeemer of all of humanity, even to the point of martyrdom. Like St. Peter, despite my own failings and weaknesses, I too can proclaim the Light, Life and Love of Christ Jesus with my life, leaving a legacy of God’s Mercy in my wake.  Will I, like Peter be quick to acknowledge Jesus’ identity as the Holy One who redeemed the world, the Messiah? Will I persist in proclaiming this truth with my life?  Christ Jesus, help me proclaim with my life who you are.  
                                                                      
You have delivered my soul from death, my yeyes from tears, my feet from stumbling. I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living.     (Psalm 116:8-9)
 
Hear the rhythm, know the rhyme,
Come, all people,
It’s Mercy time!
Anonymous  (with apologies to Cool Runnings)
 
Soli ad gloriam
Gospel Mystery of the Day on FaceBook
& www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca
                                                                                  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Luke 6:27-38
 
How is God merciful? Jesus lays out his Father’s mercy in several extraordinary statements: Love your enemies; do good to those who hate you; bless those who curse you; pray for those who abuse you; give to everyone who begs from you; don’t worry about getting stolen things back; do good and expect nothing in return; do not judge; do not condemn and forgive! Without the help of the Holy Spirit of God, as extended to us, to me, by Christ Jesus, I might be able to be merciful occasionally. But with the Holy Spirit’s help, I have access to an infinite mercy that I can then extend to others through my prayers, words and actions. As I navigate the wonders and the waves of today, how will I need to extend the mercy of God to others? How will I live into my heritage as a beloved child of the Father of Heaven? Holy Spirit of God, help me be merciful as you are merciful.
                                                                      
The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The Lord is good to all, and his compassion is over all that he has made.    (Psalm 145:8,9)
 
Hear the rhythm, know the rhyme,
Come, all people,
It’s Mercy time!
Anonymous  (with apologies to Cool Runnings)
 
Soli ad gloriam
Gospel Mystery of the Day on FaceBook
& www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca
                                                                                  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Colossians 2:6-15
  
It is extraordinary! Because Jesus was obedient to God’s plan he was able to pivot all of human history away from the darkness of death and destruction, toward the Light, Love and Life of God, the Creator and Father of humankind. Each day I live, each conversation I speak, and each thought I think, I have opportunity to  stay with the deceits and dank bitterness of the ways of the world: pride, greed, malice, jealousy, lust, gluttony and acedia; or I can choose to follow Jesus and exercise prudence, justice, temperance, courage, faith, hope and love. I cannot choose a virtuous life without the help of the Holy Spirit of God. But with the Holy Spirit’s grace, I am able to live into the virtues of heaven, of holiness.  How to release this power for true Life within?  St. Paul advises abounding in thanksgiving. When I am ‘tracing the grace’ of God, in men, women and children, or in any of the circumstances of the day, then it is hard to remain turned to the darkness, and much easier to be like Jesus – a holy, steady and continuing Light in the world. Today will I continue to walk with Christ in every thought process, every conversation, and every action?  Christ Jesus, help me continue to be rooted and grounded in you, abounding in thanksgiving. 
                                                                      
The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The Lord is good to all, and his compassion is over all that he has made.    (Psalm 145:8,9)
 
God’s strength in your weakness is His presence in your life.
Andy Stanley
Anonymous
 
Soli ad gloriam
Gospel Mystery of the Day on FaceBook
& www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca