Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. (Psalm 119)
2 Timothy 1:1-8
Faith in God does not imply a spirit of cowardice and shrinking away from the realities of life, St. Paul told Timothy, a young pastor who found his church challenging. Rather, God gives his faithful servants a spirit of power, that is the power of love and the power of a calm, well-balanced and disciplined mind. As much as I truly follow Christ, I am disciplined, at peace and capable of infinite love in the face of any challenges I meet, by the infilling of the Holy Spirit of God. Christ Jesus, help me receive your spirit of power – of love, of calm and of a well-balanced mind. The Lord sent me to bring good news to the poor and freedom to prisoners. (Luke 4:18) Soli ad gloriam dei
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Hebrews 9: 2-14
In any given day, there are any number of ‘good’ works to do, many of which are designed to maintain success, security or social status. How many of these works grab my attention and time, sidelining the small words or other acts of kindness that are meant to spring from the love of God within us. Left to my own devices, it is easy to ‘ride away on the wild horses’ of personal projects and proclamations. But when I allow the wind of the Holy Spirit to blow through my consciousness, I discover ample time and focus to worship the living God by proclaiming his truth and love to others with my own feet, hands and voice. Holy Spirit, purify my conscience from dead works to worship the living God. Open our hearts, O Lord, to listen eagerly to the words of your Son. (Acts 16:14) Soli ad gloriam dei Hebrews 8:6-13
While it is important to remember God’s laws and principles of life as revealed to us in scripture, in liturgy and the sacraments and in lived experience, to really make them part of us, we must put them into action. God’s design for my life must be ‘hard-wired’ into my mind and heart so that without hesitation it is my ‘default’ mode, and I do, say and think faith-fully, hope-fully and love-fully, day by day, hour by hour. Only by opening my mind and softening my heart to the impression of the Holy Spirit can I hope to live into the ‘laws’, the word of God, in this way. Holy Spirit of God, put your laws within my mind and write them on my heart. I am the bread of life, says the Lord; whoever comes to me will not hunger and whoever believes in me will not thirst. (John 6:51) Soli ad gloriam dei Jesus’ touch had a profound healing impact on everyone who came close to him. Crowds pressed on him so much that he asked the disciples for a boat, so that he wouldn’t be crushed. Because of Christ’ death and resurrection today we need only ask the Holy Spirit in prayer for the healing touch of Jesus. When I bring my diseases –physical ills, hot thoughts and fragmented relationships –to Christ in prayer and through the sacraments, I too can experience the healing touch of Jesus, and find body, mind and soul restored. Christ Jesus, touch the dis-eases within me. May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you. (Psalm 40:16) Soli ad gloriam dei Mark 3: 1-6
It is recorded in scripture that two events made Jesus angry – the profaning of the temple by turning it into a market place, and the Pharisees judging Him for healing the man with the withered hand on the Sabbath. They are interrelated; both result from people doing their will with that which is sacred, by doing bad rather than good and preferring to minimize others rather than save life. Christ Jesus, help me to do good and save life without compromise. Jesus preached the Good News to the people and healed the ones who were sick. (Matthew 4:23) Soli ad gloriam dei |
AuthorBeverly Illauq lives in Kemptville, Ontario, where she greets each morning by seeking the Gospel Mystery of the Day - the Word of the Lord for direct and practical application to the specific challenges & joys of the day. Archives
March 2024
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