Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. (Psalm 119)
1 Samuel 15:16-23
Faith in God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit is not something that plateaus, is static or even passing. Rather, it always has potential to expand and grow, becoming ever more aligned with God’s love and mercy. Ever new is the potential of each day to draw me into a new facet of the mystery of holy hope, fruitful faith and life-giving love –with God, with others and with my own inner self. Folded into obedience (alignment) with the will of God, the possibilities of renewal, forgiveness and joy are endless. Holy Spirit of God, renew me in obedience to your will. Be my protector, O God, a mighty stronghold to save me.(Psalm 42) We always find that those who walked closest to Christ were those who had to bear the greatest trials. Sr. Teresa of Avila Soli gloriam dei .
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1 Samuel 8:4-22 & Mark 2:1-12
Envy of other nations shaped the Israelites’ preconceived request for a king from God. Why ask God to help them understand what to ask for? They knew what they wanted and forced God’s hand to give it to them. On the other hand, the men with the paralytic friend rightly asked for divine intervention. They perceived their friend needed divine help and dug through the roof to drop him down into the nearer presence of Jesus. They believed that the Lord could help him and trusted Jesus to do the best thing for their buddy. With the Lord, they conceived the circumstances for healing to take place and cooperated to bring their friend to the Lord. Then they gratefully received, along with their friend, Jesus’ kind of healing and abundant life. Am I willing to learn how to rightly ask things of God? Christ Jesus, teach me to rightly ask things of our Father. Ask and it will be given you; search and you will find; knock and the door will be opened for you. (Matt 7:7) God is ever is prying the lids off our closed minds to let in the light of his holiness. Calvin Miller Soli gloriam dei . 1 Samuel 4:1-11 & Mark 1:40 -45
God is not a charm to be brought out at our convenience to ensure success. Rather, God as Creator-parent reaches out to us, offering the relationship that can heal the soul of humankind. In healing a leper, a blind man, a crippled woman, Jesus demonstrates a divine longing to bring each one of us into wholeness –holiness. As we are healed in heart, mind, soul and strength we are able to live into our rightful inheritance as a beloved daughters and sons of God. Then our (my) will becomes aligned with God’s. Then faith, hope and love, expressed by focus on the big picture, reflection and reaching out, (rather than comfort, self-indulgence and longevity) become both the means and the goal of our life’s journey. Christ Jesus, purify my will to be like yours. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. (Matthew 11:30) Self-will always hungers for the fruits of obedience without the effort of it. Calvin Miller Soli gloriam dei . 1 Samuel 3: 1-20
Adoration: Speak, Lord, you servant is listening...I am listening ... Intercession: Lord, help N. _____ recognize your voice and listen ... The critical difference between ordinary people and ‘saints’ is that saints take time to listen to God, and by listening to God become aligned with his holiness and love. How to distinguish the ‘voice’ of God? Samuel at first confused God’s voice with his teacher’s, Eli’s, voice. So I too can often be misdirected by all the other people I listen to in my life. But when I return to a place of quiet and like Samuel prepare my heart to listen to the Holy Spirit, I will notice the Lord’s presence and will hear his word, a word that is always compassionate, pure, true - and often as quiet as it is peace-full. Lord, help me to recognize your voice and listen to you. Sacrifice and offering you do not desire, but you have given me an open ear. Then I said, “Here I am”. (Psalm 40:6,7) There is no space where God is not; space does not exist apart from him. St. Hilary Soli ad gloriam dei . 1 Samuel 1:9-20 & 2: 1-10
There are all kinds of strengthening treatments, products and promises being offered by businesses today. But can any of these come close to resolving our grief, shame or deep-seated anger? In the incarnation of Christ Jesus into humanity, as Son of God and Son of mankind, with his obedience through torture, death and resurrection, we have been given an icon of spiritual (and psycho-social) strength. As I magnify (or make greater and more visible) the Lord, the nature of Christ begins to heal and strengthen the weaknesses, cracks and unsound places in my soul. Then my inner strength is made sure, to meet and greet any adversity or storm of life that comes along. Holy Spirit, let my soul magnify the Lord so my strength is made sure in God. My heart exults in the Lord, and my strength is exalted in my God. (1Samuel 2:1) Do not be disheartened by your imperfections, but always rise up with fresh courage. St. Francis de Sales 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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