Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. (Psalm 119)
1 John 5:14-21
The ‘evil one’ or Satan is all about godlessness, convincing me that I am the mistress of my own life, that I must look after my own needs, and that I attend pray, read scripture and attend church at my own convenience. It is easy to slip into the godlessness of the evil one, and of this ‘age of relativism’. But I am branded forever as a follower of Jesus by my baptism, and so a godless life is not a viable option. I know better! I know that Jesus is all about God-full –ness. I know that if and when I turn to Christ Jesus, away from the evil one and the deceits he whispers in my ear, and claim the Lord’s cross marked forever on my soul, I will have strength to turn away the dark lies of Satan, and walk ahead in the footstep of my Lord and Redeemer, the Son of Man who was the Son of God. Christ Jesus, from the evil one, protect me. Let high praises of God be in their throats. This is glory for all his faithful ones. (Psalm 149:6,9) Do not be disheartened by your imperfections, but always rise up with fresh courage. St. Francis de Sales Soli ad gloriam dei .
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1 John 5:5-13
The frantic pace of life in this age of technology and cyber communications can squeeze the goods of God –faith, hope and love –to the fringes of our awareness. Can not the word of God run as swiftly and efficiently through the world as an electric impulse? I can choose to let the word of God run swiftly through the world when I notice the miracle of God’s love, being transmitted through each act of kindness, each moment of patience, each word of compassion, and pass it on. Lord God, let your word run swiftly throughout the world. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. (1John 5:13) May the God of love and peace set your hearts at rest and speed you on your journey. St. Raymond of Penyafort Soli ad gloriam dei . 1 John 4:19-5:4 It doesn’t make sense to love the man who is so disrespectful and violent or the woman who gossips and is so negative. Surely God does not really expect us to love such people. But God not only expects us to love even these ‘brothers’ and ‘sisters’, but he shows us the way to love them with purity, kindness and humility, in the person of his Son, Jesus. Moreover, St. John reminds us, “If I say, ‘I love God’, and hate my brother or my sister, I am a liar. In the interest of being congruent in heart, mind, soul and body with the truth and love of God, it is required that I learn from Jesus how to love, with the compassion of God. Which brother, which sister, do I need to learn to love? Christ Jesus, help me love my brothers and sisters, these people with whom I share life. Whatever you did for one of the least of my brethren, you did it for me. (Matthew 25;40) It is with the smallest brushes that the artist paints the best paintings. St. André Bissette of Montreal Soli ad gloriam dei . 1 John 4:11-18
Real love, God’s love, is the miracle that transforms fear into compassion, that turns evil to good and despair into joy, and translates death into life. But to real-ize such love in my life, I must first familiarize myself with the nature of God’s compassion by noticing his love, in time spent in the Holy Spirit’s presence through prayer, and in love as it shows up within (or is absent from) each event, conversation and relationship along life’s journey. Then I am able to hope for and embrace the (sometimes surprising!) healing love of God moving through my life. What miracles of God’s transformative love have occurred, or can occur, in my life and the lives of others around me? Holy Spirit, help me know and embrace God’s love. If we love one another God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us. (1John 4:12) There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle. Albert Einstein Soli ad gloriam dei . 1 John 4:7-10
If I isolate myself from others and from God, I cannot expect to participate in love. Love infers kindness, patience, humility, forbearance and hopefulness, freely received, and freely given from one to another. I receive love from God by reflecting on holy beauty, kindness, wisdom, order and intelligence pulsing in and through my own being. Then I am prepared for stepping out of my own time, space, and comfort to offer similar life-giving love to another. Holy Spirit of God, help us love one another because love is from God; my sister, my brother, my children, my spouse, my mother, my father –help us love one another. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. (Psalm 118:26) To love someone is to show to them their beauty, their worth and their importance. Jean Vanier, Becoming Human 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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