Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. (Psalm 119)
Hebrews 3:7-14 A heart that believes in the Love of the living God and the redemption of the Lord Jesus Christ, changes everything. Instead of being bored with life, this person looks for gifts of grace in everyday things. Instead of deferring to self-pity the believing heart actively practises mercy. And rather than focusing on self-centred comforts and accolades the believing heart spends time and energy seeking the ways of God, and finding new ways to give him glory. Holy Spirit, give me a believing heart that turns to the living God. O come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker. (Psalm 95:1) The more I do his will, the more he will prove his love for me. St. Marguerite Bourgeoys www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca Soli gloriam dei.
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Hebrews 2:5-12
Patience under suffering is a ‘game changer’. Impatience under suffering leads to bitterness, resentment, fixation, compulsion, victimization and ultimately spiritual death. But when I am, like Christ Jesus, patient under suffering I am able to proceed through harassment or even torture to life, with grace and the true dignity of a child of Father God. Then ripples from my own patience under suffering have far-reaching effects on my family, workplace, community and society as a whole. Christ Jesus, teach me patience under suffering. What are human beings that you are mindful of them? Yet you have made them a little lower than God, and crowned them with glory and honour. (Psalm 8:4,5) Ask God to give you the power to fight against the sin of pride which is your greatest enemy –the root of all that is evil, and the failure of all that is good. St. Vincent de Paul www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca Soli gloriam dei. Isaiah 42:1-7
There is always a plethora of issues to fight for – or to deliberately ignore. But Christ calls each one of his followers neither to battle nor to ignorance. Rather, we are to work merciful-ly towards justice and healing for all of Father God’s beloved human beings. How can I do that? Today will I wallow in a slough of rights and freedoms? Shall I shout ‘Desert and destroy!’ from the rooftops? Will I ride off on the wild horses of current issues to save the day? Or will I quietly listen to the words of all the lonely people and gently be present as someone expresses their anger with shouts and hot tears, bringing about justice and healing person by person, step by step with Jesus, who is God in human form who saves? He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break; a dimly burning wick he will not quench, and he will faithfully bring forth justice. (Isaiah 42:3) When you say, ‘Our Father...’ he has his ear right next to your lips. St. Andre Bessette www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca Soli gloriam dei. 1 John 1:1-4 Christmas is a family affair, designed to draw humanity into communion with our own family members and, by extension, the Holy Family. As much as I think about shopping the boxing week sales or engaging in the glitter of the holiday season, I am in communion with the earthbound spirits of greed and materialism. Similarly, when I am focused on ‘getting ahead’, ‘feeling good’ and ‘making my mark on the world’, I am in communion with the spirit of pride and temporary success. But as I converse with God the Father and God the Son in prayer, and open my heart and mind to the breath of the Holy Spirit, I am in communion with the Holy Family of God. Who or what am I in communion with today? Will I take time to be in communion with the Holy Family today? Christ Jesus, let my communion be with you and your Father. Light dawns forthe righteous and joy for the upright in heart. (Psalm 97) What Child is this, Who laid to rest, On Mary’s lap is sleeping? Whom Angels greet with anthems sweet While shepherds watch are keeping? www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca Soli gloriam dei. 1 John 3:7-10
Christ Jesus, destroy the works of darkness in me ... Discouragement and despair along with worldly pride and passions are some of the ‘works of darkness’ in my life. Try as I might, I can hardly recognize these dark drivers, let alone expel them from my being. Only when I open my voice and my soul to the love, light and life of the Holy Spirit can these and other ‘strongholds of the devil’ be dissipated. The evil one has no place where the Holy Spirit is present and must flee from the saving grace and mercy of God’s Son, Jesus Emmanual, God who is with us. Sing with joy at the presence of the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth with equity. (Psalm 98) The Lord grants in a moment what we may have been unable to obtain in dozens of years. St. Philip Neri www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca Soli 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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