Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. (Psalm 119)
Isaiah 6:1-6 In these days of long winter nights when Christmas lights have been extinguished, we are reminded of the beauty and value of light in the darkness – as well as the energy consumption required to ‘light up the world’. As followers of Jesus, we well know the beauty and value of the spiritual Light we received at Baptism, that enflames our hearts to believe, to follow and to serve our Lord in his ways and words. In these days of great darkness in the ways of the world, it is Faith in the good news of Christ Jesus that overcomes the deceits and diseases that run rampant through humanity; it is divinely focused Hope that breaks through the numbing complex nothingness of a digitized world where artificial intelligence displaces relationships; and it is divine Mercy that still allows the Holy Spirit to breathe life back into our hearts, our minds, our souls and even our bodies. Yes! We know this is true. But are we connected to the Source of Light, through prayer and praise/ gratitude for graces received to be able to arise and shine? Are we ‘turned on’ so that we can rise up, above the darkness of despair and despondency around us, and shine like Jesus to help humanity find its way back to Father God? Holy Spirit of Jesus help me arise and shine for your light is come into the world. The Son reflects the brightness of God’s glory and is the exact likeness of God’s own being, sustaining the universe with his powerful word. (Hebrews 1:3) In the darkness shines the splendor Of the Word who took our flesh, Welcoming, in love’s surrender, Death’s dark Shadow at his crèche, Bearing every human story, Word made flesh reveals his glory. Bernadette Gasslein, In the Darkness Shines the Splendour See https://vimeo.com/308208360 for a youth choir singing this full hymn. Soli ad gloriam Dei Gospel Mystery of the Day on FaceBook & www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca
0 Comments
1John 1:1- 1John 5:29 Since human kind appeared on earth, sin – that which separates us from God - in all degrees and varieties has plagued our existence sucking us into darkness and oblivion, away from the light and love of Father God who made us in His image. I want, I will, and I won’t can so easily afflict our souls! And the consequences can entangle our hearts and minds, and even our bodies, for years. But the Good News is that through our connection with God Incarnate in Christ Jesus, we can live life beyond sin and the shadows of despair and despondency it creates in and through us. As much as I believe (the Son of God), I follow (the Son of God) and I serve (the Son of God) I am freed from the power of sin in my life, to live into the design and image of Father God. This year, will I give in to the entrapment of the self-centeredness of sin, or will I rise up in the mighty strength of Christ to walk freely in his light? Holy Spirit of Jesus, help me live truly free from sin. And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.(1 John 3:3) Jesus’ freedom is not the freedom of the liberal. It is the freedom of the Son, and thus the freedom of the truly devout person. As Son, Jesus brings a new freedom: not the freedom of someone with no obligations, but the freedom of someone totally united with the Father’s will, someone who helps mankind to attain the freedom of inner oneness withGod. ― Pope Benedict XVI, Jesus of Nazareth: The Infancy Narratives Soli ad gloriam Dei Gospel Mystery of the Day on FaceBook & www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca 1John 2:22-28 & John 1:1-18 “For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord…” So sang the angels on Christmas night proclaiming the birth of the Christ Child, God incarnate, come in human flesh to redeem humanity from the darkness of evil in its existence. As we head into a new year, the 2023rd Year of Grace, do we know who our savior is? Do we know the One who shines light into the darkness of this present age, and indeed all ages past and future? Do I truly know Jesus Christ – his character, his beliefs, his values, his personality and his soul – so that I can walk intimately with him, and share with him all that I have and all that I am? After almost seven decades of life, I sometimes feel that I am only beginning to my Savior, who is Christ the Lord. At times I even forget that he is not only capable of saving me and healing me when I turn to him and ask, but frequently I invest time and energy seeking out other people, plans and projects, entertainments and experiences for insight and guidance, and even temporary ‘healing’. This year, I pray that I will be more mindful of my Saviour and all the mercy and truth he holds out to me, and to all humankind. This year, will I so cultivate my relationship with Christ Jesus that I get to know him more clearly, love him more dearly and follow him more nearly? Holy Spirit, help me know my Saviour, Christ the Lord. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is what he has promised us, eternal [and abundant – John 10;10] life. (1 John 1:24, 25) Jesus’ freedom is not the freedom of the liberal. It is the freedom of the Son, and thus the freedom of the truly devout person. As Son, Jesus brings a new freedom: not the freedom of someone with no obligations, but the freedom of someone totally united with the Father’s will, someone who helps mankind to attain the freedom of inner oneness withGod. ― Pope Benedict XVI, Jesus of Nazareth: The Infancy Narratives Soli ad gloriam Dei Gospel Mystery of the Day on FaceBook & www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca |
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
Categories |