Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. (Psalm 119)
Every time I sink time and energy into prideful pursuits, passions or passtimes, or turn away from prayer and the celebration of sacraments I am (like Peter, Judas or the other disciples) disloyal to Christ. When I turn my back on the despised, the lonely or the needy women, men or children at my door or fly by them in the midst of the hurries of life, I am being disloyal to Jesus' life growing in me. Today, how am I turning away from Christ or grieving the Holy Spirit? How can I turn back again to follow my Lord and my Master?
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself. (Mark 12) Soli ad gloriam dei
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Jeremiah 7: 23 - 28
Christ Jesus, help me to walk in your counsels rather than my own, to look forward rather than backward ... Given than we are created in the image of God, it is no wonder that we all have 'good ideas' and can 'create' plans, places and plots. Yet, we are called to walk in God's counsels, according to his principles, based as they are on faith, hope and love, rather than trust our own ideas and plans. When I walk in my own counsels, I often find myself looking backwards,regretting things, or resenting people. When I walk in the Lord's counsels I am able to plant my trust firmly, to hope in healing, and to look forward with love to ever-better connections with others, and ultimately with God. Christ Jesus, help me to walk in your counsels rather than my own, to look forward rather than backward. May my ways be firm in keeping your statutes. (Psalm 118) Soli ad gloriam dei Deuteronomy 4: 1-9
Like the directions in an owner’s manual, the statutes of God give the steps to set up and to maintain the good for which we have been designed –for the Life, Light and Love programs that have been hardwired into our beings by our Creator, who loves us. The ordinances, (the ordering) of faith, hope, and love for God and for others are the programs that keep our lives running efficiently and productively, to produce the fruits of the Holy Spirit in the world and in ourselves. Holy Spirit, remind me to live by the Lord’s statutes and ordinances to rightly order my life. Let my steps be guided by your promise; may evil never rule me. (Psalm 119) Soli ad gloriam dei Daniel 3:25-43 & Psalm 25
Christ Jesus, help me to walk unswervingly with you . . . Azariah (Daniel) stood still in the fiery furnace and prayed. Joseph, with Mary bearing Jesus knew what it was to walk unreservedly with God, first to Bethlehem and then to Egypt. Syrian Christian refugees today know that they must walk unswervingly from their homeland to refugee camps. The paths of the Lord are not always easy, but they are sure. Christ Jesus, help me to walk unswervingly with you. Lead me in your truth and teach me. (Psalm 25) Soli ad gloriam dei 2Kings 5: 1-15 & Psalm 42
Lord God, send out your light and your truth to lead [me] … Although it is sometimes difficult to find light and truth in the realm of human kind, in nature we can always find signs of the light and truth of God. A tree hugging a cliff and bent by prevailing winds proclaims the constancy of (sun) light and the truths of gradual nurture, unique growth, and of beauty created in response to adversity. When I take time to humbly walk with God, He has opportunity to reveal his light and truth to me, not only in the natural world, but in human nature as well. Lord God, send out your light and truth to lead [me]. May soul thirsts for God, for the living God. (Psalm 42) 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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