Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. (Psalm 119)
Luke 1: 26-31 I have wide variety of personal agendas that consider to be within my power, that always threaten to consume my focus and concentration –getting the right job, putting my house completely in order or delving into some new issue or topic. Sometimes I close my eyes and wish beyond the stars in a so-called prayer to God that my will be done. But the agenda of the Holy Spirit of God is always above and beyond anything I can imagine; it is always about establishing God’s mercy-full will amongst humanity. For Mary as young unwed girl, God’s plan was that she would carry, give birth to, and mother Jesus Immanuel, the Son of God. This was definitely beyond Mary’s wildest dreams! As for me, I am sometimes called to do just as unexpected and ‘far out’ things, like being the servant rather than the leader of an organization, intercessing for the world for several hours a day, or making a meal for the widow down the street, and etcetera. Am I, like Mother Mary, so docile to the will of God that I can also say “Fiat –let it be done to me according to your will,” even if I, like Mother Mary, have my life stretched to its limits and beyond? Holy Spirit of God, let it be done to me according to your will. Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. (Matthew 25:40) The storms that are raging around you will turn out to be for God’s glory, your own merit, and the good of many souls. Saint Padre Pio www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca & Gospel Mystery of the Day on Facebook Soli ad gloriam Dei
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1 Corinthians 10: 1-12 When my focus is on fulfilling my desire for possessions, plans and prominence, then I will use (or waste) my time and energy to chase and obtain these things and, like the Israelites, will always find something to complain about. But when my greatest desire is for mercy-full relationships –with God and with others –then my time and energy spent in connecting with God and others is never wasted and instead of engaging in judgement and acrimony, I become engaged in such eternally fruitful pursuits as prayer, patience, and service. What is truly the desire of my heart; do I desire above relationship, with God, with the earth, with family with colleagues, and with the world at large, that are full of mercy? Holy Spirit of God, help me desire not passing things, but mercy-full relationship. Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. (Matthew 25:40) Every sacrifice which your soul makes, every good it does is directed to God for the sanctification of all. Padre Pio www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca & Gospel Mystery of the Day on Facebook Soli ad gloriam Dei Luke 15:1-32 The turning point for the prodigal son was when he came to his senses. As with so many of us this happened only when he ‘hit rock bottom’ and was so hungry that he hardly noticed he was eating pig slop. Then he realized the stark contrast between following his own desires and inclinations, and living within the homestead of his father’s love. It was only then that the young man turned his face toward home and in humility returned to his father’s wisdom. In each area of my life, whether at home, at work, at prayer or at play, I too run the risk of choosing to follow my own desires and inclinations and so leave God behind. What kind of rock bottom am I inviting by doing this? What will it take for me to turn back to the nearer presence of God? Holy Spirit of God, help me come to my senses. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits –who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy. (Psalm 103:2-4) Just take everything exactly as it is, put it in God’s hands, and leave it with him. Then you will be able to rest in him –really rest. St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, (St. Edith Stein) www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca & Gospel Mystery of the Day on Facebook Soli ad gloriam Dei Matthew 21:33-46 The truth is, the prophets of God often come to us at our inconvenience, because they are designed to disrupt our complacency and our despondency. For the tenants of the vineyard in Jesus’ story, although the servants and then the son of their master came at harvest time to collect his produce, their master’s emissaries were inconvenient and disruptive, perhaps because they believed that the harvest was theirs because they had done all the work, and so they killed them, one by one. As for humankind, the Lord of Life has been sending his emissaries to us throughout the ages; generally we have found them inconvenient to all of our worldly agendas and an interruption in our day to day lives, and so we have rarely listened to them, and have indeed rejected them and ‘killed them off’ one by one. When God sends his prophets to me – his religious ones, the person who asks me to visit them, a homeless person off on a rant, or even my own family member who longs for companionship, etcetera –they usually present an inconvenience, if not a major disruption; I too am guilty of dismissing the servants of grace sent to bring God’s will and God’s word to me. When the Lord’s prophets come to me today will I dismiss them as an inconvenience and a disruption or will I welcome them and their message into my being? Holy Spirit of God, help me recognize and heed your prophets. Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. (Matthew 25:40) The ultimate goal of fasting is to help each one of us to make a complete gift of self to God. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca & Gospel Mystery of the Day on Facebook Soli ad gloriam Dei Luke 16:19-31 Possessions come in all shapes and varieties: food, clothing, money... and living space, time and energy, as well as connections, abilities and experiences. Like the rich man in the Richman and Lazarus parable of Jesus, I too can become so caught up in enjoying, managing and maintaining all of my possessions that I have no time in my life for those who are poor in food, friendship, energy, or any other needs of life. And like the rich man (and Lazarus), I too will one day be held accountable for how I have used my possessions. Will my life bear witness to a love of people or to a love of possessions? Will I bring to eternity a soul weathered by humility and service to others, or a flattened life that was used to manage its own trove of treasures? Christ Jesus, help me love people more than possessions. Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. (Matthew 25:40) We should all exercise our gift to build community. Jean Vanier www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca & Gospel Mystery of the Day on Facebook 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
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