Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. (Psalm 119)
Isaiah 1:10 -31 Through the prophet Isaiah, God addressed some disturbing social and spiritual conditions of humanity millennia ago. The words God used at that time to guide his people through difficult times are as helpful now as they were when the prophet penned them. Rather than telling people to ‘be strong and keep working away’, God told his people then, as he tells us now, to wash, clean, remove, cease, learn, seek, rescue, defend, and plead –for salvation. Will I depend on my own strength and do whatever occurs to me, or will I take these words of God to heart as I face whatever trials and tribulations come my way? Holy Spirit of God, help me be willing and obedient, to your grace at work in me. Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name; deliver us, and forgive our sins, for your name’s sake. (Psalm 79:2) All things are possible for one who believes, They are less difficult for one who hopes, They are easier for one who loves, And they are still more easy for one who practices and perseveres in these three virtues. Brother Lawrence. Practicing the Presence of God www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca & Gospel Mystery of the Day on Facebook Soli ad gloriam Dei
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Luke 6:36-38 There is little room for mercy when I am full of judgement, condemnation and un-forgiveness. Appetites and desires also take up prime space in my being, particularly when I give into ‘just one more’ thing, perhaps the most subtle deceit of the evil one. But when I let go of my own agenda, pride, and self-righteousness, then there is room for the mercy of God to flow into every nook and cranny of my being. Then mercy is able to influence my every thought, conversation and activity. What am I full of? What fills my heart, mind, soul and strength? Am I mercy-full? Fill me with your mercy, O Lord. Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name; deliver us, and forgive our sins, for your name’s sake. (Psalm 79:2) Love is the ultimate gift of ourselves to others. When we stop giving we stop loving, when we stop loving we stop growing, and unless we grow we will never attain personal fulfillment; we will never open out to receive the life of God. It is through love we encounter God. Mother Teresa (Where there is Love, There is God, p. 26) www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca & Gospel Mystery of the Day on Facebook Soli ad gloriam Dei 2 Timothy 1:8-10 & Matthew 17:1-9 What is the power of God? The power of God creates, and makes grow, absolute love and truth, in, through, and beyond the ‘reality’ of human kind. It is this ‘greater than reality’ foundation that I can tap into when I sit with Jesus. Like the trunk of a tree, this power of God gives rise to limbs of love and leaves of life that spread out from the one great stem that holds them up and in place, giving reality to a growing and graceful tree. Similarly, the power of God gave time and space to the event we call The Transfiguration – and to more incidental transformations in our own lives. This power of God, Paul tells us, is an expression of divine purpose and grace, the same power that raised up our Saviour, Christ Jesus, who ‘abolished death and brought life and immortality to light in human history’, as well as in my own life. Will I continue to rely on my own perceived ‘power’ to micro-manage my life, or will I continually rely (only!) on the Grace, Love, and Truth, of God? Holy Spirit, help me always rely only on the power of God. I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope. (Psalm 130:5) www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca & Gospel Mystery of the Day on Facebook Soli ad gloriam Dei Matthew 5:20-26 I often picture Jesus teaching his disciples as they wandered the Judean countryside, visited towns or were rowing a boat somewhere. In reality, the Gospel writers record that Jesus often sat down and called his disciples to him to teach them things. Jesus similarly calls me to come away from the flurry of activity that is life today and to sit with him, to learn from him his view and teachings on what is going on around me. Sitting with Jesus gives me opportunity to heart-fully and mindfully conduct my life, leaning on his perspective and principles of mercy and truth. Today will I take time to consult with Jesus before rushing in ‘where angels fear to tread’? Christ Jesus, help me sit and learn from you. I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope. (Psalm 130:5) There are at least two major tasks to human life. The first task is to build a strong container, or ‘identity’; the second is to find the contents that the container is meant to hold. Richard Rohr www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca & Gospel Mystery of the Day on Facebook Soli ad gloriam Dei Jonah 3:1-10 There is nothing more important than being in communion, by love, with God through the presence of the Holy Spirit. Naked I came from the womb, and naked I shall go back to the earth. There is nothing on earth –no possessions, no ideology, no power, no success, no food, no drink - that is of any critical significance over and above how I am connected with God and with others, as well as with ‘myself’. So it is always worth it, in terms of love, to fast from any of those things that prevent our hearts, minds, souls, - and even our physicality - from truly turning to God and loving others. Fasting cuts through the chains of desire, appetite, memory, and wishes for good, by disciplining our beings to value only what is truly valuable. Then I am able not only to approach, but to live into, the holiness and life of God. What can I fast from today? Holy Spirit of God, teach me about fasting. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and steadfast spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10) When the flesh is satisfied it is hard to pray with cheerfulness or to devote oneself to a life of service which calls for much self-renunciation. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship 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
March 2024
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