Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. (Psalm 119)
Matthew 21:33-46 Jesus told the parable of the Landlord and the Ungrateful Tenants to address the hypocrisy of the chief priests and Pharisees of his day, but he is also perhaps addressing my fickleness as well. God made each man and woman to be a vineyard, to be fruitful and to produce the wine of mercy in this world. As highlighted in the story, God sent then, and still sends now, his messengers and servants – family and friends, coworkers and colleagues, marginalized and main stream individuals - who at times come to me on my journey of faith. These people are sent to me to draw out the fruits of his creation from my being. In the story, the landowner even sent his own son to collect what was his. God even sends his only beloved Son, Jesus, in the guise of mere human beings, to us today, to receive from me what is his – my love, my time, my treasures and my talents. When God messengers, including Jesus in any one of his humble disguises, come into my life, do I ignore them or even ‘murder’ them by my unkindness and hardness of heart, or do I humbly welcome God’s servants and give them the fruits of my resources that is the wine of compassion? Holy Spirit of God, help me give to your messengers what is yours. You have been born anew, not from perishable, but imperishable seed, through the living and abiding word of God. (1 Peter 1:23) I see Jesus in every human being. I say to myself, this is hungry Jesus, I must feed him. This is sick Jesus. This one has leprosy or gangrene; I must wash him and tend to him. I serve because I love Jesus. Saint Mother Theresa See the link below for the Physical and Spiritual works of mercy https://www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/scripture-and-tradition/catholic-basics/catholic-beliefs-and-practices/corporal-and-spiritual-works-of-mercy/ Soli ad gloriam Gospel Mystery of the Day on FaceBook & www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca
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Jeremiah 17:5-10 Sometimes when life seems arid, with my soul and strength drying up for lack of hope and joy, beauty and liveliness, I stumble along my journey through life, wondering what I am to do. That is when I need to remind myself that there are always streams of God’s holiness and mercy available for the taking, just a breath away, just a prayer away. Then, as the prophet Jeremiah says, when the heat comes - when life become complicated - I can find my way beyond fear; and in the year of drought – when nothing seems to be ‘working’ - I can find my way beyond brokenness, to the life and light at the heart of God. Will I park my being on the sterile sands of self-absorption, or position myself near the river of God’s mercy to be watered liberally by his truth and love? Holy Spirit of God, help me drink deeply of the streams of your truth and your love. They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper. . (Psalm 1:3) Trust the past to the mercy of God, the present to His love, and the future to His providence. St. Augustine of Hippo See the link below for the Physical and Spiritual works of mercy https://www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/scripture-and-tradition/catholic-basics/catholic-beliefs-and-practices/corporal-and-spiritual-works-of-mercy/ Soli ad gloriam Gospel Mystery of the Day on FaceBook & www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca Isaiah 1:10 – 31 The ways of the world give prominence to material wealth, social power and intellectual prowess, and call me to climb the ladder of success not only for present day accolades and success, but also for the sake of a place in the higher echelons of posterity. God’s ways are truly not our ways. In God’s eyes, being of service to others is the most worthy goal of life. We are put on this earth not to be served – accolades, importance, honors and successes – but to serve, just as Jesus served, - listening, healing, visiting, providing needs, and by giving his life as a ransom for many. Will I continue to seek success and favors like Zebedee’s family, or will I truly, and humbly, seek to serve, as Jesus did? Father God, teach me your values. Take me out of the net that is hidden for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God. (Psalm 30:4,5) Christ has no body on earth but yours; No hands but yours, no feet but yours; Yours are the eyes through which The compassion of Christ looks out on the world. Yours are the feet with which He is to go about doing good And yours are the hands with which He is to bless his people. St. Theresa of Avila See the link below for the Physical and Spiritual works of mercy https://www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/scripture-and-tradition/catholic-basics/catholic-beliefs-and-practices/corporal-and-spiritual-works-of-mercy/ Soli ad gloriam Gospel Mystery of the Day on FaceBook & www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca Gospel Mystery of the Day Tuesday, March 2, 2021
Good Morning! Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. (Psalm 119) Isaiah 1:10 – 31 Holy Spirit of God make me willing, and obedient to do good… Sometimes when I behold the world around me, I become caught up in the unrighteousness of the people and systems I see, and forget to simply seek and find the works of God that beg to be done. God longs for my hands and my voice to do good to others, to seek justice, to defend the orphan and the widow, and to rescue the oppressed, to name but a few of the works of mercy that are in God’s sights. How willing am I to do my Father’s work in the world? How obedient am I to his agenda of mercy toward his beloved men, women and children? Holy Spirit of God, make me willing and obedient to do good with my time, treasure and talents. Those who bring thanksgiving as their sacrifice honour me; to those who go the right way, I will show the salvation of God. (Psalm 50:23) Christ has no body on earth but yours; No hands but yours, no feet but yours; Yours are the eyes through which The compassion of Christ looks out on the world. Yours are the feet with which He is to go about doing good And yours are the hands with which He is to bless his people. St. Theresa of Avila See the link below for the Physical and Spiritual works of mercy https://www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/scripture-and-tradition/catholic-basics/catholic-beliefs-and-practices/corporal-and-spiritual-works-of-mercy/ Soli ad gloriam Gospel Mystery of the Day on FaceBook & www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca Holy Spirit of God help me move beyond disordered affections into right relationships with others…3/1/2021 Luke 6:36-38 When my concern is first and foremost for my own health and comfort, or with my possessions or social footprint, or even with my relationships with others, then my affections become disordered and chaotic and I become judgemental. Without God being my first love, I may expect others to take the position of God in my life, telling me what to do, and being my saving grace – judging them with harsh labels like ‘self-centred’ or ‘fool’ when they don’t measure up. Alternatively, I might expect others to view me as a god-like figure, and become controlled by my perception of who they are. Then it is easy for me to judge them harshly as ‘sinner’ or ‘unloving’ when they exercise their own freedom of choice as beloved children of God our Father. Either way, it is when my affections are disordered that I stop to judge others and become bound up in conflict when I weigh them against my limited idea of who they are, and find them wanting. In his ministry, Jesus repeatedly taught that we – that I - must not judge others, and that when I do pass judgement on another man, woman or child, I open myself to being judged and found wanting by my Father. Will I learn from my Father to be Christ-like, and generous in love and gentleness with others, or will I sink into habits of criticism and judgement? Holy Spirit of God, help me move beyond disordered affections into right relationships with others. 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 79:9) Incline my heart according to your will, O God; Speed my steps along your path. Responsory, Liturgy of the Hours, Wednesday, Week, Morning Prayer Soli ad gloriam 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
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