Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. (Psalm 119)
John 6:16-21 & Luke 24:35-48
Absorbed by pressures of the moment, and by the need to survive, it is easy to reach out to resources all around us, without reaching up to God or into the Holy Spirit present within us from Baptism. Yet it is precisely at these times of ‘trial’ and ‘suffering’ that the present and healing power of Christ is most clearly defined. When the disciples faced stormy winds, their invitation to Christ to come into their boat resulted in an immediate safe delivery to shore; when two disciples on the way to Emmaus invited the Lord to share a meal, they immediately understood his risen presence, and joy replaced their deep grief and despair. Do I always remember to invite the Lord into the ‘tricky’ parts of my life? Christ Jesus, remind me to invite you into the challenges and crises of life. Truly the eye of the Lord is on those who hope in his steadfast love, to deliver their souls from death, and keep them alive in famine. (Psalm 33: 18,19) Soli ad gloriam dei
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Acts 6:8-15 & Psalm 119 & John 6, 22-29
Gaining the power to perform the works of God does not depend on diplomas or skill sets or even life experiences. Rather, to become like Stephen, the first martyr of the Church who was “full of grace and power [and] did great wonders and signs among the people”, the only prerequisite is belief in our Lord Jesus Christ – believing so much in His saving grace that I spend time with Him in prayer, meditate on his Word in scripture, and look for his beloved Spirit in the faces of all I meet. Then I am able to extend the incredible power of his Truth and Love into the world around me. Christ Jesus, help me do the work of God by believing in you. Make me understand the way of your precepts, and I will meditate on your wondrous works. (Psalm 119) Soli ad gloriam dei Psalm 27 & John 6: 1-15
Jesus gave the disciples the formidable task of feeding 5,000 people in the Galilean wilderness. But their roles were simple: “Everybody listen- Jesus says to sit down on the grass. We’re going to eat!”(encouraging others to wait on the Lord’s goodness); ‘Hey, Lord, this boy has five barley loaves and two fish...’ (presenting the goods we all have to offer ); ‘Shhh..He’s blessing the things people have given him...’ (offering all we have brought together to God in thanksgiving); ‘Here you go... here’s some for you... would you pass that over to Joseph’s family over there?’ (distributing the goods); “You have some more left there? Great!” (picking up the left overs) and “Whew... that was incredible “ (taking time to notice and recognize the grace of God). In all before me today, Holy Spirit, empower me to wait on the Lord and have courage. I believe I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord. (Psalm 27:13,14) Soli ad gloriam dei Acts 5:17-26 & John 3: 16-21
Using simply my own resources I do not have the ability or the power to even know the ‘whole message of life’, let alone to know the right time, the life information needed by the hearer, or the clearest words to use, to tell the ‘Good News’ of the Truth and Love of God. Sometimes, though, after I have been grounded, like Peter and John, in a ‘prison’ situation of disconnection or suffering, and have learned to rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance and all that I need, then I am ready to rely on the empowerment of the Lord to be his voice. Then I am able and ready to speak to the people he has prepared to hear the ‘whole message about this life’. Holy Spirit, empower me to tell people the whole message about this life. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. (Psalm 34) Soli ad gloriam dei Acts 4:23-31 & John 3: 1-8
Jesus spoke the Word of God with all boldness in conversation with individuals like Nicodemus, through his teachings to the crowds of people who gathered around him, to each person whom he silently healed, and perhaps most loudly and boldly through the agony of his passion and death, and his resurrection. Through the baptism of the Holy Spirit, we too are able to speak the Word of Truth and Love as followers of Jesus, in his work of proclaiming, healing and casting out darkness in our world today. Holy Spirit, help me speak your word with all boldness. And now, Lord, grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness. (Acts 4:29) 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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