Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. (Psalm 119)
Gospel Mystery of the Day Saturday, April 4, 2020
Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. (Psalm 119) John 11:45-57 I can only imagine the strength of spirit it must have taken for Jesus to ‘turn his face to Jerusalem’ during the final weeks of his ministry on earth. What allowed him to carry on? When I am staring down my anxieties associated with my own and my loved ones’ mortality, where can I find strength? Scripture! God’s Word has been given to us as faithful followers of Jesus to strengthen us, and to fight the battles of words and half-truths darkness throws at us. (See attached Father’s Love Letter) Will I remember who I am in the midst of the battle? Father God, save me… Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually. Remember the wonderful works he has done, his miracles… (Psalm 105:4,2) Once you become aware that the main business that you are here for is to know God, most of life's problems fall into place of their own accord. Jesus, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me, a sinner! The Jesus Prayer, Eastern Rite. See You tube version of the Love Letter from the Father attached: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOMQ4CXmRDo www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca & Gospel Mystery of the Day on Facebook Soli ad gloriam Dei
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Genesis 17:3-9 & John 8:51-59 Abraham and Jesus had this in common: they both knew God and kept his word, day by day, hour by hour. For Abraham it was his friendship with God that became the basis of the first Covenant God made with human kind – that God would bring about a nation true to Yahweh from the seed of Abraham. For Jesus, it was his sonship with God that brokered the ‘New’ Covenant – that humankind would be redeemed from its waywardness and sin and be able to enter into the heavenly kingdom of God. If knowing God and keeping his word was the basis of faith for both Abraham and Jesus, and many other Hebrew and Christian saints before us, does it not make sense that today I too commit my life to Knowing God, and Keeping his Word? Is this in reality the fundamental principle of human existence as a friend of God, as a child of God? Father God, help me to know you and keep your word. Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually. Remember the wonderful works he has done, his miracles… (Psalm 105:4,2) Once you become aware that the main business that you are here for is to know God, most of life's problems fall into place of their own accord. J.I. Packer, in Knowing God A good website full of links to online resources for Knowing God: https://catholic-daily-reflections.com/ www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca & Gospel Mystery of the Day on Facebook Soli ad gloriam Dei Daniel 3:13-95 When Daniel and his two friends were about to be thrown into a fiery furnace for failing to bow down and worship the king of Babylon, they did not know whether they would die or continue to live on earth after their ordeal. They only knew that Jahweh, the God whom they served, was with them and kept them as his own, whether in this life or the next. Regardless of their great trust in God, the young men must have been pleasantly surprised to be met in the midst of the flames by a God-sent messenger along with a moist wind that whistled through the furnace. Moreover, at the end of the event (it ended, as all earthly events do) not only were they alive but the hair of their heads was not signed, their tunics were not harmed, and not even the smell of fire came from them. God had indeed miraculously freed Shadrach, Meshach and Abendnego, in good time and in an ‘out of the box’ way. As I face the fiery trials of our present physical, social and spiritual challenges will I trust the Holy Spirit of God to meet me and lead me through? God, like Daniel, help me faithfully walk through this time of fire. If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. (John 8:31-32) He said not 'Thou shalt not be tempested, thou shalt not be travailed, thou shalt not be dis-eased'; but he said, 'Thou shalt not be overcome. St. Julian of Norwich 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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