Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. (Psalm 119)
John 15:18-21
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord,” we say at the end of the Sanctus at each mass. Amongst the faithful, we are welcome to be followers of Jesus. Not so in the world! In today’s society especially, it is not ‘cool’ to talk in Jesus’ terms about an unborn baby’s right to life, about the value of ‘handicapped’ children or adults, or about the sanctity of family. Instead, it is ‘hot’ to quote scripture over lunch in the staff room, and to question the digitization of education and home life. That’s okay! Jesus has been there and did that before us; he, too, was often in ‘hot water’ in the local social context. Regardless of the hatred and persecution of the world for my life of faith, I can rest in the knowledge of love of Christ who sent his Holy Spirit to fill me with mercy and sustain me in the ‘cool’ of his presence. Am I okay to be filled with holy love rather than to be loved by the world? Holy Spirit, help me follow you beyond the hatred of the world ... Know that the Lord is God. It is he that made us, and we are his; we are his people. (Psalm 100:3) Love is a fruit that is in season at all times and within reach of every hand. Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca & Gospel Mystery of the Day on Facebook Soli ad gloriam Dei
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John 15:1-17
Christ Jesus, help me remain in your love so I can bear much good fruit… When I run headlong into the consequences of my imperfections and sins, it seems challenging to remain in the vine, feeding on the love of Christ. I can so easily begin to feed myself on judgement (of myself and others), resentments, or passions of any kind, and cut myself off from the mercy of God. Then I become fruitless or, worse still, become diseased with the fungal fruits of envy, malice, unfaithfulness, pride and hatred, and need to be heavily pruned (healed) by God. But when I freely receive the love and mercy of Christ and let it flow into me, through me, and out of me, I can be tenderly cultivated by my Creator, the ‘vine-dresser’, and produce the good fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, spreading Faith, Hope and Love with my life. Am I sucking up resentments and judgements today, or drinking deep of God’s mercy to grow into a healthy and a fruitful branch of the True Vine? Christ Jesus, help me remain in your love so I can bear much good fruit. I will give you thanks among the peoples, O Lord. (Psalm 57:10a) Love is a fruit that is in season at all times and within reach of every hand. Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca & Gospel Mystery of the Day on Facebook Soli ad gloriam Dei John 14:27-31
The peace Christ gives is unlike any other peace. It is not simply the absence of fear. Nor is it dependent on ‘getting enough’ fame, fortitude or fortune. Rather, it is the inspiration of the Holy Spirit of Jesus himself. This peace is the same gift of the same Master who prepared his disciples for the dark days of his own passion, and death by crucifixion. This unique and complete peace of Christ is the same gift he gives us, too, for every challenge ahead so that we are able to have faith in Him and not be paralysed by fear. Will I take the time today to smile at Christ Jesus, ‘feed on Him in my heart’, and let the His peace permeate my being? Christ Jesus, help me receive your peace. I will sing of your steadfast love, O Lord, forever; with my mouth I will proclaim your steadfast love to all generations. (Psalm 89:1) Peace begins with a smile. Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta 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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