Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. (Psalm 119)
Acts 7:51- 8:40 Stephen, the first recorded Christian martyr, was so attuned to the Holy Spirit, that even when he was being stoned he was able to speak with the Spirit and, like Jesus, forgive his persecutors. Philip, who was likewise attuned to the Spirit of Jesus, understood the promptings of the Holy Spirit to walk a wilderness road, and then to ‘Go over to this chariot and join it’ – the chariot of an Ethiopian court treasurer. An amazing encounter ensued that resulted in the man’s conversion and baptism into new life in Christ. Philip was then ‘snatched away’ by the Spirit while the Ethiopian traveller returned home to proclaim the Good News to who knows-how-many others. This kind of life in the Spirit is available to all followers of Jesus for the asking, and the tuning-in. Am I, like Stephen and Philip, so aligned with the Holy Spirit that he inspires my thoughts, words and actions? Christ Jesus, help me be attuned to your Holy Spirit. Blessed our God, ... who has kept us among the living, and has not let our feet slip. (Psalm 66:8-9) Love doesn't mean doing extraordinary or heroic things. It means knowing how to do ordinary things with tenderness.” ― Jean Vanier, Community And Growth www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca & Gospel Mystery of the Day on Facebook Soli ad gloriam Dei
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John 10:11-16 Any ‘good’ shepherd has laid down his life for his sheep by being on the job 24/7/365. Jesus, as the Good Shepherd literally gave up his life that we, his followers, might be able to look to him as our guide, our master, and our friend through the gift of his Holy Spirit every minute of every hour of our lives, 24/7/365. Our good shepherd knows where to find the cool waters of peace and joy, and leads us there as only he can, to drink deeply of the sweetness of love and truth. And he knows which lush meadows are nearby and leads us there, to take in his living word and take part in lively communion with himself and with other women and men and children who are part of his flock. I am familiar with, and recognize, the voice of Jesus, but do I constantly listen for his guidance and call back and forth to him? Will I attentively keep my heart open to his beck and call? Holy Spirit help me listen to Jesus, my good shepherd. Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. (Psalm 96:7) It is not a gift or a reward God wants to give us. It is a communion. An encounter. A life. Jean Vanier in A Cry is Heard. 2018 www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca & Gospel Mystery of the Day on Facebook Soli ad gloriam Dei John 21:1-19 “Do you love me ?” Jesus is constantly asking us. “Do you love me?” -more than the comforts of First World status quo? Only if I truly love Jesus more than all these things, will I be able to ‘feed his lambs’ with the attention, connection and provision they need. “Do you love me?” –more than being a victim of all the injustices and hurts that have come along? Only if I love Jesus more than ‘being right!’and ‘sweet revenge’, will I be able to ‘feed his lambs’ with the sweet fruit of (divine) mercy. “Do you love (have deep personal attachment to) me?” –more than life on earth itself? Only if I love Jesus more than my own idea of my life and so will follow him even to my own seeming demise, will I be able to ‘feed his sheep’, that is, minister to other followers of Jesus. Do I love Jesus with *‘reasoning, intentional, spiritual, devotion, as one loves the Father’? Do I love Jesus with *‘the same deep, instinctive, personal attachment with which I love a friend’? Holy Spirit deepen my love for Christ Jesus. *the expansion of the two Greek words for ‘love’ used in this passage from the Amplified Bible, 1958 You have turned my mourning in to dancing. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever. . (Psalm 30:11) It is not a gift or a reward God wants to give us. It is a communion. An encounter. A life. Jean Vanier in A Cry is Heard. 2018 www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca & Gospel Mystery of the Day on Facebook Soli ad gloriam Dei John 3:16-21 I may go to church regularly, identify as a Christian, and “like” the light of Jesus, and even talk about it –and then choose the darkness of judgemental and unforgiving thought, deceitful or slanderous talk, and successful, self-focused actions. But when I love the light of Christ I will prefer and willingly choose light filled thoughts, life-giving talk and loving actions, no matter how inconvenient they are. Today, this year, will I prefer darkness over light or love the light of Christ? Christ Jesus, help me love light over darkness. I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. (Psalm 34:1) It is not a gift or a reward God wants to give us. It is a communion. An encounter. A life. Jean Vanier in A Cry is Heard. 2018 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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