Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. (Psalm 119)
Acts 8, 26-40 & 2Timothy 4:1-5 Is it good news or is it not? If the coming, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus is truly extra-ordinary and startling, so healing and fulfilling for everyone, and so readily available, what keeps me from telling everyone, everywhere all the time that there is hope, through faith in God’s mercy as performed by Christ Jesus? “They’ll think I’m crazy!”; “I don’t know how to say it;” “That’s not my style.” I say to myself. If Philip had not actively (even running-ly) proclaimed the Good News of Jesus to the euuch from Ethiopia, when would the people of that area have heard about God’s Mercy in Christ Jesus? If the apostles had not continued to proclaim what they had seen, heard and experienced pre-crucifixion and post-resurrection and had been quiet to protect themselves, when would we all have heard about God’s Mercy in Christ Jesus? What keeps me silent about the Good New sof Christ Jesus? Will I like Philip run to be present with others and explain to them the Good News of the abundant life in Christ Jesus? Holy Spirit of God, help me proclaim the Good News of Christ Jesus. Tell of his salvation from day to day! (Psalm 96:2) Lord you have my heart... And I will praise you, Lord, And I will sing of love come down, And as you show your face, We’ll see your glory here. Lord, you Have My Heart Soli ad gloriam Gospel Mystery of the Day on FaceBook & www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca
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Acts 6:8-15 Stephen was a good man who was ‘full of grace and power; and did great wonders and signs among the people’. Some time after the crucifixion Stephen was moved by the Holy Spirit of God to preach the truth of Jesus’ death and resurrection to Jewish authorities to bring them to repentance and the saving Grace of God. A number of movers and shakers of the people in those days, who the writer says ‘could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which [Stephen] spoke’, had such a great devotion to their own power and self-righteousness that they actually put their hands over their ears to stop the word of God spoken by Stephen from entering their souls – and then proceeded to stone yet another good man to death. When the Lord corrects me through the words and actions of others, will I, like the enemies of Stephen close my ears to their wisdom and the Holy Spirit of God, and get rid of those people, stone-walling them out of my life? Or will I listen attentively to the Truth that God is confronting me with, be corrected, and find redemption and new life in Christ Jesus? Holy Spirit of God, help me hear your wisdom and be corrected. Put false ways far from me, and graciously teach me your law. (Psalm 119) You cannot put straight in others what is warped in yourself. St. Athanasius Soli ad gloriam Gospel Mystery of the Day on FaceBook & www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca John 21:1-14 Like his Heavenly Father and his step father, Joseph, before him, Jesus was a good provider for his family. In the dim light of predawn, the disciples were disappointed, bringing up yet another empty net for the umpteenth time that night. Like their nets, the hearts of Peter and his friends were empty. Things were no longer the same. even though their Lord has risen from the dead. They could never count on him being present and it seemed that a good meal and relaxed conversation with Jesus were things of the past. But as the rays of sun warmed the landscape they noticed a lone figure on the beach tending a fire and calling out to them to throw their nets over the other side of the boat. With John’s exclamation, “It is the Lord!” everything changed. Nets became full, souls swelled with hope, and Peter put on his clothes (!) to jump into the lake and swim to shore. He was the first to notice the char-broiled fish and bannock baking over the fire; that indeed Jesus had been busy fishing, making bread and burn a fire down the coals, preparing and providing a hearty Shore Breakfast for them, just like the old days. Like Peter and his fishing friends - particularly during transitions in our lives - we too are often weary and discouraged by the emptiness of our ‘nets’, our occupations, and the emptiness in our lives and hearts. But let us remember with the dawn of each new day, that the Creator of all things in the person of Jesus has access to all people, places, and things to fill us with food for our bodies and souls – if we will but respond to his invitation to sit down and ‘have breakfast’ with him. Will I pull up on the beaches of my life and take time to ‘break the fast’ of emptiness, to take in the food and friendship that Christ Jesus prepares every day for me? Christ Jesus, help me perceive and receive of your provision. I believe I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. (Psalm 27:13) In everything, whether it is a thing sensed or a thing known, God himself is hidden within. St. Bonaventure 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
March 2024
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