Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. (Psalm 119)
Isaiah 49:1-6
Holy Spirit, help me recognize and acknowledge the gifts of God … All names have meaning, and John means ‘gift from God’. As Zechariah identified his son as gift from God, a sign of God’s grace, his own voice was freed, as was the character and calling of his son to become the “Baptizer of repentance”, and the prophet of the Messiah. Like Zechariah, we each have a voice inside that is designed to bring others as well as ourselves to God. How can my voice become audible? By recognizing and acknowledging God’s gifts in the here and now and proclaiming their origin, that each is gift from God. Holy Spirit, help me recognize and acknowledge all the gifts of God. Through the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will visit us. (Luke 1:78) Soli ad gloriam dei
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Genesis 13:2-18 & Matthew 7:6-14
Christ Jesus, help me find the narrow gates to the road that leads to life… The way of truth and mercy is not often obvious at first glance. In the midst of the clutter, clatter and chatter of the crowd around me on the easy road of self-indulgence and pride (and ultimate destruction) it is easy to miss the narrow, seldom seen and little used gates of compassion, humility, patience, faithfulness and peace. I need to continually look for these narrow gates, and not be daunted by the hard road beyond them. The life I find –not only at the end of the road, but also along each step of the journey, - awakens my heart mind, soul and strength to the light and companionship of Jesus. Christ Jesus, help me find the narrow gates to the road that leads to life. I am the light of the world, says the lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life. (John 8) Soli ad gloriam dei Genesis 12:1-9 & Matt 7:1-5
Adoration: My soul waits for the Lord … Intercession: Holy Spirit, help N_____ to wait for the Lord. When I interact with others and react to life circumstances with hastiness and multi-tasking, I often make snap judgments and by doing so, cause undue stress to myself and those around me. But when I, like Abram, patiently continue on the journey, waiting for the Lord’s guidance and grace to unfold, I move beyond judgement into mercy received and mercy given. When I am harmed or hurt by events, I bring the rips in the fabric of my soul to the Lord, to watch him patiently and mercifully mend them, and then go more carefully amongst others myself, so as not to rip them to shreds. When I fall into error myself, I bring the stains in my soul to the Lord, to watch him carefully and mercifully soak out the grime, and then more patiently rub shoulders with those around me. My soul waits for the Lord; ‘...Wait for it...!’, I say. Come to me, all who labour and are burdened, and I will refresh you, says the Lord. (Mt 11: 28) Soli ad gloriam dei 2 Corinthians 11:18-30 Matt 6:15-34 Lead my soul, O Lord, to make its boast only in you… It is so easy to lose the perspective of heaven and eternity when dealing with agencies, organizations, and shame-based individuals who do not recognize the peace of Christ’s forgiveness and reconciliation. But when I fill my eye with the light of Christ instead of the darkness of human shame, my soul makes its boast in the Lord, pointing my heart and mind to the mercy and love of God and the treasures of the kingdom of heaven: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Gal 5:22). Lead my soul, O Lord, to make its boast only in you. Your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in faithfulness to you. (Ps 26:3) Soli ad gloriam dei Psalm 111 & Matt 6:7-15
Holy Spirit of God, help me perform your precepts with faithfulness and uprightness… Even when I am harmed by others who do not know God’s ways, it is my choice whether or not I follow the precepts of God as they are outlined by Jesus in the Lord’s Prayer. How do I perform God’s precepts? “Faithfulness”, or the ability to keep my eyes fixed on Jesus, even when all I can see is his back, is needed. “Righteousness”, which is the way of genuine truth and love, is also required. Then I will be able to find the Creator’s way of humility, gentleness, peacefulness, hopefulness, and trustworthiness, through traumas and other disturbing events. Holy Spirit of God, help me perform your precepts with faithfulness and uprightness. Pray then in this way: Our Father in heaven … (Matt 6: 9) Soli ad gloriam dei The Precepts of the Lord’s Prayer: 1. Realizing that I am a beloved daughter of Father God 2. Recognizing that God’s kingdom is above and beyond the most successful and famous human designs and organizations 3. Knowing that the will of God is the higher calling of each individual 4. Honoring the Lord’s name and character above all 5. Being forgiven by God for my own errors and omissions 6. Realizing I am called to forgive others and that as much as I am able to do this, I realize God’s mercy myself 7. Walking the light of truth and love even in the ‘mine-fields’ that test faith 8. Trusting in Christ’s leading through my own misunderstanding, harmful words and deeds of others or even figurative ‘torture and crucifixion’. |
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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