Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. (Psalm 119)
1 Kings 18:20-39
There are so many, and such varied, possibilities that open up in my life during any given day. Any one of these paths can lead either away from, or towards the light and life of God. The people of Elijah’s time found that journeying with Baal was blissful and ‘fun’ ... and were led day by day further and further away from the ‘living God’ of Abraham, Isaac and Israel. What paths are opening up before me today? Which one path is Jesus walking in truth and love? Christ Jesus, show me the path of life. Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord. I have no good apart from you.” (Psalm 16:1) Jesus, help me simplify my life by learning who you want me to be –and becoming that person. St. Therese of Lisieux Soli gloriam dei .
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1 Kings 17:7-16
God sometimes calls us [me] to go and do things that are far beyond our [my] reach –using the last of the flour to make bread for a wanderer, or face the sudden and indescribable loss of a person near to us [me]. But always with such impossible demands on our [my] resources, either physical or mental, comes the promise of God: “The jar of meal and the jug of oil will not be empty until the day that the Lord sends rain on earth.” In mental/emotional/social terms this could read, ‘As much as I trust the provision and promises of God and walk ahead in my journey, I will find that His mercy will not fail. I will find enough mercy within even the hardest of circumstances to see me through and keep me alive in heart, mind, soul and strength.’ Christ Jesus, help me take the next right step without fear. When you are disturbed, do not sin. (Psalm 4:4) Fear paralyzes. It is love that moves us forward. Tim Staples, Facing Our Fears, Lighthouse Catholic Media CD Soli gloriam dei . Isaiah 61: 9-11
As baptized Christians we all have (I have) been clothed by Christ with the garments of salvation –compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. When I receive any one of the healing sacraments (Holy Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick) it helps me to ‘wash, and dress myselfè again, in my salvation clothing. In this way, I am drawn into the nearer presence of Christ again, through my continuing prayers lived out in my (renewed and holy) everyday connections with others. Alternate soul-clothing is available to me for the wearing – judgement, hardness of heart, pride, self-indulgence and impatience –but it is my choice which garments I wear. At any given moment, in any given circumstance, will I choose to wear the garments of self-centredness, or the garments of salvation? Holy Spirit of God, clothe me with the garments of salvation. Help me, like Mother Mary, to wear the garments of salvation. But I trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. (Psalm 13:5) Loving heart of Jesus, you move hearts that are harder than rock, you melt spirits that are colder than ice, and you reach souls that are more impenetrable than diamonds. St. Margaret Mary Alacoque Soli gloriam dei . Ezekiel 34: 11-16 & Luke 15;3-7 & Psalm 23
Our souls take a beating on a daily basis, given the pressing pace of our ‘virtual’ society. Connections with God and with the natural world are blatantly disrupted and even mocked in public and in private; and connections with others, whether with close family and friends or the world at large are tenuous at best and fraught with conflicts and rumours of war or calamity. Where can I go to have my soul repaired and refreshed? It is a shepherd’s business to lead sheep to peaceful streams of fresh water, fine and nutritious food, and safety. Am I willing to stop my wandering and listen for the voice of Jesus, the Good Shepherd? He will lead me, as he has time and time again, to healing waters, greener pastures and a well-protected place of rest and re-creation. Restore my soul, O Lord. I will seek out my sheep and rescue them from all the places to which they have been scattered. (Ezekiel 34: 12) Loving heart of Jesus, you move hearts that are harder than rock, you melt spirits that are colder than ice, and you reach souls that are more impenetrable than diamonds. St. Margaret Mary Alacoque Soli gloriam dei . 2 Timothy 1:1-12
A special measure of God’s grace is given to each Christian at Baptism. But with the wear and tear of everyday life and an odd crisis or two, it is easy to let the fire of God’s mercy be dampened within my heart and mind. Paul encouraged Timothy to take responsibility for his own health and welfare, by rekindling, or feeding the fire of the Holy Spirit in his soul through study of scriptures, prayer and doing daily tasks “with gentleness born of wisdom” (James 3:13). Does the gift of God within me need rekindling? How will I deliberately rekindle the gift of God’s grace as I think and move and have my being? Holy Spirit, help me rekindle the gift of God that is within me. The love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Spirit of God dwelling within us. (Romans 5:5) God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline. St. Paul II Timothy 1:7 Soli 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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