Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. (Psalm 119)
Gospel Mystery of the Day Friday, June 15, 2018
Good Morning! Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. (Psalm 119) Matthew 5:27-32 Holy Spirit of God, help me to just do right… Again and again Jesus counselled his disciples to follow the commandments of God. Whether using parables, directing imperatives or answering their queries, the Master’s guidance was the same: live the spirit, not just the letter, of the law –just do right, no matter what the cost. It is true that when I live into the righteousness of God, there will be a cost. Others might use, abuse, or refuse (mercy to) me, particularly if I choose to ‘just do right’. That’s Ok! God’s mercy is much bigger than any hurt. But it is always my choice to not use, abuse, or refuse mercy to others. Today will I have the courage to choose to just do right in thought, word and deed? Holy Spirit of God, help me to just do right. I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! (Psalm 27:13,14) ‘Sister, you know what’s right… Just do right. You don’t really have to ask anyone. The truth is, ‘right’ may not be expedient; it may not be profitable, but it will satisfy your soul.’ Maya Angelou’s Grandmother https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxrV2J_OjGo www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca & Gospel Mystery of the Day on Facebook Soli ad gloriam Dei
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Matthew 5:20-26 Whether an event is big or small, when I choose anger over peace, insult over affirmation, dismissal of someone over their instrinsic sanctity as a child of the Creator, I offend the laws of the Holy Spsirit of God. Jesus teaches that reconciliation is the antidote to conflict in any of its forms. Choosing to ‘come to terms quickly’ with anyone who is accusing me of anything, whether true or not, can take a great deal of time and healing work. But according to Jesus, it is worth the effort; it prevents prolonged condemnation –either temporal or eternal. Who do I need to ‘come to terms with’ today? Christ Jesus teach me how to be faithful to the laws of God. The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. I keep the lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. (Psalm 16:5,6) Love is the strongest force in the world, and when it is blocked that means pain. There are two things we can do when this happens. We can kill that love so that it stops hurting. But then of course part of us dies, too. Or we can ask God to open up another route for that love to travel.” Corrie Ten Boom www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca & Gospel Mystery of the Day on Facebook Soli ad gloriam Dei IKings 18:20-39 & Matthew 5:17-19 The laws and commandments of God are not external prescriptions to be mechanically applied to life. Rather, they are a description of our intrinsic divine nature. As much as each person finds and follows the divine order within, he or she is able to live fully into their heritage as a child of God and so have an abundant life. In each thought, word and action today, will I be faithful to the laws of God’s nature of creativity and mercy, joy and peace, liveliness and steadfastness? Will I live into my journey as a follower of Jesus? Holy Spirit, help me be faithful to the ways of God. The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. I keep the lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. (Psalm 16:5,6) Real zeal is standing still and letting God be a bonfire in you. Catherine Doherty www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca & Gospel Mystery of the Day on Facebook Soli ad gloriam Dei Gospel Mystery of the Day Tuesday, June `2, 2018
Good Morning! Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. (Psalm 119) Matthew 5:`3-`6 Christ Jesus, teach me how to be salt and light in the world .... When I bring a relationship or a situation to God in prayer, over time there is a resolution to the conflict experienced that is always life-giving and usually a surprising restoration of the unique gifts of all concerned. This is how I experience healing as an individual through the salt (suffering in truth, truth through suffering) and the light (truth in love and love in truth) of God. But the salt and light of God is not only for my own satisfaction, but for the satiation and redemption of the whole world. How am I to salt and light the world? In and of myself, no matter how many talents I have, it is impossible. Only as I align myself with the humility (suffering), the truth, and the love, of Christ will I be able to make life more palatable to those who are oppressed and become a beacon of faith, hope and love to anyone around me. Christ Jesus, teach me how to be salt and light in the world. You gave me room when I was in distress. Be gracious to me, and hear my prayer. (Psalm 4:1) When Christ is growing inside of us, we will be led to people, places, and situations that we never dreamed of. We will bear words of consolation and hope that are not our own. In the very act of consoling others, we will be consoled. Fr. Thomas Rosica , Reflection on Feast of the Visitation, May 30, 2018 www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca & Gospel Mystery of the Day on Facebook Soli ad gloriam Dei Matthew 5: 1-17 When cracks in the foundation of our social system appear –the promotion of abortion, legislated assisted dying, school lockdowns etcetera –I become even more acutely hungry and thirsty for righteousness, a.k.a. the goodness of God. And when I experience cracks in the foundation of my own community, my family, or even in my own health, I begin to starve for the goodness of God, for the healing of all sin and destruction, for the restoration of ‘right-ness’. The Beatitudes of Jesus are a set of promises that lead me into deep faith, hope and love, beyond any of the foundational cracks in life this side of heaven. As much as I yearn for justice and mercy –for the righteousness and goodness of God – to ultimately triumph, Jesus promises that I will be satisfied by the Grace of God towards humankind. When will I realize the fulfillment of my longing for God’s goodness? Certainly in heaven, in the company of the saints and angels there will be satisfaction of this grave hunger and thirst; but as much as I align my heart with the sacred heart of Christ Jesus here on earth, I will also be able to trace the Grace of God apparent in this life, no matter how sordid and sinful the world becomes. Am I hungry and thirsty enough to drink deep of the promises of the Beatitudes? Blessed are they who long for the goodness of God; they shall be satisfied. Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation. (Psalm 25:1,2) The man of the true religious tradition understands two things: liberty and obedience. The first means knowing what you really want. The second means knowing what you really trust. GK Chesterton 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
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