Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. (Psalm 119)
2 Corinthians 1:18-22 & Matt 5:13-16 It is astounding that “God himself has set us apart”, as followers of Christ, “who has placed his mark of ownership upon us and who has given us the Holy Spirit,” as St. Paul states. Does it not make sense, then, that, as Jesus says, we are to be the salt of the earth and a light to the world? Despite my own estimation of my worth, or my many fallible judgements of others, we, the disciples of Jesus, have a responsibility to live in truth and in love. Will I hide myself way from the world and withhold for my own comfort the saltiness and light invested in me by the Baptism of the Holy Spirit? Will I perhaps slink around, blending into the lower common denominator of a humanity grappling with the fallen world, pretending that it doesn’t matter to me or to God? Will I allow myself to wear the masks of deceit handed to me by the world, the flesh, and the devil? Or will I keep to the heights of the human experience of God with us secure in the knowledge that I am carrying the Holy Spirit of Jesus? Christ Jesus, help me live into the Holy Spirit of God within me. Lord, send forth your Spirit and renew the face of the earth... (Psalm 104: 30) O Holy Spirit, by whose breath Life rises vibrant out of death; Come to create, renew, inspire; Come kindle in our hearts your fire. John Grant. Based on Veni Creator Spiritus www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca & Gospel Mystery of the Day on Facebook Soli ad gloriam Dei
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1 Corinthians 1:1-7 & Matt 5, 1-12 The Beatitudes of Jesus focus not on the goods of living in comfort and security, but rather on the fruits of God`s grace made manifest as I live prayerfully depending on God’s mercy through the traumas, trials and troubles of life’s journey. St. Paul, in speaking of all the beatings, imprisonments and rejections that the world could throw at him, concluded that as much as we are helped by God to find the strength to endure all troubles without sin, that much we are then able to help others find the grace to endure their own trials and traumas. This divine economy of strength, and power, and blessed-ness, is designed to constantly be in motion. When grace flows in to my soul, into even the most serious difficulties, then grace will flow out from me to others and in turn help them to endure and overcome great challenges. This is ‘beatification’, this is healing, no matter the severity or levity of any given circumstances. Will I allow the grace of God to flow through the traumas, trials and tragedies of my life? Holy Spirit of God, help me in all my troubles so I am able to help others. Lord, send forth your Spirit and renew the face of the earth... May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the Lord. (Psalm 104: 30 & 34) O Holy Spirit, by whose breath Life rises vibrant out of death; Come to create, renew, inspire; Come kindle in our hearts your fire. John Grant. Based on Veni Creator Spiritus www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca & Gospel Mystery of the Day on Facebook Soli ad gloriam Dei Acts 2:1-11 My soul can be filled with whatever spirit I open myself to, and wait upon. So many ‘spirits of the air’ are willing to take up residence in my spirit, my body, and my mind – spirits of success, fame, fortune, of selfishness, sloth and security, of pride, avarice, judgement, and etcetera. But as human beings, we are divinely designed to be filled with the Holy Spirit of God. Welcoming the Holy Spirit requires that I, like the disciples, wait and pray out of humility and a deep longing to be at one with Christ Jesus and to align myself with his life-giving death and resurrection. Such an amazing outpouring of the Holy Spirit occurred when the disciples prayerfully and humbly gathered together in obedience to Jesus’ final instructions. When the Holy Spirit came to them, not only they but ‘everyone in his/her own language’ recognized the burning and purifying words of God’s deeds of power. Will I, like the first followers of Jesus, patiently wait on the Holy Spirit of God? Holy Spirit, come to me. Lord, send forth your Spirit and renew the face of the earth... May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the Lord. (Psalm 104: 30 & 34) O Holy Spirit, by whose breath Life rises vibrant out of death; Come to create, renew, inspire; Come kindle in our hearts your fire. John Grant. Based on Veni Creator Spiritus www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca & Gospel Mystery of the Day on Facebook Soli ad gloriam Dei John 21:15-19 If we were to see Jesus in person, I would turn to you and say, “I love that man!” Perhaps the majority of the followers of Jesus would respond in the same way were they to encounter Him in real time. Unfortunately like Peter, at times I find it easier to keep the love I feel for Jesus in my heart of hearts – and carry on with my life, taking his mercy for granted. But Jesus wills that the love I have for Him be expressed in all aspects and avenues of my life’s journey. He calls me to deliberately reach out to the weak, the poor, the abandoned, the rejected ones whom he loves and want to care for through my hands, my feet, my voice and my compassion. By faithfully ‘feeding his lambs and his sheep’ in this way, my love for Jesus can be lived out in real time, in real places and in real people. Holy Spirit, help me live out my love for Christ Jesus. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits. (Psalm 103:1-2) Let us claim the truth that we are loved and open our hearts to receive God’s overflowing love poured out for us. And living fully each day, let us share that love in all our wonderful and difficult relationships, responsibilities, and passages. Henri Nouwen, Finding My Way Home www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca & Gospel Mystery of the Day on Facebook Soli ad gloriam Dei Acts 23:6-11 Paul was facing stoning, torture and imprisonment on a regular basis and was on his way to Rome as an ‘inconvenient’ prisoner of the Roman Emperor. That is when the Lord “stood near him one night, and said, ‘Keep up your courage and keep testifying for and about me.’” The challenges I face even on a daily basis are much less serious but are no less significant. They too feign to have the power to enslave me and break me in body, mind, and soul. Just as the Lord in real time stood beside his beloved witness who had wakened in the night wondering what will happen to him and what to do, so the Lord stands by me in the night when I am awaken with the same worries. As I face the challenges in my life will I, like Paul, keep up my courage so that I might testify for Christ Jesus, no matter where I go and what I do? Holy Spirit of God, help me keep up my courage to testify for you. I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I keep the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Psalm 16:7-8 ) Let us claim the truth that we are loved and open our hearts to receive God’s overflowing love poured out for us. And living fully each day, let us share that love in all our wonderful and difficult relationships, responsibilities, and passages. Henri Nouwen, Finding My Way Home 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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