Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. (Psalm 119)
Jeremiah 2: 1-13
Help me realize your steadfast love, O Lord, and your salvation ... It is so easy to take God’s love and salvation for granted. Of course God loves his people! Of course he has saved us! But do I live as one who is truly loved by my Father-God? Or do I live as if it doesn’t really matter what I do, say or think? Do I live as one who has been saved to live abundantly and draw water from the fountain of living water? Or do I exist on ground water, bound for certain destruction and death guided by my own unredeemed nature and devices? Help me real-ize your love, O Lord, and your salvation. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. (Psalm 63:3) God is love, and all his operations proceed from love. St. Lawrence of Brindisi Soli gloriam dei .
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Jeremiah 1:1-10
Like Jeremiah with the people around him, I discover that ‘others’ can be very harsh with me. Whether family members or co-workers, fellow parishioners or community members, other people do not always appreciate what I am offering, particularly if I am being prompted by the Holy Spirit of God, it seems. Like Jeremiah, I do not appreciate being rejected or sidelined or ridiculed –and begin to doubt that I am of any worth. God reminded Jeremiah –and reminds me today –that ‘Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you... Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you, to deliver you.’ ‘They’ are not a force to be reckoned with; God’s love and his ways of Mercy are designed to be the source and summit of life, the only power worthy of consideration. Holy Spirit, help me not to be afraid of ‘them’. In you, O Lord, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame. (Psalm 71:1) I have never succeeded when I have spoken with the faintest suspicion of hardness. St. Vincent de Paul Soli gloriam dei . Micah 6:1-8
How can I live into my faith, so I can live it out in my family and my community? Rather than building up and protecting my own interests, I am called by the Lord to do justice. Rather than learning how to work the systems of society and influence people, I am called to love with kindness. Rather than aspiring to be successful and running with the leaders of this age, God calls me to walk humbly, day by day, with Him. Holy Spirit of God, help me do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with you. The Lord has done great things for us, and we rejoiced. (Psalm 126:3) Jesus is happy to come with us, as Truth is happy to be spoken, as Life to be lived, as Light to be lit, as Love to be loved, as Joy to be given, as Peace to be spread. St. Francis of Assisi Soli gloriam dei. Isaiah 26:7-19
Adoration: Christ Jesus, in my distress, I seek you ... Intercession: Holy Spirit, in [his, her] distress, help [him, her] remember to seek you ... Life in this present generation is stress-full; Anxiety resulting from undue stress is the most wide-spread mental health diagnosis, jamming emergency rooms and mental health wards, not to mention jails and confessionals. When I am over-whelmed with stress, what can I do? Will I talk about all that is ‘stressing me out’ or ask a doctor for a prescription or some form of self-destruction, or will I ‘seek the Lord and call upon him’. As much as I seek the Lord in truth with love (caritas in veritate), with a repentant heart seeking his ways through the swamp of distress, I will find Him whose ‘name and renown are my soul’s (deepest desire), he who is the Good Shepherd. It is the Good Shepherd who eventually makes everything make sense, even in the most difficult circumstances. In my distress, I seek you, Lord. Christ Jesus, whenever we are in distress, help us to seek you! My soul yearns for you in the night, my spirit within me earnestly seeks you. (Isaiah 26:9) They who know how to forgive prepare for themselves many graces from God. St. Faustina Soli gloriam dei . Isaiah 10:5-46
Standing firm in faith is our life’s primary calling. Whether happy or sad, at peace or facing difficulties, standing firm rooted and grounded in faith in God is essential. Whenever I am lonely or afraid, it is time to stand still, wrapped in the love of God. Whenever I am rejected or diminished it is time to stand rooted in the remembrance of the truths of God. If I am filled with gratitude for wondrous graces received, it is time to stand grounded in the mercy of God. Christ Jesus, help me stand firm in faith. Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually. Remember the wonderful works he has done. (Psalm 105:4-5) Who except God can give you peace? Has the world ever been able to satisfy the heart? St. Gerard Majella |
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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