Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. (Psalm 119)
Psalm 15
The poor are all around us… those who are poor in physical necessities, or in relationships, in health, in spirit. Perhaps even I am poor. Do I have the time in my day and the space in my heart to hear the cry of the poor? How will I extend God’s mercy when I hear the cry of the poor? Holy Spirit, help me hear the cry of the poor. Happy are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord. (Psalm 119) In the end, the most important thing is not to do things for people who are poor and in distress, but to enter into relationship with them, to be with them and help them find confidence in themselves and discover their own gifts. Jean Vanier Soli gloriam dei.
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Psalm 15
A toddler learns to walk by taking first steps in front of a parent, tightly gripping a mother`s or a father`s finger. Stumbling along in this way, such a child is never accused of clumsiness or false steps.As parents we applaud any effort by a small child to walk. So it is with us as we walk blamelessly in front of God. In his mercy our Creator-God understands our stumbling steps as we walk before Him, tightly gripping his `mercy finger` (see * below). First and foremost, our Father-God does not blame us, but delights in our efforts to grow up into our heritage as his beloved daughter or son. Christ Jesus, help me walk blamelessly before you. Let my prayer come into your presence. Incline your ear to my cry for help, O Lord. (Psalm 88:2 ) We are not the sum of our weaknesses and failures; we are the sum of the Father’s love for us and our real capacity to become the image of his son Jesus. St. John Paul II *The American Sign Language sign for Mercy: hands extended, palms up, hook your middle fingers in toward the palms; flutter the remaining 3 fingers and bring hands toward you. (try it! It is a prayer – signed word!) www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca Soli gloriam dei. Philippians 2:6-11
Perhaps the most amazing character trait of Jesus was his complete submission to the will of his Father. By his willing obedience, he fulfilled his role as the Messiah of the world –and redeemed all who believe in him, from the deadly grip of (self-serving) sin. God has a purpose for my life, and yours, as well. Whether princess or pauper, professional or patient, no matter my role or position in life, God’s will for me is part of his perfect design. Day to day, minute by minute, do I choose my own will, or the fulfillment of God’s will for my life? Like Jesus, help me fulfill your will for me, O Lord. I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart. (Psalm 40:8 ) We are not the sum of our weaknesses and failures; we are the sum of the Father’s love for us and our real capacity to become the image of his son Jesus. St. John Paul II Soli gloriam dei. 1 Corinthians 12:12-31
‘Many the people, many the gifts’, says a hymn. Each one of us, woman, man, child, elder, bears a unique configuration and assortment of talents and strengths - and weaknesses and character traits - that have the potential to enrich and bring healing to the world. When I try to do everything myself or complain about others, I greatly reduce the avenues of grace. But when I take time to discover and call out the attributes of others, their wondrous gifts are made ‘real’ or released to fit into the salvation and healing of God’s plan. Holy Spirit, help me real-ize the gifts of others. I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart. (Psalm 40:8 ) We are not the sum of our weaknesses and failures; we are the sum of the Father’s love for us and our real capacity to become the image of his son Jesus. St. John Paul II www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca Soli gloriam dei. 1 Corinthians 11:17–33
Waiting is meant to be a holy pursuit. When I patiently wait for a flower to unfold, a traffic light to change, or a dawdling toddler, many prayers can be raised to God and most of all I have time to be thankful. Patient waiting is similarly a holy – and a healing- activity in the context of community. When I patiently wait for others to speak, I am practising humility, any division between me and the other dissipate. When I gently wait in line for others to receive the goods of life before me, I am living into a kind of gratitude that eliminates greed and all the sin that it spawns. Am I prepared to live into the mercy of ‘holy waiting’? Holy Spirit, help me wait for others. I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart. (Psalm 40:8 ) The most powerful weapon to conquer the devil is humility. For, as he does not know at all how to employ it, neither does he know how to defend himself from it. St. Vincent de Paul 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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