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Haggai 1:1-8
I can spend so much time and energy busy with the projects of life, that I shift my focus to survival or success and forget to make place for God’s presence in the course of each day. Through the prophet Haggai, the Lord called the Israelites, and us today, to ‘Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored’. To make my being a house for God’s presence, like the Israelites, I need to leave fruitless pursuits behind. I need to go out to the ‘hills’ of society, walk around in relationships or in reflective solitude, and find the wood that will make place for God to be present to me, to us. Very often, the wood, the materials required to make space for the Lord’s presence, are simple things like visits, prayers, songs or short conversations – anything that allows room for God’s words of love, faith and hope to be whispered into our lives. How might I make place for the presence of God in my life today? The snare is broken, and we have escaped. Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth. (Psalm 124:7,8) Christianity has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and not tried. GK Chesterton www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca Soli gloriam dei.
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2 Corinthians 4:7-15
When I survive through life’s struggles for my own satisfaction, I can easily be overwhelmed by wave upon wave of challenges that come to me. But when I realize that any ‘trauma drama’ I endure can bear witness to faith, hope and love, hidden as they are in the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus, then I can persevere by the grace of God through any storm of life. When I acknowledge the mercy of God in any given situation, then ‘grace, as it extends to more and more people, may increase thanksgiving to the glory of God.’ Is it Christ’s mercy or my own heroism that I proclaim as I navigate the trials of life? Christ Jesus, be made visible through my life’s challenges. The snare is broken, and we have escaped. Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth. (Psalm 124:7,8) Christianity has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and not tried. GK Chesterton www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca Soli gloriam dei. Ezra 1:1-6
Human beings are designed to be the dwelling place of God in Creation, both individually and collectively. I so easily fill up my life with things other than the Holy Spirit of God, especially self-referring pride and passions. Then my life becomes stuffed with rotting fruit, like envy, ‘issues’ and plans, rather than fruit that will last and bless others, such as love, joy and peace. Just as the Israelites were invited by King Cyrus of Persia to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the ruined temple, so we are encouraged by Him to return to our heritage as beloved children of God, to rebuild our lives as temples of the Holy Spirit. What is the next best step to rebuilding my life, my family, perhaps my community, to be restored as a dwelling place of the Holy Spirit of God? Holy Spirit, help me restore your dwelling place. Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves. (Psalm 126:6) We are not called by God to do extraordinary things, but to do ordinary things with extraordinary love. Jean Vanier, Becoming Human www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca Soli gloriam dei. I Timothy 6:2-12 Holy Spirit, help me fight the good fight of faith... Challenges to a life of faith and holiness are all around us in this present age. A list of the ‘isms’ –materialism, relativism, pessimism, and so on – is just a beginning analysis of the barriers a committed follower of Jesus faces. What to do? ‘Paul’ advised Timothy, who was living in similarly decadent times, to fight the good fight, by pursuing holiness & righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness at all times, in all circumstances. To agree with the sound words of Christ in accordance with godliness requires active service, spiritual fitness and clear commitment to the cause of Christ. Today am I ready to fight the good fight of keeping the faith and pushing back the godlessness of this age? Holy spirit, help me fight the good fight of faith. Jesus saw Matthew; and Jesus said to him, “Follow me.” And Matthew got up and followed Jesus. (Matthew 9:9) Christianity has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and not tried. Gilbert K. Chesterton www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca Soli gloriam dei. Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13 Jesus calls me not only to a life style like his, but also into relationships like his, patterned on his own intimate relationship with his Father. Do I lead my life into success, security and fame, or into faith, hope and love as Jesus professed them? When I give and take, do I deal in money or mercy? Does limited convenience or healing conversation draw me into relationships? Will I follow the call of the world or of Jesus, the Son of God? Holy Spirit of God, help me lead a life worthy of the calling of Jesus. Jesus saw Matthew; and Jesus said to him, “Follow me.” And Matthew got up and followed Jesus. (Matthew 9:9) 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.” G.K. Chesterton www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca 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
January 2021
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