Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. (Psalm 119)
Colossians 3:1-11 Holy Spirit hide my life with Christ... My natural inclination, rooted in pride and passion, is to be bold and powerful, proclaiming my own self worth and wonders. The Gospel proclaims a different way, the way of ‘downward mobility’. The most peaceful, the most significant place for me to be is to be so identified with Christ that my life appears to be hidden in his, as the moon becomes hidden in sunlight. Then I will be able to be a beacon of light in the darkness of the world, the flesh and the devil. Holy Spirit, hide my life in Christ Those who are wise will shine brightly like the splendour of the firmament and those who lead the many to justice shall be like the stars forever. (Daniel 12) Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies. St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca Soli gloriam dei.
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Colossians 2:6-15
Holy Spirit of God, help me continue to live rooted and established in Christ Jesus... I know that it is always better to be rooted and established in Christ, before the day begins, as I journey through the day, and any time I am at rest and reflecting on things. But it is hard to continue keep my heart and mind rooted and grounded as I should. Only with the help of the Holy Spirit as I move through the disciplines of prayer (including praying scriptures), fasting and acts of charity am I able to excavate a foundation deep and firm enough to build up my life in Christ brick by brick, thought by thought. Nothing is more grounding than ‘becoming alive’ in Christ. Holy Spirit of God, help me continue to live rooted and established in Christ Jesus. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. (Psalm 62:8) Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies. St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta For a description of St. Paul’s journeys see https://www.loyolapress.com/our-catholic-faith/scripture-and-tradition/jesus-and-the-new-testament/saint-paul-and-the-epistles/pauls-journeys www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca Soli gloriam dei. Colossians 1:24-2:3 Holy Spirit of God, inspire me with your energy... As one of the most dynamic Apostles evangelizing the world after Jesus’ death and resurrection, St. Paul required huge amounts of all kinds of energy! With 13 letters that have become books of the Bible, and over 10, 000 miles of (sometimes wild) missionary journeys spread over 32 years, Paul of Tarsus had to have continually put forward super human effort. Only by seeking out the measured but generous, creative but nurturing, energy of God and putting aside his own agendas was Paul able to meet the relational and environmental challenges of his life’s path. Am I relying on my own resources or on the Holy Spirit as the source of my energy? Holy Spirit of God, inspire me, breathe into me, your energy. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. (Psalm 62:8) Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies. St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta For a description of St. Paul’s journeys see https://www.loyolapress.com/our-catholic-faith/scripture-and-tradition/jesus-and-the-new-testament/saint-paul-and-the-epistles/pauls-journeys www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca Soli gloriam dei. Colossians 1:21-23 Holy Spirit, help me continue to be established and steadfast in the faith... At Baptism, and every time I mindfully receive Holy Communion or the healing sacraments of Confession or the Anointing of the Sick, I establish myself in a position of faith in Christ Jesus and the wider mercy of God. But how do I keep steadfast in the faith? By replacing deeds of pride with prayer , choices of passion with fasting and self-centredness with generosity, I keep my faith lively and strong. Holy Spirit, help me ‘continue to be securely established and steadfast in faith without shifting from the hope promised by the gospel that [I] heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven’. But surely, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life. (Psalm 54:4) Jesus became what we are that he might make us what he is. St. Athanasius www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca Soli gloriam dei. Romans 8:28 – 30 This scriptural prayer, from Paul’s letter to the Romans, is one of the most fundamental prayers for followers of Jesus. But let us keep in mind what the life of the Incarnate Son looks like. Jesus is not only the Prince of Peace, the Healer of the World, and the Master of the Apostles. When he was on earth, he was also the Man of Sorrows and crucified as public enemy #1. Am I truly willing to be conformed to the likeness of Christ Jesus? If I am willing to be shaped by God in the image of his Son, I can expect similar sufferings and sorrows as much as I can expect an abundant life that impacts the world with mercy and grace. But, as Paul reminds us... “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” – and are “conformed to the image of his Son”. Do I dare pray, Conform me to the likeness of your son, O Lord? Do I dare not pray in this way? Lord, how great is the goodness that you keep for those who fear you. (Psalm 30:19) Jesus became what we are that he might make us what he is. St. Athanasius 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
March 2024
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