Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. (Psalm 119)
Ephesians 2:1-10 Faith, whether my own or that of others praying with/ for me, is the switch that opens up my connection to God. It is the difference between looking down or looking up; between despair and hope; between suspicious distrust and the cry of the blind man, Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me, a sinner. In these days of global upheaval, when I am noticing everything – the economy, food supply, social norms and even the Church –shifting beyond recognition so quickly, it is challenging to know where to turn for ‘saving help’ The world holds out virtual solutions for physical, mental, emotional and social services, but in the end even these technically advanced digital connections are really no better at saving humanity than in-person activities and appointments. But there is one sure foundation and fountain of Life that has the power to ease emotional, mental, spiritual and even physical distress at any time, in any place and to fill me up with what I most need: love, joy, peace, patience, generosity, faithfulness, humility and self-discipline. Anytime, I raise my eyes, no matter how slightly, from the deceits, distress and despair of this world, to focus on the life, the death, the resurrection and the continual presence of Christ Jesus, my faith leaps to life and the Grace of God begins to engage my soul. Will I continue to practice faith first and foremost in all of life’s circumstances, to free the Grace of God to save us all? Christ Jesus, save me by your grace through my faith, and the faith of all others praying with, and for, me. Surely God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid, for the Lord God is my strength and my might, he has become my salvation. (Isaiah 12:2) With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. Isaiah 12:3 www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca & Gospel Mystery of the Day on Facebook Soli ad gloriam Dei
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Ephesians 1:15-23 On these cool, mid-October days my office can be chilly. Although I have a small space heater that is (usually) plugged in to an electric socket, unless I (remember to) turn it on, I become more and more chilled hour by hour as I focus on my work. So it is in my spiritual life. When I forget to turn on and turn up my connection into God’s ‘power grid’, I become more and more cold to the will and the workings of God in and through my life. But when I remember to turn on my connection into God’s ‘power grid’ of Mercy and Truth and turn up my openness to God’s will, to a level that actually ‘warms up’ my heart, mind, soul and spirit with the Holy Spirit of God, I can maintain and level of spiritual, mental and physical liveliness that makes it possible to fulfill God’s work in and through my being. Like electricity, the power of God is always at work and available to us. I may realize that that at Baptism I received ‘the heater’ of my soul, and that at Confirmation or Conversion was when I ‘plugged in’ my soul into the power grid of God. But it is up to me at any given hour of any given day to (remember to) ‘turn up the heat’, to turn to God in prayer and find out what God has for me to be and to do. Am I still plugged in to the source of pure and holy human power, that is the Holy Spirit of God? Will I succumb to the chill of this world, or (remember to) ‘turn up the heat’? Holy Spirit of Jesus, remind me of your power available to me at all times. ... So that with the eys of your heart enlightened, you might know what is the hope to which he has called you, ... what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. (Ephesians 1:18, 19 ) In the twilight of life, God will not judge us on our earthly possessions and human successes, but rather on how much we have loved. St. John of the Cross www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca & Gospel Mystery of the Day on Facebook Soli ad gloriam Dei Luke 12:1-7 Human constructions, whether they be academic, economic, political, social or spiritual, are always flawed by deceits and human frailties of one kind or another, perhaps because human plans and projects arise from a limited perspective of global truth, and ego-centric agendas. God’s creation of, and connection with, humanity, is different. God’s communion that grows out from his love and mercy for his beloved men, women and children on earth, that is God’s kingdom, is not based on power and control, but rather on heart to heart communion and growth, forgiveness and healing. The external control measures put in place by civilisations’ systems can lead to poverty of body and spirit. On the other hand, the internal control measures designed by God, that take into consideration human dignity and the whole, unique and complete nature of each individual person, are life-giving for human hearts, minds, souls, and bodies. Will I align myself with human constructs or with God’s love and mercy? Holy Spirit of Jesus, help me align myself not with human hypocrisies but with the love and mercy of Father God. It is the Lord .. who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy. (Psalm 103:4) In the twilight of life, God will not judge us on our earthly possessions and human successes, but rather on how much we have loved. St. John of the Cross www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca & Gospel Mystery of the Day on Facebook Soli ad gloriam Dei Galatians 5: 16-26 For a tree to bear good fruit, it needs to be pruned, fertilized, protected from weeds and winds and attended by bees – hundreds of them. So I, if I am to bear the good and holy fruits of the Spirit, need to be tended by a master gardener who specializes in spiritual cultivation, who understands the rules of spiritual pruning and grafting, who can dig out ‘weeds’ of sin that threaten the roots of my being, and who can protect me from the blights of shallow individualism, and materialism, and allow and attract the ‘bees’ – other people - who help ‘pollinate’ the buds in me. When I rely on, and submit to, the Holy Spirit of God at work around, in, and through me, then my being will, over time, produce love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Am I willing to patiently submit to the kind and experienced hand of God that my being might produce the holy and life-giving fruits of the Spirit of God? Christ Jesus, cultivate in me the holy fruits of the Spirit. It is the Lord .. who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy. (Psalm 103:4) What is important is how well we love. God will make our love fruitful, whether we see that fruitfulness or not. Henry Nouwen www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca & Gospel Mystery of the Day on Facebook Soli ad gloriam Dei Galatians 5:1-6 Faith working can be either passive or active. I need to receive the love of God working within, the way yeast works in bread dough, that fills me with the breath and levity of his purity and mercy. Then my faith and trust in God is able to be working without, through the energy of his love, to reach out into the lives and hearts of others with peace and joy – and healing. Is there room in my heart, mind, soul and strength to be filled with faith working through love? Holy Spirit, fill me with faith working through love. Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:17) There is no pit so deep, that God’s love is not deeper still. Corrie Ten Boom 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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