Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. (Psalm 119)
Luke 12:35-38 Little children often go through a phase of doffing every piece of clothing to run around in the nude, enjoying the sheer freedom of being unencumbered by anything – but they are in no way ready to play outside, go to the store with Mom or even meet up with their friends. We learn very quickly as children how protective it is to have pants coving knees when we fall, a shirt on to shield us from sun and scratches and pockets to improve productivity. Jesus counsels his disciples to remain dressed for action with our lamps lit as we go about living in this world. St. Paul opened up this metaphor in his letter to the Ephesians : Take then the helmet (think hockey) of salvation, the chest guard of righteousness, the ‘suspenders’ of truth, the shoes (skates ?) of peace, the shield of faith and the sword (the hockey stick?) of the Spirit which is the Word of God. Add to this attire the mantle of mercy and the shine, that is the light, of humble holiness , and you are ready for any kind of spiritual action. As St. Paul reminds us in Ephesians 6, Jesus has not called us to merely play and run free like little children in this game of life. We are called not merely play a game from time to time, but to struggle against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Will I doff my spiritual clothing to engage in childish things or dress myself in the clothing of Christ Jesus, that is the equipment I need to live a fruitful and a holy life? Holy Spirit, help me be dressed for action and have my lamp lit. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to your God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord. (Psalm 40:3) Remember that when you leave this earth, you can take with you nothing you have received – only what you have given: a full heart, enriched by honest service, love, sacrifice and courage. Saint Francis of Assisi Soli ad gloriam Gospel Mystery of the Day on FaceBook & www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca
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Mark 10:2-16 Working out the snarls in a ball of yarn recently, I realized that I was untangling the knots of my own life, as much as I was straightening out the wool. As much as I pulled on one end or the other of a knot, it tightend; whereas as much as I gently loosened the curves and convolutions of the line, the knots gradually pulled apart under the guidance of patient fingers. Jesus was speaking of this principle I think when he chided James and John for vying for the best seats in heaven. In trying to manipulate their own destinies, the ‘Sons of Thunder’ not only tried to pull a power play, but they also created a knot of contention between them and the other disciples. With practiced and gentle fingers of mercy, Jesus deftly opened up these kinks of character by pointing out that to become the greatest of all one must become a servant of all. Will I tighten the knots in my life by standing up for myself , insisting on my own way or devising way to manipulate the circumstances of my life? Or Will I allow the Holy Spirit’s fingers of mercy to gently pull apart my constructs of power and control and guide me to have a servant’s heart? Christ Jesus, help me not pull for power but be mindful of mercy. The word of the Lord is upright and all his work is done in faithfulness. (Psalm 33:1) Remember that when you leave this earth, you can take with you nothing you have received – only what you have given: a full heart, enriched by honest service, love, sacrifice and courage. Saint Francis of Assisi Soli ad gloriam Gospel Mystery of the Day on FaceBook & www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca Holy Spirit of God help me realize my worth to you… The Creator’s special care for us as human beings is at the foundation of our relationship to God, to Creation, and to our fellow inuqatigiit, the people we live on earth with. In the midst of addressing the hypocrisy of the religious establishment of his times, Jesus reminded his listeners to always consider that each of us is known, named and noticed in detail by our Father in heaven. Jesus makes it clear that each man, woman and child is worth a great deal to God. When I consider how worthy I am to love, and to be loved, because of who I am as a child of God, I then find it easier to interact with others in a respectful way. Unfortunately in these times of ‘virtual reality’ and our abject disconnection from the rest of creation, it is easy to descend into the darkness of not understanding my worthiness in God’s eyes. But as much as I patiently regard the days and ways of the natural world and the beautiful details of each human being, I am able to real-ize, what it is to live into, the worth I have in God’s eyes. Will I take time to consider my intrinsic worth to God? Holy Spirit of God, help me realize my worth to you. Like a deer that years for running streams, so my soul is yearning for you, my God; my soul is thirsting for God, the living God. (Psalm 42) Accustom yourself continually to make many acts of love, for they enkindle and melt the soul. Saint Theresa of Avila Soli ad gloriam Gospel Mystery of the Day on FaceBook & www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca Romans 2:1-11 There are so many good things to do. But when I speak impatiently to my child, hurriedly make a meal or brusquely answer yet another email or call, I am weaving frustration, disconnection, and discord into everyone’s day, and into the world in general. Christ calls us instead to weave truth and love into the world, into each of our relationships, at all times, without compromise. Today, what is good for me to do? What is the better… the best…next step? How will I do that patiently? Holy Spirit, help me to patiently do what is good. For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. (Psalm 62) Why, then, do you wander wide, poor child of earth, in your search after goods for body and soul? Love the One Good, in whom all good things are, and it is enough. Saint Ambrose Soli ad gloriam Gospel Mystery of the Day on FaceBook & www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca Jonah 1:1- 2:10 & Luke 10:25-37 The more self-referencing I am, the more complicated it can be to Journey through life. Although Jonah knew from his life of prayer that God was calling him to go to Nineveh, because he didn’t feel like doing it, he instead boarded a ship going in the opposite direction. In Jesus’ story, the priest and a Levite, who came upon the man who had fallen into the hand of robbers, ‘didn’t feel like’ dirtying their hands with a nobody fallen by the wayside and walked away from divine Mercy. Jonah, the priest and the Levite all walked away from the ways of God to follow their own deeds and devices and ended up not only endangering their own lives, but the lives of others around them. I, too, sometimes find myself doing the opposite to what I know to be God’s will or walking past an opportunity to engage God’s Mercy simply because I prefer my own agenda of comfort and safety to the ways of God. Yet when I do allow myself to be guided by God and to walk in His ways, I, like Jonah in Nineveh who saved the whole city, or like the Samaritan who restored the life of a wayside stranger find life and joy of the divine kind. Will I follow the ways of the Lord into fellowship with the Holy Three, or will I turn aside to do what I think is better and step into chaos and conflict? Holy Spirit of God, teach me your ways despite my waywardness. As my life was ebbing away, I remembered the Lord and my prayer came to you. (Jonah 2:7) Lord, help me to live this day, quietly, easily; To lean upon your great strength, trustfully, restfully; To wait for the unfolding of your will, patiently, serenely; To meet other’s, peacefully, joyously. To face tomorrow, confidently, courageously. Saint Francis of Assisi Soli ad gloriam Gospel Mystery of the Day on FaceBook & www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca |
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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