Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. (Psalm 119)
Matthew 1:18-24 It is one thing to accept God’s purpose for my life. Of course, given the stark choice of light and dark, good or evil, life or death, I will choose God’s ways. But it is always a challenge to discern God’s purpose from my own. Joseph faced this quandary when his fiancé announced her pregnancy, reportedly ‘by the Holy Spirit’. His culture, upbringing and faithful heart led him to ‘dismiss her quietly’. But Joseph was a righteous man who accepted the purpose of God for himself, and so he did not act in haste, but waited. He did not simply act on what ‘they’ said, or consult others widely, but waited by himself on God to know His unique and complete purpose in this particular set of events. Then in the dark night of patient, though perhaps tortuous, waiting to know God’s way forward, Joseph perceived in a dream just what God’s purpose was. Counter to all he “knew”, he recognized that it was God’s purpose that he, Joseph, take Mary for his wife, name and father the Holy Child, Jesus ‘God saves’, within her – and not be afraid during the journey forward. We are told that Joseph, awoke from sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded. With this one act of recognizing and carrying out God’s purpose himself, Joseph played a pivotal role in bringing the Son of God who was the Son to Man to birth, through to maturity and eventually to the redemption of all humanity. Will I, like Joseph, wait upon, perceive, and act upon, God’s unique purpose for my life? Holy Spirit of Jesus, help me recognize God’s purpose for myself. Indeed, you love truth in the heart; in the secret of my heart teach me wisdom; A pure heart create for me O God, and put a steadfast spirit within me. (Psalm 51:6,10) He became what we are that he might make us what he is. St. Athanasius Soli ad gloriam dei Gospel Mystery of the Day on FaceBook & www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca
0 Comments
Luke 7:24 – 30 The Pharisees and lawyers of Jesus’ day were on top of things – and were guided by their own ego-centric purposes of heart. They judged John the Baptizer as foolish and so ‘rejected God’s purpose for themselves’. Not only did they omit to recognize their own need for repentance and healing from sin, but by refusing baptism, they decided themselves that their own plans and projects were preferable to God’s – and turned away from finding the path of Life in Christ Jesus, their Messiah. On the other hand, the tax collectors and all other ‘fools’ that that made up the crowds who simply and sincerely went to John for repentance and baptism, accepted God’s purpose for themselves and so were prepared to enter into the ministry of Jesus and finally the indwelling of the Holy Spirit of God to come. These were the people who ultimately became the Fathers and Mothers, Martyrs and Saints, of the Church. Will I continue on paths of my own choosing and purposes and so reject God’s own purpose for me, or will I, in simplicity and sincerity, enter into my baptism as a Christian through repentance and so make straight the way of the Holy Spirit of Christ Jesus to become present in and through my whole being? Holy Spirit of Jesus, help me accept God’s purpose for myself. Indeed, you love truth in the heart; in the secret of my heart teach me wisdom; .. A pure heart create for me O God, and put a steadfast spirit within me. (Psalm 51:6,10) He became what we are that he might make us what he is. St. Athanasius Soli ad gloriam Gospel Mystery of the Day on FaceBook & www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca Philippians 4:4-7 I love Christmas and can so easily rejoice in the season! As I get older, I am finally learning to, yes, rejoice at Christmas, but to rejoice in the Lord –always. When I was a child, and rejoiced so enthusiastically in Christmas, ordinary time would come along after the lights were taken down and the tree taken out to dry out in nature, and I would struggle to find the joy I had known just a season before. But as I have learned –always, no matter what the season - to rejoice in the Lord, I no longer have those days and weeks of post Christmas bules. I have learned to rejoice in all kinds of ways in all the demonstrations of God showing his love and mercy to us. These are usually found by practicing gentleness with myself and others, and through an attitude of prayer and of gratitude. This winter season in what, in whom, will I rejoice ? Holy Spirit of God, help me rejoice in the Lord, always. Surely the Lord 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) This season when Christ comes, will be find a warm heart? Mother Theresa of Kalcutta Soli ad gloriam Gospel Mystery of the Day on FaceBook & www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca Luke 5:17-26 We all have family and friends – not to mention whole communities and countries – that need healing. We can see it clearly! And our heart strings are stretched this way and that as we witness the suffering of those around us. What to do?? When Jesus was preaching village to village, people would bring their loved ones to him, sure that he would know exactly what to do. Things really haven’t changed that much in 2000 years. Like the friends of the bedridden paralytic, I too have friends and family members who are paralyzed by addictions, battered by social atrocities and systemic racism, and far too many community members – 70 all told – who have become so depressed that they have killed themselves. But how to do I bring people these days to Jesus? The Paralytic’s friends, dug down through a roof to dangle their friend in front of Jesus. I too need to find innovative ways to lay my people of concern at Jesus’ feet. Together we can prayerfully bring our loved ones to the Master Healer and witness his work. Like the paralytic’s friends, we may have our own preconceived notions about what kind of healing should occur. This story points us in a better direction.. to let Jesus heal in his way, in his time, resting in the knowledge that Christ’s healing will be perfect for the person and probably very different from what we envision. Will I bring my loved ones to Jesus for healing, trusting in his mercy and wisdom? Christ Jesus, teach me how to help people heal, by bringing them to you. Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure. . (Psalm 147:5) If you have a sick or lonely person at home, be there. Maybe just to hold a hand, maybe just to give a smile, that is the greatest, the most beautiful work. Mother Theresa of Kalcutta Soli ad gloriam Gospel Mystery of the Day on FaceBook & www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca Isaiah 30:19 -26 Picture a parent protectively walking behind their one year old, as he/she takes their first steps. This is God’s stance as I learn over and again how to walk in his ways. When I turn to the right or to the left , or stumble because I am not yet strong enough, Father God says, “This is the way, my daughter; walk in it.” Will I shrug off God’s counsel for me and go my own way(s), on my own, because I want to and think It’s Ok? Or will I hear the directions of the One who knows all and sees all, and loves me beyond all power, all possessions and all prejudices? Father God, help me heed your voice behind me say, This is the way; walk in it Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure. . (Psalm 147:5) When we walk with the Lord, in the light of his Word, What a glory he sheds on our way. If we do his good will, he abides with us still, And with all who will trust and obey. Author: John H. Sammis (1887) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KB4KcleYiWM 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
Categories |