Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. (Psalm 119)
John 11:45-57
An active imagination coupled with fear can so easily lead us into the deceits of the evil one. Although the Pharisees, the council of the high priests in Jerusalem hoped to protect their Jewish religion by treating Jesus as guilty until proven innocent, they were easily led astray by their fears and all of the ‘what ifs’ they imagined – and shed the blood of the most holy Priest, Prophet and King in their midst. What am I fearing and imagining most in my life? How is it leading me to extinguish the most holy perceptions, plans and people in my life? Christ Jesus, help me not fear but accept your salvation. He has shown strength with his arm, he has scattered the proud in the imaginations of their hearts. (The Benedictus) Many will be confused and many will be deceived. But Jesus says, you must stand ready, stay awake, stay tuned to the word of God, so that you will survive all that is going to happen and be able to stand confidently (con-fide, with trust) in the presence of God together in community. Henri Nouwen, Finding My Way Home: Pathways to Life and Spirit www.gospelmysteryoftheday.weebly.com & Gospel Mystery of the Day on Facebook Soli ad gloriam Dei
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John 10:31-42
Just as the Pharisees and the council of high priests shunned, mistrusted, mistreated Christ Jesus, so any one of us can pass through life similarly unrecognized and discounted. Although through baptism each of us bears the stamp of the Father’s love on our souls, I too often react to others out of envy, rather than acceptance, out of judgement rather than nurture. When I, too, greet others with a closed and calculating heart rather than the subjective openness of spirit with which God treats me, I, too, am guilty of stoning Christ. But as much as I acknowledge the sacred heart of Jesus in the souls around me, I receive Christ for who he really is, and allow my soul to be healed and restored to abundant Life. As I meet Jesus and behold Jesus in others, no matter how strange they appear, do I recognize him for who he really is –my Redeemer? Christ Jesus, help me recognize you for who you are in each person I meet. O Lord, you test the righteous, you see the heart and the mind. (Jeremiah 20) Many will be confused and many will be deceived. But Jesus says, you must stand ready, stay awake, stay tuned to the word of God, so that you will survive all that is going to happen and be able to stand confidently (con-fide, with trust) in the presence of God together in community. Henri Nouwen, Finding My Way Home: Pathways to Life and Spirit www.gospelmysteryoftheday.weebly.com & Gospel Mystery of the Day on Facebook Soli ad gloriam Dei Christ Jesus, help me prepare a place for your Word in my heart, mind, soul and strength...3/21/2018 John 8:31-42
Like any good plant, the seed of the word of God needs to have place to grow. The more I break up the soil, fertilize it and prepare the place for a garden to grow, the more assured I am that seedlings will flourish and grow up to produce flowers, foliage and fruit. Similarly, the more I set aside and prepare place in my heart, mind, soul and strength for the seed of the Word of God, by breaking up my own preconceived notions and pride, by adding the fertilizer of sins forgiven, and put aside time and energy to be devoted to the sowing and nurture of the Word, the more assured I am that that the Word of God will flourish in my being. How am I preparing place for the Word in my heart? In my mind? In my soul? In my strength? Forever I will keep my steadfast love for him, and my covenant with him will stand firm (Psalm 89) Many will be confused and many will be deceived. But Jesus says, you must stand ready, stay awake, stay tuned to the word of God, so that you will survive all that is going to happen and be able to stand confidently (con-fide, with trust) in the presence of God together in community. Henri Nouwen, Finding My Way Home: Pathways to Life and Spirit www.gospelmysteryoftheday.weebly.com & Gospel Mystery of the Day on Facebook Soli ad gloriam Dei John 8:21-30
I don’t want to die in my sins! To be engulfed in all my own foolish devices and deceits forever would be hell indeed. This is, though, exactly what Jesus foretold would happen to those who should not, would not and could not (in humility) hear the Word and recognize Him for who he was –Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, their saviour. The Pharisees of Jesus’ day, like countless others down through the ages, became stuck in their own sins by relying on their own ideas of who and what the Messiah would be. Many have in this way died in describing and fighting against the issues and ills of society around them, all the while turning a blind eye and a deaf ear to their Creator and Redeemer waiting to rescue them from their own great deception. Am I floundering in the sinking sands of sin or standing on the rock of Christ Jesus? Christ Jesus, save me from my sins! Forever I will keep my steadfast love for him, and my covenant with him will stand firm (Psalm 89) Many will be confused and many will be deceived. But Jesus says, you must stand ready, stay awake, stay tuned to the word of God, so that you will survive all that is going to happwn and be able to stand confidently (con-fide, with trust) in the presence of God together in community. Henri Nouwen, Finding My Way Home: Pathways to Life and Spirit www.gospelmysteryoftheday.weebly.com & Gospel Mystery of the Day on Facebook Soli ad gloriam Dei . Matthew 1:16-24 I often blame underemployment, humiliation, impoverishment, and the corruption of others for the troubles and problems I encounter in life. In reality though it is my own sins –of pride, envy, judgement, passion, idolatry, self-centredness and etcetera –that are the root of my biggest hurdles in life. Thanks be to God for Joseph who was obedient to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit of God and took Mary as his wife, when he heard that Mary’s baby was (Christ) Jesus, “God Saves”, the one God had promised to save his children from their sins. Now, more than 2000 years later, because of the righteous and obedient humility of Joseph, and ultimately of his stepson, Jesus, I too can become Part of the family, of the Holy family of the Body of Christ, by being saved from my sins. Am I willing, like Joseph, and Mother Mary, and Jesus, to keep covenant with the lord and dedicate myself to God, no matter what is required of me? (Jer 4:4). Christ Jesus, save me from my sins! From heaven the Lord looked at the earth, to hear the groans of the prisoners, to set free those who were doomed to die. (Psalm 102) It is important for us to realize that when Jesus says, “It is accomplished” (John 19:30), he does not simply mean, “I have done all the things I wanted to do.” He also means, “I have allowed things to be done to me that needed to be done to me in order for me to fulfill my vocation.” Henri Nouwen, Finding My Way Home: Pathways to Life and Spirit www.gospelmysteryoftheday.weebly.com & 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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