Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. (Psalm 119)
Judges 9:6-15
Resentment, envy, pride and avarice... these are sins that close our hearts to the light and love of the Holy Spirit of God and result in the production of worm-eaten, wizened and rotted fruit in our lives. Gideon’s son, Jotham, called out his half-brother, Abimalech’s, treachery and murder and likened him to a thorny weed. Jesus demonstrated through the parable of the landowner hiring vineyard labourers how easy it is for [me] to grumble and let resentment poison [me] by looking at the “cup half-empty, instead of half-full”. Only the Holy Spirit has enough insight into human frailty to probe and purify the thoughts and motives of [my] heart. Holy Spirit of God, probe and then purify the thoughts and motives of my heart that my life might bring forth good fruit. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all within me, bless his holy name. (Psalm 103:1) Soli ad gloriam dei
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Matthew 19:16-22
Old habits of self-servitude, giving in to passions and lusts of eye as well as body, and bids for fame and power this side of heaven are hard to break. Using my own resources, I sometimes manage to redirect my thoughts, words and actions, only to get mired down in another aspect of self-centred schemes. Truly, if I am to make any headway in putting aside my ‘stubborn ways’, I need the help of the Holy Spirit, first to identify the habits that run counter to God’s way for my life, and then to render them powerless over my heart, mind soul and body. Christ Jesus, deliver me from my stubborn ways. Many times the Lord delivered them, but they were rebellious in their purposes. Nevertheless he regarded their distress when he heard their cry. (Psalm 106:43) Soli ad gloriam dei Judges 6:11-24
Sometimes I am like Gideon whose faith was wavering. “If the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all the wonderful deeds that our ancestors recounted to us?” Furthermore, sometimes I, like Gideon, believe myself to be the least useful person for God’s purposes. The Lord’s response? “Go in this might of yours ... Peace be to you...” When Gideon opened his heart to the angel of the Lord, his faith in God deepened beyond a shadow of doubt or questions. His conclusion was, “The Lord is peace,” and went on to become the great warrior God identified him to be. How much does my faith need to deepen for me to carry out what the Lord has commissioned me to do? Holy Spirit of God, open my heart to deepen my faith in you. For he will speak peach to his people, to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts. (Psalm 85:8) Soli ad gloriam dei Matthew 18:12- 19:1
Having shared our humanity, Jesus well understood the dynamics of forgiveness, and continues by the example of his passion, death and resurrection to teach us the mercies inherent in forgiving others. “[Forgive] not seven times but seventy times seven,” he says, and continues to point out the consequences if I do not forgive my brother, my sister from my heart. Alone, I am not able to battle resentments, grudges, and the keeping of kindness/ meanness accounts. Only with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit of Jesus do I have the wisdom, the clarity of thought and word, and the strength to forgive with the love of Christ, and so allow his life to flow through mine. Christ Jesus, help me forgive my brothers and my sisters. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my saving strength. (Psalm 18:2) Soli ad gloriam dei Deuteronomy 31:1-8
Just as the Israelites wandering in the desert, in spite of all the graces God had shown them, needed to be reminded by Moses to stay faithful to the Lord God, so I need reminding to turn towards God, not away from him. Understanding that Jesus as Son of God, Teacher and Redeemer goes before us, I have even more reason than the Israelites to trust God. Remembering God’s mercies to me, then I know with certainty that “God will not fail me or forsake me” as I move forward through the minutes and the events of my life journey. Holy Spirit of God, help me turn, not away from you, but towards you. I am like a growing olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever. (Psalm 52:8) 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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