Matt 8:23-27
It is easy to be a person of faith when all goes well. “Thanks be to God,” I might say, implying that I’m glad I’m not that other person scarred by the sins of themselves or others, or the ‘poor people’ suffering from wildfires or flooding. But when the storms of life overtake us, it is a different story. Navigating the waves of family relationships gone awry, working conditions changing dramatically or the storms of trauma drama blowing through our lives, not only test our faith and all that we have learned about God and his Mercy, but also wash away any trust in divine rhymes and rhythms, that is shaky or based on half-truths and worldly ‘goods’. I have noticed that the deepest faith in God resides in scarred and battle-worn people who have navigated ‘rough ice’ and ‘stormy seas’ more than once in their lives; by tracing the Grace they have somehow arrived on the other side of the challenge to live more gratefully and more fully the journey before them.  When the disciples set out from Capernaum with Jesus on the way to the country of the Gadarenes -where they would be met by two ‘fierce demoniacs’- they were clearly faithful, but not faith-full. They needed the storm experience to have their Master chide them with,  “Why are you afraid, you of little faith?”  to shift them into deep trust in his ways and days. When the storms of life, that is the trials and troubles, yes, and even traumas, of life wash over me, will I be faith-full enough to not be afraid, and to journey ahead with Jesus?   Holy Spirit of God, help me remain faith-full even in the storms of life.  
 
Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you. (Psalm 33:22 )
 
We have an anchor that keeps the soul/ Steadfast and sure while the billows roll/  Fastened to the Rock that cannot move/ Grounded sure and deep in the Saviour’s love.
Priscilla Jane Owens, 1829-1907
 
Listen 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1snJ8xirfYw&list=RD1snJ8xirfYw&start_radio=1
 
Soli ad gloriam Dei - Gospel Mystery of the Day on FaceBook & www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Acts 20:17-27 & John 21:15-19
Undoubtedly, the ebb and flow, the dyings and the risings again, of ocean waves give glory to God as they ‘stir the waters’ on the face of the earth. Who of us hasn’t been calmed by the lapping of waves on sand at sunset or sunrise, inspired by frothy whitecaps hitting shore on a bright, windy day, or awed by the power of towering swells crashing to land during a storm? All the undulations of the sea arguably bespeak the character of Creator God who sets in motion all things spiritual, sensual and physical in our human lives. When we approach any manifestation of God’s might and mercy, whether it be on the face of the earth in the face of another, or in the face of my own soul, there we have a choice.  We can ignore or dismiss the winds of the Holy Spirit, or we can ‘inspire’ the breath of the Holy Spirit, find the Glory of God’s Grace and hear his clarion call to Life, Light and Love, no matter what the weather. When I experience any one of the dyings of my life – the passing of friends or family members, the loss of mobility or health, the end of a job or a sojourn in a particular community, (even the confession of sin during a private celebration of the sacrament of Repentance), or the downsizing of our lives in any way, we experiences the natural undulations of the ‘shifts’ and ‘seasons’  always at play in the natural world, and spiritually for us human beings designed by God in his own image. At these times, will I will I wallow in selfish musings on the ‘world, the flesh and the devil’ or will I allow this constant ebb and flow of my life to give glory to God by thought, word and deed?  Holy Spirit of God, help me give you glory in my dyings and risings again.  
 
I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; all the good things I have come from you.” You, Lord, are all I have and you give me all I need; my future is in your hands. How wonderful are your gifts to me, how good they are! (Psalm 16:1 & 5)
 
Open my eyes, Lord, help me to see your face,
Open my eyes, Lord, help me to see …
Michael W. Smith
Listen to this song at     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eo6gZAUuQ3E
And pray with Pope Leo XIV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGgaeTCS_-Q
 
Soli ad gloriam Dei - Gospel Mystery of the Day on FaceBook & www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca
 
A Blessed Pentecost Season to you!
Come Holy Spirit, comfort, teach and protect us!  

Ephesians 1:17-23 & Hebrews 9:24-10:23
Like the haze of wildfires spreading across the world, the cares and worries of this life blot out the Sun of Righteousness – the Mercy of God expressed through the incarnation, ministry, and sacrifice of Christ Jesus, the Son of God who become the Son of Man.   So many clouds of distress and despondency keep us focused on the deceits of this world: I need more, now, to my own liking, rather than on the Hope held out to us by the One who conquered sin, the world, and the devil.  And so we are driven to accept the haze of unhappiness as normal and the Hope of Christ unattainable. But when I take time to “see with the eyes of my heart”, I find the gift of the Holy Spirt and can breathe in the Holy inspiration of the Word. It is then that I see and experience the mighty Grace and Mercy of God  in our my relationships – with God, with the natural world, with family and friends close and with the world at large.  Will I be oppressed by the haze of doubt and despair, or will I know, that is, recognize and real-ize the Hope to which I am being called?  Holy Spirit of Jesus, help me live into the Hope that you hold out to me. 
 
Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who has promised is faithful.  (Hebrews 10:23)
 
My hope is built on nothing less/Than Jesus and his righteousness.
I dare not trust a sweeter frame/ But only trust in Jesus’ Name….
On Christ, the solid rock I stand/ All other ground is sinking sand.
Edward Mote (1797-1874)
 
Soli ad gloriam Dei - Gospel Mystery of the Day on FaceBook & www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca
 
A Blessed Pentecost Season to you!
Come Holy Spirit, comfort, teach and protect us!  
 
 
 
 
 

John 14:27-31
In our world, there is so much that can cause tension, if not conflict, between family members, friends, neighbours, co-workers and communities at all levels.  And even the smallest shift in our plans due to others’ whims or even a change of weather can disturb our peace. Toxic ‘what if..’, and ‘shoulda, woulda, coulda’ thinking so easily and so quickly commandeers our minds into fight, flight, or freeze mode, and keeps our sights lowered. Then our vision of holy Light, Life and Love dark becomes clouded with fear and worry, soaked with grief and dodging the lightening bolts of frustration or even rage. [I] try my best to plan and project [my] idea of tranquility into my days and ways, but even good habits and habitual ‘self care’ cannot in fill [my] soul with peace.  Into these (thunder) storms of life, Jesus comes to us, walking over the waves and holding out his hand. “Peace I leave with you: my peace I give to you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid…” Troubles and fears have a way of filling up our hearts, minds, souls and strength, rendering us powerless to Live and to Love.  The Peace of Christ also has a way of filling up [my] being that, through the power of forgiveness and of holy joy, allows [me] to Live and to Love, no matter the changes and chances – or people – I encounter on my journey. It was this Peace of Christ, fueled by holy forgiveness, that allowed the Son of Man who was the Son of God, to deal with the clambering crowds, walk the Way of the Cross, die on a Roman cross, ( Praying, Father, forgive them, they don’t know what they are doing!), stay connected despite abject abandonment … and rise again to finish his ministry of Mercy on Earth.  Will I engage and entertain, and fill up, my time and energy, with the troubles and fears that assail my life?  Or will I look into the face of Christ Jesus and soak in His Peace, that extraordinary Peace that the world cannot give. Will I let the Peace of Christ, brokered by the release of forgiveness, fill up my being so that I can continue along my journey of Light, of Life, and of Love, following the One who knows the way? Holy Spirit of Jesus, help me receive your Peace in my heart, mind, soul and strength.
  
The Lord is faithful in all his words, and gracious in all his deeds. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. (Psalm 145:17,18 )
 
Death and life fought bitterly
For this wondrous victory;
The Lord of life who died reigns glorified!
Sequence for the Gospel Reading on Easter Sunday, the Resurrection of the Lord
 
Soli ad gloriam Dei *** Gospel Mystery of the Day on FaceBook & www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca
 
A Blessed Easter Season to you! 15 days to Pentecost
Let this be our song: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia
 
 

 
Acts 13:13-33
From the time of their creation, human beings have needed saving, from the basic sin of self-sufficiency - that quickly leads to the idolatry of a fruit of creation,  lusts and passions of the flesh,  and the deceits of Lucifer, the one who would not serve. Soon after he met the Risen Christ on the road to Damascus, Paul of Tarsus, a man steeped in the history of salvation from a Jewish and Greek perspective, began proclaiming the Good News of the salvation of God brokered through the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus. He joined the other Disciples of Jesus of Nazareth, Peter and the gang, preaching and real-izing (that is making real) the Word to anyone who would listen. For Paul and the Apostles it was clear: The Holy Spirit of God had been, still was, and would be, at work to bring the beloved human beings of planet earth back into holy intimacy with God in the living, loving and light-filled community of heaven, through a baptism of repentance in line with the service and sacrifice of Christ Jesus; and that Jesus, the new Adam, is the Way, the Truth, and the Life of the Redemption of human kind, a saving Grace that had been, has been and will be constantly at work within and through human experiences of every age and civilization.  Will I recognize the Grace of God bringing about salvation not only throughout human history, but also in the days and ways of my life? Will I real-ize that salvation is the purpose of God -  through each building up and each tearing down, each sorrow and each joy, and each death and each rising again - along my life’s journey?  Holy Spirit of God, help me recognize and realize your salvation unfolding through my life.
  
You are my Father, my God, the Rock of my salvation. (Psalm 89:26 )
 
Death and life fought bitterly
For this wondrous victory;
The Lord of life who died reigns glorified!
Sequence for the Gospel Reading on Easter Sunday, the Resurrection of the Lord
 
Soli ad gloriam Dei
Gospel Mystery of the Day on FaceBook & www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca
 
 
A Blessed Easter Season to you! 19 days to Pentecost
Let this be our song: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia