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Acts 3:11-26 & Luke 24:35-48 Sometimes when I encounter bumps in the road or ruts in the mud of life, I forget that these are passing features of life’s journey. Then, like the disciples of Jesus, the week after his resurrection, I can sink quickly into fear or sadness. But Jesus is as near as a prayer. Just a few weeks later, Peter, the man who had betrayed his Master at the trial, was standing before a crowd confidently encouraging them – and us: “Repent therefore, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” Christ Jesus, refresh me in your newness of life. This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad. (Psalm 1118) Christ is risen, and life reigns. St. John Chrysostom Soli gloriam dei .
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Acts 3:1-10 & Luke 24:13-25
The paralyzed man waiting day after day at the gate of the temple recognized the presence of Christ Jesus in Peter and John when they said, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk.” Jumping up, the man began to walk! The disciples walking the road to Emmaus were slower on the uptake. When Jesus came near and went with them, they were so caught up in their own ideas that they didn’t even recognize the very One they were discussing! Today, am I seeing Jesus, present along my life’s journey? Or am I too busy chattering away to myself and others about how bad things are? Christ Jesus, quicken my heart to know your presence with me. Let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually. (Psalm 105: 3,4)) And he departed from our sight that we might return to our heart, and there find him. For he departed, and behold, he is here. St. Augustine Soli gloriam dei . Acts 2:14-33
I am very familiar with the ways of death: stress, judgments, resentments and self-centredness. But am I just as familiar with the ‘ways of life’? Am I really walking the walk of Jesus, risen and alive? Is his peace displacing stress within and without? Do I let his mercy and love pour into me and through my being to others? Am I nurturing his gifts in creation and in the lives of others around me? Holy Spirit, make me to know the ways of life. You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy. (Psalm 16:11) Let not the things which have been made new return to their former corruption. St. Leo the Great Soli gloriam dei . John 20: 1-18
But Mary Magdalene stood weeping outside the tomb. Woman, why are you weeping?... ‘They have taken away my Lord and I do not know where they have laid him.’ ... Jesus said to her, Mary! She went and announced to the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord!’ Alleluia! Christ’s tomb became the womb of life for the world. May we, like Mary Magdalene, in all of our fears, upsets and griefs, recognize our Lord Jesus Christ, our Redeemer who lives yesterday, today and forever. Alleluia! The right hand of the Lord is exalted; the right hand of the Lord does valiantly. I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the Lord. (Psalm 118:16, 17) Death and life fought bitterly For this wondrous victory; The lord of life who died reigns glorified! Easter Sequence. Ancient Hymns Soli gloriam dei . Isaiah 52:13-53:12 & Psalm 31
Jesus alone has walked this earth as Son of Man, and sinned not. Everywhere I turn along life’s journey I bump into sin – either my own or others, pride and prejudices, selfishness and fears. Where do I go to be delivered from all that drags me ‘into the pit’? Isaiah points us to the Servant of all servants, to the Son of God who as the Son of Man, who was judged, suffered torture, was crucified and buried ‘for our transgressions’ so that ‘by his wounds we might be healed’. Only the death of Christ could redeem me, my brothers, my sisters and each of the Saints, (and ‘saints’) of history, past, present and future. Christ Jesus, in your righteousness, deliver me, deliver us. The righteous on, my servant, shall make many righteous and he shall bear their iniquities. (Isaiah 53) Come, adore this wondrous presence, Pange Lingua, Thomas Aquinas 1227-1274 Soli 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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