John 15:1-8 & 14:21-26
Christ Jesus, help me remain in your word and so bear much fruit...
                     
Remaining in Christ’s word results in bearing much fruit. This is the message of Christ’s claim that he is the Vine and we are the branches.  Remaining in Christ means that I seek nourishment only from Him. When I seek to ‘feed in my heart’ on human fame or success, knowledge, material possessions, on my own talents or on the talents of others, I can quickly become ill in mind, soul and even strength.  But as much as I allow Christ’s word to flow from scriptures, from nature, and even from human nature, that much I become nourished and strengthened to produce the fruits of love, joy, peace, hopefulness, faithfulness, patience and long suffering in this life that I have been given, in the lives of others around me and in all of creation where I live, and move and have my being. In the morning when I awaken and throughout each day, what are the words that quicken me to life and fruitfulness? Christ Jesus, by your Holy Spirit, help me remain in your word and so bear much fruit.   
 
I will sing of your steadfast love, O Lord, forever; with my mouth I will proclaim your steadfast love to all generations.  (Psalm 89:1)
 
We do not detach ourselves from things in order to attach ourselves to God, but rather we become detached from ourselves in order to see and use all things in and for God.
Thomas Merton
 
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Soli ad gloriam Dei

John 14:1-6
                   
How often as I face daily decisions do I ask, ‘Which way should I go?’ Deciding which is the right way can be paralyzing; instead of walking ahead on my journey, I can become stuck in the mud of indecision. In his response to Thomas’ question, “How can we know the way?” Jesus settled the dilemma of indecision once and for all: “I am the way...” When facing a choice, I, like all of Jesus’ disciples throughout the ages, have the option to take a moment to deliberately breathe in the Holy Spirit of Jesus and discover where He is in any given situation.  Under the guidance of the Spirit, the truth and life of Jesus, as they are recorded in scripture, are always there to guide me into the truth and the life of any of my life’s circumstances. At points of decision will I take the time to align my heart, mind, soul and strength with the Holy Spirit so that I can find my way to Christ Jesus? Christ Jesus, help me find my way in you, the truth and the life.
 
I will sing of your steadfast love, O Lord, forever; with my mouth I will proclaim your steadfast love to all generations.  (Psalm 89:1)
 
Faith, love and hope are the divine life that is lived in us, a life that comes from divine glory and enables us to live the Christian life.  
Hans Urs von Balthasar
 
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Soli ad gloriam Dei

1 Peter 5: 5-14

Peter, the ‘impetuous’ disciple of Jesus and the head of his Church – and the man who denied Him vehemently at his Master’s greatest hour of need - knew the difference been God’s mercy and Satan’s destructive tactics. As Creator and Father God cares for us and can accommodate and understand all of our burdens and worries, much better than mere human beings – and nurtures us in the process. How different God’s approach is from that of the Evil One that ‘prowls around looking for someone to devour’ – and destroys those so consumed. This difference between life and death impacts my life directly.  As much as I cast my worries on God, and so engage his compassion and grace, that much I live, rather than merely exist, or, worse still, lose my life. Today will I cast all my anxieties on God – simply because he does care for us, for me, his beloved daughter?  Holy Spirit, help me cast all my anxieties on God, because he cares for us.    
 
I will sing of your steadfast love, O Lord, forever; with my mouth I will proclaim your steadfast love to all generations.  (Psalm 89:1)
 
When you know how much God is in love with you, then you can only live your life radiating that love.
St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta
 
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Soli ad gloriam Dei

John 6:53-69
Christ Jesus, within thy wounds hide me….
                     
In Holy Communion Jesus’ own sacrificial body and blood become part of me, and I become transformed by God’s amazing sacrifice of his own Son. How does this happen? St. Ignatius’ prayer, the Anima Christe, draws us into the depths of this mystery. “O sweet Jesus, within they wounds hide me…” When I become hidden within the wounds of Christ, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” My own wounds and offenses (both given and received) are then swallowed up by Christ’s tremendous sufferings to produce their fruits of sanctity and joy. Similarly when I remain hidden in within the wounds of Christ, my pride and success in anything I do or say (or write), or have, is put into perspective as merely one drop in the ocean of God’s faithfulness.  Am I committed to truly entering into the woundedness of Christ by consuming his body and blood, or will I, like the majority of the crowd in Jesus’ day and in our own, walk away from Holy Communion to continue on our various paths of personal retribution, self-righteousness and accomplishments?  Christ Jesus, within thy wounds hide me.   
 
What shall I return to the Lord for all his bounty to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord.   (Psalm 116:1)
  
Anima Christe
Spirit of Christ, sanctify me,
Body of Christ, save me,
Blood of Christ, inebriate me,
Water from the side of Christ, wash me,
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O sweet Jesus, within thy wounds hide me,
Let me never be separated from you;
From the evil one defend me.
And when I come to die, bid me come to you,
That with the angels and saints I might praise your name forever.
 
St. Ignatius of Loyola
 
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Soli ad gloriam Dei

John 10:1-10
           
Sheep that are notorious for straying from the flock are bound for trouble. Consumed with curiosity or self-satiation, a sheep that wanders away from the shepherd can become stuck on a ledge or in a swamp and end up as a good meal for a hungry carnivore.  Only rarely does a ‘black sheep’ find its way home.  So it is with me. When I pursue my own curiosity and self-satisfaction away from my connection to Christ Jesus, I, too, can become lost or the prey of evil, never returning to the care of the Good Shepherd. But when I stay close to Christ, and allow myself to be enfolded within his mercy, no matter what fascination the world holds, I can truly experience the abundance of Life that I am designed for. Today, will I go off on my own or wait patiently for the Lord to open the gate to the abundance of all that life offers? Christ Jesus, help me remain in your fold.   
 
What shall I return to the Lord for all his bounty to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord.   (Psalm 116:1)
 
 
A passion to obey Christ is born out of our relationship with him. The more we love him, the more we want him to be a part of our affairs. 
Calvin Miller
 
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Soli ad gloriam Dei