Romans 12:9-16

Sometimes I slide through life forgetting that by divine design love is to be my main ‘operating system’.  As a prisoner with a life sentence in Rome, facing the constant threat of torture or execution for his faith, Paul’s pen spewed forth not calls to overthrow the oppression of the Romans, but genuine words of encouragement and testimony to the mercy and love of God. This wordsmith of the first century laid out for the early church, and for us, a blueprint for living into the mercy of God and living out a life of genuine love:  hating what is evil, holding fast to what is good, loving with mutual (not controlling!) affection; being ardent in spirit, rejoicing in hope, blessing those who persecute you, associating with the lowly, and so on.  Today will I remember that it is genuine love that is the most appropriate, the most healing, way of doing everything? Holy Spirit, let my love be genuine.     
The Lord God is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation.    (Isaiah 12:2)
Nothing is far from God.
St. Monica

Acts 19:1-8
Come, Holy Spirit, come upon me and within me ...
How can I be ready to receive the in-dwelling of the Holy Spirit of God? The baptism of water and repentance is a good way to ‘clean up’ in preparation for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  The ‘garbage’ is put out.  My perceptions and projects are put in place. The floors and furnishings of my heart, my time, talents and treasures, are dusted and vacuumed to be ready for the Prince of Peace, the King of Creation. All the bugs (resentments), vermin (jealousies & envies) and grime (self-centredness and pride) are cleared out.  Then with all of my ‘housework’ done, it is time to ‘put on the kettle for tea’ so that I am ready to receive and converse with the Holy Spirit.  Am I truly willing and ready to align myself with the Holy Spirit of God?  Come, Holy Spirit, come upon me and within me.
The love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Spirit of God dwelling within us.  (Romans 5:8  )
“In reality, there is only one true prayer, only one substantial prayer: Christ himself. There is only one voice which rises above the face of the earth, the voice of Christ. Prayer is oneness with Christ.”
St. Teresa of Calcutta 
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www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca  
Soli gloriam dei.

Acts 20:17-27
Holy Spirit, help me in everything to testify to the good news of God’s grace... 
There is no doubt that God’s grace has the potential to change everything.  Saint Paul and all the early Apostles constantly leaned into the reality of the good news of Christ Jesus.  Living in a time when both Jewish culture and Christian faith were under attack by the ruthless Roman empire, the Apostles and thousands of Jesus’ disciples endured, and rose above, plots and trials, torture and imprisonments and even the jaws of lions in the arena. How? By always focusing on the good news of God’s grace rather than trying to change social trends. Today will I use my time and energy to declare my own ideas of justice, or to testify to the good news of God’s grace manifested in the incarnation, ministry, death, and life again of Christ Jesus?  Holy Spirit, help me to testify to the good news of God’s grace. 


Blessed be God who daily bears us up.   (Psalm 68:19)


“In reality, there is only one true prayer, only one substantial prayer: Christ himself. There is only one voice which rises above the face of the earth, the voice of Christ. Prayer is oneness with Christ.”
St. Teresa of Calcutta
                                                                                                                
www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca  
Soli gloriam dei.

Acts 18:1-8

In order to survive it became essential for everyone to perceive when it was time to leave their work, and sometimes their homes. It was also crucial to discern where to stay and find welcoming refuge – as well as those who were hungry to receive the Good News. As I live into my faith within the context of present society, I too must rely on the Holy Spirit’s guidance to be ‘in-formed’ when to leave a toxic workplace, an ego-fulfilling position or even a ‘comfortable pew’.  Just as critical is my discernment of the Holy Spirit’s input on where to stay – which relationships to nurture and what organizations, if any, to become aligned with. My leavings and my stayings, that is, when and where I place my time and energy, give as much witness as my words to the redemption of Jesus. Christ Jesus, in-form me from within to know when to leave and where to stay.     


On the day I called, you answered me, you increased my strength of soul.  (Psalm 138:3 )


My thoughts will be clear; I will speak words of wisdom. I will turn my attention to proverbs and explain their meaning as I play the harp.
King David, Psalm 49:3,4
                                                                                                                
www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca  
Soli gloriam dei.

Acts 18:9-18

Silence can be golden. Silence with stillness allows God’s word entrance into our minds and time to  take root in our hearts.  Then it is time to speak.  It is time to voice, not our own opinions, but the truths of the Holy Spirit. It is time to speak, not words of complaint, but words of encouragement. And it is time to proclaim, not our own rights and reputation, but the mercy and glory of God –to speak them into the conversations of each day.  Christ Jesus, help me speak and not be silent.   

The love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Spirit of God dwelling within us.  (Romans 5:8  )
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Our chief occupation must be to form Jesus in ourselves, to make his spirit, his devotion, his affections, his desire and his disposition live and reign in our hearts.
St. John Eudes
                                                                                                                
www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca  
Soli gloriam dei.