John 17:20-26

                                              
In his life incarnate in the world, Christ Jesus manifested  tougher and more holy love than most of us can fathom. Not only did he preach that we can turn evil to good by loving our enemies and praying for those who persecute us, but from the agony of the cross, he also forgave those who turned against him and tortured him as he gave up his life for his ‘friends’ – each man, woman and child of the world. Jesus’ love was not of a sentimental nature, smoothing over rough waters and sending flowers to all the ladies – but rather a courageous and powerful love that allowed him to remain faithful to the glory and holiness of God.  Is this same ‘robust’ love a possibility for me? Can I become so at one with Father God that , like Jesus, I can willingly give up my life that others might live?  Jesus prayed to his Father that this would be so.  Am I open enough to the Holy Spirit of God that the love that was in Christ Jesus can flow within me and out from me -  to God, to the earth, to my family and friends near, and to others in the world at large?  Holy Spirit of God, let the love within Jesus be within me also.  
 
On the day I called, you answered me, you increased my strength of soul.  (Psalm 138:3)
 
There’s a difference between knowing God and knowing about God. When you truly know God, you have energy to serve him, boldness to share him and contentment within him. 
J.I. Packer, Knowing God
 
www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca  
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Soli ad gloriam Dei
 

John 17:11-19

Decoding the truth of our existence has always fascinated humankind and through the study of the humanities, philosophies, arts and sciences we have developed a large body of decoded knowledge, widely accepted as ‘the truth’. As wide-reaching and detailed as they are, the truths reached by these efforts are finite, and tell only part of the story, like letters that manifest language and the intentions of the author on the  page of a book. The knowledge that we human beings have collected pales when compared to the deep truths and foundations of love, a.k.a. the Word written into sacred scriptures and incarnated  in the Son f Man who was the Son of God. This is the ‘meta-truth’ that prompted the Encoder to create the marvels and balances of the universe on all planes of existence. It is these deep truths embedded in God’s nature that have the power to transform my own life and the lives of others –from being a collection of singular ego dramas to become a collective theo-drama, to expand our beings beyond temporal and mind boggling complexities to become agents of simple kindnesses and life-giving words, and to deflect our souls from a dead end of darkness and despair and birth us into eternal light and liveliness aligned with the Holy Spirit of Truth. To be sanctified by the truth means that I become in-formed with the Word of God that is the code of Truth, the rhyme and the reason of all of creation, whose totality is far beyond the reach of any  human study delimited by time and space. To be  ‘sanctified’ by the truth as Jesus prayed that we would be, is to become one with the Encoder, with God, so that the “Word”, the divine spark of creativity, life and  mercy  might fully be at work within us and through us, as it was in Christ Jesus. Will I reach beyond simply decoding the truth, to allow God to encode my whole self with the deeper truth of his Word? Holy Spirit of God, sanctify me in the truth. Your Word is truth.
 
I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me… You show me the path of life; in your presence is fullness of joy.  (Psalm 16:7,11)
 
The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult and left untried.
G.K. Chesterton
 
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Soli ad gloriam Dei
 
 
 
 

 
John 16:23-33

                                              
In the thick of life – with its social distancing, economic stress, and untimely deaths, during the assault of the Covid pandemic –it is easy to be overcome by the world, the flesh, and the various temporal stresses and strains they place on us. The sudden or unexpected death of someone close can be particularly traumatic, throwing life out of balance for days if not decades.  It was no different for the disciples of Jesus’ day who were facing the violence of Roman oppression as well as the impending death of their Master. But Jesus pointed out to his disciples then, and to us now, that ‘You will suffer in the world.’ He had that right! But with this caution he made an astounding promise that has been proven true by faith-full men and women through the centuries:  ‘But have courage! I have overcome the world.’ Indeed, it is because Jesus has overcome the world that we are never alone - the Father is always with us (v. 32) - and we are able to ask for and receive what we need when we need it (v. 24). When I remember that Jesus has overcome the world, that God is always with us, and that I can ask Father God for anything that I truly need, then I am equipped in heart, mind, soul and strength to not only survive but thrive through anything life throws at me, into God’s merciful nearer presence.  How can I have hope in the trials and troubles of life? Holy Spirit of Jesus, remind me that you have overcome the world.
 
On the day I called, you answered me, you increased my strength of soul.  (Psalm 138:3)
 
There’s a difference between knowing God and knowing about God. When you truly know God, you have energy to serve him, boldness to share him and contentment within him. 
J.I. Packer, Knowing God
 
www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca  
& Gospel Mystery of the Day on Facebook                                                            
Soli ad gloriam Dei
 
 
 
 

 
Acts 16, 22-34 & John 15: 25- 16:4

                                              
When Paul and Silas were first stripped and beaten, then jailed ‘securely’, shaken by an earthquake and finally had opportunity to speak to their jailer who with trembling bowed before them, what did they say in the press of the moment? The word of the Lord – words proclaiming the love and truth of God – is what they sang and spoke 24/7 and it led them through throngs of listeners, imprisonments, earthquakes, mighty deeds, mini moments of grace and tricky conversations. By listening to the Holy Spirit of God breathing through their hearts and minds, they knew what the Lord would have them speak into each situation. The Advocate, (same root as the word ‘lawyer’), that is the Holy Spirit, - the one who has studied long and hard and knows all the complexities of the ‘word’ of God –  can inform us, just as Paul and Silas were informed, of all the intricacies of God’s truth and mercy, if we will only listen. When I hear the word of God explained by the Holy Spirit into my life, then I am able (unlike the scribes and Pharisees of Jesus’ day)  to discern the truth about sin, righteousness and judgement, the three main aspects of our faith. The Advocate declares that active sin is the only thing that can separate me from God, and thus I need to receive Jesus as sin-sacrifice, as Redeemer, to remove sin far from my soul. The Advocate teaches that living in righteousness, that is being aligned with God, is a choice I make on my own (neither the devil nor Jesus ‘make’ me do anything).  And the Advocate explains to me that the ruler of this world, that is the devil that lures me away from God through human pride and passions, stands condemned for eternity because Christ Jesus, the Holy One of God, submitted to the agonizing – and sacrificial –death of a criminal and rose again. At every turn in life’s journey, in every choice, every conversation, every action, it is useful to ask the Advocate of the Father to teach me to ‘speak’, that is to live into, the word of the Lord and no other.  Will I open my heart, mind, soul and strength to learn from the Holy Spirit of God, the Advocate, the ‘lawyer’ who has a thorough knowledge of God? Advocate of the Father, teach me to speak not my own words, but the word of the Lord.
 
On the day I called, you answered me, you increased my strength of soul.  (Psalm 138:3)
 
There’s a difference between knowing God and knowing about God. When you truly know God, you have energy to serve him, boldness to share him and contentment within him.  
J.I. Packer, Knowing God
 
www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca  
& Gospel Mystery of the Day on Facebook                                                            
Soli ad gloriam Dei
 
 
 

John 15:18-21

                                              
The world can be very harsh. Jesus knew this better than anyone. Surely the world would have recognized and welcomed the healing presence of the Son of God who was the Son of Man! But it crucified him.  Surely, I often hope, truth and beauty, compassion and wisdom will be at least recognized if not welcomed by those around me. But more often than not when the gifts of the Holy Spirit are offered – love, joy, peace, patience, faithfulness, truthfulness, godliness and self-control – they are pushed to the sidelines of life by busyness or self-absorption, or alternatively disturb the status quo into violence. Such is life without the light of the Holy Spirit of God. But as soon as I turn to the Holy Spirit to ask for peace, joy, beauty, or truth, in any situation, then the blow-back from evil intentions and dark desires dissipates, and I am able to see the rhyme and reason, and the holy harmonies, in all circumstances, no matter how evil the intent. “Life is hard!”, my Ukrainian Catholic friend told me as she punched my upper arm with a hard fist. “Ah.... but Jesus rose from the dead!” she rejoined with a welcoming half-smile.  Am I willing to learn how to live beyond the anomalies, deceits and dissipations of the world? Holy Spirit of Jesus, teach me how to live beyond the sins of the world.
 
For the Lord is good. His steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.    (Psalm 100:5)
 
Remember that nothing is small in the eyes of God. Do all that you do in love.
St. Teresa of Lisieux
 
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Soli ad gloriam Dei