Amos 7:10-17 & Psalm 19
Adoration:
Lord God,  I embrace your truth and righteousness ...
Intercession: 
Help [N. ____ ] embrace your truth and righteousness ...
 
God’s truth and righteousness are not ‘warm fuzzies’ to be cuddled and coddled. More often, as the Israelites discovered, the truth and righteousness of God are somewhat angular, quite weighty and always purging (healing). As the early Church Fathers knew, “The Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Am I truly prepared to allow the truth and righteousness of God to heal my life? Lord God, I embrace your truth and righteousness.  Help my brother, my sister, my children, my spouse embrace your truth and righteousness.
 
The law of the Lord is perfect reviving the soul.  (Psalm 19:7)
                                                                                             
Nourish yourself with God’s holy will. Drink of this chalice of Jesus. Close your eyes and do not seek to know what it may contain. It is enough to know that Jesus offers it. 
St. Paul of the Cross

Soli gloriam dei .

Acts 12:1-11

Chains of death are available in many formats and styles. Peter experienced literal chains of death that bound him to a dank prison wall between two Roman guards. Today chains of mis-aligned affections, resentments,  bitterness and pride similarly, and all too frequently, bind us to the walls of despair between companions on the road to destruction. But just as the praises of Peter and the prayers of the faithful of the early Church for his release resulted in a miraculous midnight release of Peter, so our own prayers and praises allow the Lord to unshackle our chains of death.  What is chaining me to death? Rescue me, O Lord, from all that chains me to death.
 
I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.  (Psalm 34:4)
                                                                                             
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
St. Paul
 
Soli gloriam dei .

Amos 3:1-12 & Matthew 8:23-27

All human beings are naturally created in the image of God. This is an undeniable and eternal fact. Recent brain research indicates that what the Old and New Testaments teach is true, that the highest and most “lit up” human function is prayer and praise of God. As much as the Israelites of old strayed from God’s ways, they withered as individuals and as a nation. But as much as they ‘remained in God’, they flourished.  Today we too are being wooed by a myriad of false gods such as materialism and intellectualism. But as much as we remain in God we too can flourish. Am I devoted to remaining in God? Am I remaining true to God’s nature within me?  Christ Jesus, help me remain in you as you remain in me.
 
You show me the path of life. In your presence is fullness of joy. (Psalm 50:23)
                                                                                             
The Glory of God is a person fully alive.
St. Irenaeus
                                                                                                       
An excellent YouTube presentation on Faith and the Power of the Brain: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JfH0oNbMlM
  
Soli gloriam dei .

Amos 2: 6-16

The discipline of Christ often leads us to follow him into unexpected places.  And sometimes these unexpected places are very challenging.  But it is exactly in the challenges of the rough roads and the stormy seas the I discover how great God’s mercy is, and how much deeper God’s love is than my own.  Fears and judgements pale and are rendered powerless when I discover in God’s grace how much my faith, hope and love have room to grow. 
 
To those who go the right way I will show the salvation of God. (Psalm 50:23)
                                                                                             
Faith walks simply, childlike, between the darkness of human life and the hope of what is to come. 
Catherine Doherty

Soli gloriam dei .

Lamentations 2:2-19

When I over-share the dramas of my life with others, I can lose friends and distance acquaintances. It is comforting to know that no grief of mine is too overwhelming for God. Nor is any one of my fears beyond the imagination or courage of God. Even when I rage and say and do despicable things out of deeply seated anger, God does not despise me. As God incarnate, Jesus is able to silently be-hold me and accommodate any of my deepest emotions, no matter how much I am disfigured by the evil around and within me. Do I trust Christ enough to pour out all that is in my heart to him? Christ Jesus, trusting in your mercy, help me pour out my heart like water in your presence.  
 
You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. (Psalm 139:3)
                                                                                             
Faith walks simply, childlike, between the darkness of human life and the hope of what is to come.  
Catherine Doherty
  
Soli gloriam dei .