Matthew 8:5-17

 
My infirmities and diseases, although they inflict my body (and soul) do not belong to me. ‘Cancer’ or ‘diabetes’ or even ‘dyslexia’ are not to be confused with my true identity.  As a beloved child of God, when my body or mind are infirm, or a disease takes up residence in my cells, the Father’s true will is that I continue to live beyond the pain, and the frustrations of weaknesses or illnesses. When I bring my infirmities and diseases to Christ Jesus through my own prayers or the prayers of others, or receive the sacrament of the anointing of the sick, the Lord takes them in hand and carries them with, and for, me. My infirmities and disease may or may not be spontaneously healed, but with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit of Jesus, I am given the grace to be able to live abundantly, no matter what infirmities and diseases take up residence in my body.  Am I trying to manage my weaknesses and my illnesses alone, or have I truly asked the Lord for help?  Christ Jesus, take my infirmities  and bear my diseases. 
 
Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only speak the word, and my [soul] shall be healed. (Matthew 8:8)
 
Sometimes God allows what he hates to accomplish what he loves. Joni Eareckson Tada  
 
www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca  & Gospel Mystery of the Day on Facebook
 
Soli ad gloriam Dei
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Acts 12:1-11

 
It is probable that each one of us will be subjected to ‘imprisonment’ of some kind, during our lifetimes. Besides chains and mortar, prisons can be constructed of many things: violence, bitterness, unemployment , poverty, pain, illness, or political, cultural or spiritual shunning, to name but a few. Anytime I am held by forces beyond my control, I am imprisoned. Is it always a total loss? St. Peter’s and St. Paul’s prison experiences bear witness to the truth that no matter how challenging and ‘secure’ the prison, the Holy Spirit of God can empower followers of Jesus to be freed or live beyond any prison experience. “The Lord stood by me,” Paul says, “and gave me strength, so that through me the Gospel might be fully proclaimed.”  When I am in ‘prison’ of any kind, do I fold in on my own self, or do I invite the Lord to stand by me and give me strength?  Stand by me, Lord, and give me strength when I am in prison so that I can bear witness by faith, hope and love to the Gospel of Christ Jesus.
 
The Angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. O taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.  (Psalm 34:7,8)
 
Praise is the antidote to sin... Praise is what best helps [me] to decentralize [myself] and to recentralize on God.
Raniero Cantalamessa
For info on Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa see http://www.cantalamessa.org/?lang=en
 
www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca  & Gospel Mystery of the Day on Facebook
 
Soli ad gloriam Dei
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Matthew 7: 21-29

 Millenia of human civilizations’ rise and demise bear witness to the fact that on our own, men women and children can design nothing of eternal value.  If I construct my life on human strengths alone, -on the length of my days, the width of my fame, the breadth of my knowledge, and the height of my success, and furnish my days primarily with possessions or money –then my life will collapse with any change in the weather of society or of my own soul.  But when I build my life simply on the bedrock of the Word of God, firmly anchored into that rock by actions of love and truth, then my heart and soul are unshakeably eternal. Then I am able to withstand the many storms and many ‘deaths’ of life this side of the grave, and to take my place with the angels and saints in the nearer presence of God forever.  Am I building my life on the bedrock of the Word of God, or on the sands of human enterprise?  Holy Spirit, help me build my life on the bedrock of God’s Word.
        
Know that the Lord is God. He made us, we belong to him. 
(Psalm 100:3)
 
On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand...
Edward Mote  My Hope is Built on Nothing Less
 
www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca  & Gospel Mystery of the Day on Facebook
 
Soli ad gloriam Dei
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Matthew 7: 15-20
 
Unhealthy trees produce –sometimes few, sometimes plenty of –fruits  that are hard, wormy or covered with scabs of blight. These fruits often fall to the ground prematurely, or rot on the trees as insects or other parasites feed on them. So it is with our lives when we have unhealthy minds or souls –the diseases of resentment or bitterness and the parasites of pride and self-centredness consume our peace and joy, making our lives hard-hearted and miserable and of little or no mercy (received or given). The good news of the Gospel is that as children of God, we are designed to be healthy and to produce much fruit, as much as we allow ourselves to be pruned and tended by the Master Gardener of our souls. Under God’s care, the fruit of our lives become ripens into abundant life, to become juicy with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Am I a healthy tree of good fruit? Holy Spirit of God, keep me healthy to produce good fruit.
        
Know that the Lord is God. He made us, we belong to him. 
(Psalm 100:3)
 
“Life is a song, sing it. Life is a struggle, accept it.”
Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta  
 
www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca  & Gospel Mystery of the Day on Facebook
 
Soli ad gloriam Dei
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Matthew 6:24 -34

 
‘Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness all these things shall be added unto you,’ counsels Jesus. Am I passively being tossed about by the waves of life, or have I turned on the ‘engine’ of my soul with attentive prayer and reflection to seek God’s ways and will in my life? Do I allow everything else that vies for my attention to use up the ‘first fruits’ of my day, or do I make receiving and giving the mercy of God the first priority in my life? Are there other issues, causes and concerns that draw me into their intrigues and activities, or do I really believe that God’s kingdom is the kingdom I belong to? Do I realize God’s kingdom, his way of governance, in all areas of my life –relationships with others, connections with nature, and in the organizations I work for or belong to? Does my life focus primarily on kingdoms of human design, or on the kingdom of God? Am I seeking my own understanding and desires, or the righteousness of God? Holy Spirit, help me to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.
        
Know that the Lord is God. He made us, we belong to him. 
(Psalm 100:3)
 
The kingdom of God is the enjoyment of all that is good. This comes through righteousness.
Blessed Theophylact of Russia, An Explanation of the Holy Gospel of St. Matthew
 
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Soli ad gloriam Dei