Acts 20:17-27 & John 21:15-19
Undoubtedly, the ebb and flow, the dyings and the risings again, of ocean waves give glory to God as they ‘stir the waters’ on the face of the earth. Who of us hasn’t been calmed by the lapping of waves on sand at sunset or sunrise, inspired by frothy whitecaps hitting shore on a bright, windy day, or awed by the power of towering swells crashing to land during a storm? All the undulations of the sea arguably bespeak the character of Creator God who sets in motion all things spiritual, sensual and physical in our human lives. When we approach any manifestation of God’s might and mercy, whether it be on the face of the earth in the face of another, or in the face of my own soul, there we have a choice.  We can ignore or dismiss the winds of the Holy Spirit, or we can ‘inspire’ the breath of the Holy Spirit, find the Glory of God’s Grace and hear his clarion call to Life, Light and Love, no matter what the weather. When I experience any one of the dyings of my life – the passing of friends or family members, the loss of mobility or health, the end of a job or a sojourn in a particular community, (even the confession of sin during a private celebration of the sacrament of Repentance), or the downsizing of our lives in any way, we experiences the natural undulations of the ‘shifts’ and ‘seasons’  always at play in the natural world, and spiritually for us human beings designed by God in his own image. At these times, will I will I wallow in selfish musings on the ‘world, the flesh and the devil’ or will I allow this constant ebb and flow of my life to give glory to God by thought, word and deed?  Holy Spirit of God, help me give you glory in my dyings and risings again.  
 
I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; all the good things I have come from you.” You, Lord, are all I have and you give me all I need; my future is in your hands. How wonderful are your gifts to me, how good they are! (Psalm 16:1 & 5)
 
Open my eyes, Lord, help me to see your face,
Open my eyes, Lord, help me to see …
Michael W. Smith
Listen to this song at     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eo6gZAUuQ3E
And pray with Pope Leo XIV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGgaeTCS_-Q
 
Soli ad gloriam Dei - Gospel Mystery of the Day on FaceBook & www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca
 
A Blessed Pentecost Season to you!
Come Holy Spirit, comfort, teach and protect us!  

Ephesians 1:17-23 & Hebrews 9:24-10:23
Like the haze of wildfires spreading across the world, the cares and worries of this life blot out the Sun of Righteousness – the Mercy of God expressed through the incarnation, ministry, and sacrifice of Christ Jesus, the Son of God who become the Son of Man.   So many clouds of distress and despondency keep us focused on the deceits of this world: I need more, now, to my own liking, rather than on the Hope held out to us by the One who conquered sin, the world, and the devil.  And so we are driven to accept the haze of unhappiness as normal and the Hope of Christ unattainable. But when I take time to “see with the eyes of my heart”, I find the gift of the Holy Spirt and can breathe in the Holy inspiration of the Word. It is then that I see and experience the mighty Grace and Mercy of God  in our my relationships – with God, with the natural world, with family and friends close and with the world at large.  Will I be oppressed by the haze of doubt and despair, or will I know, that is, recognize and real-ize the Hope to which I am being called?  Holy Spirit of Jesus, help me live into the Hope that you hold out to me. 
 
Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who has promised is faithful.  (Hebrews 10:23)
 
My hope is built on nothing less/Than Jesus and his righteousness.
I dare not trust a sweeter frame/ But only trust in Jesus’ Name….
On Christ, the solid rock I stand/ All other ground is sinking sand.
Edward Mote (1797-1874)
 
Soli ad gloriam Dei - Gospel Mystery of the Day on FaceBook & www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca
 
A Blessed Pentecost Season to you!
Come Holy Spirit, comfort, teach and protect us!