Matthew 13:44-46
 
When I commit to deliberately living a holy and righteous life in God’s eyes, I find a ‘treasure’ or a figurative ‘pearl of great value’, that is the gift of being fully human and fully alive [1] . If I am to benefit from all the abundance of this gift of life from God, there is a cost, however.  I need to be ready to relinquish my own death-grip on my perceived entitlement to all that is mine, and focus not on success, fame or fortune, but on the Truth in love and love in Truth. Will I be wise enough to give up all I have created my life to be, in order to receive the abundance of life God in his mercy holds out to me?  Holy Spirit of Jesus, help me value your gift of my life above all.   
                                                                  
The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.  So not forsake the work of your hands. (Psalm 138:8)
 
If God sends you many sufferings, it is a sign that he has great plans for you and certainly wants to make you a saint.
 St. Ignatius of Loyola


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Soli ad gloriam Dei
 
[1] Fr. John Powell,  Fully Human, Fully Alive .
https://www.amazon.com/Fully-human-fully-alive-through/dp/0913592773

Matthew 13:36-43
 
There is no pass time or profession on earth that guarantees that my life will be deemed worthy of being in ‘heaven’ in the nearer presence of God for eternity.  No matter what my assignment in present day society, as much as my life is a breeding ground for sin, that is, for disconnection from God and from other human beings, that much I will be considered a ‘weed’ and ill-fitted for the mercy and the truth of God’s kingdom.  But as much as I refuse to be shaped and shifted by evil in everything I do, say and think,  and hold fast to the holiness and righteousness that is within God’s nature, and within me, that much I will be comfortable –and comforted – in heaven. Will I be deemed a weed in God’s kingdom, hell-bent on doing things ‘my way’, or will I be recognized as a ‘good’ plant that bears much good fruit of the Spirit with my life – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control? Holy Spirit of Jesus, help me live in holiness and righteousness all the days of my life.   
                                                                  
As a father has compassion for his children, so the Lord has compassion for those who honor him. (Psalm 103:13)
 
If the devil cannot make us bad, he will make us busy.
 Corrie Ten Boom


www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca  & Gospel Mystery of the Day on Facebook
Soli ad gloriam Dei
 
 
 
 
 

 
Genesis 18:20 – 32 & Luke 11:1-13
 
Despite the obscene debauchery of this present generation, all is not lost.  As human history has proven time and again, when a faithful praying remnant stands in the breach, that critical point of disconnection between God and humanity, destruction and chaos can be averted – witness God’s conversation with Abraham concerning Sodom and Gomorrah, and the myriad of ‘miraculous’ rescues of faith-full people throughout history.  Our righteous behaviour – my righteous behaviour – in seeking, knocking and asking does make a difference.  When I mindfully seek God’s will and act accordingly, I find piety and faithfulness and then contribute to society’s turning back to God.  When I knock on the doors that separate me from God, the spiritual gifts of understanding, knowledge and wisdom open those doors and then I can become a witness in the world to Christ’s healing and redemptive mercy. When I ask the Holy Spirit for protection and counsel to deal with what seems overpowering evil in this age, then I receive safety and divine advice on what to say, think and do and can join with other servants of God in turning back the tide of evil in our world.  Will I fully embrace God’s truth in love, and God’s love in truth along with other serious followers of Jesus?  Holy Spirit of Jesus, help me stand in the breach with you. 
                                                                  
On the day I called you answered me. You increased my strength of soul.  .  (Psalm 138:3)
 
Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?
Corrie Ten Boom


www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca  & Gospel Mystery of the Day on Facebook
Soli ad gloriam Dei
 
 
 
 

 
Matthew 13:24-30
 
Removing a fuzzy weed in my garden the other day, I uprooted a prize tomato plant, damaging it so much it could not be re-planted.  According to Jesus, so it is in life.  When I concentrate on pulling out the ‘bad’ in my life or the lives of others, that is the sins, sorrows and fears that I see, I run the risk of dislodging the ‘good’ and generative parts of my life that God has planted in order that my life bear good fruit.  What is more important to me – rooting out the sins of my life and the lives of those around me, or bringing the ‘good’ to fruition?  Holy Spirit of Jesus, help me nurture the good despite the bad.     
                                                                  
And welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls.  (James 1:21)
                                                                                                                
I used to ask God to help me. Then I asked if I might help Him. I ended up by asking Him to do His work through me"
J. Hudson Taylor
                                                                                                                                                                                                      
www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca  & Gospel Mystery of the Day on Facebook
                                          
Soli ad gloriam Dei
 
 

 
Matthew 13: 16-17

The glory of God is evident in so many things that we as human beings take for granted. Although we have eyes and ears that open and close several times throughout any given day, we become inured to the presence of God in the natural world, in all that is good in societies and in human nature, in the liveliness of scripture, in the songs and prayers and sacraments of the Church, in and in the eyes of other human beings. Jesus pointed out to his disciples, and so indicates to us, the absolute grace of living in annos dei, the year(s) of the Lord, when we are privy to the paschal mystery of Christ Jesus, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit of God available to any baptized follower of Jesus, if they will but see with their eyes and hear  with their ears.  Am I aware of, and thankful for, the glory of God available to me here and now because of the work of Christ Jesus on earth, 2,000 years ago?  Holy Spirit, teach me the glory of your presence with us.      
                                                                  
This is my resting place forever; here I will reside, for I have desired it.    (Psalm 132: 14)
 
Seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand.
Saint Augustine


 
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Soli ad gloriam Dei