1 Corinthians 1:26-31

 
In the Economy of this world knowledge and power are the prominent assets to be gained, guarded and used to face the changes of this life.  But ‘when we walk with the Lord, in the light of his word…’ it becomes evident over time that it is God’s mercy that needs to be gained, guarded and used to face the challenges of life – and that generates abundant life, light, love and even laughter in our lives.  When a super power invades, it is mercy  - received, given, received and given over and over again - that is the game changer, that turns hatred into love, darkness into light and gory stories into glory stories. What looks like death can always be transformed into life-giving measures for heart, mind and soul.  Will I fill my life with knowledge and wield as much power as I can get, or live my life receiving, giving and receiving again the grace and mercy of God? Holy Spirit of God, help me rely on mercy more than knowledge or power.
                                                                                                
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.   (Psalm 51:7 )
 
Mission is always the fruit of a life which knows what is to be found and healed, encountered and forgiven. Mission is born of a constant experience of God’s merciful anointing.
Pope Francis  
 
Soli ad gloriam Dei
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Ezekiel 36:23-28

 
Yes, it’s good to have God’s Spirit within me, to replace my heart of stone.  But before there is space for the vivacious and holy Spirit of God in my being, the various layers of stone that often make up my heart must go! Distractions, resentments, thoughts of revenge, plans to carry out my own agenda and the possessions, fame and successes I have been amassing like a dragon’s hoard over a lifetime can layer by layer put a heart of stone within me that is impervious to the presence and mercy of God. Am I willing to put aside all that my heart has fickly built up over the years?  Do I truly desire to receive a full measure of God’s Spirit to replace all that is less than perfect mercy, perfect beauty and perfect truth within me? Will I be generous in giving up space in my life so that God can download his Spirit into my heart, mind, soul and strength? Father God, put your Spirit within me to replace my heart of stone.  
                                                                                                
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.   (Psalm 51:7 )
 
Lord, give me the heart of a child, and the awesome courage to live it out as an adult.   
Catherine Doherty
 
Soli ad gloriam Dei
Gospel Mystery of the Day on FaceBook & www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Isaiah 12: 1-6
 
I can imagine that if Jesus had had doors and windows that locked when he lived in Nazareth, he may have told his followers: “You can trust my Father in heaven.  When my Father closes a door he always opens a window so that you do not have to fear anything, ever. And if he doesn’t open a window, it is because it is a good, safe place for you to be for a while…”  It is when we feel locked in, by grief , misunderstanding, or unforgiveness that we begin to fear anyone and anything that comes along.  That is when we begin to lose our bearings and listen to the enemy speaking sweet nothings into our ear:  “You’re not worth anything. There’s no hope. Creation, and your part in it, are all destined for nothing, etcetera.”  But throughout the ages in so many ways and plays, our Creator, our Father God, has been presenting his mercy, his faithfulness and his love to us.  It is up to us through prayer and meditation to repeatedly show up in his presence so that we can understand the truth:  That God is trustworthy, and that there is nothing to fear when we walk in friendship with Him.  Will I push and pummel the doors that lock-in my life, or will I rest in the peace that God is opening a window, in good season, for me to carry on with my journey as a follower of Jesus, his Son?  Holy Spirit, help me trust you and not fear. 
                                                                                                
I know that I will see the goodness of the Lord in this present life. Wait for the Lord, be strong, take heart.   (Psalm 27:13-14 )
 
We must ask for the help of the Holy Spirit and that of our good angel, and then remain still in God’s presence, full of faith that he is more in us, than we are in ourselves.  
Saint Jane Farnces de Chantal
 
Soli ad gloriam
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Feast of St. Theresa Benedicta of the Cross, Edith Stein, Martyred, 1942, Auschwitz
 
Wisdom 18:6-9 &Hebrews 11:1-19

 
When Edith Stein and her sister, Rosa, two Jewish, Carmelite nuns, stepped foot into the crematorium at Auschwitz 80 year ago today, they certainly knew that they were sharing in the dangers of God’s kingdom. No doubt they also knew the overwhelming blessings of God’s faithfulness in their lives, even at all the moments past and present as they ‘took up their cross’ and followed Jesus.  Rather than running away in fear and disillusionment, Edith and Rosa faced the danger before them trusting in the love and mercy of God.  Like so many saints past and present they knew that the dangers faced as a friend of God and a follower of Jesus indeed carry within them great blessings: at least a strengthening of heart, mind and soul and at most a short step into eternity into the nearer presence of God.  Will I welcome the dangers of life – the challenges, temptations, life-threatening circumstances – in the same way that I welcome the blessings of life. Will I welcome dangers as well as blessings, with faith and gratitude?  Holy Spirit of Jesus, help me willingly share in the blessings and dangers of your kingdom.
 
Naked I came forth from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall go back again. The Lord has given and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord!  (Job 1:21)
 
Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come
Tis faith has brought me safe, thus far,
And faith will lead me home.  
John Newton,
 
See a short biography of Edith Stein, Philosopher, Professor and Nurse at
https://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/saints/ns_lit_doc_19981011_edith_stein_en.html
 
Soli ad gloriam Dei
Gospel Mystery of the Day on FaceBook & www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Matthew 16:13-23

 
Peter had just distinguished himself as the only disciple to answer Jesus’ question with words inspired from God,  “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Within minutes, though, Jesus was chastising this same man for merely speaking from his own human nature and even addressed him as Satan – an obstacle in Jesus’ way! How did this happen? “Give a man an inch and he takes a mile,” they say. Peter received an inch of positive feedback from his Master, as well as prophecy about how he would become the rock foundation of the church – and then took a mile of license to try to intervene in Jesus’ passion.  Upon being praised by Jesus, suddenly Peter was powerful and thought that he could control the human condition as he saw fit – according to his human nature. “God forbid it Lord! That must never happen to you!’… According to his newly affirmed power and control, Peter leaned on his human nature to take it upon himself to direct his Master’s life, and so made himself out to be God. How often do I, like Peter, sense God’s gifts to me, and presume that I now have the power and control to call the shots in the social agendas and even family and community situations of our day. ‘No! that is not right. I won’t let that happen!’ I shout out in an email, a conversation or a hot-headed speech. That is when I find myself obstructing the work of the Lord in our own lives and the lives of ‘those we are on earth with’, our nunaqatiit, (Inuktitut). Will I spend my life leaning on my human nature and speaking pride driven foolishness, or will I wait on the Lord and speak his words, his Word, into our world, to bring healing and the Light of the Christ?  Holy Spirit of Jesus, help me nurture words, not of power and control according to human nature, but words from the heart of God.
                                                                                                
I know that I will see the goodness of the Lord in this present life. Wait for the Lord, be strong, take heart.    (Psalm 27:13-14 )
 
If we want to discover the seeds of God’s Kingdom as they manifest themselves in the midst of all the corruption and sinfulness around us, we need to look at this world with the eyes of Jesus.
John Fullenbach, SVD, in Throw Fire
 
Soli ad gloriam
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