Luke 16:19-31
                                         
The difference between the rich man and Lazarus (“God has helped”) was not only an imbalance of possessions, but also an imbalance in power. The rich man took to himself all that he could get, and because he was very wealthy he purchased and gathered to himself not only necessities but as many luxuries as he wanted. Lazarus on the other hand was, for whatever reason, a beggar who needed to be ‘brought to the rich man’s door’. He then waited to receive crumbs from the rich man’s table and soothing licks from stray dogs that eased his sores.  The rich man’s great and hellish poverty turned out to be the most notable product of his ‘power’ – he was unable to give, to pass on, the ‘goods’ that he accumulated for himself.  Lazarus’ great treasure, it turned out, was his need to receive –not  only his food, but also his transportation, and even his ‘medical attention’, offered to him from the godly generosity of others, even the dogs of the streets.  Am I willing to enter into the holy flow of godly generosity by giving (and receiving as necessary) the riches of God? Holy Spirit of Jesus, help me be generous with all that I have.   
 
Happy are those who depend on the Lord their God, the Creator of heaven, earth and sea, and all that is in them. (Psalm 145: 5-6)
                                     
For we brought nothing into the world, and so we can take nothing out of it.
Saint Paul, I Timothy 6:7
 
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Soli ad gloriam Dei
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Luke 9:43(b) – 45

                                         
It is inevitable!  Grievous times will befall us in the course of our lives.  Jesus recognized this and fore-warned his disciples about the trauma ahead of them. Describing to them that he would ‘be handed over to the power of human beings’, Jesus diminished the element of surprise and so greatly reduced the horror-value of his torture, and death by crucifixion. Had the disciples been able to overcome their fears and question their master further about his impending passion, perhaps they, like St. John and Jesus’ Mother would have been able to stand at the foot of the cross and better accommodate this transition in their relationship with their Lord and Saviour. Could it be, that had they also been present as Jesus was crucified, like St. John and Mother Mary, their deaths would have been peaceful assumptions into heaven, and not crucifixions (tradition tells that all other disciples died as martyrs by crucifixion)? Will I have the courage to ask the Holy Spirit of God to help me explore impending traumas in order that I might find new life through and beyond overwhelming and horrific events as did Jesus, St. John and Mother Mary and her friends through the glory of the Cross of Christ? Holy Spirit of Jesus, teach me your way through and beyond evil.  
 
Turn to him with all your heart and soul, live in loyal obedience to him.  (Tobit 13:6)
                                     
It is not my ability, but my response to God’s ability that counts.
Corrie Ten Boom Tramp for the Lord.
 
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Soli ad gloriam Dei
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Luke 9:1-6
                                         
Just as Jesus sent his disciples on a journey out into the world so he sends us continually on journeys into the highways and byways of life to proclaim the Good News, drive out demons, free the prisoners and cure diseases. Indeed, Jesus sends us on different journeys throughout our life time, some close to home, and others farther afield.  It’s quite simple, really, to journey for God’s purposes. I need nothing – not supplies, plans or projects.  I need only to show up to receive by prayer and lectio divina, the assignment and the power Christ gives us by the gift of his Holy Spirit, and then be prepared to find and connect with those who are ready to welcome the good news of healing to be found in Christ Jesus. Will I live into the healing and helping work of Jesus as I set out on the journeys of my life?  Holy Spirit of Jesus, help me do your work on my journeys through life.   
 
Turn to him with all your heart and soul, live in loyal obedience to him.  (Tobit 13:6)
                                     
It is not my ability, but my response to God’s ability that counts.
Corrie Ten Boom Tramp for the Lord.
 
www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca  & Gospel Mystery of the Day on Facebook
Soli ad gloriam Dei

 
Romans 13:11-14
                                        
Saint Paul was writing to the Christians living in Rome at the heights of Roman civilization, which, like our age, was a time of rampant societal sin and incredible atrocities done in the name of amusement, comfort and disordered affections. Paul’s advice for living in such evil times? Does he advise his readers to cocoon themselves in the catacombs (their churches), or to start a new organization? No. Paul counselled Christians living within such a society to wake up and as individuals throw off the works of darkness and to instead put on the armour of the light of Christ as clothing and as protection. In this way, as much as I throw off the works of darkness and deliberately put on the armour of light, I have the power to transform myself and my own corner of the world into a holy and living dwelling for the Holy Spirit of God.  Holy Spirit of Jesus, help me throw off the works of darkness and put on the armour of light. 
 
Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them.  (Psalm 11:3)
                                     
Lord, you are the source of unfailing light. Give us true knowledge of your mercy so that we may renounce our pride and be filled with the riches of your house. 
Psalm prayer Wednesday Morning, Week I, Shorter Christian Prayer, Catholic Book Publishing, 1988
 
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Soli ad gloriam Dei
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Luke 7:31-35
                                         
Today, just as in Jesus’ time, judgements fly thick and fast from all kinds of people towards those who, like Jesus, live a life of prayer and commitment to God’s merciful wisdom.  In Jesus’ day the Pharisees picked at the Master’s drinking habit and the company he was keeping, through gossip and occasional face to face encounters.  In this day, cursory criticism cloaked in a shroud of anonymity, cutting comments embedded into a conversation, or crude catcalls texted or emailed are the preferred way for those who are uneasy in their own skin to judge and hopefully diminish followers of Jesus who walk to a different rhythm, a tempo that is not always steady, but is born of wisdom and waiting on God’s strength.  Indeed, the lives of all the holy Saints who were so maligned and mistreated through the ages, by family , friends and foes, bear witness to the truth of Jesus’ adage – that wisdom is vindicated by all her children, that is, the fruits of prayerfully and mindfully following the promptings of the Holy Spirit of Jesus silently stand witness against the invectives of would-be human critics.  Do I trust the wisdom of God, entrusted to me, and nurtured in me, by the Holy Spirit of Jesus? Holy Spirit help me to trust the wisdom of God. 
 
Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them.     (Psalm 11:3)
                                     
In order to be an image of God, the spirit must turn to what is eternal, hold it in spirit, keep it in memory, and by loving it, embrace it in the will.
Edith Stein a.k.a. Saint Theresa Benedicta of the Cross.
 
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Soli ad gloriam Dei