Nehemiah 8:1-12

 
On this 30th of September, Canadians are pausing to honor the thousands of first peoples who have died as a result of oppressive policies and to contemplate the 93 recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission report. Like the Israelites who were brought face to face with their former exile and sinfulness of their nation, many of us when faced with the past atrocities of our country have become not only collectively ashamed but also grief stricken. How could our “good” government and church leaders be party to such actions against humanity, particularly all the first peoples of our land-not only in the past but presently? Let us hear Ezra’s prophetic word: “This day is holy to our Lord; do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” The joy of the Lord-that is the dancing, creative and merciful Grace that is able to enlighten all darkness is always and everywhere available to anyone who will listen to the word of God. The Word of God is constantly speaking life and love into time and space growing beauty and liveliness into every being. Will I continue to be grieved or will I draw on the creating and healing joy of the Lord? Holy Spirit of Jesus help me to move ahead from grief to find strength in the joy of the Lord…
 
The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul...The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart.   (Psalm 19 :1-2)
 
“Arm yourself with prayer rather than a sword. Wear humility rather than fine clothes.”
Saint Dominic
 
Soli ad gloriam
Gospel Mystery of the Day on FaceBook & www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca
 
                                                                                 

 
Luke 9:18-22
 
Like Saint Peter, we might recognize in a moment of clarity that Jesus is the messiah, the Holy one of God –and then miss out on the redemption that He came to bring the world. Every time I refuse to acknowledge the truth of the rifts and the rubble of sin I like Saint Peter stand to be reprimanded by the One who was obedient through torture and crucifixion to the mercy of God. Every time I run away from that which I don’t understand or don’t want to know I like Peter deny the One who is holding out unquenchable life to me and shrink away from standing at the foot of the cross of  Christ Jesus. Will I have the courage in the company of the likes of Mother Mary and Saint John the divine -and indeed a redeemed Saint Peter -to recognize and real-ize (bring into present reality) who Jesus is as savior of the world? Help me recognize and realize the redemption of Christ Jesus.
 
Vindicate me, oh God, defend my cause against ungodly people; deliver me from those who are deceitful and unjust...    (Psalm 43 :1)
 
“Humility is nothing but truth; Pride is nothing but lying.”
Saint Vincent de Paul
 
Soli ad gloriam
Gospel Mystery of the Day on FaceBook & www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca
                                                                                 

Feast of Mother Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows      

 
Luke 2:33-35 & John 19:25-27

 
Single or married, childless, parent to one or surrogate parent to many, ‘Aunty’ or grandparent, consecrated or lay person, – each of us has a vocation, a calling that is God-given for our own good and the good of humanity.  Mother Mary too had a vocation; she was called to be the mother of Christ Jesus, the incarnate Son of God. Like Mary, any of us who is called by God to a particular state in life we all experience indescribable joys mixed with unspeakable sorrows. Our purification and sanctification in the eyes of God, and our usefulness in fulfilling our role in his kingdom depend  not on our own ability to deal with the ups and downs of life,  but on the incredible grace and mercy of God.  These are available to us every minute of every day to help us make sense of our lives. The grace and mercy of God also allow us to remain standing, like Mother Mary did at the foot of Jesus’ cross. Then with our heads up, looking for the salvation of God, no matter what the circumstances, chipping away the protrusions and the rot in our beings, and sanctifying us to be able to be at home in the Kingdom of Heaven.  Will I, like Mary, real-ize my life’s calling and allow myself to be purified by my state in life? Father God, help me by your grace to be sanctified by your calling.  Holy Spirit of God, sanctify me by my vocation.
                                                                      
Take me out of the net that is hidden for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hand I commit my spirit. You have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.     (Psalm 31:4,5)
 
Give us strength in temptation,
Endurance in trials,
And Gratitude in prosperity.
Hear us, O Lord!
Week IV Wednesday Morning Intercessions, the Liturgy of the Hours Soli ad gloriam
 
Gospel Mystery of the Day on FaceBook
& www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca
                                                                                  

 
Philippians 2:6-11
 
Parenting a seventeen year old who has just got his driver’s license, I am all too aware of the tensions of adolescence. When one is getting used to having the power to do almost anything imaginable, it takes steady humility to accept guidance from someone older and more experienced, and so wisely navigate all the circumstances and possibilities of life. As his guardian, I long for the day when my young man is able to freely and always make wise choices, so that he has a ‘good life’. In a sense I am always an adolescent in the eyes of Father God. He gives me tremendous power to love, to think, to say and to act  - and longs that I will always in humility refer first to his wisdom and guidance, so that I can receive the abundant life he has designed me to have. Jesus showed us the way to be humbly obedient to God, by praying his way through his ministry and death. Jesus’ resurrection manifested the rising of the human spirit in full obedience to the Spirit of the Living, all-wise Father God. Will I, like Jesus, live in humble obedience to God to rise up into new life ? Holy Spirit of Jesus, help me, like you, be humbly obedient to God.
                                                                      
You have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling. I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living.     (Psalm 116:8-9)
 
According to most philosophers, God in making the world enslaved it. According to Christianity, in making it, He set it free.
G.K. Chesterton
 
Soli ad gloriam
Gospel Mystery of the Day on FaceBook
& www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca
                                                                                  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Mark 8:27-35

Peter was quick to identify incarnate holiness of Jesus as the Messiah. Just a short while later, it was Peter who abandoned his Master when he was on trial, and even denied that he knew him despite the fact that he knew Jesus’ true identity. But ultimately, Peter proclaimed Jesus as the Son of God and the Redeemer of the world with all his being. He spoke unceasingly to any one who would hear him – to crowds, to Jews as well as  Gentiles, to slaves and to those who were free, to Emperors, to beggars, to the Christian faithful, and even to his jailers. The Big Fisherman walked his talk in word and deed proclaiming that Jesus was the Redeemer of all of humanity, even to the point of martyrdom. Like St. Peter, despite my own failings and weaknesses, I too can proclaim the Light, Life and Love of Christ Jesus with my life, leaving a legacy of God’s Mercy in my wake.  Will I, like Peter be quick to acknowledge Jesus’ identity as the Holy One who redeemed the world, the Messiah? Will I persist in proclaiming this truth with my life?  Christ Jesus, help me proclaim with my life who you are.  
                                                                      
You have delivered my soul from death, my yeyes from tears, my feet from stumbling. I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living.     (Psalm 116:8-9)
 
Hear the rhythm, know the rhyme,
Come, all people,
It’s Mercy time!
Anonymous  (with apologies to Cool Runnings)
 
Soli ad gloriam
Gospel Mystery of the Day on FaceBook
& www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca