​Romans 8:26-31
 
I would rather be strong than weak! But truth be told, I have many places of weakness, in body, mind and soul.  As a result, like St. Paul, at times I do not know how to pray for myself, let alone for others around me. Thanks be to God, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit, the same spirit that moved within and through him, at Pentecost, to his followers for all time. When I invite the Holy Spirit to come into my places of weakness, “that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words.” Then “All things can work together for good “, as the Spirit of the living God breathes truth and love into every sigh and situation.  Come, Holy Spirit, help in my weakness.     
                                           
The heavens are telling the glory of God. (Psalm 19:1)
 
Live in such a way that you bear outwardly as well as inwardly the image of Christ crucified, the model of all gentleness and mercy.
Saint Paul of the Cross

Soli gloriam dei 

​Romans 8:18-25
.
When I am disconsolate due to the deep grief of loss, or sadness because of unmet expectations of myself or others, fears and anxieties of all kinds plague my thinking. Waves of heaviness wash through heart into mind and I can be tempted into the depths of depression and even despair. Saint Paul, who was well acquainted with grief and sadness, reminds me, “For in hope we are saved.” Even one small reminder of the deep truth of God’s love for humankind -reflected in all of creation, in the birth of a child, or in someone’s kindness -  goes a long way to lift our hearts by hope above the storms of life.  Christ Jesus, in my weeping, turn my fears to hope.   
                                           
Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves. (Psalm 126:5)
 
Live in such a way that you bear outwardly as well as inwardly the image of Christ crucified, the model of all gentleness and mercy.
Saint Paul of the Cross
 
Soli gloriam dei 

 Romans 7:18-25
 
Without God’s mercy, it is a quagmire out there. Resentments, relativism, disrespect of persons, scenarios of revenge - all of these major ‘sins’ of humanity pale compared to what St. Paul identifies: I can will what is right, but I cannot do it. For I do not the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. The mercy of Christ Jesus restores sight and hearing, life and love. It can also heal memories, rightly order the mind and lead our will to match God’s. Where do I need the mercy of God in my life today?  Christ Jesus, let your mercy come to me, that I might live. 
 
The Lord is the strength of his people, a saving refuge for the one he has anointed. (Psalm 28:8)
 
Let us do all things with the conviction that God dwells in us. 
 Saint Ignatius of Antioch
 
Soli gloriam dei .

Romans 6:19-23
 
A fen of trees and bushes entwined with plastics and pop cans is similar to my life when it is left untended.  Like the fen, I too have many parts – life-roles, experiences, abilities and memories.  As the breezes and winds of life come and go and humanity walks through my ways and days, garbage is left behind, garbage that can choke and stunt growth and make life ugly as well. With the garbage of resentments, guilt, broken relationships, and pride-full endeavors strewn around, the parts, or members, of my being become dis-eased and messy, enslaved as they are to the litter of life. But, thanks be to God, I can be healed and made holy, sanctified, by welcoming the grace of Christ and ‘presenting my members as slaves to righteousness for sanctification,’ as St. Paul writes.  Christ Jesus, heal and sanctify all of my being. 
                                            
I count all things worthless but this: to gain Jesus Christ and to be found in him. (Philippians 3:7)
                                                                                                     
Let us do all things with the conviction that God dwells in us. 
Saint Ignatius of Antioch
 
Soli gloriam dei .

Romans 6:12-18

 Left to my own inclinations and passions, I so easily centre my existence around self indulgence and the appetites of world and flesh. Better, bigger and brighter can so easily become the goals of my life. Presenting myself as ordinary, smaller and tarnished, as St. Paul says, one brought from sin – and bought from sin by Christ Jesus – runs counter-current to the values and beliefs of society.  But it is in presenting myself as one acquainted with sin that I recognize, value, and submit to the abundance of life proclaimed and provided by the passion, death and resurrection of Christ Jesus. As human beings we are best fulfilled, and happy, when we find ourselves used by God as instruments of righteousness amongst humanity. Lord God, I present myself to you as one brought from sin to life.
 
The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my saving strength.(Psalm 18:1)
 
We need no wings to go in search of God, but have only to look upon God present within us. 
 St. Teresa of Jesus
 
Soli gloriam dei .