Eph 3:13 – 21

 
The winds of fall, blowing leaves off trees, and garbage cans down the street, and reaching icy fingers through jackets, are a reminder of the ‘winds of change’ that can toss us about at any season of our lives.  How to stay anchored and upright in those times of wind and inclement weather in our lives?  St. Paul reminded the Ephesians who were suffering the martyrdoms and mayhem of the Early Church … and us today… to be rooted and grounded in the Steadfast Love of God, being mindful of the steadfastness of Christ Jesus in his time on earth. If I take root in other ideals or root myself in my own various pursuits, plans and projects, I will become like a sailing recycling bin, or a leaf tumbling in the winds of all the changes that come into our lives on earth. But as much as I reach down into Holy Scriptures for my inspiration, and root myself in silent prayer and meditation in the presence of Father God, and his Son, Christ Jesus, then I am able to begin to comprehend that Steadfast Love of God, and weather the storms of any season or circumstance of life.  This is the LOVE that brought order to the chaos of the universe, regulated light and darkness on the amazing creation that is the planet Earth, and willed my soul to take on human form for the years of my life here in the world.  Will I trust this divine, creative – and steadfast – Love of God? Holy Spirit of God, help me remain firmly rooted and grounded in your steadfast love.   
 
Truly the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine [storms].        (Psalm 33: 18 & 19 )
 
Spread love everywhere you go.  Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.
Mother Teresa of Kalkotta
 
Soli ad gloriam Dei
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Luke 11:37-54

 
Was Jesus merely blasting the pharisees, or was he making a profound statement about inner sanctity? Luke recounts how two pharisees dared to invite the itinerant preacher from North (Nazareth) for dinner… and then pointed out his social and ‘religious’ faults by commenting that he didn’t wash his hands before eating. Jesus ticked both pharisee hosts, and then the scribes for being ‘whited sepulchers’ rather than the truly holy people God designed them to be. Like many people through the ages, these seemingly religious people were doers of everything religious, and busy with judging others, preferring their self-appointed status to joining themselves to the Father’s heart and will. Holiness for them was an outward show, rather than an inward journey to their God and Father. Many of us today suffer from this same religiosity and forget what true holiness is – that is, a heart, mind, soul and strength so aligned to the Holy Spirit of God, that God’s character of Mercy is enacted in ‘small actions done with great love’ (Saint Mother Teresa of Kalcutta). Will I fall into the rut of prescribed religious activities and sacramentals, or will I learn the freedom of a life inspired and full-filled by the Holy Spirit of God?  Will I, with the humility and trust of a beloved child turn to the Father in simple praise and thanksgiving and take up the yoke of Christ Jesus to learn from Him a truly religious (regulated, healed, and wholly holy) way of life? Holy Spirit of God, help me become holy from the inside out.
 
Incline my heart according to your will, O God, speed my steps along your path.       (Psalm 119:36 )
 
Forgive the sins of your people, Lord, and let this new day bring us closer to salvation.
Week IV Wednesday Morning Prayer, Shorter Christian Prayer
 
Soli ad gloriam Dei
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Luke 10:1-12 & Luke 10:38-42

 
All that God desires is a person simply living in his image. He needs disciples of Jesus who are aligned with his plans and purposes, to ‘go out’ to be present to heal, lead and protect his beloved sons and daughters where they are, in their homes, their places of work and play, and in our communities.  Jesus sent out 70 disciples at one point in his ministry to be – to do – just that. They were given instructions to stay where they were welcomed, and to shake the dust of their place off their feet when they weren’t. Mary of Bethany shows us how to prepare ourselves for such ministry: Instead of packing her bag, and buying a new pair of ‘good’ sandals, as her sister Martha was wont to do, Mary sat the feet of Jesus listening to his every word and basking in his light and love and Life.  The primary activities of the 70 amongst the people were to proclaim the Good News of God’s Mercy and redemption from sin, to release the captives, raise the dead and heal the sick (cf Mark 6:6-13). Am I ready to be sent out as a disciple of Jesus to simply do the will of God out amongst my fellow human beings?   Have I sat at the feet of Jesus long enough today to go out with the fire of his Holy Spirit?  
 
Incline my heart according to your will, O God, speed my steps along your path.       (Psalm 119:36 )
 
May our lives mirror our love for you whose wisdom has brought us into being, and whose care guides us on our way…
Week II Wednesday Morning Prayer, Shorter Christian Prayer
 
View: My Heart, Christ’s Home, by Robert Munger https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzXHpNxAAps    
 
Soli ad gloriam Dei
Gospel Mystery of the Day on FaceBook & www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca
 
 
 
 
 

Luke 7:36-50  

 
It is a matter of being at home! Arguably, Jesus’ primary commission from His Father was to bring human souls back home; for the family of the Holy Trinity to so dwell within the being of each person on earth, that they would be able to be brought back to their home in ‘heaven’, the true home-kingdom of Father God. The vignette of ‘a woman who was a sinner’ washing and anointing the feet of Jesus in a Pharisee’s home is a sign of how this works. Simon the Pharisee had built himself a beautiful home here on earth and invited Jesus to come by for a meal – but gave the itinerant preacher from Galilee neither a caring nor honorable welcome; he did not himself tend Jesus’ dusty and tired feet, nor did he have his slave wash the feet of his guest. Neither did Simon greeted him with a kiss of either affection or peace – clearly he was more curious than caring of Jesus, more interested in his own ‘kingdom’ than in the King of Kings in his presence.  Nor did Simon anoint Jesus’ head with oil – the common sign of hospitality in mid-Eastern culture at that time. It was the sinner woman who made herself at home with Jesus, who made him welcome in her sphere of influence – who washed the grime off his feet with her own tears, kissed the soles of his human soul repeatedly, and anointed his body not only with oil, but with ointment (a foreshadowing of the anointing of his body after the crucifixion. The woman who was a sinner welcomed Jesus, and was not only welcomed herself, but was washed by the Holy Guest himself. ‘Your sins are forgiven’, she was told.  Will I keep Jesus at arm’s length like the Pharisee, or will I welcome my Redeemer and Healer into my ‘home’ and then be ready to go home with him to the Father’s house? Christ Jesus, bring me home to the Father.   
 
I thank you that you have answered me and become my salvation.     (Psalm 118:21 )
 
Let us do all things with the conviction that God dwells in us.
St Ignatius of Antioch
 
View: My Heart, Christ’s Home, by Robert Munger https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzXHpNxAAps    
 
Soli ad gloriam Dei
Gospel Mystery of the Day on FaceBook & www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca