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John 1: 1-18
The difference between Jesus and the religious law of Moses –or the feel good dictates of our society –is that ‘grace and truth came through Jesus Christ’ from God to humankind. Grace and truth are gifts that cannot be measured, and are not bound by time, treasure or talent. They are portable from this life to the next and on into eternity. Grace is that which changes deserts into oasis, poverty into riches, and humanoids into human beings. Truth, as it is defined by the love and light of God demonstrated through Christ, is not that which confines, as much as it ‘sets us free’. Such freedom allows us to embrace the truly abundant life to be found in following Jesus with simplicity and humility. Christ Jesus, fill [us] with your grace and truth as we open up this new year, 2016 anno dei. God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might have life through him. (1John 4:9) Happy New Year! In this Jubilee year, may you and your loved ones embrace more and more the Grace and Truth –and Mercy –of God throughout 2016. Soli ad gloriam dei .
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1 John 2:12-17
From the time of his birth, Jesus showed us how to know God and do his will. As an infant, he demonstrated how to relax into his Father’s plan –big picture that it was! As a child, Jesus modelled the study of scripture and learning collaboratively with others, especially within the context of family. As an itinerant preacher and healer, Jesus taught us to pray and to hold material things very lightly, and showed us how to be merciful 24/7. Lord God, help me follow Jesus, your Son, in knowing you and doing your will. From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. (John 1:16) A Joyful and a Blessed Christmas season to you and your loved ones! Soli gloriam dei . Luke 1:67-79
Without Jesus Christ, the snares, snarls and loneliness of darkness can be overwhelming. With the advent of Christ Jesus, the suffocating power of dark nights, dark caves and despair was broken forever. When I welcome Jesus Emmanuel, that is, ‘God with us saves’, into the darkness in my own life, and into all the dark circumstances of the world, I make way for the one true Light that casts out darkness, that no darkness has ever quenched (cf John 1:1-18). Where is the darkness this Christmas, so in need of the light of the Christ child? Come, Christ Jesus, shine your light in [my] darkness. Silent night, holy night, Son of God, Loves pure light, Radiant beams from thy holy face, with the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at your birth. (Silent Night by Franz Gruber) O Come, radian dawn, splendour of eternal light, sun of justice: shine on those lost in the darkness of death! A Joyful and a Blessed Christmas to you and your loved ones! Soli gloriam dei . Malachi 3:1-4:6
It takes spiritual courage to be purified and refined by God. As I am purified, things are stripped away, are purged, from my being so that the ‘holiness’ of who I am in the Lord’s sight is exposed. Then through desolation, discomfort, and even dis-ease, this beautiful holiness is refined to become a useful vessel of the Creator, fashioned in the likeness of Jesus Christ. Being as inexperienced with human design as I am, I cannot attempt the purification and refinement of human beings myself –either of myself or of others. Am I willing and open to be purified and refined to the Master’sspecifications? Purify and refine me, O Lord. He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. (Psalm 25:9) O Come, Emmanuel, God’s presence among us, our King, our Judge; save us, Lord our God! Antiphon for December 23th Jubilee Year of Mercy. In this year of Mercy, let us discover and explore the Mercy of God. Soli gloriam dei . Zephaniah 3:14-18
The possibility of renewed love is what hope and the advent of Jesus at Christmas are about. Embracing things that are old and worn out –sentiments as well as food or objects –can lead to rust and decay spiritually as well as literally. One marvellous element of Christmas is that the Christ child, born as a baby in all humility, gives us a timeless image of renewal, mercy and love, echoed with the expectation and birth of every baby born this day and every day. As [I] let go of old, worn out elements of life, [I] am able to embrace the purity of God’s love calling [me] to new creation in heart, mind, soul and strength, and find new life, new love and new light. Renew me in your love, O God . Our soul waits for the Lord; .... our heart is glad in him. (Psalm 33:20, 21) O Come, Key of David, opening the gates ofo the eternal kingdom; free the prisoners of darkness! Antiphon for December 21th Jubilee Year of Mercy. We are called to receive and to extend God's mercy especially throughout this year. Soli gloriam dei . |
AuthorBeverly Illauq lives in Kemptville, Ontario, where she greets each morning by seeking the Gospel Mystery of the Day - the Word of the Lord for direct and practical application to the specific challenges & joys of the day. Archives
March 2024
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