Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. (Psalm 119)
John 8:51-59 Jeremiah speaks of being ‘enticed’ by the Holy Spirit of God. Jesus spoke of being loved as the Son of God. St. Paul counselled the early Christians at Ephesus not to ‘grieve the Holy Spirit’. When God loves us so much that he woos us like a lover, or loves us like a doting father, is there anything that grieves the Holy Spirit of God more than acting as if we are not interested in his advances, or acting in a shameful manner that flies in face of the family’s decorum of mercy and humility? I grieve the Holy Spirit of God anytime I turn my back on his love and forgiveness and choose instead to treat my own life and the lives of others with indifference or engage in disgusting thoughts, words or actions. Paul lists some of these, and then goes on to encourage his brothers and sisters in Christ to be kind, compassionate and forgiving; Jeremiah exhorts us to sing to the Lord and praise the Lord because he has delivered our lives from evil; and Jesus showed us how to remain rooted in our identity as the children of God in the face of all powers and persons who deny it. Am I being enticed by the naysayers, or by the Holy Spirit of God? Will I grieve or delight the Holy Spirit of God? Christ Jesus, help me not grieve the Holy Spirit. Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually. Remember the wonderful works he has done, his miracles, and the judgements he uttered. (Psalm 105:4,5 ) Live in holy joy and fly from anything that would dissipate your spirit.St. Paul of the Cross www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca & Gospel Mystery of the Day on Facebook Soli ad gloriam Dei
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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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