Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. (Psalm 119)
Mark 10:17-27 Living in our North American society with such elaborate houses, finely designed vehicles, extensive libraries, sentimental nick-naks and amazing devices, I, too, have hundreds of ‘possessions’. Although it is expensive to accumulate such expansive wealth, it is much more challenging to peel away the possessions I have stuck to myself, than to accumulate them. Yet I must divest myself of this accumulation of all these things that soak up hours of time and energy. Not only does it take my life’s resources to purchase possessions, but it also costs me dearly to keep their location in mind, and to keep them organized, maintained, and safe from moth, rust and thieves. It is no wonder that Jesus taught that it is easier for a camel to go through the (gate in the wall of Jerusalem called the) Eye of a Needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven! To have treasure in heaven, I need to free up my time, my energy and my affection from the possessions that I have taken into my life so that I can focus on the riches of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Like the rich young man who encountered Jesus, perhaps I, too, need to ‘sell all I have, and give the money (and the time and energy that is freed up by doing so) to the poor.’ Am I serious about freeing myself from the encumbrance of my possessions in order to love my God and my neighbour? What is the best way to do this? Holy Spirit, help me divest myself of possessions. How wonderful are the things the Lord does. (Psalm 111:2) Lord, give me the heart of a child, and the awesome courage to live it out as an adult. Catherine Doherty 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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