Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. (Psalm 119)
Matthew 23:27-32 What is it that soils my soul? Jesus pointed to hypocrisy, that is saying one thing and doing another, as the major fault of the religious leaders of his times. He likened them to ‘white-ed sepulchers’, good on the outside, while harboring great evil on the inside. He criticized people who appeared to be very religious but were actually walking around carrying the ‘bones of the dead’ in their souls, that is, past hurts and wrongs both given and received that remain unforgiven. Jesus also noted that it was often the ‘most religious’ people who were actually full of filth and lawlessness within their hearts – pride, greed, lust envy, gluttony, wrath and sloth (acedia) that gave way to thoughts, words and deeds that were products of a self-referencing, rather than God-centering. Will I allow the healing light of God’s love and life to sweep through the inner recesses of my heart, mind, soul and strength to cleanse, purify, and wash my be-ing? Holy Spirit of Jesus, purify my being through and through, so I can lead a life worthy of God. Examine me, O God, and know my mind; test me and discover my thoughts. Find out if there is any evil in me, and guide me in the everlasting way. (Psalm 139:23-24) What Counts It isn’t the things I talk about no matter how fine and true; It isn’t the things I seem to think, nor even the things I do. It isn’t the creed I call my own, nor the motto on my wall; The only thing that really counts is what’s in my heart. That’s all. Annonymous Soli ad gloriam Gospel Mystery of the Day on FaceBook & www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca
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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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