Christ Jesus, help me prepare a place for your Word in my heart, mind, soul and strength...3/21/2018 JOHN 8:31-42
Like any good plant, the seed of the word of God needs to have place to grow. The more I break up the soil, fertilize it and prepare the place for a garden to grow, the more assured I am that seedlings will flourish and grow up to produce flowers, foliage and fruit. Similarly, the more I set aside and prepare place in my heart, mind, soul and strength for the seed of the Word of God, by breaking up my own preconceived notions and pride, by adding the fertilizer of sins forgiven, and put aside time and energy to be devoted to the sowing and nurture of the Word, the more assured I am that that the Word of God will flourish in my being. How am I preparing place for the Word in my heart? In my mind? In my soul? In my strength? Forever I will keep my steadfast love for him, and my covenant with him will stand firm (Psalm 89) Many will be confused and many will be deceived. But Jesus says, you must stand ready, stay awake, stay tuned to the word of God, so that you will survive all that is going to happen and be able to stand confidently (con-fide, with trust) in the presence of God together in community. Henri Nouwen, Finding My Way Home: Pathways to Life and Spirit www.gospelmysteryoftheday.weebly.com & Gospel Mystery of the Day on Facebook Soli ad gloriam Dei
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John 8:21-30I don’t want to die in my sins! To be engulfed in all my own foolish devices and deceits forever would be hell indeed. This is, though, exactly what Jesus foretold would happen to those who should not, would not and could not (in humility) hear the Word and recognize Him for who he was –Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, their saviour. The Pharisees of Jesus’ day, like countless others down through the ages, became stuck in their own sins by relying on their own ideas of who and what the Messiah would be. Many have in this way died in describing and fighting against the issues and ills of society around them, all the while turning a blind eye and a deaf ear to their Creator and Redeemer waiting to rescue them from their own great deception. Am I floundering in the sinking sands of sin or standing on the rock of Christ Jesus? Christ Jesus, save me from my sins! Forever I will keep my steadfast love for him, and my covenant with him will stand firm (Psalm 89) Many will be confused and many will be deceived. But Jesus says, you must stand ready, stay awake, stay tuned to the word of God, so that you will survive all that is going to happwn and be able to stand confidently (con-fide, with trust) in the presence of God together in community. Henri Nouwen, Finding My Way Home: Pathways to Life and Spirit www.gospelmysteryoftheday.weebly.com & Gospel Mystery of the Day on Facebook Soli ad gloriam Dei . Matthew 1:16-24
Matthew 1:16-24 Christ Jesus, save me from my sins.... I often blame underemployment, humiliation, impoverishment, and the corruption of others for the troubles and problems I encounter in life. In reality though it is my own sins –of pride, envy, judgement, passion, idolatry, self-centredness and etcetera –that are at the root of my biggest hurdles in life. Thanks be to God for Joseph who was obedient to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit of God and took Mary as his wife, when he heard that Mary’s baby was (Christ) Jesus, “God Saves”, the one God had promised to save his children from their sins. Now, more than 2000 years later, because of the righteous and obedient humility of Joseph, and ultimately of his stepson, Jesus, I too can become part of the family, of the Holy family of the Body of Christ, by being saved from my sins. Am I willing, like Joseph, and Mother Mary, and Jesus, to keep covenant with the Lord and dedicate myself to God, no matter what is required of me? (Jer 4:4). Christ Jesus, save me from my sins! From heaven the Lord looked at the earth, to hear the groans of the prisoners, to set free those who were doomed to die. (Psalm 102) It is important for us to realize that when Jesus says, “It is accomplished” (John 19:30), he does not simply mean, “I have done all the things I wanted to do.” He also means, “I have allowed things to be done to me that needed to be done to me in order for me to fulfill my vocation.” Henri Nouwen, Finding My Way Home: Pathways to Life and Spirit www.gospelmysteryoftheday.weebly.com & Gospel Mystery of the Day on Facebook Soli ad gloriam Dei John 5:16-30
Jesus continually did what his Father was doing in the world. “Whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise.” This was his strength and this was his downfall. Doing what the Father was doing in the world -things like graciousness, mercy, faithfulness, compassion, upholding, raising up, being just and kind and staying connected -led this led to Christ’s friction with both the religious and political powers of first century Judea –and his death by crucifixion. Christ calls us to do the same, to follow his ‘Abba’, his Dad, in all of his activities, works and projects. Like sons or daughters working with their parents to learn their roles and to find out how to be a responsible adult, so we need to do what the Father is doing, as Jesus did. In this way we can grow into full maturity and our abundant inheritance through Christ Jesus in our Father’s Kingdom. Am I connecting with and watching God to learn what he is doing and so discover what is expected of me? Christ Jesus, help me to do what the Father is doing. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.(Psalm 145: 18) Without humility of heart, all other virtues by which one runs toward God seem –and are –absolutely worthless. Blessed Angela of Foligno www.gospelmysteryoftheday.weebly.com & Gospel Mystery of the Day on Facebook Soli ad gloriam Dei John 5:1-16
Jesus had seen him there before. The man without family or friend to help him get into the pool of Beth-zatha for a possible cure had been on the sidelines waiting, a victim of illness for 38 years. Then came the day when Jesus asked him if wanted to be made well. Like so many of us who remain victims of our own circumstances, the man blamed the system, blamed his lack of friends and explained at great length the reasons why he was not yet cured. But when he focused on Jesus’ question, and perhaps looked into his eyes, all of the justifications for his victim stance dissipated, and he was able to heartily answer, “Yes! I want to be made well!” One simple instruction from Jesus allowed the man to be made well in soul and strength, and to walk away from seemingly hopeless circumstances. “Stand up, pick up your bed and walk,” Jesus said to the man and to me and to you as much as we, too, perceive ourselves to be more victims of trauma drama than we are the beloved children of God. As a child of God-who-is-Love, am I willing to ‘Stand, take up my bed, and walk’? Am I willing to leave my position as victim behind and engage the healing that comes from saying ‘yes’ to Jesus? Holy Spirit help me engage the healing of Christ Jesus. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Come, behold the works of the Lord; see what awesome things he has brought on the earth. (Psalm 46: 7-8) God can heal wounds in me that I have learned to live with. Philip Yancey www.gospelmysteryoftheday.weebly.com & Gospel Mystery of the Day on Facebook Ephesians 2:4-10
For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life. Like any parent, my Creator has planned family ‘chores’ for me to do each day to teach me responsibility and to help me connect in a good way with others. We are what he made us to be –beloved daughters and sons designed to live in his knowledge and light. Saved by grace through faith as baptized Christians, we are created in Christ Jesus for good works. There are many good works which God has prepared beforehand for us to do, if only we will ‘do our chores’ – forgiving others, works of mercy (physical and spiritual), acts of faithfulness, and deeds that proclaim love and hope. It is these good works that are to be our way of life. This is full time work, work that leaves little room for complaints, stinging or subversive comments or ego-centric activities. Am I committed to being an active and responsible member of God’s family? Christ Jesus, help me do the good works you have prepared for me. As for me, I trust in the Lord. (Psalm 30) Only when all of our service finds its source and goal in God can we be free from the desire for power and proceed to serve our neighbours for their sake and not our own. Henri Nouwen, The Selfless Way of Christ: Downward mobility and the Spiritual Life www.gospelmysteryoftheday.weebly.com & Gospel Mystery of the Day on Facebook Soli ad gloriam Dei Luke 18:9-14
My relationship with God is a two way conversation with two parties involved: I and my Creator. When I triangulate this relationship by inserting another person into the equation, I invariably enter into a place of judgement or idolatry, like the Pharisee in Jesus’ parable. In order to bring clarity to my relationship with God, I need to gaze with single heartedness on Him alone, and find out who, what, how, where and when I am in his eyes. Interestingly the voices of the Saints throughout the ages blend with that of the lowly publican in Jesus’ story in a simple, conclusive prayer: “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” Am I willing to disregard the faults and foibles of other and simply be before God? Will I, with the publican, beat on my breast to wake up my heart to God’s mercy for me, a sinner? God be merciful to me, a sinner. Judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness and according to the integrity that is in me. (Psalm 7:9) Help me to know you more clearly, love you more dearly and follow you more nearly day by day. St. Richard of Chichester www.gospelmysteryoftheday.weebly.com & Gospel Mystery of the Day on Facebook Soli ad gloriam Dei Mark 12:28-34 Holy Spirit, help me love God and my neighbour ... It is simple: my life works best when I use my time, energy, talents and treasure to love God and to love my neighbour. As much as I am caught up in the intrigue of resentments, envy, materialism, or any one of a myriad of sins that disconnect me from love, and from good relationships with God and others, my life becomes chaotic and senseless. But as much as I deliberately invest my life in loving God with all of my heart, mind, soul and strength, and drink deeply of this well-spring of mercy to be refreshed to love others, I become grounded and peaceful. What am I spending my time and energy on –human intrigues or divine love? Holy Spirit, help me love God and my neighbour. O that my people would listen to me and that Israel would walk in my ways. (Psalm 81:9) We shouldn’t seek the ideal community. It is a question of loving those whom God has set beside us today. They are signs of community. Jean Vanier www.gospelmysteryoftheday.weebly.com & Gospel Mystery of the Day on Facebook Soli ad gloriam Dei Luke 11: 14-23
Jesus’ sole purpose in life was to glorify God as he brought about God’s Kingdom on earth with his life, and saved humanity from sin by his death. He did nothing to promote or protect his own fame, power or possessions as the Son of Man and Son of God. Nor did he use his abilities to curry favour for himself and his disciples –indeed the opposite was true. What is my sole, undivided purpose –to fulfill my own life, or to follow Jesus in bringing about his Kingdom and living into his salvation? Holy Spirit, help me remain an undivided follower of Jesus. O come let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! (Psalm 95: 1) Have a habitual desire to imitate Christ in all your deeds by bringing your life into conformity with his. St. John of the Cross. www.gospelmysteryoftheday.weebly.com & Gospel Mystery of the Day on Facebook Soli ad gloriam Dei Matthew 5:17-19 & Jeremiah 7:23-28
As adults, we are constantly influencing if not teaching the children and young people around us, as well as other adults who are looking for answers in life. Although I do teach a few things by word, it is more by example that I influence others in thought, word and deed. At times I am so carried away with fabulous ideas or scintillating practises that these fruits of my own character and pride become the content of my life lessons to others, with little or no regard for what commandments of God’s mercy are being broken. These are the times I am in danger of being called least in the kingdom of God –because I have promoted my own brand of life, rather than the way the truth and the life of Christ Jesus. Who is counselling the ways I walk and influence others? Holy Spirit, help me walk in your counsel. You show me the path of life, the fullness of joy in your presence. (Psalm 15:11) Have a habitual desire to imitate Christ in all your deeds by bringing your life into conformity with his. St. John of the Cross www.gospelmysteryoftheday.weebly.com & Gospel Mystery of the Day on Facebook Soli ad 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. ArchivesCategories |