I Samuel 15:16-23
It is so easy to ponder anything but the salvation of God. Although King Saul fulfilled all the stipulated sacrifices of the law of Moses, he pondered his own plan of salvation, rather than the salvation plan of the Living God and rushed to carry out what he thought best. Mother Mary, on the other hand, was content to simply be the holy care-giver of God Made Man, and to reflect on, to ponder, the unfolding of God’s salvation through her son Jesus. King Saul primarily pondered his own kingdom. Mother Mary focused on God’s salvation plan for the world. Today what will I ponder? Will I, like Mother Mary, take time to ponder God’s plan of salvation in every relationship, event or action of this day? Holy Spirit, help me ponder the salvation of God. My soul is thirsting for God, the living God. (Psalm 42:2) May we seek those things which are beneficial to our brothers, our sisters, without counting the cost to help them on the way to salvation. Preserve us in your ministry, Lord. Week II, Monday, Morning Prayer, Shorter Christian Prayer www.gospelmysteryoftheday.weebly.com Soli ad gloriam dei
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I John 5:14-21
One of the greatest deceits of life this side of the grave is the rule of the Evil One - that it is possible to “succeed” by living securely, writing books and giving TED talks. Jesus and his cousin John before him proclaimed a message that was counter-cultural then as much as it is now: that we can belong to God and live his rule of mercy and truth, even though the whole world is under the rule of the Evil One. When I deal with sin in my life and choose to belong to God rather than Evil One, my vision of success becomes the teachings of Jesus –his Beatitudes, his prayers, and his unconditional love and truth. Then I realize that although I may not find the world a fitting existence, I can look forward to spending all of eternity in union with Christ Jesus in the nearer light and glory of God. How am I being called to belong to God while living in the world? Christ Jesus, help me remember that I am made more for heaven than for the world. In the shadow of your wings I take refuge till the storms of destruction pass by. (Psalm 57: 1) Enslavement to the evil one is not the final destiny of humanity. People can be liberated from it... Being attuned to the Kingdom enables us [as disciples of Jesus] to go beyond the appearances of outer reality and to discover the real powers that guide history, the power of evil and the power of the Kingdom of God, already present. Fr John Fullenbach in Throw Fire www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca Soli ad gloriam dei I John 4:19-5:4
It is no secret that, thanks to human beings, the world can be a confusing, cruel and toxic place to live in. Sometimes its seems impossible to live as Jesus’ follower in a society that is so perverse and godless. The Good News is that no matter what the world, the flesh and the evil one are doing around me, as much as I embrace Jesus as Redeemer of the world, I am free within to live an authentic life of mercy, community and joy by the grace of the Holy Spirit. Am I really convinced that Jesus effectively disabled the grip of evil on my life? Do I live into the truth of Christ’s redemption of human kind? Christ Jesus, help me remember that through you I am able to defeat the world. In the shadow of your wings I take refuge till the storms of destruction pass by. (Psalm 57: 1) Enslavement to the evil one is not the final destiny of humanity. People can be liberated from it... Being attuned to the Kingdom enables us [as disciples of Jesus] to go beyond the appearances of outer reality and to discover the real powers that guide history, the power of evil and the power of the Kingdom of God, already present. Fr John Fullenbach in Throw Fire www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca Soli ad gloriam dei Freedom That We Have Received from Christ Through the Power of the Holy Spirit [Edward Schillebeeckx quoted by Fr. John Fullenbach in THROW FIRE, Manila, Philippines, 1998, P.159] The freedom to accept that, despite sin and guilt, we are accepted by God; The freedom to be able to live in this earthly world without ultimate despair about our existence; The freedom to commit ourselves disinterestedly for others in the confidence that such dedication is ultimately of decisive significance (Mt 25) The freedom to accept experiences of peace, joy and communication and to understand them as manifestations, however fragmentary, of the saving presence of the living God; The freedom to join in the struggle for economic, social and political justice; The freedom to be free from oneself in order to be free for others, free to do good to others. I John 4:11-18 Christ Jesus, teach me to love beyond all fear... Fear, along with its companions grief and rage, have a habit of consuming life’s focus and energy. Then I am easily led by the world into the evils of despair and paralysis, isolation or violence, away from the goods of the Spirit – peace and joy, community and compassion. Like the disciples in the boat, straining body and soul to row through contrary winds, I can shout out in terror when Christ walks into the events of my life and continue to anxiously ‘row my own boat’. Alternatively, I can love the Lord my God, and invite Jesus to ‘come into my boat’ and watch the winds of panic and chaos subside around me as they become subject to my Saviour’s healing presence. What kind of head-winds am I trying to battle alone? Am I willing to overcome fear with love? Christ Jesus, teach me to love beyond all fear. I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart ... for your love to me has been great: you have saved me from the depths of the grave. (Psalm 86:12,13) I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love. Saint Mother Teresa I John 4:7-17
When I am not connected - ‘in union’ as St. John puts it –with God, living my life independently of the Holy Spirit, then loving others is puzzling and often impossible. But when I am connected to God through prayer, self-discipline and deeds of compassion, love naturally flows out of me to others. Then I will find myself being merciful and forgiving (fore-giving, that is giving before bitterness sets in), and laying down my life for others as Christ Jesus did. Will my thoughts, words and actions towards others today be love? Let me love others because love comes from you, O God. By day the Lord will send his loving kindness; by night I will sing to him, and praise the God of my life. (Psalm 42:8) I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love. Saint Mother Teresa For a summary of research that underlines how human beings are designed for love see: David J. Linden, This Is Your Brain on Charitable Giving. Psychology Today, Posted Aug 31, 2011. https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-compass-pleasure/201108/is-your-brain-charitable-giving www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca Soli ad gloriam dei Matthew 2: 1-12
Adoration: Christ Jesus, I offer my gifts to you... Intercession: Holy Spirit, reveal to [me or N._____] the gifts [I have, he/she has] to offer God... What do I have to offer the Christ Child? Like the magi, who left their own kingdoms to travel a great distance to greet ‘the little Lord Jesus’ in a stable in Bethlehem, I can leave behind my own ‘kingdoms’ and offer gifts of self, soul and body to God. Instead of grasping it to myself, I can offer Christ my gold –all that I am and all that I have –to be used for his purposes in the redemption of humanity. Rather than fixating my strength on fulfilling my own needs and desires, I can instead offer Jesus the frankincense of my prayers of mercy for, and with, others and live them out in each thought, word and deed, as he did with his life. And instead of drowning in despair and self-pity, I can offer the myrrh of my sins, sorrows and sufferings to Christ Jesus for his work of salvation in the world. Christ Jesus, I offer my gifts to you. O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord ... (Adeste Fideles) The sun (the Son) shining brightly on everything ... calls us. He says, “Come, become human. Cease to be alone. Begin to love. Begin to get involved with others. Begin to love your neighbour.” Catherine Doherty, In the footprints of Loneliness www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca Soli ad gloriam dei I John 3:22-4:6
When I do not know or recognize the Holy Spirit of God, it is easy to live my life for egocentric purposes, focusing on my own reasoning and fears. When I do not love the Holy Spirit of God, I love myself above all and am quickly absorbed into the temporal goals of fame fortune and foolish (and elusive) power and control. But as much as I recognize and love the fire of the Holy Spirit, I become aligned with God’s holy purposes and live in union with him. Will I know the fire of the Holy Spirit of God moving in my life today? Will I love and embrace the breath of the Holy Spirit with my life today? Holy Spirit of God, keep me in knowledge and love of you. But you belong to God, my children, and have defeated the false prophets because the Spirit who is in you is more powerful than the spirit in those who belong to the world. (1John 4:4) Almighty Father, source of everlasting light,send forth our truth into our hearts and pour over us the brightness of your light. Psalm Prayer, Week II Tuesday Morning Prayer, Shorter Christian Prayer www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca Soli ad gloriam dei 1 John 5:5-13
I am so tempted to find fulfillment in worldly things, no matter how partial or how temporary are the perks they promise. Family, career, creature comforts or even spiritual activities all hold hollow promise as destinations of happiness, because as they come and go in our lives elation and grief are their final end. But when I embrace the Epiphany of God made man, and the life and teachings of Christ as my source of fulfillment, then family, career, possessions and prayers all becomes means to the end of becoming better connected to God. Then, no matter who or what comes and goes, my life can be shaped and made abundant by our Creator God. Am I ready and willing to find fulfillment in my life primarily through Emmanuel, God with us? Holy Spirit, help me source fulfillment in life through Christ Jesus ... A highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Holy Way... (Isaiah 35:8) Faith liberates. It liberates love and hope. If I am free to love and free to hope, what more do I want of life?Catherine Doherty www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca 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 |