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"When I give thanks, my thoughts still circle about myself to some extent. But in praise my soul ascends to self-forgetting adoration, seeing and praising only the majesty and power of God, His grace and redemption."
- Ole Kristian O. Hallesby
(Turn to God in praise that you might know joy this day.)
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Gn 3:9-15, 20; Psalm 87:1-2, 3 and 5, 6-7
Jn 19:25-34
Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother
and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas,
and Mary of Magdala.
When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved,
he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.”
Then he said to the disciple,
“Behold, your mother.”
And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.
After this, aware that everything was now finished,
in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled,
Jesus said, “I thirst.”
There was a vessel filled with common wine.
So they put a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop
and put it up to his mouth.
When Jesus had taken the wine, he said,
“It is finished.”
And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit.
Now since it was preparation day,
in order that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath,
for the sabbath day of that week was a solemn one,
the Jews asked Pilate that their legs be broken
and they be taken down.
So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first
and then of the other one who was crucified with Jesus.
But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead,
they did not break his legs,
but one soldier thrust his lance into his side,
and immediately Blood and water flowed out.
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Reflection on the Scriptures
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“Together they devoted themselves to constant prayer. There were some women in their company, and Mary, the mother of Jesus.” —Acts 1:14
The conception of Jesus required the union of the Holy Spirit, the Divine, and Mary, representing humanity (Lk 1:35, 38). Likewise, the birth of the Church involved both the Holy Spirit, the Divine, and Mary, who was with the apostles in the upper room (see Acts 1:14). Thus, we refer to Mary under the titles of Mother of God and Mother of the Church.
In the upper room, Mary had to choose reconciliation with the apostles. Peter denied knowing Jesus (Mt 26:70-74). When the apostles abandoned Jesus to death on the cross and fled (Mk 14:50), that meant they also abandoned Mary, who was with Jesus at the foot of the cross (Jn 19:25). Mary chose to forgive Peter and the apostles, and all of us as well. Her forgiveness enabled the apostles to seek the Holy Spirit in
freedom and peace.
From the cross, Jesus said to John, representing the Church, “Behold your mother.” From that hour onward, John took Mary into his home (see Jn 19:27). Jesus chose to speak these words from the cross, while hanging in agony. This emphasizes their importance. Do what Jesus tells you (see Jn 2:5). Take Mary into your home –– as Mother of the Church and your mother as well.
Prayer: Father, thank You for generously giving Mary to us as our mother and model discipler. May I lovingly take her into my home as Jesus wishes.
Promise: “One of the soldiers thrust a lance into His side, and immediately blood and water flowed out.” —Jn 19:34
Praise: Father, You chose Mary as our mother for all eternity. We praise You for making us “her offspring...who keep God’s commandments and give witness to Jesus” (see Rv 12:17
- presentationministries.com
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The Ascent of Mount Carmel, by St. John of the Cross
E. Allison Peers Translation. Paperback, Kindle, Audio Book.
Click here to purchase on Amazon.com
BOOK THE SECOND
Wherein is described the nature of dark night and how necessary it is to pass through it to Divine union; and in particular this book describes the dark night of sense, and desire, and the evils which these work in the soul.
Of the Ascent of Mount Carmel
Wherein is treated the proximate means of ascending to union with God, which is faith; and wherein therefore is described the second part of this night, which, as we said, belongs to the spirit, and is contained in the second stanza, which is as follows. __________________________________________________________________
Second Stanza
Chapter 25
Which treats of the intuition of naked truths in the understanding, explaining how they are of two kinds and how the soul is to conduct itself with respect to them.
9. At other times, again, they come when the soul repeats or hears some word, perhaps from Scripture or possibly from some other source; but they are not always equally efficacious and sensible, for oftentimes they are extremely faint; yet, however faint they may be, one of these recollections and touches of God is more profitable to the soul than many other kinds of knowledge or many meditations upon the
creatures and the works of God. And, since these manifestations of knowledge come to the soul suddenly, and independently of its own free will, it must neither desire to have them, nor desire not to have them; but must merely be humble and resigned concerning them, and God will perform His work how and when He wills.
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