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Greatly ought we to rejoice that God dwells in our soul; and more greatly ought we to rejoice that our soul dwells in God. Our soul is created to be God’s dwelling place, and the dwelling of our souls is God, who is uncreated. It is a great understanding to see and know inwardly that God, who is our Creator, dwells in our soul, and it is a far greater understanding to see and know inwardly that our soul, which
is created, dwells in God in substance, of which substance, though God, we are what we are.
- Julian of Norwich
(Let us be mindful this day of our intimate connection with God within.)
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Am 7:10-17; Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 11
Mt 9:1-8
After entering a boat, Jesus made the crossing, and came into his own town.
And there people brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher.
When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic,
“Courage, child, your sins are forgiven.”
At that, some of the scribes said to themselves,
“This man is blaspheming.”
Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said,
“Why do you harbor evil thoughts?
Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’
or to say, ‘Rise and walk’?
But that you may know that the Son of Man
has authority on earth to forgive sins”–
he then said to the paralytic,
“Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.”
He rose and went home.
When the crowds saw this they were struck with awe
and glorified God who had given such authority to men.
Praying the Daily Gospels: A Guide to Meditation, by Philip St. Romain, 2018 (3rd ed.)
Matthew 9: 1-8 (Jesus and the paralytic)
Today’s reading makes little sense unless we realize that Jews believed sickness was a manifestation of the power of sin in the world. By offering the paralytic forgiveness and healing, Jesus reveals his power over the forces of sin.
• How does sin most often break into your life? Hear Jesus’ words "Courage child, your sins are forgiven.” Pray for the grace to accept God’s forgiveness.
• Do you know someone who is sick, depressed, or overburdened who would appreciate some support from you?
Treatise on the Love of God, by St. Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
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BOOK III: OF THE PROGRESS AND PERFECTION OF LOVE
Chapter 1: That holy love may be augmented more and more in each one of us
I never heard of any living creature whose growth was not bounded and limited, except the crocodile, who from an extremely little beginning never ceases to grow till it comes to its end, representing equally in this the good and the wicked: For the pride of them that hate thee ascendeth continually, says the great king David; and the good increase as the break of day, from brightness to brightness. And
to remain at a standstill is impossible; he that gains not, loses in this traffic; he that ascends not, descends upon this ladder; he that vanquishes not in this battle, is vanquished: we live amidst the dangers of the wars which our enemies wage against us, if we resist not we perish; and we cannot resist unless we overcome, nor overcome without triumph. For as the glorious S. Bernard says: "It is written in particular of man that he never continueth in the same state; he necessarily either
goes forward or returns backward. All run indeed but one obtains the prize, so run that you may obtain. Who is the prize but Jesus Christ? And how can you take hold on him if you follow him not? But if you follow him you will march and run continually, for he never stayed, but continued his course of love and obedience until death and the death of the cross."
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