The word “Comforter” as applied to the Holy Spirit needs to be translated by some vigorous term. Literally, it means “with strength.” Jesus promised His followers that “The Strengthener” would be with them forever. This promise is no lullaby for the faint-hearted. It is a blood transfusion for courageous
living. - E. Paul Hovey
(What do you need from "The Strengthener" this day?) |
Acts 13:13-25; Ps 89:2-3, 21-22, 25 and 27 Jn 13:16-20 When Jesus had washed the disciples' feet, he said to them:
"Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master
nor any
messenger greater than the one who sent him.
If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it.
I am not speaking of all of you.
I know those whom I have chosen.
But so that the
Scripture might be fulfilled,
The one who ate my food has raised his heel against me.
From now on I am telling you before it happens,
so that when it happens you may believe that I AM.
Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send
receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me." Reflection on the Scriptures
Jesus, in the gospel for today says that "They shall all be taught by God." This God has not stopped working and intruding into our carriages and lives to bring us and the whole world, to the
acceptance of Jesus as the fulfillment of our needs to see and know God. God wants to be seen, but not in such ways as to satisfy or convince our minds. "Everyone who has heard the Father and has learned from Him, comes to
Me. Not that anyone has seen the Father, only the One Who is from God has seen the Father." The "Working-God" has invited us through our baptism, to enter into a way of seeing God. We are invited to be cleansed from an
arrogance which demands clarity, exactness and explanations. This orientation allows us to preach as apostles of this later Christian community. We preach by the deeds, attitudes and spirit which intrudes into the carriages and lives of others as they make their way through one desert or other. He is the Bread of Life Who has given life to us that we might be bread for the lives in the carriages into which we are sent every day. Have a holy
ride..
-by Carol Zuegner
Proverbs for Perspective and Spiritual Living by Philip St. Romain, M.S., D. Min. From Pathways to Serenity, 1989, Liguori Publications; reprinted by Contemplative Ministries, Inc., 2013 (Minor editing applied.)
- https://shalomplace.com/view/pathview.html Included in Light for the Christian Journey, 2020: Contemplative Ministries, Inc.
https://shalomplace.com/view/light-journey.html
III. Identity
4. Self-reflection can help you to realize successes, pitfalls, and errors, but it cannot produce self-realization. To attempt realization
through self-reflection is like a mirror gazing at itself.
5. Anything can be a pretense for the false self, but sham piety is the most dangerous of all. A false self can take on the trappings of religion and congratulate itself on having realized the Christ-self.
6. If you can’t find yourself, don’t just sit there waiting for self-realization. Get moving, and do what you’re doing in loving awareness. It will come to you in action and movement.
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