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Message of the Day
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If we are to follow
Christ, it must be in our common way of spending every day. If we are to live unto God at any time or in any place, we are to live unto him in all times and in all places. If we are to use anything as the gift of God, we are to use everything as his gift.
- William Law
(A life fully committed to God!)
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Readings of the Day
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1 Kgs 10:1-10; PS 37:5-6, 30-31,
39-40 Mk 7:14-23 Jesus summoned the crowd again and said to them,
“Hear me, all of you, and understand.
Nothing that enters one from outside
can defile that person;
but the things that come out from within are what defile.” When he got home away from the crowd
his disciples questioned him about the parable.
He said to them,
“Are even you likewise without understanding?
Do you not realize that everything
that goes into a person from outside cannot defile,
since it enters not the heart but the stomach
and passes out into the latrine?”
(Thus he declared all foods clean.)
“But what comes out of the man, that is what defiles him.
From within the man, from his heart,
come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder,
adultery, greed, malice, deceit,
licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly.
All these evils come from within and they
defile.” USCCB lectionary
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Reflection on the Scripture
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“Wicked designs come from the deep recesses of the heart.” —Mark 7:21
Solomon
was the wisest man ever (1 Kgs 3:12). The queen of Sheba was so impressed with his wisdom that “she was breathless” (1 Kgs 10:5). Nevertheless, Solomon later abandoned himself “to women and gave them dominion over” his body (Sir 47:19). He brought dishonor upon his reputation, shame upon his marriage, wrath upon his descendants, and groaning upon his domain (Sir 47:20). He set the stage for a civil war (Sir 47:21). When the wisest man in the world becomes a fool and a failure, what will
happen to the rest of us?
We were conceived in sin (see Ps 51:5, RSV-CE). No matter how hard we try, we will fail to be free, truly happy, and fully human. We will deceive ourselves and hate ourselves. We can do nothing to help ourselves (see Rm 7:24). At best, we can do partial and temporary damage control. We can merely delay total self-destruction. However, there is hope — only one Hope for the human race: Jesus. His name means “Savior.” He alone can save us from our human condition — from ourselves, sin, slavery, self-hatred, Satan, and hell. Give yourself totally to Jesus, our only Hope, our only Savior. Prayer: Jesus, my Lord, my God, my All! (see Jn
20:28) Promise: Jesus “summoned the crowd again and said to them: ‘Hear Me, all of you, and try to understand.’ ” —Mk 7:14 Presentation Ministries
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Spiritual Reading
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Readings from Jesus Alive in Our Lives, by Philip St. Romain. Ave Maria Press, 1985. Contemplative Ministries, Inc. 2011. Part Three, Gift of the Spirit Chapter 2: Jesus' Teachings on the Holy
Spirit - Selected quotes We’ve mentioned Jesus’ teaching on the Holy Spirit, so let’s go a little deeper into that. Not all the Gospels have the same teachings, and some are relatively quiet when it comes to this topic. Nevertheless, the overall picture is one of Jesus
ministering by the power of the Spirit and promising to bless his followers with the same Spirit after he had died and risen. As noted in our opening chapter, he even says it’s better for him to go so that he can send the Spirit to us in a new and powerful outpouring; otherwise, his followers will be left to their own resources, and will lack the power and wisdom that the Spirit brings.
Let’s take a few passages to get an idea of how Scripture presents Jesus speaking of the Holy Spirit. I’ll elaborate briefly on the main points, which are from John 14-16. Second Teachings: Jn. 14:22-30
The Spirit . . . - Is sent in Jesus’ name - She will teach us everything - She will remind us of Jesus’ teaching A. Sent in Jesus’ name. The usage of "name" here refers to “person.” To be sent in someone’s
name means to be sent in behalf of their person, or as their representative. Jesus is saying that the Spirit will have a reference to him. This is one of the ways to tell if something is coming from the Spirit rather than another source—what reference it has to Jesus. B. Teach us everything. Yes, you read correctly—the Spirit will teach us about all sorts of things, not just
religious and churchy topics. That is because the Spirit, acting on Jesus’ behalf, wants us to live life to the full (Jn. 10:10) just as Jesus does. As our ever-present coach, she guides our words and actions in all areas of life. C. Remind us of Jesus’ teachings. As the ending of John’s Gospel notes, if everything about Jesus were written down, it is doubtful that all the books in
the world could contain them. It is the Spirit who brings to mind what we once heard but now need to remember in order to accomplish what the present moment calls forth from us. She knows all of Jesus teachings and can whisper them into our mind and will as needed. This doesn’t mean that we need not study the Bible or theology, however; only that we can trust the Spirit to help us remember what we need.
How do you experience yourself being sent and taught by the Spirit? Take a few moments to reflect on this.
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