Properly understood, prayer is a mature activity indispensable to the fullest development of personality—the ultimate integration of our highest faculties. Only in prayer do we achieve that complete and harmonious assembly of body, mind and spirit which gives the frail human reed its unshakable strength.
- Alexis Carrel (1873-1944), Prayer is Power
(One more good reason to spend time in prayer.)
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ACTS 5:27-33; PS 34:2 AND 9, 17-18, 19-20
JN 3:31-36
The one who comes from above is above all.
The one who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of earthly things.
But the one who comes from heaven is
above all.
He testifies to what he has seen and heard,
but no one accepts his testimony.
Whoever does accept his testimony certifies that God is trustworthy.
For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God.
He does not ration his gift of the Spirit.
The Father loves the Son and has given everything over to him.
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life,
but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life,
but the wrath of God remains upon him.
Reflection on the
Scriptures |
How often we face decisions or dilemmas that cause us to question the right course of action. When those situations arise, sometimes we are choosing between what our heart, or gut, tells us vs. what the social norm or “preferred way” dictates. For example, do I take a job offer that would pay more salary, but the organization seems impervious to some ethical considerations that I find troublesome? Or, do I speak
up for someone whose rights are being trampled, even though doing so would put me at odds with a superior of mine?
Given time and reflection, it is usually clear what God’s will is in the situation. Peter had no doubt what was the right thing to do:
keep preaching in the name of Jesus.
His assurance was due in part to the fact, as stated by John in the Gospel, that God is indeed trustworthy. We can trust that if we truly believe, after reflecting and praying, that we are acting according to God’s
guidance, then we are acting justly. If new information comes to light or things don’t turn out as planned, we can still be assured that God is pleased with our attempts to do the right thing and will show us the way forward once again.
- by Cindy Murphy McMahon
Revelations of Divine
Love - by Julian of Norwich
Fourteenth Revelation, Chapter 50 “The blame of our sin
continually hangeth upon us.” “In the sight of God the soul that shall be saved was never dead, nor ever shall be dead”
For three points make me hardy to ask it. The first is, because it is so low a thing: for if it were an high thing I should be a-dread. The second is, that it is so common: for if it were special and privy, also I should be a-dread. The third is, that it needeth me to
know it (as methinketh) if I shall live here for knowing of good and evil, whereby I may, by reason and grace, the more dispart them asunder, and love goodness and hate evil, as Holy Church teacheth. I cried inwardly, with all my might seeking unto God for help, saying thus: Ah! Lord Jesus, King of bliss, how shall I be eased? Who shall teach me and tell me that [thing] me needeth to know, if I may not at this time see it in Thee?
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