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There is hardly ever a complete silence in our soul. God is whispering to us well-nigh incessantly. Whenever the sounds of the world die out in the soul, or sink low, then we hear these whisperings of God. He is always whispering to us, only we do not always hear, because of the noise, hurry, and distraction which life causes as it rushes on.
... Frederick W. Faber
(1814-1863)
(Slow down . . . calm down . . . listen. . . )
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HOS 2:16, 17C-18, 21-22; PS 145:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
MT 9:18-26
While Jesus was speaking, an official came forward,
knelt down before him, and
said,
“My daughter has just died.
But come, lay your hand on her, and she will live.”
Jesus rose and followed him, and so did his disciples.
A woman suffering hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him
and touched the tassel on his cloak.
She said to herself, “If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured.”
Jesus turned around and saw her, and said,
“Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you.”
And from that hour the woman was cured.
When Jesus arrived at the official’s house
and saw the flute players and the crowd who were making a commotion,
he said, “Go away! The girl is not dead but sleeping.”
And they ridiculed him.
When the crowd was put out, he came and took her by the hand,
and the little girl arose.
And news of this spread throughout all that land.
USCCB lectionary
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Reflection on the Scripture |
"I will wall up its breaches, raise up its ruins, and rebuild it as in the
days of old." —Amos 9:11
In our culture of death, many people and things are in ruins. Marriages, families, ministries, neighborhoods, cities, finances, and whole lives are in ruins. Humanly, it is impossible to raise up these ruins. However, "nothing is impossible with God" (Lk 1:37).
In fact, the Lord
promises that He will raise up even the ancient ruins — lives and things that have been ruined for so long that hardly anyone even thinks of their restoration. Yet the Lord promises: "They shall rebuild the ancient ruins, the former wastes they shall raise up and restore the ruined cities, desolate now for generations" (Is 61:4).
Furthermore, the Lord promises: "The ancient ruins shall be rebuilt for your
sake, and the foundations from ages past you shall raise up; 'Repairer of the breach,' they shall call you, 'Restorer of ruined homesteads' " (Is 58:12). We can even be part of the New Testament fulfillment of the prophecies of Amos and Isaiah (see Acts 15:16).
Consequently, when you see our civilization in ruins, don't despair. Be filled with hope, for we know the Lord's promises and His faithfulness in
fulfilling His promises (Jos 23:14). Then, "should anyone ask you the reason for this hope of yours, be ever ready to reply" (1 Pt 3:15).
Prayer: "Make me a channel of Your peace. Where there is hatred, let me bring Your love."
Promise: "They pour new wine into new wineskins, and in that way both are preserved." —Mt 9:17
Presentation Ministries
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Abandonment to Divine Providence - by Jean-Pierre de Caussade Section
V: The Divine Influence Alone Can Sanctify Us
No reading, nor any other exercise can sanctify us except in so far as they are the channels of the divine influence. ___________
This fruit, as we have
already said, is produced, nourished and increased by the performance of those duties which become successively present, and which are made fruitful by the same divine will. In fulfilling these duties we are always sure of possessing the “better part” because this holy will is itself the better part, it only requires to be allowed to act and that we should abandon ourselves blindly to it with perfect confidence. It is infinitely wise, powerful and amiable to those who trust themselves
unreservedly to it, who love and seek it alone, and who believe with an unshaken faith and confidence that what it arranges for each moment is best, without seeking elsewhere for more or less, and without pausing to consider the connexion of these exterior works with the plans of God: This would be the refinement of self-love
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