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The surest symbol of a heart not yet fully subdued to God and His will is going to be found in the areas of money, sex, and power: in wanting these things for ourselves. The surest symbol of spiritual earnestness will be the checkbook, the affections, and the ego-drive surrendered to Him. A disciple must have
discipline. He must not be afraid of being asked by God for some of the time, the money, and the pleasure he has been in the habit of calling his “own.” This does not mean that there will not be time for the family, and time for some healthy diversion. But it does mean that we are never—on vacation, or wherever we may be—exempt from our primary commitment to Him.
... Samuel M. Shoemaker (1893-1963), The Experiment of Faith
(How does this quote challenge you? In what part of your life are you being called to let go of selfish control?)
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AM 8:4-6, 9-12; PS 119:2, 10, 20, 30, 40, 131
MT
9:9-13
As Jesus passed by,
he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post.
He said to him, "Follow me."
And he got up and followed him.
While he was at table in his house,
many tax collectors and sinners came
and sat with Jesus and his disciples.
The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples,
"Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"
He heard
this and said,
"Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.
Go and learn the meaning of the words,
I desire mercy, not sacrifice.
I did not come to call the righteous but sinners."
USCCB Lectionary
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Praying the Daily Gospels: A Guide to Meditation, by Philip St. Romain,
2018 (3rd ed.) ____________
Matthew 9:9-13 (The call of Matthew)
Matthew never forgot that Jesus had called him out of his position of
disrepute and oppression. Whenever he mentions himself, Matthew quickly adds that he was once a tax collector. So, too, do we need to recall how the Lord has lifted us up and helped us grow.
• When we remember, we are re-membered” is an old saying. Do you take enough time to recall your roots? Resolve to call a friend
or family member today as a way to help you appreciate your past. Browse through an old photo album during the week.
• Are you a self-righteous person? How is this manifested in your life?
• Pray for the grace to recognize grace in your life. Paperback, Kindle and eBook
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God and I: Exploring the Connections between God, Self and Ego, by Philip St. Romain, 2016 (2nd
ed.) ____________ Chapter 7: The Journey to Belonging: The Ego-God Relationship Theosis: Being-in-Love
Spiritual transformation overflows into the psyche and even the body. Recall from earlier chapters our reflection on the organism and psyche levels, and how they are enspirited (subsisting in the human spirit level). As the human spirit is transformed by God, the psychological and physical aspects of our human nature are also changed so that they, too, manifest the life of God in their distinctive ways. As the Apostle Paul noted, “if the Spirit of him who raised
Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.” (Rm. 8:11) The ultimate example of this is Jesus in his resurrected body, which is now perfectly transformed to manifest the Spirit. Theosis is transformation of the whole person: organism, psyche and spirit. Hardback, paperback, eBook and free preview versions.
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