The contemplative response gazes on the world with eyes of love rather than with an arrogant, utilitarian stare. It learns to appreciate the astonishing beauty of nature, to take delight in its intricate and powerful workings and to stand in awe of the never-ending mystery of life and death.
- Elizabeth Johnson CSJ, God’s Beloved Creation
(Be aware of and grateful for simple blessings this day!)
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IS 41:13-20; PS 145:1 AND 9, 10-11, 12-13AB
MT 11:11-15
Jesus said to the crowds:
"Amen, I say to you,
among those born of women
there has been none greater than John the Baptist;
yet the least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
From the days of John the Baptist until now,
the Kingdom of heaven suffers violence,
and the violent are taking it by force.
All the prophets and the law prophesied up to the time of John.
And if you are willing to accept it,
he is Elijah, the one who is to come.
Whoever has ears ought to hear."
Reflection on the Scriptures |
God’s love/our response? How might this look in today’s world? There’re lots of us who recognize we are not perfectionists nor Type A personalities yet, in relationship with God we revert to a form of ego-centered perfectionism; we want to be so good and beyond reproach that we miss the most endearing part of ourselves. Our neediness and vulnerability make us especially loved by God.
We are flawed, half-hearted, shame-filled, and, ultimately, sinful by nature; we are heirs of worm Jacob and maggot Israel Isaiah reminds us! Where is God in this darkened scenario? Seemingly unflustered – he simply loves us as we are, warts and all as the saying goes.
How might I respond to the insanely profound love God has for me? I know myself and see the unlovable in me. Yet God is blind to that and seeks to look deeper and find a core down deep in me that he sees and loves. Also, he invites me to join him in order to experience God’s love/care simply and humbly as God’s gift to me. I am good, not because I “do good things”, but simply
because I am, and God invites me to view myself as God views me – with love and grace.
- by Tom Shanahan, S.J.
Revelations of Divine Love
- by Julian of Norwich
Fourteenth Revelation, Chapter 53
“In every soul that shall be saved is a Godly Will that never assented to sin, nor ever shall.” “Ere that He made us He loved us, and when we were made we loved Him”
And thus I understand that man’s Soul is made of nought: that is to say, it is made, but of nought that is made. And thus:—When God should make man’s body He took the clay of earth, which is a matter mingled and gathered of all bodily things; and thereof He made man’s body. But to the making of man’s Soul He would take right nought, but made it. And thus is the Nature-made rightfully oned to the Maker, which is Substantial
Nature not-made: that is, God. And therefore it is that there may nor shall be right nought atwix God and man’s Soul.
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