What is knowledge? - The feeling of eternal life. And what is eternal life? - Feeling everything in God. For love comes from meeting him. Knowledge united to God fulfills every desire. And for the heart that receives it, it is altogether sweetness overflowing on to the earth. For there is nothing like the sweetness of God."
- Isaac of Nineveh, "Ascetic Treatises," 38 -

(The best part about God is . . . God!  Enjoy fellowship with God this day.)

ACTS 13:26-33;    PS 2:6-7, 8-9, 10-11;    JN 14:1-6

R. You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.

"I myself have set up my king
on Zion, my holy mountain."
I will proclaim the decree of the LORD:
The LORD said to me, "You are my Son;
this day I have begotten you."

"Ask of me and I will give you
the nations for an inheritance
and the ends of the earth for your possession.
You shall rule them with an iron rod;
you shall shatter them like an earthen dish."

And now, O kings, give heed;
take warning, you rulers of the earth.
Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice before him;
with trembling rejoice.





No one escapes life without facing some major challenges or even some catastrophes. When life is falling apart, it's hard not to ask God "why me?" even though we know there are no answers. We can't even rig the game by praying more, or doing more volunteer work etc. One of the most devout people I have ever known is in a wheel chair. Happily we no longer believe that physical difficulties are God's punishment for sin. 

We somehow have to learn to trust Jesus' promise that eventually all of life's mysteries will be resolved when we reach those heavenly dwelling places.

My wish for all of us today is that whether we are in a wonderful place in life or suffering through an awful episode or illness, that we will have the faith to let go and to let God. It's hard to surrender control but, as today's Gospel tells us, the only way to live is by faith.   

- by Eileen Wirth

Selected Quotes from St. John of the Cross on the Journey of the Soul to God by Contemplation

- from Ascent of Mt. Carmel

Bk. 2. Ch. 14. #4. Nothing is understood particularly in that loving, substantial quietude and so one might believe they are wasting time. The less they understand the further they penetrate into the night of the spirit. They must pass through this night to a union with God beyond all knowing. 

#6. The third sign is the loving, general knowledge or awareness of God.

 #10. A person might remain in deep oblivion and afterwards will think no time has passed at all. 

#11. This oblivion is caused by the purity and simplicity of the knowledge. Effects: an elevation of mind to heavenly knowledge, and a withdrawal and abstraction from all objects, forms and figures as well as from the remembrance of them. The soul knows only God without knowing how it knows Him.

- compiled by James and Tyra Arraj