The manna of one day was corrupt when the next day came. I must every day have fresh grace from heaven, and I obtain it only in direct waiting upon God Himself. Begin each day by tarrying before God, and letting Him touch you. 
- Andrew Murray

ACTS 25:13B-21;    PS 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20;    JN 21:15-19

R. The Lord has established his throne in heaven.

Bless the LORD, O my soul;
and all my being, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits.

For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him.
As far as the east is from the west,
so far has he put our transgressions from us.

The LORD has established his throne in heaven, 
and his kingdom rules over all.
Bless the LORD, all you his angels,
you mighty in strength, who do his bidding.





Christ asks us the same fundamental question that he asks Peter: do we really love him?  If we do, then we need to feed those around us, not only with table food but with a truly personal interest in who the brothers and sisters are whom Jesus has put in our lives; we nourish them with our listening, with remembering what they tell us of what is in their hearts, with every way available to us of making them feel safe, understood, and cherished.  We need to tend to their needs in a personal way, not just in politeness or in sending money, not only at a distance or impersonally.

And we need to do this on the basis of our desire to be, like Peter, first a disciple (one who learns from the Lord) and then an apostle (one whom the Lord sends in his Name and with his power).  This can sometimes demand from us real discernment about what really constitutes love for others, and it might lead to us occasionally showing true "tough love," difficult both for us and for those we care for, but Jesus is not going to ask us to do this loving alone.... 

Do we love Jesus?  Then we must feed and tend his sheep as best we can... in, with, and through the Lord.

- by Chas Kestermeier, S.J.

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. 26. #5. This divine knowledge of God never deals with particular things. This sublime knowledge can be received only by a person who has arrived at union with God, for it is itself that very union. It consists in a certain touch of the divinity produced in the soul, and thus it is God Himself who is experienced and tasted there. This knowledge savors of the divine essence and of eternal life. 

#8. They are so sensible that they sometimes cause not only the soul but also the body to tremble. Yet at other times with a sudden feeling of spiritual delight and refreshment, and without any trembling, they occur very tranquilly in the spirit. 

#9. Since this knowledge is imparted to the soul suddenly, without exercise of free will, a person does not have to be concerned about desiring it or not. He should simply remain humble and resigned about it, for God will do His work at the time and in the manner he wishes. 

#10. God does not bestow these favors on a possessive soul, since He gives them out of a very special love for the recipient. For the individual receiving them is one who loves God with great detachment.

- compiled by James and Tyra Arraj