The spark of seed of Light, however, is not confined to human self-consciousness. the whole of creation in varying degrees can shoot forth bright rays, surprising evidences of the gratuitous glory of things bearing traces of their creator, traces on which the human intelligence can seize in a kaleidoscopic variety of momentary illuminations whereby the inner being of things and the inner human self are grasped as a unity.
- Patrick Grant [20th C], A Dazzling Darkness

(" The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork." Ps. 19:1.  And we are privileged to perceive and experience this, at times!)

ROM 15:14-21;    PS 98:1-4;    LK 16:1-8

R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.

Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.

The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.

All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.







The Gospel passage is about a dishonest, unfaithful steward. He squanders his boss's property. He gets caught and is told to prepare to give a full account of his stewardship (something for those of us who have received the grace of God to think about). I love the response of this wag: "I am not strong enough to dig and I am ashamed to beg." He does not want to work or beg; he is used to living off of the wealth of others. So, what does he do? He uses the time he has left to ingratiate himself to the people who owe his boss money. It is a good deal for them, they pay less and the promissory note is marked paid in full, and it is a good deal for him. He's losing his job anyway so why not get in good with someone else? Even though his boss knows that this steward is dishonest, he gives him his due: the man acted prudently. He squandered. He stole. He shafted his boss. But he's no dummy. He's the type who always lands on his feet. What is Jesus' point? The Quaker theologian, Elton Trueblood, wrote a book entitled the  Humor of Christ and in it he suggests that Jesus was simply joking. The whole point of the passage is to be honest and it ends with the statement that you cannot serve both God and money. Although this is certainly possible, my take on the words of Jesus is different. I think that Jesus is admonishing believers to be prudent in doing everything possible to hold onto the real treasure. This wag is pulling every trick in the book to keep a cushy job. Surely we who have the treasures of God will work as hard and be as wise in holding onto the good stuff.

- by George Butterfield

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

- from Dark Night of the Soul

Bk. 2,  Ch. 10. #4. As the soul becomes purged and purified by means of this fire of love, it becomes ever more enkindled in love. This enkindling of love is not always felt by the soul, but only at times when contemplation assails it less vehemently.

- compiled by James and Tyra Arraj