Message of the Day
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For who is Lord but the Lord? or who is God save our God? Most highest, most good, most potent, most omnipotent; most merciful, yet most just; most hidden, yet most present; most beautiful, yet most strong; stable, yet incomprehensible; unchangeable, yet all changing; never new, never old; all-renewing, and bringing age upon the Proud, and they know it not; ever working, ever at rest; still gathering, yet nothing lacking; supporting, filling, and over-spreading; creating, nourishing,
and maturing; seeking, yet having all things.
... St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430), Confessions
(Which of these aspects of God speaks to you at this time?)
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Readings of the Day
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DN 13:1-19, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62; PS 23:1-6; JN 8:1-11
R. Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
Beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me in right paths
for his name's sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to
come.
USCCB lectionary
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Reflection on the Gospel
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Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger.
Oh to have been a fly on the temple wall when the
Pharisees brought a woman before Jesus "caught in the very act of committing adultery." (What were they, peeping Toms!?) What did the accusers see written in the dirt that diffused their accusations so quickly? Our world hasn't changed that much. We live in a culture where salacious rumors "go viral" in minutes. Would we be so eager to pass on gossip if the subject of the rumor was our child or loved one? Notice how Jesus never accuses either party, nor does he speak of their offenses aloud. He
simply reminds them of their potential for integrity.
"Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips." (Ps 141)
- Mary Joshi
Daily Bread
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Spiritual Reading
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The Book of Supreme Truth, by St. John of Rusybroeck (1293-1381) What hath become of all that thou didst receive from God? Then his Tears are his meat day and night, as the Prophet says. Now if that man is to recover from this misery, he must observe and feel that he does not belong to himself, but to God; and therefore he must freely abandon his own will to the will of God, and must leave God
to work in him in time and in eternity. So soon as he can do this, with untroubled heart, and with a free spirit, at that very moment he recovers his health, and brings heaven into hell, and hell into heaven. For howsoever the scales of love go up and down, all things to him are even or alike. For whatsoever love gives or takes away, he who abandons himself and loves God finds peace in all. For his spirit remains free and unmoved, who lives in all pains without rebellion; and he is able to feel
the unmediated union with God. For he has achieved the union through means by the richness of his virtues. And after this, because he is one aim and one will with God, he feels God within himself together with the fulness of His grace, as the quickening health of his being and all his works.
- Chapter 6: Of heavenly weal and hellish woe. Amazon.com link
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