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Message of the Day
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It is simply ignorance and infidelity to suppose that, under the Gospel, there is no communication between God and us but what is, on His part, in laws, commands, and promises; and on ours, by obedience performed in our strength, and upon our convictions
unto them. To exclude hence the real internal operations of the Holy Ghost, is to destroy the Gospel.
- John Owen (1616-1683), II.5 in A Discourse Concerning Holy Spirit
(Fidelity to
the external Word and attentiveness to the internal guidance of the Spirit. How are these two movements in balance in your life?)
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Lectionary Readings
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GN 17:3-9; PS 105:4-9; JN 8:51-59
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
Look to the LORD in his strength;
seek to serve him constantly.
Recall the wondrous deeds that he has wrought,
his portents, and the judgments he has uttered.
You descendants of Abraham, his servants,
sons of Jacob, his chosen ones!
He, the LORD, is our God;
throughout the earth his judgments
prevail.
He remembers forever his covenant
which he made binding for a thousand generations -
Which he entered into with Abraham
and by his oath to Isaac.
USCCB Lectionary
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Reflection on the Gospel
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Jesus challenged the people of Israel to accept his word as the very revelation of God himself. His claim challenged the very foundation of their belief and understanding of God. Jesus made a series of claims which are the very foundation of his life and mission. What are these claims? First, Jesus claims unique knowledge of God as the only begotten Son
of the Father in heaven. Since he claims to be in direct personal communion with his Father in heaven, he knows everything about the Father. Jesus claims that the only way to full knowledge of the mind and heart of God is through himself. Jesus also claims unique obedience to God the Father. He thinks, lives and acts in the knowledge of his Father's word. To look at his life is to "see how God wishes me to live." In Jesus alone we see what God wants us to know and what he wants us to
be.
When the Jewish authorities asked Jesus who do you claim to be? he answered, "before Abraham was, I am." Jesus claims to be timeless and there is only one in the universe who is timeless, namely God. Scripture tells us that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8). Jesus was not just a man who came, lived, died, and then rose again. He is the immortal
timeless One, who always was and always will be. In Jesus we see the eternal God in visible flesh. He is God who became a man for our sake and for our salvation. His death and resurrection make it possible for us to share in his immortality. Do you believe the words of Jesus and obey them with all your heart, mind, and strength?
"Lord Jesus, let your word be on my lips and in my heart that I
may walk in the freedom of your everlasting love, truth and goodness."
DailyScripture.net
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Spiritual Reading
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The Cloud of Unknowing, by Anonymous That in the time of this work a perfect soul hath no special beholding to any one man in this life.
I SAY not that in this work he
shall have a special beholding to any man in this life, whether that he be friend or foe, kin or stranger; for that may not be if this work shall perfectly be done, as it is when all things under God be fully forgotten, as falleth for this work. But I say that he shall be made so virtuous and so charitable by the virtue of this work, that his will shall be afterwards, when he condescendeth to commune or to pray for his even?christian-not from all this work, for that may not be without great
sin, but from the height of this work, the which is speedful and needful to do some time as charity asketh--as specially then directed to his foe as to his friend, his stranger as his kin. Yea, and some time more to his foe than to his friend.
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Chapter 25
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