No one can stop God’s mercy, not even those who think too highly of themselves, no even those
who sneer at whatever they think is weaker than they are, not even those who disrespect God’s wishes. How I hope these words will instruct the minds of those who are humble.
- Elisabeth of Schonau, Second Book of Visions
(“I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love which Christ Jesus our Lord shows us.” Rm. 8: 38)
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Jas 5:1-6; Ps. 49:14-15ab, 15cd-16, 17-18, 19-20; Mk 9:41-50
R. Blessed are the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs!
This is the way of those whose trust is folly,
the end of those contented with their lot:
Like
sheep they are herded into the nether world;
death is their shepherd and the upright rule over them.
Quickly their form is consumed;
the nether world is their palace.
But God will redeem me
from the power of the nether world by receiving me.
Fear not when a man grows rich,
when the wealth of his house
becomes great,
For when he dies, he shall take none of it;
his wealth shall not follow him down.
Though in his lifetime he counted himself blessed,
"They will praise you for doing well for yourself,"
He shall join the circle of his forebears
who shall never more see light.
Reflection on the Scriptures |
“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you
will find rest for yourselves.”'
Jesus’ offer of rest is enticing. Our world — up and running 24/7 — leaves many of us exhausted and feeling off-balance. What would our lives look like if we took Jesus’ yoke upon us and became like him, meek and humble? Would we get off the fast track and devote some time instead to serving others? Would we incorporate more prayer,
solitude and rest into our days? As we became less stressed, would we become more kind? Would we live more simply? Let us pray about all of the possibilities of this lovely invitation.
“For balanced, holy lives centered in Christ, we pray.”
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Revelations of Divine Love - by Julian of Norwich
Eighth Revelation, Chapter 18
“When He was in pain, we were in
pain”
Here saw I a great oneing betwixt Christ and us, to mine understanding: for when He was in pain, we were in pain.
And all creatures that might suffer pain, suffered with Him: that is to say, all creatures that God hath made to our service. The firmament, the earth, failed for sorrow in their Nature in the time of Christ’s dying. For it belongeth naturally to their property to know Him for their God, in whom all their virtue standeth: when He failed, then
behoved it needs to them, because of kindness [between them], to fail with Him, as much as they might, for sorrow of His pains.
And thus they that were His friends suffered pain for love. And, generally, all: that is to say, they that knew Him
not suffered for failing of all manner of comfort save the mighty, privy keeping of God. I speak of two manner of folk, as they may be understood by two persons: the one was Pilate, the other was Saint Dionyse of France, which was [at] that time a Paynim. For when he saw wondrous and marvellous sorrows and dreads that befell in that time, he said: Either the world is now at an end, or He that is Maker of Kind suffereth. Wherefore he did write on an altar: THIS IS THE ALTAR OF UNKNOWN GOD. God
that of His goodness maketh the planets and the elements to work of Kind to the blessed man and the cursed, in that time made withdrawing of it from both; wherefore it was that they that knew Him not were in sorrow that time.
Thus was our Lord
Jesus made-naught for us; and all we stand in this manner made-naught with Him, and shall do till we come to His bliss: as I shall tell after.
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