Help to grow this newsletter by forwarding it to someone.
“It is a fatal error to mistake mere historical belief for saving faith. A person may firmly believe in his or her religion historically, and yet have no part nor portion therein practically and savingly. He or she must not only believe this
faith, but must believe IN his or her faith.”
- St. Thomas More [16th C.], “Meditations and Devotions” -
(Faith and belief: how do these
relate in your life?)
|
1 Kgs 21:17-29; Ps. 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 11 and 16; Mt 5:43-48
R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have
sinned.
Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness;
in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.
Thoroughly wash me from my guilt
and of my sin cleanse me.
For I acknowledge my offense,
and my sin is before me always:
"Against you only have I sinned,
and done what is evil in your
sight."
Turn away your face from my sins,
and blot out all my guilt.
Free me from blood guilt, O God, my saving God;
then my tongue shall revel in your justice.
UCCB Lectionary
|
Reflection on the Scriptures |
Was Jesus exaggerating when he said we must be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect? The original meaning of “perfect” in Aramaic is “completeness” or “wholeness - not lacking in what is essential.” God gives us every good gift in Jesus Christ so that we may not lack anything we need to do his will and to live as his sons and daughters. He knows our weakness and
sinfulness better than we do. And he assures us of his love, mercy, and grace to follow in his ways. Do you want to grow in your love for God and for your neighbor? Ask the Holy Spirit to change and transform you in the image of the Father that you may walk in the joy and freedom of the gospel.
“Lord Jesus,
your love brings freedom and pardon. Fill me with your Holy Spirit and set my heart ablaze with your love that nothing may make me lose my temper, ruffle my peace, take away my joy, nor make me bitter towards anyone.”
DailyScripture.net
|
|
Precautions, by St. John of the Cross
Instruction and precautions necessary for anyone desiring to be a true religious and reach
perfection.
1. The soul must practice the following instructions if it wishes to attain in a short time holy recollection and spiritual silence, nakedness, and poverty of spirit, where one enjoys the peaceful comfort of the Holy Spirit, reaches union with God, is freed of all the obstacles incurred from the creatures of this world,
defended against the wiles and deceits of the devil, and liberated from one’s own self.
2. It should be noted, then, that all the harm the soul receives is born of its enemies, mentioned above: the world, the devil, and the flesh. The world is the enemy least difficult to conquer; the devil is the hardest to understand; but the flesh is
the most tenacious, and its attacks continue as long as the old self lasts.
3. To gain complete mastery over any of these three enemies, one must vanquish all three of them; and in the weakening of one, the other two are weakened also. When all three are overpowered, no further war remains for the
soul.
|
|
|
|
