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For prayer is a right understanding of that fullness of joy that is to come, with well-longing and sure trust.
- Julian of Norwich {1342-1420}, Revelations of Divine Love -
(Let yourself long for God, trusting in God's goodness and love.)
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Heb 13:1-8; Psalm 27:1, 3, 5, 8b-9abc
Mk 6:14-29
King Herod heard about Jesus, for his fame had become widespread,
and people were saying,
“John the Baptist has been raised from the dead;
That is why mighty powers are at work in him.”
Others were saying, “He is Elijah”;
still others, “He is a prophet like any of the prophets.”
But when Herod learned of it, he said,
“It is John whom I beheaded. He has been raised up.”
Herod was the one who had John arrested and bound in prison
on account of Herodias,
the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married.
John had said to Herod,
“It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”
Herodias harbored a grudge against him
and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so.
Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man,
and kept him in custody.
When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed,
yet he liked to listen to him.
Herodias had an opportunity one day when Herod, on his birthday,
gave a banquet for his courtiers, his military officers,
and the leading men of Galilee.
His own daughter came in and performed a dance
that delighted Herod and his guests.
The king said to the girl,
“Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to you.”
He even swore many things to her,
“I will grant you whatever you ask of me,
even to half of my kingdom.”
She went out and said to her mother,
“What shall I ask for?”
Her mother replied, “The head of John the Baptist.”
The girl hurried back to the king’s presence and made her request,
“I want you to give me at once on a platter
the head of John the Baptist.”
The king was deeply distressed,
but because of his oaths and the guests
he did not wish to break his word to her.
So he promptly dispatched an executioner
with orders to bring back his head.
He went off and beheaded him in the prison.
He brought in the head on a platter
and gave it to the girl.
The girl in turn gave it to her mother.
When his disciples heard about it,
they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.
USCCB lectionary
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Reflection on the Scripture
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“Do not love money but be content with what you have, for God has said, ‘I will never desert you, nor will I forsake you.’ ” —Hebrews 13:5
Our greed and discontent are based on our fear of rejection. Throughout our life, we have been rejected many times. We have even half-believed the devil’s lie that God will reject us because of our sins. But would Jesus die for our sins and then reject us because of them?
Sin does not cause God to reject us; rather, it is a sign of our rejecting Him. Jesus has never rejected and will never reject anyone (Jn 6:37). He does not even reject those in hell, although they have rejected Him. Therefore, we need not try to buy security or be upset with what we don’t have, as if possessions protected us. Instead, we can live as free people and “say with confidence: ‘The Lord is my Helper, I will not be afraid; what can man do to me?’ ” (Heb 13:6) We have nothing to worry
about. Our heavenly Father will always provide. He even sent His Son Jesus to die for us. “What shall we say after that? If God is for us, who can be against us? Is it possible that He Who did not spare His own Son but handed Him over for the sake of us all will not grant us all things besides?” (Rm 8:31-32)
I am secure because of my Father’s love, my Brother’s death, and the Spirit’s indwelling. I cannot be rejected by the Lord. I am free.
Prayer: Father, may I be fearless in situations where I’ve always previously been afraid.
Promise: “The Lord is my Light and my Salvation; whom should I fear? The Lord is my life’s Refuge; of whom should I be afraid?”
Presentation Ministries
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Abandonment to Divine Providence
- by Jean-Pierre de Caussade
BOOK II,
CHAPTER IV. CONCERNING THE ASSISTANCE RENDERED BY THE FATHERLY PROVIDENCE OF GOD TO THOSE SOULS WHO HAVE ABANDONED THEMSELVES TO HIM
SECTION V. Nature and grace are the instruments of God.
The less capable the soul in the state of abandonment is of defending itself, the more powerfully does God defend it.
To have to deal with a simple soul is, in a certain way, to have to deal with God. What can be done against the will of the Almighty and His inscrutable designs? God takes the cause of the simple soul in hand. It is unnecessary for it to study the intrigues of others, to trouble about their worries, or to scrutinize their conduct; its Spouse relieves it of all these anxieties, and it can repose in Him full of
peace, and in security.
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