Your light must shine in the sight of men,
so that, seeing your good works,
they may give the praise to your Father in heaven. MT 5:16
EZRA 1:1-6 ©
My Soul's Beloved,
You call all God's children to be docile to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. We are called to quiet our senses and to listen then we will surely be roused by the Spirit of God to hear as King Cyrus heard and we will do as the Lord commands.
It is grace alone that moves us to have good thoughts, to speak good words, and to move out of our narrow lives and do the deeds that God asks us to do. On our own, we can do nothing. Jeremiah's prophecy could only become a reality when King Cyrus listened to the voice of God and obeyed. It was not just the king, but all the people of Persia obeyed his decree and provided the people of God with all that they would require to go to Jerusalem and build the Temple of the Lord.
Every Christian is also called to make their body and soul a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit - a place where God dwells. A place adorned with the virtues that are God's gifts to us. All that we have received from You, Lord, is for service. The more we use the treasures that You heap on us the more fruitful will our lives be. Grant us the gift of docility, Beloved, so we may always be attuned to the promptings and movement of the Holy Spirit in us.
PSALM 125(126) ©
When the Lord delivered Zion from bondage,
it seemed like a dream.
Then was our mouth filled with laughter,
on our lips there were songs.
Then was our mouth filled with laughter,
on our lips there were songs.
The heathens themselves said: ‘What marvels
the Lord worked for them!’
What marvels the Lord worked for us!
Indeed we were glad.
What marvels the Lord worked for us!
Indeed we were glad.
Deliver us, O Lord, from our bondage
as streams in dry land.
Those who are sowing in tears
will sing when they reap.
Those who are sowing in tears
will sing when they reap.
They go out, they go out, full of tears,
carrying seed for the sowing:
they come back, they come back, full of song,
carrying their sheaves.
they come back, they come back, full of song,
carrying their sheaves.
What marvels the Lord worked for us.
LUKE 8:16-18 ©
My Soul's Beloved,
My Soul's Beloved,
A lamp can only be lit if it has oil. If we are in the dark and our lamp is empty we will remain in the dark even if we place it on a lamp-stand. Unless the Holy Spirit fills us with the oil of grace we will have nothing either for ourselves or to share with others.
Today, my Lord and my God, I ask You to please send us Your Holy Spirit to dwell in us. Only He can provide us with the grace necessary to be fruitful members of Your Body. You, O Lord, are the Light of the world, and unless our souls catch Your fire we and the world will remain in darkness and in sin.
Send forth Your Spirit O Lord, and renew the face of the earth lest we all perish. Enkindle in us the fire of Your love and may that fire set ablaze the whole Church and destroy all that is evil, all the dross, all that is unworthy of children of God. Grant us a new Pentecost and a new era of love and joy where You O Prince of Peace reign in the hearts of all and You establish Your rule in the world. Have mercy on us O Lord, have mercy.
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