If anyone loves me he will keep my word,
and my Father will love him,
and we shall come to him. JN 14:23
JAMES 1:12-18 ©
My Soul's Beloved,
It is such a terrible tragedy that we choose over and over again the desires of the flesh, we choose to be children of the corrupt age we live in, and we imperil our immortal souls for fleeting pleasures, or temporal gain. When we experience trials that are part of life too often we become discouraged and despondent instead of leaning on You and taking Your yoke love so the trial becomes sweet and the burden light.
We lack integrity. We are all too willing to choose the broad and easy path that leads to destruction and yet instead of seeing ourselves for the weak-willed sinful creatures that we are we are quick to blame everyone else for our wrong choices. St. James reminds us to stand firm when trials come and when we can withstand and overcome our evil inclinations we will receive the crown of glory.
Sin corrupts and grave sin leads to eternal death if we do not repent. You O Lord, are ready to forgive, ready to restore, ready to welcome the contrite sinner who humbly acknowledges his sins and begs for forgiveness. We are children of light and sons and daughters of God our Father, we are co-heirs with You to the Kingdom. May we never forget that we are Yours, purchased at a great price. We deserved death but love has saved us. Thank You, Lord.
Make no mistake about this, my dear brothers: it is all that is good, everything that is perfect, which is given us from above; it comes down from the Father of all light; with him there is no such thing as alteration, no shadow of a change. By his own choice he made us his children by the message of the truth so that we should be a sort of first-fruits of all that he had created.
PSALM 93(94):12-15,18-19 ©
Happy the man whom you teach, O Lord.
Happy the man whom you teach, O Lord,
whom you train by means of your law;
to him you give peace in evil days
while the pit is being dug for the wicked.
whom you train by means of your law;
to him you give peace in evil days
while the pit is being dug for the wicked.
Happy the man whom you teach, O Lord.
The Lord will not abandon his people
nor forsake those who are his own;
for judgement shall again be just
and all true hearts shall uphold it.
nor forsake those who are his own;
for judgement shall again be just
and all true hearts shall uphold it.
Happy the man whom you teach, O Lord.
When I think: ‘I have lost my foothold’;
your mercy, Lord, holds me up.
When cares increase in my heart
your consolation calms my soul.
your mercy, Lord, holds me up.
When cares increase in my heart
your consolation calms my soul.
Happy the man whom you teach, O Lord.
MARK 8:14-21 ©
My Soul's Beloved,
My Soul's Beloved,
How is it that You have such infinite patience with us? I am exactly like the disciples who foolishly misunderstood what You were saying despite witnessing great and astonishing miracles. Today You are directing these questions to me:
‘Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you not yet understand? Have you no perception? Are your minds closed? Have you eyes that do not see, ears that do not hear? Or do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves among the five thousand, how many baskets full of scraps did you collect?’ They answered, ‘Twelve.’ ‘And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many baskets full of scraps did you collect?’ And they answered, ‘Seven.’ Then he said to them, ‘Are you still without perception?’
I will count my blessings. I will remember the miracles You have performed in my life. I will recall Your blessings and I will praise You with every breath I breathe, Beloved, for You are worthy of praise, adoration, and worship. Thank You, Lord for all You have done for me, are doing for me right now and will continue to do for me until I die and come home to You.
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