The spirit you received is the spirit of sons,
and it makes us cry out, ‘Abba, Father!’ ROM 8:15
ECCLESIATICUS 48:1-15
My Soul's Beloved,
The prophets Elijah and Elisha show us what is possible when we are filled with the Spirit of God, and rely wholly on Him, and His Word is our sole rule and guide. The writer gives us a snapshot of the lives of these two towering prophets in the Old Testament. They were bold and confident of the gifts that they had received. When they commanded all that they asked for was granted because they believed in the power of God and the Spirit of God which rested on them.
Beloved, sin abounds and sinners die in their sin because we have received far greater blessings through the life-giving Sacraments. We are the people of the New Covenant. We are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a people set apart, and yet the way we live our lives gives no indication of who we truly are because we have not fully grasped the gift of God.
The Apostles, St. Paul, and every great saint and martyr knew this and if we so desired, Lord, we too could be flames of fire burning with zealous love for God and for our brothers and sisters. But ours is a lukewarm, wishy-washy faith, that blows hot and cold. We are governed by our passions and our feelings. We are inconsistent and weak. We have no real desire to take You at Your Word and allow Your Holy Spirit to invade our lives, possess us, transform us, and use us to hasten the coming of Your Kingdom.
We are not all called to be Elijah's and Elisha's Lord but we are commanded to serve humbly, quietly, resiliently, day in and day out carrying out God's will for us obediently and gladly. Beloved, You are in the silence, in the gentle wind, and in our tenderness, mercy, and compassion for each other.
Great and wonderful things happen Lord when we, like Mother Mary, say, 'I am the handmaid of the Lord, may it be done to me according to your word.' The Holy Spirit will come upon us, the power of the Most High will overshadow us and You O Lord will be conceived in our heart and our soul and we will conquer the world, the flesh, and the Enemy and hasten Your coming again in glory. Maranatha! Lord Jesus, Maranatha!
Elijah was shrouded in the whirlwind,
and Elisha was filled with his spirit;
throughout his life no ruler could shake him,
and no one could subdue him.
No task was too hard for him,
and even in death his body prophesied.
In his lifetime he performed wonders,
and in death his works were marvellous.
and Elisha was filled with his spirit;
throughout his life no ruler could shake him,
and no one could subdue him.
No task was too hard for him,
and even in death his body prophesied.
In his lifetime he performed wonders,
and in death his works were marvellous.
PSALM 96(97):1-7
The Lord is king, let earth rejoice,
let all the coastlands be glad.
Cloud and darkness are his raiment;
his throne, justice and right.
Cloud and darkness are his raiment;
his throne, justice and right.
A fire prepares his path;
it burns up his foes on every side.
His lightnings light up the world,
the earth trembles at the sight.
His lightnings light up the world,
the earth trembles at the sight.
The mountains melt like wax
before the Lord of all the earth.
The skies proclaim his justice;
all peoples see his glory.
The skies proclaim his justice;
all peoples see his glory.
Let those who serve idols be ashamed,
those who boast of their worthless gods.
All you spirits, worship him.
those who boast of their worthless gods.
All you spirits, worship him.
Rejoice, you just, in the Lord.
MATTHEW 6:7-15
My Soul's Beloved,
My Soul's Beloved,
Each time I approach You in prayer all I need to do is come to You as a little child. Nestle against You and quietly rest against Your Heart as the beloved disciple did. There is no need for words. You know all. You understand everything. You know my fears, my worries, the terrors that seize my soul for the salvation of those I love so dearly. My heart is filled with needs and wants and desires, but as You said to Martha, 'Only one thing is necessary, Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.' I desire to love as Mary did. To sit at Your feet O Lord and drink in Your Word and Your love. To be held enthralled by Your gaze desiring nothing O Lord by You and You alone. How far I am from this ideal, Beloved. Pity me, Lord.
How good it is of You to invite us to look at Your Abba as our own Abba as well. Our Daddy God. Our Pa. Thank You for teaching us how to pray. You prayed all the time and there is no better teacher than You.
You assure me that God, our Father, already knows what I need even before I ask Him. This gives me confidence knowing that He will always give me all that is necessary for me in this life and eternal life when my journey here ends.
‘Our Father in heaven,
may your name be held holy,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven those who are in debt to us.
And do not put us to the test,
but save us from the evil one.
‘Yes, if you forgive others their failings, your heavenly Father will forgive you yours; but if you do not forgive others, your Father will not forgive your failings either.’
may your name be held holy,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven those who are in debt to us.
And do not put us to the test,
but save us from the evil one.
‘Yes, if you forgive others their failings, your heavenly Father will forgive you yours; but if you do not forgive others, your Father will not forgive your failings either.’
May I spend this day praising and glorifying God in everything I do and say and trust Him to meet all my needs for today and always just as He will for those I love so dearly. Thank You, Lord.
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