Under Her Wings

Minute Meditations From Pain to Purpose Never waste your pain. Pray to God, offer it up to him as a prayer for someone else who is in pain, and turn that sorrow into something worthwhile. — from Ask The Bible Geek St. Narcissus of Jerusalem (d. 215) Life in second- and third-century Jerusalem couldn't have been easy, but St. Narcissus managed to live well beyond 100. Some even speculate he lived to 160. Details of his life are sketchy, but there are many reports of his miracles. The miracle for which he is most remembered was turning water into oil for use in the church lamps on Holy Saturday when the deacons had forgotten to provide any. We do know that Narcissus became bishop of Jerusalem in the late second century. He was known for his holiness, but there are hints that many people found him harsh and rigid in his efforts to impose church discipline. One of his many detractors accused Narcissus of a serious crime at one point. Though the charges against him did not hold up, he used the occasion to retire from his role as bishop and live in solitude. His disappearance was so sudden and convincing that many people assumed he had actually died. Several successors were appointed during his years in isolation. Finally, Narcissus reappeared in Jerusalem and was persuaded to resume his duties. By then, he had reached an advanced age, so a younger bishop was brought in to assist him until his death. Daily Prayer - 2015-10-29 Presence I pause for a moment and think of the love and the grace that God showers on me: I am created in the image and likeness of God; I am God's dwelling-place. Freedom Lord, you created me to live in freedom. May your Holy Spirit guide me to follow you freely. Instil in my heart a desire To know and love you more each day. Consciousness How am I really feeling? Lighthearted? Heavy-hearted? I may be very much at peace, happy to be here. Equally, I may be frustrated, worried or angry. I acknowledge how I really am. It is the real me that the Lord loves. The Word of God Reading 1 Rom 8:31b-39 Brothers and sisters: If God is for us, who can be against us? He did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all, how will he not also give us everything else along with him? Who will bring a charge against God's chosen ones? It is God who acquits us. Who will condemn? It is Christ Jesus who died, rather, was raised, who also is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword? As it is written: For your sake we are being slain all the day; we are looked upon as sheep to be slaughtered. No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Responsorial Psalm PS 109:21-22, 26-27, 30-31 R. (26b) Save me, O Lord, in your mercy. Do you, O GOD, my Lord, deal kindly with me for your name's sake; in your generous mercy rescue me; For I am wretched and poor, and my heart is pierced within me. R. Save me, O Lord, in your mercy. Help me, O LORD, my God; save me, in your mercy, And let them know that this is your hand; that you, O LORD, have done this. R. Save me, O Lord, in your mercy. I will speak my thanks earnestly to the LORD, and in the midst of the throng I will praise him, For he stood at the right hand of the poor man, to save him from those who would condemn his soul. R. Save me, O Lord, in your mercy. Alleluia See Lk 19:38; 2:14 R. Alleluia, alleluia. Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord. Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests. R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Lk 13:31-35 Some Pharisees came to Jesus and said, "Go away, leave this area because Herod wants to kill you." He replied, "Go and tell that fox, 'Behold, I cast out demons and I perform healings today and tomorrow, and on the third day I accomplish my purpose. Yet I must continue on my way today, tomorrow, and the following day, for it is impossible that a prophet should die outside of Jerusalem.' "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how many times I yearned to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were unwilling! Behold, your house will be abandoned. But I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord." - - - Some thoughts on today's scripture Despite the fact that his death was imminent, Jesus, because of his great love, continued to care for people who were suffering. To continue to persevere in doing good in the face of great difficulties is a great grace. Conversation Begin to talk to Jesus about the piece of scripture you have just read. What part of it strikes a chord in you? Perhaps the words of a friend - or some story you have heard recently - will slowly rise to the surface of your consciousness. If so, does the story throw light on what the scripture passage may be trying to say to you? Conclusion I thank God for these few moments we have spent alone together and for any insights I may have been given concerning the text. Meditation: Luke 13:31-35 View NAB Reading at USCCB.org Subscriber? Login to view archives. 30th Week in Ordinary Time I accomplish my purpose. (Luke 13:32) Before a building is erected, plans are drawn up. Construction proceeds in an established order so that a sturdy, safe edifice takes form. Similarly, God has plans. He has a plan for your life, your neighbor's life, and for the life of every human being. In its most general form, that plan involves our cooperating with him in accomplishing his desires, purposes, and goals. He delights in it, actually, for he knows that his plan will proceed according to his intentions—even if we can't see how at this point. Jesus trusted in God's plan. He was secure in what he was about, where he was to go, and what he was to do. It's possible he didn't know every detail. He may not have known every step, obstacle, or word in advance, but he knew what God wanted of him, and he stuck to that plan resolutely. He was confident that his Father would protect him—that he would not die outside Jerusalem—and he was unwilling to turn from this plan simply because Herod (or anyone else) tried to scare him away. Few of us live in that kind of long-range certainty, but we can have some assurance of what God wants for us today. Ask him first thing in the morning, "How do you want me to live today?" Pause for a few moments and give him time to answer. He may give you one word, such as "peace" or "hope." Or he may bring to mind a relationship that needs a little bit of work. Or he may guide you to think about how you can show compassion to a particular co-worker. Most of the time, the answer will revolve around your daily duties and responsibilities. And so you do them, confident in what you're about. Ask the Spirit to make you resolute and unwilling to turn aside from his established plan for your life. But sometimes, God has a surprise agenda. He may send you in a different direction, like calling you to finally talk with that co-worker about your faith. Trust him! Let the Spirit guide and direct you. Whatever it is, write it down and carry it with you so that you can remind yourself as the day moves on. Let God be your strength and protection. Let him be with you in all you say and do today. "Father, what do you have for me today? Come, Lord, and direct my steps." Romans 8:31-39 Psalm 109:21-22, 26-27, 30-31 Podcast Page: http://hipcast.com/podcast/HLZBZPBx my2cents: Allow me to translate the latter part of today's 5minutos: "...the same luck awaits all of us who follow Jesus.  There is no other way!!! And so...... People are irrational, illogical, and self centered, LOVE THEM ANYWAYS if you do good, they will accuse you of having alterior motives, DO GOOD ANYWAYS if you are successful you will win false and true enemies, BE SUCCESSFUL ANYWAYS The good that you do today will be forgotten tommorrow, DO GOOD ANWYWAYS The honesty and frankness makes you vulnerable, BE HONEST AND FRANK ANYWAYS what took years to construct can be destroyed in one night, BUILD ANYWAYS people really need help but can attack you if you do it, HELP THEM ANYWAYS Give to the world the best you have and they will kick you in your teeth, GIVE TO THE WORLD THE BEST YOU HAVE ANYWAYS" I love reading today's 1st Holy Scripture, I've written it into songs I write and sing, I read it at funerals, and I bring it up many times when people lose hope.  NOTHING can separate us from the Love of God.  How much more can be said?  Then, the answer should come, love God!  I do what I do and am who I am, to the degree I love God.  And we are speaking about holiness and purity, in regards to my proximity to Him.  Those next to Him are washed in the blood of the lamb, made clothes white and pure.  That is why we baptize and bury with white clothes in the rememberance of these scriptures....we are born with Him and we die with Him.  The Lord speaks in the Psalms too about the life of Christ and Christ within us "I will speak my thanks earnestly to the LORD, and in the midst of the throng I will praise him, For he stood at the right hand of the poor man, to save him from those who would condemn his soul."  The Lord stood up for His people "I will heal today, and tomorrow", which the Spirit says "now and forever".  The Lord is alive and well within His faithful.  Question is, when you are being tempted to be scared to quitting the faith, or to quit a ministry by the devil, what will you say?  What will be your answer?  If you've seen the movie War Room, you'll notice how they pray, standing their ground, claiming in the name of our Lord for the evil one to leave.  This is how you should stand up to the one who is trying to take over your house, your family, your soul, and all souls within.  This is the importance of having faith.  Be prepared for rejection but be prepared to go forth.  Be prepared to be killed, but be prepared to give life.  Be prepared then, means to be on your way to sacrifice.  This is my attitude when receiving the body and blood, soul and divinity of our Lord in the Holy Eucharist.  As you go forth, people will look at you, sneering, or wondering why they can't receive the blood.  It is your job to lead the way of servitude, and what we serve is important, because it is life saving.  You have the capablility to bring life into the world, and we do this when we bring our Lord into the world.  You have the power of a prophet, because you have the power of the Holy Spirit.  Use it.  The truth will never be silenced, not even if you try to hide it.  Let the love of God shine. 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