“Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said: ‘Father…'” (Jn 17:1).
This is the predominant attitude of Jesus: raising His eyes to the Father. It expresses the very depths of His being, for He came into the world to do the will of the Father (cf. Jn 4:34). Nothing was more important to Him! His heart was at all time focused on the Father.
“Just and true are thy ways, O King of the ages!” (Rev 15:3c).
Who can understand and accept the ways of our Father? Sometimes we can understand them after the fact, but rarely at the time they happen.
Eph 6:10-13,18
Reading corresponding to the memorial of St. Anthony Abbot
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints. Read More
“He who abides in the doctrine has both the Father and the Son” (2 Jn 1:9).
True communion with the Father and the Son takes place when we abide in the right doctrine, says the Apostle John.
1 Sam 16:1-13
The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul, seeing I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons.” And Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears it, he will kill me.” And the Lord said, “Take a heifer with you, and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ And invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do; and you shall anoint for me him whom I name to you.”
“You must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt 5:48).
The creative love of God, on which we meditated yesterday, leads us along the path of sanctification, so that this exhortation of Jesus becomes a reality: “You must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect”.
These words should not discourage us, even though in their sublime light we see how unworthy we are. Let us remember the exclamation we make at every Holy Mass before receiving Communion: “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed”. Read More
In the traditional calendar, today is the memorial of Saint Paul, the hermit. We will therefore listen to the reading appropriate to this occasion. If you prefer a meditation that corresponds to today’s calendar, you can find it here: http://en.elijamission.net/the-value-of-fasting/
Phil 3:7-12
But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Read More
“The Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights” (Prov 3:12).
Our Father not only surrounds us with His warm, tender, and provident love, which gives us security in our existence; but, moved by this same love, He also reproves and corrects us, thus showing Himself to be our Father who loves us as children.
1 Cor 6:13-20 (Reading from the Novus Ordo)
Brethern, Foods are for the stomach, and the stomach is for foods; and God will destroy them both. But the body is not for sexual immorality; it is for the Lord, and the Lord is for the body. God raised up the Lord and he will raise us up too by his power. Do you not realise that your bodies are members of Christ’s body; do you think one can take parts of Christ’s body and join them to the body of a prostitute? Out of the question! But anyone who attaches himself to the Lord is one spirit with him. Keep away from sexual immorality.
1 Sam 9:1-4,17-19; 10:1a (Reading from the Novus Ordo)
There was a man of Benjamin whose name was Kish, the son of Abi′el, son of Zeror, son of Beco′rath, son of Aphi′ah, a Benjaminite, a man of wealth; and he had a son whose name was Saul, a handsome young man. There was not a man among the people of Israel more handsome than he; from his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people. Now the asses of Kish, Saul’s father, were lost. So Kish said to Saul his son, “Take one of the servants with you, and arise, go and look for the asses.” And they[a] passed through the hill country of E′phraim and passed through the land of Shal′ishah, but they did not find them. And they passed through the land of Sha′alim, but they were not there.
