Thus says the LORD: Shout with joy for Jacob, exult at the head of the nations; proclaim your praise and say: The LORD has delivered his people, the remnant of Israel… … They departed in tears, but I will console them and guide them; I will lead them to brooks of water, on a level road, so that none shall stumble. Jeremiah 31:7;9
Jeremiah was a pretty gloomy prophet because he lived in pretty gloomy times. Nevertheless, Jeremiah understood the nautre of “joy” – that heartfelt recognition that God abides with us, loves us, and heals us no matter our circumstances.
We have all met peole whose joy, despite difficulty, astounds us. Their faith inspires us, and their strength invites us to tap into that deep, unquenchable river of grace in our own hearts.
Today, in God’s Lavish Mercy: We pray for the gift of that deep joy which is rooted in relationship with God, and sustained by persevering faith.
Poetry: Unholy Sonnet II – Mark Jarman
Half asleep in prayer I said the right thing
And felt a sudden pleasure come into The room or my own body. In the dark, Charged with a change of atmosphere, at first I couldn’t tell my body from the room. And I was wide awake, full of this feeling, Alert as though I’d heard a doorknob twist, A drawer pulled, and instead of terror knew The intrusion of an overwhelming joy. I had said thanks and this was the response. But how I said it or what I said it for I still cannot recall and I have tried All sorts of ways all hours of the night. Once was enough to be dissatisfied.
Brothers and sisters: Grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift…
… living the truth in love, we should grow in every way into him who is the head, Christ, from whom the whole Body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, with the proper functioning of each part, brings about the Body’s growth and builds itself up in love. living the truth in love, we should grow in every way into him who is the head, Christ, from whom the whole Body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, with the proper functioning of each part, brings about the Body’s growth and builds itself up in love. Ephesians 4:7;15-16
There is a grace, inherent in each of us, that can make us physically, spiritually, and emotionally elegant. Some people move, speak, write, and behave with grace. It is a natural gift that may be enhanced by our openness to God’s gentle power in our lives.
But there is another kind of infinite grace that is a pure gift from God. When we receive such grace, we receive a share in God’s own life.
Jesus Christ is the ultimate expression of Uncreated Grace in human form, that gift of eternal, inexhaustible Love which invites our full surrender to its transformative power.
Today, in God’s Lavish Mercy: God’s Love for us is so vast as to be incomprehensibe. Like a star in the seemingly distant heavens, it still touches us with its light, still donates its stardust to our body. We pray to be grateful, open, awed, and obedient to its urging in our lives.
Poetry: That Lives in Us -Rumi (interpreted by David Ladinsky)
If you put your hands on this oar with me, they will never harm another, and they will come to find they hold everything you want. If you put your hands on this oar with me, they would no longer lift anything to your mouth that might wound your precious land- that sacred earth that is your body. If you put your soul against this oar with me, the power that made the universe will enter your sinew from a source not outside your limbs, but from a holy realm that lives in us. Exuberant is existence, time a husk. When the moment cracks open, ecstasy leaps out and devours space; love goes mad with the blessings, like my words give. Why lay yourself on the torturer’s rack of the past and future? The mind that tries to shape tomorrow beyond its capacities will find no rest. Be kind to yourself, dear- to our innocent follies. Forget any sounds or touch you knew that did not help you dance. You will come to see that all evolves us. If you put your heart against the earth with me, in serving every creature, our Beloved will enter you from our sacred realm and we will be, we will be so happy.
I, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace; one Body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Ephesians 4:1-6
Paul encourages the Ephesian community to live a life worthy of their call. The same encouragement comes down through the ages to us. The unique blessing of our Baptism deserves a worthy response from us, one characterized by humility, gentleness, patience, love, unity, peace, and hope.
Today, in God’s Lavish Mercy: We examine our lives for the evidence of these virtues. They should not only be present in our desires but, more importantly, in our actions and choices.
Poetry: Annunciation – Denise Levertov Mary is the perfect and complete model of the worthy life Paul calls us to.
We know the scene: the room, variously furnished,
almost always a lectern, a book; always the tall lily. Arrived on solemn grandeur of great wings, the angelic ambassador, standing or hovering, whom she acknowledges, a guest.
But we are told of meek obedience. No one mentions courage. The engendering Spirit did not enter her without consent. God waited.
She was free to accept or to refuse, choice integral to humanness.
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Aren’t there annunciations of one sort or another in most lives? Some unwillingly undertake great destinies, enact them in sullen pride, uncomprehending. More often those moments when roads of light and storm open from darkness in a man or woman, are turned away from in dread, in a wave of weakness, in despair and with relief. Ordinary lives continue. God does not smite them. But the gates close, the pathway vanishes.
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She had been a child who played, ate, slept like any other child – but unlike others, wept only for pity, laughed in joy not triumph. Compassion and intelligence fused in her, indivisible.
Called to a destiny more momentous than any in all of Time, she did not quail, only asked a simple, ‘How can this be?’ and gravely, courteously, took to heart the angel’s reply, perceiving instantly the astounding ministry she was offered:
to bear in her womb Infinite weight and lightness; to carry in hidden, finite inwardness, nine months of Eternity; to contain in slender vase of being, the sum of power – in narrow flesh, the sum of light. Then bring to birth, push out into air, a Man-child needing, like any other, milk and love –
but who was God.
This was the moment no one speaks of, when she could still refuse.
A breath unbreathed, Spirit, suspended, waiting.
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She did not cry, ‘I cannot. I am not worthy,’ Nor, ‘I have not the strength.’ She did not submit with gritted teeth, raging, coerced. Bravest of all humans, consent illumined her. The room filled with its light, the lily glowed in it, and the iridescent wings. Consent, courage unparalleled, opened her utterly.
Music: Benedicta et Venerabilis
Benedicta et venerabilis es, Virgo Maria: quae sine tactu pudoris inventa es Mater salvatoris. Virgo Dei Genitrix, quem totus non capit orbis, in tua se clausit viscera factus homo.
Blessed and venerable art thou, O Virgin Mary, who, without spot, wast found the Mother of the Saviour. Virgin Mother of God, He whom the whole world containeth not, being made man, shut Himself in thy womb.
I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that he may grant you in accord with the riches of his glory to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner self, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the holy ones what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:14-19
Paul blesses his beloved Ephesian community with these stirring words:
..May you know the love of Christ that surpasses all knowledge…
Ephesians 3:19
We, and the Ephesians who receive this blessing, are reminded that we cannot comprehend or analyze God’s infinite love for us. Neither can we rationalize what that Love calls us to.
Today in God’s Lavish Mercy: We ask for the grace of holy abandonment, letting ourselves rest in God’s Love without reserve, question, or calculation. May that same generous trust inspire our gift of Love to others in God’s name.
Thought: from Bishop Silvio José Báez, O.C.D.
We can abandon ourselves to God and totally trust God even without fully comprehending God’s ways; it’s a source of inexhaustible joy.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him. In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will, for the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in the beloved. Ephesians 1:3-6
(The readings I used for today’s reflection are for the Mass for St. Ignatius of Antioch who lived in the century after Jesus. He is not the same person as Ignatius Loyola, founder of the Jesuits, who lived in the 15th century.)
The passage from Ephesians, so beautifully expressed, encapsulates the character of a true disciple: called by God to holiness, expressing gratitude through a life of praise and mercy.
Today, in God’s Lavish Mercy: We pray to receive God’s blessing and call with grateful hearts, and to live a life reflecting God’s Mercy.
Quote: from Ignatius of Antioch
We recognize a tree by its fruit, and we ought to be able to recognize a Christian by his action. The fruit of faith should be evident in our lives, for being a Christian is more than making sound professions of faith. It should reveal itself in practical and visible ways. Indeed it is better to keep quiet about our beliefs, and live them out, than to talk eloquently about what we believe, but fail to live by it.
The Spirit too comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit intercedes with inexpressible groanings. And the one who searches hearts knows what is the intention of the Spirit, Who intercedes for the holy ones according to God’s will. Romans 8:26-27
Our readings for the Feast of St. Teresa reflect the power which inspired her holy life. She lived deeply in the Spirit of God, sharing that infinite blessing with the world in her inspiring writings.
Today, in God’s Lavish Mercy: We ask St. Teresa to intercede for us in our desire to grow in holiness.
Poetry: If, Lord, Thy Love Is Strong – St. Teresa of Avila
If, Lord, Thy love for me is strong As this which binds me unto thee, What holds me from thee Lord so long, What holds thee Lord so long from me?
O soul, what then desirest thou? Lord I would see thee, who thus choose thee. What fears can yet assail thee now? All that I fear is but lose thee.
Love’s whole possession I entreat, Lor make my soul thine own abode, And I will build a nest so sweet It may not be too poor for God.
A sould in God hidden from sin, What more desires for thee remain, Save but to love again, And all on flame with love within, Love on, and turn to love again.
Music: Adoro Te Devote – Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart
Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.” He said to them, “When you pray, say:
Father, hallowed be your name, your Kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread and forgive us our sins for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us, and do not subject us to the final test.” Luke 11:1-4
Today’s Gospel shows us the centrality of prayer in the life of Jesus and his disciples. The prayer Jesus leaves us in this passage is a prayer of presence, an intimate conversation with the God who supplies our needs.
Today, in God’s Lavish Mercy: Like the disciples, we ask Jesus to teach us how to pray – to move from recitation to presence; to move from timed practice to timeless oneness.
Thoughts – from Thomas Merton
First of all, prayer is a spiritual activity. This activity engages the highest faculties of our soul, our mind and our will. To be valid, prayer must be intelligent and it must be an act of sincere love. Already we can see that prayer is one of the most perfect actions a man can perform. When we pray properly we are exercising our intelligence and we are working with our will. This cannot be done without interior discipline. The more we practice prayer the stronger do these higher faculties become, and so they regain their lost control over the passions which are the root of all prejudice and of all error. Thus, in the natural order alone, the true practice of prayer would be sufficient to elevate and purify the soul to some extent. But this presupposes that prayer is really prayer and not pious automatism, or mere exterior formalism, or, worse still, an act of blind superstition. These dangers mustall be obviated by the constant striving for intelligent attention and for a sincere, earnest and fervent intention of the will.
Jesus entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him. She had a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak. Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.” The Lord said to her in reply, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.” Luke 10:38-42
What is the sacred balance between prayer and action? How do we acieve the sweet point where prayer and action infuse each other in mutual inspiration? In this Gospel, Jesus indicates that one element has precedence over the other — there is a “better part”.
Today, in God’s Lavish Mercy: We seek to deepen our prayer life while employing it to inspire our merciful service to Creation.
Poetry: Martha and Mary by John Newton (1725-1807)
Martha her love and joy expressed By care to entertain her guest; While Mary sat to hear her Lord, And could not bear to lose a word.
The principle in both the same, Produced in each a different aim; The one to feast the Lord was led, The other waited to be fed.
But Mary chose the better part, Her Saviour’s words refreshed her heart; While busy Martha angry grew, And lost her time and temper too.
With warmth she to her sister spoke, But brought upon herself rebuke; One thing is needful, and but one, Why do thy thoughts on many run?
How oft are we like Martha vexed, Encumbered, hurried, and perplexed! While trifles so engross our thought, The one thing needful is forgot.
Lord teach us this one thing to choose, Which they who gain can never lose; Sufficient in itself alone, And needful, were the world our own.
Let groveling hearts the world admire, Thy love is all that I require! Gladly I may the rest resign, If the one needful thing be mine!
Have you ever in your lifetime commanded the morning and shown the dawn its place For taking hold of the ends of the earth, till the wicked are shaken from its surface? The earth is changed as is clay by the seal, and dyed as though it were a garment; But from the wicked the light is withheld, and the arm of pride is shattered. Job 38:1, 12-15
The character of this passage from Job fits so perfectly the spirituality of Francis of Assisi whom we honor today. Francis had a deep veneration for all Creation where he saw God’s beauty and vitality. Francis’s heart anguished for those unable to share in that beauty because of the burden of poverty.
Today, in God’s Lavish Mercy: May we be inspired by Francis’s example, and Job’s honesty to develop a generous and reverent sharing of Creation’s gifts.
Poetry: Saint Francis and the Sow – Galway Kinnel
The bud stands for all things, even for those things that don’t flower, for everything flowers, from within, of self-blessing; though sometimes it is necessary to reteach a thing its loveliness, to put a hand on its brow of the flower and retell it in words and in touch it is lovely until it flowers again from within, of self-blessing; as Saint Francis put his hand on the creased forehead of the sow, and told her in words and in touch blessings of earth on the sow, and the sow began remembering all down her thick length, from the earthen snout all the way through the fodder and slops to the spiritual curl of the tail, from the hard spininess spiked out from the spine down through the great broken heart to the sheer blue milken dreaminess spurting and shuddering from the fourteen teats into the fourteen mouths sucking and blowing beneath them: the long, perfect loveliness of sow.
Music: St. Francis Preaching to the Birds – Franz Liszt (performed by Brandon Hawksley)
Do you not know that the runners in the stadium all run in the race, but only one wins the prize? Run so as to win. Every athlete exercises discipline in every way. They do it to win a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one. Thus I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight as if I were shadowboxing. No, I drive my body and train it, for fear that, after having preached to others, I myself should be disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Both our readings touch the topic of spiritual self-awareness. Paul does not want to preach to others and end up “disqualified” himself because of any infidelity.
Jesus says, to achieve holiness, be as aware of your own splintered eyes as you are of your neighbor’s!
Today, in God’s Lavish Mercy: Examining one’s conscience is an ancient religious practice. Its purpose is not to create a checklist of behaviors that need improvement. It is a way of acutely recognizing God’s Presence in our lives and listening to God’s hopes for us. Sometimes we fail to respond to those hopes, and we need to run harder, as Paul did.
Poetry: When I Am Among the Trees – Mary Oliver
When I am among the trees, especially the willows and the honey locust, equally the beech, the oaks and the pines, they give off such hints of gladness. I would almost say that they save me, and daily.
I am so distant from the hope of myself, in which I have goodness, and discernment, and never hurry through the world but walk slowly, and bow often.
Around me the trees stir in their leaves and call out, “Stay awhile.” The light flows from their branches.
And they call again, “It's simple,” they say, “and you too have come into the world to do this, to go easy, to be filled with light, and to shine.”
Music: Running to the Light – Brandon Lake
You can have my yes with no exception I’m laying down my rights to second guessing You can have my yes I’m giving you my fear of never knowing Whatever’s coming next, I know You’ve got me You can have my yes You’re the lamp, You’re the light You’re the cloud that guides me You’re the way, You’re the truth You’re the life inside me You conquered my fears So I leave it all behind I’m running to the light Running to thе light I’m giving you my dreams and my ambitions Your presencе is my prize and my provision I’ll answer when You ask Oh, who could come against if You are for me? ‘Cause even in the fire, I know You’ve got me I’m giving You my yes again You’re the lamp, You’re the light You’re the cloud that guides me You’re the way, You’re the truth You’re the life inside me You conquered my fears So I leave it all behind I’m running to the light Running to the light Oh, wherever You are Wherever You wanna go I’ll follow You Wherever You are Wherever You wanna go I’ll follow You Oh, wherever You are Wherever You wanna go I’ll follow You I’ll follow You Oh, wherever You are Wherever You wanna go I’ll follow You Wherever You are Wherever You wanna go I’ll follow You Oh, wherever You are Wherever You wanna go I’ll follow You I’ll follow You You’re the lamp, You’re the light You’re the cloud that guides me You’re the way, You’re the truth You’re the life inside me You conquered my fears So I leave it all behind I’m running to the light Oh, I’m, oh I’m running to the light, light Running to the light
Lavish Mercy 