“Be doers of the word and not hearers only” ( Jk 1:22)
The Bible is God’s word. Even if it is closed and among other books in our library.
We are asked to be the “doers”. First we can read the Bible. When we read it aloud (just for ourselves), we will proclaim Good News and we will think about it. And we will listen to its message. If we choose some words which are important for us, we will memorize them. If we share these words with others – we will preach.
The “Doers” – read, proclaim, think, listen, memorize, share, preach…. So many actions.
“May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our hearts, that we may know what is the hope that belongs to His call” (Alleluia versus)
“…all good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights…” (Jk 1:17)
A perfect gift. From the Father of lights. We are His children and He loves us. So He has prepared for us all good gifts and perfect gifts.
From above. From Him. For many through me. My actions and His glory.
“Whoever loves me will keep my word, says the Lord; and my Father will love him and we will come to him”. ( Alleluia versus)
“My brothers, consider it a great joy when trials of many kinds come upon you, for you well know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance, and perseverance must complete its work so that you will become fully developed, complete, not deficient in any way.” (James 1:2-4)
“… a great joy when trials of many kinds come upon you…” (James 1:2). Trials of many kinds. With faith our ability to recognize God’s will grows, our vision of life widens, God’s presence becomes more visible. When my eyes are focused on Him, I can see His providence, His guidance.
“So that you will become fully developed, complete, not deficient in any way” (Js 1:4).
“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed the man who seeks refuge in him” (Ps 34: 9) – Communion Antiphon
“…anyone who is angry with a brother will answer for it before the court…” (Mt 5:22)
God takes care of our relations.
Being “angry with a brother” could be the sign of my own vision for him. And my own expectations. It could be also a sign of injustice, but so often is a source of future vengeance (or a plan for it).
My brother, even weak and sinful, is God’s child and deserves respect, and always, especially when in need, needs my prayer.
Anger is not a solution. Rather a call for patience, calm and compassion.
“Be good to your servant, that I may live and keep your words. Open my eyes, that I may consider the wonders of your law.” (Ps 119, 17-18)
(Readings from Feast of St. Cyril i Methodius)
“…sent them out ahead of him in pairs, to all the towns and places he himself would be visiting” (Lk 10:1).
It is always easier to travel together. Especially in such kind of mission.
Today I think and pray for couples. They are “in pairs”. And as such they are part of the Gospel: “sent them out ahead of him in pairs, to all the towns and places he himself would be visiting”. To prepare our family for His visit.
In every parish in Poland, after Christmas priests are visiting all parishioners to meet them, to pray with them and to bless their homes. The family: “the place holy and sanctifying” (John Paul II), “places he himself would be visiting” (Lk 10:1).
The couple united in prayer, concern about their mission, with the awareness that they are sent. In pairs
“The disciples went forth and preached the Gospel, while the Lord worked with them, confirming the word through accompanying signs” (Cf. Mk 16:20) Communion Antiphon
“For it is from within, from the heart, that evil intentions emerge…” (Mk 7: 21)
Our responsibility for our heart. What is in my heart? Need-love or give-love? The list is horrible: “fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, malice, deceit, indecency, envy, slander, pride, folly” (Mk 7:21-22), and – the worst thing – all are connected. Whether we like it or not. Who would like to live in that kind of world?
On the other hand, when my heart contains gentleness and mercy, respect and compassion, gift of self and patience, daily small gestures of tenderness and concern for each other, listening in order to hear and understand, and chastity, who would not like to be a part of this world?
From the heart you can pull out what you have put into it. Responsibility for my heart.
“Let them thank the Lord for his mercy, his wonders for the children of men, for he satisfies the thirsty soul, and the hungry he fills with good things” (Cf. Ps 107 (106): 8-9) – Communion Antiphon
“Their reverence of me is worthless; the lessons they teach are nothing but human commandments.” (Mk 7:7)
God’s commandment and human commandments.
Where God’s commandments are missing, human commandments immediately appear. In particular, this affects family life: “For Moses said: Honour your father and your mother, and, anyone who curses father or mother must be put to death. But you say, ‘If a man says to his father or mother: Anything I have that I might have used to help you is Korban (that is, dedicated to God),’ then he is forbidden from that moment to do anything for his father or mother.” (Mk 7:10-12).
When we keep God’s commandments, our relations are protected, our dignity is protected, our marriage and family is protected, too.
“Incline my heart, O God, to your decrees; and favor me with your law.” (Alleluia versus)
“all those who touched Him were saved” (Mk 6:56)
I like this sentence so much. “All” – no exception. God’s grace comes to everybody. Only one condition – “who touched him”. God can not save us without us. “All those who touched him were saved” means EVERYTHING was made by Him, WHEN He was touched. Don’t be afraid to come to Him with all your wounds, sufferings and illnesses. His love and grace are bigger than our weakness.
“Jesus preached the Gospel of the Kingdom and cured every disease among the people” (Alleluia versus)
“… your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify you heavenly Father” (Mt 5:16)
See your good deeds – and glorify your Father.
Being transparent. Thruogh my good deeds the others can see and glorify heavenly Father. In every context of life.
A dream of every preacher: “my message and my proclamation were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of Spirit and power, so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God” (1 Cor 2:5). Transparent.
The image of God the Father is much clearer for a child if its parents love each other, respect each other, honor each other and pray together.
“Keep your family safe, O Lord, with unfailing care, that, relying solely on the hope of heavenly grace, they may be defended always by your protection.” (Collect)
“The apostles rejoined Jesus and told him all they had done and taught” (Mk 6:30). And that was His answer: “Come away to some lonely place all by yourselves and rest for a while” (Mk 6:31). He knew how important is time for rest.
Rest for a while. But a rest doesn’t have to mean “to do nothing”. A very good idea for rest is to spend some time with Him only. It is a really good rest and even a relief to stay some time before the Holy Sacrament. Or some time with the Bible.
“Find rest, o my soul, in God alone” (Ps 62:5).
