From(4th century):
O Lord and Master of my life,
take from me the spirit of sloth, despair, lust of power, and idle talk,
but grant rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience, and love to Thy servant.
Yea, O Lord and King,
grant me to see my own transgressions and not to judge my brother,
for blessed art Thou, unto ages of ages.
Amen
Potter’s Clay
…we can give them up for a better way—the divine way. We must learn to “do nothing gracefully” so that the Lord, our Love, will be free to stretch our hearts and our minds to embrace infinity. If we can believe that this is really what is happening, then we can be graceful “without anxiety”—as John says. We can learn to be at home in the dark because we are sure, in faith,
that the potter is truly shaping the clay, even though the clay sees nothing of what is happening. Then our dryness is no longer desolation because we are not anxious, fearful, troubled by the dark. In fact, we come to love the dark because we realize that the Light is very close and that experience of darkness is the only sure way to the eternal vision we so greatly desire. Nor would we rush the potter, since we begin to realize that the vessel he is shaping is intended to last for eternity. In fact, we find the need to pray more, not to experience His presence now. but to give Him all the time we can to shape the vessel into which He will delight to pour His love.
Source Unknown
Ezekiel:
He led me outside by the north gate,
and around to the outer gate facing the east,
where I saw water trickling from the right side.
Then when he had walked off to the east
with a measuring cord in his hand,
he measured off a thousand cubits
and had me wade through the water,
which was ankle-deep.
He measured off another thousand
and once more had me wade through the water,
which was now knee-deep.
Again he measured off a thousand and had me wade;
the water was up to my waist.
Once more he measured off a thousand,
but there was now a river through which I could not wade;
for the water had risen so high it had become a river
that could not be crossed except by swimming.
He asked me, “Have you seen this, son of man?”
Then he brought me to the bank of the river, where he had me sit.
Along the bank of the river I saw very many trees on both sides.
He said to me,
“This water flows into the eastern district down upon the Arabah,
and empties into the sea, the salt waters, which it makes fresh.
Wherever the river flows,
every sort of living creature that can multiply shall live,
An inspiration, a thought during the sacrifice,
Cubits equal years, time and manifestation of living things,
Worldly, perceptibly alone, a prophet learns mysteries,
God bears forth freedom, the existence of free will,
Flowing water, living water, ever growing deep,
The Holy Spirit, cleansing, refreshing, present and near,
Kindness, gentleness, a Creator loves pure.
Gospel of John:
When Jesus saw him lying there
and knew that he had been ill for a long time, he said to him,
“Do you want to be well?”
The sick man answered him,
“Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool
when the water is stirred up;
while I am on my way, someone else gets down there before me.”
Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your mat, and walk.”
Immediately the man became well, took up his mat, and walked.
Every living creature which swarms in every place where the river goes, will live. Ezekiel 47:9
The River of Life
by Lois Tverberg
The trickle of God’s Spirit became ankle deep as the first believers shared the gospel and many in the city believed, and then knee deep as they carried the gospel to the surrounding countries. Instead of running out of energy as it flowed, the river of God’s Spirit got deeper and wider as it flowed! And its ultimate destination is that of the most desolate of wastelands, full of the poisonous water of the Dead Sea. This is the dark reality of a world devoid of a true knowledge of God. Anywhere it touches it gives new life where there was only death before.
A new home, an apartment moved into. Everything is brand new: carpeting, blinds, refrigerator, oven, air conditioner—a landlord who believes in investing in his property. Cleanliness and freshness made a part of daily living. Touring many potential abodes, I instantly felt peace entering the selected address. The location is convenient for the pursuit of faith. I am right next door to St Anthony of Padua church and right across the street from the Holy Family Hospice. Both conduct daily Masses, with St Anthony celebrating two. Holy Family’s time is 10 AM, perfect for my schedule. A Rosary is prayed before every Mass, a devout following attending. I am a volunteer for the facility, however my duties have been extremely minimal, time and circumstance not allowing. Thy Will be done. The quality of the home inspires toward settling and decorating. I am putting together a canvas montage of thirty of my photos, various sizes ranging around an 8” by 8” format, individually matted—unframed. The photos will adorn one wall. It has been enriching to explore through photos taken. God is good and all giving.
In darkness and shadows, the Light overwhelms, cessation,
Bless me with the wisdom Lord,
To perceive within all the events of my life Your LOVE!
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