July 20
“I say to you, something greater than the temple is here.”
How surprised do you think the Pharisees must have been when they heard Jesus say the above words? What could be greater than the temple? Of course, we know the answer, but how do you think they reacted? How often, though, are we like the Pharisees! That BIG line, “if you knew…”, applies just as much to us as it did to them. There is so much we don’t know, so much we can’t know, all because of our littleness. We aren’t HIM! So we don’t see everything that goes on supernaturally. And part of that is simply that we just don’t get it sometimes. And guess what? That’s really just the way it’s supposed to be.
The good news? We have a loving God that knows SO much more than we could fathom comprehending. And our embrace of our smallness humbles us enough to “know His voice and follow Him.”
It appears that the controversial singer, Katy Perry, who claimed as recently as last year that she no longer identifies as a Christian, says she had a change of heart after meeting with Pope Francis in April.
We have had quite a bit of interest in our upcoming series of webinars on prayer which will take place on Tuesday evenings at 8:00 p.m. EST beginning August 7 and running through September 11. People are wondering if they can skip a class, where they will get their homework assignments, how they will connect to the webinar, etc. The following will answer some of these questions.
July 19
“Your name and your title are the desire of our souls. My soul yearns for you in the night, yes, my spirit within me keeps vigil for you… Salvation we have not achieved for the earth, the inhabitants of the world cannot bring it forth.”
The reading today from Isaiah defines the glory of God so perfectly. It is a clear testament to His power and points ardently to our smallness.
My favorite line “my spirit within me keeps vigil for you” stirs within my heart the desires that only He can fill. Have you ever recognized or felt that place within your being that is reserved for God yet you don’t invite Him in? I remember going on retreat once and telling the retreat leader that there was this really intense sting within my entire being that I could not get rid of; it was a perpetual mimic of nails on a chalkboard. That recognition, which only existed because of His grace, was the start of so many changes in my life, which ultimately led me to where I am now.
What is it that you try and quench that big void with, that space that belongs solely to Him? Ask Him to take over and to fill your spirit as you keep vigil.
Filming of a new documentary, Roe v. Wade: The Untold Story, aimed at revealing the lies and media distortions that surrounded the controversial Supreme Court decision was refused permission to film at iconic New York City locations such as the Statue of Liberty and the Plaza Hotel. Only St. Patrick’s Cathedral allowed the filmmakers to use their premises.
July 19
In an effort to counter what the Nicaraguan bishops are calling an “irrational and disproportionate” level of violence against Catholics in that country, they are planning to say the prayer of exorcism to St. Michael the Archangel to combat the violence which is “spiritually rooted in evil.”
July 18
“For although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike.”
I adore this image of the baby resting so peacefully. It’s easy to look at this picture and imagine that this sweet infant is completely dependent on another individual for everything in this world. How much joy it brings me to see such a face at ease.
You know, this is what our Father intends for us— to rest comfortably in His care and protection every moment of our lives. He wants us to entrust ourselves completely to Him, just as this precious baby is entrusted to the care of his or her parents.
What would it look like for us to hand over everything that holds us back from totally relying on Him to provide? What would He ask you to give Him in order to show how much you trust Him? (Hint: look at what or who you put ahead of Him).
