Feb. 6, 2015 Friday: Sts. Paul Miki and Companions
Feb. 6, 2015 Friday: Sts. Paul Miki and Companions
1. Preparation
If God were trying to tell me something, would I know?
If God were reassuring me or challenging me, would I notice?
I ask for the grace to be free of my own preoccupations
and open to what God may be saying to me.
2. Today's Scripture (Mark 6:14-29)
King Herod heard of it, for Jesus' name had become known. Some were saying, "John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; and for this reason these powers are at work in him." But others said, "It is Elijah." And others said, "It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old." But when Herod heard of it, he said, "John, whom I beheaded, has been raised." For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, because Herod had married her. For John had been telling Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife. "And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him. But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. When the daughter of this same Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, "Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it." And he solemnly swore to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom." She went out and said to her mother, "What should I ask for?" She replied, "The head of John the baptizer." Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter." The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John's head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.
3. Reflection
I will never forsake you or abandon you. (Hebrews 13:5)
Never. Not in any circumstance. Not for any reason. Not at any time. There are no loopholes or limitations to this promise. No restrictions apply.
This promise forms the foundation for all the hospitality, generosity, honor, purity, and brotherly love that the author of Hebrews mentions. God will never desert you or give up on you. When things are complicated, confusing, or overwhelming, you can fall back on his promise and know that he is with you. Even when you don’t “feel” his presence, he is still there, hidden in the depths of your heart, giving you his grace.
So you can rest confidently. Almighty God can be your light when the way is dark and your salvation when you feel threatened. Relying on his promise, you can push aside any fear that robs you of sleep. You can find a way to be generous even when finances are tight. You can endure the exhaustion of having two jobs, being a new mother, studying for exams, or juggling multiple projects and schedules. And not just endure—you can find peace and joy in the midst of it all. All because you know that God is always with you.
This promise is more than a nice thought or a springboard for increased self-effort. It’s a weapon you can use to defend against whatever threatens to discourage you or rob you of your peace. It’s a strong support for you as you grapple with the challenges and stresses of life: a cancer diagnosis, the loss of a job, temptation to substance abuse, pornography, gossip, or slander. As your mind churns and your emotions flail, one thing is true: God has promised never to leave you.
So go ahead and ask him, “Where are you right now, Father?” He may surprise you with what he says about who he is, who you are to him, and what he knows about your circumstances. He will help you find the way through them. He will calm your fears and give you the assurance that he can bear you up as you keep trying to be hospitable, generous, and loving. Whenever you feel forsaken or rejected, rely on this: I will never forsake you or abandon you.
4. Prayer
“Father, where are you right now? Help me to rest confidently in your strength and love.”
1. Preparation
If God were trying to tell me something, would I know?
If God were reassuring me or challenging me, would I notice?
I ask for the grace to be free of my own preoccupations
and open to what God may be saying to me.
2. Today's Scripture (Mark 6:14-29)
King Herod heard of it, for Jesus' name had become known. Some were saying, "John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; and for this reason these powers are at work in him." But others said, "It is Elijah." And others said, "It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old." But when Herod heard of it, he said, "John, whom I beheaded, has been raised." For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, because Herod had married her. For John had been telling Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife. "And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him. But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. When the daughter of this same Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, "Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it." And he solemnly swore to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom." She went out and said to her mother, "What should I ask for?" She replied, "The head of John the baptizer." Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter." The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John's head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.
3. Reflection
I will never forsake you or abandon you. (Hebrews 13:5)
Never. Not in any circumstance. Not for any reason. Not at any time. There are no loopholes or limitations to this promise. No restrictions apply.
This promise forms the foundation for all the hospitality, generosity, honor, purity, and brotherly love that the author of Hebrews mentions. God will never desert you or give up on you. When things are complicated, confusing, or overwhelming, you can fall back on his promise and know that he is with you. Even when you don’t “feel” his presence, he is still there, hidden in the depths of your heart, giving you his grace.
So you can rest confidently. Almighty God can be your light when the way is dark and your salvation when you feel threatened. Relying on his promise, you can push aside any fear that robs you of sleep. You can find a way to be generous even when finances are tight. You can endure the exhaustion of having two jobs, being a new mother, studying for exams, or juggling multiple projects and schedules. And not just endure—you can find peace and joy in the midst of it all. All because you know that God is always with you.
This promise is more than a nice thought or a springboard for increased self-effort. It’s a weapon you can use to defend against whatever threatens to discourage you or rob you of your peace. It’s a strong support for you as you grapple with the challenges and stresses of life: a cancer diagnosis, the loss of a job, temptation to substance abuse, pornography, gossip, or slander. As your mind churns and your emotions flail, one thing is true: God has promised never to leave you.
So go ahead and ask him, “Where are you right now, Father?” He may surprise you with what he says about who he is, who you are to him, and what he knows about your circumstances. He will help you find the way through them. He will calm your fears and give you the assurance that he can bear you up as you keep trying to be hospitable, generous, and loving. Whenever you feel forsaken or rejected, rely on this: I will never forsake you or abandon you.
4. Prayer
“Father, where are you right now? Help me to rest confidently in your strength and love.”
