Susanne Timpani's Blog, page 9
June 25, 2016
10 Minute Daily Retreat: June - Gift of Wisdom 5
Read the Word of God with a prayerful heart.
By Susanne Timpani (No.212)
5 If you want to know what God wants you to do, ask him, and he will gladly tell you, for he is always ready to give a bountiful supply of wisdom to all who ask him; he will not resent it.
6 But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to tell you, for a doubtful mind will be as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind;
7-8 and every decision you then make will be uncertain, as you turn first this way and then that. If you don’t ask with faith, don’t expect the Lord to give you any solid answer James 1: 5-8
Do you find it difficult to make decisions? Or do you find yourself jumping into a new situation and then wonder how you got yourself there?
How many times do we find our minds being 'unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind'? v7
Do you have a mentor in your life who will calmly tell you to go away and 'pray about it'? Sometimes I find that response infuriating. I can't hear myself think, let alone sit still and listen for the voice of God.
I'm not sure how many decisions I've made where I've felt a definite nudge from God telling me yes or no. Yet the simple act of turning up for prayer makes us available to receive the perfect spiritual gift.
God 'is always ready to give a bountiful supply of wisdom to all who ask him.' v 5
Reaching out to accept the gift activates its power to help us manage those waves. 'But if you 'don't ask with faith, don't expect the Lord to give you any solid answer.' v 8
Read the scripture slowly.Reflect on its meaning for you. Listen for God's voice in the stillness. Pray for God's blessing upon you.
Susanne Timpani
Read the Daily Gospel in between Reflections
By Susanne Timpani (No.212)
5 If you want to know what God wants you to do, ask him, and he will gladly tell you, for he is always ready to give a bountiful supply of wisdom to all who ask him; he will not resent it.
6 But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to tell you, for a doubtful mind will be as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind;
7-8 and every decision you then make will be uncertain, as you turn first this way and then that. If you don’t ask with faith, don’t expect the Lord to give you any solid answer James 1: 5-8
Do you find it difficult to make decisions? Or do you find yourself jumping into a new situation and then wonder how you got yourself there?
How many times do we find our minds being 'unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind'? v7
Do you have a mentor in your life who will calmly tell you to go away and 'pray about it'? Sometimes I find that response infuriating. I can't hear myself think, let alone sit still and listen for the voice of God.
I'm not sure how many decisions I've made where I've felt a definite nudge from God telling me yes or no. Yet the simple act of turning up for prayer makes us available to receive the perfect spiritual gift.
God 'is always ready to give a bountiful supply of wisdom to all who ask him.' v 5
Reaching out to accept the gift activates its power to help us manage those waves. 'But if you 'don't ask with faith, don't expect the Lord to give you any solid answer.' v 8
Read the scripture slowly.Reflect on its meaning for you. Listen for God's voice in the stillness. Pray for God's blessing upon you.
Susanne TimpaniRead the Daily Gospel in between Reflections
June 18, 2016
10 Minute Daily Retreat: June - Gift of Wisdom 4
Read the Word of God with a prayerful heart.
By Susanne Timpani (No.211)
"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." Matthew 6:33
I'm working on a new novel and I've struggled to understand the fundamental motivation of one of my own characters.
I know what he wants, but not why. I've had to 'interview' him virtually non-stop for over a week. While I walked, drove, cooked, stared into the computer…I've felt like shaking him, 'why? Why do you desire this goal? It's a crazy goal, but you desperately want it. Why?'
You and I desire many things; a healthy body, a successful novel, recognition in the workplace, a stable income, loving relationships. None of these are bad. Many of these God desires for us.
Wisdom is knowing that if our fundamental desire is for God, He knows best which of these desires He will satisfy.
'Seek first the kingdom of heaven, and all these will be given you.'
Wisdom is not a 'prosperity gospel.' It's a gospel of poverty. Complete emptying of all desire so that God alone is our heart's desire.
Read the scripture slowlyReflect on its meaning for you
Listen for God's voice in the stillness
Pray for God's blessing upon you.
Susanne Timpani
Read the Daily Gospel in between Reflections
"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." Matthew 6:33
I'm working on a new novel and I've struggled to understand the fundamental motivation of one of my own characters.
I know what he wants, but not why. I've had to 'interview' him virtually non-stop for over a week. While I walked, drove, cooked, stared into the computer…I've felt like shaking him, 'why? Why do you desire this goal? It's a crazy goal, but you desperately want it. Why?'
You and I desire many things; a healthy body, a successful novel, recognition in the workplace, a stable income, loving relationships. None of these are bad. Many of these God desires for us.
Wisdom is knowing that if our fundamental desire is for God, He knows best which of these desires He will satisfy.
'Seek first the kingdom of heaven, and all these will be given you.'
Wisdom is not a 'prosperity gospel.' It's a gospel of poverty. Complete emptying of all desire so that God alone is our heart's desire.
Read the scripture slowlyReflect on its meaning for you
Listen for God's voice in the stillness
Pray for God's blessing upon you.
Susanne TimpaniRead the Daily Gospel in between Reflections
June 11, 2016
10 Minute Daily Retreat: June - Gift of Wisdom 3
Read the Word of God with a prayerful heart. By Malcolm Davies (No.210)
The one who gets wisdom loves life; Proverbs 19:8 |
Wisdom is the integration of spirit and flesh.
When I was younger I went and listened to a talk on prayer by a person who tried to convince us that the ‘best‘ way to pray was how he prayed and when he prayed.
I was completely flattened by listening to him as I could not pray the way he described. I used the experience to reflect on the way I could be energised to pray based on my spirituality and lifestyle.
In one part of my working life I was traveling around the country and spent times waiting in airports. My prayer time was lacking as I was up very early and home late.
I reflected that the best way for me to pray was to use these spare times to pray. I found that there were quiet places in airports where I could read the bible and pray.
One of the powerful experiences of prayer was facing the rising sun out of the windows at Adelaide airport and offering my life to God in a new way before I travelled. That is how I integrated my spirit and flesh in that part of my life.
Read the scripture slowly.Reflect on its meaning for you. Listen for God's voice in the stillness. Pray for God's blessing upon you.
Malcolm Davies
Read the Daily Gospel in between Reflections
The one who gets wisdom loves life; Proverbs 19:8 |
Wisdom is the integration of spirit and flesh.
When I was younger I went and listened to a talk on prayer by a person who tried to convince us that the ‘best‘ way to pray was how he prayed and when he prayed.
I was completely flattened by listening to him as I could not pray the way he described. I used the experience to reflect on the way I could be energised to pray based on my spirituality and lifestyle.
In one part of my working life I was traveling around the country and spent times waiting in airports. My prayer time was lacking as I was up very early and home late.
I reflected that the best way for me to pray was to use these spare times to pray. I found that there were quiet places in airports where I could read the bible and pray.
One of the powerful experiences of prayer was facing the rising sun out of the windows at Adelaide airport and offering my life to God in a new way before I travelled. That is how I integrated my spirit and flesh in that part of my life.
Read the scripture slowly.Reflect on its meaning for you. Listen for God's voice in the stillness. Pray for God's blessing upon you.
Malcolm DaviesRead the Daily Gospel in between Reflections
10 Minute Daily Retreat: June - Gift of Wisdom
Read the Word of God with a prayerful heart. By Malcolm Davies (No.210)
The one who gets wisdom loves life; Proverbs 19:8 |
Wisdom is the integration of spirit and flesh.
When I was younger I went and listened to a talk on prayer by a person who tried to convince us that the ‘best‘ way to pray was how he prayed and when he prayed.
I was completely flattened by listening to him as I could not pray the way he described. I used the experience to reflect on the way I could be energised to pray based on my spirituality and lifestyle.
In one part of my working life I was traveling around the country and spent times waiting in airports. My prayer time was lacking as I was up very early and home late.
I reflected that the best way for me to pray was to use these spare times to pray. I found that there were quiet places in airports where I could read the bible and pray.
One of the powerful experiences of prayer was facing the rising sun out of the windows at Adelaide airport and offering my life to God in a new way before I travelled. That is how I integrated my spirit and flesh in that part of my life.
Read the scripture slowly.Reflect on its meaning for you. Listen for God's voice in the stillness. Pray for God's blessing upon you.
Malcolm Davies
Read the Daily Gospel in between Reflections
The one who gets wisdom loves life; Proverbs 19:8 |
Wisdom is the integration of spirit and flesh.
When I was younger I went and listened to a talk on prayer by a person who tried to convince us that the ‘best‘ way to pray was how he prayed and when he prayed.
I was completely flattened by listening to him as I could not pray the way he described. I used the experience to reflect on the way I could be energised to pray based on my spirituality and lifestyle.
In one part of my working life I was traveling around the country and spent times waiting in airports. My prayer time was lacking as I was up very early and home late.
I reflected that the best way for me to pray was to use these spare times to pray. I found that there were quiet places in airports where I could read the bible and pray.
One of the powerful experiences of prayer was facing the rising sun out of the windows at Adelaide airport and offering my life to God in a new way before I travelled. That is how I integrated my spirit and flesh in that part of my life.
Read the scripture slowly.Reflect on its meaning for you. Listen for God's voice in the stillness. Pray for God's blessing upon you.
Malcolm DaviesRead the Daily Gospel in between Reflections
June 4, 2016
10 Minute Daily Retreat: June Gift of Wisdom 2
Read the Word of God with a prayerful heart.
By Louise Crossley (No.209)
God never passes awayTheodore Tilton's 'Even this shall pass away' is one of my favourite poems.
When I think of the Gift of Wisdom, I think of this poem. It follows the life of a king and his happy and sad occasions through life.
While this king has many opportunities to satisfy his desires, he realises that everything in this world is temporary and so every stanza ends with: Even this shall pass away. What a useful mantra.
Would we desire riches if we remember: Even this shall pass away?
Would we desire recognition if we remember: Even this shall pass away?
Would we desire each other if we remember: Even this shall pass away?
With wisdom, we understand that everlasting life only exists with our desire to follow God and His teachings.
Only this desire can eternally satisfy us. It is the only happiness that never ends.
So next time we are tempted by a desire from this world, we would be wise to remember: Even this shall pass away.
Wisdom is knowing that...
'Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire other than you.' Psalm 73:25
Wisdom is knowing that God alone can give us this desire...and that it's a free gift.
Read the scripture slowly.Reflect on its meaning for you. Listen for God's voice in the stillness. Pray for God's blessing upon you.
Louise Crossley
Read the Daily Gospel in between Reflections
By Louise Crossley (No.209)
God never passes awayTheodore Tilton's 'Even this shall pass away' is one of my favourite poems.
When I think of the Gift of Wisdom, I think of this poem. It follows the life of a king and his happy and sad occasions through life.
While this king has many opportunities to satisfy his desires, he realises that everything in this world is temporary and so every stanza ends with: Even this shall pass away. What a useful mantra.
Would we desire riches if we remember: Even this shall pass away?
Would we desire recognition if we remember: Even this shall pass away?
Would we desire each other if we remember: Even this shall pass away?
With wisdom, we understand that everlasting life only exists with our desire to follow God and His teachings.
Only this desire can eternally satisfy us. It is the only happiness that never ends.
So next time we are tempted by a desire from this world, we would be wise to remember: Even this shall pass away.
Wisdom is knowing that...
'Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire other than you.' Psalm 73:25
Wisdom is knowing that God alone can give us this desire...and that it's a free gift.
Read the scripture slowly.Reflect on its meaning for you. Listen for God's voice in the stillness. Pray for God's blessing upon you.
Louise Crossley
Read the Daily Gospel in between Reflections
10 Minute Daily Retreat: June Gift of Wisdom
Read the Word of God with a prayerful heart.
By Louise Crossley (No.209)
God never passes awayTheodore Tilton's 'Even this shall pass away' is one of my favourite poems.
When I think of the Gift of Wisdom, I think of this poem. It follows the life of a king and his happy and sad occasions through life.
While this king has many opportunities to satisfy his desires, he realises that everything in this world is temporary and so every stanza ends with: Even this shall pass away. What a useful mantra.
Would we desire riches if we remember: Even this shall pass away?
Would we desire recognition if we remember: Even this shall pass away?
Would we desire each other if we remember: Even this shall pass away?
With wisdom, we understand that everlasting life only exists with our desire to follow God and His teachings.
Only this desire can eternally satisfy us. It is the only happiness that never ends.
So next time we are tempted by a desire from this world, we would be wise to remember: Even this shall pass away.
Wisdom is knowing that...
'Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire other than you.' Psalm 73:25
Wisdom is knowing that God alone can give us this desire...and that it's a free gift.
Read the scripture slowly.Reflect on its meaning for you. Listen for God's voice in the stillness. Pray for God's blessing upon you.
Louise Crossley
Read the Daily Gospel in between Reflections
By Louise Crossley (No.209)
God never passes awayTheodore Tilton's 'Even this shall pass away' is one of my favourite poems.
When I think of the Gift of Wisdom, I think of this poem. It follows the life of a king and his happy and sad occasions through life.
While this king has many opportunities to satisfy his desires, he realises that everything in this world is temporary and so every stanza ends with: Even this shall pass away. What a useful mantra.
Would we desire riches if we remember: Even this shall pass away?
Would we desire recognition if we remember: Even this shall pass away?
Would we desire each other if we remember: Even this shall pass away?
With wisdom, we understand that everlasting life only exists with our desire to follow God and His teachings.
Only this desire can eternally satisfy us. It is the only happiness that never ends.
So next time we are tempted by a desire from this world, we would be wise to remember: Even this shall pass away.
Wisdom is knowing that...
'Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire other than you.' Psalm 73:25
Wisdom is knowing that God alone can give us this desire...and that it's a free gift.
Read the scripture slowly.Reflect on its meaning for you. Listen for God's voice in the stillness. Pray for God's blessing upon you.
Louise Crossley
Read the Daily Gospel in between Reflections
May 31, 2016
10 Minute Daily Retreat: June - Gift of Wisdom 1
Read the Word of God with a prayerful heart.
By Susanne Timpani (No.208)
As a deer longs for flowing streams,
so my soul longs for you, O God.
Psalm 42:1-2
Who doesn't enjoy a beautiful wedding? Our senses are delighted with music, food, flowers, the colours and textures of fabrics, the transforming impact of hairstyles and makeup and the elegance of jewellery. Our spirit is lifted by the palpable joy between the couple.
Like any event, weddings don't just happen. Hours of hard work, negotiation - conflict management - and careful planning have set the scene. My own wedding preparation was no different. When we requested a non-traditional hymn in the church repertoire, the musician obliged, but not before muttering, 'that's an odd choice of song for a wedding.'
As the Deer PantsMy heart's desire on my wedding day was for my husband, as was his for mine. But I knew that human desire can only last so long and I wanted our marriage to extend well beyond our wedding day.
If we truly want to fulfill our life's call, we must acknowledge the deep desire that we have for God. It is God who instills this desire in us.
Wisdom is choosing to place our longing for God above all else.
Read the scripture slowly.Reflect on its meaning for you.Listen for God's voice in the stillness. Pray for God's blessing upon you.
Susanne Timpani
Read the Daily Gospel in betweenReflections
By Susanne Timpani (No.208)
As a deer longs for flowing streams,
so my soul longs for you, O God.
Psalm 42:1-2
Who doesn't enjoy a beautiful wedding? Our senses are delighted with music, food, flowers, the colours and textures of fabrics, the transforming impact of hairstyles and makeup and the elegance of jewellery. Our spirit is lifted by the palpable joy between the couple.
Like any event, weddings don't just happen. Hours of hard work, negotiation - conflict management - and careful planning have set the scene. My own wedding preparation was no different. When we requested a non-traditional hymn in the church repertoire, the musician obliged, but not before muttering, 'that's an odd choice of song for a wedding.'
As the Deer PantsMy heart's desire on my wedding day was for my husband, as was his for mine. But I knew that human desire can only last so long and I wanted our marriage to extend well beyond our wedding day.If we truly want to fulfill our life's call, we must acknowledge the deep desire that we have for God. It is God who instills this desire in us.
Wisdom is choosing to place our longing for God above all else.
Read the scripture slowly.Reflect on its meaning for you.Listen for God's voice in the stillness. Pray for God's blessing upon you.
Susanne Timpani
Read the Daily Gospel in betweenReflections
10 Minute Daily Retreat: June - Gift of Wisdom
Read the Word of God with a prayerful heart.
By Susanne Timpani (No.208)
As a deer longs for flowing streams,
so my soul longs for you, O God.
Psalm 42:1-2
Who doesn't enjoy a beautiful wedding? Our senses are delighted with music, food, flowers, the colours and textures of fabrics, the transforming impact of hairstyles and makeup and the elegance of jewellery. Our spirit is lifted by the palpable joy between the couple.
Like any event, weddings don't just happen. Hours of hard work, negotiation - conflict management - and careful planning have set the scene. My own wedding preparation was no different. When we requested a non-traditional hymn in the church repertoire, the musician obliged, but not before muttering, 'that's an odd choice of song for a wedding.'
As the Deer PantsMy heart's desire on my wedding day was for my husband, as was his for mine. But I knew that human desire can only last so long and I wanted our marriage to extend well beyond our wedding day.
If we truly want to fulfill our life's call, we must acknowledge the deep desire that we have for God. It is God who instills this desire in us.
Wisdom is choosing to place our longing for God above all else.
Read the scripture slowly.Reflect on its meaning for you.Listen for God's voice in the stillness. Pray for God's blessing upon you.
Susanne Timpani
Read the Daily Gospel in betweenReflections
By Susanne Timpani (No.208)
As a deer longs for flowing streams,
so my soul longs for you, O God.
Psalm 42:1-2
Who doesn't enjoy a beautiful wedding? Our senses are delighted with music, food, flowers, the colours and textures of fabrics, the transforming impact of hairstyles and makeup and the elegance of jewellery. Our spirit is lifted by the palpable joy between the couple.
Like any event, weddings don't just happen. Hours of hard work, negotiation - conflict management - and careful planning have set the scene. My own wedding preparation was no different. When we requested a non-traditional hymn in the church repertoire, the musician obliged, but not before muttering, 'that's an odd choice of song for a wedding.'
As the Deer PantsMy heart's desire on my wedding day was for my husband, as was his for mine. But I knew that human desire can only last so long and I wanted our marriage to extend well beyond our wedding day.If we truly want to fulfill our life's call, we must acknowledge the deep desire that we have for God. It is God who instills this desire in us.
Wisdom is choosing to place our longing for God above all else.
Read the scripture slowly.Reflect on its meaning for you.Listen for God's voice in the stillness. Pray for God's blessing upon you.
Susanne Timpani
Read the Daily Gospel in betweenReflections
May 28, 2016
7 Months: 7 Gifts
10 Minute Daily Retreat - Read the Word of God with a prayerful heart.By Susanne Timpani (No.207) The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him,
the spirit of wisdomand understanding,
the spirit of counseland might,
the spirit of knowledgeand the fear of the Lord.
His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord. Isaiah 11: 2-3
How easy do you find living the spiritual life? Perhaps I'm not very spiritual, but I often feel like my spirituality is like an appendix to my 'real life.' If God knows our inmost being, no one is more aware of my struggles than Him.
Struggles! Why does our spiritual life have to be a struggle? Have you forgotten, like me, that God has provided us with spiritual gifts with which to live the spiritual life?
I recently received the delightful gift of tickets to see Andre Rieu in concert. If you don’t know who he is, or if you don’t enjoy classical music, you may not appreciate the gift as I did. The concert isn’t scheduled for another six months so I've stored the tickets away until I need them. Imagine if I lose them! Or if I forget I even had them! I will never experience the true joy the gift was intended to bring me. Nor could I genuinely show appreciation to my generous gift giver.
The Holy Spirit brings us many gifts when we begin our Christian journey. Isaiah 11: 2-3 names seven gifts. Over the next seven months, the 10 Minute Daily Retreat will reflect on each of these gifts; one every month.
There is a wealth of material written by gifted teachers, theologians and deeply spiritual people describing these gifts. We hope that our Reflections prompt you to explore these treasures for yourselves.
We trust that our personal experience with the gifts will encourage you to utilize yours. Please join us on our journey!
1. June: Wisdom2. July: Understanding3. August: Counsel (Right Judgement)4. September: Might / Fortitude (Courage)5. October: Knowledge6. November: Fear of the Lord / Piety (Reverence)7. December: Fear of the Lord (Wonder and Awe)
Read the scripture slowly.Reflect on its meaning for you.Listen for God's voice in the stillness. Pray for God's blessing upon you.
Susanne Timpani
Read the Daily Gospel in between Reflections
the spirit of wisdomand understanding,
the spirit of counseland might,
the spirit of knowledgeand the fear of the Lord.
His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord. Isaiah 11: 2-3
How easy do you find living the spiritual life? Perhaps I'm not very spiritual, but I often feel like my spirituality is like an appendix to my 'real life.' If God knows our inmost being, no one is more aware of my struggles than Him.
Struggles! Why does our spiritual life have to be a struggle? Have you forgotten, like me, that God has provided us with spiritual gifts with which to live the spiritual life?
I recently received the delightful gift of tickets to see Andre Rieu in concert. If you don’t know who he is, or if you don’t enjoy classical music, you may not appreciate the gift as I did. The concert isn’t scheduled for another six months so I've stored the tickets away until I need them. Imagine if I lose them! Or if I forget I even had them! I will never experience the true joy the gift was intended to bring me. Nor could I genuinely show appreciation to my generous gift giver.
The Holy Spirit brings us many gifts when we begin our Christian journey. Isaiah 11: 2-3 names seven gifts. Over the next seven months, the 10 Minute Daily Retreat will reflect on each of these gifts; one every month.
There is a wealth of material written by gifted teachers, theologians and deeply spiritual people describing these gifts. We hope that our Reflections prompt you to explore these treasures for yourselves.
We trust that our personal experience with the gifts will encourage you to utilize yours. Please join us on our journey!
1. June: Wisdom2. July: Understanding3. August: Counsel (Right Judgement)4. September: Might / Fortitude (Courage)5. October: Knowledge6. November: Fear of the Lord / Piety (Reverence)7. December: Fear of the Lord (Wonder and Awe)
Read the scripture slowly.Reflect on its meaning for you.Listen for God's voice in the stillness. Pray for God's blessing upon you.
Susanne Timpani
Read the Daily Gospel in between Reflections
May 24, 2016
Authentic Servers
10 Minute Daily Retreat - Read the Word of God with a prayerful heart.By Malcolm Davies (No.206) Reading: Mark 10:42-45
Jesus called them to him and said to them, ‘You know that among the pagans their so-called rulers lord it over them, and their great men make their authority felt. This is not to happen among you. No; anyone who wants to become great among you must be your servant, and anyone who wants to be first among you must be slave to all. For the Son of Man himself did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’
The call to be an authentic follower of Jesus is based on a commitment to serve others. The call to service is a fundamental law of discipleship and reflects the life of God who has been revealed to us as a Trinitarian relationship of service and communion.
Jesus is the one who we follow and he lived his life as one of total service and through the Cross gave his life as total gift to each one of us that we may experience eternal life.
Jesus is the one who washed the feet of his followers and he inspires us to wash the feet of others, to serve the poor and marginalized and thus to embrace the cross in our lives in a practical way.
The disciples of Jesus in every era are called to service and to make present the loving mercy of God through their actions.
We are constantly challenged to go deeper in personal prayer and to be fed with true spiritual nourishment by a deeper reflection on the Word of God revealed to us in the scriptures. The fruits of authentic prayer will include service and care of the marginalized we meet.
Read the scripture slowly.Reflect on its meaning for you. Listen for God's voice in the stillness. Pray for God's blessing upon you.
Malcolm Davies
Read the Daily Gospel in between Reflections
Jesus called them to him and said to them, ‘You know that among the pagans their so-called rulers lord it over them, and their great men make their authority felt. This is not to happen among you. No; anyone who wants to become great among you must be your servant, and anyone who wants to be first among you must be slave to all. For the Son of Man himself did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’
The call to be an authentic follower of Jesus is based on a commitment to serve others. The call to service is a fundamental law of discipleship and reflects the life of God who has been revealed to us as a Trinitarian relationship of service and communion.
Jesus is the one who we follow and he lived his life as one of total service and through the Cross gave his life as total gift to each one of us that we may experience eternal life.
Jesus is the one who washed the feet of his followers and he inspires us to wash the feet of others, to serve the poor and marginalized and thus to embrace the cross in our lives in a practical way.
The disciples of Jesus in every era are called to service and to make present the loving mercy of God through their actions.
We are constantly challenged to go deeper in personal prayer and to be fed with true spiritual nourishment by a deeper reflection on the Word of God revealed to us in the scriptures. The fruits of authentic prayer will include service and care of the marginalized we meet.
Read the scripture slowly.Reflect on its meaning for you. Listen for God's voice in the stillness. Pray for God's blessing upon you.
Malcolm DaviesRead the Daily Gospel in between Reflections
