Friars Corner: To do your will O my God, is my delight

Fr. Bob Hilz, TOR

Fr. Bob Hilz, TOR

Isaiah 49:3, 5-6; Ps 40:2, 4, 7-10; 1 Corinthians 1:1-3; 1:29-34

Last Sunday we celebrated the Eastern Church’s Christmas and Jesus’ baptism. On Monday, the Roman Church remembered the baptism of Jesus, some thirty years later. Now the Sunday and weekday liturgies go to ordinary time until Lent begins.

In our daily prayers and meditations, we can remain for a while with the Nativity theme. We can see ourselves praising and adoring the little Jesus with Mary, Joseph, the shepherds and magi. The holy family stayed in Bethlehem for about a month before they “fled” from Herod’s soldiers to Egypt.

A joyful light

As we focus on the glorious light that radiates from Jesus, we are filled with multiple graces. In a way our gas tanks get filled, our batteries get charged and we begin to glow brighter with a calming joy. As we get filled up at Mass and our prayer time with Jesus, we go forth into the world almost “floating” with his radiance. A joyful light flows from us.

We stand taller with more confidence that we have our sins forgiven and glow with the confidence that we are children of God. And he is our strength and song.

God sends us forth

The first reading from Isaiah 49:5-6 tell us that God sends us forth as his kingdom light to the nations. He wants his love and grace in us to reach to the ends of the earth.

Spending some time with God each day in prayer increases our confidence that we are really his sons and daughters. We are being blessed and anointed to bring his love to others. That helps God make the world a better place to live in through us. God gives us 24 hours to live each day. The more time we spend with him, not neglecting our primary duties, the more he fills us with what we need to have a deeper impact in the world. We become his hands, heart and love helping those in need around us.

Pray through the difficulties ahead

Hopefully, we shall install a new president this coming Friday. Let us pray more Chaplets of Divine Mercy for the new president and all the new administration. There are many challenges and difficulties ahead. We shall need much of God’s wisdom and light to stand against the dark side of evils and confusion. Jesus will be the victorious light at the end. As we stay close to Jesus, doing his will as his students/disciples, we shall be victorious with him in heaven.

Have a beautiful week. With Jesus, we are the light of the world.
Blessings,

+ Fr. Bob Hilz
(© 2017 Fr. Bob Hilz, TOR)

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

Nancy Ward

Nancy Ward writes about conversion, Christian community, and Catholicism. After earning a journalism degree, she worked for the Diocese of Dallas newspaper and the Archbishop Sheen Center for Evangelization, then began her own editing service. She’s a regular contributor to CatholicMom.com, SpiritualDirection.com, CatholicWritersGuild.com, NewEvangelizers.com and a contributing author to The Catholic Mom’s Prayer Companion. Now, through her Sharing Your Catholic Faith Story: Tools, Tips, and Testimonies workshops, retreats, book, and DVD, she shares her conversion story at Catholic parishes and conferences, equipping others to share their own stories.

You may also like...

%d