Daily Meditation - Sunday 27th. Jan. 2008 - WRITINGS CANNOT SAVE ME

[BarbaraTherese]

DAILY MASS READINGS
usccb.org/nab/012708.shtml

Further reflection - here
This reflections from the Lectio for the day are always very very informative and more than worth the read and a ponder. Simply scroll down to the Meditation and Reflection section.

Meditation
wau.org/meditations/meditations.asp?month=01&day=27&year=2008&x=17&y=6

My Comment: The meditation today reminds me that in parish affairs and in posts and threads here, it is Jesus to keep in my sights and His Way, which is Truth and Life, not this opinion, nor that opinion - not even the writings of saints. Though these writings are important and enlightening, I need remember that without The Holy Spirit, The Way The Truth and The Life, they are empty. I sometimes come across Posts and I am guilty of it myself of quoting some saint with a certain air of superiority and authority - arrogance. The Holy Spirit is not in my statement, hence it remains only a half truth if indeed that even.
And personally I have long tired of parish meetings where there is bickering and arguing and the presence of The Spirit cannot be “heard” at all…to the contrary. And if one raises this point, it is dismissed with strange looks.

During his second missionary journey, Paul spent close to two years in Corinth working to establish a Christian community there (Acts 18:1-18). Many people there embraced his message of salvation and became believers. The Corinthian Christians were richly blessed by God, especially in the area of spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 1:4-7). Yet despite these blessings, the fledgling church was troubled by quarrels and internal rivalries (1:11-12).

As different factions aligned themselves with various leaders, the Corinthians were in danger of losing the unity that is essential to any church. Concerned, Paul appealed to them to end their bickering (1 Corinthians 1:10). Lest they lose sight of Jesus himself,

Paul also reminded them that the faith they had embraced—as well as all the blessings they had received—rested on the power of Jesus’ cross. It didn’t depend on the special talents of Christian leaders like himself or Apollos or Cephas (1:13,17).

Keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus and his cross is a necessary safeguard for us, too.

In a world that idolizes celebrities and exalts popular personalities, Christians stand as a people rooted in God first and people second. It’s through the cross that we are saved,

not through a leader’s charismatic personality.

It’s through the cross that the heavens are opened, not through our hard work or sincerity.

Today at Mass, unite yourself with the words of the Eucharistic Prayer, especially the prayer for the church: “Watch over it, Lord, and guide it; grant it peace and unity throughout the world.” Let the Spirit show you what a glorious thing it is to be joined to so many brothers and sisters by Jesus himself. As you pray, may Christ increase your love for every member of his church!

“Spirit of God, blow afresh on every member of the body of Christ today. Open our eyes to the great inheritance that is ours in Christ and in the church.”

 

[BarbaraTherese]

If you would like to see where Capernaum is in relation to the New Testament lands and the area and distances Jesus covered in his lifetime - it is located - here
If you scroll down to the end of the map, you will see an Index giving various features on the maps.

Two other sites giving maps and information :
http://www.ccel.org/bible/phillips/CP051GOSPELMAPS.htm

This one is particularly helpful and informative:
scriptures.lds.org/en/biblemaps/j