Friday, March 24, 2006
From AscensionNYC
Friday in the Third Week of Lent
Psalm 91, 92
1 Corinthians 9:16-27
Mark 6:47-56
Oh, what inspiration Saint Paul gives us today: to "preach the gospel" as he does in this epistle, full of energy and the drive to win disciples for Christ. May his fire and passion inspire us to read all of our texts today with new fervor and insight.
Oh, what blessings the Lord has given us, that he calls us and protects us, asking only that we trust in Him, and that we "be not afraid."
Oh, the enormity of our "upright Lord": we need not worry about anything, but what he has revealed to us of His salvation and grace. If we trust in him, we will not stray from our "runner's path" focused on the finish line, His promise of salvation, and the miraculous life to come.
Confronting all the distractions of our modern world, we can easily be side-tracked from staying the course, with work or social pressures, worldly pleasure, or even despair. But with the determination that Saint Paul shows us, and the inspiration of our God, "our refuge and our fortress," we can win the prize of eternal Salvation.
In the Gospel today, Christ performs for His apostles and followers many miracles, which cause them to be afraid, for whatever reasons. How often had they seen men walking on stormy waters, or healing the sick in great numbers? Who was this man for whom they had left their lives behind? We too, can be "afraid" sometimes, wondering what it's all about.
But, Christ is our "Rock" and what beautiful words He says to us today; how simple, and how reassuring! Let's listen to those words when we are disappointed or despairing, when we sin, or give up hope: "TAKE COURAGE! IT IS I. DON'T BE AFRAID." Repeat them as we navigate the obstacles of our runner's race to win the Crown of Heaven.
1 Corinthians 9:16-27
Mark 6:47-56
Oh, what inspiration Saint Paul gives us today: to "preach the gospel" as he does in this epistle, full of energy and the drive to win disciples for Christ. May his fire and passion inspire us to read all of our texts today with new fervor and insight.
Oh, what blessings the Lord has given us, that he calls us and protects us, asking only that we trust in Him, and that we "be not afraid."
Oh, the enormity of our "upright Lord": we need not worry about anything, but what he has revealed to us of His salvation and grace. If we trust in him, we will not stray from our "runner's path" focused on the finish line, His promise of salvation, and the miraculous life to come.
Confronting all the distractions of our modern world, we can easily be side-tracked from staying the course, with work or social pressures, worldly pleasure, or even despair. But with the determination that Saint Paul shows us, and the inspiration of our God, "our refuge and our fortress," we can win the prize of eternal Salvation.
In the Gospel today, Christ performs for His apostles and followers many miracles, which cause them to be afraid, for whatever reasons. How often had they seen men walking on stormy waters, or healing the sick in great numbers? Who was this man for whom they had left their lives behind? We too, can be "afraid" sometimes, wondering what it's all about.
But, Christ is our "Rock" and what beautiful words He says to us today; how simple, and how reassuring! Let's listen to those words when we are disappointed or despairing, when we sin, or give up hope: "TAKE COURAGE! IT IS I. DON'T BE AFRAID." Repeat them as we navigate the obstacles of our runner's race to win the Crown of Heaven.
Ed Pisoni
