#Elijah Anointing

[drrus]

Connecting of Generations

Now is the time for a connecting of the generations. In days past the New Wine and the Old Wine have not connected well.

I’m currently working on a book entitled The Ephesian Season. It’s about what I sense the Lord saying to the church in this season and new era. In one of the chapters I write about a Connecting of the Generations. I sense it’s very relevant for today. In other words I believe this is a “Now Word” from God. Continue reading Untitled

[bills-bible-basics]

MECHANICS OF THE SPIRIT -- a Bill's Bible Basics series This #BillsBibleBasics 3-part series by #BillKochman can be read at: https://www.billkochman.com/Articles/mechanics-of-the-spirit-01.html https://www.billkochman.com/Blog/index.php/mechanics-of-the-spirit-a-bills-bible-basics-series/?feed_id=189069&MECHANICS%20OF%20THE%20SPIRIT%20--%20a%20Bill%27s%20Bible%20Basics%20series

[lordgodjehovahsway]

1 Kings 19: Jezebel Sends Messenger To Elijah With The Promise Of Death

1 Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 

2 So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.”

3 Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, 

4 while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” 

5 Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep.

All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” 

6 He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.

7 The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” 

8 So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. 

9 There he went into a cave and spent the night.

The Lord Appears to Elijah

And the word of the Lord came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

10 He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”

11 The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.”

Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 

12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 

13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.

Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

14 He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”

15 The Lord said to him, “Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. 

16 Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. 

17 Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu. 

18 Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.”

The Call of Elisha

19 So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him. 

20 Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. ��Let me kiss my father and mother goodbye,” he said, “and then I will come with you.”

“Go back,” Elijah replied. “What have I done to you?”

21 So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his servant.

[ohholydyke]

When the prophet Elijah faced a government that wanted him dead, he wanted to die, so God sent an angel—a messenger of the Lord—who put their hands on him, brought him food and said “Arise, eat.”

And when Elijah laid back down because he lacked the strength to continue, the angel came again. They put their hands on him, brought him food and said “Arise, eat, because the journey is too great for you.”

And Elijah got up and ate. Until he was ready to engage in his long journey to the mountain of God.

When he got there, the government still wanted the prophet dead, so Elijah still wanted to die. So God told him to stand on the mountain while He came by, so that Elijah could be near God and see Him.

Elijah looked for God in the roaring wind, but God was not there. He looked for God in the earthquake, but God was not there. He looked for God in fire, but God was not there.

And then Elijah heard a gentle breeze, and God was there. In comfort. In stillness. In gentleness.

And when Elijah left, still despairing over facing a government that wanted him dead, God sent him to Damascus with the promise that Elijah would anoint new kings and a new prophet. He found Elisha, his companion and fellow prophet, who stood with Elijah as they weathered the storm of government, grief and fear together. And then they built a new world.

Elijah outlived those who wanted him dead. But he did not do it alone. Comfort, touch, food—these are the essentials. These get us out of bed. These keep us alive. The message from God when Elijah is lying down in despair isn’t “get to work,” it isn’t “focus on resisting,” it isn’t “mourn,” it isn’t chastisement. It’s “arise, eat.”

Communion, gentleness, stillness, focus—these are what motivate us to do the work. Elijah was driven by despair into God’s arms. Maybe that works for you—I will be spending my day in prayer alongside my local parish and participating in a communal Mincha service. Maybe the communion and gentleness for you is other people. Your friends, family, loved ones. Maybe it’s yourself—sitting in meditation, art, music, screaming, cooking, sobbing, stretching, gardening. Do something to be in communion with someone or something today. If you have no one, commune with yourself. Commune with plants and your pets and the wind and the water and the candlelight and anywhere you feel that gentle breeze. Stillness, focus, connection.

Finally, companionship, organizing, community, action, solidarity—these are what allow us to do the work. The journey is too great for us alone. We need each other. We will weather this storm together. We will weather the grief and mourning and despair and anger and outrage and whatever the next few years have in store for us, and we will do it standing alongside each other.

Remember—if things get overwhelming, return to the basics. Lay down. Eat. Rest. Repeat until you can find communion and stillness. And repeat both until you can find the strength to journey on and create meaningful relationships and resistance with others.

As final thoughts, I will share the prayer I have prayed regularly since I began my own journey alongside God as a blessing to anyone who may benefit from hearing it:

May God give you eyes that you may see, ears that you may hear, and lips that speak the truth in righteousness. May you receive a caring heart and open mind. May the Lord bless the work of your hands and that which you give others.

And, to those for whom Christ may be a comfort:

May the Risen Savior grant you peace. May He help you to become more like Him and find solace in Him and His Passion. May the five wounds of Christ serve as a map guiding you to His gentle breeze.

May the Holy Virgin light your way and intercede for us all, comfort the afflicted, hear our sorrows, and show us the Blessed Fruit of her womb Jesus.

Em nome do Pai, do Filho, e do Espírito Santo,

Amém.

EDIT: This post is blowing up a bit so I feel the need to expressly state (as if my blog isn’t statement enough) that this is a queer leftist message. I stand with Palestine, Sudan, the Congo and all peoples struggling to be free. I stand with Black, Brown and Indigenous peoples suffering under colonialism, racism and imperialism, I stand with queer people, I stand with the houseless, I stand with anarchists and witches and freedom fighters. The idea of self care expressed here is explicitly indebted to Audre Lorde—the act of placing boundaries with yourself in order to have the energy to do the work of fighting for liberation, freedom and equality. Her concept applied to the labor regularly performed by Black women in being forced to advocate for their own humanity, which ought to be acknowledged, but in its principles we may also find a path to guide the rest of us towards a foundation of sustainable movement. My faith is based around the acknowledgment that Jesus Christ did not come to establish a kingdom of man, or a hierarchy of oppression, but a kingdom of God built for the oppressed.

[eesirachs]

negated pronouns in the former prophets, or, the hysteries—sometimes, mostly in moments of formalism heightened unto violence, the hebrew narrative refuses proper pronoun usage. the prophet elijah summons and anoints elisha, hurling his flesh into a nearness of heaven that hurts and ruins, and he uses the feminine singular לָֽךְ. elijah repeats this nonpronouning before his assumption, naming elisha the feminine מֵעִמָּ֑ךְ as a mode of forgetting or farewelling. evinced here is the earlier passage of yephthah who, speech-acting and vowing to sacrifice his daughter, names her with the masculine singular מִמֶּ֛נּוּ. new registers are attached to these sacrifices, these hysterical, excessive, violated things, so unruly and queer that the narrative forgets its own syntax

[myremnantarmy]

𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐆𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐥

Monday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time

LK 4:16-30

Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had grown up,

and went according to his custom

into the synagogue on the sabbath day.

He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah.

He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written:

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

because he has anointed me

to bring glad tidings to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives

and recovery of sight to the blind,

to let the oppressed go free,

and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.

Rolling up the scroll,

he handed it back to the attendant and sat down,

and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him.

He said to them,

“Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”

And all spoke highly of him

and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth.

They also asked, “Is this not the son of Joseph?”

He said to them, “Surely you will quote me this proverb,

‘Physician, cure yourself,’ and say, ‘Do here in your native place

the things that we heard were done in Capernaum.’”

And he said,

“Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place.

Indeed, I tell you,

there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah

when the sky was closed for three and a half years

and a severe famine spread over the entire land.

It was to none of these that Elijah was sent,

but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon.

Again, there were many lepers in Israel

during the time of Elisha the prophet;

yet not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.”

When the people in the synagogue heard this,

they were all filled with fury.

They rose up, drove him out of the town,

and led him to the brow of the hill

on which their town had been built, to hurl him down headlong.

But he passed through the midst of them and went away.

[starythewriter]

KINKmas 14 elijah x you

WATTPAD

TW: this is for mature audiences only minors LEAVE.

you woke up feeling amazing because you were in a gigantic mansion with elijah he was your handsome man. you loved him more then anything and of course you also couldnt deny his great skills in bed. it was snowing outside, but you didnt care, the snow to you was the best part of december.

elijah was still asleep you however were ready to spice things up with him. a lot of the times you felt very unsure about your relaintionship to the mikaelson brothers, since they would share you. one time youd be in the hands of klaus and another in elijah sometimes in kol's.

you were not upset at this tho you enjoyed it, but sometimes it was a little hard considering whenever you saw elijah youd see a little bit of kol in him. he was smart and noble, just so sexy. the way he would talk and the way he eats you out elijah felt the same way about you however he also had a strong sexual desire towards you.

elijah loved everything about you especialyl the fact that you were a witch he found it very sexy. you got up to light some candles and set a cozy but sexy mood. as you wanted to ride elijah it had a while since the two of you engaged in any type of intimacy because he was away with klaus on a special mission.

you went down stairs to find klaus, painting it was a potrait of the two of you hugging. it was so cute. "you look very handsome klaus" "shouldnt you be with elijah?" he replied, "well… lets just say im waiting for the ambiance to be right…" you said, you trailed your fingers across his cute vest. klaus was very cute despite his rage and constant pain/ regardless you loved him and he was just so sexy. "lets dance" you both put on some christmas music and began to dance graceful turning around, he lead the way.

occasionally he would surprise you with a kiss which you were not mad about. you stared deep into his eyes. he was entranced by you. "klaus help me with something what gets your brother infatuated?" "well apart from being a sexy witch, using oils on his body, also he likes self pleasure… so id recommend getting off by yourself. trust me itll do the job" he said with a whisper.

you kept dancing, you anointed some oils for klaus. "dont be naugthy darling" "what if i want to be" you smirked, he kissed you as the scent his him hard. you kept dancing the song had ended. "im gonna go now, hes gonna wake up." "no… I- i want you here" "since it is the season of giving, how about you watch us" you smirked.

"fine" he said. you entered as elijah just woke up. "you look and smell sexy… lavender?" he said "yes handsome. relax" you poured some lavender oil onto his chest, rubbing it. "darling what are you doing" he said. "giving you a gift" "klaus is watching" you whispered klaus started to slowly jerk off.

elijah took off his clothe, as did you. you got ontop of his large dick and he pinned you aganist the wall. he quickly started to fuck you. "fuck… I didnt know these oils would work llike this" he said. "relax" "i cant Y/N I need to fuck you" you moaned loudly. he sped up, giving you kisses, at the same time you rubbed oils on his biceps. slowly klaus groaned as he became closer and closer to his peak.

you were enjoying this to much as you were the one in control of 2 of the most feared men. you kissed elijah, "your just so fucking sexy, I feel like i need to breed you till you are filled with my cum" you moaned louder, you both shivered as you were close to reaching your peak.

you grabbed his hair yanking it, he groaned as you held onto him tightly. you were both sweaty, this rough sex was intense but lovely. you stared at his facial features his amazing jawline, his facial hair, his eyes. you also were drawn to his biceps.

he flexed with his right arm and held you with the left. "kiss it" you did just that, he groaned louder as you planted hickies on his large arms. klaus stood to side closer then ever to peaking.

after you finished leaving elijah's arm brusied, he fucked you with vamp speed, "can I… use the both of you… I need to suck that energy…" both elijah and klaus said "yes" as you all reached your peak, you shivered moaning loudly with elijah, as you held eachother tight. klaus came grinding his teeth as he released all over his boxers.

you consumed their wonderful energy as you reached that peak. you felt amazing. elijah set you onto his bed. klaus joined in, you all took a moment to catch your breaths and the two rested, "your both so hot…" you got onto klaus kissing him" the both of you stared at eachother. shortly after, you all took naps.

THE END!

[wisdomfish]

Now when Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they answered, “Some say John the Baptist; others, Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah, or [just] one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed), the Son of the living God.” Then Jesus answered him, “Blessed [happy, spiritually secure, favored by God] are you, Simon son of Jonah, because flesh and blood (mortal man) did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. [Matthew 16:13-17]

[drrus]

Doing a New Thing

God is doing a new thing and If we can get new thing right I believe the Lord will release an Elijah anointing on the current leaders.

We find ourselves at an incredible turning point for the Body of Christ. God is doing a new thing and this new thing is, and must be different from the things of the past. For a number of years prophetic voices have declared, “God is doing a new thing.” While this is a true statement, it’s time to discover God’s new thing, not our new thing. Continue reading Untitled

[roman-catholic-mass-readings]

19th June >> Mass Readings (USA)

Wednesday, Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time 

or

Saint Romuald, Abbot. 

Wednesday, Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time 

(Liturgical Colour: Green. Year: B(II))

First Reading 2 Kings 2:1, 6-14 A flaming chariot came between them, and Elijah went up to heaven.

When the LORD was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, he and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here; the LORD has sent me on to the Jordan.” “As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you,” Elisha replied. And so the two went on together. Fifty of the guild prophets followed and when the two stopped at the Jordan, they stood facing them at a distance. Elijah took his mantle, rolled it up and struck the water, which divided, and both crossed over on dry ground. When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask for whatever I may do for you, before I am taken from you.” Elisha answered, “May I receive a double portion of your spirit.” “You have asked something that is not easy,” Elijah replied. “Still, if you see me taken up from you, your wish will be granted; otherwise not.” As they walked on conversing, a flaming chariot and flaming horses came between them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. When Elisha saw it happen he cried out, “My father! my father! Israel’s chariots and drivers!” But when he could no longer see him, Elisha gripped his own garment and tore it in two. Then he picked up Elijah’s mantle that had fallen from him, and went back and stood at the bank of the Jordan. Wielding the mantle that had fallen from Elijah, Elisha struck the water in his turn and said, “Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah?” When Elisha struck the water it divided and he crossed over.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 31:20, 21, 24

R/ Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.

How great is the goodness, O LORD, which you have in store for those who fear you, And which, toward those who take refuge in you, you show in the sight of the children of men.

R/ Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.

You hide them in the shelter of your presence from the plottings of men; You screen them within your abode from the strife of tongues.

R/ Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.

Love the LORD, all you his faithful ones! The LORD keeps those who are constant, but more than requites those who act proudly.

R/ Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.

Gospel Acclamation John 14:23

Alleluia, alleluia. Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him and we will come to him. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.

Jesus said to his disciples: “Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. “When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. “When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to others to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

------------------------

Saint Romuald, Abbot 

(Liturgical Colour: White. Year: B(II))

(Readings for the memorial)

(There is a choice today between the readings for the ferial day (Wednesday) and those for the memorial. The ferial readings are recommended unless pastoral reasons suggest otherwise)

First Reading Philippians 3:8-14 I continue my pursuit toward the goal, the prize of God’s heavenly calling, in Christ Jesus.

Brothers and sisters: I consider everything as a loss because of the supreme good of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have accepted the loss of all things and I consider them so much rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having any righteousness of my own based on the law but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God, depending on faith to know him and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by being conformed to his death, if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead. It is not that I have already taken hold of it or have already attained perfect maturity, but I continue my pursuit in hope that I may possess it, since I have indeed been taken possession of by Christ Jesus. Brothers and sisters, I for my part do not consider myself to have taken possession. Just one thing: forgetting what lies behind but straining forward to what lies ahead, I continue my pursuit toward the goal, the prize of God’s upward calling, in Christ Jesus.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 131:1bcde, 2, 3

R/ In you, Lord, I have found my peace.

O LORD, my heart is not proud, nor are my eyes haughty; I busy not myself with great things, nor with things too sublime for me.

R/ In you, Lord, I have found my peace.

Nay rather, I have stilled and quieted my soul like a weaned child. Like a weaned child on its mother’s lap, so is my soul within me.

R/ In you, Lord, I have found my peace.

O Israel, hope in the LORD, both now and forever.

R/ In you, Lord, I have found my peace.

Gospel Acclamation Matthew 5:3

Alleluia, alleluia. Blessed are the poor in spirit, the Kingdom of heaven is theirs! Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Luke 14:25-33 Any one of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.

Great crowds were traveling with Jesus, and he turned and addressed them, “f anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion? Otherwise, after laying the foundation and finding himself unable to finish the work the onlookers should laugh at him and say, ‘This one began to build but did not have the resources to finish.’ Or what king marching into battle would not first sit down and decide whether with ten thousand troops he can successfully oppose another king advancing upon him with twenty thousand troops? But if not, while he is still far away, he will send a delegation to ask for peace terms. In the same way, everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.”

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

[bills-bible-basics]

MECHANICS OF THE SPIRIT -- a Bill's Bible Basics series This #BillsBibleBasics 3-part series by #BillKochman can be read at: https://www.billkochman.com/Articles/mechanics-of-the-spirit-01.html https://www.billkochman.com/Blog/index.php/mechanics-of-the-spirit-a-bills-bible-basics-series/?feed_id=142164&MECHANICS%20OF%20THE%20SPIRIT%20--%20a%20Bill%27s%20Bible%20Basics%20series

[albertfinch]

THE GLORY FIRE OF DIVINE TURNAROUND

In Acts 26:16, when Saul met Jesus in the explosive glory fire, Jesus "appointed" him to bear witness of Him.

The Lord is releasing a glory fire (fire of the Lord that brings sudden breakthrough and divine turnarounds) as in the days of Saul, and out of that fire He is "appointing" a generation of the Sons of Thunder (see Mark 3:17).

Thunder (in the reference in Mark 3), in the Greek means to roar. These Sons of Thunder, who will be released throughout the earth, will roar with the voice of God and shake the earth. They will walk in power and turn the world upside down for the Kingdom.

"Who has an arm like God? Or can thunder with a voice like His?" (Job 40:9)

"The voice of thunder was in Your whirlwind, the lightnings illumined the world; the earth trembled and shook." (Psalm 77:18)

"But the thunder of His power who can understand?" (Job 26:14)

With these three Scriptures we see that Thunder refers to the voice of God, the earth shaking, and His power.

GET READY FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT -- YOUR HIGH CALLING IN CHRIST

This glory fire will be released on Believers who are praying and believing for divine turnarounds and breakthrough in their own lives. But in this breakthrough they will be released into new levels of the expression of His heart -- an appointment greater than they first expected, for this appointment is to be a Son of Thunder!

For those that have been through the wilderness of humility and the fires of faith, the Lord can trust with the thunder of His voice and power. They are a vessel ready to be catapulted into moving forward in their Christ Calling in explosive fire and glory that will bear fruit that remains for His advancing Kingdom.

THE GLORY FIRE OF DIVINE TURNAROUND -- PENETRATING HEARTS!

"Divine Turnaround" is where a situation is heading in a certain direction, with a predicted outcome, and that situation is suddenly intervened upon by a divine supernatural force that causes the outcome to be the opposite. Paul was in unbelief when he was on the road to Damascus. It was only the glory fire of God that penetrated his hard heart and brought him to his knees.

Sometimes we think things are hopeless and impossible, we think our circumstances are unfixable or our loved ones are unchangeable; but one encounter with the glory fire and everything is turned around.

This glory fire will pour out over the Believer and unbeliever alike. These unbelievers are ones that have had prayers prayed over their lives for seasons upon seasons, and now the Lord is interrupting their course like He did with Saul and changing the course and direction of their lives. He is penetrating the darkness they are in by His glory fire, calling them into His heart, and setting them on course for Him.

THE SPIRIT OF ELIJAH

"And he will go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn back the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient and incredulous and unpersuadable to the wisdom of the upright [which is the knowledge and holy love of the will of God] – in order to make ready for the Lord a people prepared [in spirit, adjusted and disposed and placed in the right moral state]." (Luke 1:17 AMP)

The Spirit of Elijah mentioned in Luke 1, is an anointing of fire that brings restoration and reconciliation. It is an anointing that turns the tables and draws those that are distant from God into the heart of their Father. This explosive glory fire of divine intervention will draw a hard-hearted, unbelieving generation into the wisdom of the upright, according to Luke 1:17 – to LOVE the PURPOSE of God for their lives. These ones will prepare the way of the Lord, preparing a people made ready for His coming.

We are now in the days of divine turnaround, of wrongs being made right, of courses of destruction being turned to mirror life and life abundantly.  Get ready for your loved ones to come into the Kingdom and be appointed as a Son of Thunder! For God has not forgotten them and His arm is not short that it cannot save.

ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

[frmartinshomiliesandreflections]

2nd September >> Fr. Martin's Reflections/Homilies on Today's Mass Readings for Monday, Twenty Second Week in Ordinary Time (Inc. Luke 4:16-30): ‘This text is being fulfilled today’.

Monday, Twenty Second Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel (Except USA) Luke 4:16-30 'This text is being fulfilled today, even as you listen'.

Jesus came to Nazara, where he had been brought up, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day as he usually did. He stood up to read and they handed him the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. Unrolling the scroll he found the place where it is written:

The spirit of the Lord has been given to me, for he has anointed me. He has sent me to bring the good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives and to the blind new sight, to set the downtrodden free, to proclaim the Lord’s year of favour.

He then rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the assistant and sat down. And all eyes in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to speak to them, ‘This text is being fulfilled today even as you listen.’ And he won the approval of all, and they were astonished by the gracious words that came from his lips. They said, ‘This is Joseph’s son, surely?’ But he replied, ‘No doubt you will quote me the saying, “Physician, heal yourself” and tell me, “We have heard all that happened in Capernaum, do the same here in your own countryside.”’ And he went on, ‘I tell you solemnly, no prophet is ever accepted in his own country. ‘There were many widows in Israel, I can assure you, in Elijah’s day, when heaven remained shut for three years and six months and a great famine raged throughout the land, but Elijah was not sent to any one of these: he was sent to a widow at Zarephath, a Sidonian town. And in the prophet Elisha’s time there were many lepers in Israel, but none of these was cured, except the Syrian, Naaman.’ When they heard this everyone in the synagogue was enraged. They sprang to their feet and hustled him out of the town; and they took him up to the brow of the hill their town was built on, intending to throw him down the cliff, but he slipped through the crowd and walked away.

Gospel (USA) Luke 4:16-30 He has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor. No prophet is accepted in his own native place.

Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the sabbath day. He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written:

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.

Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him. He said to them, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” And all spoke highly of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They also asked, “Is this not the son of Joseph?” He said to them, “Surely you will quote me this proverb, ‘Physician, cure yourself,’ and say, ‘Do here in your native place the things that we heard were done in Capernaum.’” And he said, “Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place. Indeed, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah when the sky was closed for three and a half years and a severe famine spread over the entire land. It was to none of these that Elijah was sent, but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon. Again, there were many lepers in Israel during the time of Elisha the prophet; yet not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.” When the people in the synagogue heard this, they were all filled with fury. They rose up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town had been built, to hurl him down headlong. But he passed through the midst of them and went away.

Reflections (11)

(i) Monday, Twenty Second Week in Ordinary Time

When Jesus announced in Nazareth that he had come to fulfil the mission of Isaiah to bring good news to the poor and proclaim liberty to captives, the people of his home town greatly approved of what he said and were astonished by his gracious words. However, when he went on to identify with two other prophets, Elijah and Elisha, who had ministered to people beyond Israel, in Sidon and in Syria, they were enraged and tried to do away with him. Jesus understood the poor, the captive, the blind and the downtrodden in the broadest possible sense, as from all the nations and not just from Israel. Jesus was revealing the God of Israel to be the God of all humanity, including even the traditional enemies of Israel, like the Syrians. It seems the people of Nazareth resisted this vision of a God whose favour embraced all humanity. Jesus was showing that God has no particular favourites, because his favour rests on all, regardless of who they are or where they are from. This is the insight into God that Jesus gives us. The heart of God is very expansive; it has room for all. Jesus wanted the people of Nazareth, and he wants all of us, to have something of this welcoming heart of God that excludes no one. We can exclude ourselves from God’s loving embrace by rejecting God, as the people of Nazareth rejected Jesus. Yet, even when we do that, God continues to call out to us and draw us to himself through Jesus, our risen Lord.

And/Or

(ii) Monday, Twenty Second Week in Ordinary Time 

The gospel reading today shows Jesus being rejected by those who initially accepted him. When he went to his home town of Nazareth and preached there, Luke tells us that ‘he won the approval of all’ and people ‘were astonished by the gracious words that came from his lips’. Within a relatively short space of time, that acceptance changed, first to scepticism, ‘This is Joseph’s son, surely?’, and, finally, to outright and murderous rejection, ‘they took him up to the brow of the hill their town was built on, intending to throw him down the cliff’. The gospel reading tells us that, in response to his rejection in Nazareth, Jesus simply ‘slipped through the crowd and walked away’. This is Luke’s way of saying that Jesus continued on with his mission of proclaiming the good news of God’s favour to all people, including those who had rejected him. Jesus was not held back, much less embittered, by the experience of rejection because he was rooted and grounded in God’s love. At his baptism he had heard the words, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on you’. Our own lives too are rooted in that same faithful love of God; what God said to Jesus he says to all of us. The conviction that God’s love for us is faithful and enduring can keep us strong and free of bitterness in those times when we too might experience misunderstanding or rejection because of our beliefs.

And/Or

(iii) Monday, Twenty Second Week in Ordinary Time

There is a very striking change of mood among the people of Nazareth as they listen to Jesus speak in their synagogue. Initially we are told that ‘they were astonished by the gracious words that came from his lips’. However, by the time Jesus had finished speaking ‘everyone in the synagogue was enraged’, so much so that they hustled Jesus out of the town with a view to throwing him down from the brow of the hill Nazareth was built on. Jesus initially declared that he had come to proclaim good news, especially to the poor, the broken and needy. The people of Nazareth were delighted with this good news, but by the time Jesus had finished speaking his good news had become bad news in their ears. The reason for this was because Jesus went on to announce that his mission of good news was not just to the people of Israel but to the pagans as well, just as the prophets Elijah and Elisha ministered to people outside of Israel. Jesus challenged his townspeople’s narrow, nationalistic, view of God, and they did not like it. Jesus always challenges our view of God. There is always more to God than we imagine; it is only by constantly reflecting on the words and deeds of Jesus that we even begin to know God. It is only in the next life that we will know God as fully as God now knows us.

And/Or

(iv) Monday, Twenty Second Week in Ordinary Time

This morning we begin reading from the gospel of Luke, and in this morning’s gospel reading Luke gives us his account of the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. According to Luke the first words Jesus spoke in his public ministry were the words of the prophet Isaiah. In the synagogue of his home town, Jesus read a passage from the book of Isaiah. The passage Jesus chose said a great deal about how Jesus understood his ministry. He was sent to bring good news to the poor, the captive, the blind, the downtrodden. The focus of his ministry would be those who were in greatest need, both materially and spiritually. Just went on then to identify himself with two other prophets, Elijah and Elisha, who ministered to the needy outside of Israel. Jesus would minister to those in greatest need, regardless of where they were from; the people of Israel, not even the people of Nazareth, would have no special claim on him. The risen Lord continues to minister to us in our need today. In various ways we can all find ourselves poor, captive, blind, downtrodden. The Lord remains good news for us when we find life a struggle for whatever reason. He walks with us, as he walked with the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, to enrich us in our poverty, to free us in our captivity, to enlighten us in our blindness. Whereas the people of Nazareth rejected him, we are called to keep on welcoming him, and to walk with him as he walks with us.

And/Or

(v) Monday, Twenty Second Week in Ordinary Time

This morning’s gospel reading begins with an account of the liturgy of the word in the synagogue of Jesus’ home town in Nazareth. Jesus stands up to read from the prophet Isaiah and then sits down to comment on what he read. Jesus identifies himself with the prophet who was sent to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives, new sight to the blind, to set the downtrodden free. Jesus goes on to identify himself with two other prophets, Elijah and Elisha, who ministered to people outside Israel, a hungry widow from Sidon and a leper from Syria. Jesus was saying to the people of Nazareth that he had come for those in greatest need, regardless of who they were or where they were from. This generous vision Jesus had of his mission made the people of Nazareth very angry. Jesus was one of their own and they expected special treatment. However, the good news is that Jesus has come for us all. If he has favourites it is those who are broken in body, in mind, in spirit. The Lord is constantly reaching out to us in our brokenness, in our pain and suffering. All he asks is that we receive him as he is, on his own terms, which the people of Nazareth could not do. The Lord is always close to all of us; it is our need, our suffering, whatever form it takes, which can bring us close to him.

And/Or

(vi) Monday, Twenty Second Week in Ordinary Time

In this morning’s gospel reading we find Jesus in the synagogue of Nazareth announcing what his ministry was going to be about. In a word, he wanted to proclaim the Lord’s year of favour. Jesus would reveal God’s favour for all, especially for those who were usually out of favour, the poor, the captives, the blind and disabled, the downtrodden. We could add to that list, the lost, sinners, widows, all who found themselves on the margins at that time for one reason or another. Jesus was announcing that he was about to reveal the hospitality of God, a hospitality that was as broad as God’s love. This was indeed good news. Yet, strangely, this good news was not well received by the people of his home town. By the end of the gospel reading, they are ready to throw him down the brow of a hill. The final straw seems to have been when Jesus suggested that he would be revealing God’s favour not just to the people of Israel but to pagans as well, just as the prophets Elijah and Elisha had done before him. It seems as if Jesus’ God was just too big for the people of Nazareth, too hospitable, too welcoming, too forgiving, too all embracing, too generous. The gospels will often challenge our image of God. They will break open any narrowness in our vision of God. Yet because the gospels, especially the gospel of Luke, proclaims the favour and hospitality of God, they have the power to transform us, to enrich us in our poverty, to bring us freedom where we were captive, to enlighten our blindness, to give us a sense of belonging to the Lord after we have been lost.

And/Or

(vii) Monday, Twenty Second Week in Ordinary Time

Anger is a normal human emotion. In itself it is neither good nor bad. What matters is how we express it. We are all aware that anger is an emotion that needs to be managed. We can find ourselves doing things or saying things in anger that we subsequently come to regret. Anger has the potential to be quite damaging and destructive. We find a good example of that destructive power of anger in this morning’s gospel reading. The words that Jesus spoke in the synagogue of his home town Nazareth triggered strong anger in those who were listening to him, ‘When they heard this, everyone in the synagogue was enraged’. They gave expression to their anger by taking Jesus to the brow of the hill that Nazareth was built on, intending to throw him down the cliff to his death. This is anger at its most destructive. On this occasion, Luke tells us, Jesus was preserved from their deadly intentions. It is strange that the people of Nazareth should react to Jesus in such a deadly way because what Jesus had to say to them was actually good news. He declared that he was God’s anointed one, sent by God to bring the good news of God’s favour, God’s hospitable love, to everyone, especially to those most in need of it, whether they lived in Israel or outside of it. It seems that the people of Nazareth were not comfortable with such a generous God who favoured the most vulnerable, no matter who they were. The gospel reading invites us to ask the question, ‘How do we hear the message of Jesus?’ Is it good news for us today?’ ‘Do I experience it as good news in my own personal life?’

And/Or

(viii) Monday, Twenty Second Week in Ordinary Time

We have been reading from the gospel of Matthew on weekdays for some months now. From today until the end of the liturgical year, the feast of Christ the King the weekday gospel reading will be taken from Luke. In today’s gospel reading, Luke presents Jesus at the beginning of his ministry as setting out the priorities of his ministry in the synagogue of his home town of Nazareth. He finds those priorities already contained within a passage from the prophet Isaiah, which he finds and reads aloud. Jesus declares that, like Isaiah, his priority is to proclaim good news to the poor, the captives, the blind and the downtrodden. His mission is to show God’s favour especially to all who were out of favour in that time and culture. Furthermore, he declares that his mission is not just to those out of favour in Israel. Like the prophets Elijah and Elisha before him, his mission will embrace struggling humanity beyond Israel as well. It was this aspect of Jesus’ mission which incurred the anger of the people of Nazareth. Jesus proclaimed a God whose favour towards those who struggled crossed all boundaries, including the boundary between Israel and the pagans. This was indeed good news, but it wasn’t heard as good news by everyone. Jesus’ message of a God whose love seeks out the struggling and the lost wherever they are remains good news for us today. We are invited to open our hearts to this healing and all-embracing love of God that Jesus reveals and we are then called to reflect something of this love in our own lives.

And/Or

(ix) Monday, Twenty Second Week in Ordinary Time

When the minister of the word steps up at Mass to read the word of God, the reading has already been chosen for him or her. It is laid out in what we call the lectionary. When Jesus stepped up to read from the word of God in his local synagogue, according to today’s gospel reading, he had greater freedom to choose his reading. The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him, but Jesus was free to choose any passage he liked from that scroll. He very deliberately went looking for a particular passage, unrolling the scroll until he found it. This particular passage which he proclaimed aloud to the people in the synagogue must have meant a great deal to him. Indeed, the words of Isaiah that he looked for and found summed up his own understanding of his mission. Like Isaiah, Jesus understood that the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit, was pushing him towards certain kind of people, in particular, what the passage from Isaiah refers to as the poor, the captives, the blind, the downtrodden. All of these needed to hear good news, the good news that they were loved by God and that God wanted to enhance the quality of their lives. This is also the mission of the church. Pope Francis once spoke of the church as a field hospital for the wounded. ‘The thing the church needs most today is the ability to heal wounds and to warm the hearts of the faithful; it needs nearness, proximity. I see the church as a field hospital after battle’. We are all among the wounded and we all need that field hospital from time to time. Pope Francis is also asking us to become that kind of church, to understand ourselves as those who take up the work of healing by sharing in the sufferings of others. 

And/Or

(x) Monday, Twenty Second Week in Ordinary Time

When Saint Paul speaks about eternal life in the first reading, he does so in very simple but very profound terms. He says, ‘We will stay with the Lord forever’. He is talking about a being with the Lord, a communion with the Lord. It is a communion with the Lord which is shared with others, ‘We will stay…’. Our being with the Lord forever can be anticipated in this earthly life, because the risen Lord promised us that he would be with us until the end of time. We can already enjoy something of that shared communion with the Lord in this earthly life, especially in and through the church, the community of believers. In today’s gospel reading, as Jesus announces the programme of his ministry in the synagogue of Nazareth, he promises to be in loving communion especially with the most vulnerable, the poor, the captive, the blind and the downtrodden. He promises to be with the most vulnerable regardless of their racial origin, just as Elijah was in loving communion with a widow from Sidon and Elisha with a Syrian who had leprosy. Jesus is with us all until the end of time, and he is with us in a special way when we are at our most vulnerable. There are times in our lives when we feel poor, captive, and downtrodden in some way. It is then that he is especially close to us. One of the Psalms from the Jewish Scriptures puts it well, ‘The Lord is near to the broken-hearted, and saves the crushed in spirit’. We can turn to the Lord in our weakness and experience his strength. The mission that the Lord announces for himself in Nazareth is one he calls us all to share in. The Lord seeks to be in communion with the most vulnerable in and through each one of us. In this season of creation, we are being reminded that our very planet is more vulnerable than ever and the Lord is urgently asking us to take much greater care of it.

And/Or

(xi) Monday, Twenty Second Week in Ordinary Time

We are all aware that people’s mood, including our own mood, can change very quickly. Someone can be very calm and then suddenly and unexpectedly lose their temper, or they can seem very happy and then all of a sudden burst into tears. We find something similar going on in today’s gospel reading with the people of Nazareth. When Jesus went back to his own town for the first time since he began his public ministry and preached in the local synagogue, the gospel reading says that ‘he won the approval of all’ and that ‘they were astonished by the gracious words that came from his lips’. Jesus had just announced in the words of the prophet Isaiah that he had come to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour, especially to those who were out of favour, the poor, the captives, the blind and the downtrodden. Most of those who were listening to Jesus in the synagogue that day probably thought of themselves as poor and downtrodden. They welcomed Jesus’ good news that God was favouring them. However, according to the gospel reading, those same townspeople became enraged at Jesus and attempted to throw him down from the brow of the hill their town was built on. What brought on this sudden change from warm approval to deadly anger? It was brought on by Jesus declaring that God’s favour was about to embrace the poor, the captives, the blind, the downtrodden, whoever they were and wherever they lived, even if they lived beyond the borders of Israel. Jesus identifies himself, not just with Isaiah, but with two other prophets, Elijah and Elisha, who were sent to needy people outside of Israel, a Syrian commander and a pagan widow from Sidon. It was as if the God Jesus was proclaiming in Nazareth was too big, too expansive, for the local people to accept. Jesus was saying, God may have chosen Israel, but God was equally concerned about all of humanity. This didn’t go down well. Jesus is reminding us that God’s loving embrace is always more expansive than we imagine. God doesn’t look upon the world in black and white terms, those who are in and those who are out. God cherishes all of humanity equally, and he wants us to do the same.

Fr. Martin Hogan.

[ongolecharles]

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS (DSR) 📚 Group, Thu June 20th, 2024 ... Thursday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time, Year B

Reading 1 

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SIR 48:1-14

Like a fire there appeared the prophet Elijah

whose words were as a flaming furnace.

Their staff of bread he shattered,

in his zeal he reduced them to straits;

By the Lord’s word he shut up the heavens

and three times brought down fire.

How awesome are you, Elijah, in your wondrous deeds!

Whose glory is equal to yours?

You brought a dead man back to life

from the nether world, by the will of the LORD.

You sent kings down to destruction,

and easily broke their power into pieces.

You brought down nobles, from their beds of sickness.

You heard threats at Sinai,

at Horeb avenging judgments.

You anointed kings who should inflict vengeance,

and a prophet as your successor.

You were taken aloft in a whirlwind of fire,

in a chariot with fiery horses.

You were destined, it is written, in time to come

to put an end to wrath before the day of the LORD,

To turn back the hearts of fathers toward their sons,

and to re-establish the tribes of Jacob.

Blessed is he who shall have seen you 

And who falls asleep in your friendship.

For we live only in our life,

but after death our name will not be such.

O Elijah, enveloped in the whirlwind!

Then Elisha, filled with the twofold portion of his spirit,

wrought many marvels by his mere word.

During his lifetime he feared no one,

nor was any man able to intimidate his will.

Nothing was beyond his power;

beneath him flesh was brought back into life.

In life he performed wonders,

and after death, marvelous deeds.

Responsorial Psalm

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PS 97:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7

R. (12a) Rejoice in the Lord, you just!

The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice;

let the many isles be glad.

Clouds and darkness are round about him,

justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne. 

R. Rejoice in the Lord, you just!

Fire goes before him

and consumes his foes round about.

His lightnings illumine the world;

the earth sees and trembles.

R. Rejoice in the Lord, you just!

The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,

before the Lord of all the earth.

The heavens proclaim his justice,

and all peoples see his glory.

R. Rejoice in the Lord, you just!

All who worship graven things are put to shame,

who glory in the things of nought;

all gods are prostrate before him.

R. Rejoice in the Lord, you just!

Alleluia 

---------

ROM 8:15BC

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

You have received a spirit of adoption as sons

through which we cry: Abba! Father!

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel 

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MT 6:7-15

Jesus said to his disciples:

“In praying, do not babble like the pagans,

who think that they will be heard because of their many words.

Do not be like them.

Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

“This is how you are to pray:

‘Our Father who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name,

thy Kingdom come,

thy will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread;

and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us;

and lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.’

“If you forgive others their transgressions,

your heavenly Father will forgive you.

But if you do not forgive others,

neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.”

***

FOCUS AND LITURGY OF THE WORD

The Lord’s Prayer, or the Our Father as my mother called it, has been a part of my prayer life for as long as I can remember.  She believed it was the most important prayer we offer to God.  It is also called “the summary of the whole gospel (CCC2761).” I understand St. Ignatius of Loyola suggested saying this prayer before beginning the Examen.  Some days, this prayer is my Examen.  Following St. Ignatius’ advice, I modify a few words to be drawn more deeply into a conversation with God.          

Begin by settling into my private prayer space.   

Step One – Relish my day.

Our Father – helps me to put down the busyness of my day, focusing my attention and bringing me into conversation with the One who loves me unconditionally.     

Who is in heaven – I feel the tensions leave my body, mind, and soul as I visualize a place where humans live in harmony with each other and all of creation.  Psychologically, I slow down, easing into God’s space to be aware of God’s presence.

Step Two – Ask for God’s help.

Holy is your name – I ask the Holy One to reveal my day through God’s lens, trusting that Jesus will be with me to celebrate the blessings and offer comfort for the difficulties experienced.

Step Three – Review my day.

Your Kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven  – I notice the events of my day without judgment, such as:  When did I surrender to God’s agenda today, or did I think I am somehow in charge?   Do I trust God’s perfect plan will unfold at the “right time,” or did I lose hope thinking God might not be in charge?  

Give us this day our daily bread – I notice the events of my day without judgment, such as: The  “bread” I freely receive each day (shelter, food, clothing, freedom, the Gospel message, etc.), and I reflect on how I serve (or failed to serve) those who struggle for “bread.” I ask God to provide “bread” that fills each person’s needs.

Step Four – Repent.

Forgive my sins – I ask forgiveness for the damage I caused in my relationships today, especially my relationship with God.  I consider how I am caring for the gift of life God has given me.  I ask, how did I care for God’s creation today?  I praise God for the gift of the day and ask forgiveness for all of my transgressions.

***

SAINT OF THE DAY

St Paulinus of Nola

(354 – June 22, 431)

Saint Paulinus of Nola’s Story

Anyone who is praised in the letters of six or seven saints undoubtedly must be of extraordinary character. Such a person was Paulinus of Nola, correspondent and friend of Saints Augustine, Jerome, Melania, Martin, Gregory and Ambrose.

Born near Bordeaux, he was the son of the Roman prefect of Gaul, who had extensive property in both Gaul and Italy. Paulinus became a distinguished lawyer, holding several public offices in the Roman Empire. With his Spanish wife, Therasia, he retired at an early age to a life of cultured leisure.

The two were baptized by the saintly bishop of Bordeaux and moved to Therasia’s estate in Spain. After many childless years, they had a son who died a week after birth. This occasioned their beginning a life of great austerity and charity, giving away most of their Spanish property. Possibly as a result of this great example, Paulinus was rather unexpectedly ordained a priest at Christmas by the bishop of Barcelona.

He and his wife then moved to Nola, near Naples. He had a great love for Saint Felix of Nola, and spent much effort in promoting devotion to this saint. Paulinus gave away most of his remaining property—to the consternation of his relatives—and continued his work for the poor. Supporting a host of debtors, the homeless and other needy people, he lived a monastic life in another part of his home. By popular demand he was made bishop of Nola and guided that diocese for 21 years.

Paulinus’ last years were saddened by the invasion of the Huns. Among his few writings is the earliest extant Christian wedding song. His liturgical feast is celebrated on June 22.

Reflection

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Many of us are tempted to “retire” early in life, after an initial burst of energy. Devotion to Christ and his work is waiting to be done all around us. Paulinus’ life had scarcely begun when he thought it was over, as he took his ease on that estate in Spain. “Man proposes, but God disposes.”

***

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[the-mercy-workers]

Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. Elijah was a human being like us, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain and the earth yielded its harvest. My brothers and sisters, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and is brought back by another, you should know that whoever brings back a sinner from wandering will save the sinner's soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

James 5:13‭-‬20

[beloved-31-proverbs-women]

☝🏼 Know your enemy- yes, but stop focusing on it. Focus on GOD.

Elijah lost his focus on God and ran in fear.

The only control Jezebel has over our anointing is the control we give her !

The anointing IS the person of the Holy Spirit. No spirit can control the Holy Spirit.

Being in the cave was a setup. Elijah was there, not because of fear, nor even because of Jezebel. He was there because God wanted him there ! He needed to get alone with God. Prayer strengthens the anointing upon us. Fear weakens it. After seeking God - God sent him right back out there !

So though Jezebel tried- did she really assassinate his character- nope !

God was in control the whole time.💥 💥