“a Lamp to my feet. a Light for my path.” – Mark 1:37

Posted on 13 January 2016 by Christ the King Prayer Group

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TODAY’S WORD…

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“Everyone is searching for You.”

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– Mark 1:37 (NRSV)

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REFLECTION…

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Everyone is searching for You.

Now too, in our own day, crowds are still hungry for God.

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Those words of St. Augustine at the beginning of his Confessions still hold good today:

“You have made us, Lord, for Yourself,

and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.”

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The human heart is made to seek and to love God.

And God facilitates this encounter,

for He too seeks out each one of us through countless graces

and a Fatherly care which is filled with consideration and love.

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In one way or another, Christ continues to seek out each one of us.

Like St. Peter, we too go to meet Him in our prayer – in our personal dialogue with Him –

and say to Him,

Everyone is searching for You…

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Help, Lord, to make it easier for my family, relatives, friends, colleagues,

and every single person who crosses my path,

to find You.

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Now that I have found You, Lord, I want to be with You forever.

I need You, Lord. We all need You, Lord.

You are the Source of love, joy, peace and hope.

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Jesus, teach me to make You known

through the example I give of a cheerful life;

through moving hearts by what I say and do;

through my efforts at trying to be more like You.

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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I need You, Lord. We all need You, Lord.

You are the Source of love, joy, peace and hope.

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… … … … … … … … … … … …

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Note: The main source of today’s REFLECTION is the seven-volume work

“In Conversation with God” by Padre Francisco Fernández Carvajal.

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“a Lamp to my feet. a Light for my path.” – 1 John 3:1

Posted on 12 January 2016 by Christ the King Prayer Group

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TODAY’S WORD…

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See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God;

and that is what we are.

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– 1 John 3:1 (NRSV)

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REFLECTION…

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We want to be good children of God

and that is why we must constantly try to imitate Christ,

to identify ourselves with Him.

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In Christ and through Christ – true God and true man –

we have been made children of God and heirs to Heaven.

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Despite our weaknesses,

we want to be good children of God

in the midst of our daily activities, of our work…

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God has made us His children.

Our divine filiation is not merely a title; it is a real elevation,

an effective transformation of our inner being.

That is why God sent His Son, born of woman…

so that we might receive adoption as children.

And because we are His children,

God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts,

prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.”

Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child.

And since you are His child, God has made you His heir.(Gal 4:6-7)

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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Abba! Father! I am Your child! Lead me, guide me, walk beside me.

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… … … … … … … … … … … …

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Note: The main source of today’s REFLECTION is the seven-volume work

“In Conversation with God” by Padre Francisco Fernández Carvajal.

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“a Lamp to my feet. a Light for my path.” – Mark 1:16-18

Posted on 11 January 2016 by Christ the King Prayer Group

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TODAY’S WORD…

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As Jesus was walking along by the Sea of Galilee

He saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net in the lake – for they were fishermen.

And Jesus said to them,

“Follow me

and I will make you into fishers of men.”

And at once they left their nets and followed Him.

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– Mark 1:16-18 (JB)

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REFLECTION…

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It is in the midst of our work, of our ordinary occupations,

that Jesus invites us to follow Him,

so as to make Him the centre of our very existence

and to serve Him.

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He chooses us where we are,

and He leaves most of us just where we were:

in our family, in our job,

in the cultural or sports associations that we belong to,

so that we should love Him in our normal environment

and make Him known through our family ties;

through working relationships;

among friends.

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From the moment that we decide to make Christ the centre of our lives,

everything we do is affected by that decision.

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Meanwhile, every day we must ask ourselves

whether we are being consistent in using our time, our work, our leisure well

and with the main scope of growing in friendship with Jesus Christ;

of seeking to become like Him;

of loving and respecting Him;

of reflecting Him as we go about our lives.

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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Jesus, I want to follow You and make You the Centre of my life.

Lord, in everything I do, let me do it with love…for You.

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… … … … … … … … … … … …

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Note: The main source of today’s REFLECTION is the seven-volume work

“In Conversation with God” by Padre Francisco Fernández Carvajal.

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“a Lamp to my feet. a Light for my path.” – Mark 1:22

Posted on 10 January 2016 by Christ the King Prayer Group

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TODAY’S WORD…

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[The people] were astounded at His teaching,

for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

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– Mark 1:22 (NRSV)

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REFLECTION…

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Jesus’ life was one of unceasing teaching.

He spoke in the Synagogues, by the lakeside, in the Temple,

along the roads, in houses and everywhere.

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His doctrine has been handed down faithfully and substantially complete through the Gospels

– enough to know the essentials just as they happened,

just as the Master taught.

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He is our only Teacher.

We feel safe with Him.

He always tells each one what he or she needs to hear.

When we read the Gospel for a few minutes each day,

with a faithful heart,

meditating it slowly,

we feel urged to say with St. Peter:

“Lord, You alone have the words of eternal life.” [Jn 6:68]

Only You, Lord.

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Only those who voluntarily close their ears

will be deprived of His word.

Everyone can understand it.

The most sublime doctrine becomes accessible to the most simple souls.

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Jesus is the teacher of all. our Teacher.

He knows what is in each person.

He is not deceived by our miseries and weaknesses.

He knows very well what an abyss of evil there can be in every heart.

But He also knows, better than we do,

the possibilities of generosity, of sacrifice, of greatness which also exist in every heart,

and He can arouse them with His word.

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The teaching of Christ affects the whole person to the core.

To take Jesus as our Teacher is to take Him as our Guide,

to follow in His footsteps,

to seek eagerly His Will for us.

It means never being discouraged by our defeats;

He will raise us up and turn them into victories time and time again.

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To take Jesus as our Teacher

is to want to become more like Him,

so that when others see our work,

our behaviour at home, with strangers and especially with those in need,

they can recognise Jesus.

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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Lord Jesus, You alone have the words of eternal life. Only You, Lord.

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… … … … … … … … … … … …

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Note: The main source of today’s REFLECTION is the seven-volume work

“In Conversation with God” by Padre Francisco Fernández Carvajal.

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“a Lamp to my feet. a Light for my path.” – Luke 2:45-46

Posted on 9 January 2016 by Christ the King Prayer Group

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TODAY’S WORD…

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When His parents couldn’t find Jesus, they went back to Jerusalem to search for Him there.

Three days later they finally discovered Him in the Temple…

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– Luke 2:45-46 (NLT)

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REFLECTION…

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Mary and Joseph thought they had lost Jesus,

but it was through no fault of their own.

Mary and Joseph did not lose Jesus:

it was He who went away from them.

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Our case is different – Jesus never abandons us.

It is we who lose Him,

who cast Him away from our side

through a lack of a spirit of mortification and sacrifice,

through sin,

or at least keep Him at a distance through lukewarmness.

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That is when our life without Jesus is left in darkness.

When we find ourselves in this darkness

we have to react immediately and look for Him.

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We need to know who can and should know where Our Lord is.

The Mother of God

who looked for her Son so anxiously when He was lost through no fault of her own,

and experienced such great joy in finding Him,

will help us to retrace our steps and put right whatever may be necessary

when, because of our carelessness or our sins, we have been unable to recognise Christ.

With her help, we will know the happiness of holding Him in our arms once more

and telling Him we will never lose Him again.(St Josemaria Escriva)

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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Lord, now that I have found You, I never want to be apart from You again.

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… … … … … … … … … … … …

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Note: The main source of today’s REFLECTION is the seven-volume work

“In Conversation with God” by Padre Francisco Fernández Carvajal.

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“a Lamp to my feet. a Light for my path.” – 1 John 3:22

Posted on 8 January 2016 by Christ the King Prayer Group

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TODAY’S WORD…

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Whatever we ask God,

we shall receive,

because we keep His commandments

and live the kind of life that He wants.

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– 1 John 3:22 (TJB)

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REFLECTION…

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“Whatever we ask God,

we shall receive”

This is what Jesus teaches:

"If you abide in me,

and my words abide in you,

ask whatever you will,

and it shall be done for you" [Jn 15:7]

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“Because we keep His commandments”

Jesus points out

that the whole law can be condensed into two commandments:

“‘You shall love the Lord your God

with all your heart,

and with all your soul,

and with all your mind.’

This is the greatest and first commandment.

And a second is like it:

‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’

On these two commandments

hang all the law and the prophets.” [Mat 22:37-40]

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Live the kind of life that He wants”

Jesus wants us to live an abundant life:

“I have come that they may have life,

and have it to the full.” [Jn 10:10]

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When we get to know Jesus

and gladly accept Him inside our heart,

we can then truly live our life to the full,

no longer slaves to our earthly bonds and to sin.

It is Jesus Himself who tells us,

“You will know the truth,

and the truth will make you free.” [Jn 8:32].

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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Lord Jesus, thank You for setting me free with Your truth,

and in my freedom I have chosen You!

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“a Lamp to my feet. a Light for my path.” – Matthew 2:13

Posted on 7 January 2016 by Christ the King Prayer Group

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TODAY’S WORD…

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An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said,

“Get up, take the Child and His Mother, and flee to Egypt,

and remain there until I tell you;

for Herod is about to search for the Child, to destroy Him.”

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– Matthew 2:13 (NRSV)

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REFLECTION…

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These words were a “sign of the Cross” for Mary and Joseph,

who left Bethlehem hurriedly,

leaving behind many necessary items which they could not take with them on a long and difficult journey.

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They also had the dread of having to escape with the threat of death overshadowing them.

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The journey cannot have been a comfortable one:

walking for several days along unfriendly roads,

with the fear of being caught in their flight,

with tiredness and thirst.

It was an exhausting journey through desert regions.

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God the Father did not want to spare those He loved from this fatigue.

Perhaps this is so that we would understand that we can draw great benefit from difficulties.

Also, it makes us realise that being close to God does not mean being free from pain or problems.

What God has promised us

is the serenity and the fortitude to face up to them.

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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Jesus my Saviour, I beg You, increase my faith and grant me fortitude.

Lamb of God, fill me with Your peace.

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… … … … … … … … … … … …

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Note: The main source of today’s REFLECTION is the seven-volume work

“In Conversation with God” by Padre Francisco Fernández Carvajal.

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“a Lamp to my feet. a Light for my path.” – Luke 22:19

Posted on 6 January 2016 by Christ the King Prayer Group

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TODAY’S WORD…

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“This is my body, which is given for you.”

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Luke 22:19 – (NRSV)

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REFLECTION…

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We are perhaps in danger of not realising fully how close Our Lord is in our lives

because God presents Himself to us under the insignificant appearance of a piece of bread,

because He does not reveal Himself in His glory,

because He does not impose Himself irresistibly,

because He slips into our life like a shadow,

instead of making His power resound at the summit of all things…

How many souls are troubled by doubt because God does not show Himself in the way they expected! (J. Leclerq)

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We need to be attentive,

because Our Lord shows Himself in the normal events of every day.

May we be full of faith in Him and trust in His promises.

May we know how to recover this interior light of hope and joy,

that breaks through the monotony of days which can all be the same,

that helps us find Jesus in our ordinary life!

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We also need to examine our attitude

to see how we adore Jesus when He is exposed in the monstrance or hidden in the tabernacle.

With what devotion and reverence do we kneel in the moments indicated in the Holy Mass,

or each time we pass by those places where the Blessed Sacrament is revered?

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QUOTE…

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“The Church and the world have a great need for Eucharistic worship.

Jesus awaits us in this sacrament of love.

Let us not refuse the time to go to meet Him in adoration,

in contemplation full of faith,

and open to making amends for the serious offenses and crimes of the world.

Let our adoration never cease.”

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– St. Pope John Paul II

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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Most Divine Lord, I adore You.

Thank You for Your Holy Body and Blood,
which fill me with every heavenly blessing and grace!

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[*] Today’s reflection is sourced mainly from the seven-volume work “In Conversation with God” by Padre Francisco Fernández Carvajal.

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“a Lamp to my feet. a Light for my path.” – Psalm 86:1-7,11-13

Posted on 5 January 2016 by Christ the King Prayer Group

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TODAY’S WORD…TODAY’S PRAYER…

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Bend down, O Lord, and hear my prayer;
answer me, for I need Your help.
Protect me, for I am devoted to You.
Save me, for I serve You and trust You.
You are my God.
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Be merciful to me, O Lord,
for I am calling on You constantly.
Give me happiness, O Lord,
for I give myself to You.
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O Lord, You are so good, so ready to forgive,
so full of unfailing love for all who ask for Your help.
Listen closely to my prayer, O Lord;
hear my urgent cry.
I will call to You whenever I’m in trouble,
and You will answer me.

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Teach me Your ways, O Lord,
that I may live according to Your truth!
Grant me purity of heart,
so that I may honour You.

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With all my heart I will praise You, O Lord my God.
I will give glory to Your name forever,

for Your love for me is very great.

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– Psalm 86:1-7,11-13 (NLT)

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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Have mercy on me, O Lord, and hear my urgent cry.
Teach me Your ways and change my heart, for I want to live only according to Your truth.

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“a Lamp to my feet. a Light for my path.” – 1 John 1:6

Posted on 4 January 2016 by Christ the King Prayer Group

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TODAY’S WORD…

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If we claim to have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness,

we lie and do not live out the truth.

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– 1 John 1:6 (NIV)

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REFLECTION…

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Truth or truthfulness is the virtue which consists in showing oneself true in deeds and truthful in words, and in guarding against duplicity, dishonesty, and hypocrisy. 1

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St. Thomas Aquinas tells us that "men could not live with one another if there were not mutual confidence that they were being truthful to one another." 2

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The disciple of Christ consents to "live in the truth,"

that is, in the simplicity of a life in conformity with the Lord’s example,

abiding in His truth.

That is why "if we claim to have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness,

we lie and do not live out the truth." 3

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Simplicity.

Jesus, during the first thirty years of His life,

was always the model of perfect simplicity.

When He began to preach the Good News

He did not carry out a noisy, spectacular activity.

Jesus is simplicity itself in His birth,

in the presentation in the Temple,

and when He manifests His Divinity through the miracles which God alone can work.

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Our Saviour shuns all show and vain-glory and false theatrical gestures.

He makes Himself accessible to all:

to the incurably sick and the most abandoned

who come to Him trustingly to beg the remedy for their infirmities;

to the Apostles who ask Him the meaning of the parables;

to the little children who embrace Him confidently.

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Simplicity, which is not to be at all confused with stupidity, is a sign of humility.

Simplicity is radically opposed to anything false, artificial or deceitful.

Simplicity is also a very necessary virtue for our dealings with God,

for spiritual guidance

and for our daily life with those around us.

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Simple and faithful trust, humble and joyous assurance are the proper dispositions of faith of a true Christian.

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1 Catechism of the Catholic Church 2468

2 Catechism of the Catholic Church 2469

3 Catechism of the Catholic Church 2470

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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Lord, help me walk with humility and with joy, hope and trust…in Your light, and in Your truth.

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[*] Today’s reflection is sourced mainly from the seven-volume work “In Conversation with God” by Padre Francisco Fernández Carvajal.

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