To Your Name Give Glory May 7

…to your name give glory because of your faithfulness and love…(Ps 115:1)

Piety

Today God, I want to walk, leap and praise your glory. Thank you for curing my infirmities and protecting me from all harm in spite of hardships which come my human way. Guide my actions that in all things your glory will show forth to the world and touch, with your love, those whom you would have me contact today. May humility and my choice for You result in joy everlasting. Amen.

Study

http://www.usccb.org/nab/050707.shtml

Humility. Freedom of Choice. Joy. Paul cured a cripple whom he saw that he had the faith to be healed (Acts 14:9). Paul and Barnabas tore their garments (Acts 14:14) proclaiming loudly to the crowd who would adore them that God acted within them, that they were not gods. They chose truth and acted with humility. Following this reading, Paul was in fact stoned by crowds who were not happy with the proclamations. Then, in yesterday’s readings we heard Paul say with truth and joy: It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships to enter the kingdom of God. (Acts 14:22)

Jesus is clear: “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, … yet the word you hear is not mine (John 14:23-24) Jesus is the Word yet Jesus brings the Word from God. Jesus then sends the Spirit who quickens and gives understanding to those who choose to hear the Word.

The psalmist evokes the difference between God and the gods of Israel’s enemies. Why should the pagans say, “Where is their God?” (Ps 115:2) which is a taunt implying that “god” will be unable to help. This taunt is repeated to Jesus as he hung on the cross. But the psalmist, and Jesus, knew so much more. Not to us, LORD, not to us but to your name give glory because of your faithfulness and love…Those who fear the LORD trust in the LORD, who is their help and shield. The LORD remembers us and will bless us, will bless the house of Israel, will bless the house of Aaron, (Ps115, 1, 11-12). In humility believers accept God, not themselves, as the originator and mover of all. They act according to the will of God not their own will.

What is the result for those who choose humility and to act according to God? The result is joy in spite of hardship; Jesus says: and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him. (John 14:23) It brings to mind the song from my teens taken from Acts 3 when Peter cured the crippled man after telling him “silver and gold have I none, but what I have I give to you. In the Name of Jesus Christ, rise up and walk. … They went walking and leaping and praising God…walking and leaping and praising God…”*

Action

Do we find joy in our actions? Are our actions guided by humility and choice for God not ourselves? Do we take time to listen for the stirring of The Advocate, the Holy Spirit
whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.” (Jn 14:26)

Today, if you feel slighted by someone, or feel pulled toward buying more, drinking and eating more, or if you feel unworthy or even threatened, stop! Take a moment to sense the stillness in which God’s inseparable love for you is evident. God fills us. Rejoice in God’s love for you and pass it on.

*You can listen to the Cedarmont Kids sing an excerpt from “Silver and Gold Have I None” using real audio or windows media at:

http://www.deepershopping.com/content/search/product/view_item.php?sm=kidbestcd&dcn=4729