The Word Among Us: A Catholic Devotional based on the Daily Mass Reading & Meditation for Friday, 7 August 2015

The Word Among Us: A Catholic Devotional based on the Daily Mass Reading & Meditation for Friday, 7 August 2015

Meditation: Deuteronomy 4:32 “Indeed, inquire about the past, before you were born: since the day God created human beings on the earth, from one end of heaven to the other, has there ever been anything as wonderful as this? Has anyone heard anything like it? 33 Did any other people ever hear the voice of God speaking out of a fire, as you have heard, and stay alive? 34 Or has God ever tried to go and take for himself a nation from the very bowels of another nation, by means of ordeals, signs, wonders, war, a mighty hand, an outstretched arm and great terrors — like all that Adonai your God did for you in Egypt before your very eyes? 35 This was shown to you, so that you would know that Adonai is God, and there is no other beside him. 36 From heaven he caused you to hear his voice, in order to instruct you; and on earth he caused you to see his great fire; and you heard his very words coming out from the fire. 37 Because he loved your ancestors, chose their descendants after them and brought you out of Egypt with his presence and great power, 38 in order to drive out ahead of you nations greater and stronger than you, so that he could bring you in and give you their land as an inheritance, as is the case today; 39 know today, and establish it in your heart, that Adonai is God in heaven above and on earth below — there is no other. 40 Therefore, you are to keep his laws and mitzvot which I am giving you today, so that it will go well with you and with your children after you, and so that you will prolong your days in the land Adonai your God is giving you forever.”
Saint Sixtus II, Pope, and Companions, Martyrs (Optional Memorial)
Ask now of the days of old … (Deuteronomy 4:32)
One of the most amazing features God gave us is the gift of memory. A very practical gift, it helps us remember what we need to buy at the grocery store, where we last set down our reading glasses (Bible, car keys, phone, etc.), and where our children are and where they ought to be right now.
But as helpful as our memory is for everyday life, God has a much higher goal. Chiefly, he gave us the gift of memory to help us know him as fully as possible. We can recall what he has said to us and reflect on what he has done in our lives and throughout history—so that we can trust him and build a relationship with him. This is why Moses urges the Israelites to recall what they have done and remember what God has done. “Fix it in your hearts,” he pleads. Why? So that reflecting on their ups and downs, they will see God’s faithfulness, power, and compassion toward them—and believe in him more deeply.
What a helpful road map for us as well! As we recall in our own prayer Jesus’ sacrifice of love, that sacrifice can become more real to us. We can be caught up into his love in a deeper way as we “know and fix” his truths in our hearts. Recounting the story of our own ups and downs will help us see how God has always been by our side, offering us his grace, and those memories will help us find new strength to live the life he is calling us to.
Just think how much more powerful memory can be when we remember together, as a people, at Mass. Ancient words read from the Scriptures become immediate, as Christ himself speaks to us. The story of the Last Supper becomes a doorway to the real event as bread and wine are transformed and Jesus offers us his own Body and Blood.
So fix your mind on the Lord. Remember his goodness and faithfulness. Remember how he has worked in your heart. And most of all, remember that you belong to him.
“Jesus, help me to fix your words in my heart. Lord, I want to taste your goodness today!” Amen!
Psalm 77:12 (11) So I will remind myself of Yah’s doings;

yes, I will remember your wonders of old.

13 (12) I will meditate on your work

and think about what you have done.

14 (13) God, your way is in holiness.

What god is as great as God?

15 (14) You are the God who does wonders,

you revealed your strength to the peoples.

16 (15) With your arm you redeemed your people,

the descendants of Ya‘akov and Yosef. (Selah)

21 (20) You led your people like a flock

under the care of Moshe and Aharon.

Matthew 16:24 Then Yeshua told his talmidim, “If anyone wants to come after me, let him say ‘No’ to himself, take up his execution-stake, and keep following me. 25 For whoever wants to save his own life will destroy it, but whoever destroys his life for my sake will find it. 26 What good will it do someone if he gains the whole world but forfeits his life? Or, what can a person give in exchange for his life? 27 For the Son of Man will come in his Father’s glory, with his angels; and then he will repay everyone according to his conduct. 28 Yes! I tell you that there are some people standing here who will not experience death until they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom!”
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