Proverbs 20 : 27

The Spirit of a man is the lamp of the Lord searching all the innermost parts of his being.

Meditation

It's probably much more popular today to say "I'm an atheist, I'm agnostic" than "I'm a Christian, I believe in God".  God gave us free will, the freedom to believe or not to believe in Him. However, He didn't give us the liberty to choose to be created in His image, having body, soul and spirit.  

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:27)

Our body is the material part of us that allows us to be in physical contact with the world through our five senses. Our soul receives information from our imagination, conscience, memory, affections and reason. Our spirit receives impressions from the body and the soul giving us faith, hope, prayer, reverence and worship. When Paul speaks to the Romans, he says clearly that he serves God with his Spirit.

"God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in proclaiming the gospel of His Son." (Romans 1: 9)

Why do some feel guilty and go to extremes to hide things from others; or hide themselves from society, afraid of being discovered? Is it only fear of loosing credibility from loved ones and society? What is our conscience, that little man we hear in our head, warning us before we do something that we're not supposed to? Is it God who sees and knows all ?Many times in the New Testament, Jesus saw the intentions of those around Him.

And He said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God. (Luke 16 : 15)  Jesus realized the intentions of their hearts.. (Luke 9:47).  But He knew what they were thinking (Matthew 12 : 25). But Jesus perceived their malice, and said, “Why are you testing Me, you hypocrites? (Matthew 22:18). 

Originally the Lamp of the Lord or Menorah is the candle light used in the Holy Place for the Jewish people. The Lamp is a concrete symbol of God Himself as God illuminates darkness and His Word shows us the way by dispelling ignorance, fear, confusion, and superstition. Remember God's first words in Genesis were "Let there be light, and there was light " (Genesis 1: 3), "God then separated light from darkness" (Genesis 1: 4). For Christians, Jesus Christ is the Lamp of the Lord personified. 

Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “ I am the light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” (John 8 : 12)

Meet the Challenge

This coming week, let us try to be like Mary, when she visited her cousin Elizabeth, "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior." Do you truly believe that God is your savior? What do you do in your everyday life to prove that God is your savoir? Does being a Christian bring you great joy? Advent is just around the corner. Don't wait till the last minute to start thinking about ways to improve your time spent with God. Just remember there isn't a "right way". Ask God for His help. 

Let's Pray

Almighty God, source of all light, by your Word You give light to the soul. Pour out on me the spirit of wisdom and understanding that my heart and mind may be opened. Open my eyes that I may see the wonders of Your Word; and give me grace that I may clearly see the areas of darkness that I need to bring into Your light to be healed and set free. Blessed Mary, my heavenly mother, hold my hand and lead me to your Son, Jesus. Amen.

A Prayer for Healing

“Almighty Father, most Holy Lord, I call to You in the name of Your Son Jesus Christ, Who won over all the forces of Evil.

I beg You to heal me and deliver me from all that keeps me from receiving the love You offer Your children. Breathe through me Your Holy Spirit, that It may deliver me and bring me Your peace. 

Heal and deliver my thoughts from darkness and obscurity: prejudice, doubt and confusion. 

Heal and deliver me from painful memories and traumas that I have carried all throughout my life: do not let it burden me any longer.

Heal my mind, and protect me from delirious thoughts, illusions and hallucinations.

Heal the wounds on my heart, and deliver me from selfishness, self-pity, resentment, apathy, and every other malevolent feeling. 

Heal my soul and deliver me from subjugation, temptation, obsession, oppression, pride, intolerance, weakness and deviation.

Heal and deliver me from unstable feelings, over sensitivity and overwhelming emotions; from persistent shyness, shame and guilt; from feelings of inadequacy and rejection; from anxiety, fear, insomnia, and sadness; do not let me become tired of life. 

Heal me and deliver me from every addiction : drugs, alcohol, tobacco and worldly attachments. 

Heal me and deliver me from deviations, whether I inherited them or was pressured into doing them by my peers, or my family. Deliver me from events in my past that could prevent me from reaching internal freedom. 

Heal me and deliver me from negativity, pain, and bad influences.

Father of mercy, deliver me from anything that could prevent me from enjoying a sincere conversion of heart, and from committing my freedom to Your service. 

Lord Jesus, Lamb of God, purify me. Your will be done in me. 

Amen.”

Let's Praise Him