Monday 12 February 2024

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Today is Monday the 12th of February, in the sixth week of Ordinary time.

Paul Zach sings, ‘Nothing to Fear’. Receive these words today as you prepare for prayer: “There is nothing to fear for I am with you always.”

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And the depths of the river shall not overwhelm

When you walk through the fire you will not be burned

I am the Lord, I am the Lord

And there is nothing to fear, nothing to fear

There is nothing to fear, nothing to fear

For I am with you always

In the depths of your sorrow I wept beside you

When you walked through the shadow I drew you near

And yesterday, today, tomorrow, always the same

I am the Lord, I am the Lord

And there is nothing to fear, nothing to fear

There is nothing to fear, nothing to fear

For I am with you always

And there is nothing to fear, nothing to fear

There is nothing to fear, nothing to fear

For I am with you always

What can separate you from My perfect Love

What can separate you from My perfect Love

What can separate you from My perfect Love

Do not fear

Do not fear

Do not fear

Today’s reading is from the letter of James.

James 1: 1-11

My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.

If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you. But ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind; for the doubter, being double-minded and unstable in every way, must not expect to receive anything from the Lord.

Let the believer who is lowly boast in being raised up, and the rich in being brought low, because the rich will disappear like a flower in the field. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the field; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. It is the same with the rich; in the midst of a busy life, they will wither away.

Today’s scripture could have been written by St. Ignatius himself, describing the difference between consolation and desolation. Most of us would probably hesitate to describe trials in quite such positive terms, but the emphasis on faith and trust are relevant to us all. How does the reading strike you?

Faith, and the trust that comes with it, is a virtue, which means a grace of strength, given by God. Can you remember a time when your faith has felt strong? Or something that has weakened your faith and trust? What made faith grow or wither for you in that instance?

As you hear the reading repeated, what phrases or mental images touch your mind and heart? What do you think God is trying to bring to your attention?

Today’s reading warns against being overwhelmed by busyness. As the reading settles in you, what do you find yourself wanting to say to the God who gives the graces we ask for generously and ungrudgingly?

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.