Be STILL and KNOW that I AM God

Feast of Saints Titus and Timothy



This week the real-time notes are really not so important. I focused on listing the names because I didn't want to weigh in and out on what to include of the personal data (some things I noted) – I could have done the opposite and left the names out and only entered the personal info anonymously but that also seemed as random and pointless.

However, the entire theme that runs through everyone's reflections is:

Be STILL and KNOW that I AM God
And Ps 127: aka
Psalm 126 : Nisi Dominus. Nothing can be done without God's grace and blessing.
1 Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain that build it. Unless the Lord keep the city, he watcheth in vain that keepeth it. 2 It is vain for you to rise before light, rise ye after you have sitten, you that eat the bread of sorrow. When he shall give sleep to his beloved, 3 Behold the inheritance of the Lord are children: the reward, the fruit of the womb. 4 As arrows in the hand of the mighty, so the children of them that have been shaken. 5 Blessed is the man that hath filled the desire with them; he shall not be confounded when he shall speak to his enemies in the gate.
2 "It is vain for you to rise before light"... That is, your early rising, your labour and worldly solicitude, will be vain, that is, will avail you nothing, without the light, grace, and blessing of God.

And Ps 131: aka
Psalm 130 : Domine, none est. The prophet's humility.
1 Lord, my heart is not exalted: nor are my eyes lofty. Neither have I walked in great matters, nor in wonderful things above me. 2 If I was not humbly minded, but exalted my soul: As a child that is weaned is towards his mother, so reward in my soul. 3 Let Israel hope in the Lord, from henceforth now and forever.
And I'm going to throw in Ps 132 (we didn't discuss this Psalm specifically but by indirection)
Psalm 132 : Ecce quam bonum. The happiness of brotherly love and concord.
1 Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell in unity. 2 Like the precious ointment on the head, that ran down upon the beard, the beard of Aaron, Which ran down to the skirt of his garment: 3 As the dew of Hermon, which descendeth upon mount Sion. For there the Lord hath commandeth blessing, and life for evermore.
Opening grace and prayer – introductions by participants' names starting with the letter J (Jesus began) thru Z thru A thru I … Jim, Jessica, Jason,

Jake – I call Our Lady "My Immaculate Battle Machine"

Confirmation names: James, Jadwiga (Yadviga) … we joked about introducing anyone who had a "j" in any part of their name and soooooooooooooo: Book of James : Scotty introduced himself !!!

Krystal, Kimm (Kimberly), Leon (head is too noisy whereas before I couldn't tell ! … has experienced the Scriptures speaking to her by saying the Divine Office),

Spiritual principles – growing in the spiritual life
Spinning it around the scriptures

Sunday Reading – something more than just words going on

Lisa, Lee, Lorena, Lorena (– Ministry with Scotty and Ethan to the Sick at St Andrews),
Mercado (friend of Fr Francis at St John Vianney Confessions DAILY 4:30 – 5PM M-F 4-5 Sat – Hacienda Heights off Rt 60), McCloskey, Nicole,

GOSPEL: Sunday – scriptures coming alive
Mark 1: 21-28 The Lord Blesses His loved ones while they sleep Ps 127

Tabatha: the Cure of the Demoniac (sometimes she feels it's her theme Gospel story)

"He taught them as one with authority and not as the Scribes " – Jesus wasn't just another traveling Rabbi – something was very, very different about Him

"What have you to do with us? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are" … what is this a new teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey Him. His fame spread …"

Nicole (same goal trying to quiet oneself and listen to Christ),
Rebecca (one of Fr Francis' sheep);

Deut 18:15-20 I will put my words into his mouth … if a prophet presumes to speak in My Name or speaks in the name of another god … he will die." Our desire is to be quiet enough to listen – in the effort He does speak and we do listen/hear.

Ps 131 8/2/08 Fr Paul G/Kimm : Childlike trust in the Lord. What should I do? You're doing enough. Take naps.
"Surely I have composed and quieted my soul … like a weaned child on its mother's lap … "

"I do not busy myself with great matters with things too sublime for me." – perfect, incomprehensible, (we are not getting in the way of God doing what He wants to do)

The fish in the river does not have a map of the river – same with us, we don't need to understand where the river will turn, we are called to go with the flow and see how that works out

A humble trust in God – I'll be a fish if I can have a map – absence of fear (what a baby feels like) –

(Sometimes) at some point God gives His fish their map – but a fish with a map doesn't change much (looks cool but makes you much weirder to all the other fish) – you just know where but we still need Infinite help and the help of all those whom God's Providence puts us in touch with just moving from point to point – we can't even move our little finger (and even less) without Him

Arlene – (St John Vianney – Fr Francis' sheep moves so quickly it never even occurred to her to be still)
PS 127 The need of God's Blessings … Unless the Lord build the house … Vain to rise early … to eat bread…
All this God gives to His beloved in sleep

Wanted to leave after Holy Communion but stayed and was so grateful. The Lord makes me lie down in green pastures. (Psalm 23)

Ps 110 While we are sitting God unfolds His Kingdom

Take your throne (sit) at my right hand while I make you enemies your footstool. The Lord says RULE over your enemies. Yours is princely power from the day of your birth. In Holy splendor before the day star like the dew I begot you.

"Who drinks from the brook by the wayside …"

Amador (went to Mexico City to Our Lady of Guadalupe – why am I here, Mother? – must be on (going to) Daily Mass or feels like he'll die) [Ditto that and then some, we are all thinking]

Bob, Cruz, Tyree (dry, crabby, mad, out of sorts – praying to Love God more than her vices), Esmeralda, Silvy, Fr Francis (classmate of Fr Paul G – God enjoys putting him off balance – computer engineering then Vocation to Priesthood – last thing in the world he ever thought he would be doing – then he was assigned to working with youth and young adults – planned a retreat and began Bible study – got letter from diocese: "Thank you for agreeing to be the Regional Vocation's Director for San Gabriel" – Father Francis never applied !!!

Ethan,

Ps 95:1-9 Come … The great King… Let us bow down and worship… If today you hear His Voice harden not your hearts.

40 years I've endured this Psalm! But finally I could understand it (Rosemary? Lisa?)

1 Cor 7: 32-35 to be free of anxieties … how he may please his wife … holy in body and spirit … anxious about things of the world … without distraction

Preparations for Heaven – which am I called to – to prepare with a wife/husband – or to prepare with Friends, Religious Community, etc.

1 Cor 7: 27 Are you bound to a wife, do not seek a separation; MUTUAL union and Sanctification – Sacramental Spiritual Friendship (often a surprising goal or end that can be achieved with the Grace of the Sacrament).