“To follow Jesus is to be a wholemaker, essentially to love the world into new being and life.” – Ilia Delio

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Listen to the PODCAST version of Today’s Contemplation by clicking HERE.

For a deeper reflection, listen to my song “Pour Me Out” on YouTube by clicking HERE

My songs and books Mercy Reigns & Listen to Your Heart are available for purchase.

Thank you!

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Isaiah 35:6

Then the lame shall leap like a stag, and the mute tongue sing for joy. Streams will burst forth in the desert.

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Isn’t this our hope?

That all those who are suffering or afflicted with some physical limitation will be healed?

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if streams did burst forth in the desert and transform an arid land to one of bountiful vegetation?

The prophet Isaiah speaks of a God who does just that.

He comes to save you (Isaiah 35:4).

When you hear the word save, think make whole.

God restores.

This is what Jesus showed us with his life.

He said if you knew him, then you would also know God (John 14:7).

And what did Jesus do?

He healed the sick, restored sight to the blind, and restored the outcasts to their communities.

Jesus made people whole.

But let’s not forget that all the people Jesus healed at some future date died.

Even Lazarus had to die a second time!

None of us gets out of here alive!

Avoiding death is not the objective.

Living in the flow of death and new life is.

All of creation is taking part in this flow.

As St. Paul said, “All creation is groaning in labor pains even until now” (Romans 8:22).

We along with everything are living daily in the dying and rising cycle.

As Jesus said, “Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit” (John 12:24).

Death-to-life is God’s pattern for creating.

All things pour themselves out for a greater good.

Leaves fall to the ground so that new life might be nourished.

St. Paul realized this as his death grew near when he said, “I am already being poured out like a libation” (2 Timothy 4:6).

Jesus showed us that all our service, all our being poured out like a libation, leads to new life.

And he ultimately showed us that physical death leads to the fullness of life transformed.

Love is winning – even when it might appear otherwise.

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Listen to the song of the day “Pour Me Out” on the Give Praise and Thanks album by clicking HERE.

Stream and/or purchase my songs on Amazon Music by clicking HERE.

Purchase my new book “Listen to Your Heart: A Daily Devotional of Calling, Purpose and New Life” on Amazon by clicking HERE.

Purchase my book “Mercy Reigns: A Daily Devotional of Compassion, Comfort and Healing” on Amazon by clicking HERE.

Remember: God loves you!