of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Firmness of Heart

Firmness of Heart

Today’s Consuming Fire Meditation- – A Daily Dose of the Flame of Love Diary Served Up with Today’s Scriptures

Memorial of Saint Barnabas, Apostle

Firmness Of Heart

I was sick. For days, I could not pray because I was so weak. The great heat of this summer contributed to my fatigue. I could hardly walk. When I felt a little stronger, I firmly resolved to return to prayer at night. I asked Jesus, “My adored Jesus, give me strength.” (Elizabeth) (August 1, 1962)

Today’s Readings: In those days a great number who believed turned to the Lord.
The news about them reached the ears of the Church in Jerusalem,
and they sent Barnabas to go to Antioch.
When he arrived and saw the grace of God,
he rejoiced and encouraged them all
to remain faithful to the Lord in firmness of heart,
for he was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith. (Acts 11)

Prayer Meditation: O Lord today we bless You, we adore You and we glorify You and thank you for the witness of Saint Barnabas, the encourager, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith. He encourages us even today to remain faithful to You in firmness of heart. Because it is easy to be faithful when all is well but to remain faithful in fatigue, illness, worry, strife, or whatever our circumstances are is where the rubber meets the road. Constancy, never wavering or giving in to our moods or our passions- seems almost impossible. But in Your Word in Psalm 112 you tell us

 For the righteous will never be moved;
    he will be remembered for ever.
He is not afraid of evil tidings;
    his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.
His heart is steady, he will not be afraid.

Lord help us to be faithful because You are always faithful (2 Timothy 2:13) no matter our inconstancy. Jesus we trust in You!