Sunday, September 30, 2018


Distractions and Obsessions



   Satan is called the great liar; the father of all lies.  And so he is.  But he is also the greatest source of distractions and obsessions in our lives.  These intrusions are usually of little if any importance, they are simply a means for the enemy to interfere with our relationship with God.

   I believe Satan assigns a demon to each of us to make the most of any opportunity to divert our attention away from God and to whatever can be forced into our conscious thoughts.

   Even in church we see those who are looking around to see who, in their opinion, is dressed correctly and who is not.  Those who give dirty looks to others whose singing they consider a travesty rather than a prayer.  Minds wander.  The homily is too long; it doesn’t apply to me anyway.  If you ask what scripture was read, you might get a blank look since they were more concerned with whether their team would win this afternoon than with the word of God.  Even when approaching the altar to receive the body, blood, soul and divinity of our Lord, Jesus Christ their focus isn’t on the incredible blessing they are to receive; they’re more concerned with speeding up the process so they can get out of church and to the restaurant for breakfast.

   These distractions can become obsessions if left to the workings of Satan.  At some point, football or baseball or golf or some other sport may displace God completely.  Rather than going to church one stays home to watch the game or to make that tee time at the golf course.

   I’ve been interested in politics for as long as I can remember.  Recently the vile evil I see in those in politics has become a distraction.  No slander is forbidden, lies are the norm.  Anything goes if it helps overcome an opponent and increase one’s own power.  I’m ashamed of it but it has become an obsession recently.  I dwell on the danger to our country because of the caustic political environment.  I’ve asked God to remove this fixation and I trust in His mercy, confidant that He will help me overcome this unhealthy attitude.

   God sends His angels to watch over us and help us.  If we call to them we can avert these disturbances in our life.  They will join the battle and help us defeat the demon’s sent to distract us.  Pray for their strength and aide in our efforts.  Call to God and reject Satan, the distractions and obsessions he brings to our life.

Saturday, September 29, 2018


Peace



   “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.  Not as the world gives do I give it to you.  Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.”  (John 14: 27)



   I sometimes wonder if we truly believe what Jesus told His apostles.  It seems we have a hard time accepting the peace He promises in our lives.  We look for ways to achieve peace ourselves rather than looking to Him.

  “Not as the world gives do I give it to you.”  I think this is the point we miss when looking for peace.  We are looking for peace in a world that has never known peace.  A world where peace only means the absence of war.  This is not the peace Jesus gives.  The peace He gives is beyond anything the world can offer.  It is a peace born of absolute love.

   As I’ve tried to better understand the scripture I’ve found that we often miss the important parts such as the kind of peace Jesus gives.  The true meaning escapes us because we read scripture as we would any other book.  We don’t read it with the eyes and mind of faith but with worldly thoughts and values.  Jesus’ teaching needs to be read with a prayer in our hearts and a willingness to look beyond our earthly understanding to the divine will of Christ.

   When we give our worries and concerns to the Lord and trust that He can take care of things in our life we take a tremendous weight from ourselves.  A weight that can blind us to the love and real peace that is offered if we will only accept it.  Things we used to obsess over can become minor issues that can be dealt with through prayer and faith.  Uncertainties can be relieved when we place them in Jesus’ hands.  In His perfect love He offers the help we need to deal with our worst fears and doubts.

   This doesn’t mean that we are to just throw everything to Jesus and forget about it.  We are a part of the solution.  Our efforts are vital to resolving our uncertainties and qualms, but we have a most powerful partner helping us.  By working hand-in-hand with Jesus we can overcome anything the world has to throw at us.

   The next time worries are getting you down turn to the Lord.  Ask for His help and advice.  Seek to know His plan and accept what He asks of you with the certainty that you, with His help, can handle whatever trials the world gives you.



   “Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.  Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4: 6-7)

Friday, September 28, 2018


Do It Now



   Why is it that we put things off that we know should be done?  We assume that we will have tomorrow and the next day and the day after that in which to do those things that we need to do.  But maybe we don’t.

   What if there were no tomorrow?  Things that we should have done today would never be done.  We’d have no opportunity to go back and make right what we had failed to do.

   We talk about the beauty of sunset and fully expect to see a sunrise just as beautiful.  But what if the sun doesn’t rise again?  The beauty and constancy of this world will pass away in a flash at the word of God.  There will be no further sunrises or sunsets; no further opportunity to do those things we’ve been putting off.

   If you’ve had a falling out with a friend but have not tried to resolve the issue, that chance may never come.  Do it now.

   Perhaps you and your parents haven’t spoken for years.  Are you waiting for them to call?  What if they don’t; will you call them?  Do it now.

   How long has it been since you spoke with that child who angrily left home right out of high school?  The one who never wanted to listen to the great words of wisdom you wanted to share.  Do you know where they are?  Call them, or better yet go see them with forgiveness and love in your heart.  Do it now.

   Have you and your spouse been drifting apart; finding it harder and harder to love each other?  When do you plan to sit down and work things out?  Apologize, regardless of who you believe was at fault.  Hold them in your arms, tell them how much you love them.  Rekindle the love that is there covered by the ashes of your pride and unwillingness to forgive.  Do it now.

   Has God been calling you?  Have you heard that whisper in your heart telling you of His great love for you; asking you to come home to Him?  Sit down and talk with Him about His plans for you; plans for your joy and happiness in eternity.  Open your mind to His calling; open your heart to His love.  Go to Him on your knees and offer yourself to Him.  He is waiting with open arms.  Do it now.

   The sun has set, will it rise again?  You woke up this morning, will you awaken tomorrow?  Time is unknown, there may be years or there may be only seconds left.  What are you waiting for?  Do it now.


   “But of that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.”  (Matt 24: 36)

Thursday, September 27, 2018


I Am Yours



There are some things I’d like to give You Lord.
Take my selfishness; give me charity and concern for others.
Take my impatience; help me to wait for your perfect timing.
Take my temper; give me love for all of Your children.


There are some things I ask of You.
Give me faith; never let me doubt You.
Give me direction; lead me on the right path.
Give me the strength to follow Your will.


I offer myself to You totally and completely.
Take my sinfulness that distances me from You.
Grant me blessings and grace which bring me closer to You.
I am Yours Lord, make of me what you will.


Amen

Wednesday, September 26, 2018


The Light of Christ



   I often write of the majesty of God’s creations.  The moon, the sun and the stars all speak to His glory.  The very earth we live on reflects His love for us.  All He has created is out of His unending love.  I find it amazing that He could love us so.

   This morning I was up a bit before dawn.  When I took Olivia, our miniature dachshund, out for her morning needs I was struck by the  brilliance of the moon.  It looked like a giant spotlight shining down on me.  But I was reminded that the moon has no light of its’ own.  The brilliance and beauty of the moon is just a reflection of the light of the sun.  We often forget that the moon generates no light of its’ own, especially when it appears so bright in the night sky.

   It occurred to me that we, as Christians, are in some ways very like the moon.  We have no light except the light of Christ which is reflected in us.  Just as the moon is simply a body capable of reflecting the light of the sun, so we are just a creation blessed with the ability to reflect the light of the Son of God.

   “I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  (John 8: 12).  Christ chose to become man and live among us.  He brought His light and shared it with mere mortals.  He reached out to the sick, both physically and spiritually to share the brilliance of His own light.  He gave us a lamp that we can light with His love and place on a lamppost to share with others.

   In humility we seek the light of Christ.  We can create no light of our own but can share His light and let others see it in us.  Christ reaches out to us offering the greatest light of all; the light of His love, forgiveness and salvation.



   “For God who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to bring to light the knowledge of the glory of God on the face of Christ.” (2 Cor. 4: 6)

Tuesday, September 25, 2018


The Present



   The past can’t be changed, the future is unknown.  The present is where we must live our lives.  Too many times we let the past consume the present or set the present aside to look toward the future.

   Each of us have both good and bad in our past.  Many of us spend far too much time dwelling on both.  We look back and recall the good times even when they might not have been as good as we remember.  We tend to embellish the highs of our lives in our good memories.

   We do the same with the bad times.  We focus on what we could have done to avoid those times and wallow in guilt.  Many exaggerate the bad times, making them seem worse in our memories than they were in reality.

  Our enemy, Satan, is a master at manipulating our thoughts and feelings concerning both the past and the future.  He encourages us to dwell on the sins we’ve committed and the bad things we’ve done in the past to convince us that we are unworthy of God’s love.  After all, how could a God who is all good love us after the evil we’ve done.

   On the other hand he reminds us of the good we’ve done in the past, encouraging our pride in that good.  If he can’t convince us that God doesn’t love us because of our sins, he will try to tell us we really are good people and God should love us despite the evil we’ve done.  Make us feel guilt for the evil, or pride in the good; this is Satan’s game plan for our past.

   If he can’t get to us by manipulating our past Satan will work on our future.  He may tell us that we’ve been so bad in the past that we certainly can’t expect to do good going forward.  The evil within will cause us to sin again and again; surely God won’t tolerate that.

   He will also point to the good we’ve done in the past convincing us that even if we do evil in the future the good will outweigh the bad and God will give us a pass.  Satan is the great liar and he will lie to us about anything he believes useful in pulling us from God.

   We all too often fall victim to the lies and misdirection of the evil one.  All we can do about our past is seek forgiveness for the wrongs and thank God for the good.  All we can to about the future is offer it to God and pray for His guidance and strength.

   Once our sins are acknowledged and forgiven we need to forget them.  The good we’ve done in the past can serve as an example for us to follow but we can’t live in the past.  Let the past be past and offer the future to God.  Seek His help to rebuke Satan, his lies and the snares he will set in our path.


Monday, September 24, 2018


Vanity



   “Vanity of vanities, says Qoheleth, vanity of vanities!  All things are vanity!” (Eccl 1: 2)



   Of all of Satan’s temptations I think vanity is the most devious.  We are all vain in some ways and ready to take pride in what we have done.  Through vanity and our sinful pride we can destroy the good we may have done.

   Whenever we do something good, we are immediately tempted to pat ourselves on the back, or worse yet, ensure others know of what we did so that they can pat us on the back.  Satan tells us we should get recognition for our efforts.  Jesus warned of this attitude; “When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites.  They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting.  Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.”  (Matt 6: 16)

   A farmer may brag of the great crop he raised this year.  But what would that crop have been if the rain hadn’t come?  A major storm right before harvest could have destroyed his crop.  There’s no doubt that the farmer worked hard and did all he could to raise his crop, but without God the crop would not exist.  The same applies to all of us.  Whatever we’ve done that prompts our vanity is not something that occurred without God.

   Vanity is Satan’s way of turning what should be good into sin by appealing to our human pride.  It’s the perfect vehicle for him to employ against those he can’t tempt with serious sins; those who strive to do good and follow God’s will.  By urging their desire to have others know of the good they do, they destroy that good.  They have gotten their reward on earth rather than saving it up in heaven.

   Even within ourselves we damage our good intentions if we sit back and bask in what we’ve done, taking pride that we have served God so well.  Though we may not seek the praise of others, self-praise detracts from our good intentions and efforts.

  Recognize that it is only through the blessings and grace of God that we are capable of good.  Seek only to please God and let your rewards be given by Him in the next life.



“I have seen all things that are done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a chase after wind.  (Eccl: 1: 14)

Sunday, September 23, 2018


The Lord’s Will Be Done



   “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.  May it be done to me according to your word.”  (Luke 1: 38)



   Though Mary didn’t fully understand how she was to become the Mother of God she trusted that His will would be done.  She knew the possible shame and rejection she may have to experience as a pregnant unmarried woman but trusted God to watch over her and the child she was to bear.  She gave herself entirely to God’s will.

   Noah followed the will of God when He asked him to build an ark even though the people probably thought Him insane.  Abraham trusted when God told Him to sacrifice his only son and was blessed for his trust in God.  John trusted His call to baptize and claimed Isaiah’s prophecy as “A voice of one crying out in the desert; ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.”  (Luke 3: 4).  They trusted and submitted to God’s holy will.

   There are many things not worthy of our trust in this world.  It’s comforting to know that above all else we can trust in God and His will for us.  He loves us; He watches over us and calls us to Him.  We may be called to missions uncomfortable to us.  We may be asked to do things that are difficult and even dangerous.  Still we can trust that God will be with us each step of the way, guiding us on the way of His will.

   Jesus came to give us salvation.  His entire life was devoted to the service of others and the will of God.  He asked nothing for Himself and gave everything of Himself for us.  He suffered rejection, hatred, betrayal and finally death on a cross.  Though He was God He chose to become a man to serve us and give us the perfect example of service to God and His will.

   We are called to serve God and others in our lives.  We are to called trust in Him and to follow His will for us.



“My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will.”  (Matt 26: 39)

Saturday, September 22, 2018


Look Within



   “I have been crucified with Christ; yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives I me; insofar as I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who has loved me and given himself up for me.”  (Gal 2:20)



   If we are to find God we need to look within ourselves.  Even though He is everywhere, in everything, He is found best in His presence within us.  Paul’s words to the Galatian’s express this beautifully.  We must give up ourselves if we want Christ to live in us.

   We are filled with earthly matters and concerns.  We are filled with prejudice, bias and sin.  In many of us there is very little if any room left for God.  Even so, He remains within us waiting for us to come to Him and let Him become the life within us.

   God has unlimited power to accomplish His will.  Yet He does not use that power to push Himself into our lives.  He waits for our invitation before entering.  Love and obedience out of demand and fear is not true love or obedience.  God does not require our love, He desires it.  He does not demand our obedience, praise and respect but is worthy of it.

   God is pure love and love is never demanding but gentle, caring and compassionate.  Paul wrote, “Love is patient, love is kind.” (1 Cor 13: 4).  This is the love God wishes to give us.  He is patient with us, waiting for us to seek Him.  He is kind, giving us His mercy and forgiveness for our sins through the blood of Jesus, His Son.

   Paul further writes, “It bears all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” (1 Cor 13: 7).  The love of God bears our sins; He hopes, but never demands, that we will turn to Him; He endures our delays, our failures and our faults, always willing to forgive.

   When you truly love another there is no need to be asked, you do what they desire because of that love.  They don’t need to demand anything from you; you give it freely, hoping to please them.  This is the love God has for us.  This is the love we should have for God.

   If we look within ourselves and focus on Him rather than ourselves, we will find Him and share the blessed love He has for us.



“May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the endurance of Christ.” (2 Thes 3: 5)

Friday, September 21, 2018


Indifference



   “First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out; because I was not a socialist.  Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out; because I was not a trade unionist.  Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out; because I was not a Jew.  Then they came for me; and there was no one left to speak for me.” (Martin Niemoller)



   A Lutheran Pastor in Nazi Germany, Martin Neimoller was sent to the death camps along with other undesirables.  After his rescue in 1945 by Allied forces he wrote the above concerning indifference.

   Saint Maximilian Kolbe was also an undesirable in Nazi Germany who was sent to the death camps.  When a man with a family was sentenced to die by starvation, Saint Kolbe took his place, dying by forced starvation.

   The entire world watched as Hitler began his efforts of eliminating all but those he considered part of the master race.   Indifference allowed it to continue.  Rather than confronting it in its’ early stages, the world waited until it was too late to save millions of lives in Nazi death camps.

   Today we’ve seen Christians beheaded in the middle east.  We’ve seen entire Christian populations uprooted and their properties taken.  Ancient sites sacred to Christianity have been obliterated never to be restored.  The world has stood by doing little to defend those being persecuted and killed.

   In our own country Christians are mocked, sneered at and looked down upon.  Candidates for high public office denigrate the faithful in their campaigns.  The entertainment industry mocks religion and faith.  Christian business owners have been sued and fined for standing up for their beliefs.  Our indifference to these attacks on Christianity encourages even more aggressive persecution.  Will we, like so many before us, turn a blind eye until it is too late?

   Indifference can be a sin against God.  Failure to defend our faith is a failure to defend Christ.



    “The most deadly poison of our times is indifference.” (St. Maximilian Kolbe)

Thursday, September 20, 2018


Prayer for Help



In your love you have given me all.
You sent Your Son to save me from my sins.
Yet, I still do evil in Your sight,
I fail to call on You when temptations come. 

Lord, give me a new heart.
Give me strength to always turn to You.
Give me sorrow for the offenses I have committed.
Help me to commit them no more. 

I trust in Your love and forgiveness.
I am assured of my salvation through Your grace.
I give myself to You.
I surrender all to Your will. 

Help me Lord.
To turn to You in times of trouble.
To rely on Your strength when tempted.
To come to You in my sorrow.
To seek Your forgiveness.


Amen

Wednesday, September 19, 2018


Trust in God



   “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom do I fear?  The Lord is my life’s refuge; of whom am I afraid?” (Ps 27: 1)



   Each day there are fears we must face.  Some real, some imagined, but fears nevertheless.  We sometimes get so concerned with our fears that we forget who is on our side.  We forget that the Holy Spirit is within us.

   We are taught to deal with our fears.  “Man up!” is the attitude we are supposed to take when something threatens.  Not only are we to face our fears we are expected to face them on our own.  We are to overcome the worries and concerns of everyday life.

   I am not ashamed to admit that I can’t always face my fears alone.  In some cases I am confident that I would succumb to them if there were no help for me to draw on.  Where does my help come from?  In many cases it comes from my wife; she strengthens me in so many ways.  I know that I can always turn to her and she will be there for me.  I pray that I am as much support to her as she is to me.

   But what of the times when we both fear?  A family emergency or a serious illness.  Of course we still turn to each other and support each other but there is a greater source of comfort and strength.  God can calm all our fears and strengthen us to face the hardest challenges.  All we need do is ask.

   Think of the fear the apostles must have felt after Jesus died.  They still didn’t fully understand all that He had tried to teach them.  So they hid in a locked room for fear of those who would have killed them just as they had Jesus.  But the advocate that Jesus promised, the Holy Spirit, came upon them and took their fears away and emboldened them in their mission.  They no longer feared but preached of Jesus and His teachings even though they knew it could cost them their lives.

   The fears we face each day are also subject to the comfort and strength of the Holy Spirit.  God will support us and give us the ability to overcome our fears.  Just as He was there for the apostles He is there for us.  He will take our hand and lead us home.



   “Wait for the Lord, take courage; be stouthearted, wait for the Lord! (Ps 27: 14)

Tuesday, September 18, 2018


The Face of Jesus



   It’s good to put a face with a name.  We hear this sentiment often, especially in these days of emails and texts.  In many cases we may have worked with or had contact with someone for years but never met them in person.  I’m not sure why knowing what they look like is so important, but we always look forward to the opportunity to meet them face to face.

   I think the same is true with Jesus.  We try to put our worldly expectations of what He should look like into our version of who He is.  Except for the fact that He was Jewish we really have no idea of what He looked like.  The many images we see of Him in paintings and on crucifixes reflect the ideas of the painter or sculpture.

   Do these various images of Him affect the way we see Him?  In some ways I believe they do.  Having a fixed image of what Jesus is supposed to look like may keep us from seeing Him in others.  If we expect Him look like us, what about those who are different?  We need to see Christ in everyone regardless of their appearance.  Those who claim Christianity should never retain bigoted and bias views of others.  All are children of God regardless of their earthly appearance.

   It’s natural for us to see Jesus as looking similar to us.  We are more comfortable with a Savior we can identify with in an earthly manner.  But we must keep in mind that our version of Him is just that; our version.  People of other races and backgrounds will see Him in their own image just as we do.  We must get past the earthly image and focus on the divine if we are to truly follow His commandment to love our neighbor as ourselves.



   “I see Jesus in every human being. I say to myself, this is hungry Jesus, I must feed him. This is sick Jesus. This one has leprosy or gangrene; I must wash him and tend to him. I serve because I love Jesus.”  (Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta)

Monday, September 17, 2018


Who Am I?



  “See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God.” (1 John 3: 1)



   Who am I that God should love me so much that He sent His only Son to offer me eternal life?  I am a sinful man, flawed in many ways.  Yet God loves me and wants me as part of His family.  How blessed I am by His love and mercy.

   I sometimes struggle with the fact that God loves me so much.  I absolutely believe that He does but I don’t understand why He does.  I am simply a creature among many creatures.  I’m nothing special and don’t claim to be; yet God's love for me is eternal.

   Love is why Jesus became man.  Love is why He lived a life of rejection, abandonment and pain.  Love for me is why He suffered on the cross; to pay the price for my sins.  I know all these things and still I fall prey to Satan’s temptation and sin again.  How incredible it is that even though I continue to fail, God continues to love me and forgive my sins.

   “In just the same way, I tell you, there will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke15: 10).  These words of Jesus bring peace to me and remind me that God forgives me though I can do nothing to warrant His mercy.  Just as a parent forgives a child, God forgives me.

   Eventually, if I follow God’s will, perhaps I will know and understand His unending love and mercy for me.  For now, I must simply accept it with trust and thanksgiving, giving all praise and glory to Him.



“Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed.  We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.” (1 John 3: 2)




Sunday, September 16, 2018


Study the Divine



   “Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.” (St. Jerome)



   As children we learned simple things; our ABC’s and other basics of learning.  Over the years we built on these basics and gained the knowledge of much more difficult subjects.  Some stopped learning at High School, some went to college. Others learned a trade such as plumbing or auto repair, serving all of us with their knowledge and experience.

   In a similar way we learned of God in very basic ways.  We heard bible stories, went to summer bible school, Sunday School or CCD.  We progressed in other learning as we grew older but somewhere along the way most us quit growing in knowledge of our faith.  For some what was learned as children is still their understanding of God and faith.

   A professional such as doctor or lawyer continues to learn throughout their career.  Otherwise their abilities never progress, they become outdated in their profession.  Similarly, if the auto mechanic quits learning the new technology used in various vehicles they can no longer repair them when they break down.

   Our knowledge as Christians also needs to be continuously increased.  Through adult learning offered at church, learning about the great saints and reading the books written by holy men and women, our faith will continue to grow from the childish ideas of youth to a more mature understanding.

   An absolute requirement for continuing Christian education is scripture.  The bible is the best-selling book of all time, but I suspect many Christians would have a difficult time finding their bible.  It’s on a shelf or in a drawer and rarely sees the light of day.  It should be at our bedside or tableside; picked up and read every day.  Learn the story of creation, Abraham, Moses, the prophets, and most of all the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  It’s all there, waiting to be read and learned; waiting to enrich our knowledge and strengthen our spiritual life.



   “When we pray we speak to God; but when we read God speaks to us.” (St. Jerome)

Saturday, September 15, 2018


Highs and Lows



   At times I wonder where God is.  In my heart and soul I know He is with me always but sometimes I can’t find Him.  I search for Him, but He seems to be hidden from me for some reason.  I struggle because I need His presence in my life.

   Others have had the same experience.  Times when their faith seemed to be of no avail in finding God in their lives.  They write that these times are important because they test our faith.  By stubbornly telling ourselves that He is with us even when we don’t feel His presence our faith is strengthened by these low periods.  I believe that and have experienced it but still I dread the feeling of aloneness during these times.

   I look to God’s creation and see the same pattern in many things.  The tide rises and ebbs; the sun rises and sets.  During the winter plants may go dormant but they return to full bloom in the spring.  All of these things are part of the cycles of life in God’s plans.  I am no different; just a creature of God dependent upon the cycles of His will.

   So when these times occur I read more scripture looking for God.  I study the lives of the saints, many of whom talk of dark times when He seemed far away.  In this way I believe my faith grows stronger while I search.  Convinced that God is there I never give up seeking Him.

   When the low times have passed and I again know and feel the presence of God within me I am elated and thankful.  I am elated that I have come through the night to the dawn of God’s love and thankful that He gave me the strength to rely upon His certainty in my life.



Lord, thank You for your presence in my life.
Even when I feel alone I know that you are there.
Once the darkness passes I again glory in your presence.
You give me strength and certainty in Your unending Love.


Amen

Friday, September 14, 2018

Do the Right Thing

   “My obligation is to do the right thing.  The rest is up to God.” (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.)

   Throughout history there have been those who have done the right thing regardless of the cost.  The bible is full of examples of those who choose to follow the right path even when they had no idea where it would lead.  They made the decision to do what God asked of them and trusted that it was right if it were God's will.

   Abraham left home to journey to the land God promised him never doubting that it was the right thing to do.  Moses challenged the great Pharaoh of Egypt to set the Israelites free.  God convinced him that it was what was needed of him.

   Many prophets followed God’s calling, proclaiming His word to the people to whom they were sent.  They performed miracles and healings as evidence that they were sent by God.  In many cases they risked their lives confronting those who had disobeyed God.  They warned them of God’s punishment to come if they didn’t repent and change their ways.

   In more recent times St. Teresa devoted her life to serving those most needy in the streets of Calcutta.  St. Damien volunteered to serve as pastor to a leper colony knowing full well that he would most likely catch the disease and die of it.  In Germany’s death camps St. Maximilian Kolbe gave his life to save that of another.

   We too are called to do the right thing.  In our society today perhaps one of the most important things we can do is stand up for God and His ways.  We are faced everyday with those who want to deny Him and reject His teachings.  It seems society wants to eliminate God completely from our lives.  Taking a firm stance for God in our lives may mean facing the slander and even hatred of those who oppose Him but it is the right thing.  God will take it and make it bigger and better if we will persist in our efforts.

   Dr. King’s words should speak to us and strengthen us in our efforts to do good in this world.  Whatever good we do will be used by God.  He will increase its’ effect and make the world a better place through our actions.  Our part is to simply do it and let God take over. 

Thursday, September 13, 2018


Lead Me



Lord, there are times when I feel lost, not knowing which way to go.  This sinful world is full of deceit and lies.  There are so many paths that I can take.  Many ways lead only to sin and destruction.  I am flawed in so many ways that I can’t trust myself to choose the right path.

 Father, I ask that You take the reigns of my life and lead me on the path You have chosen for me.  Even though I may not understand, and though the way may be difficult, I want to follow it.  I want to submit myself to Your will in all things and I trust completely in Your love and mercy.  I know that the path You have for me is the only one that will take me home.  Lead me Lord and never let me stray.



Amen

Wednesday, September 12, 2018


Priorities



   “Blessed are you who are poor, for the kingdom of God is yours.” (Luke 6: 20)”



   The Beatitudes as Luke records them are much more direct than the language used in Matthews account (see Matt 5: 3-10).  They both, however, give us the same lesson.  In both Luke and Matthew these teachings were primarily directed to the Apostles but Jesus was aware of the crowds surrounding them.  Jesus often taught in a way that the crowds, and even the Apostles, didn’t initially understand.  Since they were with Him continuously, the Apostle’s could later ask Jesus to explain His teachings.  He would then explain them in depth.  This is evident in many of His parables.  The Apostle’s needed full understanding so that they could pass on His teachings as they spread the Gospel throughout the world.

   The Beatitudes speak to priorities in life.  In this first Beatitude I believe that Jesus was telling us that our financial standing should not be our focus.  If we are poor, we are still to acknowledge the goodness of God and seek Him.  If we are rich, we are to recognize that our wealth is a blessing of God and give thanks for that blessing.

   He goes on further to say, “But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.”  (Luke 6: 24).  I think He was speaking to those with an overwhelming concern for wealth rather than condemning all who were rich.  Again, the priority placed on wealth is the key, not the wealth itself.

   If you had the opportunity to work extra hours on Sunday and receive triple the normal wage, would you?  What if doing so meant that you would be unable to attend Mass at all that week, would you still do it?  What if refusing meant losing a promotion, would you then be willing to sacrifice Mass?  This, I think, is what Jesus is teaching us in this lesson.  Our relationship with God is to be our highest priority.  Nothing should be prized above Him.



   “What profit is there for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?”  (Mark 8: 36)


Tuesday, September 11, 2018


The Unknown



“Space, the final frontier.”



   Any fan of Star Trek will recognize the quote above as the lead-in to each episode of the show.  A ship of very diverse individuals seeking new life throughout the vastness of space.

   Many books have been written about explorations into the unknown.  The movies and television are filled with tales of bravery and exploration.  I think many of us enjoy this type of entertainment because we would like to be part of one of those adventures.  Whether it be across the continents, over the oceans, deep into the seas or into space we seem to have a yearning for the unknown.

   I think this search for the unknown is because something is missing within us.  We aren’t satisfied with our current condition and these explorations offer hope of achieving that satisfaction.  If we can just find that perfect place our lives will finally be complete and we can quit searching.

   The place we are searching for is Eden.  It is the perfect relationship with a loving and caring God.  We had it at one time but lost it due to our sinfulness.  It can never be regained in this life.  “The Lord God therefore banished him from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from which he had been taken.  When he expelled the man, he settled him east of the garden of Eden; and he stationed the cherubim and the fiery revolving sword, to guard the way to the tree of life.”  (Gen 1: 23-24)

   We still yearn for our original selves; the ones who were family of God and experienced all that His love had to offer.  The many explorations we undertake are, I believe, in some way an effort to find that joy and knowledge of God.  Yet we are barred from it in this world.

   Through sinfulness we lost the garden of Eden and the tree of life.  But God did not abandon us.  History is the story of God’s efforts to rehabilitate us through His love and mercy.  He has even given us a tree of life that we can find in this world.  It is the cross of Jesus Christ our Lord.  The cherubim and sword blocked our way to eternal life, but Christ came to remove the barrier and offer us salvation and the path to heaven.  He gave His life for us on the cross and it became the tree of life through His sacrifice.  When we turn to Him our search for completeness is satisfied.

Monday, September 10, 2018


To Find God



   “God can’t be seen or heard in anything of this world.  We must enter darkness and silence to find Him.”  (Thomas Merton, “New Seeds of Contemplation”)



   If we are to find God we must at some point reject all things of this world and focus on the next.  God isn’t visible to us and what many point to as evidence of Him is just that, evidence, not God Himself. 

   We gaze at the skies and wonder at the majesty of the universe God has created but the universe is not God, only a creation.  We look at the beauty of our world and say we see God’s presence in all.  But God isn’t truly present in these things.  He is evident in them and we see signs of Him in all these things but still they are only creations, not God.

   The world around us masks God in so many ways.  The pride and envy we experience in ourselves and others hide Him from us.  The hate and injustice we practice silences His voice in us.  Through our sinfulness we have sentenced ourselves to shadows and whispers of God in this life.  We can only hope to find Him and know Him in eternal life.

  For me removing myself from this world, if only for a short period, is the closest I can come to finding and knowing God.  Even then, He is beyond human understanding, but I can come closer to God and begin to know Him when I am focused most deeply upon Him.

   Blocking out worldly concerns and entering the darkness and silence of our soul is not easily achieved, but it is my way of coming closest to my God.  I need the silence and aloneness of contemplation.  I need to get away from everything and everyone for a period, clear my mind, and allow God to enter.  Even then the world intrudes; it’s almost impossible to be completely alone and silence is rare.  I continue the effort because the closer I can come to achieving silence and aloneness the closer I can come to God.

   This world is a sham, broken by sin and destined to pass away.  The quiet and isolation of contemplation helps me find God.  This is my way but not the only way for people to turn to God.  Find the one that works best for you and begin to know Him.


Sunday, September 9, 2018

The Dark Night

   St. John of the Cross wrote “The Dark Night of the Soul”.  It is a story of times when one’s faith is tested and when even the presence of God is uncertain.  The dark night can do one of two things.  It can build one’s faith or destroy it.  By remaining strong in faith even when tested it grows even stronger and will carry one through the hard times in their spiritual life.  By allowing the testing to cause discouragement and doubt it can rob one of their faith.

   History proves that there will always be dark nights.  My Church has known many times of heresy when faith was questioned and challenged.  There have been many periods of persecution when those who believed were punished, tortured and killed in the most hideous ways.  Nero killed Christians by drenching them in oil, tying them to street lamps and setting them on fire to provide light for the night.  The church has survived and flourished in spite of many terrible things through the years.

   There have been bad popes, yet the Dogmatic teachings of the Church have never changed because of them.  There have been anti-popes who tried to usurp the legitimate popes, some with the help of kings and queens, yet the Church has remained strong.

   Today, as times in the past, my Church is being tested and is scandalized by some who have disgraced themselves and disregarded their commitment to God.  This is not the first time nor will it be the last time of testing for the Church.  And yet, the Church will continue as it has since Christ established it upon the earth.

   For me the fact that we have survived all these things and still cling to the teachings of Christ as written and as passed on by the apostles tells me that the Church will never falter; it will never fail.  We will continue to worship our God and serve our Lord as has always been done in times of testing and darkness.

   I am not Catholic because of any earthly person or thing.  I am not Catholic because of the Pope or the Priests or the Nuns or the Brothers; they are all human and subject to sin.  I am Catholic because of Jesus Christ.  He strengthens me with His word; He comforts me in times of sorrow; He strengthens me in times of trial; He feeds me through the Eucharist.  I did not stop believing because one of the apostle’s betrayed Him or because one denied Him.  I will not stop believing because some have brought shame upon themselves and my Church.  I am and will remain Catholic because of Jesus and all He teaches.

   “And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”  (Matt 28: 20)

Saturday, September 8, 2018


Filled With God



   “We will know God to the extent we are free from ourselves.” (Pope Benedict XVI)



   We want to be filled with God; to invite the Holy Spirit to dwell within us.  But this desire is often hampered by the baggage in our lives.  Life fills us with concerns, cares, and misunderstandings leaving no room for God.  Until we begin to empty ourselves of these earthly matters He can never fill us with His love and mercy.

   Before we can be filled with God we need to take out some trash.  Like our garages, closets and attics we are filled with things we should have gotten rid of years ago.  We need a good spring cleaning of our soul.

   Let’s begin by looking at what we know about God.  Sometimes the God we knew as a child is the only God we know.  The God in the bible stories we’ve heard and at summer bible school was fine while we were children but not as adults.  We are to have the simplicity of heart of a child, but we should not continue to have childish understanding of God.  We need to gain a more mature relationship with Him.

   Let’s dump the prejudices and bias's we may have grown up.  I know growing up in small town Kentucky I was filled with unfair opinions of those who were different.  It’s time to get over our differences and begin to see everyone as a child of God.  Put the bigotry and discrimination in the trash.

   For some of us the bible and God was not a part of our childhood.  Our only knowledge of God was from rumors and hearsay.  Let’s replace those with truth. 

   Some who had the chance to learn more about God have not.  Pick up the bible and some good books and learn.

   We each have baggage we’ve come to carry that stands in the way of being filled with God.  Take inventory of what is filling you.  Throw out whatever is keeping you at a distance from God.

   Sit down with God for a long heart to heart talk.  He will lead if we will follow.  Some He will lead on a more difficult path but He will lead all to a closer relationship with Him.  He will never tax us beyond our ability and will give us the strength and courage to follow His path.



   “I have been crucified with Christ; yet I live, no longer I but Christ lives in me; insofar as I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who has loved me and given himself up for me. (Gal 2: 19-20)