Try, Try, and Try Again 

   Each morning I say a short prayer thanking God for the rest given during the night, for the new day, and for the strength to live this new day according to His will.  Then I get out of bed and begin my day, always knowing that I will fail in some way to live in the perfection of His will.

   I try to avoid sin.  I try to live as God desires and yet I still fail.  It may be nothing “big”, maybe an unkind thought about the driver in the car ahead of me who sits too long after the light goes green.  Perhaps it’s frustration because of those who can’t seem to understand that the sanctuary of the church is a place of prayer, not a place to chat as if they were having coffee at home.

   I bothers me at times that I can’t do better than I do to avoid even minor sins in my life.  My weakness seems to know no bounds.  Temptations are many and my strength is sometimes no match for them.

   Then I remember that I am not perfect and can never achieve perfection in this life.  As much as I wish it weren’t so, sin will always be a part of my life.  The most I can do is try as hard as I can to avoid it and to seek forgiveness when I fail.

   I’ve come to understand that my failures don’t matter nearly as much as my efforts to avoid them.  God knows my weakness, and in my weakness He comes to me with His love and mercy.  The true failure would be to quit trying. 

Perfection isn’t possible in this life.

I try but am too weak.

Come to me with Your strength.

Don’t forget me in Your love and mercy. 

Amen

 Finding God Within 

   “Late have I loved you, O beauty so ancient and new:  late have I loved you!  For you were within and I outside; and I sought you outside, and in my unloveliness fell upon those lovely things that you have made.  You were with me, and I was not with you.” (St. Augustine, “Confessions”)

 

   What Augustine finally realized is that God was within Him all along.  He was seeking happiness in His creations rather than in the Creator.  It’s no different for me and you.  He is within us from the moment of creation and will be within us until the moment of death.  It’s up to us to open our minds and our hearts and come to know Him. 

   God creates nothing that is not good, His gifts are evidence of His great love.  It is the sinful inclinations of mankind that takes the good He has created and uses it for evil purposes.  Sex becomes a recreation rather than a total giving of one to another in the bonds of matrimony.  Money becomes a false God rather than a blessing that can be used to help others.  Love is bartered and sold as a commodity rather than cherished as the incredible gift that it truly is.

   We can seek wherever we will but to find God we must seek Him within us.  He is there, He has always been there and will remain forever.  It’s up to us to turn to Him and offer Him our love, our devotion and even our life.  God is within us; we must quit searching without and turn to the God who loves us. 

Lord You are mercy and love.

You will that all Your children come to You.

Open our hearts and souls.

Help us turn to You and find true happiness.

 Amen

 

The Wedding 

“Blessed are those who have been called to the wedding feast of the lamb.”  (Rev 19: 9) 

   Throughout Holy Scripture the relationship between God and His people is compared to Holy Matrimony.  The Song of Solomon speaks eloquently of the love between a man and a woman.  The analogy is intended to reflect the loving relationship that should exist between God and His people.

   In marriage we vow that we will be faithful “for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.”  The marital relationship is to be one of self-sacrifice, of love of the other with no concern for self.  We do not love in order to be loved; we love because we are loved.  The depth of love in a truly sacramental marriage is as close as we can come to the love God has for us.

   Marriage is intended to be forever, “until death do us part”.  Sadly, far too many end not because of death, but because we allow self to enter into the marriage.  Love becomes a bargaining chip to be used to get what we desire rather than the good of the other.  Our own selfishness deprives us of the only thing that has true value, honest and giving love.

   In God’s love there is no self, only the other.  He doesn’t need our love but loves because He is God and God is love.  If we strive to love as He loves, in total giving for the good of the other our marriages will be stronger and will not end for selfish reasons.  If we strive to love as He loves our relationship with God will begin to approach the perfection that can only be realized in heaven. 

We are invited to the wedding of the Lamb.

We are intended to be His bride.

His love is eternal and pure.

Open our hearts that we may return such love. 

Amen

 When Jesus Comes 

   “Therefore, stay awake!  For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.”  (Matt 24: 42) 

   Everyone wants to know when our Lord will come again.  There have been hundreds of books written purporting to read the signs, to determine the day and time of the second coming of Christ.  False date after false date has been proposed.

   I don’t concern myself with when the end of the world will occur.  It could be today, or it could be a thousand years from now.  Jesus told us, “But of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Mark 13: 32).  It isn’t for me to know, but to be prepared for it whenever it may come.

   I don’t know the day and honestly don’t want to know.  I fear that if I knew the date certain I would put off living my life as I should until the last minute.  Satan would have a field day convincing me that it doesn’t matter how I live today, but to wait until that day comes to amend my life.

   “You will hear of wars and reports of wars; see that you are not alarmed, for these things must happen, but it will not yet be the end.” (Matt 24: 5).  So many times Jesus emphasized that we are not to know the date.  So many times people still try to do so.

    We all have a personal end date, the day our life on this world is over.  That is the date I must prepare for.  I need to live each day, each moment, as if it were my last, for it very well may be. 

Father only You know the date.

It is not for me to know.

I only know that it will come.

May I always be prepared. 

Amen

Denying Christ 

   “He said to him a third time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’  Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, ‘Do you love me?’ and he said to him, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.’  Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep.’” (John 21: 17). 

   Peter denied Christ three times, refusing to even acknowledge that he knew Him.  Out of fear for his life he claimed he never knew the one who gives eternal life.

   He denied Jesus three times, still I can’t be judgmental toward Peter.  As I look back over my life, I see many times when I also denied Him, not in words but in actions.  Each time I have consciously sinned I was denying my Lord.  As much as I wish it weren’t true, I have knowingly rejected the teachings of Christ, choosing my own desires over His.

   Though I try to never consciously sin I know that I still commit sins against God and His ways.  Life brings many challenges and I’ve not always rejected Satan and his temptations.  The desires and wants of this world can be very difficult to ignore.

   Three times Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him.  Just as he denied Him three times, Peter declared his love of Christ three times.  His denial was forgiven, he would continue as the leader of the apostles and would become the first Pope.

   I take heart from the fact that Jesus forgave Peter his denial.  In the same way He forgives me my failings.  In sincerity I seek His forgiveness, in His love He forgives.  It was for this reason that He became man; to bring forgives and redemption to those who seek it.

 

In the things I have done I have denied You.

In things I fail to do I have denied You.

In sorrow and repentance I turn to You.

In Your great Love You forgive.

 

Amen

The Adventure of Prayer 

   On any journey we usually hope to see interesting sites along the way.  We plan our route to make sure we visit those places we most want to experience.  Our journey to God is similar in some ways.  Maybe we seek out religious sites or shrines on our way.  We may join tours to the Holy Land or other spiritual sites.  Prayer is a big part of the journey for me; it is an adventure in getting to know God more completely and to serve Him more faithfully.

   My prayer life has evolved over the years.  What used to be somewhat routine using rote prayers has become much more personal.  Simply repeating the same prayers over and over no longer satisfies me.  I need and seek a more intimate relationship with my Lord.

   A practice known as Lectio Divina (Latin for divine reading) has changed just reading scripture into a form of prayer.  Rather than setting a goal of reading a few chapters or verses each day I try to experience each line, looking for how it affects me today.  I may only read a couple of verses before the Spirit takes over and I stop reading and contemplate what those verses are telling me and how they are to affect my life.

   At times I simply sit quietly, listening and waiting, pushing earthly matters out of my mind, seeking the quiet still voice of the Lord.  These are the best times of prayer.  However, reaching this level of prayer is never up to me, it is a grace from God.   But when it occurs, and I know and feel the presence of God it is incredible.

   Prayer is my adventure, an adventure with my Lord.  I look forward to it; it is the highlight of my day.  The journey is long and sometimes difficult, but a sincere prayer life helps me walk the path that leads to Him. 

In times of joy and happiness,

I turn to You in thanksgiving.

In times of pain and sorrow,

I turn to You for comfort.

In all things, in all ways

I turn to You.

 

Amen

 Who Do You Say That He Is? 

   “He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’” (Matt 16: 15) 

   Of all the questions we are called upon to answer in life there is none more important than this one.  Our eternal life depends on our answer.

  I find that I have more respect for an atheist who firmly denies God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and all things spiritual than for those who claim my Lord was simply a good man, or a prophet.  They would try to soften their unbelief by implying that Jesus was, after all, a decent fellow who did some good things in His life.

   C. S. Lewis, in “Mere Christianity” wrote, “Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something else.”  He cannot be great teacher, prophet, or even a good man by claiming to be God if it were not true.  Either He is God, or He is a liar; there are no other options.

   I know from personal experience who Jesus Christ is.  He is the Son of God, the second person of the Trinity, the Messiah, my Lord, and my Savior.  He became man to pay the debt for my sins, a debt that I am incapable of paying.  He offers me redemption and the salvation of my soul.

   He suffered rejection, and betrayal.  His own apostles abandoned Him in His hour of need.  He was scourged, forced to carry His cross through the streets of Jerusalem and then nailed to that cross and left to die.  All of this He suffered for me, to offer me eternal life with Him in heaven.

   Think hard before you answer the question of who Jesus is to you.  Be absolutely sure of your answer; your eternal life depends on it.  As for me, I will echo the words of St. Peter, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” (Matt 16: 16). 

You are my Lord, I worship You.

You give me eternal Life, I thank You.

Fill me with Your spirit.

Let me serve You in all I do.

 

Amen

 The Lightness of Our Soul 

   Have you ever watched a butterfly as it flits from flower to flower collecting nourishment?  Just the slightest breeze will lift the butterfly to great heights and carry it for far distances.  And yet, a drop or two of water on its’ wings will ground it, making it unable to fly until the wing has dried and is able to again be lifted by the gentlest of breezes.

   I think our soul is similar to the butterfly.  It is intended to soar on the winds of God, following His will.  In our journey we are to gather the nourishment from the flowers we are directed to by our Lord.  As a butterfly gains strength and nourishment from the various flowers on which it feeds, our soul is to be strengthened and nourished from scripture, prayers, our priests, pastors, and the sacraments.

   As the butterfly can be grounded by water on its’ wings, our soul can be weighed down by sin.  Each sin is like a tiny drop of water on the wings of our soul, limiting its’ ability to freely fly as God intended.  Our prayer life suffers when we are not able to rise above the earthly and commune with our Lord.  The message of scripture or the words of our pastors can become muted by the stain of sin.  Our soul is hindered in its’ flight to God and becomes malnourished.

   The butterfly will die if it cannot regain the ability to fly.  Similarly, our soul dies to God when weighed down by sin.  The butterfly may regain its’ ability to float on the winds by allowing its’ wings to dry.  Our soul can again soar on the heights of God’s will through confession of our sins and repentance in our life. 

Your will is the wind on which we soar.

Yet we cannot ride those winds in sin.

In Your love and mercy You forgive our sins.

You again allow our soul to fly to You. 

Amen

 Many Paths, One Destination 

   In a recent discussion of the various devotions, ministries, and consecrations practiced by many Catholics a friend commented that the Church is a treasure chest of ways to worship and follow our Lord.  I’ve considered that analogy and it seems to me to not only be true, but quite beautiful.

   There are many varieties of Catholics from different cultures, races, nations, and ancestry.  Yet we all seek to serve our Lord and join Him in heaven when this life is over.  The church, in her wisdom, provides multiply paths to this final goal.  For some it is the priesthood, for others the deaconate or religious orders.  But for most it is an individual path that must be walked.  Not all are destined to follow the same road to God.

   The beauty of the many paths is that they all lead to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  Many have devotions to our Blessed Mother, there are those who have a special relationship with one of more of the saints.  They become our friends, the ones we turn to when we are struggling.  These relationships provide comfort and strength; they help us along the path to Jesus.

   For me, Christ crucified is a most important part of my spiritual life.  I spend time before the crucifix in contemplation of the suffering my Lord endured for my benefit.  Though it should be my hands and feet pierced by nails and my side opened by the soldier’s lance, Jesus took that suffering upon Himself.  Without the cross, there is no redemption, without His death there is no forgiveness of sin, without His resurrection there is no eternal life.

   The paths to God are many and varied, just as the people seeking God are many and varied.  How blessed we are that God would provide a path for each of us to follow. 

We seek You in many ways.

Always lead us correctly.

We want to walk with You.

Never let us stray.

 

Amen

 For the Love of God 

   The love of God is a perfect love, there is none greater.  But what about my love?  How sincere and how great is my love for God?  This is a question I must answer if I am to serve my Lord as I should.

   It isn’t possible for me to love God as He loves me.  I am prone to sinfulness, failing to follow God’s will far too often.  Even though He forgives my sins and failings I am still tainted by sin.  My heart can’t love in the same way God loves; but I must love as best I can.

   The fact that I can’t run as fast or am not as strong as other men doesn’t lessen me.  There are many who are far more intelligent than I, but I’m not diminished because of that.  These things are gifts of a loving God, given according to His will.  Not all receive the same gifts.  Even though I can't love as God loves He accepts and cherishes my love for Him. 

   God seeks not physical or mental prowess, but a loving heart.  Though it is not possible for me to love Him as I truly should He recognizes and welcomes my efforts to do so.  When this life is over, I will finally know the perfection of love.  Only then will I be able to love as God loves.

   “If I speak in human and angelic tongues but do not have love, I am a resounding gong, or a clashing cymbal.  And if I have the gift of prophecy and comprehend all mysteries and all knowledge; if I have faith so as to move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.  If I give away everything I own, and if I hand my body over so that I may boast but do not have love, I gain nothing.” (1 Cor 13: 1 - 3). 

   If I don’t have love, I do not have God in my life.

 

You are Love,

My heart yearns for that love.

Fill me with a love like Yours.

May I come to love as You love.

 

Amen

 Life Is In the Son 

   “And this is the testimony: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.  Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.”  (1 John 5: 11 – 12) 

   Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.”  (John 14: 6).  There is no other way to attain eternal life in the presence of God; only through Christ is it possible.

   There are those who say they find God in nature or in the way they live their lives.  They are good people, they claim, and they do good things; they are spiritual, not religious.  While they may be sincere they are missing the point.  The path that leads to God is not found in nature but in Christ.

   Jesus is the only path to God.  Without belief and faith in Him God is unattainable.  Only Jesus can bring us to the Father.  Unless He is in our life we are lost.  It is right to recognize God in His creation and it is right to do good works, but if we do not know Jesus, He will not recognize us at the judgement.

   Each day is an opportunity for me to better know Jesus.  In scripture, in the teachings of the apostles, in the writings of the saints and in the preaching of my pastor I gain more and more knowledge of Him.  I surely recognize God in nature and give Him praise and glory for all He has done.  I thank Him for the many blessings He has bestowed upon me.  But I know that these were done through Jesus and it is only through Him that I can know the Father.

   “In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  All things came to be through Him and without Him nothing came to be.”  (John 1: 1 – 3).  God chose to do all things through His Word, Jesus Christ.  It is only through Jesus that we can come to know God. 

Jesus, You are the path to eternal life.

In You heaven exists.

Only through You can we attain paradise.

Lead us always to our heavenly home.

 

Amen

 Because of Love 

   “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another.  Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.” (John 13: 34) 

   The basis for Christianity is love.  God created not out of need but out of love.  He made man and woman not because He needed company or fellowship but because He loved.  He chose a people to be His own, to know His love.  He loved them, taught them, led them, and even chastised them for their sins. 

   “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have everlasting life.” (John 3: 16).  His people had ignored His laws, persecuted His prophets, and worshipped other gods.  In an act of overwhelming love He sent Jesus to offer them eternal life.  Still they ignored Him, treating the Son of God as a criminal and hanging Him on a cross.  On the cross Jesus extended His love and forgiveness even to those who had rejected Him and nailed Him to the cross.  “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23: 34)

   Love will overcome all evils, but I must understand love as God intended.  It is a love of  self-giving, of caring for the other simply because they are a child of God.  Christian love leaves no room for bigotry or hatred.  The love of God knows no color or nationality, it knows only love of the other.  Love must extend even to those who may persecute me, I must pray for them.  My love must include even the greatest of sinners.  It is God’s desire that all be saved and spend eternity with Him so I must pray that His will be accomplished in all.

   Everything God has done or ever will do has been done because of His love.  If I refuse to love I refuse Him.  If I love God, my neighbors, and even my enemies, He, in His love, will bring me to Him when this life is over. 

Your love is boundless and unending.

Give me a heart full of love.

Your love is an ever-burning flame.

Set my heart afire with that same love.

 

Amen

 What Do I Still Lack? 

   A young man asked Jesus, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” (Matt 19: 16).  Jesus replied that he must keep the commandments.  The young man answered, “I have kept all these; what do I still lack?” (Matt 19: 20).

   What do I still lack?  That is a question that I ponder about my own relationship with God.  Have I done all that I should; all that He asks of me?  Is there more I should be doing; if so, what?  Jesus told the young man that if he wished to be perfect, he should sell all he had and give the money to the poor?  Is that what God asks of me?

   I know that God has a plan for me.  What that plan entails is something I must strive to understand.  In prayer I must reach out to Him, asking guidance.  I must also be willing to listen to the answer and follow God’s direction wherever that may lead.

   “For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” (Psalm 139: 13).  From the very beginning, long before I came into physical existence God knew me.  He created me for a purpose.  It is my responsibility to discern that purpose and commit myself totally to His plan for me.

   Just as the young man asked Jesus, I too must ask, “What do I still lack?” 

Father, I am Your creation.

For Your purpose I was made.

Help me know what I still lack.

Give me the wisdom to know Your will for me.

 

Amen

In the Stillness 

   “Be still, and know that I am God!  I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46: 10) 

   In the stillness there is God.  In the solitude He comes to me.  He is my peace and my comfort.

   The noise and chaos that is so prevalent in the world interferes with my relationship with God.  There is always something to attract my attention, something to concern myself with other than God and His will for me.  I prefer the quiet and the solitude; the times when it is just me and God in silent communion.

   I find Him in my walks in the early morning, before the world has awakened, in the silence just before dawn.  Walking and praying with no distractions.  Hearing the birds beginning to stir, catching the first rays of the sun as it turns the morning sky incredible shades of pinks and reds.

   In the evening, in the quiet of my home, I sit and listen, waiting to know of His quiet presence within.  Reading scripture, seeking what God wants me to hear, the lesson He wants me to learn from His word.  No noise, no distractions, just the presence of the Lord.

   In quiet prayer, not speaking but simply quiet and open to His message.  Contemplating His will for me, thanking Him for the many blessings He has given.  Acknowledging my failures, seeking His forgiveness, giving Him thanks for His great love and mercy.

   In the quiet is my Lord.  In the depths of my heart and soul He is there.  In the stillness I find Him. 

The world is too noisy to hear You.

It seems too busy to even notice You.

I desire the quiet, that I may hear You.

Come to me in the stillness of my heart.

 

Amen

 

Whitewashed Tombs 

   “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!  For you are like whitewashed tombs, which on the outside look beautiful, but inside they are full of the bones of the dead and all kinds of filth.”  (Matt 23: 27) 

   Matthew 23: 1 – 36 is one of the longest recorded teachings of Jesus.  In it He addressed the religious leaders of His time and their failings.  The passage above can be found in that teaching.

   The overwhelming majority of priests, bishops and cardinals are faithful servants of the Lord.  They lead the flock with loving care, upholding the truths of God in all they do.  They deserve our thanks and prayers.

   However, there are a few who need to revisit Jesus’ description of the scribes and Pharisees.  They too are like whitewashed tombs.  I refer to those who would abuse children under the guise of their position and those who fail to take proper action against them.  Are you listening Cardinal McCarrick?  There are so-called Catholic colleges that fail to uphold the teachings of Christ, inviting high-profile abortion advocates to speak and be honored.  Do you hear me, Father Jenkins, president of Notre Dame University?  Where is their faith, where is their fear of the Lord?

   There are others who would have the church bow to the whims of society rather than uphold the truths of God.  They would prefer to bend the rules to get along rather than stand for God’s ways.  They would ignore the teachings of Christ to please secular society.

   The Bishops complain and wonder why so many Catholics no longer attend Mass or receive the sacraments.  Perhaps they should look in the mirror and reconsider Jesus’ words to the religious leaders of Israel.  If clergy provides faithful, consistent leadership, always looking to God for guidance, the laity is much more likely to follow. 

Lord I thank You for Your faithful servants.

Bless them and strengthen their faith.

Open the eyes of those who ignore Your word.

May they repent and be reconciled.

 

Amen

 

Pride – Our Greatest Enemy 

“You must ask God to give you power to fight against the sin of pride which is your greatest enemy – the root of all that is evil, and the failure of all that is good.  For God resists the proud.” (St. Vincent de Paul) 

   If I just can’t resist telling my friends what I’ve done to serve God I am suffering from the sin of pride.  When I seek recognition of any kind for the good works I may do I am being prideful.  I am not capable of doing good without God for only He can bring about good from a sinful man.

   Jesus told His disciples, “But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. (Matt 6: 3).  It is only by His grace that I am able to do anything good and He is the only one who can take the credit.  Pride may tell me that I did something good, but I know that it is only through the grace of God.

   When I read the lives of the great saints one thing is consistent.  They all give credit to God, recognizing that without Him they can do nothing.  The praise and credit always goes to God and they see themselves only as a tool in His hands.  A tool cannot act unless the one holding the tool directs it.  So it is with any good I might do.  God is the source; I am to be His instrument.

   “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before the fall.” (Proverbs 16: 18).  Pride is sly, it sneaks in when I least expect it.  It takes no action on my part, only a willingness to boast of my deeds.  Even if I brag to know one else, my inward boasting alone marks me as full of pride and in my pride I am sinful.

 

Lord, the prideful spurn You.

Any good can only come from You.

Take away any pride I may have.

I give all glory and praise to You.

 

Amen

True God and True Man 

   Jesus is true God, the second Person of the Trinity.  He existed before all time and will continue to exist throughout eternity.  But He was also a man.  I know that to be true as well, but it is harder for me to look at Him as a man such as me. 

   He not only chose to become man but to do so in the manner of all men; He was born of woman.  Jesus, God Himself, placed Himself, as an infant, in the care our Blessed Mother and St. Joseph.  I marvel that He so wanted to be like us in all ways except sin that He chose to experience our life from birth to death.

   He hungered, laughed with His friends, and loved His mother and father.  He lived His life as any other man of His time.  He knew pain, He knew joy.  His life was one of hardship as an Israelite in Roman occupied territory. 

   I consider the pain of His scourging and the crowning with thorns.  The agony of carrying His cross as He was led as an object of shame and humiliation through the streets of Jerusalem while those He came to redeem mocked Him.  He was nailed to the cross between two thieves and gave up His life to offer me eternal life.

   I contemplate the pain and sorrow He suffered, and I realize that He did it all because He loves me.

 

You suffered so greatly.

I am unworthy of You.

You died that I might have eternal life.

Make me Yours, now and forever.

 

Amen

What Today May Bring 

   A new day.  What will it bring?  Will there be joy or sorrow, happiness, or pain?  I can’t predict so it does me no good to concern myself with trying to foresee what the day will hold.

   Perhaps it will hold nothing in this life.  This may be the day that God calls me home.  Maybe He has a new path He wishes me to follow.  If I truly trust in Him it really doesn’t matter.  I know that whatever is to come it will be for my good.  I was created not to question, but to accept and trust in God in all things.

   Maybe I will be brought closer to God this day.  The scripture readings at Mass could strike a chord within me and give me a greater understanding of God and His ways.  Maybe a kind word from a friend will remind me how blessed I am to have good friends who care.

   I find I’m at peace when I simply leave it to God and seek His will.  I’m not always sure if I am following Him as I should but I’m confident that He will bring me back to the right path if I’ve strayed.  He will not allow me to separate myself from Him unless I choose to do so.  What a scary thought!  I’m amazed that people would choose to ignore the love and mercy of the God who created them and has destined them for glory.  Why would anyone prefer eternity without Him?  I pray that those who do not know the Lord will find Him before it’s too late.

   When the day is over, I will thank Him for all He’s done for me this day.  I will acknowledge that I may have sinned this day and ask His forgiveness.  When tomorrow comes, I will again place myself in His care, confident of His love and mercy. 

Father, I want to walk with You.

Give me the strength to follow You always.

Give me a faith to trust in You in all things.

Lead me to my heavenly home.

 

Amen 

Finding God 

“A strong and heavy wind was rending the mountains and crushing rocks before the lord – but the Lord was not in the wind.  After the wind there was an earthquake – but the Lord was not in the earthquake.  After the earthquake there was fire – but the Lord was not in the fire.  After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound.”  (1 Kings 19: 11 – 13) 

   When I read scripture I try to  consider its' meaning in today’s world.  Today’s world is vastly different than in the days of the Prophet Elijah, but God still speaks to us in His word.

   There are riots, looting and destruction in many cities in our nation.  People who appear to be looking for a reason to destroy and steal rather than work together to resolve our problems.  But the Lord is not in the riots, looting or destruction.

   There is hatred and violence throughout our nation.  People turning against people because they are different; they look different, they talk differently, perhaps they worship differently.  But the Lord is not in the hatred and violence.

   There are bombings of cities, attacks by one people against another all over the world.  Missiles fired, terrorist acts committed because one cannot talk to another in love and understanding.  But the Lord is not in the bombings, missiles, or terrorist acts.

   God is in the quiet of a faithful people striving to serve Him.  He is there with those who seek real peace, not just an absence of war.  The Lord walks with those who want to resolve differences, not attack, destroy, and hate because of those differences.

   There is evil in the world, but God is not in the evil.  God is in those who choose good, those who strive to overcome the evil.  He grants peace to the peacemakers, He loves those who love, and forgives those who seek it.

 

In a world stained by evil

Give us the strength to seek the good.

In a world marred by sin

Give us the courage to reject evil.

 

Amen

 

Psalm 139

 

   I find a lot of comfort in the psalms.  Regardless of what is happening in my life there is a psalm that applies.  In joy, in sorrow, when I’m happy, when I’m sad I can always turn to the psalms for comfort, help and, strength.

   Psalm 139 is, without doubt, my favorite.  It so beautifully reminds me of all that God has done and is doing.  The glory of His creation, the love He has for me.  The mercy He constantly shows toward me.

   I’m reminded that all things are in His hands.  Nothing has been, is now, or ever will be without God.  All things are according to His will and all will ultimately serve the good He desires for me.  Even when I’m down or feeling lost I find comfort, “I praise you, for I am wondrously made.  Wonderful are your works.” (verse 14).  In His love, He did not make me for suffering and pain, but for joy and happiness.  Yes, there are troubles in this world, but God has it in hand. 

   I can spend my whole life contemplating His works, the plan He put in place before the world began and I will still never know them.  They are as far beyond me as the heavens themselves. “How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!  How vast the sum of them!  If I would count them, they are more than the sand.” (verses 11 – 17).  It’s not for me to know His thoughts, it is for me to trust in Him and place myself in His constant care.

   Nothing can bring peace in this world except God.  Psalm 139 is where I find that peace.  It reminds that if I want true peace I need only place all my trust and faith in the Lord.  “If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. (verses 9 – 10).  Amen, Lord hold me in your right hand forever.

 

I place my trust in You.

I know of Your great love for me.

Lead me where I am to go.

Lead me home to You.

 

Amen

 

Peace in Difficult Times

 

   This life deals some difficult blows to us.  We’ve all had them and will probably experience more.  I sometimes think they are tests, tests of our faith, tests of our confidence and trust in the Lord.

   Jesus said, “Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14: 27).  He said this as one of the ways that Christians will be known.  Without willingly taking up the cross and following Him we are not worthy of the name.  Even if it should mean that we are to follow Him to Calvary.

   And yet He also promised peace.  “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” (John 14: 27).  But He made it clear that the peace He offers is not the peace this world seems to offer.  The peace of this world is fleeting at best and a lie at worst.

   When faced with a painful situation, a cross to bear, it’s important to keep these words of our Lord in mind.  Yes, there will be crosses we must carry.  Some may be devastating, so difficult we may think we cannot bear them.  In those times Jesus will help us carry the cross, He will give us rest from our burden.

   In the same way we can’t expect peace in the world.  If we are living our life in concert with God’s will there will always be those who oppose us, those who would destroy our faith and even destroy us if possible.  It is then that we must remember that the peace of Christ is with us.  Regardless the hardships and difficulties in this life, His peace awaits those who follow Him, those who can say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”  (2 Timothy 4: 7).

Father, when times are hard

Come to me with Your peace.

When I feel I can’t go on

Help me carry my cross.

 

Amen

To Love and Trust the Lord

 

   Loving the Lord isn’t always easy.  Sometimes terrible things happen, things that I can’t explain or understand.  There is not always a why and when I ask God why He doesn’t always answer.

   When my wife passed away I told a priest I respect and love that I didn’t know what to do with my life.  I had never been totally alone and had no idea how to survive such a loss.  I told Him that I didn’t know what God wanted of me and I felt lost.

   He suggested that perhaps what God wanted of me was to endure.  To accept even though I didn’t understand.  To trust in Him and in His love even in the most difficult of times.

   I took him at his word and my prayers changed from asking why to asking for help.  The help to do what my priest had said, to endure, to trust, and to love God even in the worst of times.

   I found the answers in those prayers.  Though I know that the pain will never go away I find peace and comfort in my Lord.  I am confident that my wife is in His care, perfectly happy, joyful, and full of love.  He reminds me that this life is no more than a blink of an eye, eternity is forever.  He helps me understand that I need to look toward eternity rather than the past.

   Each day is still a struggle, each day there is an emptiness inside.  But God is with me, He helps me and leads me always closer to Him.  My life is focused not on what has been but what is to come.  I find strength and encouragement in the words of St. Paul, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him.” (1 Cor 2: 9)

 

When life is hard and I feel lost

 You come to me.

You give me peace and comfort.

For this I thank you always.

Amen

Gifts From the Heart

   “But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matt 6: 3 – 4)

   It upsets me when I see a stained-glass window in a church with a plaque recognizing the parishioner who donated it.  I don’t like the “giving levels” sometimes used to honor those who give larger amounts to the church.  Donate a thousand and you are in the Gold Club.  For five hundred you get silver.  Those who only give two hundred are bronze.

   Those who offer such recognition are not following the teachings of Christ, and those who seek or accept such recognition have received their reward.  Earthly praise for the good we do may satisfy self, but not God.  Our pride is saying, “See what I did? See how holy I am?”  God will spurn such arrogance.  He desires sacrifice from a sincere and humble heart.  Our sacrifice, our gift, should be a secret between us and God.

   As a poor widow placed two small coins in the offering Jesus told His disciples that she had given more than those who had given great amounts.  She had given from her want while they gave from their plenty.  (See Mark 12: 41 – 44).  I wonder where she would rate in the “giving levels” mentioned above?  Maybe as dust or dirt?  Probably not at all.  She had gained heavenly reward rather than worthless praise.  That is how it should be.

Many seek glory for the good they do.

Help me reject earthly praise.

They receive an earthly reward.

I seek my reward in heaven.

Amen