Little Things

 

   I live in Florida so I’m used to it being pretty hot most of the time.  This morning, at barely six in the morning it’s just 52 degrees.  It’s still dark outside and a nearly full moon lights up the beach and the water.  Thank you Lord.

   Yesterday afternoon I was sitting on a balcony overlooking the beach and the Gulf of Mexico.  The sun reflecting on the water making it sparkle like millions of beautiful diamonds.  Thank you Lord.

   Nearby a great blue heron was perched, surveying the area, perhaps looking for the best place to begin the search for an afternoon meal.  Perched on one spindly leg with the other tucked up he, or she, looked awkward and kind of clumsy.  But then it took flight on a wingspan of about four to five feet and proved itself to be not only beautiful but incredibly graceful in flight.  Thank you Lord.

   We had a family get together and I got to reunite with some I’d not seen for close to two years and others that I hadn’t seen for about four years.  We had great food, good wine, and wonderful company.  As we sang along with my brother on the guitar and the drummer keeping time on the spoons since there were no drums, I couldn’t help but smile and say, “Thank you Lord.”

   I titled this “Little Things’ but these are the things that make life a pleasure, a joy and a wonderful gift from God.  It’s so easy to forget the beauty of friends, family, and the incredible nature of God’s creation.  Having time to enjoy such little things makes me realize that the so-called “big things” aren’t so big after all.

   Thank you Lord. 

Father You have blessed me in so many ways.

Each day is filled with Your love and mercy.

Grant me the tranquility to always see the little things.

The things that are some of Your greatest gifts. 

Amen

 Choosing Joy

 

   Each day I have choices to make.  I can choose to focus on the evil and unrest so evident all over the world or I can look to God and find the joy in life.

   There is unrest everywhere, in this nation, all over the world, and even in the Church.  Those who think their way is the only way are killing others, burning, looting, and creating chaos.  I have no doubt of the true source of such things; it is Satan.  I feel quite sure that he and his demons are rejoicing with every death, with every fire-bomb, with all the evil evident in society today.

   On the other hand there is love, faith and trust.  We have a God who loves us and will love us for all eternity.  If I place my faith and trust in Him I can rise above the evil going on in society and the world today.  He will give me rest from the torment, hope for the future, and a promise of eternal happiness.

   I choose God.  The world has known even greater unrest in its’ history and will most likely know worse again.  There are those who fear we are on the verge of civil war, globalism, continued unrest, and evil.  Perhaps, but I don’t have to allow it to be in my heart.  Jesus said, “And remember, I am always with you, to the end of the age.” (Matt 28: 20). 

   Are we nearing the end of the age?  I don’t know and neither does anyone else.  But I am certain of one thing, God is with me.  I need only turn to Him and I will find comfort, love, and hope. 

Father, there is so much evil in the world.

But there is also much good.

I choose to look for the good,

For that is where I will find You. 

Amen

 Suffering

 

   He walked into the church, went to the front pew, and got on his knees.  Looking up at Jesus on the cross he began to pray, “Lord I know it’s been a while since I’ve been here.  My days are so full, with my job and all.  But I’ve not been a bad person, I’ve tried to live a good life.  Now I’ve lost my job, my house is going into foreclosure and my wife is threatening to leave me.  Where have you been Lord?  Why am I having to suffer so?  You are supposed to be there for me, where were you when I needed you?”

   Still on his knees he continued to look upon the Lord hanging on the cross.  In his heart he heard Jesus’ response.  “I’ve been right here, where have you been?  I’m always here to help you, to support and strengthen you but you’ve ignored me.  You were so concerned with earthly matters that you forgot what truly matters.  Now you are here asking why you are suffering.  Now I ask you, what did I do to deserve the suffering, pain, and death I chose to accept in payment for your sins?  Suffering is a part of life in a fallen world.  All must bear their cross.”

   Any time I begin to feel the world has been unfair or question why I must suffer the trials and pains of life I am reminded how my Lord suffered for me.  Not because He had to but because He chose to.   He gave His life to offer me forgiveness and salvation.  Rather than get wrapped up in a “pity party”, feeling I’ve been treated unfairly, I turn to Jesus and thank Him for the pain and agony He endured for me.

   The pains and sufferings of this life are as nothing compared with what He suffered for me.  Rather than dwell on my pain I offer it to Him in thanksgiving for His sufferings for me.  As He promised, He is always there, to comfort and to console. 

Lord, I turn to You in times of suffering.

Not to ask why but to thank You.

To thank You for your sufferings for me.

To give You all glory and praise. 

Amen

Follow the Light

 

   “I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

 

   The Light, Jesus Christ, has come to the world and will remain.  The Light leads all who follow Him to the gates of heaven.  Sadly, the world has rejected the Light and is trying very hard to ignore everything associated with God.  And yet St. John also tells us, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” (John 1: 5).  Try as they may the secularists and humanists of this world will never extinguish the eternal Light of Christ.

   The world would have us believe that truths are changeable based on human preference.  Adultery is not so bad, and neither is fornication or sodomy.  Abortion is a woman’s “right”, not the murder of innocent life in the womb.  Our elderly shouldn’t have to continue without “quality of life” and therefore should be euthanized.  The list of truths that are now considered to be only opinion is growing all the time.

   Bishop Fulton Sheen once said, “Moral principals do not depend on a majority vote.  Wrong is wrong, even if everybody is wrong.  Right is right, even if nobody is right.”  Until we understand that truth always remains true the battle will continue.  Without a moral compass nothing is forbidden, nothing is wrong, it’s just a different way of interpreting things.

   “And this is the judgement, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil.”  (John 3: 19).  When we stand before Jesus, and we will whether we choose to believe it or not, He will not be interested in our opinions, He will only be interested in how well we have followed the Light. 

Lord Jesus, You are the Light.

Your Light shines in a darkened world.

Let Your Light shine in me.

Let me share it with the world. 

Amen

 Living Scripture

 

   Imagine yourself with your parents on a hillside near the sea of Galilee.  At 12 years of age you really aren’t sure why you are there.  There’s a man called Jesus talking, and everyone seems to be very interested in what he has to say.  He’s talking about a faith that is different from anything you've ever heard.  A faith based on love, forgiveness, and caring for one another.

   It’s been a long day and you’re tired and hungry.  You have your family’s meal with you; not much, just some fish and two loaves of bread.  Suddenly one of the men who have been with this Jesus comes up and ask if you would give it to Jesus to help feed the crowd.  You look at him as if he is possessed; how in the world can a couple of fish and loaves feed the thousands who are on that hillside.  Still, your parents approve so you agree.  The man asks that you bring it and give it to Jesus.

   This man Jesus has the kindest eyes you’ve ever seen.  When you offer him the food he smiles, takes it, and asks you to sit with him.  Then he takes the two loaves and the fishes, blesses God for them and hands them to his friends to give out.  He takes some of the fish and bread for himself and for you and sits down to eat.

   As his friends begin to pass out the food something amazing happens.  The more they give out the more there is; how can that possibly happen?  With just two fish and some loaves all the people have eaten their fill.

   You look questioning at Jesus, he smiles and says, “I am the bread of life.  Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” (John 6: 35).  Even at 12 years old you recognize that this is the Son of God, the Messiah and you must follow Him.

 

   Based on John 6: 1 – 14.  When we place ourselves in the scripture, the scripture speaks to us. 

Lord let me live in the scripture.

Let it speak to my heart.

Open my mind and soul.

Let me hear Your word. 

Amen

 Taking Up the Cross

 

   “Why are you afraid to take up your cross, since it is the only way to the kingdom of heaven?” (Thomas á Kempis, “The Imitation of Christ”) 

   It amazes me that some people seem to think that a Christian should not suffer in this life.  When a devoted Christian contracts cancer or some other terrible disease, suffering a painful, lingering death, I hear people asking why God would let such a devoted person suffer so much.  Have they forgotten the suffering and pain our Lord endured for our benefit?  Have they never read of the tortures and deaths of the martyrs?

   It’s very clear throughout scripture that believers will suffer, in fact must suffer, in this life.  Jesus says it very clearly, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”  (Matt 16: 24).  Many of the early Christians picked up their cross and followed Jesus all the way to their death.  Others suffered greatly because of the faith.  There are still those today who suffer persecution and even death for their love of God.

   Too many churches today want to focus on the rewards of Christianity but never the cost.  As with anything of value there will be costs.  Some will suffer little and some will suffer greatly, but all will suffer if they are truly living the will of God.  To deny this or ignore it is to refute the clear teaching of our Lord.  We are to have a share in His suffering.

   When I look upon Jesus on the cross I am reminded of the terrible suffering He endured.  His death brought redemption and salvation to those who believe.  His resurrection and ascension give us the assurance of His promises.  The glory is ours; it awaits us in heaven.  But along with the glory some suffering must occur. 

Lord You suffered greatly for me.

I offer You my sufferings in thanks.

Strengthen me in my trials.

Let my cross not defeat me. 

Amen

 In the Eyes of God

 

   “I am who I am in the eyes of God, and nothing more.” (St. Francis of Assisi)

 

   While I am hopeful that I am living my life in a way that pleases others the only one I truly desire to please is God.

   So often I see those who are so concerned with what others think of them that they bury their own convictions and beliefs in an effort to fit in with the world at large.  But fitting in with this world is not in our best interest.  We are much better served by living so as to fit in with God’s plan regardless of whether that pleases the world.

   We are told, “Do not love the world or the things in the world.  The love of the Father is not in those who love the world.” (1 John 2: 15).  Our world is corrupted by sin and evil; much of what is loved in the world is very much at odds with the love of God.  Those who love the world many times worship the false gods of fame, fortune, and self rather than the one true God.

   The praise and acceptance of this world is not important, only God’s acceptance matters.  If others see me as a fool because of my faith, then I wish to be a fool.  If others want to persecute me because I speak up for God’s law, so be it.  I refuse to stand silent as the truths of God are besmirched and ignored.  His ways are right, and His laws are just. 

The ways of the world are steeped in sin and evil.

Your ways are the ways that lead to heaven.

The world is not my home but only a waystation.

Let me live my life pleasing only You. 

Amen

 Listening to Scripture

 

   Hearing the scripture read to us at Mass and reading it ourselves at home are wonderful ways to get to better know our Lord.  However, unless we are truly listening to the scripture we miss so much.

   We sometimes read it as if it is history alone, but scripture speaks to us today just as when Jesus spoke to the Jews in His lifetime.  The gospel writers wrote for the people of their day, but their teachings are just as valid today as when they wrote them.  Paul’s letters can be read as history or as instructions for how we should be living today.

   When reading scripture I like to place myself in the reading as a listener or maybe even one who was healed by Christ.  I try to listen to what He is telling me about how to live my life.  His words are present, not past.

   To me scripture is a living, breathing thing.  There is a message for me every time I read scripture.  I just need to open my heart and mind to listen.  In quiet solitude, prayerfully listening to the words of Christ, the prophets, and apostles there is wisdom for today and always.  The letters of St. Paul and others are how-to books on living a Christian life.

   St. Jerome wisely said, “Ignorance of scripture is ignorance of Christ.”  When we read scripture with a prayer in our heart, desiring to listen rather than just read, we come to know our Lord. 

Lord Your words are light and truth.

Open my mind and my heart to listen.

Help me put Your words to work in my life.

Help me always serve You in all I do. 

Amen

 

 Pontius Pilate’s Dilemma

 

   As the Roman Curator over Jerusalem Pilate had one primary responsibility, to keep the peace.  The Israelites were notorious for uprisings against Roman rule and had many times been subject to reprisals for their insurrections.  It was in this rebellious state that Jesus was brought before Pilate.

   Still, Pilate apparently did not want to condemn Jesus.  In an effort to placate the Priests and religious leaders He had Him scourged, but that did no good.  He gave them the choice of freeing Jesus or Barabbas, a known murderer; they chose Barabbas.  Finally, he gave them what they demanded, the crucifixion of Christ.

   As a Roman, Pilate had no reason to care about Jesus or the Jewish religious leaders, only keeping the peace.  It would have been easier to just give them what they wanted immediately but instead He tried to set Jesus free.  The gospel of John, chapters 18 and 19 clearly show that Pilate did not want to crucify Jesus.  Still, he bowed to the wishes of the Jews rather than take a stand against their treachery.

   What is interesting to me is that Pilate, as well as the Jewish religious leaders, were merely tools in God’s plan of salvation.  It had been foretold that Jesus must suffer, be crucified, die, and be resurrected.  Pilate, the leaders of the Jews, and even the crowds themselves were the instruments God used to accomplish what had to occur.

   God uses many people and many events to accomplish His will.  He used Pilate, the High Priest, and others even though they were unaware.  With an open heart, a willing soul, and a desire to do His will we can choose to be His instruments of peace and love, helping to bring salvation to the world today. 

You use many people to do You will,

Make me one of them.

I give You my heart and soul.

Use me Lord. 

Amen

 Counting Blessings

 

   “What are human beings that you are mindful of them, or mortals, that you care for them?” (Heb 2: 6) 

   As I look back over my life I can clearly see the many blessings of the Lord.  Even before I knew the Lord I was receiving His blessings.  Even though I was not aware of His presence He was there.

   When I was born the doctors told my parents that I would most likely not live more than a month or so.  I’m not sure what the problem was but at 70 years old I must assume they got it wrong.  Or maybe they had it right, but God had other plans for me.  Either way I consider the simple fact that I’m alive a blessing of God.

   In retrospect it’s easy to see the many blessings God has bestowed upon me.  I was blessed with a wife whom I loved greatly and who loved me.  God blessed us with four wonderful children.  We had over 48 years of marriage blessed by the love God gave us to share.  That love lives on and will throughout eternity.

   But it’s the “simple” blessings I am most ashamed of not recognizing.  By simple I mean those blessings I am given every day; those I tend to ignore because they are always there.  I woke up this morning; some did not.  I have food to eat; many are starving.  I can freely go to Mass and worship my God; many suffer persecution for their faith.  It’s these things that I take for granted but are truly blessings.

   The sun shines, the rains come, the seasons change.  The world continues on its’ course.  The universe is always expanding yet all remains exactly where it should be.  Nature in all its’ glory is God’s gift.

   It’s so easy to just go through life accepting the love, mercy, and blessings of God.  It is to my shame that I once considered them to be just a part of life rather than the Lord’s gifts to me. 

Your gifts are many.

Too often I don’t notice them.

Help me see all You do for me.

Thank You for caring for me. 

Amen

 Lukewarm Christianity

 

   “But because thou are lukewarm, and neither cold, nor hot, I will begin to vomit thee out of my mouth.”  (Rev 3: 16, Douay-Rheims Version) 

   Newer translations of this verse use the word “spit” rather than “vomit".  I prefer the more vivid statement.  It better expresses the displeasure our Lord has with those who are lukewarm.

   Today there seem to be so many who fall into this tepid version of Christianity.  I hear Catholics say the Eucharist is not the real presence of Christ; those who think the Eucharist is simply a piece of bread; a symbol perhaps.  When the Eucharist was once called a “beautiful symbol”, Flannery O’Conner, a Catholic novelist, replied, “If it’s only a symbol, to hell with it.”  In other words if you don’t believe it is the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of our Lord, why even bother?

   There are Catholics who support abortion and euthanasia.  There is no room in Catholicism for the intentional murder of innocent life.  Mario Cuomo once said that while he was opposed as a Catholic to abortions on moral grounds, he had no right to impose his personal religious views on a pluralistic society.  Imagine a politician in Nazi Germany saying, "While I am opposed to the slaughter of Jews on moral grounds, I have no right to impose my views on others.”; how absurd!  The Nazis slaughtered over six million Jews.  In the United States alone over 50 million innocent babies have been slaughtered in the womb since Roe V Wade.  Hitler and Dr. Josef Mengele would be proud.

   These are only two of the most egregious examples of lukewarm Christianity.  To say I am Christian and Catholic means nothing if I am not willing to stand for the truths of God.  If I become lukewarm I, too, shall be vomited from the mouth of God. 

Make me strong in faith.

Give me courage.

Never let me become lukewarm.

Help me live by Your truths. 

Amen

 Trust in God

 

   “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. (Proverbs 3: 5) 

   Trust is something that comes with great difficulty to many of us.  Even among our friends and family we sometimes withhold full trust.  Too many times we see our trust and the trust of others betrayed.  Once betrayed, trust is even harder to give.

   Even friends can sometimes be hard to trust.  Those we hear spreading damaging information concerning others are certainly not the ones with whom we should confide our own problems.  We should be very selective in choosing those we call friend.  Someone once said that while we may have many acquaintances, we should have few friends.  I consider myself truly blessed to have friends that I am comfortable trusting.

      As trustworthy as friends may be, God is the only one who is completely trustworthy in all things.  Though I trust my friends, there are still some things that I share with God alone.  In love, in happiness, in pain, and in sorrow I trust in Him.  Though I may not always understand His ways they are the right ways; though I may not like what has happened, God’s will is always to be trusted.

   The trust I have in my Lord is unexplainable.  Even in the darkest times I must trust that His purposes are right purposes.  Trust in God will always be rewarded.  In His will is a deep peace that overcomes any trial of this life.  When Job lost everything he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there; the Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Job 1: 20).  This is the trust I must have in God; a trust that recognizes that all is in God’s hands.

   Whether rich or poor, healthy or in sickness, happy or in sorrow, I owe the Lord all my trust. 

I may not understand Your ways.

But Your ways are always right.

All my trust rests in You.

Strengthen my trust.

 

Amen

In Darkness and In Light

 

   “If I say, ‘Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light around me become night,’ even the dark is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day, for the dark is as light to you.” (Psalm 139: 11 – 12)

 

   I find two important thoughts in this verse.  Both are something that I think about quite often, trying to live my life accordingly.

   “Surely the darkness shall cover me,” seems to imply that darkness is something to be sought to hide my actions from God.  To do those things I wish He did not know of.  I relate this to the words of John in his gospel, “And this is the judgement, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil.”  (John 3: 19).  Those who are planning to commit evil usually want to do it in secret so others may not know of their evil.

   And yet, even the darkness is not hidden to God.  He sees my every action, knows my every thought before I even think it.  All is light to Him, and nothing is hidden.

   When the psalm says, “even the dark is not dark to you” I not only recognize that nothing can be hidden from Him but that even in my darkest times He brings light to my life.  When I feel abandoned or lost, it gives me great comfort that all is light to Him.  From the darkness I seek His light and He is always there.

   I can hide nothing from God and God is always with me.  In these two ideas I can better live my life according to His will.  There is nothing I want to hide from Him; I want Him in every part of my life.  When I feel that I am in darkness it cannot overcome me; He is there to give me His light.

 

In darkness or in light You are with me.

In good times and in bad You are here.

I thank You for Your light.

May I walk in it forever.

 

Amen

 A Morning Prayer

 

As morning breaks I look to You.
Be my strength this day.
 
Let me know of Your blessings.
Show me Your glory.
 
Comfort me in my trials.
Ease my sorrows and pains.
 
Let nothing come between You and me.
May I overcome the temptations of this day.
 
When this day is done,
I will come to You.
To thank You for Your blessings.
To thank You for this day.
 
Amen

 How Am I To Pray?

 

   “For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy.” (St. Therese of Lisieux) 

   Everywhere I look there are books, videos, and various other sources telling me how to pray.  Some involve long prayers, some quite short.  Prayers of thanksgiving, prayers of intercession for self or others.  They are all well-meaning and of value.  But they can also be confusing.

   St. Therese has it right.  I love that she starts her definition of prayer with the words, “For me”.  Prayer is a very personal activity, or at least I believe it should be.  Of course there is a place for the Lord's Prayer, or the Rosary or any number of other prayers, but I seem to be closest to God when it’s just me and Him in the quiet stillness of my home.

   Each of us must determine the best means of communicating with God.  There’s certainly no shortage of ways to pray, but what is an extremely meaningful prayer for one may be little value to another.  God speaks to us differently and we must respond in the way that brings us always closer to Him.

   I find the Divine Office to be a meaningful means of prayer.  I love that at any given hour of any day someone, somewhere in the world, is praying the Divine Office.  It is the Church following St. Paul’s guidance to pray always and being a part of this continuous world-wide prayer brings me joy.

   “For me”, however, my private prayer is where I come to better know, love, and serve my God.  It is where I find peace and comfort from the trials of this world.  It is where I share all with Him and He shares with me. 

I love to spend time in prayer with You.

To know your presence within me.

In my prayer I tell you of my love for You.

In my prayer I know of Your love for me. 

Amen

 He Came Among Us

 

   “And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of the father’s only son, full of grace and truth.” (John 1: 14) 

   I often consider why Jesus chose to become a man, to leave His glory for a while and live as all other men live.  Not only did He become man, but He chose to so in the way of all men, born of woman.  Through the power of God and the Holy Spirit our Blessed Mother became pregnant and gave birth to the savior of the world.

   Like any other child, Jesus probably fell at times, scraping knees and getting bruises.  There may have been times when He was sick and needed the loving care of a mother just as we all do.  He learned about manhood through Joseph, He earthly father.  He lived a normal human life except for sin.

   By coming as He did, He experienced the life of those He came to save.  He was subject to temptation and, though never yielding, knew of the temptations we all suffer.  I’m sure He got tired as He walked the roads of Israel, teaching the way to heaven.  He knew rejection from some of His followers because of His teachings.  He so angered the religious leaders that they lied against Him to have Him crucified.

   I think He chose to come as He did to provide an example for me to follow.  I do not suffer anything that Jesus did not suffer in His manhood, far less in fact.  I can’t excuse myself because God “doesn’t know what it’s like”; He knows exactly what it’s like.  In spite of the pain and difficulties He overcame all He experienced and lived the will of the Father.  By living as all men, with the same suffering and trials, He shows me that, in faith, I too can follow the will of the Father. 

You gave up Your glory for a while.

You became a man like me.

You gave me the example to live by.

Strengthen me to follow You. 

Amen

A Wonderful World 

   “I see trees of green, red roses too.  I see them bloom for me and you.  And I think to myself, what a wonderful world.  I see skies of blue and clouds of white.  The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night.  And I think to myself, what a wonderful world.”  (“What A Wonderful World”, lyrics by Bob Thiele and George Davis Weiss) 

   It’s so easy to get wrapped up in the woes of this world.  There seems to be so much evil and hatred.  In politics, in society, and even in the Church, there are problems that desperately need to be solved.  But those are the results of mankind’s sinfulness and are not the world as God intended.

   When I hear “What A Wonderful World” I am reminded of what is right with the world.  I particularly enjoy Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong’s rendition.  The growl in his voice seems to speak of disappointment and sorrow but a determination to see what is beautiful instead of allowing the ugliness to overwhelm.  Perhaps I’m reading a bit too much into it but that’s what I hear in this song.

   I believe that as long as there are trees and roses, blue skies with wispy clouds passing by I can keep my priorities straight.  I can recognize the imperfections of the world without allowing them to destroy my appreciation of God’s creation.  I can trust that God will, in His own time, set things right.

   At some point the evil of this world will pass away and all that will be left is the incredible creation of God as He intended it to be.  As the last verse of the song says, “Yes, I think to myself, what a wonderful world.  Oh Yeah!”

 

You have blessed us with a wonderful world.

I see past the evil to the love You have.

Let me always see You in life.

Bless me with Your presence in all things.

 

Amen

 Out of Society

 

   “Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.” (Romans 12: 2) 

   How do I separate myself from this age, from the sinfulness, the hatred, and unrest?  There were some in the early church who left society to live in caves or small huts in the desert or mountains.  They desired a solitary life with God to the society in which they lived.  Now we must seek the desert in the cities and our communities.  There is nowhere else to go in a totally connected world.

   Those who openly practice Christianity, proclaiming their faith, are becoming more and more at risk of persecution, intimidation and even prosecution.  Society, which seems to be ruled by Satan, has determined that God is never to be mentioned in public.  Perhaps out of fear, or just convenience, more and more people have become accepting of society and its’ sinful ways.

   We are called to rise above society; to speak boldly of our commitment to God.  The martyrs died for their faith rather than bow to society.  Subject to the most heinous forms of torture and death they refused to deny God.  I often wonder how many Christians today would willingly suffer torture and death for our Lord.  I pray that I would have that kind of courage but can’t be sure if never tested.

   What I can do is separate myself from the ways of society.  I can choose to ignore the many temptations society pushes upon me.  I can look to my home as my sanctuary, my cave in the mountains if you will.  I can’t remove myself from this world, but I can fill myself with God and the promises of the next. 

Society ignores You Lord.

They despise Your ways.

Help me to keep Your laws in my heart.

Strengthen me to overcome the ways of this world. 

Amen

 What is to Come 

   “At present we see indistinctly, as in a mirror, but then face to face.  At present I know partially; then I shall know fully, as I am fully known.” (1 Cor 13: 12) 

   It’s always dark when I begin my morning walk.  This morning, however, it was not only dark but quite foggy.  As I walked and prayed the scripture quoted above came to mind.

   The fog was heavy enough that even the lights on the street were dimmed with an eerie halo about them.  Clearly seeing things even a block down the road was difficult.  My life is often like that.  I feel that I am in a fog with limited vision of what lies ahead.  I was reminded that it is not possible to fully know the plans God has for me, but I am still to trust.

   And if I can’t even be sure of what awaits me in this life I certainly have no clue about what heaven brings.  Of course I know it is a condition of perfect love, joy, and happiness.  There is no pain, there are no sorrows or tears.  In the presence of our Lord and God I will at last experience the relationship God intended for all of us to have with Him.  What, exactly, it all means will remain a mystery until this life is over.

   Sometimes not knowing what is to come can be scary; I guess that’s why many people fear death so greatly.  But if I believe what scripture tells me; if I believe what Jesus taught and the apostles preached, I need have no fear of death, only longing for what awaits.

   I can’t know what is to come, in this life or in the next.  I can only trust in God, living in the knowledge that He loves me and wants only the best for me.  I don’t know what is on the other side of the door of death, but I know my God is there waiting to welcome me home.  When I reach that point, today or twenty years from now, I will gladly open the door and go home. 

Lord I don’t know what is to come.

All is in Your hands.

You give me hope.

All my hope is in You. 

Amen

 The Law or Faith

 

   The law relies upon punishment to enforce obedience.  Faith supersedes the law and its’ threats with faith in the love and mercy of God.  The law cannot lead us to salvation, but faith will always take us there.

   Jesus tried to explain to the Israelites that the law was not the answer, but rather love, faith and trust in God.  Many times He was questioned about the law in attempts to trip Him up, to find something for which to condemn Him.  Finally He was condemned as a blasphemer and was turned over to the Romans to be crucified.  Those who lived under the law were unable to accept His teaching of love and faith.

   If I have love of God and love of neighbor of what use is the law?  In Jesus we are taught to love one another; there is no law that can enforce such a concept.  I can obey every word of the law, but if I do it only because the law says I must, of what good is that?  My actions, my life must be ruled not by some enforcement code but out of love.

  In loving God, the law is written upon my heart.  I know without a rule book when I am doing good and when I am doing evil.  I understand that the only good can come from God and that the evil comes from the fallen nature of man.  The law within me, given by God, is to be my guide.

   That doesn’t give me the option of defining God’s law, choosing for myself right or wrong.  It means that God will guide me in my ways and lead me always to Him.  The fall in the Garden of Eden was one of trying to become like God and define good and evil rather than trusting in the law of God, the law of love.

   The law punishes; in faith there is hope.  I can never hope to obey every portion of the law every day.  In faith I can acknowledge my imperfections, turning to God for His mercy and forgiveness.

 

The law demands.

Love gives a reason.

The law condemns.

Faith heals and saves me.

 

Amen

 The Memory of Sins 

   “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our sins from us.” (Psalm 103: 12) 

   At Baptism the slate was wiped clean.  Any sins committed before that moment were washed away and were no longer a part of me.  The Sacrament of Reconciliation again washes away my sins.  In repentance and sorrow I acknowledge my sins and ask God’s forgiveness and help in avoiding sin in the future.  Yet, I am human; I will continue to sin and need His forgiveness again and again.

   I have no doubt my sins are forgiven.  I am confident that any future sins will also be forgiven when confessed in sincerity and sorrow.  So why do past sins continue to come to mind?  If they are as far as “east is from west” then why do they remain in my memory and torment me?

   There is a cost to my sins even though they are forgiven.  Jesus paid that cost, but I am responsible as well.  I must accept that my sins are what made His sacrifice necessary.  As the old adage says, I can be forgiven for breaking a window, but someone must pay to replace it.

   I believe that the memory of my sins is a lesson for me.  One that says I should never forget the evils I have done, and the price Jesus paid to have them wiped from my soul.  At my judgement I must face Him knowing the pain my sins inflicted upon Him.  My unworthiness will be on full display.

   My sins are forgiven, of that I’m sure.  But the memory of them remains and I sorrow over and over when they come to mind.  I sorrow not for myself, but for the suffering and death my Lord suffered for me.  Perhaps this is purgatory on earth. 

You forgive my sins.

You wash them all away

But I can’t undo the harm they cause.

I sorrow for the pain You endured for them. 

Amen

 Living the Life 

   God gave me life.  He knit me together in my mother’s womb.  He knew me from the beginning.  He knows everything there is to know about me.  Nothing I do or say is unknown to Him.

   With those thoughts in mind I try to live the life God intends for me to live.  Though I may not always be certain of His path I am certain that He will see to it that I follow that path if I will allow Him.  Most of all I realize that God is not a tyrant, He does not rule me with an iron hand.  Instead, because of His great love and mercy for me I want to please Him far more than I would one who demands subservience.  I’m not forced to follow Him, but it is my greatest desire to do so.

   For over forty-eight years the life God had given me was one of sacramental marriage.  A love affair with my wife that was filled with the love of God.  A love of giving to the other without concern for self.

   Since my wife passed away my life is one of solitude.  At first I hated the solitude, the aloneness; I missed her so terribly.  I still miss her every day, but I no longer hate the solitude; it has become a comfort to me.  It is a new life, a different life, but no less the life God desires of me.  Of this I am certain.  I know it in the peace I feel.  He tells me in the calm and comfort that He gives me.

   Will my life change again?  I’ve no way of knowing, only God has the answer.  My heart tells me that no matter what He asks of me it is the right thing, the thing that will lead me to heaven.

   Living the life God gives me without question and without regret brings me great peace.  His love is never-ending.  In His mercy He forgives my sins, telling me that I am His.  What more could I ask than to be a child of God, loved by the One who created me? 

I give my life to You.

I give my death to You.

I desire Your will in all things.

Show me Your path and lead me home. 

Amen

 Strength in Weakness 

   “Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Cor 12: 10) 

   No one wants to be weak; it is a sign that we can’t take care of things ourselves.  Pride tells us that weakness is wrong, we need strength instead.  Paul, however, gives us a clue as to why weakness can be a good thing.  If I never know weakness I may never seek the strength of God; in weakness I find the strength of Christ giving me strength.

   This isn’t to say that we should seek to be weak, but that weakness is a fact of life.  There will always be times when we need help to go on.  The world is broken by sin and evil and we are part of that broken world.  We need God’s help to navigate the storms of this life.

   There may be many hills to climb in life.  Some are easy while others can be quite difficult.  Regardless the hardship, Christ is there to give me strength and encouragement.  Only with His help can I hope to make the climb.

   I have found that there are also mountains in life that I’m not capable of climbing.  Times when despair and heartache are all I can feel.  It is in those times that I truly understand that there is strength in weakness.  On my weakest days is when I most feel the strength and power of Jesus in my life.  Without it, I could not prevail. 

There are good times for which I thank You.

There are also times when I feel overwhelmed.

Times when I could not go on without You.

I am blessed that You are with me always. 

Amen