The Beauty of Silence 

   “Let me learn silence in my life, for God does not shout.”  (Bede Jarrett, “Classic Catholic Meditations: To Enrich Your Faith and Help You Pray”) 

   I discovered the beauty and spirituality of silence many years ago at a silent retreat.  I wasn’t too sure I would do well trying to keep silent for three days with only a few interruptions for spiritual talks by the retreat leader.  What I found was the incredible peace of silent reflection with my God.

   I’ve attended several silent retreats since, both guided and individual and I never fail to come away strengthened in faith.  My prayer life has grown more personal and comforting through silent meditation.  My relationship with God had deepened in the quiet times I’ve spent with Him.

   Quiet is a rare commodity in our world, our lives are filled with noise and distraction.  For me, finding the silence is vital to my spiritual life.  I’ve found that in my life, silence is the language of God.  I can’t say that it is the same for everyone, each must find their own path, but I must have the quiet times with Him if I am is to grow in love and faith.

   Each night I go into my bedroom, my personal hermitage, and close the door.  I light a candle, turn off the lights and sit in prayer.  I may pray for many things, but I always include a time of silence, a time to quietly enjoy the presence of my Lord.  There may be no words spoken, but there is a peace and comfort in this quiet time, when my heart and soul is turned to heaven.  A time for just me and God.

   On mount Horeb Elijah discovered God wasn’t in the strong wind, or the earthquake, or the fire, but in the small still voice. (see 1 Kings 19: 11 – 13).  I can’t go to the mountain, but it is in the stillness that I find my God. 

Lord the world is so noisy.

Satan tries to drown out Your word.

In the silence I seek Your presence.

That I may better hear and know You. 

Amen

 What Kind of God Is This? 

   “She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2: 7) 

   The King of the World, the Son of God, the Messiah, came to us in weakness, as a baby.  No room for our Savior at the inn, He was laid in a manger, a feeding trough for animals, perhaps a foretelling of the Eucharist, feeding the faithful with His body and blood.  An infant King, dependent upon Mary and Joseph for His very life.

   He was visited by kings from far away, signifying that His kingdom would be for all the world.  The shepherds, the lowly of the earth, were told by the angels of His birth.  He came for all mankind, rich and poor, Jew and Gentile, free and slave.  His kingdom was not of this world, but all of this world would be invited.

   He grew up just as we do.  He learned to walk and to talk.  From His earthly father He learned a trade and most likely helped support the household.  He went often to synagogue, listening to the words and prophecies of the Torah.  Words and prophesies that told of His coming, words ignored by those who knew Him and would reject Him.

   He was like us in all things but sin.  He suffered as we suffer, felt pain just the same as us.  He was betrayed by one of His chosen, abandoned by most everyone, suffered, died on a cross and was buried.

   He rose again, overcoming death and ascended into heaven to prepare a place for those who would believe.  He opened the gates of heaven to the faithful and will come again in glory.

   What kind of God is this?  A God who loves us, wants nothing but the best for us.  A God who desires that we spend eternity with Him in ever-lasting love and happiness.  This is the one true God who came to save the world. 

We look forward to celebrating Your birth.

The birth of an infant King.

A King who so loved us that He died for us.

Fill our hearts with Your eternal love. 

Amen

 Advent 

   “Give thanks to the Lord, invoke his name; make known among the people his deeds.  Sing praise, play music; proclaim all his wonderous deeds” (1 Chronicles 16: 8 – 9) 

   Tomorrow is the first Sunday of Advent, a period to consider all God has done for us and to welcome the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ.  Advent is from the Latin, meaning “coming”.  It is intended to be a time of prayer and preparation for the gift of the Incarnation, a time to recall the true meaning of Christmas.

   We are to celebrate the greatest gift of all, the coming of the Messiah.  It saddens me to see Jesus pushed aside for more and more sales and profits.  Decorations of every kind are everywhere, but few commemorate the birth of Christ.  There are some who remember and celebrate the true meaning, but it seems that more often than not Christmas is nothing more than a reason to spend money.

   Santa Clause now seems to be the big hero of Christmas, but I wonder how many know the traditional origin of Santa Claus.  Saint Nicolas, who lived in what is now Turkey in the late 200’s, is customarily seen as the origin of Santa Claus.  Tradition says that he secretly provided a wedding dowry for three poor sisters, saving them from being sold into slavery or prostitution.  It is said that he gave away his inheritance and traveled the area to help the sick and the poor.  These are the true gifts of Christmas, loving and caring for others.

   As we being this period let’s take the time to remember the greatest gift of all and give thanks for our Lord.  Do a little something extra for someone who needs it, help a food bank with some extra contributions of time and money, even fast from a special treat as an offering of thanks to God.  Don’t let commercialism and earthy celebrations rob you of the true meaning of Advent and the coming it is intended to celebrate. 

We begin preparations for the greatest gift.

Let us recognize what Christmas really means.

Let us prepare ourselves for the Savior’s coming. 

Amen

The Day After 

   Yesterday we celebrated Thanksgiving with family, friends, and most likely far too much food.  I wonder how the world would change if we could keep the feelings of thanksgiving in our hearts throughout the year rather than for just one day.  Perhaps we might even begin to understand that grumpy old uncle or the aunt who thinks she knows everything about everything and everyone.

   On Thanksgiving, Christmas and other family get togethers most of try our best to be gracious and welcoming to all, even those we may not want to see any other day of the year.  That attitude, that effort of love and acceptance is what we need in our hearts each day, not just a few times a year.  Maybe we could begin to set aside old grudges and hurts and reach out to each other as a family should.

   Christ tells us to love not only our family, but our neighbors, and even our enemies as ourselves.  Today we have another chance to begin to try to live our life in that manner.  Let’s take the opportunity to open our hearts to the love and mercy of God and share that love and mercy with others.

   We can try to see each day as a day of thanksgiving, each Christmas as a renewal of our trust and faith in the infant Savior, each Easter as a reminder of the sacrifice He made for us and our salvation.  We could even begin to realize that every breath we take is a gift from God and give Him thanks.

Lord help us live each day in thanksgiving.

Each day as a day to honor and praise You.

Every moment as a loving gift from You.

Every breath as a breath given in love. 

Amen

 I Am Thankful 

   Today is Thanksgiving Day.  I would like to take a moment to tell God a few of the things I am thankful for. 

   I thank You Lord, for over forty-eight years of incredible love and happiness with my wife.  I’m thankful for the joy we shared and even the hard times which served to bring us even closer.  Though she is now at home with You, our love will continue forever. I so look forward to joining her to give You all praise and thanks in heaven.

   Thank You Father, for family, for daughters, sons, granddaughters, and grandsons.  For my brother and his family.  For my nieces, and nephews.  May your blessings be always with them.

   You have blessed me with friends who care for me and love me.  They have been my strength in so many ways.  I thank You and ask that you bless them and keep them safe.

   Thank You Lord, for the wonder of Your creation.  For the sunrise shining Your glory upon the world each morning; for the stars of the night, testifying to Your majesty.  The magnificence of the oceans and mountains speak to Your glorious might.  I’m thankful for all of nature, so wonderfully beautiful, so precise, so telling of Your master plan.

   My God, I’m so thankful for the faith You have blessed me with.  It is this faith that has carried me through the hard times and given me such joy and peace.  I thank You for my Church, my priests, the glory of the Mass and the Body, Blood, Soul, and divinity of my Lord Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.

   There is so much to be thankful for.  But most of all, I am thankful for Your presence in my life.  Without your love and mercy, I would have nothing for which to be thankful.

 

May your Thanksgiving be blessed with family, friends, joy, and happiness.  May you take the time to tell them how thankful you are and to ask God’s blessings upon them.

God’s Will, Not Mine

 

   “We cannot expect God to support us if we are doing our own thing.  The spiritual journey consists in doing God’s thing.” (Thomas Keating, "Invitation to Love 20th Anniversary Edition; The way of Christian Contemplation") 

   I’ve heard people say they can’t find God.  The real question is not where God is but where are they.  God is always with us, but we are prone to look for Him where we want Him to be rather than bringing ourselves to where He wants us to be.

   I can’t find God in my own earthly desires and pleasures.  I can’t find God even in my spiritual life if I’m following my own ego driven will, trying to attribute it to God.  I must allow God to lead, not go off in my own direction expecting Him to follow and support me in those efforts.

   I’ve found that if I think I have “heard” the voice of God telling me what to do I need to consider that very carefully in prayer.  I fear that perhaps it is what I want rather than God’s desire.  I know those who say they hear God’s voice and I wish it were so with me, but it just isn’t.  I am aware of God’s desires when He places them in my heart, not my head.  I look for the peace God intends for me and if that is lacking, I’m must question whether I’m following God’s will or my own misguided desires.

   What God wants of me can be a mystery at times.  But mystery is the way of God.  He will lead if I allow, but I must give Him the reins, I must follow, not try to lead.  There used to be a saying, "God is my co-pilot."  If God is your co-pilot, then you’re in the wrong seat.  God must be the pilot; I am simply to follow His directions. 

I place myself in Your hands Lord.

Don’t let my pride lead me astray.

Show me Your ways.

The ways to eternal life. 

Amen 

 Do What He Says 

   “So submit yourselves to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.” (James 4: 7 – 8) 

   If I want to spend eternity in the peace, love, and glory of God there is only one way.  I must do what He tells me and follow His way.  Just as Saint James says, I must submit myself to God.

   I have to offer my will to the Father to be governed by Him if I am to spend eternity in His presence.  Whether I understand His will or not, even if I find His will burdensome, acceptance is the choice I must make.  I need to recognize that His ways are far above mine and that I can never fully understand them in this life.

   Our Blessed Mother tells me very plainly what my response to God is to be.  When faced with the calling to become the mother of God her answer is the answer I must also give, “May it be done to me according to your word.” (Luke 1: 38).  She added no conditions, demanded no further explanation, she accepted God’s will.

   Again, Mother Mary reminds me of what I am to do when she told the servers at the wedding in Cana, “Do whatever he tells you.” (John 2: 5).  Don’t question, don’t hesitate, do what He says.

   These are the lessons I must learn and put into practice if I am to assure the safety of my soul.  No questions, no hesitation, no demand for signs or explanations, just accept and follow His will.

   I don’t suggest that this is an easy lesson to live by.  There is pain and sorrow in this world and acceptance can be extremely difficult.  But I place my trust in God and the words of Jesus, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be.” (John 14: 3).  Amen Lord Jesus, let me live my life that you may come back and take me to yourself. 

I give my will to You.

Do with me what you desire.

My life, my death, my all, I offer to You.

Come Lord, take me to Yourself. 

Amen

 The Pilgrim 

   “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.  When shall I come and behold the face of God?”  (Psalm 42: 2) 

   I am a pilgrim on a lifelong journey to my home.  I live in a world that is damaged by sin, one that has an evil force within it, Satan.  But this world is not my home, it is simply the pathway to my true home with God in heaven.

   That doesn’t mean that I can’t enjoy the journey.  God has blessed this world with so much beauty and majesty that to fail to enjoy it would be an insult to Him and His creation.  But I must never become overly comfortable here, I must always remember that this world is temporary while eternity is forever.

   My travels are made more enjoyable by the presence of family and friends in my life.  The many joys available in the world contribute to a more pleasant journey.  Worship of my Lord and God at Mass gives me a small taste of the glory that is to be once my pilgrimage is complete.

   I will continue to enjoy the many blessings of this life though I must be careful to not become enamored of them.  I will treasure my family and friends, praying always that their pilgrimage leads them to God.  Most of all I will look forward with joyful anticipation to the life that is to come when my journey is complete, and I have reached my home. 

Father the world if full of Your blessings.

I thank You for each of them.

But my home is not of this world.

Lead me to my true home with You. 

Amen

 

Signs From God

 

“An evil and unfaithful generation seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” (Matt 16: 4).

 

This generation is no different from that of Jesus’ time, it wants a sign; show me, work a miracle for me, prove yourself and I might believe.  As Jonah spent three days in the belly of a big fish and was then released, so Jesus spent three days in the belly of the earth and was then resurrected.  Even with this miraculous sign, many refused to accept Him.  Many still refuse.

I don’t understand those who say they need proof of God if they are to believe.  They want Him to give them a sign.  The proof, the signs are everywhere, one need only look to see them.  Demanding a sign is simply another way of rejecting God and glorifying self.

I suspect those who are always asking for a sign are, in fact, simply looking for an excuse not to believe.  If they were to believe it would mean life-changes that they aren’t willing to accept.  The sins, the false gods of this world, are tempting and many are unwilling to reject them even though they are rejecting God and eternal life.  Even if God were to appear to them in person I question whether they would be satisfied.

It is the height of arrogance to demand a “sign” from God.  The creator of all things has no need of proving Himself.  He is evident in all things at all times.  We just need to open our eyes and heart to see Him.

The signs of God are universally evident.  His presence is everywhere I look.  He is in my life, my soul, and my heart.  He is love, He is mercy, He is all.

 

Your presence is in all things.

There are no signs needed.

You spoke and it became

All that exists is because of You.

 

Amen

 Under Attack 

   For many years we have practiced our faith without fear.  Publicly and privately our faith was accepted even by those who didn’t share it.  They may have even thought it crazy and wrongheaded, but they didn’t interfere.

   In recent years that has changed drastically.  There are organizations whose sole purpose is to remove any sign of God or religion from the public square.  Politicians who claim to be Christian actively support abortion and euthanasia.  Some make a pretense of faith by attending church, but for many it seems to be only a show to placate the faithful.  Their actions and the legislation they support doesn’t support their claim of Christianity.

   The ease and comfort with which we have been able to practice our faith has truly been a blessing, but it has also brought with it a complacency.  We have grown accustomed to our freedom.  Until recently it never occurred to most that our constitution rights to freedom of religion could be severely restricted and ignored.

   A perfect example is the actions taken in the current pandemic.  In many places the restrictions placed on churches were far more severe than those placed on bars, night clubs, and casinos.  It seems drinking, partying, and gambling were permissible when weddings, funerals, and other religious services were curtailed and even banned.

   Our ability to publicly practice our faith is under attack.  If we remain silent, I believe we will see our religious freedoms continue to be taken from us.  If we don’t stand up for our rights and our faith, no one will, and the attacks will not only continue but worsen.  There has often been severe persecution of the faithful; I fear we are nearing another period of such persecution.  It’s up to us to meet the challenge, always relying on God’s help and strength. 

Father, Your Church has always struggled.

The forces of evil never cease their attack.

Give us the strength to stand for Your truths.

Give us the courage to remain faithful. 

Amen

 Trust 

   “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, on your own intelligence do not rely; in all your ways be mindful of him, and he will make straight your paths. (Proverbs 3: 5 – 6) 

   Abraham trusted in the Lord when he was told to take his son Isaac and sacrifice him.  His trust was well founded, Isaac was not harmed, and Abraham become the father of many nations as promised (see Genesis, chapter 22).

   Our Blessed Mother was told by the Archangel Gabriel that she would bear a Son who would be the Messiah.  She knew that if she agreed she could be accused of adultery since she was not married.  She also knew that adultery was to be punished by stoning.  She trusted in the Lord and became the mother of the Son of God. (see Luke chapter 1).

   We, too, are to trust in the Lord.  Abraham didn’t understand why God would ask him to sacrifice his son; Mary didn’t understand how she could, as a virgin, become the mother of Jesus.  Yet both trusted and followed the will of God.

   Trust in God is what will see us through the difficulties of life.  When things seem to be at their worst, we must trust in God’s will, confident that all is in His care even though we don’t and can’t understand.

   “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord!” (Job 1: 21).  If I don’t have this kind of trust in God I am failing as a Christian.  If I don’t accept the hardships along with the joy, I don’t have proper faith in God.  As difficult as trust can be, it is what I owe the Lord; complete trust, knowing that all will be well when I place my trust in Him. 

I can’t always know Your will.

Trust can be hard in sorrow and pain.

In Your will is peace, joy, and eternal life.

Increase my trust. 

Amen

 Signs From God 

   “An evil and unfaithful generation seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” (Matt 16: 4). 

   This generation is no different from that of Jesus’ time, it wants a sign; show me, work a miracle for me, prove yourself and I might believe.  As Jonah spent three days in the belly of a big fish and was then released, so Jesus spent three days in the belly of the earth and was then resurrected.  Even with this miraculous sign, many refused to accept Him.  Many still refuse.

   I don’t understand those who say they need proof of God if they are to believe.  They want Him to give them a sign.  The proof, the signs are everywhere, one need only look to see them.  Demanding a sign is simply another way of rejecting God and glorifying self.

   I suspect those who are always asking for a sign are, in fact, simply looking for an excuse not to believe.  If they were to believe it would mean life-changes that they aren’t willing to accept.  The sins, the false gods of this world, are tempting and many are unwilling to reject them even though they are rejecting God and eternal life.  Even if God were to appear to them in person I question whether they would be satisfied.

   It is the height of arrogance to demand a “sign” from God.  The creator of all things has no need of proving Himself.  He is evident in all things at all times.  We just need to open our eyes and heart to see Him.

   The signs of God are universally evident.  His presence is everywhere I look.  He is in my life, my soul, and my heart.  He is love, He is mercy, He is all. 

Your presence is in all things.

There are no signs needed.

You spoke and it became

All that exists is because of You. 

Amen

 Reuniting With God 

   “When they heard the sound of the Lord God walking about in the garden at the breezy time of the day, the man and his wife hid themselves from the Lord God among the trees of the garden.”  (Gen 3: 8) 

   Imagine walking in the garden in the cool of the evening with God, knowing the perfection of His love and friendship.  This was the relationship we were intended to have with Him.  This was the bond Adam and Eve had with the Lord.  In their sinful pride, they destroyed that closeness.  No longer did they share so intimately with the Lord.

   Nowhere in the Genesis account of the fall of man do I read of Adam or Eve accepting responsibility for their sin.  Adam blamed Eve and she blamed the snake for tricking her.  Neither fell to their knees in sorrow and repentance.

   We need to come closer to God rather than hiding from Him as our first parents did.  We need to recognize our sins, confess them, and seek His forgiveness.  When we approach Him in our sorrow and seek His mercy, it will be given, but we must have the love, the trust, and the courage to come near to Him in this manner.

   God did not abandon Adam and Eve.  Though they were forced to leave the Garden of Eden because of their sin, God still cared for them.  Neither does he abandon us.  He is always with us, urging us to return to Him.  His love is so great that He sent His only Son to pay the price for our sins and open the gates of heaven to those who would believe.

   When we approach God in repentance for our sins, seeking His mercy, we begin to approach the familial bond we are supposed to have with Him.  We can never fully attain that relationship in this life, but we can come always nearer and gain great joy and peace by our efforts. 

Father, my sins pull me from You.

But Your love for me is eternal.

I come to You in sorrow, asking for mercy.

Heal me and make me Yours. 

Amen

 Live Life for God 

   For a long time after the death of my wife my first prayer of the morning and my last prayer at night was for the Lord to take me as well.  I wanted more than anything to be with her.

   At some point, and I can’t say for sure when, I stopped making those prayers.  I’m not one who “hears” the voice of God but in my heart I came to know that, in those prayers, I was somehow disdaining the gift of life given me by my God.  He will take me to Himself in His own time and it is my place to accept His will and continue to live for Him.

   For over forty-eight years my calling was to matrimony.  That was a gift from God, and I thank Him all the time for the joy and happiness of those years.  But now He has given me another gift, another calling.  He has called me to see Him as I saw my wife, my life partner and most beloved.  In the quiet of my home we sit and commune.   Many times I’m not even aware of the passing time.  In the silence I am with my God.

   God has a plan for me in this life, I want to live it.  He has called me to silence and a closer relationship with Him.  Part of this is the Benedictine community of St. Leo’s Abbey.  As an aspiring Benedictine Oblate I am called to a more contemplative, prayerful life.  I am called to live every moment for Him, making all I do a prayer, whether in work, in play, in joy or in sorrow.

   I still miss my wife terribly and will for the rest of my life.  I love her with all my heart and I know that I will continue to do so throughout eternity.  However, I no longer ask God to take me now.  Eternity is forever, I can wait for His call.  In this I have found peace. 

Father, You know the desires of my heart.

May those desires always reflect Your will.

I offer my life to You.

Lead me to eternal life in Your kingdom. 

Amen

The Lord’s 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.” (John 14: 27) 

   I often write of peace, not worldly peace but the peace of Christ.  Worldly peace is a fleeting thing, never lasting very long and easily lost.  The peace of Christ, on the other hand, is eternal.

   I look around and I see people everywhere who are angry and hateful.  They are angry that their candidate didn’t when the election.  They are angry because of the turmoil they see in our land.  They are angry because there is evil even in the church.  Their entire life seems consumed with anger.  There is no peace within them.

   Politicians lie, the media lies, even some in the church lie.  In a sinful world under the influence of Satan how are we to obtain peace?  And even if we find it, how are we to keep it?

   I think the key is in the scripture quoted above, “Not as the world gives do I give it to you.”  The world will never be at peace, it never has been and never will be.  I can’t change the world.  I can only try to maintain my peace and share that peace wherever possible.

   I must see the world for what it is, a passing thing, one that will not last.  I need to accept that there is evil in the world and there is very little that I can do about it.  I can try my best to bring God’s peace to as many as I can but must recognize that many will not accept it.  I must see this world is simply a waystation on the journey to my true home with God.

   These thoughts don’t make the world a better place.  They don’t and won’t bring world peace.  But they allow me to live in the peace of Christ, in the joy and happiness of knowing His presence within.  They keep my heart from being troubled. 

Peace is not found in the world.

It is only found in You Lord.

Don’t let the world overcome me.

Fill my heart with the peace of Your love. 

Amen 

 A Lesson to Learn 

   “When they arrived at Bethsaida, they brought to him a blind man and begged him to touch him.  He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village.  Putting spittle on his eyes he laid his hands on him and asked, ‘Do you see anything?’  Looking up he replied, ‘I see people looking like trees and walking.’  The he laid his hands on his eyes a second time and he saw clearly; his sight was restored and he could see everything distinctly.” (Mark 8: 22 – 26) 

   To my knowledge this is the only time when Jesus required two tries to perform a miracle.  To me, this indicates that there was a purpose to this miracle beyond that of restoring sight the to blind.  There is a message to be learned and applied in my life today.

   When I first converted to Catholicism I could say that my eyes had been opened.  I began what would be a life-long journey to know my Lord and love Him.  What I had begun needed prayer and study of scripture and the faith I practice.  It is a growth process that will continue until my death.

   I compare the experience of the blind man in Mark’s gospel to my own faith life.  My eyes were opened at my baptism and conversion, but things were still fuzzy, uncertain.  I knew that by trusting in God and having faith He would help me grow and see more clearly.  A life change had begun but was far from complete.  It is still incomplete all these many years later.  As long as I live there will continue to be growth and knowledge to be gained.

   St. Paul said, “At present we see indistinctly, as in a mirror, but then face to face.  At present I know partially; then I shall fully know as I am fully known.” (1 Cor 13: 12).  In using two attempts to restore sight to the blind man I believe Jesus was teaching me I am on a lifelong journey in my desire to see Him clearly and truly know Him. 

I can’t fully know You in this life.

I am restrained by my sins.

Place Your healing hands upon me.

Open my eyes to see You clearly. 

Amen

 A Peaceful Soul 

   “The peaceful soul does not seek, now, to live morally, but to live for God; morality is only a by-product of the union with Him.”  (Bishop Fulton J. Sheen, “Go to Heaven")

   He, or she, was a good person, I’m sure they are in heaven.  We often hear that phrase whenever someone passes away.  Sadly being a “good person” is not the criteria for getting to heaven.  A loving, giving relationship with God is needed.

   We cannot achieve morality or salvation by being good people.  Morality is the result of giving our life to God and salvation is the ultimate goal of that giving of self.  Seeking morality on our own is like trying to build a house when we’ve never even seen a hammer or nail; we just don’t the ability to complete the task.  A master builder can teach us and lead us so that someday we will be able to build that house.  God is the Master Builder who can teach us morality and bring us to Himself.

   If we give ourselves to the Lord, He will direct our lives according to His will, always grooming us for holiness, sainthood, and for eternity in His presence.  Our part is to give, not just a few hours a week or a certain amount of money, but our very being.  Our thoughts, our desires, our goals are to be governed by the will of God.

 

“From the ends of the earth I call;

My heart grows faint.

Raise me up, set me on a rock,

For you are my refuge,

A tower of strength against the foe.

Let me dwell in your tent forever,

Take refuge in the shelter of your wings.”

 

Psalm 61

 The Sweet Temptations of Satan 

   In some areas of the world is it common for monkeys to be part of the normal diet.  To catch a monkey, the hunters sometimes attach a coconut to a tree or post.  They bore a hole in the side just big enough for the monkey to slip its’ open hand through.  In the coconut are nuts or some other treat the monkey will want.  When it reaches into the coconut and grabs the treat the hole isn’t large enough for its’ closed hand to be withdrawn.  Even as the hunters approach the monkey will not release the treat, take out its’ hand and flee.  They simply walk up and capture their prey.

   We are sometimes very much like the monkey.  We are so fond of our favorite treats that we refuse to give them up even to flee from Satan.  The devil is fully aware of our vulnerabilities and takes every opportunity to use them against us.  In our weakness we are hard pressed to resist.

   What is your favorite treat?  It may be money; take that better job even though it will cause difficulties for your family life.  Perhaps self-esteem, ensuring that everyone knows of the great things you think you’ve done.  Gossiping is a favorite of many, nobody can pass up a juicy story, right?  It may be something as simple as refusing to give us something in your diet that you know is causing physical harm.  Whatever it is, Satan knows.

   The monkey loses its’ life because it will not release the treat it loves.  We risk our immortal soul because we refuse to seek God’s help and give up those things Satan most uses against us.  Put into perspective, we risk eternity for a moment or two of supposed joy or fun. 

Lord help me reject Satan.

He knows me and my weaknesses so well.

May I always turn to You when tempted.

May I always draw on Your strength. 

Amen

 The End Is Near 

   “But of that day and hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Mark 13: 32) 

   That statement seems to make it very clear that I am not intended to know when the end of the world will come; only the Father knows.  Yet so many people look at events in the world and try to fit them into signs indicating that the end is near.  In fact the end is near, but it depends on your definition of near.

   The Old Testament is replete with prophecy concerning the coming of the Messiah.  Some of these prophecies were made many thousands of years before Christ came.  If you consider many thousands of years as near then perhaps His second coming is near as well.

   This, however, does not mean that my end is not near.  My life may be over in an instant, even before I can finish this post to my blog.  That is the end I must focus on.  Am I ready at this very moment for my life to end and to stand before the judgement of Jesus?  That is the question I need to consider and answer.

   Jesus warned His disciples against trying to predict the end when He said, “When you hear of wars and reports of wars do not be alarmed; such things must happen, but it will not yet be the end.” (Mark 13: 7).  The world will end in God’s time.  Rather than worry about the end of the world, I try to ensure I’m ready for my end. 

Father, the world will end at Your command.

The time is not for me to know.

So too, my life will end at Your command.

May I be prepared for either. 

Amen

 God in the Simple Things 

   God is in all things, but sometimes it seems I forget Him in the simple things of life.  In happy times I turn to Him in thanksgiving.  When I am down or sad I turn to Him for comfort.  When I feel overwhelmed I ask for His guidance and strength.  In my sinfulness I seek His mercy and forgiveness.  But in the simple day to day life I sometimes fail to recognize Him.

   I suppose it’s not uncommon to fail to notice God in everyday life, but it seems shameful to just accept a good day, one with no real highs or lows, as if it’s expected.  These days are also full of God’s love and mercy so why do I not see that and give Him proper thanks?

   Simplicity, I think, drives apathy.  In earthly life as well as spiritual life.  If things are just moving along I tend to go through life almost on autopilot, never taking the time to recognize that simplicity itself is a tremendous gift from my Lord.  I forget that nothing occurs unless God wills it or allows it.

   The most common of all days without absolutely nothing memorable about it is still the will of God.  These are the days that give me rest from the troubles of the world.  I am greatly blessed by the uncomplicated days of life God gives to me.

   So I must try to do better.  I must look at each day as a precious gift from the Lord, a day when His love envelopes me.  These days that refresh me and calm me are some of the best days of my life. 

Father, Your gifts are innumerable.

Whether majestic or simple Your gifts are precious.

Each day is a day to give You honor and praise.

A day to thank You with all my heart. 

Amen

 

We Are Not OK 

   In 1967, at the height of the “free love” movement, the book “I’m OK, You’re OK” by Thomas Anthony Harris was released.  The basic idea seemed to be that we are never wrong, just different.  Good and evil may be different from person to person.  There is no over-riding truth.

   The reality is I am not OK, and neither are you.  We are part of a fallen people, a people who do not know God as we should.  Rather than turning to God we turn to other humans, creatures rather than the creator.  We accept the opinion of movie stars, politicians, and even sports figures rather than seeking God’s truth.

   This is exactly what got humanity into the mess we are in.  Adam and Eve decided that they could determine what was good and what was evil, what was right and what was wrong.  Their act of pride cost humanity the relationship we were intended to have with God.

   Pride hasn’t lessened, it’s grown more and more prevalent over the years.  We look to ourselves as the authority ignoring the fact that we routinely get it wrong.  If we honestly look back at our life it’s easy to see that our answers, our plans, often bring pain and sorrow rather than success.  We think and act in human ways rather than in God’s ways.

   Only God is OK, we are not and never can be.  It is only through His loving mercy, guidance, and forgiveness that we can even approach OK.  Even then, it is because of His blessings, not our abilities.

   Society says we should be in charge of our lives.  Submitting ourselves to God’s will goes against those teachings.  Society will lead us to hell, God will lead us to eternal life.

 

We mess our lives up in so many ways.

In our pride we seek the wrong answers.

Help us turn to You.

Help us seek Your answers.

 

Amen 

 Surviving Life 

   I used to think that being a Christian was a goal to achieve, an answer to living life in peace at all times.  I felt that once I became a Christian all else would fall in place.  How very misguided I was.

   Christianity is not the cure for ending the evils of this world, but a way of life leading me to the world to come.  There are two sides to life, the spiritual and the physical.  The spiritual life must guide the physical and the earthly must bow to the spiritual.  It is a balance that can be hard to manage but it is the balance that brings peace and hope in a world stained by sin.

   There is so much evil in the world and Satan uses all means possible to convince us that it is so overwhelming that it cannot be defeated, only endured.  The news media, our politicians, the entertainment industry, and life itself seems dominated by Satan’s influence.  Even the Church suffers from evil, both from within as well as from without.  There is only one place I can turn to overcome this worldly situation.  I must turn to God.

   When viewed through the eyes of eternity, the daily trials and tribulations of life lose their significance.  Yes they can, and sometimes do, make this world seem to be a miserable place.  But God truly is in control; the evil may exist for a time but in the end it will fail.  It’s comforting to understand that I am only passing through this world on the way to my true home in heaven.  As Winston Churchill is credited with saying, “If you’re going through hell, keep going.”  A wise attitude to have, I cannot let the evils of this world rob me of the life to come.

   To survive life I must die to it and look with certainty to eternal life in God’s presence.  Evil can be overcome with His help and that help is always available.  He is waiting for us to ask. 

Father, this world is not my home.

My home is eternity in Your presence.

Help me overcome this world.

Guide me to the world to come. 

Amen

 A Quiet Place

 

   “He said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” (Mark 6: 31). 

   We all need to go to a quiet place and rest for a while from time to time.  I seek the quiet, the silence, the solitude.  It is where I am closest to my God.  In the silence I find the peace and comfort God has promised.

   It’s difficult to find peace in the world.  Everyone is in a hurry, they have so much on their minds that there is little room left for God.  Even those who faithfully attend Mass each week sometimes fill the other days of their week with so many things that God gets lost to them.

   I am blessed that I can spend most of my days in quiet solitude if I desire.  There are always things that need to be done but putting my time with God above all else brings comfort to my life and a peace that can’t be found otherwise.  I treasure the times of quiet, sometimes praying, sometimes contemplating an event in the life of Christ, or reading scripture.  At other times I am just sitting, enjoying a few moments in the presence of my God with nothing else in my mind.

   I have found one danger in the silence; my mind may make suggestions that I attribute to God.  For a time I was convinced that I was called by God to the become a permanent Deacon.  After three unsuccessful attempts I finally realized I was trying to fulfill my own will rather than the will of God.  Two things I’ve discovered; if it is God’s will success will accompany it though it may be difficult; and if it is God’s will there will be a peace in my heart and soul that can come from no other source but Him.

   In the silence I am closest to God, in the quiet I know Him in my heart, in the solitude, I become more and more His alone. 

I come to You in the silence.

And You are there.

In the quiet I sit with You.

Seeking Your will in all things. 

Amen

 A Place for Me

 

   “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be.” (John 14: 3) 

   Jesus loves me so much that He has prepared a place for me.  He desires that He may come back and take me to Himself.  He will help me along the way, guide me on the right path, and lead me home if I will allow.

   But if I am to spend eternity with my Lord I must be obedient to Him and His ways.  Obedience is a concept that is frowned upon in many ways in our society today.  We are supposed to be our own person and giving our obedience to another is often considered weak, a fault to be overcome.

   I’ve often struggled with the words of St. Paul about Jesus’ obedience, “Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered; and when he was made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.” (Hebrews 5: 9).  Jesus is God, the Son of God, how could He not be perfect?  Why did He need to learn obedience?  Though He was God, did He experience the need for obedience prior to His incarnation?  Perhaps part of His humanity was to learn what it is for humans to be obedient to another.  He was obedient to His parents, but most of all to God, the one true Father.  His obedience was perhaps perfected in the Garden of Gethsemane when He prayed, “Abba, Father, all things are possible to you.  Take this cup away from me, but not what I will but what you will.”  (Mark 14: 36).

   This is the obedience I must have if I am to be prepared for Jesus to take me to Himself.  Obedience that always says, “Your will, not mine, be done.” 

Lord I offer You my obedience.

Give me the strength to persevere.

Teach me all Your ways.

Make me holy that I may come to You. 

Amen