Calm Seas 

   “He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Quiet!  Be still!’  The wind ceased and there was great calm.”  (Mark 4: 39) 

   Our life can be compared to a sea voyage beginning at our birth and ended with our death.  Throughout the trip we will face both stormy and calm seas.  There will be times when we fear our ship is to be swamped and times when the sailing will be peaceful and easy.

   In times of calm seas we far too often tend to forget that the quietness of the waters is a gift from God.  But as soon as the waters turn violent and threatening we, like the apostles, want to wake the Lord and beg His assistance.  People are fickle like that.

   There will always be difficulties in life.  Jesus told us “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23).  But we are also told that He will never test us beyond our strength but will provide a way out (see 1 Cor: 10: 13).  The tests are an important part of our spiritual growth.  Through them we learn to trust in God’s love and mercy toward us, to turn to Him in all things.

   Whether the seas are calm and pleasant or raging with anger we have a Father who loves us and will always see us through.  When things seem their darkest, He is there to light a candle within us, bringing peace and comfort to our life. 

In good times and bad You are with us.

You test us but will never abandon us.

Increase my trust in You.

Fill my heart with Your calm and peace. 

Amen

 

 

 

 

 The Eternal Now 

   Thirty seconds ago is the past; I can do nothing to change it.  Thirty seconds from now is the future; nothing guarantees that I will live to see it.  What I am left with is now, not the past, not the future, but this very moment in time.  It gives me a different perspective on how to live my life by recognizing this fact.

   This concept makes me want to do all I can to ensure that I don’t regret the past by my actions or sins.  It makes me want to be prepared for the future should it come.  Mostly it impresses upon me the absolute need to consider the state of my soul every minute of my life.

   One of the teachings of St. Benedict reminds the monks that they should consider their mortality each day since they never know which day will be their last.  In realizing that each day, or even each second, could be the last it adds an urgency to ensure that I am ready whenever God calls me home.  Such an attitude has an impact on the decisions and choices that I make.

   Eternity is a mystery.  We don’t truly understand an existence where time does not exist.  Yet, in some ways, the now of each moment of my life is eternity; it never ends.  Now is now, a few seconds forward in time will also be now.  No matter how long I live, be it a few moments or many years I always live in the now of each moment.

   I can’t change the past and the future may never come.  I must live this now and every now to come with those thoughts in mind. 

I can’t fix the past.

I can’t be certain of the future.

I must live in the now.

Father, I offer this and every now to You. 

Amen

 The Armor of God 

    "Put on the armor of God so that you will be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil.  For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in heaven.”  (Eph 6: 10 – 12) 

   St. Paul warns us of the battle we must face every day, the corruption in the world, the evil Satan brings.  We cannot allow ourselves to become complacent, allowing apathy to rule our spiritual life.  We must be warriors, but of a kind the world does not recognize.

   What is the armor of God?  First and foremost I believe our greatest defense against evil is the love of God.  Satan can’t abide love, he is hatred personified, love is against everything he stands for.  God’s love can overcome anything, including the evil that seems to permeate the world.

   Courage in the face of the oppressor is part of God’s armor.  The courage to stand strong for our faith and the truths God teaches us.  We must have the audacity to identify the evil, to call it what is and do all in our power to thwart it.  We must walk the walk not just talk the talk.

   I look to prayer as the heavy artillery in God’s army.  It is through prayer that we can ultimately defend ourselves against Satan.  I once wrote that Satan cringes when we pray.  I believe that to be true.  When we invoke God the Father, God the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Satan will take flight.  It doesn’t take a lengthy prayer full of words, “God, come to my assistance” will do just fine.  If our heart is with God, it is protected by all the powers of heaven.

   Each day, as soon as we arise, we must put on the armor of God and prepare to do battle.  Thankfully, we have God Himself as our Commanding General and His holy angels to watch over us. 

The world is filled with evil.

We must battle it every day.

In You lies the power to win the battle.

Give us Your strength in this war. 

Amen

Understanding God 

   “If you understand, it isn’t God.” (St. Augustine) 

   I’ve tried to understand more about God and have found that there is only so much that can be known about Him in this life.  I know that He is a loving God, but His love is one of perfection and perfection can’t be understood in a sinful world.

   He is all merciful but, again, His mercy is perfect and unable to be understood by the mind of a sinner, one who truly doesn’t and can’t understand perfection.

   I have come to realize that the only way to truly understand God is to pass from this life and enter into His presence.  I believe that is the ultimate goal of faith, to enter into that existence in which I will be able to truly know and understand God.

   Until then I will have to be satisfied with knowing and seeing only that which is possible in this world.  I can know of His love and mercy even if I don’t fully understand it.  I can see His majesty in the magnificence and grandeur of His creation.  From the tiniest microbe to the vastness of  the universe itself, God tells me of His majesty though I will never know how it all works.

   God doesn’t expect me to understand but to have faith.  St. Augustine said, “Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward for this faith is to see what you believe.”  In faith I will continue to believe.  When I leave this world faith will no longer be necessary.  With Him, in His eternal light, I will see and know. 

Your ways are beyond my understanding.

I can’t grasp perfection in a sinful world.

I believe and trust in You.

In faith I will come to see the truth. 

Amen 

 Heavenly Treasures 

   “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return;” (Job 1:21) 

   No matter what riches we gain, no matter what fame we may obtain, we will return to the Lord naked of all earthly treasures.  Everything we may have worked so hard for will belong to others.

   If I live in a magnificent mansion, eating fine foods, drinking fine wines all my life it means nothing.  How well I use the many blessings God has bestowed on me is what matters.  The poorest among us gives more than many of the rich in giving of what little they have to help another.  When Jesus saw the poor widow drop two small coins in the collection He told His disciples, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; for they all put in out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on.” (Mark 12: 43 – 44)

   We work hard to live a good life when our life is nothing more than a blink of an eye in eternity.  Many cheat, lie, and use any means possible to gain wealth, fortune and fame that will not last; once they are gone few will remember them.  But those who use the blessings God bestows on them to help others are gaining treasure in heaven.  Like the rich and famous, few will remember them when they die, but it matters not; they will be remembered in their heavenly homeland.

   Jesus once remarked, “For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul.” (Mark 8: 36).  The treasures we build up in this world are fleeting and may disappear in an instance.  The treasures we build up in heaven are eternal. 

Lord, You bless us in so many ways.

Our earthly treasures are gifts from You.

Help us use them according to Your will.

That we may store up treasure in heaven. 

Amen

 Searching for God 

   Days come and days go.  Some are better, some are worse.  Regardless, they are a part of life and life is an incredible gift of God.  So each day is a day to give thanks to Him.

   Yet sometimes it seems that I to have to look harder to find Him.  The day is more difficult, I struggle, and need Him, but sometimes it’s as if He has left me on my own.  I know that He will never leave me alone, His love is eternal.  His love comforts and strengthens me in all things.  So why do some days seem so lonely?

   On those days I have to try harder to seek Him, I struggle even in my prayers.  My mind wants to wander, and it's more difficult to bring it back to God.  Yet I think this is perhaps a means of increasing my faith, of encouraging me to seek Him more.  Is it possible to take God for granted?  I think it is and the difficult days convince me that I must never just assume His presence.  

   When I must struggle to find God it makes me realize than no matter the battle the reward is worth the effort.  He is truly always there but I think sometimes He withdraws just to remind me that without Him life would hold no meaning.  In my searching for Him my faith deepens, I become even more aware of my great need for Him.

   The old saying that absence makes the heart grow fonder may apply.  When I am missing Him it makes me love Him more and ever more anxious to have Him in my life.  His presence gives meaning to my life. 

There are days when I feel alone.

Days when I struggle to find You.

Yet You are always with me.

I thank You Lord. 

Amen

 Let There Be Light 

   “And God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light.  And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness.” (Genesis 1: 3 – 4) 

   From the beginning the light was good and separated from the darkness.  Try as it may, the darkness of evil will never overcome the light.

   The light of God seems to be dimmed in the world today.  Many resist the good He promises, rejecting His ways and even denying His existence.  This isn’t the first time that evil has tried very hard to shutter the light of God and it won’t be the last.  For me, what is important is keeping God’s light alive in my life and sharing it with others.  Even if the world reduces it to a small candle, even that candle can overcome evil.

   Jesus came to again bring light to the world, “In him there was life, and the life was the light of men.  The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1: 4 – 5).  Jesus was and is the Light of the world.  Evil tried to defeat Him; they lied, they slandered, and they demanded His death on the cross.  Even then the Light could not be extinguished.  I like to imagine the fear, and horror the Priests, Sadducees, and Pharisees must have known when the sky darkened, the earth quaked, and the veil of the temple was torn at the death of our Lord.  Try as they may, they could not destroy the Light.  He would rise again.

   We need His light within us, without it we will stumble, falling prey to the evils of this world.  If we keep His light burning brightly within us, the world is less frightening, the evil less overwhelming.  His light reminds us that He has overcome the world.  At the right time, which only the Father knows, the Light that is God will vanquish the dark and make all things new. 

The Light of God shines upon me.

He blesses me with His love and mercy.

Lord, let me never lose sight of Your light.

Shine brightly all the days of my life. 

Amen

A Loving God 

   “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1: 1)

   “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; (John 1: 14) 

   I often sit before the Blessed Sacrament giving thanks to Jesus for the incredible sacrifices He made for me and for all.  The love He has for us in incomprehensible; there is no other love in the world that compares to His.

      I see Him hanging on the cross, His body brutalized by the scourging, nails through His hands and feet.  Struggling to even take a breath He used what little strength remained to pray, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23: 24).  He had been betrayed, abandoned by His friends, scourged, and nailed to the cross and yet, with His dying breaths, he was forgiving those who had committed this atrocity.

   His love is beyond all knowing.  He forgives all who come to Him in sorrow and repentance.  I can’t help but recognize that it was for my sins that He suffered and died.  He has sought me and forgiven me; He has made me His own.

   I know I can never repay Him.  I can never thank Him enough for His love and sacrifice.  I can only try my best to love Him and live my life according to what He told us were the two greatest commandments, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matt 22: 37 – 29). 

You gave up your glory for a while.

You became man and lived among us.

You gave Your life for my sins.

I thank You with all my heart, soul, and mind. 

Amen 

 Thoughts of Heaven 

   “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: 7-8) 

   I look forward to heaven and often wonder what it will be like.  Even though St. Paul tells us that we really can’t know, I still contemplate what it will be.

   I know that it will be perfect, but perfect is a concept that really doesn’t exist in this world.  What we consider perfect is still very flawed when compared to the perfection of God and the heaven He has prepared for us.  So knowing that it will be perfect really doesn’t help me understand the reality.

   I know that it will be pure love, but again there is really no such thing in this life.  Those most in love with their spouses still find fault at times.  We love our children but recognize their imperfections.  Our love is a gift of God, but it is filtered, if you will, by the fallen nature of the world in which we live.

   Jesus told His disciples, “In my father’s house there are many dwelling places.  If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?” (John 14: 2).  The Douay-Rheims version uses the word “mansions” rather than dwelling places.  To me, that seems to fit in more with the concept of heaven.  And yet I recognize that I am not worthy of a mansion.  A simple hovel in heaven is greater that the most magnificent mansion in this world.

   So I will continue to sit and consider what awaits me if I remain true to my Lord.  I don’t know and will never know in this world.  I must simply trust in His word and await the perfection to come. 

In heaven we will know You as You are.

We will know what perfection truly is.

We will love as You love.

We will be as You intended. 

Amen

 Choices, Right and Wrong 

   Society seems to have decided that any choice made is just as valid as any other.  My choice is right for me and yours is right for you and neither of us has the right to question another’s choice.  The fact that certain things are always right, and others are always wrong has been lost.

   In the early days of Christianity Roman Emperors brutally persecuted the Christian community.  Nero was known to have had them drenched in oil, hung on poles, and set afire while still alive along the streets of Rome.  That choice could never be considered a right choice.

   Hitler brutally murdered millions of Jews, Catholics, Gays, and Gypsies as a means of cleansing what he called the Master Race.  They were used for medical experiments, starved, and killed.  No one would try to justify that decision, that choice.

   In pre-Civil War times in this country, slavery was a common economic decision made by many to provide cheap labor.  Often treated no better than animals, slaves were brutalized and killed for the most minor indiscretion.  Families were separated and sold to various new owners.  Our nation still suffers because of that choice.

   On this day in 1973 the Supreme Court, in a 7-2 decision, determined that babies in the womb were not worthy of protection.  In the United States alone over 50 million innocent children have been slaughtered in the womb.  Some say we shouldn’t or even can’t question that court decision.  I would remind them of another Supreme Court decision.  On March 6, 1857, also by a 7-2 decision, the court informed Mr. Dred Scott that he was not entitled to protection under the constitution.  They reasoned that African Americans were not and never could be citizens of the United States.  That choice was also wrong.

   At the judgement we will be held accountable for our choices.  Some choices are always wrong. 

We live by the choices we make.

We will be judged by those choices.

Give us the wisdom to make right choices.

To respect your creation of all human live. 

Amen

 Our Own Path 

“Now if you are unwilling to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”  (Joshua 24: 15) 

   I once heard someone say that Frank Sinatra made a lot of money singing Hell’s theme song, “I Did It My Way”.  It made me think of the fact that we have the ability to do it our own way or God’s way.  Which we choose is the most important decision we will ever make.

   As the Israelites were about to cross the Jordan and enter the promised land Joshua put this choice before them.  Their journey from Egypt was marred with many instances of worshipping gods other than the true God.  They turned to the gods of those around them and even made their own objects of worship.  Now they must decide which to serve.

   I must make the same choice each day; to serve self or serve God.  The temptations to worship the false gods of this world are plentiful.  Society even frowns upon those who refuse to accept the worldly ways, those who choose God.  If one wants to fit in with today’s society it’s almost required that they reject God and His ways.  It takes faith, determination, and the grace of God to remain true to Him.

   We each must choose the path we will walk.  God won’t force us to follow Him.  He will love us either way and, if we choose false gods, He will continue to reach out to us.  He does so in the beauty of the world, the majesty of the universe, the joy in a child’s laughter and many other ways.  He loves us and shares His love with us that we may share it with others, our spouse, children, and friends.  Still the choice to walk away from Him is totally our decision.  As for me, like Joshua said, I will serve the Lord. 

At the river Jordan they had a choice.

To follow You or false gods.

In life we too have that choice.

May we always chose to serve You. 

Amen

 At War with the World 

   “For though we live in the world we are not carrying on a worldly war, for the weapons of our warfare are not worldly but have divine power to destroy strongholds.”  (2 Cor 10: 3 – 4) 

   We are living in a world, a country, a city, and even a family that is stained by sinned.  We may sincerely wish to change things but our ability to do so is limited.  However we possess the greatest means of change available, prayer to the Lord our God.

   We can try to change things by using the ways of the world, arguing, fighting, causing even more discord, or we can choose prayer.  While prayer may not satisfy our urge to confront a situation head-on it is the most effective way to make change.  But to be effective we must live the values we profess in our faith.

   “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matt 22: 38 - 39)  We are challenged by Christ to live a life of love, not hatred; to love even our enemies.

   Jesus never hated anyone, He never condemned anyone, He never got into shouting matches arguing with others.  He spoke plainly but with love and mercy.  Yet no on has ever changed the world as He did by His kindness, love, and compassion.  As He was dying for our sins on the cross, He prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23: 34).

   If we truly want to effect lasting change we should remember the ways of Jesus and the forgiveness he gave even while dying on the cross.  If we want to change the world, prayer is the way.

In as sinful world it’s easy to become sinful.

To hate those who disagree with us.

Fill our hearts with Your love and mercy.

Help us forgive and love rather than hate. 

Amen

 

Be Still 

   One of my favorite quotes from the bible is, “Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46: 10).  I have always seen this as a way of coming to better know my Lord.  Be still, be silent and listen with my heart and soul.  Just as Elijah found that God was in the still small voice (1 Kings 19: 11 – 12), I have found God in the silence and solitude of my prayers.

   But I’ve come to understand that, like many bible verses, this verse has another meaning.  In times of trouble or difficulty I am to be still and know that He is God.  Being still in this case doesn’t necessary mean quiet, it implies a stillness of heart, a calm within even in times of trouble, trusting that God is in control.

   When my wife passed away I was quite confused for a while.  I couldn’t understand why she had been taken from me.  I asked my priest what God wanted of me now that she was gone.  He wisely told me that perhaps all God wanted for the time being was for me to endure and heal.  Essentially I was to be still and trust in God.

   We are all faced with difficulties in life, some may be relatively minor, and others can be devastating.  So many things happen that I don’t understand; things I will never understand in this life.  I have found that trusting in God and His plan brings peace and comfort even in the worst of times.

   For me, the heart of this little verse is simple; trust in God.  A friend says he has an imaginary box labeled “mysteries” in which he places those things beyond his understanding.  I think that is an excellent way to deal with such things.  It’s not necessary that I always understand or know the reason why.  All that is necessary is that I trust in the Lord.

   “How unsearchable are his judgements and how inscrutable his ways!” (Romans 11: 33).  His ways are beyond my understanding so I will be still and know that He is God. 

Your ways are so far above my ways.

I can’t fathom your thoughts and plans.

Give me the faith to simply believe in You.

Give me the peace that comes from trusting You. 

Amen

  

 The Right Thing 

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

   There are many choices to make each day.  Some are insignificant, others may be much more important.  It’s up to me to choose the right thing, regardless of the importance of the choice.  If I do my best to include God in my decisions I am much more likely to choose to do the right thing, even when it may be difficult. 

   Something as simple as what to have for breakfast would seem to matter very little but if I consistently eat too much or the wrong things for breakfast, or any other meal, I can destroy my health.  By making the right choices I can better care for the incredible gift of health.

   There are times when I’d like to throw something big and heavy at the television because the news is almost always bad.  Instead I can just turn it off, seeking the highlights of the news from other sources.  Anything more than the highlights is usually of no use anyway.

   When driving if someone cuts me off I can decide to yell at them or maybe even give them a vulgar hand signal.  Or I can simply smile and thank God that I was able to avoid an accident.  I know well which choice benefits me and my spiritual life.

   I can select the right things to watch if I watch television, I can choose movies with a good story and maybe even a moral message rather than one filled with violence and sex.  I can be selective in my reading, getting enjoyment as well as spiritual learning and support.  I can choose to go to Mass as often as possible, strengthening my faith.

   Most of all I can pray for God’s guidance in all my choices.  I can do my best to make the right choices and leave the rest in God’s hands. 

Father, You blessed us with free will.

So many times we abuse it.

Help me to seek Your will, not mine.

Help me make the right choices. 

Amen

 

 The Merciful and the Peacemakers 

   “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” (Matt 5:5)

   “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. (Matt 5: 9) 

   Our nation and our world hungers for the peacemakers and the merciful.  There seems to be so few who practice these lessons from the beatitudes.

   There once was such a thing as polite discourse between those whose ideas varied; those who disagreed on how to accomplish the things that need to be accomplished.  Now there seems to be only arguments, hatred, and name-calling.  Nothing is accomplished because no one is willing to compromise.  There is no give and take, only taking and disparaging any who might dare to disagree.  There is no peace to be found.

   Mercy seems to have been replaced by a call for justice alone.  Our definition of justice contains very little if any mercy; it is primarily about punishment and retribution.  Even where punishment is warranted, mercy needs to exist.  I am reminded of Pope St. John Paul II when he visited the man who had tried to assassinate him.  He did not demand his release for what he did properly disserved punishment.  But he also allowed mercy to be a part of his justice; he went to the prison and visited with the assassin and forgave him.  There is a balance to justice and that balance is mercy.  God’s justice is merciful.  Justice without mercy is vengeance.

   Jesus said, “And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.” (Matt 5: 25).  If we cannot find the merciful and the peacemakers I fear our house will not long stand. 

You are a just and merciful Lord.

Teach us Your ways Father.

Give us more mercy.

Give us more peace. 

Amen

 False Gods 

   “But in the time of trouble they say, ‘Arise and save us!’.  But where are your gods that you made for yourself.” (Jeremiah 1: 27 – 28) 

   The Israelites often turned to false gods, turning away from the one true God.  From the golden calf they worshiped almost as soon as God freed them from slavery to the pagan god Baal, they readily turned to false gods.

   We may not have any golden calves and I don’t think anyone worships Baal these days but there are plenty of false gods that are worshiped in place of God.  It seems more and more people are turning to their own personal gods and neglecting the only God who matters.  We worship what we want, what we desire, nothing else matters.

   Some want money, so any means of obtaining it is fair play.  If they must lie, cheat, and steal to get it that’s fine.  It gets them what they want.

   Some want sex, with anyone, anytime, and often.  If someone becomes pregnant they many times destroy the child in the womb as a mere inconvenience.  After all, sex is what they want, and they will get what they want even it means killing the most innocent of all.

   Some want fame.  Some will give up most anything to obtain recognition.  Athletes give up their own bodies, sometimes destroying themselves with performance enhancing drugs.  Some freely offer sex to gain Hollywood fame or a better record contract.  Some even seek fame in the evil they do, taking pride in the crimes and atrocities they commit.

   However, when tragedy strikes many turn to God asking why and even blaming Him.  False gods are of no help when heartbreak and sorrow enter our life.  As God, through Jeremiah, asked the Israelites, “But where are your gods that you made for yourself.” (Jeremiah 1: 28). 

You are the one true God.

There are so many false gods.

They are of no worth.

Help me always turn to You. 

Amen

 The Truth of Jesus 

   “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” (John 8: 31 – 32) 

   As usual the Jews did not understand Jesus’ teaching about the truth making them free.  They argued that they were descendants of Abraham and had never been in bondage.  What they didn’t grasp is that the bondage from which His truth would free them was not slavery to another but slavery to sin.

    With each sin I commit I turn from God.  When I go to Him in sorrow for my sins He, in His mercy, forgives me.  No matter how often I come to Him, that often He will forgive.  The danger lies in not going to Him, in remaining in my sin rather than repenting and trying to avoid further sin.  Habits are formed by repetition; if I repeat my sins over and over without sorrow they will become habit.  Habitual sinfulness leads to slavery to sin and to Satan, the father of all sin.

   “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3: 16).  That is the truth that Jesus teaches, that belief in Him is the way to eternal life.  The truth of Jesus is that He loves me and wants to come and take me to Himself when this life is over.  For that to happen I must trust and believe in His truth, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me.” (John 14: 6). 

The world is full of lies.

Truth comes from the Lord.

Open my eyes to see the lies.

Open my heart to know the truth. 

Amen

 Work, Read, Pray 

   In His rule for monastic life St. Benedict wrote of ore et labora (pray and work).  A monk’s life is to be one of prayer and one of work offered to God in sacrifice.  If he were here today he might add lege (read) as well.  In addition to working and praying there is also a lot of reading in the life of a monk.  Scripture is read at Mass and at each of the Liturgy of the Hours.  Lectio Divina (Divine Reading) is a large part of the Benedictine’s way of life.

   Work can be prayer when offered to God.  Regardless the task, if it is offered to the Lord in love as a sacrifice it becomes a beautiful prayer.  In offering it to God it also becomes less onerous and more fulfilling; it becomes a part of the spiritual life.

   Reading is a large part of my life.  My choice of reading has changed significantly over the years.  I used to read mostly mysteries and still enjoy a good, thought provoking story.  However, I am much more inclined to read those books that teach me more of my God and faith.  The bible, writings of the early Church Fathers and more recent spiritual thinkers have become the primary source of my reading material.

   Prayer is the basis for any spiritual life.  Communal prayer at Mass, quiet prayer with the Lord before the Blessed Sacrament and fellowship with other Christians give me comfort and peace. 

   I find God more intimately in my prayers in the solitude of my quiet place.  In the silence I sit with my Lord, talking as if to a friend.  Sometimes I’m tempted to talk too much, leaving little room for Him to respond and guide me.  Silence in thought, in my heart and my soul allows Him to be even more present within me, guiding me in His ways, giving comfort and strength.

   Work, read and pray.  These have brought me to a much closer relationship with the Lord.  There is no greater goal than becoming nearer to my God. 

Let me come near to You.

In my work, my prayers, and my reading.

Open my heart and soul to Your word.

Bring me always nearer. 

Amen

 In Silence with the Lord 

   “Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. (Mark 1: 35) 

   The above quote is one of many instances noted in the Gospels of Jesus going off by himself to pray in private, just Him and the Father.

   Like all devoted Jews, Jesus attended synagogue regularly; He participated in the Jewish festivals and feasts.  He taught His disciples as a group and taught crowds of upwards of five thousand.  In this way I believe He reinforced the need for communal prayer, a coming together of Christians to give praise and glory to Him and to be taught and led by His word.

   In addition to the prayers and activities of the congregations, He also made time to be alone with the Father.  After His baptism, he withdrew to the desert for prayer and fasting and was tempted by Satan (Matt 4: 1 - 2), before naming the twelve apostles from among His disciples He spent the night alone in prayer (Luke 6: 12 – 13.)  In the garden of Gethsemane He again went by Himself to pray before His passion and death (Matt 26: 36 – 44).

   St. Therese of Lisieux said, “For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and love, embracing both trial and joy.”  In the quiet I understand her meaning.  To be silent in the presence of the Lord is to truly pray. 

Noise deafens me to Your word.

Commotion hides Your quiet presence.

In the silence I find You.

In the quiet we are one. 

Amen

Hope 

   “Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer.”  (Romans 12: 12) 

   There have been times in my life when hope has been difficult to find.  I’m sure most everyone has had times when they felt all hope was gone.  I place the cause of those feelings on Satan.  Only he would desire that we lose hope because in losing hope we may also lose God.

   Part of the problem, at least for me, is the inability to change things that I think need changing.  I want to fix things, make them right, and when I can’t it can cause a frustration that may even lead to a sense of uselessness.  If I can’t fix it something must be wrong with me, it’s my fault.

   Thankfully, I’ve come to realize that there are many things in this life that I have no control over, I can’t fix them and it’s through no fault of my own.  This is a sinful world, a world seemingly dominated by Satan and his evil ways.  I can strive to resist him in my life and even encourage others to do the same, but I can’t stop him.  Only the coming of our Lord will end evil in the world.

   So, like Paul, I must look at my frustrations, the troubles I see in this world and accept that I can’t change them.  When looked at properly they will bring hope.  Not hope relying on my human abilities to fix them but hope in the Lord. 

   “He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning or pain, for the old order has passed away.  The one who sat on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’” (Rev 21: 4 – 5).  Amen Lord, come soon, make all things new. 

Through the trials of this life You give me hope.

The evil in the world cannot overcome that hope.

Help me to rest secure in Your promises.

Strengthen my hope. 

Amen

 Holiness 

   “Holiness does not consist in doing extraordinary things.  It consists in accepting, with a smile, what Jesus sends us.  It consists in accepting and following the will of God.” (St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta, “Do Something Beautiful for God) 

   St. Mother Teresa tells me what holiness is to look like, it is to be acceptance of God’s will in my life.  It is in recognizing that even the trials and tribulations I may experience are a part of God’s plan for me and trusting that all He does is for my good.  It is accepting all, both the good and the bad.  Though I may never understand why things happen in this life, I must trust in His great love even when it is difficult.

   I can’t become holy of our own accord.  I am a fallen creature stained by sin and it is not within me to make myself holy.  Only by submitting my will to the will of the Father can I become holy.  I must ask that the Holy Spirit come upon me and make me holy.  I must willingly accept all that His presence will bring.  Only by the grace of God is that possible.

   Holiness is a matter of trust in God and faith in the promises of Christ.  Holiness did not come to St. Matthew as a tax collector, it came from Jesus’ call to him and his accepting that call.  The same is true of all the apostles.  It was true of the Old Testament prophets and it is true of all the martyrs and saints who have ever lived.

   Being holy takes two, it takes God calling me to holiness and me accepting that call.  It means submitting my will to His in all things.  Only in this commitment and a determined effort to live by it is holiness possible.

 

Lord, only You are holy.

But You want to share Your holiness with me.

I offer You my heart, my soul, and my life.

Make me holy.

 

Amen

 Servant of the Lord 

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

  If I am ever unsure of how I am to respond to God I need look no further than the Blessed Virgin Mary.  Her example will guide me and lead me always closer to the Lord.

   Her response to the angel Gabriel tells me the attitude I am to have.  I am to be the servant of the Lord, to live my life according to His word.  Even though she must have known her decision would involve serious consequence she agreed to be the handmaid of the Lord.

   At the wedding at Cana, Mary said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” (John 2: 5).  She says the same to me, accept His will, do whatever He asks, whatever He tells you.  I am again reminded that Mary's desire is to lead me always closer to her son, our blessed Lord and Savior.

   “When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, here is your son.’  Then he said to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’” (John 19: 26 – 27).  Mary is the spiritual mother of all who are disciples of Jesus, she is my mother in faith.  As my mother she wants only what is best for me, to become holy, to be faithful to her Son as she is faithful to Him in all things.  She wants me, like the servants at Cana, to do whatever he tells me. 

You choose Mary to be Your mother.

In faith You made her my mother as well.

She tells me to do whatever You ask.

Help me to always follow her advice. 

Amen

  He Is With Me 

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

   In Matthew’s gospel these were the last words spoken by Jesus to His apostles before He returned to the Father in heaven.  These words are as important for today’s world as they were for the apostle’s.  They provide hope for a people who may become disillusioned with the woes of the world and may even give up on His promise.

   History tells us that there will be good times and bad.  Living in what we may consider to be one of the bad times requires perseverance in faith and a recognition that all is in God’s hands regardless of how dark it may seem.

   When I begin to feel the troubles of this world bearing down on me I can turn to Jesus’ words of hope and remind myself that He is still with me and always will be.  He has not left me on my own, He has sent the Holy Spirit to guide and comfort me.

   If I can abandon myself to God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, there is nothing that can defeat me.  I am protected and saved by the love of God.  “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8: 38 – 39). 

The trials of this world can be difficult.

It would be easy to give up hope.

In You my hope is eternal.

I trust in Your promises and Your love. 

Amen

 He Cares for Me 

   “Cast all your worries upon him because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5: 7) 

   God cares for me.  That is a fact, it is promised in so many ways in so many words of scripture.  He cares for me and loves me with a love that is eternal.

   There is nothing I have done nor is there anything I can do that would make me worthy of His love, His caring for me.  It is done out of pure love, the love of a Father who will never abandon His children.  No matter what I do, He will continue to love me and call to me to return to Him.  When I come to Him in sorrow for my failures and seek His forgiveness, he forgives.  “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our sins from us.” (Psalm 103: 12).

   Each day I try to live my life according to His will knowing that there will be times when I fail.  Each time I fail I go to Him asking for His mercy and the strength to help me fail less often.  I don’t seek Him simply because I want to avoid hell, but because He loves me, and I never want to offend Him by my actions.

   I never want to disappoint God by my failures, but I know I am a sinful man.  To say that I will never sin again is a lie.  Try as I may, I can’t escape sin in this world.  But I believe that my sincere desire to avoid sin pleases God.

I am far from perfect.

I sin and fail You far too often.

Still You love me and care for me.

May Your love lead me home. 

Amen

 Thoughts on Our Nation 

   “Heaven is where You are, and You are all I desire, and this desire makes me cry out to you, and in prayer beg for your help. (Thomas á Kempis, “The Imitation of Christ”) 

   I watched as mobs stormed the capitol, destroying property and looking very much like a third world country in the midst of revolution.  At least one person was killed in the riots.

   Most will try to blame anyone other than themselves They will look for the political reasons and do their best to take advantage for their own political gain.  I have a different perspective.

   These types of events have become far too common recently, especially over the last year.  Fingers are pointed, names are called, and everyone expresses their feigned horror.  In my opinion they are all pointing in the wrong direction, they should be directed at our own failures.

   This nation was formed and has survived based on a morality founded in Judeo/Christian ethics.  There was an underlying recognition that there is a higher power than oneself.  That principal, that basis for our democracy, seems to be rapidly disappearing and may already be too far gone.  It has become all about self, each person defining good and evil individually.

   Regardless the religion one practices, even if none is practiced, I believe we have an innate sense of right and wrong.  However, the evidence indicates that many, if not most, ignore it.  Until we again begin to realize and accept that eternal truths exist things will continue to get worse.

   Recognizing that right is always right and wrong is always wrong gives incentive to work together to resolve issues.  Looking to self as the authority gives rise to continued discord and hatred.  I pray that God in heaven hears the cries for help in a nation torn by evil and sinfulness. 

Lord, we have abandoned You.

We look to self rather than to You.

Give us the wisdom to seek Your will.

Bring us together in You. 

Amen

 The Glory of God 

   “The heavens declare the glory of God; the firmament proclaims the works of his hands.  Day unto day pours forth speech; night unto night whispers knowledge.  There is no speech, no words; their voice is not heard; a report goes forth through all the earth, their messages to the ends of the world.”  (Psalm 19: 2 – 5) 

   The message of the Lord is many times a silent message.  He does not shout; He does not yell.  He is not heard in the hustle and bustle of a world full of noise and chaos.  His voice is in the quiet whisper of my heart.  Seek the silence and you will find the glory of God.

   His glory is proclaimed in the silence of a flower growing from a seed, sprouting, and eventually producing a beautiful example of God’s love.  It is in the quiet embrace of a soulmate, for whom you would give your own life.  His glory shines in the eyes of children as their mother comforts and cares for them.  It is in the wonder of His creation of the universe.  It is in His creation of you and me.  It’s not hard to find the glory of God, it’s just that we too often look for it in the wrong places.

   The glory of God is all encompassing, all present, it is evident in all things.  Yet we sometimes hide the glory of God within us by our sinfulness rather than letting it shine through us.  Seek His love and mercy, He will forgive, and once again His great glory may be seen in us. 

Your glory is evident in all things.

We too often overlook the majesty of Your creations.

Open our eyes to Your glory.

In creation and within us. 

Amen