The Tree of Death 

   “And the Lord God commanded the man, ‘You may eat freely of every tree in the garden; but of the tree of knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die.” (Gen 2: 16 – 17) 

   I was reminded of this verse on my way home from shopping yesterday.  I drove past an open field and noticed two trees less that fifty feet apart.  One was beautiful, healthy, green, and full of life.  The other was covered with vines or maybe Spanish Moss.  The limbs were bare, the vines or moss draped over them nearly hiding the tree within.

   It made me think of a life full of God and one full of sin.  A life which includes God is a beautiful life regardless of the earthly circumstances.  The love of God nourishes, blesses, and cares for that life.  That life will know the joys of heaven.

   A life of sin, on the other hand, is a life robbed of beauty by the evil within.  Satan winds his vines, like parasites into its’ very soul, draining it of any loveliness.  There may be what the world sees as happiness and joy, but it is only an illusion. A mirage that will die with the mortal life of the sinner, leaving behind a soul destroyed by sin.

   The tree of knowledge of good and evil became the tree of death.  In their pride our first parents wanted to be like God, defining good and evil for themselves.  A look at the world today is all the evidence needed to prove their mistake; only God defines good and evil.

   The wood of the cross on which our Lord was crucified is the tree of life.  From that tree came the blood and water from the side of Jesus pouring out His love and mercy, forming His Church.  From His death on the cross Jesus arose, promising eternal life to all who would believe and trust in Him.

   We can choose to take from the tree of life or the tree of sin.  The tree of sin may seem to offer joy and pleasure. but it is the path to everlasting death.  The tree of life will include some pain and suffering but will lead to eternal life in the presence of God. 

Each day I must choose.

Fruit from the tree of life or from the tree of sin.

One leads to eternal life, the other to condemnation.

Help me Lord, to choose wisely. 

Amen

 There is Forgiveness 

   “Peter said to him in reply, ‘Though all may have their faith in you shaken, mine will never be.’  Jesus said to him, ‘Amen, I say to you, this very night before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.’” (Matt 26: 32 – 34) 

   In the courtyard where Jesus was brought before the Sanhedrin after His arrest Peter denied Jesus three times, even swearing that he never knew Him.  When the rooster crowed he remembered Jesus’ words and “He went out and began to weep bitterly.” (Matt 26: 75)

   Peter’s denial and the betrayal of Judas tell of two ways to respond to the sins I commit.  Judas, though He recognized his sin of betrayal, killed himself, failing to understand that forgiveness could have been his for the asking.  Peter, when he recognized his sin of denial, went out and wept bitterly in sorrow for his sin.  Peter’s sin was forgiven, and he went on to be leader of the apostles; the first Pope.

   These two very different responses to sin speak to the love and mercy of our Lord.  Judas, who did not believe he could be forgiven, condemned himself to hell.  Peter, though he sinned in denying Jesus, sorrowed for his sin and was forgiven.

   I face much the same choice when I sin.  If I come to believe that my sin is so great that even Jesus can’t forgive, I have failed.  If I fall to my knees in sorrow, confident in the Lord’s love and mercy, forgiveness is mine.  Jesus told us that “there will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15: 10).  All I need do is trust in His word and repent. 

I too often sin against You.

I am weak, unable to resist.

I come to You in sorrow for my failings.

In Your love, forgive me and take me to Yourself. 

Amen

 Holy Week 

   “Behold we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and scourged and crucified, and he will rise on the third day.” (Matt 20: 17 – 19) 

   Holy Week brings us to the climax of the Easter Season.  But before we get the jubilation and joy of Easter Sunday we much pass through the passion and death of our Lord.  Holy Week causes us to recall and meditate upon the suffering of our Lord, the pain, agony, and horrible death He would endure for our salvation.

   When I sit before the crucifix, I understand that it is my hands and feet that should have been nailed to the cross.  It is my side that should have been opened by the soldier’s lance.  It is for my sins that Jesus suffered so; to give me the opportunity of salvation and eternal life with Him.

   This week will be a week of prayer and contemplation.  Prayers of thanksgiving and gratitude for the Son of God who paid the price for my sins. Prayers for the wisdom to know God’s plan for me and the strength to carry it out.  Prayers for the grace to serve Him in all things.

   In contemplation I often try to place myself in the scripture, to become a part of it.  This week I will contemplate what my sins cost; the horrible pain Jesus suffered, the abandonment, rejection, mockery and death He endured.  To know that the nails driven through His hands and feet were caused by the sins I have and will commit.  In this way I can begin to understand the depth of His mercy and love.  In this way I can recognize that there is no path to God that does not include the cross.

   He died for me; He died for you; He died for all, that we may have the opportunity of eternal life.  This week will be one of sorrow for my Savior’s suffering.  I hunger for the joy of His resurrection. 

It should be my hands and feet nailed to the cross.

My side pierced by the soldier’s lance.

You took my place on the cross.

In Your love You saved me from condemnation. 

Amen

 Palm Sunday 

   "The crowds preceding him and those following kept crying out and saying, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; hosanna in the highest.’” (Matt 21: 9) 

   Such was Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem; the crowds proclaiming His glory and crying “Hosanna in the highest”.  In five short days many of them would, at the provoking of the Jewish leaders, be crying just as loudly for His crucifixion.

   It’s always interesting to see the church fill up on Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday and Easter.  People who never set foot in church the rest of the year for some reason feel the need to come on these days.  It’s a good thing and I always pray that some, even one, will be touched and return to Mass on a regular basis.

   Sadly, most will take their palms home, perhaps display them for a while and then forget them once Easter is over.  They are like those who welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem and then five days later insisted that He be crucified.  Of course, they don’t cry out for His death, instead they simply ignore Him the rest of the year.  They’ll be back at Christmas, but otherwise probably not.

   Just as sad is the fact that many who are at Mass every Sunday are not much different.  They come on Sunday, but the rest of the week is devoted to earthly desires.  They hurry out as soon as Mass is over and go about their worldly, materialistic life until next Sunday.

   Our Lord is with us every day, seven days a week, fifty-two weeks a year.  He does not neglect us regardless the day of the week or season of the year.  He is faithful and all He asks of us is to be faithful in return.  He suffered and died to pay the price for our sins.  He offers us eternal life if we will believe and live our life for Him. 

Hosanna in the highest.

You are God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

May we welcome you into our hearts every day.

May we never neglect or offend You.

 Amen

 

 The Things of the World 

   “Do not love the world or the things of the world.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” (1 John 2: 15) 

   I have struggled some with the concept expressed by St. John above.  The things of this world were created by God and so are good.  Why shouldn’t I love the world or the things of the world?

   I’ve come to believe that it is completely acceptable to love God’s creation, the world and all that is in it.  The problem comes when I begin to love the creation more than the creator.  It’s the same principal as the warning that St. Paul expressed when he wrote, “For the love of money is the root of all evils, and some people in their desire for it have strayed from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains.” (1 Tim 6: 10).

   Money, property, things and possessions of this world can be the gifts of God and God doesn’t give evil gifts.  But when the love or the desire of the gifts is greater than the love and desire for the giver, we make them evil.  Our lust after worldly goods and pleasures becomes the focus of our longings and tears us away from God.

   “What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?” (Luke 9: 25).  When I lose myself in the desire and yearning for the things of this world, I lose my soul.  My sinful mortality desires things, my soul desires God.  I can accept and give thanks for the earthly blessing of God but must never forget that only my soul is immortal.  The things of this world can’t bring eternal happiness.  Only by losing myself in God can I gain the joys and happiness of eternal life in His presence. 

You bless me so greatly.

It’s easy to love the things of this world.

But the things of this world are fleeting.

Only You are eternal. 

Amen

 Two Lives, One Choice 

   “For to me life is Christ and death is gain.” (Phil 1: 21) 

   St. Paul considered that death was gain because it would mean eternal life with Christ.  Yet he viewed life as beneficial to those he was bringing to the Lord through his ministry and evangelization.  Faced with the choice he didn’t seem quite sure which he preferred.

   The same question concerns all Christians, myself included.  Why would I want to remain in this world when I could be in paradise with the Lord?  To leave behind the chaos and evil of a fallen world would seem to be the best choice.  And yet, the choice isn’t mine.

   As a Christian I am also called to honor and accept God’s plan for me; a plan that I don’t know and will most likely never know in this lifetime.  But knowing isn’t necessary, acceptance is.  He will decide when this life is over; He will determine the day and hour to call me home.

   Therefore, I live my life desiring heaven, knowing that this is God’s will, but never knowing when.  There are days when I truly hope my time is soon, but there are also days when I look forward to many more years with family and friends.  Though I may not know why things are as they are, I’m content to leave those decisions to God.

   Life or death.  They are not for me to decide.  I am to willingly and lovingly accept His plan for both.  I’ve no way of knowing when He will call, but I look forward to whatever His plan may be.

 

Your plans are beyond me.

I don’t know or understand them.

Let me follow them whatever they may be.

Accepting Your will and awaiting Your call.

 

Amen

 All Things Are Possible 

   “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.  Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.  And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.” (Luke 1: 35 - 37) 

   The Virgin gave birth to the Son of God, the Savior of the world.  Her relative gave birth to John the Baptist even though she was barren and well beyond childbearing age.  Nothing is impossible with God.

   Lazarus and others were raised from the dead.  Evil spirits fled.  The sick, the lame, the lepers, the deaf and the blind were healed at the word of Jesus.  Nothing is impossible with God.

   Rejected by those He came to save, Jesus was abandoned, beaten and nailed to a cross.  He died and was placed in the tomb.  On the third day He arose.  Nothing is impossible with God.

   A ragtag group of simple fishermen and others spread the word of Christ throughout the world.  Their successors spread it still.  The Church begun by Jesus Christ still clings to His teachings and His will.  Nothing is impossible with God.

   I, who am a sinful man, can turn to God, repent for my sins and be forgiven.  Not once but every time I come before Him in sorrow and repentance.  I, who have no claim and no right to the love and mercy of the Lord can look forward to eternal life in His presence.  Nothing is impossible with God. 

The Virgin gave birth to the Savior of the world.

The blind saw, the deaf heard, the sick were healed.

Evil spirits fled and the dead were restored to life.

My sins are forgiven because of Your love and mercy.

Nothing is impossible with God. 

Amen

 Into the Light 

   “The city had no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gave it light, and its’ lamp was the Lamb” (Rev 21: 23) 

   I think most people think of death as a darkness.  In a purely human sense, I suppose there is some logic to this concept, but that is not reality.  For Christians death is a passage from the darkness of this world into the Light of God

   This world is swathed in darkness, the darkness of sin.  “And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil.” (John 3: 19).  Jesus brought the Light of God into the world, but the world rejected it.  They nailed Him to a cross because they refused to see the Light.

   “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).  St. Paul recognized that we cannot quite see the Light in this world.  We can’t fully know or understand God in this life, though we will know Him intimately in the next.

   Our journey in life is one of seeking the light.  Our soul desires the light and, even though we may not recognize it, our whole being seeks the light.  The darkness of sin at times blinds us to the light, but we seek it still.  This world will give way to a world brilliant with the Light of God.  When Jesus comes again, the darkness will be destroyed, and we will live in the Light. 

The world is a place of darkness.

Sin blinds us to Your light.

Open our hearts and our eyes.

Lead us into Your eternal light.

 

Amen

 We Are Blessed 

   While sitting in the pew at daily Mass today I was again reminded of what a blessing it is to be able to attend Mass everyday if I wish.  Though some seem to want to ignore it, the right to practice religion is enshrined in our constitution.  Many in the world have no such rights.

   In some places attending Mass is not only difficult but even dangerous.  In China underground churches have existed for years.  They dare not meet publicly because of the governments disdain for Christianity.  Even when it is allowed it is ruled by the government.

   Others are restricted on their ability to attend Mass because there is a shortage of priests.  In one area I know of one priest is responsible for four parishes scattered over a wide area.  The people are lucky to be able to have one Mass on Sunday and rarely a daily Mass.  That is in this country.  I some other countries Mass is even less available.

   Yet I see people in the pews who seem to be there only out of habit.  They pay little attention, barely participate in the prayers, and receive the Blessed Sacrament as they would a candy wafer rather than the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of our Lord, Jesus Christ.  They don’t realize what a blessing it is to be able to worship God and receive the Sacraments whenever they wish.

   There are those in this country who seem intent on restricting the right to the free expression of religion guaranteed by the U.S. constitution.  Some are even trying to tell priests that the confidentiality of the confessional must be violated.  They would make religion a private matter rather than public proclamation of our God.  They would have it come under government control.

   It is our responsibility, our duty as Christians to stand up for religious freedoms and thwart the followers of Satan in their efforts.  If we don’t, how will we answer God when He asks us why? 

Some want to take You from the public square.

They want to restrict You, even eliminate You.

Give us the strength to resist.

To rebuke Satan and his followers. 

Amen

 Procrastination 

   “Give me chastity and continence, but not yet.” (St. Augustine, “Confessions”) 

   We are all guilty of putting things off when we know in our hearts that they should be done.  It’s so easy to convince myself that I’m too busy today so I’ll get to that tomorrow.  But then it seems tomorrow is just as busy and before I know it I’ve put it off for a week or a month or maybe I’ve forgotten about it all together.

   It’s easy to see how this can create problems in everyday life.  If I don’t clean my house it becomes a mess that no one would want to live in.  If I don’t maintain my car it will soon break down.  What would have been a minor inconvenience can easily become a major problem if put off too long.

   More difficult to see, but far more important, is how delay affects the spiritual life.  Procrastination is a tool of Satan.  If he can convince us that we will always have time to turn to God, we may never get the chance.  Death bed conversions are wonderful, but we may not have the opportunity; death can come at any time and with no warning.

   It’s so easy to watch another television show or play another computer game rather than pick up the bible or read the life of one of the saints, or to take time for prayer.  Just one more television show won’t hurt, then I’ll start the book and maybe pray for a while.  But now it's time for a shower and bed, guess it'll have to wait until tomorrow.

   If it’s important, do it.  The decision to build our relationship with God is the most important decision we will ever make.  Our eternal soul depends on it. 

To delay risks my soul.

Yet it is so easy to put things off.

Help me to always put You first.

Nothing else truly matters. 

Amen

 To Die in Christ is to Live 

   “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies it produces much fruit.” (John 12: 24) 

   Some verses of scripture are richer than others.  In my opinion, this is one of the richest.  There is so much packed into this simple lesson from nature.

   There is the obvious lesson.  A grain of wheat, or any seed, can produce no fruit if it is simply held onto like a prize.  It must be planted in the ground where it will begin to sprout and grow.  Eventually, a plentiful harvest of wheat will arise from the planting of the tiny grains.

   This parable also speaks to the fruit to be produced by Christ’s sacrifice.  He too died and was placed in the tomb.  From that death and burial He arose again, ascended into heaven and took His place at the right hand of the Father.  From that death Christianity grew and continues to grow over two thousand years later.

   This scripture also speaks to you and me personally.  Unless we are willing to die to self and live for Christ, we will not produce the desired fruit.  By our baptism we died and rose again.  We became one with Christ, capable of producing great fruit.  But, like the grain of wheat we must die to self as well, giving our lives to the Lord to do His will.

   Jesus said, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.  For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” (Luke 9: 23 – 24).  If I am to save my eternal life, I must be willing to deny myself and offer my life to Jesus; to submit my will to Him.

   Like the grain of wheat, I must bury myself in Christ if I am to produce heavenly fruit and save my eternal life. 

You gave Your life that I might live.

I offer my life to You.

Let me bury myself in You.

Let me always follow You. 

Amen

 A Sinful Man 

   “But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’” (Luke 18: 13) 

   I am no better than the tax collector; I am a sinful man.  I don’t want to be, I desire to be sinless, but that is not possible for a fallen man.  It shames me, it hurts me that I am unable to avoid sin because I never want to offend my Lord.

   St. Paul writes, “For I do not do the good that I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do.  Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it but sin that dwells within me.” (Romans 7: 19 – 20).  I cannot avoid sin even though I would wish to do so.  There is a helplessness within me that causes me to succumb to the temptations of the evil one.  And yet I believe that my sincere desire to never sin again pleases the Lord even though I cannot fulfill that desire.

   When I consider the sad state of my humanity, the fact that I am unable to avoid sin it makes me even more aware of the love of God.  What love it took for Him to send His only Son to die for my sins.  What love it took for Jesus to submit himself to rejection, abandonment, suffering and crucifixion to pay the price for my sins.  He loves me so much that he would accept the punishment due me.

   I can’t always do what God would have me do but still He does not condemn but offers redemption and salvation.  I am unable to serve Him as I should and as I desire, but He accounts me worthy of His love and mercy.  In humility and sorrow for my shortcomings I turn to Him and He calls me home. 

Father, I am so far from perfection.

Not a day passes without sin.

Yet You love me and forgive me.

Help me to better love and serve You. 

Amen

 St. Joseph 

   “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.  For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her.  She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” (Matt 1: 20 – 21) 

   Not a single word of St. Joseph’s is recorded in the gospels.  I sometimes think we allow him to disappear into the silence of his life.  We forget that when God chose Mary to be the Mother of God, He also chose Joseph, her betrothed, to be her protector and the father and protector of our Lord and Savior.

   Joseph raised the Son of God as his own son.  He protected Him when Herod tried to kill Him, he taught Him carpentry, he taught Him to be a man.  Nothing is said of it in the gospels, but it would have been customary for Joseph to lead the family in prayer.  He would have seen to the religious education of Jesus as a Jew.  In other words, he did what any good father does for his Son, even with that Son is the Messiah.

   As an adoptive father, I feel a closeness to Joseph.  I imagine him holding the baby Jesus in his arms, loving Him, caring for Him.  When I held my adopted sons there was no difference in my heart as when I held my natural daughters.  Genetics make us parents; love is what makes us fathers.

   Joseph is a father that all should look to as the example of the love of a father for his children.  Joseph was blessed to be chosen to father the Son of God.  Fatherhood is always a blessing and those so blessed owe a tremendous debt to the Lord.   Let us love our children as Saint Joseph loved our Savior. 

Joseph was chosen to father the Messiah.

He loved, protected, and cared for Him.

May all fathers follow his example.

May we all look to him for guidance. 

Amen

 The Truth Remains 

   “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”  (Matt 28: 19 – 20). 

   With these words Jesus commissioned His apostles.  He had taught them the truths and entrusted to them the teaching of those truths throughout the world.  He promised that He would be with them always, until the end of the age. 

   There are those who would question and try to redefine the teachings of Jesus.  Those who want to change the truth to meet their own desires and those of society.  They are not the first to question truth, it began almost immediately after Christ’s death and resurrection.  Heresy after heresy arose trying to redefine the teachings of Christ.  Each was rebuked and put down by those entrusted with Christ’s truth.  The heresies continue to this day and, I suspect, will continue until Jesus comes again.  They will continue, but they will never change the truth.

   Society seeks its’ own will, its’ own definition of truth.  But as Christians we are not to be concerned with not what society wishes the truth to be.  Rather, we are to be concerned with the truth as defined by God.  We live in this world, but we are not to be part of it.  “For you are a people holy to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the earth to be his people, his treasured possession.” (Deuteronomy 7: 6).

   Truth is truth and will be truth forever.  We can deny it or accept it, but the truth remains. 

People question the truth.

They want to redefine Your word.

Society may reject You.

But the truth remains. 

Amen

 Into the Stillness 

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

   How I wish I could have been there to come away with Jesus to a quiet place and rest with Him.  Throughout the gospels we see Jesus going to a deserted place for prayer; to be in communion with the Father.  In my own life I’ve found that a quiet place is a blessing to be sought.

   The world is not a pleasant place at times.  There is far too much evil, far too much hatred and bias.  It seems humanity has lost touch with itself; no one is willing to listen to another but only insists on their own way.  This is not an environment in which society can survive.

   I need a quiet place to rest from the world.  To spend time with Jesus, simply being there with Him.  Many times no words are spoken, no thoughts except of love and the joy of His presence.  When the world begins to get me down, it is in the quiet that I find peace of heart.

   I believe we all need time away from the world.  Time to look deeply into ourselves and call upon the Lord to help us.  Silence is a blessing given by God, a time to refresh our spirit and calm our anxieties.  Only with Him can true peace be found.

   Sometimes I wish I could be like the early desert Fathers, just find a cave somewhere and live with God alone.  Since that isn’t possible, I must take advantage of every opportunity to reject the chaos of the world and turn to the simplicity and beauty of God, to come away to a quiet place.

   The Beatles recorded a song entitled “All You Need Is Love”, a simple little song that reminds me a bit of Ecclesiastes.  In the end they had it right, love really is all we need, the love of God and love for one another    . 

Father, in Your love is peace.

In Your mercy comfort.

In the stillness You come to me.

In the stillness we are one. 

Amen

 God Has A Plan 

   “God has created me to do Him some definite service.  He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another.  I have my mission.  I may never know it in this life, but I shall be told in the next.” (St. John Henry Newman) 

   I don’t believe God does anything without purpose, nothing is purely by chance.  God’s plan is not given to me so all I can do is strive to give myself to Him so that He may use me according to His plan.

   We are planners, we plan our life, our work, our retirement.  It’s only natural that we would want to know God’s plan for us.  I know I do; I would love to know what He created me for if only to be better able to accomplish it.

   Some receive a clear call.  Perhaps to the priesthood, or ministry of some sort.  Maybe to the religious life as a monk in a monastery or nun in a convent.  Some are called to matrimony; some are called to celibacy.  I think most are simply called to follow His will, to submit our own will to His.

   I also believe there is a danger in trying too hard to discern God’s plan for us.  If He wishes us to know, we will know.  If we look at every idea that comes into our mind as the call of God, we risk being led astray.  Satan would love to convince us that our own personal desire is God’s desire and lead us down the path to destruction.

   God’s plan will become known when He chooses.  Maybe in this life, maybe in the next.  But if we live our lives always willing to follow His will, His plan for us will be fulfilled even though we may not know it. 

I trust in You.

I know there is a plan for me,

Though I may not know what it is.

May I achieve what You desire of me. 

Amen

 The Sins I Commit 

  “Against you, you alone, have I sinned; what is evil in your sight, I have done.” (Psalm 51: 6)    

   I know that I’ve sinned against my Lord and, sadly, will continue to do so.  Not because I want to but because I am a fallen creature, one who is not strong enough to reject all the temptations of Satan.  This is one of the things that I struggle with most of all; the fact that I cannot be free from sin.

   I spend quite a bit of time in the Adoration Chapel before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.  I thank Him for the sacrifice He made that I might have eternal life and I beg forgiveness for the times I’ve offended Him by my sins.  I tell Him that my desire in life is to never sin again.  I know it’s not an attainable goal, but I am sincere in my desire and I can only hope that it is pleasing to Him.

   “Wash me completely from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.” (Psalm 51: 4)   This is the promise of the cross, the sacrifice that He made to pay the price for my sins.  He will wash me and cleanse me; that is why He became man, to offer me and the world the opportunity of eternal life with Him.  In my sin I disappoint, in His love He forgives.

   “My sacrifice to God, a broken spirit: a broken and humbled heart you will not spurn, O God.  (Psalm 51: 19).  This is the sacrifice God desires, a heart that is humble, a heart that sorrows for the wrongs I have done. 

Lord, break my heart, humble my spirit.

Give me desire only for You and Your will.

Make my heart belong to You.

Let me serve You in all I do. 

Amen

 Following Christ 

   “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9: 23) 

   On the surface this scripture might cause one to think that following Jesus is going to be arduous, difficult, and even painful.  Yet in another place Jesus tells us, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” (Matt 11: 29 – 30).

   So, which is it; difficult and arduous or easy, with a light burden leading to rest?  I believe it is very much both.  There will be times of happiness and joy, but also times of pain and sorrow.  Our life is never one or the other but some of each.  Our path in following Christ is no different.

   In my mind the burdens and difficulties that may come are far out-weighed by the joy and happiness that is also mine.  I sometimes consider that if I never suffer I will never know happiness.  When it is bitterly cold, we appreciate the warmth of spring; in the heat of summer, we look forward to the cooling temperatures of fall.  In the same way the difficulties we may face make us better appreciate the joys that are also part of life.

   Anything worth having is worth the pain and hard work that sometimes comes with attaining it.  I have worked hard in my life to provide for myself and my family.  Why should I not expect to have to work just as hard to provide for my eternal life?

   There are many joys to be had in this life, but none that compare with the joys of eternal life in the presence of my Lord.  Whatever the cost, no matter how difficult, the reward is worth it. 

Sometimes life is joyful

Sometimes it is hard.

Be with me in both Lord. 

Amen

 God Knows Best 

   “I don’t understand what God is doing.  He knows.  We do not understand, but one thing I’m sure, He doesn’t make a mistake.”  (St. Teresa of Calcutta, “Do Something Beautiful for God”) 

   I sometimes think it would be great if God shared His plan with me.  Not everything, just those things that affect me directly.  But then I remember that nothing happens that doesn’t have some impact on all of us in some way.  A war thousands of miles away affects us; starvation in parts of the world causes us sorrow; the denial of basic human rights to all from conception to natural death is a travesty throughout the world.

   Just as often I contemplate why God allows such things to happen.  But again, it’s not my place to know, but to trust.  God tells me, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord.” (Isaiah 55: 8).

   If I knew all of God’s plans would I still need faith?  Would trust and confidence in Him still be necessary?  Believing in God means trusting Him even when I can’t understand, having faith in His plan for me and for the world.  Whether in suffering or joy, pain or sorrow, there is a reason in God’s plan.  And as St. Mother Teresa says, He doesn’t make a mistake.

   I used to struggle, trying to understand, but I’ve found that I’m much better off accepting rather than seeking the why of what God does.  I find no peace in questioning, but great peace in trusting in Him and having faith that all things are best when left to God. 

Your ways are so far above mine.

I can never understand.

It’s not necessary for me to know.

It’s necessary for me to trust. 

Amen

 Where Were You? 

   “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?  Tell me, if you have understanding.” (Job 38: 4) 

   There are many in this world who need to understand how little there is in this world that we can fully understand.  Scientists who deny God but can’t explain how the world can exist without Him.  Professionals of all sorts who are so impressed with their own importance that they refuse to give credit to God for their intelligence and success.  Sports and entertainment figures whose ego would fill a stadium, but don’t credit God with the gifts that have made them famous.

   The question also pertains to many who want to redefine Christianity.  Those who want to allow society and popular opinion to change the word of God.  Those who would ignore over two thousand years of faith and truth in order to better “fit in” with the sinful world in which we live.  Those who want to redefine truth to suit themselves.

   Where were we when God fashioned the earth?  We weren’t there giving advice and guidance.  We didn’t create the galaxies that are ever expanding.  The world on which we live doesn’t exist because of anything we have done, but because of the love of God alone.

   Pride, ego, self-importance rules us far too often.  It is these traits that best serve Satan in his effort to steal us from the God who loves us and who gave us life.  It is these faults that we must overcome if we are to ever truly love God and live our life in His will. 

Father, all exists because of Your love.

Nothing came to be except by Your will.

Teach me humility.

Teach me Your ways.

 Amen

 Judgement Day 

   Upon my death I will stand before Jesus for judgement.  He will judge according to my life and how I’ve lived it.  There will be no interest in the car I owned or the house I lived in.  Instead, the way I treated others, my efforts to follow His will, the help I provided to those who needed it will be of great concern.  I believe my sins will be present to me as well, to vividly remind me of my unworthiness of God’s love and mercy.

   As a Catholic I believe in purgatory, the need to answer for my sins.  I look at purgatory as I would a broken window.  If I throw a stone through a window the owner might well forgive me, but I would still be responsible for replacing the window.  I think in some sense the same applies to my sins.  They are forgiven if I have sought forgiveness with sincerity, yet there was damage done and the damage must be acknowledged.

   I don’t know what purgatory will entail and neither does anyone else since no one has come back to explain.  Some believe it is a period of punishment for sin before final acceptance into heaven.  I think of it more as an awareness of the cost of my sins.  I must recognize the hurt caused by the sins I’ve committed; the heartache I may have caused, the hurtfulness they inflicted on others.  Most of all I must recognize that my sins resulted in the passion and death of my Lord, Jesus Christ.  He died on the cross to pay the debt for my sinfulness.

   I can think of no greater punishment than standing before Jesus as He shows me my sins and the hurt they caused to others, and especially to Him.  How great must be the pain of becoming fully aware of all my sins; of knowing that my sins were the nails that nailed my Lord to the cross. 

Lord I have sinned.

I am so deeply sorry.

Help me to avoid sin.

To serve only You. 

Amen

 Spreading the Word 

   “Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you: yet do it with gentleness and reverence.” (1 Peter 3: 15 – 16) 

   As a Christian I have a responsibility to share my hope and my faith with others.  I pray that this blog is one way of sharing.  But the example I give in the way I live my life and my willingness to speak of my faith and hope will reach far more people than this blog ever could.

   Sharing faith carries responsibility; I must not only share but I must be knowledgeable in what I share.  Sharing personal opinions as fact risks sharing what may not be correct, possibly misleading others.  I need to understand my faith if I am to properly share it.

   I once told someone who wanted to know more about Catholicism that I would never answer a question off the top of my head.  If I didn’t have what I knew to be the right answer, I would admit it, research it, and only then answer their question.  Too many of the answers learned as children weren’t fully understood or were incomplete; they need to be confirmed before sharing with others.

   Just as important is the way I share.  St. Peter says to do it with gentleness and reverence.  In other words, I must respect the views and opinions of others if I am to effectively defend my faith.  It I start the conversation with, “You’re wrong and here’s why” I will most likely shut the door to any meaningful dialogue.  Only by listening and caring for the other can I begin to open a path to better understanding between us.

   I want to share my faith with anyone who is interested, but I want to do so properly, with respect and love.  Anything less is not fair to them or to my faith and the God I love. 

Let me share my faith.

Let me do it correctly.

Teach me, instruct me.

That I may better know my faith. 

Amen

 Daily Temptations 

   “Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5: 8) 

   The father of lies is among us.  He waits for us, seeking to draw us away from our faith.  His ways are devious, sly, and effective.

   One of my favorite books is “The Screwtape Letters” by C. S. Lewis.  If you’ve not read it, I strongly recommend it.  Screwtape is a senior demon, a master at using small, everyday occurrences to draw people into sin.  His nephew, Wormwood, is in the world striving to claim souls for Satan.

   When Wormwood’s subject joins a church, Screwtape advises that this can be a good thing.  He can be made to judge others in the church on the way they dress, or sing; even the way they look.  There are even some who are obviously hypocrites.  The fervor of new faith is dulled by a judgmental attitude, an attitude that will undermine and destroy his faith.

   Every day we face little things that can undermine our faith.  We, like Wormwood’s subject, judge others when we shouldn’t.  We get upset when something doesn’t go exactly as we want.  Jealousy keeps us from loving those who may be more successful.  Prejudice keeps us from accepting others who may not look, talk, or act like us.

   If Satan can slip even a toe into the door of our soul with small, inconsequential matters, he will soon come roaring in to lead us further and further astray.  Though we are weak, with God’s help we can reject the evil Satan wishes.  But we must make the effort and seek His strength.

   Someone once wrote a book called “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff and It’s all Small Stuff.”  I’m sure Satan is a great fan.  If he can convince us that the small stuff doesn’t matter, it becomes much easier to lead us on to the big stuff. 

We are bombarded daily.

Satan tempts us always.

Give us the strength to refuse him.

The strength to stay on Your path. 

Amen

 Living for God 

   “For to me life is Christ, and death is gain.”  (1 Cor 1: 20). 

   This is the mantra by which I should live my life.  While in this life I must focus on His will for me, recognizing that my goal is eternal life in His presence.

   It seems the older I get the more I look forward to the time when I can come before God and enter eternity.  I certainly am not wishing for death; God has a plan for my life and I will do my best to follow His plan.  When He decides to call me home, I pray that I will have lived my life in His will to the best of my ability.  No matter how much longer He gives me on this earth I am unafraid of death because of my faith in Him.

   Jesus presented me with the attitude I need in to have my life.  In the Garden of Gethsemane He prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will.” (Matt 26: 39).  I will suffer to some extent in this world just as our Savior did.  When that suffering comes, I must look to Jesus and the suffering He endured to offer me eternal life in His presence.  I must follow His example and accept what suffering may come.

   On the cross, He again taught me by saying, “Father into your hands, I commend my spirit; and when he had said this, he breathed his last.” (Luke 23: 46).  By doing my best to live according to His will I am confident in saying, “Into Your hands I commend my spirit.” 

Father, I long to be in Your presence.

I want to spend eternity with You.

May I live my life according to Your will.

May I rest in You forever. 

Amen

Cleanse My Heart 

   “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts.  See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way of everlasting.” (Psalm 139: 23 – 24) 

  The gospel reading for today recounted Jesus’ cleansing of the temple.  He chased out the money changers and all those selling sacrificial animals from the temple in righteous anger, offended that they had turned God’s house into a marketplace.

   St. Paul writes, “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own?”  (1 Cor 6: 19).  If Christ in my life He has made a temple of my body.  A temple that becomes cluttered with earthly concerns and desires.  Like those who had made the temple in Jerusalem a marketplace, my temple is fouled by things that have no place in the house of God.

   It’s necessary that the temple of my body be cleansed to remove what doesn’t belong, replacing them with a temple in which God can reside, a temple for the Holy Spirit to dwell in.  

   This cleansing process can be painful, it’s hard to resist the pleasures the evil one promises.  Jesus used a whip of cords to cleanse the Jerusalem temple.  I sometimes think a powerful assault on the evil that tries to dwell within me is necessary to cleanse my heart as well.

   It’s so easy to become attached to the pitiful pleasures the world promises, forgetting that there is nothing in this world that can compare to the treasures awaiting those who trust in God and follow His ways.

   I ask the Lord to look deeply within the temple of my heart and soul, to discover what evil may be there.  I ask Him to cleanse me, to create a pure heart in me, to keep me on the path that leads to eternal life. 

Lord, cleanse the temple within me.

Root out an evil that may exist.

Make a clean heart within me.

A heart to serve only You. 

Amen 

Allow Yourself to be Loved

 

   “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” (Luke 15: 21)

   The parable of the prodigal son speaks to the eternal and unending love of God for His children.  Though we stray and sin against Him, He is always waiting for our return.

   The son in the parable felt he was no longer deserving of the love of His father.  He had betrayed his love, and waisted his money on a sinful life.   He finally recognized his sinfulness and returned to his father, admitting that he was no longer worthy to be called his son.

   At some point in our lives each of us have been the prodigal child.  We have misused the blessings God has given us.  We have ignored His love and gone our own sinful way, chasing the carnal gods of this world.  We, too, are not worthy to be called a child of God.

   In fact, we have never been worthy of being a child of God; we have never deserved or earned His love.  Yet He has given it to us without measure and without end.  When we finally realize our sinfulness and our need for God, He, like the father in the parable, is watching for us, waiting for our return.

   After all his son had done, the father in the parable welcomed him home, celebrating his return with a banquet.   God also welcomes his wayward children home, “Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” (Luke 15: 7)

   God want us to return regardless our sins; He wants to welcome us home; He wants to give us His love.  Though we can do nothing to earn or even be worthy of His love, He loves us.  Open your heart and accept the love He offers. 

We are unworthy,

But You love us anyway.

May we open our hearts,

And live in the love You offer. 

Amen