Satisfaction Is In God 

   “I can’t get no satisfaction; I can’t get no satisfaction.” (“Satisfaction”, The Rolling Stones) 

   The Stones had a mega-hit with this song, one of the most popular songs of my generation.  If you listen to the lyrics, it’s easy to see why they found no satisfaction; they were looking in all the wrong places.  Even so, there is an important lesson to be learned from the song.  To find satisfaction we must turn to God.

   God created us to be happy, to find satisfaction.  The problem is we routinely look for it where it can’t be found.  There is nothing in this world that can bring true, lasting satisfaction.  We may find short-lived gratification in the things of this world, but they will not last.  In the end we will not find satisfaction, only temporary pleasure that we misinterpret as satisfaction.

   When we turn to God and accept the role He has for us, offering all we do to Him, we will find a happiness and satisfaction that can be found no where else.  This doesn’t mean that we should not seek improvement in our life; that leads to complacency, in our life and in our spirit.  But it does mean that we should seek it with God’s guidance.  Otherwise, we are like a mouse on a wheel, running in circles and getting nowhere.

   When we seek satisfaction in the Lord, we will find it.  Until then we are chasing rainbows with no pot of gold at the end. 

Father, we all seek satisfaction.

We too often look for it in the wrong places.

Only in You can we find fulfillment.

Only in You is there satisfaction. 

Amen

 Praying for Change 

   “Prayer is successful when you pray not to change God or another person but to change yourself.” (Matthew Kelly, “A Call to Joy”) 

   When I pray I sometimes find myself more concerned with changing the actions and faults of others than with my own.  I fail to recognize that the only one I can truly change is me.

   “Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye?” (Matt 7: 3).  It’s so easy to see the sins of others while ignoring my own.  The same prejudice is evident even in prayer at times.  It’s not up to me to change others, only myself.  While praying about someone else’s sins I am apt to overlook those of my own.

   My prayer should always be “let Your will be done”, not “do it my way”.  This doesn’t mean that I shouldn’t pray for others and any problems they may have in their lives, it simply means I should leave the resolution to God’s will, not mine.

   The same applies to me.  When facing difficulties or challenges in life I should not insist on my solution, which is perhaps flawed, but ask that His will be done to resolve the issue.

   Giving control to another, even God, can be difficult.  However, if I want what is best for me and others, I must submit my will to His, not try to impose my will upon Him. 

Lord, sometimes I think I know best.

I want to choose the path, for me and for others.

Only You know the right solution.

Help me submit myself to Your will in all things.

 

Amen

 

 The Beauty of Creation 

   Everywhere I look, I see the beauty of God’s creation.  He’s in the sunrise and sunset, in the sunny days as well as the stormy ones.  Few things remind me more of the majesty and power of God than a thunderstorm.  His lightning flashes across the sky severing the atmosphere, creating the thunder that follows.  The wind helps freshen the air and the rains wash it clean.

   In the darkest of nights I see His splendor and beauty in the moon and stars of the sky.  So many stars that it would take many lifetimes to count them, each perfect in its’ creation.  I look up at the Milky Way, our own little universe within the universe.  The beauty is incredible, testifying to His glory.

   As I walk early in the morning I hear the birds waking up and singing their first songs of the day.  Occasionally I will hear an owl hooting in the distance.  On rare occasions I have seen coyotes even in my housing development.  All this speaks to the beauty and variety of His creation.

   “It is not good for man to be alone, I will make for him a helper as his partner.” (Gen 2: 18).  God blessed me with my wife, who made my life a joy.  Though she is now with Him, our love continues.  Family and friends are a blessing from the Lord.  They give me love and support in a troubled world, adding great beauty and joy.

   It’s so easy to see the evil, to forget to look for the blessings.  We become entangled with the worries and woes of a broken world and ignore the beauty of God’s creation.  We must learn to shut out the evil and focus on the beauty.

 

It’s so easy to see the evil.

Open my eyes to the beauty.

Let me see the glory of Your creation.

Let it fill my heart with joy and love.

 

Amen

 Worldly Distractions

   We live in a world full of distractions.  Something or someone is always trying to gain our attention.  Unfortunately, most of these distractions are of a worldly nature.  They do nothing to enhance our spiritual life, rather they detract from it. 

   I can be in prayer and suddenly realize my mind has wandered to something far removed from prayer.  In the middle of Mass I sometimes find myself thinking of what I need to do for the rest of the day or even something as mundane as what to have for lunch.  As soon as I become aware of it I pull myself back to where I need to be, but the distractions are frustrating; they take me from where I want to be.

   I believe we each have an angel who watches over us, sometimes more than one.  They are there to help us remain on course in our journey to God.  C.S. Lewis, in “The Screwtape Letters”, reports that there are also demons whose purpose is draw us away from God and into Satan’s domain.

   So, do I have an angel on one shoulder and a demon on the other, each competing for my soul?  It certainly seems so at times.  Though I want to be deep in prayer or in the celebration of the Mass I find myself drawn away.  Whether or not it is a demon assigned to tempt me as in The Screwtape Letters I don’t know, but I can think of no other explanation than the evil one doing all in his power to take me from the Lord. 

The devil never rests.

He tempts day and night.

Strengthen me Lord.

Help me reject the evil Satan desires. 

Amen

 See the Glory of God 

“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims the work of his hands.” (Psalm 19: 2) 

Each day the sun rises and sets.  Each night the moon reflects the light of the sun, lighting the darkness.  The seed falls to the ground and dies, giving birth to a new plant to feed us.  The rain falls to the earth, providing water for the sustenance of all.  And still people say they don’t see the glory of God.

On average our heart beats over two and a half billion times and we take nearly seven hundred million breaths in our lifetime.  Our blood travels about twelve thousand miles each day, about four times the distance from coast to coast.  But people say God does not exist.

The universe expands at a frightening rate and yet there is logic in its’ expansion.  In our little corner of the universe each planet is set perfectly in relationship to the sun.  We do not crash into the sun, nor do we sail off into the depths of the universe.  Earth is precisely where it must be if it is to support the human, animal, and plant life that we enjoy.  And yet there are those who refuse to recognize God’s part in this perfection.

I am amazed at the number of  people say they don’t believe in God when the evidence is everywhere we look.  “For this people’s heart has grown dull, and their ears are hard of hearing, and they have shut their eyes; so they might not look with their eyes and listen with their ears, and understand with their hearts and turn – and I would heal them.” (Matt 13: 15).

 

Your majesty is all around us.

Your glory is there for all to see.

Yet there are those who refuse to see.

Open their eyes that they might come to know You.

 

Amen

 The Love of God 

   “Man is created in the image of God, and God himself is love.  For this reason, the vocation to love is what makes man the authentic image of God:  He becomes like God in the measure that he becomes someone who loves.” (Pope Benedict XVI, “Benedictus: Day by day with Pope Benedict XVI”) 

   I think we have a very flawed understanding of love.  It is not affection, it is not how much we may like someone, and it certainly is not lust.  The love of God is a love that cares only for the other; a love that is willing to give all to another.

   In a sacramental marriage there are three entities involved: the husband, the wife, and God.  It is the love of God that is being pledged one to the other.  Without keeping God in the marriage we fall victim to societies misguided concept of love, which causes many marriages to fail.

   When I married my wife I was essentially a pagan, I had no religious influence in my life.  Going to Mass with her each week I came to love God and the Catholic Church and converted.  My mother-in-law’s response was the adage, “those who pray together stay together.”  I kind of laughed it off at the time, but over the years I’ve come to believe she was absolutely correct.  If God is at the center, the marriage is much more likely to survive the rough spots that so often end marriages.

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

   I think the message is very clear.  If we do not love with the love of God, we can never truly be in His image.  If we do not have the love of God in our hearts for Him and all His children, we are nothing. 

   “So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” (1 Cor 13: 13)

An Acceptable Offering 

   “In the course of time Cain brought an offering to the Lord from the fruit of the ground, while Abel, for his part, brought the fatty part of the firstlings of his flock.  The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor.” (Gen 4: 3 – 5) 

   There is no indication in scripture of why God looked favorably upon Abel’s sacrifice but not Cain’s.  Sadly, Cain grew so angry at his rejection that he took it out on his brother Abel and killed him.

   In my study and contemplation of the Rule of St. Benedict I think I may have discovered a possible reason for God’s rejection of Cain’s offering.  This is just speculation on my part, but it seems to be at least a plausible explanation.

   St. Benedict warns against grumbling and murmuring; that practice of quietly or even silently objecting to what is asked of one.  Even though we make an offering, if we don’t do it with a joyful, loving attitude, our sacrifice is not worthy of God.

   Cain brought his offering to God, but perhaps in his heart he was resentful that a sacrifice was asked of him.  An offering made to God without love may well be rejected.  God is not so much concerned with the offering as with the intent and love with which it is offered.

   The same applies to me today.  If I donate to the church but resent the giving, my donation is not acceptable.  If I work for the church but do so only to bring credit and recognition to myself, my work is not acceptable.  If I make my offering with hate for my brother in my heart, my offering is unacceptable. 

Lord, give me a clean heart.

One that makes a pure sacrifice to You.

May all my gifts be pleasing to You. 

Amen

 Past Sins 

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

   What a comforting thought; He has removed my sins and taken them far from me.  Even so, the memory lingers, my past sins often come to mind.  This can be a two-edged sword; it’s good to remember them , but dangerous to dwell upon them.

   I believe it is important for me to remember how sinful I have been.  It’s especially important to bring to mind the worst of them from time to time.  It reminds me of my weakness and the fact that, no matter how hard I try, there will always be sin in my life.  It reminds me of how much God loves me, that He would forgive me for my failures.

   Nevertheless, too much concern about my past sins can also be dangerous.  If I allow them to cause me to question whether they have truly been forgiven, I am doubting the word of God.  I believe too much worry over forgiven sins is a tool of the devil.  He tells me that some are such that even God could not forgive.  The father of lies can sometimes be very convincing.

   The sins I have committed are forgiven; God has removed their stain from me.  Using them as a warning, cautioning me against sin is a good thing.  However, allowing them to disrupt my peace of mind and confidence in God’s love, mercy and forgiveness implies that I do not have complete trust in the Lord.

   So I will continue to remember those sins I’d rather forget to help me avoid them in the future, and I will take great comfort and joy in the fact that they are forgiven. 

I am a sinful man.

My sins are many.

But You, Lord forgive me.

You cleanse me and make me whole. 

Amen

 Held to Account 

   “If I say to the wicked, you shall surely die – and you do not warn them or speak out to dissuade the wicked from their evil conduct in order to save their lives – then they shall die for their sin, but I will hold you responsible for their blood.” (Ezekiel 3: 18) 

   How I wish some of our Church leaders would take this passage to heart.  Far too many seem more like the priests, Pharisees, and Scribes of Jesus’ time rather than the servant of the Lord they are ordained to be.  They place their own status and comfort above the souls of those they are supposed to lead to God.

   I’m speaking here of those who do not preach and teach the faith they claim they have and represent.  Those who place political concerns above the gospel and teaching of Christ; who refuse to plainly state that support of abortion is a grievous sin and those who do so show should refrain from Holy Eucharist.

   Again this week Pope Francis stated his support for recognition of homosexual unions, a direct conflict with the sacramental marriage the Church supports.  The Vicar of Christ denying the clear teaching of the Church.

   “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” (Matt 18: 6).  Those who refuse to stand for the truths of Christ risk leading the faithful into sin.  At the very least they create scandal and confusion among those they are intended to lead to God.  At worst they are leading the flock with whom they are entrusted astray.

   May God have mercy on their souls! 

Lord, renew the faith in our pastors.

Fill them with Your Holy Spirit.

May they clearly and loudly proclaim Your truths.

May they be the servants of God they are called to be. 

Amen

 Life in the Fog 

   “For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face.” (1 Cor 13: 12) 

   When I went for my daily walk this morning it was quite foggy.  Though there was a full moon, even its’ light was greatly dimmed by the fog.  It reminded me of St. Paul’s description of how we see things in this world.  Our vision is dimmed, as in a fog, by the corruption and sinfulness of society.

   As I walked on, I noticed someone about a block away coming toward me.  Normally I would have seen them clearly and probably recognized them as one of the people I often see on my walks.  But this morning I was no more than ten or twelve feet from them before I recognized them and the dog they walk with.

   I was reminded that sometimes it can be difficult to recognize those in my life who bring me closer to God; those with whom I share a faith in and love of our Lord.  In the fog of evil and sin that permeates society it’s important to be cautious.  Some who may seem to be a friend in faith could instead be a tempter sent by Satan to draw me away from God.

   This world is a scary place.  It’s not always easy to recognize those who mean me well and to be aware of those who would do me spiritual harm.  My vision will remain foggy and sometimes unsure in this life.  However, I am confident that God will guide me.  If I place my faith and trust in Him, He will keep me on course. 

How I wish I saw clearly.

But my vision is dimmed by sin.

Guide me Lord, on Your path.

Let me not be led astray. 

Amen

 All Scripture is from God 

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 

   I did not include the scripture reference for the above to illustrate a point.  There are two places in scripture where this statement appears.  The one most most familiar is likely Matthew 27: 46.  Christ spoke these words from the cross just prior to His death.  The chief priests, scribes, and Pharisees were there to witness the crucifixion of our Lord.  They would have been fully aware of the other place this scripture can be found; it is the first verse of Psalm 22.

   This psalm, without doubt, is a prophecy of the crucifixion, death, and resurrection of Jesus.  “All who see me mock at me” (verse 7).  “They stare and gloat over me; they divide my clothes among themselves and for my clothing they cast lots.” (verse 17 – 18).  “Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord, and proclaim his deliverance to a people yet unborn, saying that he has done it.” (verse 30 – 31).

   In his second letter to Timothy, St. Paul wrote, “All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3: 16, emphasis mine).  St. Augustine is credited as saying, “In the Old Testament is the New concealed, the New Testament is the Old revealed.” 

Whether the New Testament or the Old,

All Scripture is from You.

Give us the desire to better know You.

Give us the wisdom to better understand. 

Amen

 

 

 

 New Beginnings 

   “Late have I loved Thee, O Beauty so ancient and so new; late have I loved Thee.”  (St. Augustine, “Confessions”) 

   Life is full of new beginnings.  St. Augustine’s new beginning as a convert to Christianity is the source of the above quote.  We all experience new beginnings throughout life, some will lead us closer to God, others may lead us farther away.

   I recently spent a week at Our Lady of Clear Creek Benedictine Abbey in rural Oklahoma.  I have been discerning a call to the Benedictine way for quite some time and chose this Abbey as where I wanted to pursue that calling further.

   On Wednesday, September 8th, I became a Benedictine Oblate novice.  God willing, I will make my final Oblation promises a year from now.  I will not become a monk or live in a monastery, but I will do my best to live my life in accord with Benedictine spirituality; a life of prayer and contemplation, a life devoted to grower nearer to God.

   I find it fitting that this new beginning in my life occurred on the feast day celebrating the birth of our Blessed Mother.  As with all new beginnings I’m sure there will be challenges ahead.  I will place my trust and hope in my God and rely on His strength in all things. 

Lord, You bring changes to our lives.

You draw us nearer to Yourself.

Keep me on the path You have chosen.

Lead me always nearer to You. 

Amen.

 

 He Knows Me 

   “Your eyes saw me yet unformed; and all days are recorded in your book, formed before one of them came into being.” (Psalm 139: 16) 

   Before the world existed, before time began, God knew me.  He knew all that I would do, the good and the evil.  He knew of my sins before they were ever committed.  He knew the evil that I would do before I knew Him.

   He knew that I would eventually turn to Him, accepting Him into my life.  He knew that I would fall on my knees in sorrow for my sins, begging for His mercy and forgiveness.  He knew that serving Him would become the most important thing in my life.  Nothing I have ever done or will ever do is unknown to Him.

   I’ve wondered how He could love me after all the sins of my life, some more grievous than others.  But in His love He waited, He called, and when I answered, He forgave and welcomed me into His family.

   He created me.  Not because He needs me but because of His great love, a love that He wants to share.  I am nothing in the great scheme of things, a mere drop of water in the vastness of the oceans.  I am dust and to dust I will return.  His love alone brings value to my being.

   His love is everlasting, his mercy is without end.  In Him is everything I desire. 

   “O search me, God, and know my heart.  O test me, and know my thoughts.  See that my path is not wicked, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139: 23 – 24)

 Overcoming Temptation 

“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.” (Matt 4: 1) 

   Matthew 4: 1 – 11, which tells of Satan tempting Jesus to sin, has always been a bit confusing to me.  Why would the devil even try to tempt Jesus?  He knew that Jesus was the Son of God, the Messiah, true God and true man.  Did he think that the humanity of Jesus could be tempted to sin?  If so, he really isn’t very smart.

   The more I’ve thought about the tempting of Jesus the more I believe it was a means of teaching us, an example to guide us.  Jesus could not be tempted to sin, but we are tempted and fall into sin on a daily basis.  Maybe the lesson is that Satan will never give up trying to overthrow God, in our lives and in the world.  After all, if he would even try to tempt Jesus, he will certainly never quit tempting us.

   Jesus also gave us an example of how to overcome Satan and his temptations.  The devil tried many temptations; to turn stone to bread; to throw Himself down from the rocks, trusting the angels to protect Him.  He even offered Jesus the world’s kingdoms if He would worship Satan.  In each case Jesus answered with scripture.  I believe we are to understand that it is through scripture that we can best rebuke Satan when he comes calling.

   If we don’t know scripture we are at a great disadvantage, it is our best weapon in our battle against the evil one.  When I say we should know scripture it means more than just reading the bible from cover to cover.  It means praying with scripture, studying it, trying to make it alive in our life.  The bible can be a difficult read, but it is the most important book ever written.  Our very souls depend on it. 

Lord, You gave us the answers.

They are in Holy Scripture.

Give us the wisdom to understand.

Give us the strength to live our life by Your word. 

Amen

 The Weeds of Sin 

   I have often written about the similarities between properly caring for plants in a garden or lawn and proper care of my soul.  Both can be difficult even at the best of times, but nearly impossible if left unattended.

   I suppose this comes to mind so often because I really do not like caring for the lawn and plants.  Weeding and such seems to me a penance and one that has to be repeated over and over with little hope of ever completely overcoming the problem.

   Sinfulness is very much the same.  Sins too can be difficult to control and remove from our soul.  And like the weeds, the longer they are left to grow the harder they become to remove.  I fear that at some point they will become unnoticed, growing into more and more serious sin.  Failure to get the weeds out of the garden can destroy the garden, but failure to confess my sins, seeking forgiveness, can destroy my soul.

   I suppose I will go on pulling weeds, trying to control them and keep them to a minimum.  I know it is an ongoing battle that can never truly be won but the only alternative I can think of would be to simply concrete my hold yard and paint it green; not really a viable option.

   More importantly I will continue to pull the weeds of sin from my soul by frequent and sincere confession.  The only alternative is to destroy my relationship with God, condemning myself to hell; not really an option I wish to consider. 

Father You are love and forgiveness.

Jesus, You died to bring redemption to all.

Holy Spirit, You strengthen me in the battle.

Holy Trinity, lead me home. 

Amen

 

Birthdays 

   I recently had a birthday, one of many that I've had.  Without being specific let's just say that I'm far beyond being "a spring chicken."

   Satchel Paige, the great baseball pitcher once said, “Age is a question of mind over matter.  If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.”  I think that is the attitude we need to take with birthdays.  I’ve known people who celebrate, those who mourn, and those who are somewhat indifferent about their birthdays.  I guess I fall into the last category, it really is just another day.

   But birthdays are also a reminder.  They remind me of where I’ve been and what I’ve done, both the good and the bad.  They are also an opportunity to review my present life and my relationship to my Lord.  Are there things I could do better?  Are there areas of my life that need improvement with respect to serving God?  Am I doing the best I can to live according to His will?

   Birthdays come and go, but at my age I am aware that most of my life is in the past.  St. Paul said, “I have competed well; I have finished the race.  I have kept the faith.” (2 Tim 4: 7).  My prayer is that when this life is done, I can say the same. 

Father, I am a mortal man.

This life is not forever.

May the life I live be pleasing to You.

May it bring me to eternal life. 

Amen 

The Cross of Redemption 

   “Who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped.  Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross.” (Phil 2: 6 -8) 

   Had someone told the people of Jesus’ time that the cross would be the road to salvation they would have thought them crazy.  The cross was an instrument of state torture intended to be as brutal and agonizing as possible.  It was a visible warning of what disobedience to Rome could bring.

   Yet, our Lord chose to allow Himself to be nailed to a cross in order to pay the price for our sins.  What was once a symbol of state brutality became the symbol of a loving savior, willing to die for mankind to order to bring salvation to the world.

   When I look upon the crucifix and see Jesus hanging there it brings both great sorrow and great joy.  Sorrow for the fact that my sins and the sins of the world are what necessitated such a sacrifice, and joy for the salvation it has brought me.  Because of His great love, Jesus paid the debt that I could not pay to redeem me from my sins.

   Jesus said, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” (Matt 16: 24).  There will be crosses to bear if I am to follow Jesus, some more difficult to carry than others.  Still, without the cross, there is no salvation. 

Lord, You took my sins upon Yourself.

On the cross You paid the debt I could not pay.

Your cross is the path to salvation.

Help me to carry my cross. 

Amen 

 Joy in the Lord 

   “But you have given my heart more joy than they have when grain and wine abound.”  (Psalm 4: 8) 

   There is joy to be found in the world, but it is a passing joy that cannot last.  Only in God is everlasting joy to be found.

   We take a lot of pleasure in the blessings of this world, and rightly so.  They are gifts from God, that we might have some pleasure in this life.  The problem arises when the joys of this world take on a greater importance than they are due.

   The parable of the rich fool (Luke 12: 16 – 21) tells of a rich man who had more than he could store in his barns and silos.  So he tore them down and built bigger ones.  He had so much property and wealth that he thought he could eat, drink, and be merry, never wanting for anything again.  And yet God said to him, “You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you; and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?” (Luke 16: 20).

   And so it may be with us.  If the gifts of this world are the source of our joy, where will we be if they disappear?  Today we may be wealthy and healthy, but tomorrow we may be poverty stricken and in failing health.  “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord!” (Job: 1: 21).

   We should enjoy the many blessings God bestows upon us in this world.  He is a loving God and desires our happiness.  But the joys and pleasures of this world will pass away.  In God there is eternal joy. 

Lord, You have blessed me greatly.

I thank You for Your many gifts.

I take pleasure in Your blessings.

But my true joy is in You alone. 

Amen

 Good and Evil 

   “Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Father, into your hands I commend my spirit’; and when he had said this he breathed his last.” (Luke 23: 46) 

   The crucifixion of our Lord was, without doubt the most evil act ever committed.  Yet, from this horrendous act the most glorious good was achieved; death was overcome and the door to heaven was opened to those who would believe.

   Can any good come from evil.  Obviously so if we believe in scripture.  Can we commit an evil to achieve a good end?  Of course not!  And yet, even our sin can result in good.  Sound confusing?  It is.

   I had a conversation with a priest recently about venial sin; those sins which draw us away from God but of themselves do not break our relationship with Him.  I expressed to Him that though I hate even my venial sins they call me to Christ to express my sorrow and seek forgiveness.  It seems to me that, though sin is never a good thing, the fact that they bring me to Jesus to confess and repent of them is a good drawn from their evil.

   Somewhat surprising to me, the priest agreed.  Sin cannot be avoided in this life.  We are all sinners and never a day passes without our failure in some way.  But the more we become aware of our sins, the more we want to come to the Lord for mercy and forgiveness.  And the more we come to Him the more we know His great love for us.

   I’m still confused and suppose I will be until this life is over.  I wish I could never sin again and yet that is impossible.  If I am to sin, which is unavoidable, I’m blessed in the fact that my sins draw me to my Lord seeking His forgiveness and His strength in my efforts to avoid sin.  Perhaps in the next life the confusion will be no more. 

Lord, my sins are many.

But Your mercy is endless.

Forgive me my failings.

Bring me always nearer to You. 

Amen

Come Away 

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

   Jesus said this to His apostles when they had returned from teaching in the villages.  They were tired and needed to refresh themselves.  We need to do the same thing from time to time.

   This world can take its’ toll on us, both physically and spiritually.  Most people take a vacation from work to enjoy themselves and relax a bit from their work-a-day life.  But far too few take a vacation from the world and go to a quiet, secluded place to refresh themselves spiritually.  As much as a vacation from work is needed, a vacation from the woes of this world is even more important; a time to put everything away and be with the Lord.

   This last week from Monday afternoon until Friday morning I lived in a Benedictine Monastery.  While I did not encroach on the lives of the monks, I lived by their hours and their routines;  prayers seven times a day, Holy Mass each day, and plenty of time to sit quietly with the Lord.  It was not a week of fun and sun but a week of blessings and coming closer to God.

   If you do not take time for spiritual retreats, I strongly suggest you prayerfully consider it.  A time away from the craziness of this world is a breath of fresh air; a time to breath in the Holy Spirit and expel the foul stench of this broken world.  I can promise you it will change your life.

 

Lord, I thank You for my time with You.

You have blessed me in so many ways.

Let me live my life in Your will.

Following the path You have set before me.

 

Amen 

 A Time Apart 

   I have come to a place of prayer, contemplation, and solitude.  A place to come closer to my God; to grow in faith and hope, trusting all to Him.

   I will therefore be “off the grid” for the next few days to enable myself to separate from worldly matters; to focus on God and what wonderous plans He has for me.

   Please pray for me that these few days will be an enriching experience and bring me closer to the Lord. 

   More to come on Saturday.

 

   May God’s blessings be with each of you. 

Father, take me from the world.

Let these next days with You alone.

Guide me lead me.

Bring me closer to You. 

Amen

 Healing 

   A sore or minor injury that isn’t cared for will not heal.  If I continue picking at it and refusing to treat it as I should it may become infected and create a serious health issue.

   My sins are very much the same.  If I have sinned and just push them aside, forgoing confession, they will fester and grow into a much larger problem.  If not properly cared for my sins will destroy my relationship with God.

   It amazes me how people who wouldn’t dream of letting a minor sore fester and become infected will shun confession, allowing their sins to linger in their thoughts and in their souls.  I suspect that there are few things that give Satan greater joy than the sins we fail to confess to God, seeking His mercy and forgiveness.

   If I come to believe that some sins are so minor that there is no need of regret, sorrow, or repentance I have started down the path to condemnation.  If it is up to me to decide which sins require confession and repentance, I must determine which I must confess to God and which are of no importance.  I can think of no greater way to risk eternal life.

   As with most things, it all comes down to a conscious choice that I must make.  I can either confess my sins, receive forgiveness from a loving and merciful God, or I can spend eternity without Him. 

Father, You know my sins.

You will heal me when I ask in sorrow and repentance.

I come to You on my knees.

Begging Your forgiveness and mercy. 

Amen

 Wait for God to Lead 

   If I listen for God’s word, if I wait for Him to lead, and then follow, I will be on the right path.  If I follow my desires, well-intentioned though they may be, I may be going away from the path God wishes me to follow.

   At one point I had determined that I was called to be a Deacon in the Catholic Church.  I was convinced that this was the path I should follow to serve our Lord.  But it was the way I had chosen, not the way He would lead me on.  After three failed attempts to enter the Deaconate, it finally dawned on me that it was my path I was seeking, not His.  My intention was good, but I forgot who is in charge; I thought I was.  God very clearly told me otherwise.

   I’ve known many people who are “on fire” for the Lord.  They want to do great things for God, and their enthusiasm is a wonderful thing.  But many of them want to do it on their own terms.  They want to serve as they desire, perhaps never considering that God has other plans.  Then, when their chosen path is blocked, many simply quit trying rather than turning to God and offering everything to Him.  They want to lead, rather than follow.

   There is so much that can be done for our Lord, and I believe He has a plan for each of us.  It is up to us to renounce our own preferences and desires and turn to Him and wait for Him to lead.  If we are willing, and if we allow, He will lead us to greater things than we could ever find by following our own path.

   If we truly want to serve the Lord, we need to forget our own desires and go to Him and pray, “Make known to me your ways, Lord; teach me your paths. (Psalm 25: 4) 

Lord, sometimes we think we know best.

But Your ways are far beyond ours.

May we put our desires aside.

And seek to serve as You desire. 

Amen

 God’s Call 

   “The Scripture says that Abraham was hospitable, and God was with him; it says Elias loved quiet, and God was with him; it says that David was humble, and God was with him.  So do what you find your soul longs after in the quest for God, do that, and always watch over your heart’s integrity.” (Abba Nistero, early Desert Father, “The Book of Mystical Chapters) 

   There is no wrong way to serve God when we seek His will our in life.  Some are called to the Priesthood or Deaconate.  Some to a cloistered religious life in a monastery or convent, devoting their life to prayer and contemplation.  Others serve in many ways as they answer God’s call.  Evangelists, prophets, theologians all serve the Lord, as do teachers and spiritual counselors.  Many offer their time and talents in the Church and serve God in a multitude of ways.

   The call of God often changes throughout our life.  For over forty-eight years I was called to be a husband in a sacramental marriage.  Since the passing of my wife, I hear His call to a life of quiet prayer, solitude, and contemplation.  Just as I know that there were times when I failed to be the husband my wife deserved, I am certain their will times of weakness and failure in answering this call.  Still, I will answer His call and serve as best I can.

   God calls us to His service, and He will guide us if we let Him.  In our successes we will find joy and peace and in our failures we will find the mercy and love of a forgiving Savior.  We must listen for His call and respond as the Blessed Virgin Mary, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.  May it be done to me according to your word.” (Luke 5: 38). 

Lord, You call each of us by name.

Open our hearts to hear You.

May we serve You in this life.

May we walk with You in eternal life. 

Amen

 Into Deep Water 

   “After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.”  (Luke 5: 4) 

   One thing is certain, when you let Jesus into your boat He will take you into deep water.  He will test your trust in Him; He will challenge your faith in Him.  But if You follow Him, you will know eternal life with Him.

   When Jesus told Simon to lower his nets for a catch, Simon replied, Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets.” (Luke 5: 5).  Why would an experienced fisherman, one who knew that it was useless to lower his nets at that time of day, do so?  Was it something he heard in Jesus’ teachings?  Was it something he saw in His eyes?  Was it something Simon simply knew in his heart?  Whatever the reason he chose to obey, even though it seemed to make no sense.

   Sometimes Jesus will ask us to do things that might not make sense to us, to risk things that we hold dear in order to serve Him better.  He takes us into deep waters and tries us.  He calls us to is a depth of love and faith, one of trust in Him.  He calls us to a place where we are unable to do for ourselves and asks us to believe in Him.

   We may not understand, we may not see the reason for the things He may ask of us, but if we accept His call we will live eternally in His presence. 

Lord, take me into the deep.

Lead me to holiness.

May I never question.

May I always humble obey. 

Amen

 The Choice Is Mine 

   “Ask the Lord for the strength to turn off the television and open the Bible, to turn off our cellphone and open the Gospel.” (Pope Francis) 

   I can spend all day watching the trash that is called entertainment on television.  I can use my time to read what passes for “good” reading these days though it is mostly lewdness and violence.  I can play games on my computer, tablet, or cellphone or visit websites that teach immorality, hatred, and bias. I can allow myself to become depressed by the events reported ad nauseum in the news, both on television and in print.  The choice is mine.

   I can also select only those things that are of value in the television I watch or the books I read.  The games I play can promote a better vocabulary or require thinking rather than just be mind-numbing.  I can be aware of the events of the world but not allow myself to become engrossed and discouraged by them.  Again, the choice is mine.

   What I’m trying to say is that it is my responsibility to use my time wisely; to use it to better know and serve my God.  Whatever else I do with my day, I must allow sufficient time for prayer and spiritual reading, time for scripture and time for contemplation.  In other words, I must ensure that I am giving the best I can to God.

   God will never force me to shut out those things that need to be shut out or to turn off the television and read scripture instead.  He will not block my internet access to keep me from visiting the wrong sites and using it for vile purposes.  But, if I ask, He will give me the strength to do these things of my own free will.

   It is my choice, a decision that I must make, God or the world.  I choose God. 

Father, there are so many temptations.

Satan is everywhere.

Give me the strength to reject the evil.

The strength to life my life for You. 

Amen