What’s Right in the World

   “You will hear of wars and reports of wars; see that you are not alarmed, for these things must happen, but it will not yet be the end.” (Matt 24: 6)

   We are bombarded day in and day out with news of wars and reports of wars.  The world seems to be in total disarray and getting worse.  News organization rarely, if ever, report factually anymore.  If it is bad they strive to make it appear even worse; if it is good it is ignored.  It seems to be a competition to see who can paint the most catastrophic image of events.

   How I wish every newscast would devote just a few minutes to highlighting something good.  Perhaps if the beauty and good that exists were better reported more people would practice it.

   I’ve seen people in a grocery store hand a few dollars to the person in front of them who didn’t have enough to pay for their food.  Food banks, shelters and many other charitable services routinely help those in need.  These are the things that need to be highlighted.  When we begin to see the good in others I believe it helps bring out the good in ourselves.

   Great good and beauty exists in the world, but we must look to see it.  Can anyone deny the miracle of a newborn baby?  How jaded must one be to not smile at the laugh of a youngster?  The love of a spouse brings great joy and happiness throughout a lifetime.  Friendships form bonds that last forever.  The love of God and our neighbors creates beauty in a sinful world.

   Will it fix the world?  No, the world is broken by sin and can’t be fixed until our Lord comes again.  Can it make society a little better and more humane?   Yes, it can.

Lord, it seems we only see the evil.

Help us to see the good in others.

Open our eyes to the beauty of Your creation.

Help us love one another.

Amen

The Pharisees Are Not the Church

   “The Scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses.  Therefore, do and observe all things whatever they tell you, but do not follow their example.  For they preach but they do not practice.” (Matt 23: 2 – 3)

   Jesus often called out the religious leaders of His time as hypocrites, using the law for their own benefit.  They expected praise and privilege because of their position, desiring personal recognition and honor.

   Today there are many in the Church who would fit right in with the Pharisees and Scribes of Jesus’ time.  Those who like their limos and mansions, who expect reverence from the laity even though they seem to have very little reverence for the laity.

   Throughout history there have been religious leaders of all persuasions who have misused their position and influence.  The history of the Church is one of fighting heresy to maintain the truths taught by our Lord.  Heresy continues today in the hearts of those who would bend the Church to meet society rather than stand up for the truths of God.

   Human involvement always brings sin for we are all sinful.  That is why the priests and bishops, including the Pope have little to do with what makes me Catholic.  I am Catholic because the Church always has and always will teach God’s truth, heresies be damned.  She will remain true until the Lord comes again to claim His own.

   The overwhelming majority of priests and bishops are good men doing their best to serve God and God’s people.  They deserve our thanks and our prayers.  Those few who preach heresy also need our prayers for they will have to face our Lord when judgement comes.

Father, we pray for those who bring shame.

May they recognize their heresy and repent.

We pray for the many faithful ones.

Give them Your blessings and strength.

Amen

A New Beginning

   God offers me a new beginning each day.  He gives me a chance to start over, to renew my efforts to more completely love and serve Him.  Not only does He offer me this opportunity each day but every minute of my life.

   When preparing for bed I take a few minutes to look back over the day to see whether I’ve done well or failed in serving the Lord.  I look for those times when I had the opportunity to do better but failed and seek forgiveness.  I look for those times when I chose the right path and give thanks.  I look for and acknowledge the many blessings the Lord has given me, offering praise and thanksgiving.

   Some days I am humbled and ashamed to realize how badly I’ve done in my efforts to live according to God’s will.  In this broken world in which we live there are so many opportunities to fail.  In my weakness I far too often fall prey to the temptations of the evil one.

   Each day is a challenge.  There are days when I feel like a small boat on a large ocean in a storm.  I’m tossed about by the trials and temptations of this world and struggle to reject Satan and his urgings.  I call on God and He calms the seas, stills the wind, and helps me keep the boat afloat.  Without Him all is lost.

Some days are harder than others.

The temptations are great, and I am weak.

Only with Your help can I prevail.

Lord, give me strength.

Amen

Heaven’s Mysteries

   “What eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, and what has not entered the human heart, what God has prepared for those who love him. (1 Cor 2: 9)

   As with many things of faith, Heaven remains a mystery as long as we are in the world.  Only upon our passing will we glimpse what St. Paul was promising the people of Corinth.

   We know that heaven is perfection in all things.  There we will find perfect love, perfect happiness, and perfect joy.  Yet we are told that there is no marriage in heaven (see Matt 22: 30, Mark 12: 15, Luke 20: 34-35).  As much as we may love our spouse, they will apparently not be our spouse in heaven.  I can’t imagine perfect love, happiness, and joy without my wife, but if love is perfect can we love any one person more than another?

   Is heaven a place or a state of being?  Is it physical or spiritual or a combination of the two?  Jesus told His apostles that He was going to prepare a place for them and would return to take them to Himself (see John 14: 2-3).  But where is this place?  Where are those who have died in God’s grace?  Will it change when Jesus returns in glory?

   “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3: 16).  As Catholic I believe that all who have died in Christ live eternally, they pray for us and their prayers have great value.  They live, but not in a sense that I can understand in this life.

   God is full of mystery.  Heaven, too, will remain a mystery until we see and experience it for ourselves.

You promise perfection in all things.

You offer life eternal in Your presence.

I trust completely in Your promise.

I long to experience the reality.

Amen

Lead Me Lord

Father there are times when I feel lost.

I can’t seem to find the right path.

I think I’ve found it but then it seems to change.

I’m confused and need Your help.

There are so many worthy paths.

Which is the one You have chosen for me.

My desire is to follow wherever You may lead.

Help me find the way.

Though finding my way is sometimes difficult

I am confident of Your love.

I know that you will guide me home.

I trust in You.

I may not have a map

But I have faith in You.

Your love for me is great.

You will not leave me on my own.

Give me a clear mind Lord.

One that recognizes Your urgings.

Give me wisdom to know Your way.

Bring me to my heavenly home.

Amen

Consider the Passion of Christ

   “Just as it is appointed that human beings die once, and after this the judgement, so also Christ, offered once to take away the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to take away sin but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await him . (Hebrews 9: 27 – 28)

   Who are those who eagerly await Him?  Am I one?  Are you?  Those who eagerly await Him are those who acknowledge His kingship and choose to live their life for Him.  Not only to live for Him, but even to die for Him if necessary.  Our pains, our struggles are as nothing compared to what He suffered for each of us.  His suffering and death are the result of the sins we commit.  He paid the price we cannot pay.

   I try to take time each day to consider the passion of our Lord.  I think of the pain He suffered, both emotionally and physically.  Those closest to Him abandoned Him.  One betrayed Him.  No one stood with Him at the farce of a trial given Him by the religious leaders of the time.  When offered the choice of freeing Jesus or a known murderer, those He came to save chose the murderer.

   I picture Him tied to the pillar and scourged nearly to death.  I see Him beaten, with a crown of thorns standing before those who desired His death.  He carried His cross through Jerusalem to the jeers of many.  On Calvary He allowed Himself to be nailed to a cross, shedding His blood, giving His life for me.

   I pray that I am one who will be judged to be “awaiting Him eagerly”.  Let me relinquish self to God and His will.  He will come again.  Come, Lord Jesus!

Lord, I look for Your return.

I pray for salvation.

May I live my life for You.

May I die in Your friendship.

Amen

A Crisis of Faith

   For years there have been questions of whether governments and non-believers are trying to destroy Christians and their faith.  I think the question is now settled.  The Coronavirus crisis gave these anti-Christs the opportunity they have long desired.  They literally shut down proper Christian worship using “public safety” as their excuse.

   What concerns me even more is that Bishops world-wide bowed to Caesar, agreeing to shut and lock the doors of our Churches.  In a time of crisis and suffering they deprived their flocks of proper worship and reception of the Sacraments.  How many have died without benefit of a final confession or last rites?  How many longed to go before the Lord in prayer in the holiest of places, His Church, but were denied?  How will the Bishops answer when Jesus asks them why they abandoned His flock when they were most in need?  Why did they leave the brothers and sisters of our Lord to the wolves?

   I’m also angry and disappointed with myself and others who allowed and even supported this blatant attack on our faith.  How could we agree to give up worship but allow Walmart, Home Depot and Lowes to remain open?  How could we shut the doors to Church when abortion clinics were operating at full speed?  We too will have to answer for why we didn’t stand up and demand that we have access to Holy Mass and the Sacraments.

   In my mind there is no longer a question of whether Christianity is under attack; it most definitely is!  The question is whether our Bishops, including the Pope are prepared to fight the battle?  Is closing the Churches and abandoning the faithful during any so-called crisis to be the “new norm”? 

   I think of Saint Damien of Molokai who choose to serve the lepers, knowing it was most likely a death sentence.  I remember the many saints who put themselves at great risk to serve the faithful during plagues, flus, and other deadly crises.  I think of the many martyrs who have given their lives for their faith.  I recall Peter’s statement to the Sanhedrin when ordered to never preach in the name of Jesus, “Whether it is right in the sight of God for us to obey you rather than God, you be the judges.  It is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard.”  (Acts 4: 19 – 20).

   May God have mercy on us all.

Lord, look how we have abandoned You.

We failed to stand for You when we needed You most.

Have mercy on us Lord.

Give us a faith that is strong and constant.

Amen