We Reap What We Sow 

   “For they sow the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind.” (Hosea 8: 7) 

    I look around at the world and this nation and it’s frightening; there seem to be fewer and fewer who look to God for His guidance and more and more who ignore Him and chase their own rainbow.  Maybe they think there is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, but that has been disproven many times; there is no pot of gold.

   This nation used to have some semblance of kindness, of respect and concern for others.  In this day kindness is hard to find and respect for others has pretty much ceased to exist.  The only concern shown for others  is how they can best be used to our advantage.  Our misguided earthly desires and wants are all that seem to matter.

   What can the average Christian do to change a society which seems determined to condemn itself?  We can pray and we can trust in God.  We must pray for the conversion of those who have sown the wind, those who have lived a Godless life.  Our God is a forgiving God and will joyously welcome all who repent of their evil.

   Those who have sown only sin and evil will reap condemnation.  Let us sow the word of God in word and action and reap the paradise God has prepared for those who believe.

 The Holy Life 

   “Therefore gird up your minds, be sober, set your hope fully upon the grace that is coming to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.  As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of you former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’” (1 Peter 1: 13 – 16) 

   We are called to be holy, to reject the lures and pretenses of this world and seek the will of the Father in our life.  We cannot do this on our own, by our works or desires or even our prayers.  Only God can make us Holy, it is up to us to submit ourselves to His will and seek the holiness He wants to bestow upon on.

   When I made my promises as a Benedictine Oblate one of the things I promised was to seek Christian perfection in my life.  Perfection is unattainable in this life but seeking it in all I do will bring me closer to God than most anything else that I can do.  Having such perfection as my goal encourages me to do all that I can to progress toward that goal.

   In the spiritual life we must continue to move forward, otherwise we fall back.  There can be no complacency, no thought that I’ve done all I need do and can now relax.  The holy life is exactly what the name implies, a way of life, not a part-time endeavor.  The journey may be difficult at times, but it is the only path to God’s heavenly kingdom.

   Holiness is our destiny; it is why we were created.  Though we cannot achieve holiness on our own, we must trust in the words of Christ, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.” (Luke 18: 27).  With His help we can do all things.

 Lost 

   Some days I feel lost, like I’ve gone off the rails and am careening through life headed for disaster.  Some days I search for God but can’t seem to find Him even though I know He is there.

   Many have written of living for years wondering if God is still with them.  St John of the Cross wrote of the dark night of the soul.  St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta spoke of feeling that emptiness for many years  But they continued to live their life for God even though they may have felt empty inside.  They never lost their trust in God's presence remained within them.

   I would never compare myself to these great saints but in some small way I understand what they are speaking of.  There are days when I struggle in my relationship with God.  Days when Satan seems to have the upper hand no matter how I try to reject him.  And yet I know that God remains with me always.

   Thankfully, these times for me are rare and infrequent.  I suspect He knows that I do not have the strength of John of the Cross or Mother Teresa of Calcutta and therefore limits these times of testing.  He is right, in my weakness I fear I would fail if such times were longer.  But He doesn’t want me to fail, only to grow in trust, knowing that He is now and always will be with me in all things.

 Make the World Go Away 

   Some days are better than others.  Some days following the Lord is easier; these days are a gift from God for which I am very grateful.  Then there are the days when the world intervenes and takes me down a path that I don’t wish to travel.

   I get up in the morning expecting this day to be another day to love my Lord and obey His will in my life.  And even though I try there are days when without even realizing it I’ve gone down a rathole rather that offering all that I do for the glory of God.

   It’s frustrating when I allow the world to interfere with my relationship with God, but in a strange kind of way it is also a blessing.  Though I’m disappointed in myself when these days occur they very vividly remind that it is only through the grace of God that I can offer myself to Him; it is only with His help that I can live my life for Him as I should.

   I know that no matter how much I try there will be times when I will fail to be the faithful servant of God that I wish to be.  And yet once again He will forgive my failures; once again He will look upon me with love and mercy; once again He will remind me that I am His.

 Pray Constantly 

   “Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thes 5: 16 – 18) 

   For many years I struggled with scriptures that exhorted me to pray constantly, to pray always.  I could never quite understand how I could pray all the time.  Even the monks and sisters in cloistered monasteries must eat and sleep.  They also must care for others who are in need as well as the day-to-day upkeep and care of the monastery,  If even cloistered religious are not constantly at prayer, how can I hope to pray always?

   Then I came to understand that prayer is not just words directed toward God; prayer is a way of life.  If I offer all that I do to God then all that I do becomes prayer.  Whether it be sitting quietly contemplating Him and His love for me or cleaning the house or even entertaining friends with a meal and fellowship, it is all prayer if it is done for the greater glory of God.

   There is another aspect to recognizing that all I do can be prayer when offered to God.  If I desire to please God in this way I must be sure to never offer anything evil, but only the good.  I can’t lose my temper and expect that to be an acceptable prayer.  I can’t allow the evils of the world to overcome my efforts to please my Lord.  I can’t hate my enemies and wish them evil but must love and pray for them.

   I still don’t believe that I am praying always.  In my weakness I sometimes fail and sin.  But even then I can offer my sorrow and regrets for those failings as prayer to God, seeking His mercy and forgiveness.  In His love He will forgive though we both know that I will fail again.

 Be With the Lord 

   “He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters.” (Matt 12: 30) 

   Am I gathering or scattering?  I need to ask myself this question often as a way of trying to keep myself on the path that Jesus sets before me.  Am I with Him or against Him?  A tree is known by its fruit; if I am not producing good fruit I am not with Him.

   The evidence the world sees concerning my Christianity is not so much in how often I go to Mass but how I life my life.  Going to Mass is a wonderful thing and gives strength to face the temptations and allurements of the world but if my day to day life doesn’t reflect Christian values then others will see me as a hypocrite; I will be scattering rather than gathering for the Lord.

   Temptations to sin, even in things I might consider insignificant. are everywhere. For instance, in restaurants with an “endless” salad bar sharing that salad is not allowed.  If I order it and then share it with others I am saying that I am a hypocrite, that the rules don’t apply to me.  Satan tempts me with these “little” wrongs telling me that they are no big deal, they don’t mean I am not a good Christian.  If I fall into that trap I weaken my resistance to sin, which may well lead to more and greater sin.

   I have to decide whether I am with the Lord or against Him; am I gathering with Him or scattering.  If I am to be with Him, to gather with Him,  I must live my life accordingly.

New Year’s Day

 

On this New Year’s Day I offer the blessing that God gave Moses and Aaron to bless the Israelites after their exodus from Egypt.  For this nation and everyone it, I ask that the Lord will bless us all during the coming year.

 

 

“The Lord Bless you and keep you!  The Lord let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you!  The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace!” (Numbers 6: 24 – 26)

 

 

 

Happy New Year!