The Lord’s Presence 

   “Where could I go to escape your spirit?  Where could I flee from your presence?” (Psalm 139: 7) 

   As a child I quickly learned that it was best to be out of sight of my parents if I wanted to do something I was not supposed to do.  What they didn’t know wouldn’t hurt them and, more importantly, wouldn’t hurt me by the punishment I deserved.

   I might be able to hide my sins from others, but I can never hide them from God.  No matter where I go He is there, no matter what I do, He knows even before I do it.  This can seem a bit scary, but it is really a blessing.  It is much easier to turn from Satan and his evil temptations when I keep in mind that God knows all that I do.

   If there were one wish that I could wish for everyone, it would be that they know this truth; God knows and sees all.  Whatever sins we commit are known to Him.  Even those wrongs we don’t do but, in our heart, desire to do, are known to Him.  Sin begins in the heart even before we act on the desire.  Perhaps in the light of that truth people will turn to God and reconsider their desires as well as their actions.

   Though I want to follow His will in all things I know that I don’t always live up to that desire; I fail at times.  Therefore, I ask, “God, examine me and know my heart, probe me and know my thoughts; make sure I do not follow pernicious ways, and guide me in the way that is everlasting.” (Psalm 139: 23 – 24).  Amen Lord, lead me on the path that leads to you and your heavenly kingdom.

 Carrying the Cross 

   “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” (Matt 16: 24) 

   It sometimes seems that those who ignore God’s laws, living only for themselves, have few, if any, crosses to bear.  They give the impression of going about their lives carefree, never concerned with tomorrow, living for today.  In fact, that attitude, that way of life, may well be the cross they bear even though they may not know it.

   Those who do not have God in their lives don’t relate difficulties and hardships to following Christ, they see them as nuisances to be solved and forgotten.  To them, suffering is simply punishment to be avoided at all costs.  If it can’t be avoided they usually look for someone to blame.  Sometimes they even blame the God they claim not to believe in.

   Christians, on the other hand, are often more aware of the crosses they bear because they realize that carrying those crosses is necessary if we are to follow the Lord.  If we reject or shun the cross we are rejecting Christ.  When we accept our crosses, bearing them with love and the help of God we are following in Christ’s footsteps.  We bear our crosses confident in the promise of heaven

   Our cross may be difficult, sometimes almost unbearable, but with God’s help they can be overcome.  The cross of those who do not believe will last throughout eternity; without God, and with no hope of redemption.

 Don’t Give Up the Ship 

   “In her voyage across the ocean of this world, the Church is like a great ship being pounded by the waves of life’s different stresses. Our duty is not to abandon ship but to keep her on her course. (St. Boniface) 

   The ship of the Church is in turbulent seas.  It’s being tossed about by societal changes and a turning from God to human wants and desires.  What is right and what is wrong is considered personal opinion rather than fact.  

   The laity is confused and frustrated.  There is too much argument and too little theology in the “synodal” way that has never been adequately explained.  It appears to be not much more than a huge committee meeting and we all know those often cause more problems than they solve.

   Many in the clergy seem no less confused than the laity.  Some are proposing significant, even heretical changes while others are too meek or too scared to speak against them.  Those in the pews are no longer sure of who can be trusted to rightly shepherd the flock.

   What are we to do when confronted with such a scenario?  Sadly, many have given up; they have abandoned the ship.  Only 40% or less of Catholics say they attend Mass on a weekly basis.  Even fewer attend Mass on Holy Days of Obligation.  Of those who do attend Mass, less than a third profess belief in the Real Presence of our Lord in the Eucharist.

   The Church was founded by Jesus Christ over two thousand years ago.  She has sailed rough waters before, and she will again.   She will not fail; she will not fall; the gates of hell shall not prevail against her.  “And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” (Matt 28: 20) 

A Prayer for Humility

 

Lord, You could have come as a great King.

But You chose to come as a helpless infant.

You could have been born into royalty.

But You chose a poor family from Nazareth.

There was no room for You at the Inn

So you were laid in a manger.

 

Jesus, you could have chosen the wise.

But You chose fishermen and tax collectors.

You could have dined with the rich and famous.

But You ate with sinners instead.

You could have lived in a mansion.

But You had no place to lay Your head.

 

In Your life you chose the lowly

And brought the mighty low.

You didn’t seek fame or fortune

You sought love and faith.

Take from me all pride and vain desires.

Teach me humility.

 

Amen 

 How Shall We Answer? 

   “But to you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” (Luke 6: 27 – 28)

   The Los Angeles Dodgers have decided to honor the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence for their “charitable contributions” to the community during “pride night” at the ballpark.  The "Sisters", who are actually gay men, are a pro LGBT+ group with a history of defaming and condemning the Catholic faith and Christianity as a whole.  I wonder if the Dodgers would offer the same honor to a Ku Klux Klan group who makes donations to the poor while spewing racial hatred for anyone who isn’t white?.

   Who decides which outrageous and contemptuous group gets honored and which does not?  The management of the L.A. Dodgers?  How is that decision to be made; by political correctness or by honesty and integrity?  More importantly, how are we, as Christians to respond to such an outrageous affront to our faith as Catholics and Christians?

   I must admit that it is very hard for me to look at those like the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and to love and pray for them.  And yet that is what our Lord has said I must do.  I have no right to vilify and condemn even those who hate and condemn me; there is room only for love and prayers for them.

   The evil of this world will pass away and those who have brought evil upon the world will be held accountable.  However, it is God, not me, who is to hold them accountable.  Instead, I am to pray for their immortal souls, that they may come to accept the truth, love, and mercy of God in their lives.  To do otherwise, to allow anger and hatred toward them to fester within me, is to reject the teachings of Christ.

 The Peace of Christ 

   “Peace, I leave with you; my peace I give to you.  Not as the world gives do I give it to you.  Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” (John 14: 27) 

   In the world there is very rarely peace and even what peace there may be is often based on lies and misconceptions.  The only source of true peace is our Lord, Jesus Christ.  If I have His peace I can resist the angst and worry that the devil wishes to impose upon me.

   I am fully aware that there are many problems in society and in the Church today, just as there have always been.  And it is also true that there is little that I can do to fix those problems.

   Though I can’t change the world I can refuse to allow the world to change me, filling me with doubts and worries.  I can accept the truth in Christ’s words, “In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.” (John 16: 33).

   The world is a mess just as it has always been and will continue to be until the Lord comes again in glory.  I have two choices; I can let the woes and evils of this world overwhelm me and rob me of my peace, or I can trust in God and remain at peace, confident that all is in His glorious hands.  I choose to keep my peace and trust that Jesus truly has “overcome the world.”  Amen Lord!  Come soon!

 The Mysteries of Faith 

   “Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen.”  (Heb 11: 1) 

   One thing I’ve found is that faith doesn’t need proof.  Instead, it is a gift of grace from God that must simply be accepted.  The mysteries of faith cannot be proven no matter how much I study and read.

   I’ve studied, I’ve read, I’ve prayed for guidance and understanding.  In some things I find better insight in my studies, in many I do not.  I have learned to accept that His ways are often beyond my understanding and it’s best to accept rather than question.  “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55: 9).

   When I start questioning God, almost insisting that He tell me His reasons and purposes I am reminded of Job and all the evil that he knew.  He also began to question God and was soundly rebuked, “Where were you when I founded the earth?  Tell me, if you have understanding.” (Job 38: 4).

   I recently read a book written by a priest who had been held in Soviet prison camps for over 15 years during and after World War II.  In all the pains and difficulties of his imprisonment he came to realize that each day and all that it may bring was the will of God.  It wasn’t necessary to know why, but rather to accept and continue to live to serve His will.

   Each time I find myself asking for explanations and reasons I hear His voice in the back of my mind, “Be still and know that I am God!” (Psalm 46: 11).  Amen!  May I not question, may I simply accept His will in my life and strive to follow it.