“And by this I wish to know if you love the Lord God and me, his servant and yours—if you have acted in this manner: that is, there should not be any brother in the world who has sinned, however much he may have possibly sinned, who, after he has looked into your eyes, would go away without having received your mercy, if he is looking for mercy. And if he were not to seek mercy, you should ask him if he wants mercy. And if he should sin thereafter a tho usand times before your very eyes, love him more than me so that you may draw him back to the Lord. Always be merciful to [brothers] such as these” (St. Francis, Letter to a Minister).
Subdued by His Love
As I shoveled yesterday afternoon I was struck by the quiet beauty of the world we live in. The glorious beauty of a winter snow was overwhelming. I was moved to stop what I was doing and just stare and listen to the peace of a snowstorm. I could feel His love and His presence. What a joy it is to know God.
At a wake recently I was so struck again by the blessing we have if we have faith. The man had died in tragedy unimagineable to most of us yet the family was able to show their belief in God that day.
I pray that everyone may know the joys and the blessing of our faith in Jesus Christ.
Blind Man Faith
This Story has been going over and over in my heart all day.
They told blind Bartimaeus to be quiet. They probably told him to sit down and shut up actually. I can almost hear the crowd telling him to be still…and old Bartimaeus getting louder and louder.
Even when he probably thought Jesus had passed him by, he still cried out ‘Jesus, Son of David, help me.’ Hearing this cry was just too much for a man like Jesus.
Bartimaeus even threw off his coat (laying down all he had), and followed Jesus.
And when he received his sight, he followed Jesus down the road.
You see, Bartimaeus kept calling out, he used what he had….and he creates a scene!
We all need to use what we have to create a few scenes of our own don’t ya think?
Theology of Excuses
A theology of excuses will not hold up in the day of judgment. We must not accept our failures to work the works of the Master by developing a theology that is nothing more than excuses. Jesus met the need, period, and we are called to do the same, not in some new philosophical way, but in the same concrete fashion found in the Book of Acts. Heal, cleanse, cast out, forgive, and let us do it freely!
Alert and Oriented
Alert and oriented was the “word” last weekend…it made me snap out of it just enough to realize this is something I have not been of late.
I ask forgiveness of my fellow “bloggers” and of my Father…
Life has been interferring with my love affair with Jesus. And I guess this is the way it is with most females. Work spouse, kids, aging parents and housework take a lot of time. (of course I do not have children, but you get my drift).
If I am this busy now, I can only imagine how it will be as time goes on. So how do I balance the Mary and Martha? How do I reach other women who are in the same boat? How do I explain that it is Christ that gets me thru my crazy days and “Marti” moments when I don’t have time to stop and chat?
How do we become more alert and oriented to things of The Spirit? When life is so rude and demanding…..
How do we get the Gospel to those people like me?
I can’t wait to see how Abba does it! But, I know it’s going to be a shake and bake experience for all of us.
And from beginning to end, this has been and will continue to be the most exciting time of my life. The anticipation in the air is sometimes palpable and here lately is accompanied by the “smell” of gasoline. (The gasoline smell in and of itself gives me great pleasure).
Even if I am only going to get to experience Revival from a prayer standpoint, that’s fine with me, just come quickly Lord.
Seek the Presence…
Let us seek after the Presence of Jesus today, not being content to be a safe harbor, but let us pray that His life, His love, His healing and righteous power would flow out from the sanctuary of our hearts to a world that is seeking vanity in darkness!
What’s Up with our Revival?
Seems like we have all wandered off into other paths…May I invite my brothers and sisters home to our site to share His love, word and message?
For me, today has been a blessing in so many ways. A chance to share my faith with an old friend came this morning; someone who also has faced troubles with alcohol and drugs in his life. I reminded him that while 12-step programs prefer to use such silliness as “God as I understand Him” the real God has already defined Himself in the Gospels.
Making up your own God might be ok for a while for some; in the end it left me lost and adrift; able to make up any rules and any ideas that suited my life at that moment.
Thank God for the Word made flesh!
Through Grace Alone
I’ve been reading a book I was given for Christmas called “The Ragamuffin Gospel” written by an ex-priest/alcoholic. He reminds us that Gods love for us is unearned, can never be earned, and is a gift of grace alone. I forget that message so easily.
At Mass this morning I peered (I forgot my glasses!) at the crucified Christ and wondered at the incredible love His sacrifice represents.
This love is a sign of the Kingdom He has prepared for each of us. All we have to do to enter is accept the gift of love and welcome Him in when He knocks at our door. Not by good works, not by following some ancient formula or ritual…just accept the gift freely given.
Child in the Manger
Child in the manger, infant of Mary,
Outcast and Stranger, Lord of us all,
Child Who inherits all our transgressions,
All our demerits upon Him fall.
Once the most holy Child of salvation
Gently and lowly lived here below.
Now as our glorious mighty Redeemer.
See Him victorious over each foe.
Prophets foretold Him, Infant of wonder;
Angels behold Him on His throne.
Worthy our Savior of all our praises;
Happy forever are His own.
—-MaryMacdougall Macdonald (1789-1872)
Prepare Ye
Today’s homily fit in nicely with this Advent season as we look forward to the return of Jesus to our world. Father sang the first lines of the GodSpell song, “Pre-pare ye the way of the Lord” and went on to remind each of us that we must prepare ourselves for His return. Repentance and confession, truly opening our hearts to His love, the need to focus on Jesus Christs this season rather than gifts, cookies, and all the other distractions…
As Catholics we have the gift of going to Confession (I know, today it’s Reconciliation, but I still think of it as Confession!). Kneeling before my priest and opening my heart, asking the Lord for His forgiveness can be scary but it is always cleansing too. The hard part is setting aside my pride and telling the WHOLE truth…no matter how embarassing or humbling.
Please pray for me this week as I prepare for a special Advent confession to ready myself for His coming. So many sins, so little strength to admit them, and a belly filled with pride…please God, help me to walk this path to YOU.
