(A reflection on Romans 12:12)
Our Lord crucified, is the answer to all our prayers.
During the 40 days of Lent, as we turn our particular gaze to Jesus crucified, may we remember to also contemplate His heart, and in that place of predilection, begin to recognize the incredibly mysterious essence of God’s love revealed – for the salvation of each one of us sinners.
As I thank my sweet Lord for his love poured out for me (and you, and all humankind) I’m amazed at the tenderness in which he seeks me and waits for me, while I take forever to be found.
It is true that when we follow the holy example of Jesus’ life on earth, a life example in service to God’s people: tending to the suffering, the destitute, and the lost; we experience a life of peace.
This life of interior peace in turn leads to a rejoicing in the hope of the Lord’s resurrection. We know Jesus resurrected from the dead, and that one day all of us will also be participants of this truth revealed by our Lord himself.
Though my human heart says ‘yes’ to do God’s will, it can only remain a firm conviction in the essence of my being, if my Lord (Jesus) himself remains in me by the grace of the Holy Spirit acting within. In my limited heart there is only room for love, so I ask in constant prayer, that it be emptied of everything else that is not of love, in order to be made ready to receive the greatest gift. This I ask so that by God’s sanctifying grace, I may be all that I need to be in order to endure in times of trial (united to my Crucified).
Prayer: Abba, Father, grant to me (us) the grace of perseverance in prayer. That no matter how busy or complicated my life (our lives) may seem with all the ‘things’ we make ourselves busy with, that I (we) constantly keep You in my (our) heart(s) – remembering to pray, pray, pray - always in Jesus’ name. For if You are with us, who could be against us? Amen.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Self-denial: Lesson number one
Letting go of our selfish pride is so hard to do - most of the time.
We do not stop to look into the eyes of others...
We simply stare past their souls, and put-up all kinds of barricades so they won't be able to touch us.
If we can look into the eyes of each and every individual (or imagine we do), then it won't be so hard to let go and be humble - because we are looking into the eyes of Him who made us all.
He will always be forming us, until the end of time.
We do not need passing pleasures, if only we strive for God's happiness since it is eternal-lasting.
The pleasures (or pains) of this world are finite and soon to pass.
So in denying ourselves now, we might obtain our true and ultimate goal - God's Love, forever.
We do not stop to look into the eyes of others...
We simply stare past their souls, and put-up all kinds of barricades so they won't be able to touch us.
If we can look into the eyes of each and every individual (or imagine we do), then it won't be so hard to let go and be humble - because we are looking into the eyes of Him who made us all.
He will always be forming us, until the end of time.
We do not need passing pleasures, if only we strive for God's happiness since it is eternal-lasting.
The pleasures (or pains) of this world are finite and soon to pass.
So in denying ourselves now, we might obtain our true and ultimate goal - God's Love, forever.
With shouts of Joy
On this special day
(though every day is special in its own way -
for you, Lord, make all days special by Your goodness)
I give praise and thanksgiving for two moments in particular.
The first moment
I give praise and thanksgiving for,
is the gift of my father's birth
84 years ago, today.
Because in later years,
I came to be born
of his union in marriage to my mother.
And for the precious gift of life,
we praise you, Lord.
The second joyful shout
is in thanksgiving for
my union in marriage to my spouse of 20 years, today.
Our Father in heaven
has been, and continues to be
so utterly and inexplicably generous to me and mine,
my little words of expression fail me,
and any utterance falls short
of the flood of love that reigns in our hearts
thanks to God's infinitely uncontainable Love.
Amen.
(though every day is special in its own way -
for you, Lord, make all days special by Your goodness)
I give praise and thanksgiving for two moments in particular.
The first moment
I give praise and thanksgiving for,
is the gift of my father's birth
84 years ago, today.
Because in later years,
I came to be born
of his union in marriage to my mother.
And for the precious gift of life,
we praise you, Lord.
The second joyful shout
is in thanksgiving for
my union in marriage to my spouse of 20 years, today.
Our Father in heaven
has been, and continues to be
so utterly and inexplicably generous to me and mine,
my little words of expression fail me,
and any utterance falls short
of the flood of love that reigns in our hearts
thanks to God's infinitely uncontainable Love.
Amen.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Love for Neighbor as a sign of God’s Presence within
(meditating on 1 John 3:14)
Love for neighbor is the sign of new life in God. Those who bear God within them (lovingly in their hearts) will always extend their love (God’s love) to their neighbor (who is everyone they meet, live or work with).
Those who show no concern for their neighbor, show that they have not (yet) found the new life in God, or that they have lost it (again).
We must be constantly open to receive God’s love within (by emptying ourselves of any selfishness, pride, envy, jealousy, etc.); only allowing the entirety of our (whole) hearts to be filled with the love of God (which is infinite).
We can do this only, by fixing our eyes on our role model and lifelong example: Jesus Crucified.
Prayer: Father of all creatures, give us a child’s heart. Help us reach out to our brothers and sisters with Your love and compassion. For when we love, with your love, in your love and through your love (as Jesus points the Way, the Truth and the Life), we are made one in You. Amen.
Love for neighbor is the sign of new life in God. Those who bear God within them (lovingly in their hearts) will always extend their love (God’s love) to their neighbor (who is everyone they meet, live or work with).
Those who show no concern for their neighbor, show that they have not (yet) found the new life in God, or that they have lost it (again).
We must be constantly open to receive God’s love within (by emptying ourselves of any selfishness, pride, envy, jealousy, etc.); only allowing the entirety of our (whole) hearts to be filled with the love of God (which is infinite).
We can do this only, by fixing our eyes on our role model and lifelong example: Jesus Crucified.
Prayer: Father of all creatures, give us a child’s heart. Help us reach out to our brothers and sisters with Your love and compassion. For when we love, with your love, in your love and through your love (as Jesus points the Way, the Truth and the Life), we are made one in You. Amen.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
The ardor of Love raises souls to God’s presence
“…the Lord is always ready to give us Love; let us choose to receive with open, expansive hearts…” (St. Augustine)
The flame that burns within each one of us –
is there from the beginning,
as we were created in God’s image and likeness.
What we do with this flame,
and how we keep this flame burning
depends on the choices we make
as we live our lives on this earth (earthly pilgrimage).
If we could only see ourselves with the eyes of our Creator (who is all goodness)
we would strive from the very beginning,
to do good and walk in charity to our neighbor
(all those we meet and/or live and work with).
In this way, the ‘deposited’ flame within our souls/our hearts,
would grow – by the continued grace of God –
Who sustains us in our faith walk.
The littlest flame of love,
being ‘fanned’ by God’s infinite loving grace,
grows larger (all-encompassing)
the more we love in God’s goodness,
and the more we love – through God’s grace.
The burning flame continues to grow
until it is consumed (consummated)
by the Love who created all.
The flame that burns within each one of us –
is there from the beginning,
as we were created in God’s image and likeness.
What we do with this flame,
and how we keep this flame burning
depends on the choices we make
as we live our lives on this earth (earthly pilgrimage).
If we could only see ourselves with the eyes of our Creator (who is all goodness)
we would strive from the very beginning,
to do good and walk in charity to our neighbor
(all those we meet and/or live and work with).
In this way, the ‘deposited’ flame within our souls/our hearts,
would grow – by the continued grace of God –
Who sustains us in our faith walk.
The littlest flame of love,
being ‘fanned’ by God’s infinite loving grace,
grows larger (all-encompassing)
the more we love in God’s goodness,
and the more we love – through God’s grace.
The burning flame continues to grow
until it is consumed (consummated)
by the Love who created all.
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