Sunday, March 28, 2010
Gratitude
Why is it so hard for us to recognize the good in our lives, acknowledge it and be grateful for it?
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Whatsoever You Do.....
It seems to me that the way we love and praise God is reflected by the way we love and treat other people.
If I say I 'love' God but disregard the dignity of another human being then I am a liar.
Jesus said "Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, you do unto me." And so I have to ask myself.
Do I recognize Jesus in my spouse? Do I treat my spouse with love and respect? ("Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, you do unto me.")
Do I recognize Jesus in my child? Would I discipline Jesus the way I discipline my child? ("Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, you do unto me.")
Do I recognize Jesus in my co-worker? Would I gossip about Jesus the way I gossip about my co-worker? ("Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, you do unto me.")
Do I recognize Jesus in my employee? Would I talk to Jesus the way I talk with someone under my authority? ("Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, you do unto me.")
Do I recognize Jesus in myself? Do I love unconditionally, see the good in people and treat others the way I want to be treated - regardless of how they treat me? ("Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, you do unto me.")
Obviously, I fall very short of the mark. Do I love Jesus enough to keep trying?
If I say I 'love' God but disregard the dignity of another human being then I am a liar.
Jesus said "Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, you do unto me." And so I have to ask myself.
Do I recognize Jesus in my spouse? Do I treat my spouse with love and respect? ("Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, you do unto me.")
Do I recognize Jesus in my child? Would I discipline Jesus the way I discipline my child? ("Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, you do unto me.")
Do I recognize Jesus in my co-worker? Would I gossip about Jesus the way I gossip about my co-worker? ("Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, you do unto me.")
Do I recognize Jesus in my employee? Would I talk to Jesus the way I talk with someone under my authority? ("Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, you do unto me.")
Do I recognize Jesus in myself? Do I love unconditionally, see the good in people and treat others the way I want to be treated - regardless of how they treat me? ("Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, you do unto me.")
Obviously, I fall very short of the mark. Do I love Jesus enough to keep trying?
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Church Teachings
I have to say - I don't have a good understanding of all that the Church teaches.
For instance, I don't understand why the Church teaches that using artificial birth control is sinful. I've TRIED to understand it - but I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around it. I also don't have a clear understanding of why the Church teaches that homosexual behavior is sinful.
But I'm at a place in my faith where I humbly submit myself to the teachings of the Holy Catholic Church without question. I don't HAVE to understand. I simply OBEY.
How did I get to this place? Well, to be honest, I think God took me there! Because, I was pretty far away and I don't think I could have found it on my own.
It starts with humility, I think. Think of it this way. The Church is over 2000 years old! The bishops are learned people. Serving God has been their LIFE'S work. They've spent YEARS studying theology, and studying Greek,Latin and Hebrew languages. They've studied history and ancient culture. They spend HOURS in prayer EVERY SINGLE DAY! I, on the other hand, have NEVER studied theology. I can't speak OR understand Greek, Latin or Hebrew. I'm not crazy about history and can't really tell you ANYTHING about the culture surrounding the time of Jesus.
So with that in mind - I think it would be pretty arrogant of me to rely on my own OPINION to guide me rather than the teachings of the Church. Proverbs 3:5 says "Trust the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding."
God didn't create me to understand it all. I don't need to. He created bishops to guide me and teach me. I simply have to humble myself to the teaching of the wise! How very good God is to give us a Church to guide us in all of His ways. We simply need to humble ourselves to obey!
For instance, I don't understand why the Church teaches that using artificial birth control is sinful. I've TRIED to understand it - but I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around it. I also don't have a clear understanding of why the Church teaches that homosexual behavior is sinful.
But I'm at a place in my faith where I humbly submit myself to the teachings of the Holy Catholic Church without question. I don't HAVE to understand. I simply OBEY.
How did I get to this place? Well, to be honest, I think God took me there! Because, I was pretty far away and I don't think I could have found it on my own.
It starts with humility, I think. Think of it this way. The Church is over 2000 years old! The bishops are learned people. Serving God has been their LIFE'S work. They've spent YEARS studying theology, and studying Greek,Latin and Hebrew languages. They've studied history and ancient culture. They spend HOURS in prayer EVERY SINGLE DAY! I, on the other hand, have NEVER studied theology. I can't speak OR understand Greek, Latin or Hebrew. I'm not crazy about history and can't really tell you ANYTHING about the culture surrounding the time of Jesus.
So with that in mind - I think it would be pretty arrogant of me to rely on my own OPINION to guide me rather than the teachings of the Church. Proverbs 3:5 says "Trust the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding."
God didn't create me to understand it all. I don't need to. He created bishops to guide me and teach me. I simply have to humble myself to the teaching of the wise! How very good God is to give us a Church to guide us in all of His ways. We simply need to humble ourselves to obey!
Listening for God's Voice
Listening for God's voice is a big challenge for me.
When I fail to hear it, often times I'm tempted to think that He doesn't really speak to me.
In truth, I guess I know that He DOES speak. I think maybe it's hard to discern His voice sometimes over my OWN thoughts. Often times when I pray, I already know what I want to hear. I have a specific prayer intention and I'm sure that if I pray hard enough God will answer my prayer exactly the way I pray it. Often times, I feel I already know the mind of God. His opinion has to be the same as mine, right? (Because what other opinion could there be?) My mind is set and I leave little room for Him to get a word in edgewise!
I am trying to learn to be more humble in my prayer. I am trying to learn to say to God "This is how I see the situation...." "This is how I feel..." etc., "BUT - YOUR Wisdom surpasses all human knowledge. YOU see the WHOLE picture while I can only see what affects me. YOU, God, are ALL Good, ALL Loving, ALL Wise. I recognize that I am merely the created. YOU are the CREATOR. I trust You with this situation because I TRUST Your love for me and ALL mankind. Help me to open my heart to Your direction and please give me the courage and grace to DO what You ask me to do and BE who you want me to be! Amen."
When I fail to hear it, often times I'm tempted to think that He doesn't really speak to me.
In truth, I guess I know that He DOES speak. I think maybe it's hard to discern His voice sometimes over my OWN thoughts. Often times when I pray, I already know what I want to hear. I have a specific prayer intention and I'm sure that if I pray hard enough God will answer my prayer exactly the way I pray it. Often times, I feel I already know the mind of God. His opinion has to be the same as mine, right? (Because what other opinion could there be?) My mind is set and I leave little room for Him to get a word in edgewise!
I am trying to learn to be more humble in my prayer. I am trying to learn to say to God "This is how I see the situation...." "This is how I feel..." etc., "BUT - YOUR Wisdom surpasses all human knowledge. YOU see the WHOLE picture while I can only see what affects me. YOU, God, are ALL Good, ALL Loving, ALL Wise. I recognize that I am merely the created. YOU are the CREATOR. I trust You with this situation because I TRUST Your love for me and ALL mankind. Help me to open my heart to Your direction and please give me the courage and grace to DO what You ask me to do and BE who you want me to be! Amen."
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