The world does not take evil seriously. We should because it is often the source of our sufferings. Although no one should hate any human being, all should hate what is evil.
What is evil? Evil is the opposition of what we truly need and desire. Evil destroys and tears down. On the other hand good builds up and serves the purpose for which something is intended. God as the source of good intends for us to live with Him forever. This is our purpose in life. Anything that opposes this should be rejected.
The Blessed Mother is someone who protects us from evil and like a true mother, desires the good for her children. The Gospel today extols her as "blessed among woman". A Christian should pray the Hail Mary continuously for protection against evil.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Suffering Makes Us Holy
There is a benefit to our own personal suffering, it can make us holy. There are only two approaches in life, to allow our pain to embitter and destroy us or allow it to build character and strengthen us. With God's help we can choose the latter.
St. Paul describes this in the Readings today when he speaks of the salvation of our souls through the sufferings of Christ. We are called to live obediently, dying to our own desires as Christ did. When we no longer live for what we want but rather for what God wants for us, then we are on the road to salvation.
What does God want for us? To live our lives according to the Commandments and the Gospel.
St. Paul describes this in the Readings today when he speaks of the salvation of our souls through the sufferings of Christ. We are called to live obediently, dying to our own desires as Christ did. When we no longer live for what we want but rather for what God wants for us, then we are on the road to salvation.
What does God want for us? To live our lives according to the Commandments and the Gospel.
Monday, May 28, 2012
Doing the Impossible
A friend once told me he takes good care of his health because he wants to live 100 years. Then he thought about it and said that he really wants to live forever.
The most important thing in life is eternal life. In the Gospel today a man approached Jesus and asked how to gain it. Jesus answered that we must keep the commandments.
We suffer because the commandments are not followed as they should be due to our own will, not God's.
When one steals or kills for example, it brings pain and hurt to others. God does not will this. He wants us to live in joy and peace.
If we want to overcome the suffering in our lives, we must strive to live righteously and honorably. This means doing what is good and right. The more the commandments become a lived part of our lives, the happier we will be.
But there is more. If we really want happiness we must surrender all and follow Jesus totally. This takes a lot of prayer and commitment but is not impossible. With God "anything is possible."
The most important thing in life is eternal life. In the Gospel today a man approached Jesus and asked how to gain it. Jesus answered that we must keep the commandments.
We suffer because the commandments are not followed as they should be due to our own will, not God's.
When one steals or kills for example, it brings pain and hurt to others. God does not will this. He wants us to live in joy and peace.
If we want to overcome the suffering in our lives, we must strive to live righteously and honorably. This means doing what is good and right. The more the commandments become a lived part of our lives, the happier we will be.
But there is more. If we really want happiness we must surrender all and follow Jesus totally. This takes a lot of prayer and commitment but is not impossible. With God "anything is possible."
Friday, May 25, 2012
Love Hurts
What is love? Ultimately true love is rooted in Jesus. God is the source of love. Christians are called to love as God does, through sacrifice. It is only through giving of oneself totally and completely to another does love flourish.
We must allow God to love us first in order to truly love others. At times this is painful. Love hurts. God doesn't give us what we want but what we need, because He truly loves us. We need to accept with humility his prudential judgment.
In the Readings today Jesus asks Peter if he loves Him then says, "Follow me". To follow Jesus is to die to self. We suffer because of self-centeredness. When we feel sorry for ourselves we tend to blow our problems out of proportion (making "mountains out of mole hills"). If we love like Jesus on the other hand, and follow Him, then our problems are put into perspective. We must sacrifice ourselves for others. This means sometimes doing things for others we may not want to do.
We must allow God to love us first in order to truly love others. At times this is painful. Love hurts. God doesn't give us what we want but what we need, because He truly loves us. We need to accept with humility his prudential judgment.
In the Readings today Jesus asks Peter if he loves Him then says, "Follow me". To follow Jesus is to die to self. We suffer because of self-centeredness. When we feel sorry for ourselves we tend to blow our problems out of proportion (making "mountains out of mole hills"). If we love like Jesus on the other hand, and follow Him, then our problems are put into perspective. We must sacrifice ourselves for others. This means sometimes doing things for others we may not want to do.
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Ascension and Hope
A beautiful solemnity is being celebrated in the Church today, the Ascension of Our Lord into Heaven. Christian should be grateful for this is a wonderful sign of hope. Before His Ascension Jesus instructed His apostles to proclaim the Good News to the whole world. Heaven is what we all have to look forward to.
Hope
Hope
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