"You cleanse the outside of cup and dish, but inside they are full of plunder and self-indulgence." Mt 23:25
Self indulgence is one of our most common faults and sins. Not content with doing for others, we find a way to pamper ourselves, especially when we have been hurt or ignored. St Augustine is a perfect example of this. He tells us this in his own words, "I became to myself a wasteland." (Confessions) Lost in a wilderness of senseless self seeking and pleasure, Augustine writes, "I foamed in my wickedness as the sea and, forsaking thee, followed the rushing of my own tide, and burst out of all thy bounds."
The Confessions of Augustine is not only the most widely read autobiography in the Christian West, it reads as well today as it did 1600 years ago. Full of a brutal honesty, the Confessions makes us pause and realize the depth of our own futile grasping after pleasure and inner peace at any price. St Augustine's life, though cluttered with sin and silliness, is at the same time full of hope and promise. When Augustine finally stops and listens to God, especially with the help of St. Ambrose, everything changes. His life fills up with an authentic light, a faith that is pure gift and a promise that God, if only we give him a chance, can help us change in ways we could never imagine.
Today, stop running and ask God for help.
Who or what has helped you let go and let God do God's work in you?
Monday, August 27, 2012
Sunday, August 26, 2012
St Monica
"We always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling." 2 Thess 1:11
Although we only know about Monica from St. Augustine's Confessions, she is a remarkable woman. Tricked by Augustine when he told her he wanted to say good by to a friend and then left for Rome, she followed him. When she couldn't find him in Rome, she pursued him to Milan, and that is where her holiness became apparent. Encouraged in North Africa to fast on Saturdays, she was able to let go of her spiritual practices in order to follow St. Ambrose's advice and adapt herself to a new environment.
Monica's willingness to change for the sake of the Gospel is a lesson for all of us. Although she was committed to Augustine's conversion, she was able to listen to St. Ambrose who assured her that Augustine's acceptance of the faith would be accomplished by God and that her role was to live in such a way that Augustine could not deny the power of God in his mother's life. Her openness to Ambrose's instruction made Augustine stop. He, too, respected Ambrose and eventually could not deny his mother's persistence and holiness.
Today, pray for someone who seems lost to you.
Has anyone's persistence and prayer been a factor in your ongoing conversion?
Although we only know about Monica from St. Augustine's Confessions, she is a remarkable woman. Tricked by Augustine when he told her he wanted to say good by to a friend and then left for Rome, she followed him. When she couldn't find him in Rome, she pursued him to Milan, and that is where her holiness became apparent. Encouraged in North Africa to fast on Saturdays, she was able to let go of her spiritual practices in order to follow St. Ambrose's advice and adapt herself to a new environment.
Monica's willingness to change for the sake of the Gospel is a lesson for all of us. Although she was committed to Augustine's conversion, she was able to listen to St. Ambrose who assured her that Augustine's acceptance of the faith would be accomplished by God and that her role was to live in such a way that Augustine could not deny the power of God in his mother's life. Her openness to Ambrose's instruction made Augustine stop. He, too, respected Ambrose and eventually could not deny his mother's persistence and holiness.
Today, pray for someone who seems lost to you.
Has anyone's persistence and prayer been a factor in your ongoing conversion?
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Faithfulness
"Do you also want to leave?"
Jesus' question to his disciples is telling, especially when the gospel reminds us that many returned to their former lives after hearing him speak about his body being real food, real flesh. From time to time, most believers want to turn away from the Christ. His demands are too great or too confusing. His ministers serve in ways that confound and even scandalize, and too often the most devout show little concern for others, especially the poor.
None of these temptations is new or unique. The body of Christ is weak and broken. The church acknowledges this when she reminds us that the sacrament of reconciliation is a gift to heal a church that while good, is always in need of forgiveness and renewal.
Sometimes it also helps to remember that though each of us can be difficult to live with, we trust that our friends and companions in faith will look beyond our faults and not abandon us. Without doubt we are a broken, bruised and dysfunctional family, but God has never abandoned us. In the light of God's faithfulness, we should never abandon one another.
Today, look at yourself in the mirror and accept what you see.
How do you live well and peacefully despite the dysfunction in your own family?
Jesus' question to his disciples is telling, especially when the gospel reminds us that many returned to their former lives after hearing him speak about his body being real food, real flesh. From time to time, most believers want to turn away from the Christ. His demands are too great or too confusing. His ministers serve in ways that confound and even scandalize, and too often the most devout show little concern for others, especially the poor.
None of these temptations is new or unique. The body of Christ is weak and broken. The church acknowledges this when she reminds us that the sacrament of reconciliation is a gift to heal a church that while good, is always in need of forgiveness and renewal.
Sometimes it also helps to remember that though each of us can be difficult to live with, we trust that our friends and companions in faith will look beyond our faults and not abandon us. Without doubt we are a broken, bruised and dysfunctional family, but God has never abandoned us. In the light of God's faithfulness, we should never abandon one another.
Today, look at yourself in the mirror and accept what you see.
How do you live well and peacefully despite the dysfunction in your own family?
Friday, August 24, 2012
Conscience
"Do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example." Mt 23:2
Learning to be an adult believer, discerning God's will and making decisions for yourself, is a radically difficult but important task for Christians. While the hierarchy of the church can guide us in matters of faith and morals, every Christian faces questions and obstacles regularly which defy easy solutions. Unfortunately, very few adult Christians have spiritual directors who can help in this process, making the effort of living the good news in an authentic and integrated way even more difficult.
Jesus is especially sharp tongued in this regard. While acknowledging the authority of the Jewish leaders, he also warns his followers not to follow their example. While this is still and always true, it is often painful. It is easier for most of us to look to authority figures and depend unhealthily on them to make decisions for us. Every Christian, after listening to those with authority and consulting soul friends and teachers, must eventually choose to follow their well formed conscience. Too often, as Jesus reminds us, the life of our leaders is not something we should emulate, and while sad, should not leave us powerless. The Spirit of God has been promised to every believer as guide, mentor and friend.
Today, practice listening to your heart.
How have you faced difficult ethical dilemmas?
Learning to be an adult believer, discerning God's will and making decisions for yourself, is a radically difficult but important task for Christians. While the hierarchy of the church can guide us in matters of faith and morals, every Christian faces questions and obstacles regularly which defy easy solutions. Unfortunately, very few adult Christians have spiritual directors who can help in this process, making the effort of living the good news in an authentic and integrated way even more difficult.
Jesus is especially sharp tongued in this regard. While acknowledging the authority of the Jewish leaders, he also warns his followers not to follow their example. While this is still and always true, it is often painful. It is easier for most of us to look to authority figures and depend unhealthily on them to make decisions for us. Every Christian, after listening to those with authority and consulting soul friends and teachers, must eventually choose to follow their well formed conscience. Too often, as Jesus reminds us, the life of our leaders is not something we should emulate, and while sad, should not leave us powerless. The Spirit of God has been promised to every believer as guide, mentor and friend.
Today, practice listening to your heart.
How have you faced difficult ethical dilemmas?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)