"But by the grace of God I am what I am, and God's grace to me has not been ineffective." 1 Cor 15:9
While St Paul does not say this exactly, we can paraphrase his thought with good results. We all need to pray we can be who it is God needs us to be. In other words, we must learn to be ourselves, nothing more. We cannot all be apostles, prophets, healers or administrators. Some of us must be the condiments in a good "stew" of people who together make up the body of Christ. When we learn to be who we are without excuses or explanation, we honor God and build God's reign.
Nature teaches us this lesson beautifully. A tree is simply a tree, a flower a flower and both invite us to celebrate the glory of God. Trees don't try to be flowers and flowers don't try to be carrots or celery or anything else. From nature we learn that when we are who God creates us to be, and allow God to direct our lives, we can add immeasurably to the strength of God's body, the church.
Learning to let God blend our lives together with other faith filled people is humbling and empowering at the same time. By not trying to control or fix everyone else, and by our willingness to take the beam out of our own eye, we let God be God and ask only for the grace to be ourselves for God's glory.
Today, take a deep breath and be yourself with all your warts.
What happens to you when you try to do too much or control others behavior?
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
The Stigmata of St Francis
"Strive eagerly for the greatest spiritual gifts. But I shall show you a still more excellent way." 1Cor 12:31
More has been written about love than almost any other subject and still its description remains elusive. The Chinese philosopher Lao-Tzu once say, "those who say don't know, and those who know don't say," and though he was writing about beauty, or the attempt to describe the beautiful, it could just as easily apply to love. Describing authentic love can trivialize it, even demean it. Being loved unconditionally, especially by God, is one of the foundation stones of our faith. Because we believe that God loves us unconditionally, we are free to live without constraint or fear. Living in God is not something we earn, but a gift we accept with gratitude and delight.
St Paul reminds us to strive for the great spiritual gifts: to desire peace of mind and spirit, to want an open and still heart, and to reach for humility and wisdom. At the same time, the Apostle to the Gentiles reminds us that the gift which surpasses all the others is love, and cannot be merited, only celebrated.
When St Francis of Assisi prayed for the gift of the Stigmata, he knew it would involve pain, but desired to imitate Christ perfectly. If Chris's love for us meant that he would have to suffer for the sake of doing God's work, Francis wanted the same privilege. If Jesus was willing to hang upon a cross, Francis wanted the same grace. For Francis, the gift of the Stigmata, though painful, was another way to express his gratitude for the love God had bestowed on him so lavishly.
Today, ask for the gift of loving others for the sake of the Gospel.
What gift do you desire from God to live the Gospel more fully?
More has been written about love than almost any other subject and still its description remains elusive. The Chinese philosopher Lao-Tzu once say, "those who say don't know, and those who know don't say," and though he was writing about beauty, or the attempt to describe the beautiful, it could just as easily apply to love. Describing authentic love can trivialize it, even demean it. Being loved unconditionally, especially by God, is one of the foundation stones of our faith. Because we believe that God loves us unconditionally, we are free to live without constraint or fear. Living in God is not something we earn, but a gift we accept with gratitude and delight.
St Paul reminds us to strive for the great spiritual gifts: to desire peace of mind and spirit, to want an open and still heart, and to reach for humility and wisdom. At the same time, the Apostle to the Gentiles reminds us that the gift which surpasses all the others is love, and cannot be merited, only celebrated.
When St Francis of Assisi prayed for the gift of the Stigmata, he knew it would involve pain, but desired to imitate Christ perfectly. If Chris's love for us meant that he would have to suffer for the sake of doing God's work, Francis wanted the same privilege. If Jesus was willing to hang upon a cross, Francis wanted the same grace. For Francis, the gift of the Stigmata, though painful, was another way to express his gratitude for the love God had bestowed on him so lavishly.
Today, ask for the gift of loving others for the sake of the Gospel.
What gift do you desire from God to live the Gospel more fully?
Monday, September 15, 2014
Sts Cornelius and Cyprian, Bishops and Martyrs
"For he is good, the LORD, whose kindness endures forever, and his faithfulness, to all generations." Ps 10:5
We often forget that in the middle of the 3rd century the See of Peter was vacant for 14 months because of the persecution of Christians. It must have been a chaotic time. Governed by a group of priests, the church was careful both to affirm its belief in Jesus and to avoid undue agitation with the Roman authorities.
St Cornelius was elected Pope at a time of great turmoil inside and outside of the church. The persecution of Christians was bad enough, but the refusal of some bishops to consider reconciling Christians, who because of fear, denied their faith during the persecution was a more vexing problem for Cornelius.
Challenged by an important bishop, Novatian, who wanted nothing to do with those who rejected their faith, Cornelius sided with his friend from North Africa, Cyprian, who insisted the Jesus was always willing to forgive and that the church had no choice. The welcoming back of sinners to full communion was something that Jesus insisted upon. Though Cornelius only served as Pope for 2 years and was exiled at the end of his life, his witness to a forgiving Christ and Church remains an essential dimension of the contemporary church.
Today, forgive someone from whom you have been too long separated.
How do you think you would react during a time of church persecution?
We often forget that in the middle of the 3rd century the See of Peter was vacant for 14 months because of the persecution of Christians. It must have been a chaotic time. Governed by a group of priests, the church was careful both to affirm its belief in Jesus and to avoid undue agitation with the Roman authorities.
St Cornelius was elected Pope at a time of great turmoil inside and outside of the church. The persecution of Christians was bad enough, but the refusal of some bishops to consider reconciling Christians, who because of fear, denied their faith during the persecution was a more vexing problem for Cornelius.
Challenged by an important bishop, Novatian, who wanted nothing to do with those who rejected their faith, Cornelius sided with his friend from North Africa, Cyprian, who insisted the Jesus was always willing to forgive and that the church had no choice. The welcoming back of sinners to full communion was something that Jesus insisted upon. Though Cornelius only served as Pope for 2 years and was exiled at the end of his life, his witness to a forgiving Christ and Church remains an essential dimension of the contemporary church.
Today, forgive someone from whom you have been too long separated.
How do you think you would react during a time of church persecution?
Sunday, September 14, 2014
Our Lady of Sorrows
Think about it this way. How would you respond if someone told your parents shortly after your birth that you would suffer greatly? More, how would you feel about fleeing your home town and country because your child's life was in danger? What would it be like to stand by as your son is executed by being nailed to a cross? All of this and more was Mary's fate after being assured by the angel that God had chosen her for an incredible role! One might be tempted to wonder about listening to God ever again, or as St Teresa of Avila famously said: "If this is how you treat your friends, no wonder you have so few."
Mary, the Mother of Sorrows, has always been the subject of popular devotion because so many people, especially women, can identify with her pain and loss. One of the patrons of abused women, Mary''s life invites everyone who has suffered to approach her for consolation and companionship. Highlighted in the scriptures as a compassionate mother, especially towards the young couple at the wedding feast of Cana who were running out of wine, Mary reminds us that even in our afflictions, God is near, walking with us.
Today, ask Mary to help you not run away from loss, but walk through it with you.
What do you most need when you are in pain or suffering?
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