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God's Wonderful Love
Saturday January 13, 2007
As he passed by, he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus, sitting at the customs post. Jesus said to him, "Follow me." And he got up and followed Jesus.
Mark 2:14
Reflection:
At the beginning of his ministry Jesus not only called twelve to be his apostles, he also called others to follow him. He said to Levi, "Follow me," and he did. He didn't wait a day or two later, after thinking what he would give up, but got up and followed him right away.
It was the promptness of the moment after being asked to do something, it was done. We are good at answering a request from others to get a project done. When we work and are asked to do something from the boss, we do it promptly, don't we. And if it takes a long time to get it done, you are labeled a slacker. One who is not reliable to get something done that is important. It could be looked at in so many ways, yet often this is the way it is. So when something needs to be done the bosses call upon those who have been tested and found that they respond promptly to a request. These people tend to be chosen to do these tasks more than anyone.
If we are like this in life, how do we respond to a call of faith. Are we quick to say yes Lord I will follow you. Or hem and haw about our faith and what we are called to do. | | | |
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Tuesday December 26, 2006
 "Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." But they cried out in a loud voice, covered their ears, and rushed upon him together. They threw him out of the city, and began to stone him. The witnesses laid down their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul. As they were stoning Stephen, he called out "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."Acts 7:56-59
Reflection:
Stephen, one of the first martyrs, stood up for God and his glorious kingdom. He died giving his spirit up to Jesus. An awesome ending to a life given to God. Stephen gave his life and paid a high price to serve God.
We also read of the visciousness of people don't we. How easily it is to stir their anger. How speaking of God's kingdom, can cause such aggravation in people's lives. When their ears are so closed to God's message and the truth of the Divine as Stephen was relating to them what he saw. How this brought death all for the truth.
We read of of his stoning and the anger and cruelty of the people in the time just after Jesus death. If they acted in this way in the early days of the truth, what does that say about us? We don't go around stoning people because of what they believe. We don't exactly treat them well either. How about the many areas that are war torn, is it because of the belief or lack of.
And the areas that many are persecuted and hide to practise their faith, for fear of being murdered. Are we any better than the one's who stoned Stephen then. We show how barbaric we really are. We are jealous of those with faith, we hate those who have more, we are selfish beyond compare. It takes disasters for us to help and give of ourselves and forget our selfish wants. There is so much good, yet so much that needs purifying.
If we were writing the Bible right now and relating Stephens works, would we be written in the same light as those who have gone before us two thousand years ago. The world suffers far more now than it did then. What can we as a whole do to change what would be written of us. | | | |
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Monday December 25, 2006
So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child.
Luke 2:16-17
Reflection:
The angels told the shepherds about Jesus' birth. Now it was up to them to go and witness this beautiful occasion. They were able to recount the message given to them to our Blessed Mother, so she could contemplate God's message.
If Mary can do this about a message given to shepherds, then we too should be able to listen to the Word made Flesh. Jesus was born to us this day to bring us love and forgiveness. Do we listen to the Word of God and live it's message as our Holy Mother has done. Do we try to bring about love and forgiveness among our neighbors.
Are the walls we have built around us so strong that we cannot tear them down with love. Mary's love for God was so great that she said "YES," and for that we have a savior who tears down the walls we build, that keep him out.
God gave us his Son to bring us much needed love. He gave us all the ultimate gift of himself, the love in his heart in the flesh of his Son. As parents don't we give that much of ourselves too for the sake of our children, out of love for them.
When we think of the love we have for our children and what we would do for them, then think about how much God does for us in a hidden way.
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Sunday December 17, 2006
Advent Prayer
Father in heaven, our hearts desire the warmth of your love and our minds are searching for the light of your Word. Increase our longing for Christ our Savior and give us the strength to grow in love, that the dawn of his coming may find us rejoicing in his presence and welcoming the light of his truth. We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen.
Brothers and sisters: Rejoice in the Lord always.I shall say it again: rejoice!
Philippians 4:4
Reflection:
Rejoice, rejoice and be glad for our Lord is coming. There is a lot of joy in today's readings. We have in the first reading a way to let our joy shine, by singing with joy. It resonates from our souls the joy we sing. How a song becomes radiant when we are joyful in our hearts.
In the second reading we are to rejoice in the Lord always, and a blessing it is to do so. When we love God with all our hearts, minds, souls and body we have joy. We do acts of kindness without thought to ourselves. We joyfully rejoice and proclaim the coming birth of our Lord. We joyfully proclaim his undying love for all the world.
Just as we sing praises of those we love, we do so out of faithfulness and loyalty to a God who has done great things for us. Long before our family and friends have been around, God has always been here for us. Rejoice, for his love is great. Rejoice for all the good he has done for you. Rejoice for the life he has given us. Rejoice, rejoice for our Lord will be born to save us. Let the joy in our hearts this Advent season welcome the Christ child. Let the joy shine brightly for all we come near to see.
Let this season of Advent bring us closer to a loving God, who wants nothing more than our love and fidelity. God Bless
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Saturday December 16, 2006
Advent Prayer
God of power and mercy, open our hearts in welcome. Remove the things that hinder us from receiving Christ with joy, so that we may share his wisdom and become one with him when he comes in glory, for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
In those days,
like a fire there appeared the prophet Elijah
whose words were as a flaming furnace.
Sirach 48:1
Reflection:
Elijah is a powerful figure in the Old Testament, and John the Baptist was referred to him by Jesus as Elijah that came before him. Elijah's name means God. Yet in this sense Jesus meant that John the Baptist was a powerful prophet as close to God as anyone can get. And it is quite possible with God that John the Baptist was Elijah.
His words scorched the ears of those who listened to him preach repentance. Make way for the Lord. God in his goodness was paving the way for His Son, to show us the truth. He tried to bring about faithfulness in us and we didn't come about.
God tries in many ways to bring us closer to him, to the point of coming to us as a man, a powerful prophet. He even came to us in His Son, because when we see the Son we see God. If you ever get to see Veronica's Veil you will see not only Jesus but God too, for he is the image of his Father.
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