1 Corinthians 2:10b-16
10 For the Spirit scrutinizes everything, even the depths of God.
11 Among human beings, who knows what pertains to a person except the spirit of the person that is within? Similarly, no one knows what pertains to God except the Spirit of God.
12 We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the things freely given us by God.
13 And we speak about them not with words taught by human wisdom, but with words taught by the Spirit, describing spiritual realities in spiritual terms.
14 Now the natural person does not accept what pertains to the Spirit of God, for to him it is foolishness, and he cannot understand it, because it is judged spiritually.
15 The spiritual person, however, can judge everything but is not subject to judgment by anyone.
16 For "who has known the mind of the Lord, so as to counsel him?" But we have the mind of Christ.
----------
First reading for today, and it's petty lofty stuff. A passage like this takes me several reads to get through.
All teaching pertaining to God comes from the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit, we cannot understand God's gifts, or even be aware that they came from God at all.
As Paul says - knowledge of God does not come from human wisdom. If you think about it .. how could it? How could knowledge of a higher being come from human wisdom? Can an ant have knowledge of us, or know what is going on in our minds? If not, then how could we know anything about God on our own, without his help? I'm willing to bet that the difference between God and me is far greater than the difference between me and an ant.
So ... there's a great joy to be taken from this passage. The only reason that we know anything at all about God is that He has wanted us to know Him. He has reached out to us and called us. He wants to be a part of our lives.
As I write this morning, my eyes are just opening to this. What a tremendous gift! The ruler of the universe wants to be an intimate part of our lives. Who of us wouldn't love it if Albert Pujols (or Bo Pelini for us in Nebraska) sought us out and wanted to be around us every day, and shower us with gifts? Wouldn't that be cool?
We have something MUCH better than that. Rejoice in it!
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
Daily - 8/30/2010
1 Corinthians 2:1-5
When I came to you, brothers and sisters,
proclaiming the mystery of God,
I did not come with sublimity of words or of wisdom.
For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you
except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
I came to you in weakness and fear and much trembling,
and my message and my proclamation
were not with persuasive words of wisdom,
but with a demonstration of spirit and power,
so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom
but on the power of God.
----------
This passage is timely for me. Per my earlier message, we're beginning a new men's program at my new parish in Nebraska.
It's easy to get caught up in anxiety on whether or not things will work well. It's easy to feel the need to always be "on", and to be personally responsible to attract people. Those of us who have recruited for any type of spiritual event have felt that anxiety.
The reality is that all evangelization is God's work, not man's. Because of that, there is no need for us to worry. Paul sets the example - focus on Christ. Come in weakness. Speak genuinely and with the spirit -- DON'T try to wow people with great thoughts or lofty ideas. Be a tool for God to use. Let God's spirit shine through you, instead of blocking his light with your own personal pride.
When I came to you, brothers and sisters,
proclaiming the mystery of God,
I did not come with sublimity of words or of wisdom.
For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you
except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
I came to you in weakness and fear and much trembling,
and my message and my proclamation
were not with persuasive words of wisdom,
but with a demonstration of spirit and power,
so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom
but on the power of God.
----------
This passage is timely for me. Per my earlier message, we're beginning a new men's program at my new parish in Nebraska.
It's easy to get caught up in anxiety on whether or not things will work well. It's easy to feel the need to always be "on", and to be personally responsible to attract people. Those of us who have recruited for any type of spiritual event have felt that anxiety.
The reality is that all evangelization is God's work, not man's. Because of that, there is no need for us to worry. Paul sets the example - focus on Christ. Come in weakness. Speak genuinely and with the spirit -- DON'T try to wow people with great thoughts or lofty ideas. Be a tool for God to use. Let God's spirit shine through you, instead of blocking his light with your own personal pride.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Daily - 8/27/10
Last night I went to adoration at my new church in town. The adoration chapel is simple and striking - a tabernacle adorned with gold, and surrounded by flickering candles. I really felt the presence of Christ.
During adoration, I began to think that if Christ is inside of me ... I am a tabernacle. Which made me think about how good of a job I do as a vessel for Christ. Am I a suitable dwelling place for Him? Do I radiate God's presence? Do I surround myself with light? Am I aware of God's presence within? Do I truly understand that God is living inside me?
Fast forward to this morning. I'm at a men's bible study, and we are discussing Romans 12. Here are the first two verses.
Romans 12:1-2
1 I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship.
2 Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.
The passage goes on to give specific "do's and don'ts" of Christian living. In fact, the catechism calls out Romans 12-15 as the moral teaching of the church:
1971 To the Lord's Sermon on the Mount it is fitting to add the moral catechesis of the apostolic teachings, such as Romans 12-15, 1 Corinthians 12-13, Colossians 3-4, Ephesians 4-5, etc. This doctrine hands on the Lord's teaching with the authority of the apostles, particularly in the presentation of the virtues that flow from faith in Christ and are animated by charity, the principal gift of the Holy Spirit.
I had to chuckle at it all. Last night, I'm meditating on the image of a tabernacle. Twelve hours later, I'm presented with exactly how a tabernacle should behave, per the Magesterium of the Catholic Church.
Amazing coincidence, don't you think?
During adoration, I began to think that if Christ is inside of me ... I am a tabernacle. Which made me think about how good of a job I do as a vessel for Christ. Am I a suitable dwelling place for Him? Do I radiate God's presence? Do I surround myself with light? Am I aware of God's presence within? Do I truly understand that God is living inside me?
Fast forward to this morning. I'm at a men's bible study, and we are discussing Romans 12. Here are the first two verses.
Romans 12:1-2
1 I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship.
2 Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.
The passage goes on to give specific "do's and don'ts" of Christian living. In fact, the catechism calls out Romans 12-15 as the moral teaching of the church:
1971 To the Lord's Sermon on the Mount it is fitting to add the moral catechesis of the apostolic teachings, such as Romans 12-15, 1 Corinthians 12-13, Colossians 3-4, Ephesians 4-5, etc. This doctrine hands on the Lord's teaching with the authority of the apostles, particularly in the presentation of the virtues that flow from faith in Christ and are animated by charity, the principal gift of the Holy Spirit.
I had to chuckle at it all. Last night, I'm meditating on the image of a tabernacle. Twelve hours later, I'm presented with exactly how a tabernacle should behave, per the Magesterium of the Catholic Church.
Amazing coincidence, don't you think?
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Daily - 8/24/2010
Matthew 7:7-8
7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
8 For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
------------
The more I think about these verses, the more precious they are to me.
At the moment, I think of them mostly in terms of my relationship with Christ. I want a deeper relationship than what I have. I want to increase my connection with Christ, who is already living inside me. I want to life a LIfe in the Spirit.
A lot of people want those things. But ... wanting isn't enough though. I need to ask, seek, and knock. I need to engage Christ - through prayer, adoration, the Sacraments, and the Word.
Specifically with the Word -- I need to pay close attention to what He desires from His people -- which is for us to remain in Him, and to obey His commandments. The first, most important, and best way to do this is through love. Christ says to love one another. St. Paul tells us that above everything is faith, hope, and love (ie, the theological virtues), and that the greatest of these is love.
So ... how do we knock on the door to Christ?
By LOVING. By loving one another as He has loved us. We can't do it on our own, but with Christ all is possible.
7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
8 For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
------------
The more I think about these verses, the more precious they are to me.
At the moment, I think of them mostly in terms of my relationship with Christ. I want a deeper relationship than what I have. I want to increase my connection with Christ, who is already living inside me. I want to life a LIfe in the Spirit.
A lot of people want those things. But ... wanting isn't enough though. I need to ask, seek, and knock. I need to engage Christ - through prayer, adoration, the Sacraments, and the Word.
Specifically with the Word -- I need to pay close attention to what He desires from His people -- which is for us to remain in Him, and to obey His commandments. The first, most important, and best way to do this is through love. Christ says to love one another. St. Paul tells us that above everything is faith, hope, and love (ie, the theological virtues), and that the greatest of these is love.
So ... how do we knock on the door to Christ?
By LOVING. By loving one another as He has loved us. We can't do it on our own, but with Christ all is possible.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Daily - 8/23/10
Matthew 6:33-34
33 But seek first the kingdom (of God) and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides.
-----------
I first wrote this on July 22, 2008, about two months after CRHP 11. Here's how it went.
As I type this morning, I see seeking God as a combination of several things: Scripture, prayer, the Sacraments, and participating in the Body of Christ. If I had to pick one of these that is the most important, I would say prayer, because that truly leads to all of the rest. Sometimes I forget this. Just two months ago I was banging my head against the wall on what "Life in the Spirit" means. I couldn’t figure it out. What happened? I finally PRAYED about it. I sought it out. I asked God to reveal it to me. I knocked on the door. And He answered. All faith comes from seeking. Developing/increasing your faith and marching toward spiritual maturity doesn’t require great intellect, or some special gift only available to few. For years I had thought that was the case, and I was continually frustrated that I couldn’t unlock the answers to spiritual questions. I thought it was because I wasn’t smart enough, or hadn’t studied enough. What I know now from sending out these daily messages is that I wasn’t taking the question to God. It all begins with seeking God -- ask, seek, knock. It’s all right there in front of us.
------------
Epilogue, 8/23/10 - I meditated on this verse this morning, and that made me want to go back and look at what I've said previously about it.
I still stand by everything above. However, the way I seek the Lord is different than it used to be.
All men (and women) are created in God's image. If we are created in God's image, then we are at some level a reflection of Him. So if you want to learn things about God, you can look at people. For example look at how parents treat their children, and how they love them. That's the way our Father loves us, except even more purely.
Psalm 139 tells us that God searches us and knows us intimately. In the Gospels, Christ tells us that God knows what we need better than we do. Lately I've come to be conscious of those things more and more. The result is that nowadays, seeking him out has become more about recognizing his presence everywhere and asking him to teach me what he wants me to know, and less about me asking Him for things that I want.
I still do ask for things, but I do it less and less. In the end I usually tell Him that He knows what I need, and that I trust he'll give it to me. Besides -- I've demonstrated to myself plenty of times that what I think I want is NOT what I need.
33 But seek first the kingdom (of God) and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides.
-----------
I first wrote this on July 22, 2008, about two months after CRHP 11. Here's how it went.
As I type this morning, I see seeking God as a combination of several things: Scripture, prayer, the Sacraments, and participating in the Body of Christ. If I had to pick one of these that is the most important, I would say prayer, because that truly leads to all of the rest. Sometimes I forget this. Just two months ago I was banging my head against the wall on what "Life in the Spirit" means. I couldn’t figure it out. What happened? I finally PRAYED about it. I sought it out. I asked God to reveal it to me. I knocked on the door. And He answered. All faith comes from seeking. Developing/increasing your faith and marching toward spiritual maturity doesn’t require great intellect, or some special gift only available to few. For years I had thought that was the case, and I was continually frustrated that I couldn’t unlock the answers to spiritual questions. I thought it was because I wasn’t smart enough, or hadn’t studied enough. What I know now from sending out these daily messages is that I wasn’t taking the question to God. It all begins with seeking God -- ask, seek, knock. It’s all right there in front of us.
------------
Epilogue, 8/23/10 - I meditated on this verse this morning, and that made me want to go back and look at what I've said previously about it.
I still stand by everything above. However, the way I seek the Lord is different than it used to be.
All men (and women) are created in God's image. If we are created in God's image, then we are at some level a reflection of Him. So if you want to learn things about God, you can look at people. For example look at how parents treat their children, and how they love them. That's the way our Father loves us, except even more purely.
Psalm 139 tells us that God searches us and knows us intimately. In the Gospels, Christ tells us that God knows what we need better than we do. Lately I've come to be conscious of those things more and more. The result is that nowadays, seeking him out has become more about recognizing his presence everywhere and asking him to teach me what he wants me to know, and less about me asking Him for things that I want.
I still do ask for things, but I do it less and less. In the end I usually tell Him that He knows what I need, and that I trust he'll give it to me. Besides -- I've demonstrated to myself plenty of times that what I think I want is NOT what I need.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Daily - 8/20/10
I sent this out to my accountability group this week and decided to just share with everyone today.
The quotes below were written by people who have expreienced extremely high levels of prayer, but they contain wisdom that all of us should pay attention to. Both quotes testify that Christ is the ultimate teacher, far greater and powerful than any earthly teacher.
From the Imitation of Christ
"Imitation" was written by Thomas A Kempis in the 15th Centry, and after the bible, it is the most read Christian book in the world. It was used by many saints (including St. Therese of Lisieux) to help in their spiritual development. Book 3 of the Imitation consists of an "interior conversation" between Christ and a disciple. This quote is from Christ teaching the disciple.
--------
My child, do not let the fine-sounding and subtle words of men deceive you. For the kingdom of heaven consists not in talk but in virtue. Attend, rather, to My words which enkindle the heart and enlighten the mind, which excite contrition and abound in manifold consolations. Never read them for the purpose of appearing more learned or more wise. Apply yourself to mortifying your vices, for this will benefit you more than your understanding of many difficult questions.
Though you shall have read and learned many things, it will always be necessary for you to return to this one principle: I am He who teaches man knowledge, and to the little ones I give a clearer understanding than can be taught by man. He to whom I speak will soon be wise and his soul will profit. But woe to those who inquire of men about many curious things, and care very little about the way they serve Me.
The time will come when Christ, the Teacher of teachers, the Lord of angels, will appear to hear the lessons of all -- that is, to examine the conscience of everyone. Then He will search Jerusalem with lamps and the hidden things of darkness will be brought to light and the arguings of men's tongues be silenced.
I am He Who in one moment so enlightens the humble mind that it comprehends more of eternal truth than could be learned by ten years in the schools. I teach without noise of words or clash of opinions, without ambition for honor or confusion of argument.
(Imitation of Christ, Book 3, chapter 43)
From St. Therese of Lisieux - Doctor of the Church: “I understand and I know from experience that ‘The kingdom of God is within you.’ Jesus has no need of books or teachers to instruct souls; He teaches without the noise of words. Never have I heard Him speak, but I feel that He is within me at each moment; He is guiding and inspiring me with what I must say and do. I find just when I need them certain lights that I had not see until then, and it isn’t most frequently during my hours of prayer that these are most abundant but rather in the midst of my daily occupations”
(Story of a Soul - Autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux)
The quotes below were written by people who have expreienced extremely high levels of prayer, but they contain wisdom that all of us should pay attention to. Both quotes testify that Christ is the ultimate teacher, far greater and powerful than any earthly teacher.
From the Imitation of Christ
"Imitation" was written by Thomas A Kempis in the 15th Centry, and after the bible, it is the most read Christian book in the world. It was used by many saints (including St. Therese of Lisieux) to help in their spiritual development. Book 3 of the Imitation consists of an "interior conversation" between Christ and a disciple. This quote is from Christ teaching the disciple.
--------
My child, do not let the fine-sounding and subtle words of men deceive you. For the kingdom of heaven consists not in talk but in virtue. Attend, rather, to My words which enkindle the heart and enlighten the mind, which excite contrition and abound in manifold consolations. Never read them for the purpose of appearing more learned or more wise. Apply yourself to mortifying your vices, for this will benefit you more than your understanding of many difficult questions.
Though you shall have read and learned many things, it will always be necessary for you to return to this one principle: I am He who teaches man knowledge, and to the little ones I give a clearer understanding than can be taught by man. He to whom I speak will soon be wise and his soul will profit. But woe to those who inquire of men about many curious things, and care very little about the way they serve Me.
The time will come when Christ, the Teacher of teachers, the Lord of angels, will appear to hear the lessons of all -- that is, to examine the conscience of everyone. Then He will search Jerusalem with lamps and the hidden things of darkness will be brought to light and the arguings of men's tongues be silenced.
I am He Who in one moment so enlightens the humble mind that it comprehends more of eternal truth than could be learned by ten years in the schools. I teach without noise of words or clash of opinions, without ambition for honor or confusion of argument.
(Imitation of Christ, Book 3, chapter 43)
From St. Therese of Lisieux - Doctor of the Church: “I understand and I know from experience that ‘The kingdom of God is within you.’ Jesus has no need of books or teachers to instruct souls; He teaches without the noise of words. Never have I heard Him speak, but I feel that He is within me at each moment; He is guiding and inspiring me with what I must say and do. I find just when I need them certain lights that I had not see until then, and it isn’t most frequently during my hours of prayer that these are most abundant but rather in the midst of my daily occupations”
(Story of a Soul - Autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux)
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Daily - 8/19/10
Matthew 6:19-21
19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal.
20 But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal.
21 For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.
---------
As Jesus says, where you're treasure is, there also your heart will be. One way to examine yourself, then, is to look at where your treasure is. What do you value? What is important to you? NOTE: this only works if you are willing to be HONEST with yourself. :)
Many (maybe "most") people, when asked these questions, will at least make an attempt to give an answer that looks good, and that they aren't materialistic, and that they aren't too attached to money or possessions or riches or fame or status or whatever.
The proof, though, is in the pudding. The answer to "what do you value" is what you spend your time, effort, and money on. Is that work? Is it trips to nice places? Is it professional status? Is it fame? Is it looking smart in bible study? Is it appearing to be humble?
All of those things are earthly treasures, including the last two.
Treasures in heaven are things that are of value to God, not us. So what are those things, and how do we store those up?
One of the best places to look for what God values is the Sermon On the Mount, and the best place to start is the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:2-12), where Jesus describes treasures in heaven, and the rewards that go to those that pursue them. We know they are God's treasures because those who pursue them are blessed and rewarded by God.
Then read on through the whole Sermon (Matthew 5-7) and see Christ tell us in detail what treasures in heaven are. Play close attention to the finish at the end of Matthew 7, and that business about building houses upon rock and sand.
19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal.
20 But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal.
21 For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.
---------
As Jesus says, where you're treasure is, there also your heart will be. One way to examine yourself, then, is to look at where your treasure is. What do you value? What is important to you? NOTE: this only works if you are willing to be HONEST with yourself. :)
Many (maybe "most") people, when asked these questions, will at least make an attempt to give an answer that looks good, and that they aren't materialistic, and that they aren't too attached to money or possessions or riches or fame or status or whatever.
The proof, though, is in the pudding. The answer to "what do you value" is what you spend your time, effort, and money on. Is that work? Is it trips to nice places? Is it professional status? Is it fame? Is it looking smart in bible study? Is it appearing to be humble?
All of those things are earthly treasures, including the last two.
Treasures in heaven are things that are of value to God, not us. So what are those things, and how do we store those up?
One of the best places to look for what God values is the Sermon On the Mount, and the best place to start is the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:2-12), where Jesus describes treasures in heaven, and the rewards that go to those that pursue them. We know they are God's treasures because those who pursue them are blessed and rewarded by God.
Then read on through the whole Sermon (Matthew 5-7) and see Christ tell us in detail what treasures in heaven are. Play close attention to the finish at the end of Matthew 7, and that business about building houses upon rock and sand.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Daily - 8/17/10
Matthew 6:14-15
14 If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you.
15 But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.
-------
Do you understand that God's forgiveness is CONDITIONAL? This is extremely important to understand. Here's what the Catechism says.
V. "AND FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES, AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US"
2838 This petition is astonishing. If it consisted only of the first phrase, "And forgive us our trespasses," it might have been included, implicitly, in the first three petitions of the Lord's Prayer, since Christ's sacrifice is "that sins may be forgiven." But, according to the second phrase, our petition will not be heard unless we have first met a strict requirement. Our petition looks to the future, but our response must come first, for the two parts are joined by the single word "as."
And forgive us our trespasses . . .
2839 With bold confidence, we began praying to our Father. In begging him that his name be hallowed, we were in fact asking him that we ourselves might be always made more holy. But though we are clothed with the baptismal garment, we do not cease to sin, to turn away from God. Now, in this new petition, we return to him like the prodigal son and, like the tax collector, recognize that we are sinners before him. Our petition begins with a "confession" of our wretchedness and his mercy. Our hope is firm because, in his Son, "we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." We find the efficacious and undoubted sign of his forgiveness in the sacraments of his Church.
2840 Now - and this is daunting - this outpouring of mercy cannot penetrate our hearts as long as we have not forgiven those who have trespassed against us. Love, like the Body of Christ, is indivisible; we cannot love the God we cannot see if we do not love the brother or sister we do see.In refusing to forgive our brothers and sisters, our hearts are closed and their hardness makes them impervious to the Father's merciful love; but in confessing our sins, our hearts are opened to his grace.
2841 This petition is so important that it is the only one to which the Lord returns and which he develops explicitly in the Sermon on the Mount.This crucial requirement of the covenant mystery is impossible for man. But "with God all things are possible."
14 If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you.
15 But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.
-------
Do you understand that God's forgiveness is CONDITIONAL? This is extremely important to understand. Here's what the Catechism says.
V. "AND FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES, AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US"
2838 This petition is astonishing. If it consisted only of the first phrase, "And forgive us our trespasses," it might have been included, implicitly, in the first three petitions of the Lord's Prayer, since Christ's sacrifice is "that sins may be forgiven." But, according to the second phrase, our petition will not be heard unless we have first met a strict requirement. Our petition looks to the future, but our response must come first, for the two parts are joined by the single word "as."
And forgive us our trespasses . . .
2839 With bold confidence, we began praying to our Father. In begging him that his name be hallowed, we were in fact asking him that we ourselves might be always made more holy. But though we are clothed with the baptismal garment, we do not cease to sin, to turn away from God. Now, in this new petition, we return to him like the prodigal son and, like the tax collector, recognize that we are sinners before him. Our petition begins with a "confession" of our wretchedness and his mercy. Our hope is firm because, in his Son, "we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." We find the efficacious and undoubted sign of his forgiveness in the sacraments of his Church.
2840 Now - and this is daunting - this outpouring of mercy cannot penetrate our hearts as long as we have not forgiven those who have trespassed against us. Love, like the Body of Christ, is indivisible; we cannot love the God we cannot see if we do not love the brother or sister we do see.In refusing to forgive our brothers and sisters, our hearts are closed and their hardness makes them impervious to the Father's merciful love; but in confessing our sins, our hearts are opened to his grace.
2841 This petition is so important that it is the only one to which the Lord returns and which he develops explicitly in the Sermon on the Mount.This crucial requirement of the covenant mystery is impossible for man. But "with God all things are possible."
Monday, August 16, 2010
Daily - 8/16/10
I've been taking a slow stroll through the Sermon on the Mount lately. You should do it - it provides the basis for Catholic Moral Theology, and for the most part tells us exactly how Christ said we should go about our lives.
Matthew 6:9-12 - The Lord's Prayer
9 "This is how you are to pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread;
12 and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors;
13 and do not subject us to the final test, but deliver us from the evil one.
----------
"Your will be done, on earth as in heaven."
If you want a glimpse of heaven, one characteristic is in these verses. In heaven, God's will is done. When we say the Lord's Prayer, we are asking God for His divine will to be done on earth as well.
In meditating over these verses recently, I was really struck and by this verse. In the Lord's prayer, I pray (which literally means "ask") God for His will to be done. So far so good. However, do I really WANT that in my life? Because if I really did want that in my life, I would be doing my very best to submit myself in obedience to Him, so that His will is done through me.
If I'm not doing that, or ATTEMPTING to do that, or at least THINKING about attempting to do that ... then this prayer becomes hollow. Empty. I'm asking God to do something that involves my submission to Him, but I'm just saying the words without throwing my hat in the ring.
I met a guy once who told me that "if you're going to pray for potatoes, pick up a hoe." I challenge all of us to think about that the next time we say the Lord's Prayer.
Matthew 6:9-12 - The Lord's Prayer
9 "This is how you are to pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread;
12 and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors;
13 and do not subject us to the final test, but deliver us from the evil one.
----------
"Your will be done, on earth as in heaven."
If you want a glimpse of heaven, one characteristic is in these verses. In heaven, God's will is done. When we say the Lord's Prayer, we are asking God for His divine will to be done on earth as well.
In meditating over these verses recently, I was really struck and by this verse. In the Lord's prayer, I pray (which literally means "ask") God for His will to be done. So far so good. However, do I really WANT that in my life? Because if I really did want that in my life, I would be doing my very best to submit myself in obedience to Him, so that His will is done through me.
If I'm not doing that, or ATTEMPTING to do that, or at least THINKING about attempting to do that ... then this prayer becomes hollow. Empty. I'm asking God to do something that involves my submission to Him, but I'm just saying the words without throwing my hat in the ring.
I met a guy once who told me that "if you're going to pray for potatoes, pick up a hoe." I challenge all of us to think about that the next time we say the Lord's Prayer.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Daily - 8/13/10
Meandering.
So ... I'm in a hotel for the last three days. Last night, as I click across the TV, I see a PBS show on John Denver. I watch it, because I'm a John Denver fan (deal with it).
The show talked about Denver's love for nature, and how many of his songs were related to specific experiences outdoors. An example: In "Rocky Mountain High", the line "I've seen it raining fire in the sky" is talking about a specific night watching a meteor shower at high altitude.
He has passed away, but the show included old interviews where he talked about how connected he felt to the earth, and how in awe he was of nature -- all the beauty, the ecosystems, everything. He talked about how eventually he came to see his songs, concerts, TV specials, and everything else as a means to foster his love for the planet.
Many, many people consider his perspective inspiring.
All I could think about was how sad it was. He was SOOOOO close to the answer, but he didn't get there. He never took the key step in environmental consciousness, and connect it to spirituality. He fixed his love on the planet, not God. He focused his efforts on the creation, not the creator.
He was so taken by the beauty, and he never made the connection to God. At least not publicly.
What truth there is in Romans 1:20-21
20 Ever since the creation of the world, his invisible attributes of eternal power and divinity have been able to be understood and perceived in what he has made. As a result, they have no excuse;
21 for although they knew God they did not accord him glory as God or give him thanks. Instead, they became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless minds were darkened.
So ... I'm in a hotel for the last three days. Last night, as I click across the TV, I see a PBS show on John Denver. I watch it, because I'm a John Denver fan (deal with it).
The show talked about Denver's love for nature, and how many of his songs were related to specific experiences outdoors. An example: In "Rocky Mountain High", the line "I've seen it raining fire in the sky" is talking about a specific night watching a meteor shower at high altitude.
He has passed away, but the show included old interviews where he talked about how connected he felt to the earth, and how in awe he was of nature -- all the beauty, the ecosystems, everything. He talked about how eventually he came to see his songs, concerts, TV specials, and everything else as a means to foster his love for the planet.
Many, many people consider his perspective inspiring.
All I could think about was how sad it was. He was SOOOOO close to the answer, but he didn't get there. He never took the key step in environmental consciousness, and connect it to spirituality. He fixed his love on the planet, not God. He focused his efforts on the creation, not the creator.
He was so taken by the beauty, and he never made the connection to God. At least not publicly.
What truth there is in Romans 1:20-21
20 Ever since the creation of the world, his invisible attributes of eternal power and divinity have been able to be understood and perceived in what he has made. As a result, they have no excuse;
21 for although they knew God they did not accord him glory as God or give him thanks. Instead, they became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless minds were darkened.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Daily - 8/3/2010
Last week at Mass the church I went to was overflowing, and the ushers set up seats in the gathering area.
The mass itself was outstanding. The church I'm going to right now has an associate pastor from somewhere in Africa, and the guy is really special. He radiates love. My whole family has picked up on it, even my 8-year-old. .
Anyhow ... my seat out in the gathering area gave me an alarming view of people walking out of mass after communion. The way this church was set up for the overflow, the "leave earlies" were walking right past the Eucharistic ministers, shoulder to shoulder, on their way out of the church. Then they passed shoulder to shoulder with people coming up to receive their Lord.
I was struck by the image of people scurrying past Christ, in their hurry to get to their cars.
I was filled with sadness for Christ. Here He is, emptying Himself in love for His people, and folks literally CAN'T WAIT to get out of there. Not even five minutes. They hurry by, with no visible recognition of WHO they had just walked past, and what was going on in the Church.
I realize this happens everywhere on every Sunday, but the visual just struck me, and made me think of what Christ must think. And the only answer I come up with is ... heartbroken.
The mass itself was outstanding. The church I'm going to right now has an associate pastor from somewhere in Africa, and the guy is really special. He radiates love. My whole family has picked up on it, even my 8-year-old. .
Anyhow ... my seat out in the gathering area gave me an alarming view of people walking out of mass after communion. The way this church was set up for the overflow, the "leave earlies" were walking right past the Eucharistic ministers, shoulder to shoulder, on their way out of the church. Then they passed shoulder to shoulder with people coming up to receive their Lord.
I was struck by the image of people scurrying past Christ, in their hurry to get to their cars.
I was filled with sadness for Christ. Here He is, emptying Himself in love for His people, and folks literally CAN'T WAIT to get out of there. Not even five minutes. They hurry by, with no visible recognition of WHO they had just walked past, and what was going on in the Church.
I realize this happens everywhere on every Sunday, but the visual just struck me, and made me think of what Christ must think. And the only answer I come up with is ... heartbroken.
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