Re-Working the Clay

~~~ Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Priest ~~~ 

~~~ Jeremiah 18:1-6 ~~~ Psalm 146 ~~~ Matthew 13:47-53 ~~~

I went down to the potter’s house and there he was, 

working at the wheel.

Whenever the object of clay which he was making

turned out badly in his hand, 

he tried again,

making of the clay another object 

of whatever sort he pleased.

The Potter, the Fisherman, the Head of Household all made decisions.
The Potter worked the clay with his hands surrounding the wheel.
As the wheel turns the clay begins to take shape, but sometimes the clay collapses
becoming something other than what the potter had planned.

God as the Potter can shape me into his design, when I sin or stray
 it is as if I fall off of the potter's wheel...out of his hand...
as if I am turning out badly.

Do you trust that God is strong enough to take your brokenness
 and make of you into something better,
more pleasing to him?

God as the Fisherman allows all of the fish to be caught
 in the net...to be lifted out of the waters.

The Fisherman now carefully looks through his 'catch'
the good fish found and placed in the bucket.

When we sin we put ourselves in higher risk
of being cast out of the net...of being left
 on the shore gasping for air.

God as the Head of the Household
brings forth from the storeroom both the old and the new.

Jesus brought forth the new while taking care to preserve the old.
The Kingdom of God is so much more than we can comprehend.
It is more all encompassing than we would allow.

When God enters the scene, whether we are clay, fish,
or something tucked away in the storeroom
all things are subject to change.

I invite you to allow God to work you in his hands
 as he would a humble lump of clay.

I invite you to consider when the net scoops you up,
will you find yourself in the 'bucket'
with the keepers.

Lastly I invite you to consider how broad
God's perspective is as he goes to the storeroom
 and brings you up into the light.

We are Blessed because God never gives up on us...
He is always ready to rework the clay.
~~~Peace~~~

Seek Peace

~~~ Feast of the Holy Family ~~~

~~Sir 3:2-6, 12-14~~Psalm 128~~Col 3:12-21~~Mt 2:13-15, 19-23~~

Joseph, Mary, and Jesus did not have the Christmas card perfect beginning.

They had many trials and heartaches to face.
Joseph was chosen to be the head of the household
 because he was obedient to God,
but let us also remember that he loved Mary.
Joseph loved Mary before he had one visit from the angel
or a single dream from God.

We are given the blueprint for a strong family...
The man is the head of the house...he is the protector...
he is the one who leads the family in the way of the Lord.

This is often not the way in our society today;
too many times the fathers are absent.
Even worse they may disappear completely.

Joseph had learned by now not to question the angel of his dreams.
And it was his role to care for his family...
to keep them out of harms way.

Just imagine for a moment what it would be like to know
someone in authority was looking to kill your child.
How frightening that must have been for these new parents.

Paul gives us the complete formula
for having a peaceful, loving family unit.
In fact this is everything we need to know to live in peace
and harmony with everyone in our life, but especially
with our family members.

Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved,
heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,
bearing with one another and forgiving one another,
if one has a grievance against another;
as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.
And over all these put on love,
that is, the bond of perfection.
And let the peace of Christ control your hearts,
the peace into which you were also called in one body.
And be thankful.

Somehow as Mary and Joseph fled with their tiny baby
 they were given the peace of God.
They were reassured that this was exactly
 what they needed to do for their son's safety.

Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.

The Holy Family shows us how to walk with the Lord
when facing great fear...
fear for the life of their son.

The way of the Lord is ultimately the way of peace.
Your world may be crumbling down around you,
but the Lord promises you his peace.

Ask for an increase in his gift of Peace...
you will be blessed.
Let the peace of the Lord filter into your heart now.