'Leap of Faith'

~~~ 1 Maccabees 1:10-15, 41-43, 54-57, 62-63 ~~~ 

~~ Psalm 119 ~~~ Luke 18:35-43 ~~

The doctrine expressed in the book of Maccabees

 is the customary belief of Israel.

They have been specially chosen 

by the one true God as covenant-partner, 

and they alone are privileged to know and worship God.

The people, in turn, must worship the Lord alone 

and observe exactly the precepts of the law given to them.

We enter here during a time of crisis among the people.

Some of the local Jews began to break away 

from the strict observance of the Jewish laws.

“Let us go and make an alliance with the Gentiles

 all around us;since we separated from them, 

many evils have come upon us.”

The king approved of their proposed alliance with the Gentiles.

Soon the king wrote to the people...

 that all should be one people,

each abandoning his particular customs.

Soon there arose chaos among the people.

They made sacrifices to idols and eventually all the scrolls 

of the law were destroyed.

During this time many Jews resisted and were

put to death...Terrible affliction was upon Israel.

In the gospel we see Jesus showing 

how to be inclusive in a positive peaceful manner.

He restores the sight to a poor beggar

calling out to him from the dirt roadside.

“Lord, please let me see.”

Jesus told him, “Have sight; your faith has saved you.”

The people saw not just the action of Jesus,

but they also witnessed the conversion of the poor beggar.

This man immediately became a follower of Jesus.

This man gave glory to God for his healing.

This man was converted as a result

 of the kindness and mercy of Jesus.

This uneducated filthy beggar recognized Jesus

as the Son of David...the messiah.

Sometimes it is the innocent who have 

the better understanding and insight.

The poor blind beggar was not caught up in the letter of the law.

He did not follow the required rituals.

He was on the road covered with dirt and grime.

He had no idea how repulsive he must have looked,

for he could not see his body.

The blind beggar saw Jesus with his heart of faith.

Somehow he found the courage to believe

 in the healing power of Jesus.

He took a leap of faith...

asked to be healed...

and Jesus restored his sight.

Now his physical sight and his insight 

were joined together.

Have you ever experienced a 'leap of faith'?

Blessings abound when your heart

 and your body are joined together as one.

~~~Peace~~~

Wholly with God

~~~Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time ~~~

~~~ Daniel 12:1-3 ~~~ Psalm 16 ~~~ Hebrews 10:11-14, 18 ~~~
~~~ Mark 13:24-32 ~~~ 

As we near the end of the liturgical year the church
 reminds us of the end times.
We are at the end of the cycle of readings for this year.
We are also nearing the end of the calendar year.
We are also at the time of year when we are invited
to express our gratitude.

Heaven and earth will pass away,
but my words will not pass away.

The world as we know it will some day cease to exist...
but all that God has promised us will never fade away.
On the final judgment day there will
be no earth...there will be no heaven...
All that have been drawn to God...
all that have been found worthy will join
together in praise and glory of God.

“But the wise shall shine brightly
like the splendor of the firmament,
and those who lead the many to justice
shall be like the stars forever."

What a glorious time this will be for all the faithful.
No matter what happens between now and then;
the word of the Lord holds the spirit and the life for you.

There will be unfathomable beauty, joy, and love.
The brilliance of God will consume us unto himself.
We will completely be with God.

"But of that day or hour, no one knows,
neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."

Today is a reminder for us to always be vigilant...
to be ready...to have our heart filled with grace and mercy.

Each day souls all around the world
are called to come back home;
to be with God.

Some experience great fear and terror in a violent death.

Some struggle with reality on their death bed.

Some in despair and mental confusion
unfortunately end their own life.

Some lay peacefully, on their death bed,
 surrendering their soul back to God.

Some die alone others surrounded by loved ones.

You can be sure that God alone knows
 the time and the circumstances.
The question is. Will you be ready?

Now is the time to prepare.

Blessings for this time of reflection on the end times.

~~~Peace~~~

Creator Credit

~~~ Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, Virgin ~~~

~~~ Wisdom 13:1-9 ~~~ Psalm 19 ~~~ Luke 17:26-37 ~~~

All men were by nature foolish who were in ignorance of God,
and who from the good things seen did not 
succeed in knowing him who is...

How does one marvel at the beauty of all creation
or the power and energy of storms and yet not see God.

All things originate in God...
all beauty, all strength, all energy, all power...
All that is comes from God, but we still
have those who do not believe in him.

If you rely on science to explain all that surrounds you,
eventually you will come to a dead end.

It is right to give the creator credit for all
that exists in the universe.

If you see beauty...you see God.

If you feel the wind upon your face...you feel God.

If you witness s sunrise or a sunset...you experience
the grandeur of God.

The evidence that God does exist is all around you.

What purpose would it serve to deny
 the existence of God?

Look around...open your eyes...
where do you witness God manifesting himself today?

Become more present with the world in which you live;
this is where God makes himself visible...real.

Any work of art is the result of the artist
being inspired by God to create.

Inspiration comes from the spirit of God.

Nothing can compare to the creativity
 of what God has made for us.

Many times an artist is inspired by the patterns
 or the beauty of nature in making their own creation.

Find God in a place where you least
expect him to be present.

There is a piece of God in all of creation.

~~~Peace~~~

Can You Visualize the Kingdom?

~~~ Saint Josaphat, Bishop and Martyr ~~~

~~~ Wisdom 7:22B–8:1 ~~~ Psalm 119 ~~~ Luke 17:20-25 ~~~

“The coming of the Kingdom of God cannot be observed,
and no one will announce, ‘Look, here it is,’ or, ‘There it is.’
For behold, the Kingdom of God is among you.”

Being human, we would all like to have some early announcement
of the coming of the Kingdom of God.

You would probably like to do a little advance planning...
some Spring cleaning perhaps.

Of course, God does not operate that way.
He does not post information on Twitter and Facebook
about His Kingdom.

Instead God tells up to see the Kingdom all around.
The Kingdom of God resides within each one of you.

You were created out of the nothingness
that is also the substance of heaven.
You cannot see the Kingdom of God, but you
can be a witness to it.

If the Kingdom of God is among us
 then we all are part of it.

Why do you search for something that
already includes you?

The Pharisees were standing face to face with Jesus
yet they were asking him for signs of the Kingdom.

The Pharisees could not imagine a Kingdom
 that did not exist in the physical world.

They along with many others in the time of Jesus
were expecting some sort of palace to be built in the Kingdom.

They wanted to make sure they did not miss it.
After all they were part of the ruling class.

They were interested in collecting
the taxes on this 'Kingdom'.

They were appointed to oversee the prescribed
functions of such a Kingdom.

Consequently they were confused by Jesus
 suggesting that the Kingdom was already present.

The Kingdom is not something far off in the distance...
It is here now just as it was the day Jesus spoke those words.

Wisdom is mobile beyond all motion,
and she penetrates and pervades all things by reason of her purity.
For she is an aura of the might of God
and a pure effusion of the glory of the Almighty

The Pharisees were missing this vital component in their heart...

They were missing wisdom.
Wisdom comes from God.
Wisdom... the ability to discern or judge
 what is true, right, or lasting; insight.

Godly wisdom is deep within your soul.
Godly wisdom points you toward the Kingdom of God.

The Kingdom of God is all around us.
Seek the his Godly Wisdom
so that you will be able to see more clearly.

Walk humbly with God.
 He will reveal to you the wonders of his Kingdom
 here within and around you.

God always Blesses those who seek his wisdom.
Blessings for a closer relationship.
It is through a closer relationship with Jesus
that your eyes will be opened.
Once your eyes are opened
you will be able to visualize the Kingdom
all around you.

~~~Peace~~~

Desiring the Word

 ~~~ Saint Martin of Tours, Bishop ~~~

~~~ Wisdom 6:1-11 ~~~ Psalm 82 ~~~ Luke 17:11-19 ~~~

Desire therefore my words;

long for them and you shall be instructed.

Have you ever thought about desiring the words of God?
Desire is a passionate word.
Are you passionate about God's words?
Do you long for them to become a
vital part of your being?

The word of God is the essence of who he is.
If you want more of God then you must
 be passionate about his words.

His words are the words of life.

His words are the words of spirit.

His words are the words of comfort.

His words are the words of mercy.

His words are the words of peace.

“Go show yourselves to the priests.”

As they were going they were cleansed. 

The words of Jesus sent these sick men off to prove
 their healing to the high priests.

They were not yet healed, but Jesus sent them on their way.
It was his very words that cleansed and cured
them of their afflictions.

These men were surely passionate about being healed.
They had a driving desire to be reunited with their family.

As they were on their way to show proof,
their healing occurred.

Jesus did not require them to wait
until the healing had taken place.
His words were enough to set into motion
 the process of their healing.

If you desire the words of Jesus in your life
you will experience wonders.

His words are alive.
His words are specific to you...
meant for you to hear.

He is the word made flesh...

Desire and long for his words;
you will be Blessed.

~~~Peace~~~

Why Are You Here?

~~~ Saint Leo the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church ~~~

~~~ Wisdom 2:23–3:9 ~~~ Psalm 34 ~~~

~~~ Luke 17:7-10 ~~~

Growing up with the Baltimore Catechism,

there was one question always asked...

'Why are you here?'

The answer...'To know, love, and serve the Lord

 with our whole heart, mind, and body'.

Today the topic of service is highlighted in the Gospel.

When you have done all you have been commanded, say,

‘We are unprofitable servants;

we have done what we were obliged to do.’

You are called to serve the Lord...

to serve out of love.

Service to the Lord is not a bargaining chip.

Service to the Lord cannot be bought or traded.

Service to the Lord is something you do willingly...out of love.

From the moment you took your first breath 

you were one breath closer to your death.

The better you know the Lord...

the more you desire to love the Lord...

the more you love the Lord

the more you desire to serve him.

Serving the Lord must be done without expectations.

Serving the Lord must be done out love.

Serving the Lord must be carried out with a pure heart.

...as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself.

I pray that when your final days come,

 you may be able to offer back to God

 the very life he so freely gave to you.

I pray that your life of service to him 

will bring you into greater understanding...

an understanding of how well you served him,

but also an understanding of when you 

could have served him more completely.

You do not the hour in which God 

will call you to come back to him,

but until that time comes you 

can serve him in love.

Those who trust in him shall understand truth,

and the faithful shall abide with him in love

Know the Lord.

Love the Lord.

Serve the Lord.

Longing to here the words,

Well done my good and faithful 

servant.

Virtue is nothing without the trial of temptation,

for there is no conflict without an enemy,

no victory without strife.

Saint Leo the Great.

May the Lord Bless you

 and keep you from harm.

~~~ Peace ~~~

Steel Reinforced

~~~ Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-9, 12 ~~~ Psalm 46 ~~~ 

~~~ 1 Corinthian 3:9C-11, 16-17 ~~~ John 2:13-22 ~~~

...each one must be careful how he builds upon it,

for no one can lay a foundation other than the one that is there,

namely, Jesus Christ.

The foundation of any structure is the most important part.

If the foundation is weak or flawed

the entire structure is less stable.

When you take the time to carefully 

create a solid reinforced foundation the 

whole structure will be stronger.

Sticks and stones...brick and mortar

your spiritual foundation 

needs only faith in God.

“Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.”

Death only appears to destroy your temple.

The soul's foundation must be reinforced with the steel

 beams of the love of Jesus.

The soul is the foundation of everlasting life.

The temple of your soul cannot be destroyed...not even in death.

Fires and floods may destroy your home but 

the foundation will still be in place.

The foundation remains because of the 

permanence of reinforced concrete.

Jesus laid the foundation in your soul

 at the moment of your conception.

It is up to you to build upon this foundation.

It is through your conscious spiritual practice

 that your foundation is built upon.

If you do not build upon this

 foundation it just remains within.

...you are the temple of God,

and the Spirit of God dwells in you...

If the foundation appears to be damaged

the love and mercy of God

can repair the chips and cracks.

Blessings to keep your foundation strong;

crack and chip free.

~~~Peace~~~