It's been a really long time since I've done a proper gospel reflection, but here's one for today:
Today's gospel is all about temptation and resisting it. Temptation is everywhere, and it will never ever go away. That's what it is. We can't escape it. It panders to our weaknesses, offering us short-term benefits and deluding us of the long-term consequences. But how then, do we resist it? And the honest answer is that sometimes we can't and we won't, and we will fail. But we can learn from these mistakes and come away stronger and closer to God because of them.
One of the common ways in which we are prone to fall into temptation is by placing our priorities in the wrong places. It is so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life that we lose sight of what is most important: faith, hope, love. Lent is a time of rebirth and renewal, and a better time than any to realign our lives and make sure we're what we're striving towards is what will actually make us happy and fullfilled.
Another common temptation is by saying that other people's misuse of power and influence is the cause of the evil and injustice in the world. In this case we are thinking far too highly of ourselves. If we could be more honest with ourselves, humbly admitting that our indifference, our greed, our egoism, and our ambivalence, cause just as much as injustice as the wrong-doings of others, than we may be able to, as cliche as this sounds, be the change we wish to see in the world.
It is much easier to always blame others; to see the source of evil as outside of ourselves and cast ourselves as the victims. But this is not the case. We cannot fight other people, we can try, but we cannot change others if we do not first change ourselves. Thinking otherwise is far too short-sighted. Instead we must face evil head-on. Explore it, find it in our own lives, and conquer it.
Showing posts with label Jesus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jesus. Show all posts
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Sunday, December 20, 2009
A Letter from the Son of God
Written by: Unknown author
Submitted By: Melanie Keischer
Edited by: yours truly
It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of your predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival. Although I do appreciate being remembered anytime.
How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children
of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santa’s and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.
Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish…
If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my
wish list:
1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away
from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.
2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.
3. Instead of writing the President complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up. I’d like to hear from you again.
4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.
5 Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.
6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.
7. Even if people who work at a business aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one.
8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary-- especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.
9. Behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.
Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do
what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out
the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the
ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with
all those whom you love and remember :
I LOVE YOU,
JESUS
Submitted By: Melanie Keischer
Edited by: yours truly
It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of your predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival. Although I do appreciate being remembered anytime.
How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children
of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santa’s and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.
Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish…
If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my
wish list:
1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away
from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.
2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.
3. Instead of writing the President complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up. I’d like to hear from you again.
4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.
5 Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.
6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.
7. Even if people who work at a business aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one.
8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary-- especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.
9. Behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.
Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do
what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out
the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the
ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with
all those whom you love and remember :
I LOVE YOU,
JESUS
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Waiting
On this first Sunday of Advent, I am going to reflect on something that we as a society are not very good at: waiting. In a world of instant gratification it is hard to be patient. I know that I for one am incredibly easily annoyed by having to wait for others when I want to leave or partake in something. Patience is a virtue not easily attained.
In today's world of the internet, fast cars, and text messaging, it is uncommon that we have to wait for anything. Not sure of an answer? Wikipedia it. Out with your friends? No problem, just text google and wait 0.06 seconds for the response. You can't even blink that fast and the answer is already there for you. Between texing, instant messaging and Facebook seeing who's available to chill takes less time than ever. And with newer and safer standards at the internet we can shop for and purchase practically anything and have it on our doorstep within a week ... within 24 hours if strictly necessary.
And buisnesses are begining to cater to our "here and now" mindset. Stores have two to three times more cash regesiters than ever before. Why? Because as a generation waiting in line is no longer an option. It angers us. It frustrates us. So much so, that there's a possibility that we might leave.
But here we are, on the 29th of November, ready to settle down and wait for what we, as Christians, see as most important - the birth of Jesus. Once the chaos of Thanksgiving dies down and we are able to take stock of our lives, we are able to see clearly what it is we want most - hope, joy, peace, love, family. These are not difficult desires for us to formulate. We crave them more than anything else in the world. And yet, we can't just have it. We have to work for it. Plan for it. Prepare for it. and yes, wait for it.
That is the whole point of Advent. To wait for the coming of the Christ child. We cannot just wake up one morning and be ready for Him. We have to prepare our selves - mind, body and spririt - to welcome Him into our lives. We have to think about what we can change in our lives to make it better for everyone. We have to plannout how we intend to use all the peace and joy Jesus
will bring with Him when He is born. And we need to prepare ourselves by making sure we are the best people we can possibly be.
I think I'll start by learning to be more patient.
In today's world of the internet, fast cars, and text messaging, it is uncommon that we have to wait for anything. Not sure of an answer? Wikipedia it. Out with your friends? No problem, just text google and wait 0.06 seconds for the response. You can't even blink that fast and the answer is already there for you. Between texing, instant messaging and Facebook seeing who's available to chill takes less time than ever. And with newer and safer standards at the internet we can shop for and purchase practically anything and have it on our doorstep within a week ... within 24 hours if strictly necessary.
And buisnesses are begining to cater to our "here and now" mindset. Stores have two to three times more cash regesiters than ever before. Why? Because as a generation waiting in line is no longer an option. It angers us. It frustrates us. So much so, that there's a possibility that we might leave.
But here we are, on the 29th of November, ready to settle down and wait for what we, as Christians, see as most important - the birth of Jesus. Once the chaos of Thanksgiving dies down and we are able to take stock of our lives, we are able to see clearly what it is we want most - hope, joy, peace, love, family. These are not difficult desires for us to formulate. We crave them more than anything else in the world. And yet, we can't just have it. We have to work for it. Plan for it. Prepare for it. and yes, wait for it.
That is the whole point of Advent. To wait for the coming of the Christ child. We cannot just wake up one morning and be ready for Him. We have to prepare our selves - mind, body and spririt - to welcome Him into our lives. We have to think about what we can change in our lives to make it better for everyone. We have to plannout how we intend to use all the peace and joy Jesus
will bring with Him when He is born. And we need to prepare ourselves by making sure we are the best people we can possibly be.
I think I'll start by learning to be more patient.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Today's gospel reflection
Before I post today's gospel reflection, I would like to appologize for being so crappy at putting up new posts this semester. It's not that I don't have anything to say either! - It just hasn't been happening. But anyways, without further ado, your weekly-ish gospel reflection:
Today’s gospel reading is one we have all heard many times before. However, there are many small lessons to be gleaned from it.
The first is one that can easily be missed – blame. Pilot, like us on many occasions is immediately uncomfortable when Jesus asks him if there are his accusations or not. Pilot passes the blame on to others instead of taking his own stand. It was not Pilot’s idea to hand Jesus over, but by refusing to take responsibility or to step in and put a stop to it, he became a central character in the story. From this we should realize how essential it is to not only stand up for what we believe in, but to question the motives of those who are acting immorally.
The second thing Jesus expresses in this very short reading is the awesome strength of heaven. He alludes to the great power of the angels. From this we are reminded of the almighty influence and power of God. It should be comforting to know that someone with such authority is watching us with careful eyes and a loving hand.
The third aspect of today’s gospel is Jesus’ mission. He acknowledges that the reason for his human birth is to save humanity from itself saying “for this I was born, and for this I have come into the world”. He shies away from the word king; this is not a title the humble Jesus would bestow upon himself. God sent us his only Son so that we can be the great people He wants us to be and capitalize on our capacity for good by following in Jesus’ example.
This example is our guideline for life. In today’s gospel reading Jesus tells us one very important way to become closer to him stating, “Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice”. Telling the truth is a basic, yet incredibly difficult, part of our role as good Catholics. Many times it is easier to tell small lies, more rewarding to exaggerate, or less trouble for us to omit the truth . But if we remember that these false truths turn us away from God’s voice, then we realize it is much better to suffer the consequences of the truth in life than to suffer the consequences of deceit in death.
Today’s gospel reading is one we have all heard many times before. However, there are many small lessons to be gleaned from it.
The first is one that can easily be missed – blame. Pilot, like us on many occasions is immediately uncomfortable when Jesus asks him if there are his accusations or not. Pilot passes the blame on to others instead of taking his own stand. It was not Pilot’s idea to hand Jesus over, but by refusing to take responsibility or to step in and put a stop to it, he became a central character in the story. From this we should realize how essential it is to not only stand up for what we believe in, but to question the motives of those who are acting immorally.
The second thing Jesus expresses in this very short reading is the awesome strength of heaven. He alludes to the great power of the angels. From this we are reminded of the almighty influence and power of God. It should be comforting to know that someone with such authority is watching us with careful eyes and a loving hand.
The third aspect of today’s gospel is Jesus’ mission. He acknowledges that the reason for his human birth is to save humanity from itself saying “for this I was born, and for this I have come into the world”. He shies away from the word king; this is not a title the humble Jesus would bestow upon himself. God sent us his only Son so that we can be the great people He wants us to be and capitalize on our capacity for good by following in Jesus’ example.
This example is our guideline for life. In today’s gospel reading Jesus tells us one very important way to become closer to him stating, “Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice”. Telling the truth is a basic, yet incredibly difficult, part of our role as good Catholics. Many times it is easier to tell small lies, more rewarding to exaggerate, or less trouble for us to omit the truth . But if we remember that these false truths turn us away from God’s voice, then we realize it is much better to suffer the consequences of the truth in life than to suffer the consequences of deceit in death.
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