A Daily Dose of God

Disciples on the Road to Emmaus said, “…were not our hearts burning….”  Has your heart ever been burning, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI wrote, “As he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct.”  (1 Peter 1:15)

 

All the children were lined up in the cafeteria of a Catholic school for lunch.  At the head of the table was a large pile of apples.   

The teacher placed a note that read, “Take only one, God is watching.”  Moving through the line, to the other end of the table, was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies.   

A boy wrote this note, “Take all you want, God is watching the apples.”  Remember you are the apple of God’s eye, in a loving and caring way, God is watching you.

In our lives as Christians, we are constantly moving either toward God or away from God.  The Irish symbol for Holy Spirit is a “Goose” [a Wild Goose].  The Goose is a lot like a real Christian community, noisy, messy but working together great things are accomplished.  Think about geese in there V formation it is a glimpse of heaven.

In the V formation the geese fly further and faster.

In the V formation, if a goose gets hurt one or two stay behind to help.

In the V formation, their honking is to encourage, much like prayer and praise.

Jesus saved us over 2,000 years ago!  Now we are challenged to allow His saving grace to mold us, to renew us, and to form us.  Charles Taylor in his book, “A Secular Age” and Fr. Michael Buckley, S.J. in his article, “At the Origins of Modern Atheism” point out that Secularism and Atheism are challenges that we face.  We need to deal with them in a serious manner, but we should not fear them.  Bishop Cupich said, “… we should welcome this moment as an opportunity to embrace more fully our own discipleship ….” (Origins, 9/5/13 p. 214)

The bishop offered several ideas on how to talk about Faith in a Secular Age; I think the most important one is this: “Our confidence that the Gospel speaks to the deepest longings of the human heart ….”  [Ibid, p. 217] The Gospel should be the foundation of how we speak, as well as how we live.

St. Francis de Sales said, “Take courage, and turn troubles which you cannot remedy into material for progress and maturity.” [That certainly applies to our COIVD 19 Pandemic Times].  de Sales advises us “Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself,” and St. Paul tells us “…God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength….” (1 Cor. 10:13b)

Jesus assures us that we are loved by God, allow that message to permeate your heart and guide your life.

May God Be Praised!

Join me and cry out from the depths of your heart to the Lord who hears us. 

Hear my cry!  “Lord, listen to my prayer: turn your ear to my appeal.” [Psalm 143]

God, You are our refuge and our hope, we turn to you during this COVID 19 pandemic and plead for Your intercession.  In Your mercy and Your compassion “… grant eternal rest to the dead, comfort to mourners, healing to the sick ….” [Collect from Mass Time in Pandemic]

Provide strength to the first responders, compassion to the medical personnel, and wisdom to government leaders.  End this coronavirus scourge.  Bring Your light to all who wander in the darkness of this pandemic and give us hope in Your eternal love today and every day.  Amen.  [Dcn. George Kelly]