"It is openness to the whole, to the infinite, that makes man complete. Man is man by reaching out infinitely beyond himself and he is consequently more of a man the less enclosed he is in himself, the less "limited" he is. For - let me repeat - that man is most man, indeed the true man, who is most unlimited, who not only has contact with the infinite - the infinite being! - but is one with him: Jesus Christ."
- Introduction to Christianity
Friday, November 23, 2012
A people of thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving. I’ve been hearing a lot about
thanksgiving for quite some time this season…and not only hearing about it but talking
about it too. And it’s sooo good to be excited, excited to give thanks! We should
do it often and wholeheartedly. With all ourselves and with great
enthusiasm! We have every reason to be a
people bursting in thanksgiving. There’s so much to be thankful for, and we
need only look around us to see about a million reasons.
It’s actually the day after Thanksgiving, but yesterday was
quick and busy. I had a great time with my family, cooking with my sister, sharing
great meal times, relaxing, chatting. But now that the hustle and bustle that
comes with pretty much any holiday is over, I want to take the time to take in
and quietly reflect on what this time is all about.
Gratitude,
thanksgiving. Joy.
The three are distinct but also intricately connected. If we
aren’t experiencing one, we’re kinda missing the mark. What is life without
gratitude? Without thanksgiving? Without joy?
It’s easy to express thankfulness, to say “thank you”…but do
we really feel it in our hearts? Do
we mean it? Are we simply putting on the facade of thanksgiving or actually giving thanks?
I had to ask myself a lot recently:
1. Do I appreciate what God has blessed me with? Or am I
constantly asking for more?
Often,
our “thankfulness” is accompanied by a surprising “need” to accumulate more.
Let’s face the ugly facts…sometimes, thanksgiving time brings out the worst in
us. It brings out our ingratitude and
hunger for more… especially as shoppers. Why
is that? Yesterday, I decided to venture out for Black Friday sales to see
what all the talk was about…and now I get why it's sometimes called “Midnight madness”….it
really was madness. Don’t get me
wrong, I’m definitely a fan of sales. I rummaged through all the sale papers,
did my share of research, and even had a list of go-to stores for the night. I
was all set. But….by the time I got there and experienced the “madness”…I
quickly had enough. It’s surprising to believe that we had just celebrated “thanksgiving”
for what we have. How far will we go to get what we want/”need”? If I have all
things…but do not have love…I am nothing (1 Cor 13).
It makes sense that we would be unsatisfied here. While we should be forever grateful, our hearts
should long for more. We were made for more. What we’ve experienced so far is
only a foretaste. We are appreciative, but also living in hope of eternity with
our Lord. For everlasting joy and
endless celebration of thanksgiving to God. But my longing for the infinite cannot be met in finite things. We must stop searching and let Him fill and consume us.
2. Do I compare my gifts, talents, blessings, lives with
others? By quality or number?
God
gives graciously to all as He sees fitting and as they need it. He knows our
hearts. And as scripture tells us, “all good-giving and every perfect gift is
from above, coming down from the father of lights (James 1).” He gives perfect
gifts, and if my life is a gift perfectly-given…then I have no need to compare!
3. Do I feel thankful and express it in the way that I live?
I desperately fail in giving thanks
sometimes. Most times. Almost all the time.
To give thanks we must first
experience a reason to be thankful in our hearts. We must have gratitude. Gratitude is that
overwhelming experience of love and appreciation for something. When we feel
truly grateful for something, it pours out in the way that we live. We give of
ourselves to others more freely. We live with great joy and peace.
Throughout the busyness of “celebrating” and “doing”, I had
to stop several times and ask myself….”Am I truly grateful or am I waiting
around for the next momentary pleasure or gift? How can I better live
gratefulness?”
Gratitude, thanksgiving, joy.
Gratitude for the immeasurable blessings and grace over my life.
Joy in living the life granted to me, the ability to experience it, and specifically
joy in where I am with God right now. And thanks-giving for everything. For the goodness
of the material things but more importantly the spiritual ones. For His faithfulness and provision, the gift of
faith, adoption by the Father through the Son, His sacrificial cross, experiencing His
love, a faith family – the Church, and the hope of oneness with Him eternally.
"The Eucharist, the sacrament of our salvation accomplished by Christ on the cross, is also a sacrifice of praise in thanksgiving for the work of creation. In Eucharistic sacrifice the whole of creation loved by God is presented to the Father through the death and Resurrection of Christ. Through Christ the Church can offer the sacrifice of praise in thanksgiving for all that God has made good, beautiful, and just in creation and in humanity.The Eucharist is a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the Father, a blessing by which the Church expresses her gratitude to God for all his benefits, for all that he has accomplished through creation, redemption, and sanctification. Eucharist means first of all "thanksgiving."The Eucharist is also the sacrifice of praise by which the Church sings the glory of God in the name of all creation. This sacrifice of praise is only possible through Christ: he unites the faithful to his person, to his praise, and to his intercession, so that the sacrifice of praise to the Father is offered through Christ and with him, to be accepted in him." - CCC 1359-1361
Let’s take time to consider our blessings, time to engage in
them, and time to notice those quiet whisperings of God…those moments
especially infused with His spirit.
God, make us always a people of thanksgiving.
Monday, September 10, 2012
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Our Lord to St.Faustina:
"You see what you are of yourself, but do not be frightened at this. If I were to reveal to you the whole misery that you are, you would die of terror. However, be aware of what you are. Because you are such great misery, I have revealed to you the whole ocean of My mercy."
- From the diary of St.Faustina Kowalska
Plunging deeply and blindly into the unwavering depths of His abundant mercy.
"You see what you are of yourself, but do not be frightened at this. If I were to reveal to you the whole misery that you are, you would die of terror. However, be aware of what you are. Because you are such great misery, I have revealed to you the whole ocean of My mercy."
- From the diary of St.Faustina Kowalska
Plunging deeply and blindly into the unwavering depths of His abundant mercy.
Friday, September 7, 2012
Friday, August 24, 2012
Has anyone hoped in the Lord and been disappointed?
This week I've been preparing for the GRE, which I finally took this morning. Most of the early part of my week was filled with madness. In my heart and in my head. I am absolutely certain that the GRE is definitely not the hardest thing I'll ever do, but I tend to make everything a big, big deal. I'm a drama queen and a perfectionist. Reeeally bad combination. My need for control and perfection has become a burden I unnecessarily take on. It leaves me worn.
Lately, I've been consumed with somewhat of an obsession with my future (actually not somewhat consumed..but excessively). While studying for the GRE, I've been thinking almost constantly about the grad school application process. About grad school in general. Whether I'll make it through or even get in. Why I'm doing this. I get caught up in this foolish 'need' sometimes to know where God will take me, how I'll turn out after all this is over, what parts of my plans He'll salvage.
Now that all the craziness is over, I started thinking back on my week and began feeling a sense of disappointment in myself, seeing a lot of moments where I could have done better. I realized there were so many instances I was so focused on myself that I was blind to the needs of others. I recalled how I reacted in moments of frustration. And most of all I recognized how little of the time I spent alone (practically living in my room) studying and pouring over my books was spent in prayer.
And boy did I feel the disunity, the emptiness of not giving myself over to Him. How I hate when I do that! Why do I do that? I was restless, body and soul. I wasted so much time planning and excessively worrying about how much there was to do that I barely got anything done. My mind was fried. My stomach was in knots. I couldn't eat. I felt so, so sick.
It showed in my relationships. In my temper. In my lack of patience. It showed in my prayer life.
Thankfully though about halfway through the week, after a few emotional meltdowns and talks with good friends who attempted to pour sense into me, God hit me pretty hard with a gentle reminder from my sister. She simply told me that I needed to spend some good time in prayer.
And I was like, "Wow...so true." She saw a need that I hadn't yet recognized. The moment she said it, I started feeling at ease. Crazy, right? It sounds so simple. But it is so simple. Why hadn't I thought of that? Let me tell you. Sometimes, I forget that I desperately need God. I try to do whatever I can on my own without running to Him, without sharing with Him, without putting my confidence in Him. Without Him. And its pointless. Its meaningless. Its not what I was made for...but I do it. Over and over again.
"Oh you of little faith."
And I was reminded that I don't want to be a hoarder. I don't want to hoard anything. Everything of mine belongs to our Lord. My time (from the moment I awake to when I sleep and everything in between), my energy, my skills, my education, my family, my every breath, my everything. I would want Him to say to me, "Well done, my good and faithful servant." A servant knows that he lives to serve. A faithful server serves well and faithfully. I don't want to claim anything as my own, and that's true even in my vocation as a student. We simply do our part and let God do His.
Why worry when I've "already entrusted it to our Lord"...or so I say...
I ultimately desire that everything I do be about Him, but sometimes I become overly concerned with my own welfare...instead of leaving it to the One in whom all things come to be. Earlier this week, I was so caught up in anxiety, in control, and in myself that I lost sight of Him. He wants me to surrender my burdens, but I keep clenching them tightly. At the end of the day I have to ask myself, who/what am I laboring for?...for our Lord or for myself?...for food that perishes or for the Bread of Life? (John 6). Is the ground I'm on sinking sand or built upon a solid rock foundation with Christ as cornerstone (Matt 7)?
So while it's perfectly acceptable to get in what I call 'Olympian mode' at times to give our duties our very best (which was pretty much me this week with studying) how much more necessary is it to get caught up in things for the Lord? To pour our very selves into doing what pleases Him. To train ourselves in godliness, so that we can be imitators. "What good is it to gain the world and lose my soul?"
"For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe." - (1 Timothy 4:10)
"Has anyone hoped in the Lord and been disappointed?"
Lately, I've been consumed with somewhat of an obsession with my future (actually not somewhat consumed..but excessively). While studying for the GRE, I've been thinking almost constantly about the grad school application process. About grad school in general. Whether I'll make it through or even get in. Why I'm doing this. I get caught up in this foolish 'need' sometimes to know where God will take me, how I'll turn out after all this is over, what parts of my plans He'll salvage.
Now that all the craziness is over, I started thinking back on my week and began feeling a sense of disappointment in myself, seeing a lot of moments where I could have done better. I realized there were so many instances I was so focused on myself that I was blind to the needs of others. I recalled how I reacted in moments of frustration. And most of all I recognized how little of the time I spent alone (practically living in my room) studying and pouring over my books was spent in prayer.
And boy did I feel the disunity, the emptiness of not giving myself over to Him. How I hate when I do that! Why do I do that? I was restless, body and soul. I wasted so much time planning and excessively worrying about how much there was to do that I barely got anything done. My mind was fried. My stomach was in knots. I couldn't eat. I felt so, so sick.
It showed in my relationships. In my temper. In my lack of patience. It showed in my prayer life.
Thankfully though about halfway through the week, after a few emotional meltdowns and talks with good friends who attempted to pour sense into me, God hit me pretty hard with a gentle reminder from my sister. She simply told me that I needed to spend some good time in prayer.
And I was like, "Wow...so true." She saw a need that I hadn't yet recognized. The moment she said it, I started feeling at ease. Crazy, right? It sounds so simple. But it is so simple. Why hadn't I thought of that? Let me tell you. Sometimes, I forget that I desperately need God. I try to do whatever I can on my own without running to Him, without sharing with Him, without putting my confidence in Him. Without Him. And its pointless. Its meaningless. Its not what I was made for...but I do it. Over and over again.
"Oh you of little faith."
And I was reminded that I don't want to be a hoarder. I don't want to hoard anything. Everything of mine belongs to our Lord. My time (from the moment I awake to when I sleep and everything in between), my energy, my skills, my education, my family, my every breath, my everything. I would want Him to say to me, "Well done, my good and faithful servant." A servant knows that he lives to serve. A faithful server serves well and faithfully. I don't want to claim anything as my own, and that's true even in my vocation as a student. We simply do our part and let God do His.
Why worry when I've "already entrusted it to our Lord"...or so I say...
I ultimately desire that everything I do be about Him, but sometimes I become overly concerned with my own welfare...instead of leaving it to the One in whom all things come to be. Earlier this week, I was so caught up in anxiety, in control, and in myself that I lost sight of Him. He wants me to surrender my burdens, but I keep clenching them tightly. At the end of the day I have to ask myself, who/what am I laboring for?...for our Lord or for myself?...for food that perishes or for the Bread of Life? (John 6). Is the ground I'm on sinking sand or built upon a solid rock foundation with Christ as cornerstone (Matt 7)?
So while it's perfectly acceptable to get in what I call 'Olympian mode' at times to give our duties our very best (which was pretty much me this week with studying) how much more necessary is it to get caught up in things for the Lord? To pour our very selves into doing what pleases Him. To train ourselves in godliness, so that we can be imitators. "What good is it to gain the world and lose my soul?"
"For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe." - (1 Timothy 4:10)
"Has anyone hoped in the Lord and been disappointed?"
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Bottomless coffee, God's bottomless love
Matthew 5:38-42 speaks about going a second mile.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.
I read this portion of Matthew 5 and think..it sounds like a lot of work. To go a second mile with someone, we must be willing to go one mile first. I have to admit, sometimes I don't even make it that far. I don't always react with love, with sweetness, with gentleness. My pride gets in the way. And as Christians, sometimes we think we're doing something really awesome and good when we react well to those who have wronged us, hurt us, or belittled us. When experiencing difficult situations or conversations we throw our "love" at them with a prideful, "Aha. Take that! I'm gonna be the better man." But are we really any better? Are we ever less prone to temptation, anger, pride, or really any vice than our neighbor? No.
And while it's definitely important and necessary to respond well...
what if instead of simply reacting well in love, we made initiatives to love?
Instead of saying "yes" to friends that ask for rides...what if we volunteered rides?
Instead of saying "yes" to those who ask for prayers...what if we always offered to pray and reassured them of prayers? Without being told.
Instead of internally cringing or hesitating when someone says those often dreaded words, "Can you do me a favor?"...what if we gave a 100% willing, unconditional, and enthusiastic "yes"?
What I mean to say is... Instead of merely agreeing to do things for others, what if we offered? What if we initiated whole-heartedly? Instead of sparingly serving love to one another, what if we poured it out unto others lavishily, without measure, without reserve.
Let's be real, most of the time...we are unwilling. Or we just plain don't think of it. We're so concerned with ourselves. Our schedule. Our time. Our money. Our success. Our priorities. And in the midst of being consumed/obsessed with ourselves....we neglect others. But one thing is always true...Christ shows His love towards us by laying down his life. What if we believers did the same? Laid down our lives...not only by reacting in love...but by initiating love towards all men. Just as God both initiates and reacts in love...we show who Christ is by both.
Today, just as I walked into Zera's for my weekly coffee/study day, God poured out a cup of kindness towards me through a complete stranger. He was somewhat older and sat in his wheelchair at one of the long wooden tables. Just as I was passing, he turned to me and introduced himself as Todd. I noticed immediately that he had a severe stutter. We only spoke briefly, but he was warm and inviting. He asked me about the usual..my major (Speech Pathology), the ministry I'm involved in in Denton, my church. And I thought to myself..."Well, that was sweet." People don't usually just strike up conversation with people they don't know like that.
A little later, I went to the counter to get an iced coffee, and Todd was there paying his tab. As soon as he saw me, he told the cashier that he wanted to get something for his 'new friend'. And as much as I politely refused, he graciously persisted. I finally submitted and picked the cheapest thing on the menu that I could possibly find. And as I think to myself, "Oh, no, this is just too much. So nice....," he asked the cashier if my drink came with free refills. When she said "No" he said, "Okay, then make it a bottomless." In my head, I'm thinking...."Oh man...his kindness towards me just never ends. I shouldn't be getting a bottomless...I can barely finish just a small size...He's really wasting his money. He doesn't even know me...."
And as I stay to talk to him for a bit at the counter while he finishes paying, he just tells me that they'll bring the coffee out to where I'm sitting. I don't even know what to tell him in response to the unexpected sweetness...but he says that it was a pleasure meeting me. Imagine that. The pleasure was all mine Mr.Todd...who I will probably never meet again. I was astounded.
I have to say...it got me thinking... Why can't more people be like that? Why can't I be like that? Would I have ever even thought of doing that for someone I didn't know. Probably not.
What if people always cared for each other like that? Not acting only out of duty or obligation or necessity (because we don't know how to say "no" when people ask us for things) but volunteering to love...volunteering to give of ourselves graciously...just as God the Father fully gives of himself to us...because we want to say "yes."
How can we better live out the sacrificial love of Jesus? By sacrificing time and convenience to be there for others. And not only those who are close or important to us. But to every person...because of simply that...they are a person.
I want to be open and willing to go the extra mile for others.
I pray the words of John 13:35...that "By this the world will know that (we) are (His) disciples...if (we) have love for one another." I hope that our identity in Christ will be apparent by our love. Let's invite God to make our hearts bigger for His glory, so that the more we receive, the more we may also give.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.
I read this portion of Matthew 5 and think..it sounds like a lot of work. To go a second mile with someone, we must be willing to go one mile first. I have to admit, sometimes I don't even make it that far. I don't always react with love, with sweetness, with gentleness. My pride gets in the way. And as Christians, sometimes we think we're doing something really awesome and good when we react well to those who have wronged us, hurt us, or belittled us. When experiencing difficult situations or conversations we throw our "love" at them with a prideful, "Aha. Take that! I'm gonna be the better man." But are we really any better? Are we ever less prone to temptation, anger, pride, or really any vice than our neighbor? No.
And while it's definitely important and necessary to respond well...
what if instead of simply reacting well in love, we made initiatives to love?
Instead of saying "yes" to friends that ask for rides...what if we volunteered rides?
Instead of saying "yes" to those who ask for prayers...what if we always offered to pray and reassured them of prayers? Without being told.
Instead of internally cringing or hesitating when someone says those often dreaded words, "Can you do me a favor?"...what if we gave a 100% willing, unconditional, and enthusiastic "yes"?
What I mean to say is... Instead of merely agreeing to do things for others, what if we offered? What if we initiated whole-heartedly? Instead of sparingly serving love to one another, what if we poured it out unto others lavishily, without measure, without reserve.
Let's be real, most of the time...we are unwilling. Or we just plain don't think of it. We're so concerned with ourselves. Our schedule. Our time. Our money. Our success. Our priorities. And in the midst of being consumed/obsessed with ourselves....we neglect others. But one thing is always true...Christ shows His love towards us by laying down his life. What if we believers did the same? Laid down our lives...not only by reacting in love...but by initiating love towards all men. Just as God both initiates and reacts in love...we show who Christ is by both.
Today, just as I walked into Zera's for my weekly coffee/study day, God poured out a cup of kindness towards me through a complete stranger. He was somewhat older and sat in his wheelchair at one of the long wooden tables. Just as I was passing, he turned to me and introduced himself as Todd. I noticed immediately that he had a severe stutter. We only spoke briefly, but he was warm and inviting. He asked me about the usual..my major (Speech Pathology), the ministry I'm involved in in Denton, my church. And I thought to myself..."Well, that was sweet." People don't usually just strike up conversation with people they don't know like that.
A little later, I went to the counter to get an iced coffee, and Todd was there paying his tab. As soon as he saw me, he told the cashier that he wanted to get something for his 'new friend'. And as much as I politely refused, he graciously persisted. I finally submitted and picked the cheapest thing on the menu that I could possibly find. And as I think to myself, "Oh, no, this is just too much. So nice....," he asked the cashier if my drink came with free refills. When she said "No" he said, "Okay, then make it a bottomless." In my head, I'm thinking...."Oh man...his kindness towards me just never ends. I shouldn't be getting a bottomless...I can barely finish just a small size...He's really wasting his money. He doesn't even know me...."
And as I stay to talk to him for a bit at the counter while he finishes paying, he just tells me that they'll bring the coffee out to where I'm sitting. I don't even know what to tell him in response to the unexpected sweetness...but he says that it was a pleasure meeting me. Imagine that. The pleasure was all mine Mr.Todd...who I will probably never meet again. I was astounded.
I have to say...it got me thinking... Why can't more people be like that? Why can't I be like that? Would I have ever even thought of doing that for someone I didn't know. Probably not.
What if people always cared for each other like that? Not acting only out of duty or obligation or necessity (because we don't know how to say "no" when people ask us for things) but volunteering to love...volunteering to give of ourselves graciously...just as God the Father fully gives of himself to us...because we want to say "yes."
How can we better live out the sacrificial love of Jesus? By sacrificing time and convenience to be there for others. And not only those who are close or important to us. But to every person...because of simply that...they are a person.
I want to be open and willing to go the extra mile for others.
I pray the words of John 13:35...that "By this the world will know that (we) are (His) disciples...if (we) have love for one another." I hope that our identity in Christ will be apparent by our love. Let's invite God to make our hearts bigger for His glory, so that the more we receive, the more we may also give.
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