Jeremiah 20:7-9
If Jeremiah lived in today's world - I am sure he would be saying much the same thing! When we share the love of God to those around us - we are mocked and made fun of! The movie recently released on DVD God is NOT Dead is a perfect example! The society we live in seems to not need God at all. He is irrelevant. Soccer, baseball, football, extracurricular activities, money, fun, internet - so many of these things have become more important than God to most of us. So when we proclaim the love of God burning in our hearts to a world who is not only deaf to Him, but resistant to Him - we are rejected! But I am like Jeremiah...I try to keep it inside - so that I won't be seen as a "Jesus Freak" - but it becomes like a fire burning in my heart and I cannot contain it - I must share the Good News - because it has brought so much joy to my life - I have to share!
Ps 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9
My Soul is Thirsting for you, O Lord my God.
How beautiful is this Psalm! You are my help, in the shadow of your wings I shout for joy!
My soul clings fast to you; your right hand upholds me!
Romans 12:1-2
Do not conform yourselves to this age, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.
Just reflect on that one line for a week.....where in your life are you putting the world above God?
I have done this many times in my journey. This reflection is very revealing and not often very comforting. The world is such a "fun" place to be in, right?!! There are so many distractions and things to chase after!
But none of them bring "lasting" peace, love and joy. And that is what our heart yearns for.
Did you ever watch Sesame Street? When my children were little - I was addicted, I loved it! But someone pointed out how they change the subject and the topic every few minutes - to keep the children's attention.
Our children have grown up with that same brain-attention span....we just can't seem to spend longer than a short time on anyone thing. I call it multi-tasking and am very adept at it. Actually, I am quite proud of my ability to multitask! However.....when it comes to worldly things versus Godly things, I am not so proud of it. My goal is to spend more time on Godly things and less time on worldly things.
Some of the ways I do this is by reading scripture, spending time in silence, saying the rosary, going to daily mass, reading great devotionals - trying to get God's perspective into my brain! I want to form my brain to God's thoughts, not the world's thoughts. But since I have been molded by the world for so long, it is taking time.
But, I know John the Baptist's prayer - "less of me, Lord - More of You" - and giving God more and more of my time - (even if it's not all at once) - I am on the right track!
I want to do the will of God - what is good and pleasing and perfect to God - not what I think is good and pleasing and perfect. There is a difference....and I am not God.
Matthew 16:21-27
I love Peter! He and I are like soul mates. One day I think I have this discipleship thing all worked out and then BOOM - I stick my foot in my mouth! I hear Jesus saying "Get behind me, Satan!" You are thinking NOT as God does, but as human beings do! (just as I was saying above!!!)
The two lines I reflect on the most in this gospel recently are: You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do and What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life"
Am I doing things to please people? or to please God?
If I please people and I die - what is the end result? There might be lots of people at my funeral and people will think what a wonderful person I was.....but where will my soul be?
If I please God - what is the end result? - Entrance into HEAVEN!!!! That's where I want to be.
I want to hear God say at the pearly gates - Well done, good and faithful servant, Welcome Home!
What do you want at the end of your life? Then let's be transformed by God's beautiful Word and the Eucharist! Take advantage of confession - and be refreshed and renewed!!!
Have a blessed week!
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