Wisdom Wednesday

Work Out Your Salvation A condensed version of a Fathers of Mercy retreat

Homily - Part VI

God wants to satisfy your needs even more than you want them satisfied.  The Holy Eucharist is the source and summit of all Christian Faith.  The Eucharist is what it signifies.  Thus it is the highest sacrament.  The other sacraments effect the grace they signify.

Pray for wisdom just as much as faith.  Doubt about the faith can be a part of your daily cross.  Do you make your whole life a living sacrifice?  You do so in receiving the Eucharist and Holy Penance.  You should give God something instead of asking for something from Him.  Daily prayers can be offered in sacrificial love.  The Sacred Liturgy is for the worship of the Divine Majesty.  Jesus gave Hmself for love of you and in obedience to God the Father.  Ask for sacrificial wisdom.  Offer all to God in a day - good and bad.  Work out your salvation with self-knowledge and love.

Happy Independence Day!

In this great country, we celebrate the separation of our American Colonies from the British government as stated in the Declaration of Independence July 4, 1776.  It was our day of freedom.  It marked the beginning of a new nation - of our new nation.  There were many more hardships ahead for the American people to endure before the United States could become how we know it today.  Though we have grown into a nation of great reputation, of strength, and of integrity, there are more hardships for us to undergo.  That is why it is very important for us as responsible citizens to participate in the functions of our nation.  We must - and should - vote.  We must - and should - pay taxes.  St. Thomas Aquinas wrote on the virtue of patriotism and our duties to follow the directions and orders of the superiors God has placed above us.  Jesus Himself said, "Render unto Caesar what is Caesar's and render unto God what is God's". We are blessed to have the system of the United States government.  Although it is sometimes very hard to see the results of one person's actions, your vote, your input, your religious convictions and free speech add weight to the direction our country is heading. 

This 4th of July, remember to thank God for our nation, to praise Him for creating such a beautiful land, and to ask Him to direct the hearts of our political leaders to morality and a holy way of life.

For more reading on the Catholic standpoint on patriotism, visit CatholicCulture.org.

Wisdom Wednesday

Work Out Your Salvation A condensed version of a Fathers of Mercy retreat

Be Faithful to Daily Duty - Part I

Aspire to please God whether at home or away.  You should have filial fear for God - not the servile fear a slave has for his master - but the fear a child has of offending their father because they love and respect him.  Satan loves to hinder your daily duties.  He wants to destroy those duties that lead you to God and replace them with sinful pleasures.  Do not do anything which you cannot offer to God at the end of the day.  The Lord measures your work by the manner in which you carry it out.  Everything you do should be in the Name of Jesus and for His glory.  You must sanctify your daily life.

Josemarie Escriva said, "God wants to make you a saint right here where you are at."    St. Therese said, "My Little Way can be achieved by all."  St. Theresa of Avila taught that Holiness is doing God's Will.  St. Faustina said, "When we look at everything with the eyes of faith, no two hours are alike."  St. Augustine taught that no one can be ready for the next life without preparing for it in this life.  St. Paul says to "pray wihout ceasing."

Think well, speak well, do well.  Human freedon remains in Christ and can rise to a supernatural level.  Use this freedom to bring forth heavenly fruits according to your vocation in life.  True devotion embelishes your daily life.  Avoid making prayer your work, but instead perform your daily duties as prayers and sacrifices to God.  It is better to pray a few prayers devoutly than many prayers without love.  You should pray with a desire for God's Presence within you in every action and every moment.  Focussing on the past and focussing on the future both lead to anxiety.  Live in the moment, always. 

St. Theresa of Avila said, "God can be found amidst pots and pans." St. Therese said, "Pick up a pin for the love of God and save a soul." St. Elizabeth Ann Seton remarked several times on the beauty of the words, "Thy Will be Done."  Padre Pio said, "Try to love the Lord with your whole heart and whole will.  He will reward you much more than you deserve...  If only all people followed their vocation faithfully, this land would be a paradise."

Lift up your spirits and love God!  He has saved us!