Wisdom from Pope John Paul II

So I will reflect on the words of Pope John Paul II today and be guided by them. From Lent and Easter: Wisdom from Pope John Paul II:

Returned to Dignity By God's Mercy

Mercy--as Christ has presented it in the parable of the prodigal son-- has the interior form of the love that in the New testament is called agape. This love is able to reach down to every prodigal son, to every human misery, and above all to every form of moral misery, to son. When this happens, the person who is the object of mercy does not feel humiliated, but rather found again and "restored to value." The father first and foremost expresses to him his joy that he has been "found again" and that he has "returned to life." This joy indicates a good that has remained intact: even if he is prodigal, a son does not cease to be truly his father's son; it also indicates a good that has been found again, which in the case of the prodigal son has his return to the truth about himself.

Dives in Misericordia (Rich in Mercy), November 30, 1980

The Merciful Love of the Father

Then Jesus said, "There was a man who had tow sons. The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, Give me the share of the property that will belong to me.' So he divided his property between them. A few day later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living...So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and dissed him Then the son said to him 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; am no longer worthy to be called your so.' But the father said to his slaves, 'Quickly, bring out a robe--the best one--and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. and get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again' he was lost and is found:' And the began to celebrate."

Luke 15:1-13, 20-24

Prayer

Merciful Father, I sometimes turn from you and reject your love. I think I can make it on my own and i Stubbornly refuse to follow you. If it were not for your mercy, I would be forever lost. Help me to remember that you are always waiting to welcome me back and to restore my great dignity as your child.

Lenten Action

Show thanks for God's mercy in your life by reflecting it. When someone wrongs you today, excuse him or her...eve before he or she asks for forgiveness.

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I will spend my day developing my compassion and understanding. I will welcome those I meet this day and greet them with a smile though it may be difficult. For I have been greeted by others with this same smile when I have not been worthy of it!

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Thanks be to God!

Lenten Reflection With Herni J. M. Nouwen

I have found each and everyone of these books a treasure in wisdom and enlightenment. Today I offer a reflection from Lent and Easter: Wisdom from Herni J. M. Nouwen compiled by Judy Bauer. I listened to this lesson with great interest and again was nourished by these words.

Sustainment

To take the holy scriptures and read them is the first thing we have to do to open ourselves to God/s call. Reading the scriptures is not as easy as ti seems...We tend to make anything and everything we read subject to analysis and discussion. But the word of God should lead us first of all to contemplation and medication. Instead of taking the words apart, we should bring them together in our innermost being; instead of wondering if we agree or disagree, we should wonder which words are directly spoken to us and connect directly with our personal story. Instead of thinking about the words as potential subjects for an interesting dialogue...we should be willing to let them penetrate into the most hidden corners of our hearts, even to those places where no other word has yet found entrance.

Henri J. M. Nouwen, Reaching Out:
The Three Movements of the Spiritual Life

The authority of the Word

Jesus said to them..."The Fathers loves the Son and show him all that he himself is doing; and he will show him greater works than these, so that you will be astonished. Indeed, just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son give life to whomever he wishes. The Father judges no one but has given all judgement to the Son, So that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. Very truly, I tell you, anyone who hears my work and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and does not come under judgment, but has passed from death to life."

John 5:19-24

Prayer

Steadfast God, grant me the openness to read and accept the words of your holy Scriptures as truth from my inner being, as a springboard for meditation, as urgent messages directed to the hidden places of my heart. Also grant me the willingness to listen and connect with your teachings. Keep me from stumbling over their simplicity. Amen.

Lenten Action

Choose a passage from holy Scripture that is significant to you and memorize it.

Wishing all a day for fruitful reflection on the word of God!

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Thanks be to God!

Wisdom from G. K. Chesterton

Today's offering from Lent and Easter: Wisdom from G. K. Chesterton from The Center for the Study of C. S. Lewis and Friends.

Riddles of God

This, I say, is the first fact touching the speech; the fine inspiration by which God comes in at the end, not to answer riddles, but to propound them. The other great fact which, taken together with this one, makes the whole work religious instead of merely philosophical is that other great surprise which makes Job suddenly satisfied with the mere presentation of something impenetrable. Verbally speaking the enigmas of Jehovah seem darker and more desolate that the enigmas of Job; yet Job was comfortless before the speech of Jehovah and is comforted after it. He has been told nothing, but he feels the terrible and tingling atmosphere of something which is too good to be told. The refusal of God to explain His design is itself a burning hinge of His design. The riddles of God are more satisfying than the solutions of man.

"Introduction to the Book of Job," G. K. C. as M.C.

Out of the Whirlwind
Then the Lord answered job out of the whirlwind;
"Who is this that darkens counsel by words without
knowledge?
Gird up our loins like a man,
I will question you, and you shall declare to me.

"Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
Tell me if you have understanding.
Who determined its measurements--surely you know!
Or who stretched the line upon it?
On what were its bases sunk,
or who laid its cornerstone
when the morning starts sang together
and all the heavenly beings shouted for joy?"
Job 38: 1-7

Prayer

God almighty, maker of heaven and earth, have mercy on me for my lack of faith, for too easily grumbling and grousing about your governance of the universe. Something the injustice the cruelty, and the insanity of our world overwhelms me--and I freeze. Grand me an obedient heart more willing to submit to you, more willing to offer myself in significant ways as part of the solution to my own prayers.

Lenten Action

Take a walk or hike today. Try to peer into the depth and intricacy of the created order. Admit in prayer all the things you cannot fathom. Humble yourself, thanking God for the mystery of the universe.

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I had to read this not once but three times. The lesson here, to me, it not that I should understand but trust. I'm not supposed to get it. I'm supposed to attempt to get it and in so doing I am open to all that is around me in this journey to God. If I don't get what I think I should understand, there is going to be a gift that is offered to me in which something more important is revealed. There are surprises around every corner and "the riddles of God [really] are more satisfying than the solutions of man."

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Thanks be to God!

Wisdom from St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi

Today I find that the offering from Lent and Easter, Wisdom from Saint Francis and Saint Clare of Assisi brings me comfort and encouragement. Offering you the same.

Burning with Love for Christ

...[M]ay you, therefore, be inflamed ever more strongly with the fire of love! As you further contemplate His ineffable delights, riches, and perpetual honors, and, sighing, may you cry out from the great desire and love of your heart:

"Draw me after you,
let us run in the fragrance of your perfumes,
O heavenly Spouse!
I will run and not tire,
until You bring me into the wine-cellar,
until Your left hand is under my head
and your right hand will embrace me happily,
You will kiss me with the happiest kiss of Your mouth."

Saint Clare of Assisi,
"The Fourth Letter to Agnes of Prague." 57

Let Your Flame Shine

You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is throw out and tramples under foot.

You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be his. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under a bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, lit your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:13-16

Prayer

Lord Jesus, the love I share with others in this world is only a small refection of your love for me. It is a spark compared with the light of the sun. This Lenten season, enkindle my heart so that the fire of my own love for you might grow in intensity and better resemble your love for me. May my life itself be a flame that makes your own light present in the world.

Lenten Action

Use a candle during prayer this Lenten season as a reminder of the love of Christ that burns withing your. Be an agent for light in the world that often seems overcome by darkness; be a positive and uplifting presence to those around you.

I think the kindest message for me here today is that I should make a conscious effort to offer true and honest, loving and compassionate assistance to those with whom I meet each day. This is not an easy task as there are those I meet who seem to dare me to be nice to them. I am grateful for this encouragement.

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Thanks be to God!

Lent and Easter, Wisdom from St. Frances and St. Clare of Assisi is compiled by John V. Kruse

Wisdom from Pope John Paul II

You know, I really don't like to consider my flaws, my weaknesses. I'd prefer to think of myself as a good person who makes mistakes because of weakness. What I fail to consider sometimes is that those mistakes, if done often enough, soon are not mistakes but choices made freely and they then become sin. So while reflecting on today's offering in Lent and Easter Wisdom from Pope John Paul II, compiled by John V Kruse, I realized that I have a lot of work to do. I should acknowledge the weakness, accept the weakness, and allow myself to grow because of this weakness through the grace of God. Even more difficult is the Lenten Action offered here.

Finding Christ In Our Own Shortcomings

True disciples of Christ are conscious of their own weakness. For this reason they put all their trust in the grace of God and they accept it with undivided hearts, convinced that without Him they can do nothing (see John 15:5). What characterizes them and distinguishes them from others is not their talents or natural gifts. It is their firm determination to proceed as followers of Jesus. May you be imitators of them as they were of Christ!

Message for the 18th World Youth Day (April 13, 2003)
From the Vatican, March 8, 2003

Christ's Strength Revealed in Human Weakness

Therefore, to keep me from being too elated, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." Si, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Prayer

Lord, there is no hiding it: I am far from perfect. I have many weaknesses. I fall many times on my spiritual journey. I praise you as you use my neediness and weakness to demonstrate your own strength and glory. Help Me to remember that you can work great things through me--warts and all. I need only to follow you.

Lenten Action

Identify one of your weaknesses. Place that weakness in God's hands. Think of a way that God may have used that weakness to demonstrate his own strength and glory.

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Thanks be to God!

Wisdom from G. K. Chesterton

Criticism Like God's

A Good Critic should be like God in the great saying of a Scottish mystic. George MacDonald said that God was easy to please and hart to satisfy. That paradox is the poise of all good artistic appreciation.

Fancies Versus Fads

SOMETHING PLEASING, SELDOM PERFECT

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

Hebrews 13:16

Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Matthew 5:48

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, we know we can always do more to please you. Help us to see this fact as a cause for celebration, a reason to delight in the work you give us; may we not be pressed down by our responsibilities but be lifed up by them, for in doin your will we draw closer to you, close to joy.

LENTEN ACTION

Are you familiar with George MacDonald, the writer mentioned in today's passage by Chesterton? MacDonald was a great influence on Chesterton and many other Christian writers, including C. L. Lewis and J. R.R. Tolkien. If you are on the Internet today, look up a brief biography of George MacDonald. If your interest is Piqued, but or borrow one of his many books.

(Lent and Easter, Wisdom from G. K. Chesterton, Compilation, Prayers and Actions by Thom Satterlee and Robert Moore-Jumonville)

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Today, as I leave on retreat, I pray that I may discern more fully the path I will continue to trod through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the love of God and the gentle teachings of Jesus.

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Thanks be to God!!!

Art by In Toon With The World

Picture by Buggs Moran

The sun is so large that, if it were hollow, it could contain more that one million worlds of the size of our earth. There are stars in space so large that they could easily hold 500 million suns of the size of ours. ~Morris Mandell~

I remember when I was a child gathering with siblings and friends after dark watching the moon and stars. The stories we would tell about space travel and walking on the moon. All this before John Glenn orbited the earth and Man really did walk on the moon.

The wonder and awe of it all. It was all so big. God was wise and all powerful. He was a force to be reckoned with.

Then we grew up and we became wise and all powerful and somewhere in the grand scheme of things God took a back seat. Why is that? Funny, I remember reading a "story" about two people in a garden, who after being tempted to be greater than they were, defied the will of the God who made them and ended up "out on the street."

Tonight the wonder and awe returned. It's silly, but Duchess was laying out in the grass. As the fireflies flew around she seemed to enjoy the light show. The more I watched her the more I came to feel like that little girl who was easily awed by the light of a bug, created not by the hand of man, but by the hand of the One-Who-Created-All-Things, the truly wise and powerful One.

You know you can capture your childhood again! Just stop and smell the flowers, witness the fireflies glowing, and the dog at ease where she lay. God IS good!

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Thanks be to God!