Monday, August 25, 2008

Are You Giving Your All to God?

Sometimes we don't do what we know we should. Maybe we've let our prayer life lapse, or we've become a bit lazy in other areas of our life. Perhaps this will help. I was reading Chapter 11 of Hebrews this morning and some of the passages inspired me to try just a little bit harder . . .

If you start with verse 32, you'll find a list of some of the things the faithful before us have done. When you read:

"Others endured mockery, scourging, even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned sawed in two, put to death at sword point; they went about in skins of sheep or goats, needy, afflicted, tormented. . . .They wandered about in deserts and on mountains, in caves and in crevices in the earth" . . .

you have to ask yourself, Is it too much for me to spend a little time in prayer? Is God asking way too much of me when He asks me to meditate on His Holy Word for a short time each day?

It really calls you up, doesn't it, on your depth of commitment to the Lord?

Spend some time today considering if you have truly given to God all that you can.

God bless,
Janet

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Letter to the Hebrews

The Letter to the Hebrews may be read as a letter of encouragement to Christians wearied by demands. As I begin reading the first few chapters, I find a couple of very strong reminders that are important for us today.

First:

Near the end of Chapter 4, we are reminded that Jesus is not someone who is unable to understand our weaknesses. We can confidently turn to him for mercy and grace.

For us, then, we can see that if we are to be compassionate to others and tolerant of their weaknesses, we must know our own very well. It is only in light of our own faults and sinfulness that we can humbly accept others. If we do not do this, then we are in danger of being judgmental and intolerant.

Second:

At the beginning of Chapter 5, in reference to high priests, we are reminded that "No one takes this honor upon himself but only when called
by God . . . ."

Whatever YOU are doing in the service of God's name, you are doing it because He has called you. When you begin to waver in your confidence, reflect on these verses. ". . . . it was not Christ who glorified himself in becoming high priest, but rather the one who said to him: 'You are my son; this day I have begotten you."

You did not put yourself in the position you are in; God called you to it. You are his child. Verse 8 reminds us that Jesus "learned obedience from what he suffered."

We, too, learn obedience through the challenges of life. When we stay faithful to God's word and obey his commands, it will lead us to the salvation he has promised for all.

God bless,
Janet

Sunday, August 10, 2008

There's no substitute for Mass!

I was reading an article in my local paper about the Rosary Tapes. The story was highlighting this product where there are prayers set to music. In the article it shared the thoughts of a 25 year old Catholic. Her comment made me cringe.

Describing her use of the tapes, she said: "I don't make it to church every week, so it's just kind of my way of keeping in touch with my faith."

Is it possible, really, for someone to think that listening to prayers online is a substitute for going to Mass? Let's see, you've got the Eucharist on one hand and an audio prayer on the other . . .Yup, that's the same.

I hope you detect my sarcasm. And if you are a Catechist, I hope you never have a student who will grow into an adult who makes that kind of claim. I understand that maybe this is the best the 25 year old woman can give right now, so I applaud her efforts, but she is in serious need of some catechesis.

Sadly, she is not alone.

We must continue to pray hard for the lost generations.

God bless,
Janet