Peace, Love, and Harmony - Love Your Neighbor - Easier Said Then Done

This past Sunday the homily was geared toward love. The greatest commandment announced by Jesus was Love your god, with your whole heart, your whole mind and your whole soul and with all your strength. Jesus went on to indicate that we are to also love our neighbor as ourselves. Who's our neighbor, the people next door, down the street or half way around the world? This is pretty steep commandment when you have people burning flags, making statements like down with the USA, or wanting to kill those who don't have the same faith or religion that they may have. Realizing that this is the extreme fanatic so-called neighbor we may see on our T.V. sets during the evening news, can we still find room in our hearts to love them as ourselves? My human mind says, to hell with them, however my heart says, "yes" we can love them for who has created them here on earth, however, we do not have to love what they do and say. This is difficult for some Christians to comprehend. I think the best explanation I have heard is when Jesus said; "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." So, here's the test, the next time we see this type of ranting and raving on our boob tubes, are we willing to say, God , forgive them, for they know not what they are doing? Maybe a prayer for them to lighten up on us, be our friends, and get some love in their hearts would do them good or should we say that prayer for ourselves to say, please Lord, help me to love those who have expressed hate for us and cleanse their hearts along with my own with the power of the Holy Spirit, that we may all live in peace, love and harmony. Now, that's loving your neighbor! What do you think?

One Nation Under God. "Say Your Prayers" Give Thanks

With what's going on in the United States right now in the financial crisis, you would think our churches would be filling up again as they did during 9-11-2001. Maybe we are still not hurting enough, fearful enough, or maybe some have just lost their faith entirely. My prayers are with those families that may have lost their jobs, income, savings, or can't make ends meet. Many are feeling the pain and fear that comes from loss of security. The prayer of petition seems to be the most popular among us because we were taught that if you knock, God will answer.

I read a book sometime back by Fr.Thomas Dubay, entitled "Prayer Primer" "Igniting a fire within" Fr. Dubay presents a simple and profound way to become attracted to the many forms of prayer and become more in communion with God on a regular basis.

St. Augustine said in one of his prayers: "You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you". I think we can become more contemplative in prayer as we develop the habit of asking for God's will, not ours, in the morning and giving thanks at night. As this habit continues, we begin to turn our will over to God more often and give thanks much more throughout the day.

God knows what are needs are, so why ask? I think it's to get our attention off our own greed, selfishness, and waste. Maybe God wants us to be more grateful and return to becoming humble servants of God, who are blessed just to be here in this world.

So, as I begin to get the blues about hard times, I have to remember that there are many, many more people in this world who are worst off than I am. Maybe the best thing is to suck it up and say "Thanks be to God", than get out of my own head and go help someone else who is hurting, have more faith in this Awesome God.