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.

Saint Francis is a Good Friend of Mine, I Love His City of Assisi, His Works, and His Example

As we approach October, I seem to Have St. Francis on my mind a lot. October 4th, we celebrate him for being the Patron Saint of Animals, Nature and ecology. Many pet blessings take place also. Francis of Assisi was gentle with his brother wolf, the birds, and all of nature, yet hard on himself, who he called brother ass. He was full of love for all Gods creatures and praised God for our sister, Mother Earth.

Francis was certainly offbeat in many ways, yet I think we would be too, if we had the opportunities he had witnessed in the thirteenth century, like the miracle of the famous Crucifix in San Damiano that spoke to him, saying: “Francis go and repair my house which is falling completely in ruin”. This being the Roman Church at the time, yet he thought it was the small little Church of San Damiano. I had the gift of a lifetime to be able to walk the grounds, view the cross which spoke to him and the tomb of Saint Francis.

Assisi is a place I look forward to a return visit someday. The Upper Basilica is made up of marble, Gothic columns and stained glass windows. The entire town of Assisi is a piece of art that I will treasure in my heart and mind and will forever. While walking the narrow streets, alleys, and stairways, I could feel the presence of St. Francis everywhere. The imprint that he made by his love, compassion, and dedication to Christ and God’s creatures has touched all denominations and religions.

I often wonder if he lived today, how he would look at our world of paganism, greed, waste and self centered individualism that that seems to haunt the society and culture we live in. Will social order and control override the holiness that we were intended to have in this world? His prayer for peace could be used today by each of us who call ourselves children of God. (All Faiths)

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
Amen.

The city of Assisi is so simple, just like Saint Francis of Assisi lived his life. My next visit will be a retreat for a minimum of seven days to refuel the soul, cleanse the mind and become closer to God as I take a closer look at the life and times of one of my favorite Saints.

Evangelization - Just What Is It Anyway?

A few years back I had an opportunity to take some classes that spent much focus on the responsibility and duties of we as Catholics as disciples of Christ. One of the little, powerful books that we used for reference in this class was, "Go and Make Disciples" a plan written by the Committee on Evangelization of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops (NCCB). At the core of "Go and Make Disciples" are three goals for evangelization:

Goal I: To bring about in all Catholics such an enthusiasm for their faith that, in living their faith in Jesus, they freely share it with others.

Goal II: To invite all people in the United States, whatever their social or cultural background, to hear the message of salvation in Jesus Christ so they may come to join us in the fullness of the Catholic faith.

Goal III: To foster gospel values in our society, promoting the dignity of the human person, the importance of the family, and the common good of our society, so that our nation may continue to be transformed by the saving power of Jesus Christ.

Most of this is based on scripture and is really the duty and responsibility of all Christians. It boils down to the fact that Evangelization is not a program – it’s a responsibility. It's all about love. It's all about social action, it's all about worship and service. it's about healing, reconciliation and forgiveness.

I don't think that's to much to ask, do you?

Have a blessed week