"Pray, hope, and don't worry."
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Sunday, February 25, 2007
We always find that those who walked closest to Christ were those who had to bear the greatest trials.
– St. Teresa of Avila
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
The journey continues
"Through your suffering, God is expanding your heart so that He can pour more of His love into it."
"It hurts me to see you hurting, but I know that you wouldn't choose any other way."
"You'll have good days and you'll have bad days. Whether you're single or married...whether you're a priest or a nun, there will always be difficulties. But God will be there every step of the way."
I'm so grateful to the friends I have. I'm grateful for the love that surrounds me every day that I haven't been able to appreciate as I should have.
My family and I were sitting around the table for lunch on Sunday, having the annual "What are you giving up for Lent?" discussion.
I thought about giving up meat. I realized yesterday that I need to give up myself. I need to sacrifice the pain from the losses that I have held on to for so many years. I need to sacrifice my pride that keeps me from offering myself more fully to others. I need to sacrifice the fear and the discouragement - the way of thinking that has kept me imprisoned...immobilized...stuck.
I need to give to Jesus my love. I need to give to my students the joy that comes from being faithful to God. I need to give to my family the support and prayers that only family can give. I need to give to my husband my heart...all of it...not just a portion of it but the whole thing.
No, I'm not giving up. I'm giving more.
So willingly I go, forty days with Him among the people.
By grace. AMDG.
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Unstoppable
"In the year of drought it shows no distress, but still bears fruit." –Jeremiah 17:8
...A disciple of Jesus is one who imitates Jesus in His character and His ministry. Disciples of Jesus follow Him wherever He leads, whether that path leads to the cross of Calvary or the glory of His resurrection.
A mature disciple of Christ will necessarily bear fruit for Him (Jn 15:16), "make disciples" (Mt 28:19), and disciple them in season and out of season (see 2 Tm 4:2, KJV). Nothing can stop disciples of Jesus from bearing fruit and making more disciples. Throughout Church history, persecution strengthens rather than weakens disciples. Disciples still bear fruit in the "year of drought" (Jer 17:8), for sorrows and difficulties lead us to the cross of Jesus, from Whom we draw our strength. God uses our failing health to make more disciples (see Gal 4:13). Even killing us can't stop the fruit of discipleship, because the blood of martyrs has always been the seed of Christians. "In all this we are more than conquerors because of Him Who has loved us" (Rm 8:37).
Historically, disciples of Jesus have only been stopped by themselves. When disciples "grow lazy" (Heb 6:12), take their eyes off Jesus (cf Heb 3:1; 12:2), and start treasuring the things of the world, they then paralyze themselves. Therefore, disciples of Christ, pick up your daily cross, die to yourself (Lk 9:23), make no provision for the desires of your flesh (Rm 13:14), and ask Jesus for more of the Holy Spirit. Be invincible and unstoppable. "Make disciples of all the nations" (Mt 28:19).
From One Bread, One Body - Reflection for February 11, 2007
Saturday, February 03, 2007
Coming to the Rose Bowl near you
Save the Date!
MAY 19, 2007
6:00-9:00pm
Community like you've never experienced before...
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