The Seeker

The Seeker

October 4 we celebrated the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi.  For many of us we might have acknowledged on that day that it was his feast day and then went about our daily life.

If I were to describe St. Francis of Assisi I would say he was a seeker.  Not a seeker of fame or fortune, as well seen by the life he lived.  He did not get up in the mornings and look at himself in a mirror to check how he looked today.  He did not spend time giving thought to what he would wear today.

When his conversion started he did not seek friendships or to be understood by others.  His thoughts were turned to what was his purpose.  What did the Lord want for him.  What was the Lord asking of him?  How could he grow in his faith, love and practice of God's will for him?

 He came to the realization that he was to live the Gospel.  Gospel to life, Life to Gospel.   Though he was known as a preacher, he believed in living the Gospel and only speaking when necessary.  He believed that it was not by his words that he could best live the Gospel but by his actions.  I imagine that it was a surprise to him that others wanted to follow in his way.

 His days and nights were spent in prayer, fasting and seeking to find what his purpose in life was.  Why did the Lord create him and how could he put it into practice?  I wonder if he were alive today, how we would look at him?  Would we only see the outside, and judge him by the clothes he wore or the cut of his hair?  Would we expect him to change to adapt to our expectations as so many of his later followers did?

Seek and you shall find, ask and it shall be given, knock and it shall be answered.  May we all take time to seek what God is calling us to do and pray for guidance to put it into practice in our daily lives.  May we remember that God had a purpose for creating us and may we fulfill that purpose in the name of God and for God alone. 

God Bless each of you and love one another as God has loved you!

Hunger for Holiness

"If you hunger for holiness, God will satisfy your longing, good measure and flowing over".

As I listen to a child pray, I imagine it to be like an angel's voice.  Simple, sincere, reverent, respectful and with complete trust.  Love that has no if's, ands or buts. 

How do we as adult's gain back that kind of prayer life after we have been exposed to so much that interrupts and removes the simplicity of what our prayer life should be. 

When we pray , does it only consists of a repetition of words that we said yesterday and the day before and the day before that.

O dearest,  dearest Lord,  you know what we need, you know what we want.  You bless us with miracles everyday according to your will, what you know is right for us.  We pray that your will be done.  We pray that we live according to your will.  We ask for only what is pleasing to you.  We thank you Lord for all are blessings.  We praise you Lord for your ultimate sacrifice. We humbly ask for forgiveness for our transgressions.

 We believe that every life has a purpose and was created by you. You love us all.  You show us that by the fact that we are.

 If we pray for wisdom, let it be only to guide others to you.  Teach us again how to pray as a child.  Fill our hearts to seek only holiness for your greater glory.  Our hearts are cold without you.  Money, power, prestige nor physical beauty can silence the yearning that each man has until they have found you.

We pray for holiness and the faith of child who's trust is in you to guide us closer to you so we can feel the warmth of being held in our Father's arms.

The Preaching of the Gospel by Actions

 Actions speak louder than words would be true in describing the life of Francis.  I believe he has many followers that are following his teachings without knowing of his life.  We are seeing the rebirth of something that has been long silent or hidden in the world.  For all of those who are baring the burdens and losses through the natural disasters that have been occurring there is a light that is growing brighter.  Through their losses they have found hope.  Through their grief they have found comfort and love from neighbors.  The loss of material goods has brought out the humility of accepting help from a stranger.  Through their faith they will envision a better tomorrow.  Some might say they are being born again in the likeness of their creator.  He had nowhere to lay his head.  The clothes on his back were all that he owned.  He relied on the charity of others for his daily bread.  Yes, they are living in the lifestyle of Francis but not by choice.  They are being taught what the words of the Gospels' mean but not by preachers.  Man's humanity to man, love one another, care for each other, bare one another's burdens, each of these actions have been and continue to be carried out daily by those who have listened to the word of God and put it into practice by their actions.  GOD BLESS YOU!!!

Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.

HAPPY NEW EASTER

"This is my commandment:  "Love one another as I have loved you." There is no greater love than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.  You are my friends if you do what I command you.

It was not you who chose me, it was I who chose you to go forth and bear fruit. Your fruit must endure, so that all you ask the Father in my name he will give you.

The command I give you is this, that you love one another."

These words in John's Gospel Chapter 15 are just a few of the words spoken just before Jesus was arrested. 

As we head into the final week of Lent next week let us remember these words.  Let us put these words into action.  Let this Easter be the beginning of our New Year with resolutions to read, pray and follow the Gospels as did St. Francis in his life.  Then put all of this into action as St. Francis also did.

GOD BLESS YOU and THE JOYFUL SERVANTS wish all of you a blessed and faith filled EASTER!

Lord, Hear Our Prayers

As we ponder today, as we feel compassion for Japan, as we listen to the overwhelming conflicts in the world, our aware of the battles in our daily lives, or hear of the pain and sufferings of others, we must pray, pray, pray and then pray somemore.  The evening prayers are so applicable.

Father,

Without  you we can do nothing.

By your Spirit help us to know what is right and

and to be eager in doing your will.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, forever and ever

James 4: 7-10

Submit to God: resist the devil and he will take flight.

Draw close to God, and he will draw close to you.

Cleanse your hands, you sinners: purify your hearts, you backsliders.

 Begin to lament, to mourn, and to weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning

and your joy into sorrow.  Be humbled in the sight of the Lord and he will raise you on high.

Good Master, teach us to love you in our neighbor,

-and in serving them to serve you.

Season of Renewal, Forgiveness and Always Love

We will begin the Season of Lent on Ash Wednesday, March 9, 2011.  Let this Lenten Season renew in each of us our Hope in our troubling times.  Dear Jesus, we love you, we adore you, our hope is in you. 
Dear Jesus, forgive us as we forgive others.  Dear Jesus, strengthen in us the love that we have for our neighbor.  As St. Francis lived the life of the Gospels in his daily interactions with all he met, may we spread the Gospel by our actions, words and deeds.  We pray to you, Our Lord, for guidance as we go forth.

In the account of "History of the Monks of Egypt", the last days of the fabled Abba Paphutius, we are told, that as his end approached, he "entreated the Lord to show him his like upon earth."  The Lord showed him a street musican who had been a thief, the very busy headman of a local village, and a wealthy Alexandrine merchant.  As the priests gathered around him he said that the Lord had revealed to him, that no one in this world ought to be despised, let him be a thief, or an actor on the stage, or one that tilled the ground and was bound to a wife, or was a merchant and served a trade: for in every condition of human life there are souls that please God and have their hidden deeds wherein he takes delight; whence is it plain that it is not so much profession or habit that is pleasing to God as the sincerity and affection of soul and honesty of deed.
May God Bless each of you!

Beginning a Joyful New Year

As we begin a new year, 2011 we wish everyone to know God's love, his mercy, his forgiveness.  We wish for you peace in your hearts with the comfort that the Lord is always with you and wishes for you to know that.

Some of you might have made New Year's resolutions to change some bad habits, get more exercise or eat better.  When you make your resolutions, please include resolutions to improve your prayer life, feed your soul with healthy readings, and exercise of virtues that we might have forgotten along our daily paths.

Life has brought many challenges in our lives that at times will overwhelm us.  Talk to our Lord, pray for his guidance and trust in him.  With him all things are possible, without him we can do nothing.

As much as you take time to eat, to sleep, to work and to enjoy, include time to pray, to nourish your heart, your soul, your thoughts to grow spiritually.

Keep a rosary in your car to say as your run errands or drive back and forth to work.  Make the sign of the cross and tell Jesus you love him.  Smile and thank him for all gifts you received this day.  Make the sign of the cross as you lay your head on your pillow at night and talk to him about your day, your hopes, your sorrows and your gratefulness of unexpected happenings.  Remember God's loves you as if you were an only child and has all the time in the world for you.  The cost is nothing and the rewards are plentiful.

Make a resolution to develop your daily prayer life.  It will make a difference in your life and in others as you include them in your thoughts and prayers.

God Bless you and HAPPY NEW YEAR.