My audio of this reflection is podcast at:http://gnm.org/DailyReflections/podcasts/
Good News ReflectionFriday after Ash WednesdayFebruary 27, 2009
Today's Readings:Isaiah 58:1-9Ps 51:3-6, 18-19Matt 9:14-15http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/022709.shtmlAudio: http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_02_27.mp3
What kind of fasting does God want?
In today's Gospel passage, Jesus seems to contradict the Church's teaching about fasting for Lent. Since the "bridegroom" is with us every day in the Eucharist and in many other ways, the implication is that we should not be fasting.
To understand what Jesus is really saying, notice how God describes fasting in the first reading.
There are two reasons to fast: One is to deny ourselves of something we value, as a penance for our sins, and the other is to provide to others something they value.
Fasting as a penance for our sins is beneficial. However, doing good deeds for others accomplishes much more than we gain by fasting from good meat, good candy, or good fun. Our sacrifices for Lent should benefit others, not just ourselves.
Walking with Jesus means that we fast the way he fasted. What did Jesus give up for Lent? His life!
His Lenten journey began when he went into the desert and resisted Satan's temptations. Afterward, he gave up his old lifestyle for a new life of service. He gave up the comfort and familiarity of remaining in his own home. He gave up a good reputation when the persecutions began. He gave up his time in order to feed those who were hungry for his teachings. He gave up his own will when the Father asked him to do what he didn't want to do.
But what about the need to improve our self-discipline and overcome selfishness by practicing self-denial? Isn't this why the Church asks us to fast for Lent? Yes, and this is very important! This is our own desert experience. Jesus fasted from food and other physical comforts during his desert temptations.
When we want to overcome temptations, we should definitely fast to improve our self-discipline, but this is only the start. We are called to take our holiness out into the world. We are called to minister to others.
What's the bottom line, the core reason for any of our sins? Lack of loving. If we knew how our sins would hurt others — if we could really envision all the damaging affects — we would feel too horrified to commit the sin. The problem is, we don't take the time to examine how harmful our sins are until the deed is done and we react to its consequences.
The kind of fasting that God desires from us is proactive, not reactive. Doing good to others is a spiritual discipline that purifies us, increases the flow of love, and overcomes our selfishness without anyone getting hurt.
Today's step on the Lenten journey: Find someone who needs a gesture of love today and do something good to him or her.
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue...
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is my employment through which I provide my writing services; the income from this (although very small at these early stages) will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
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Thursday, February 26, 2009
Embracing the cross of self-denial
My audio of this reflection is podcast at:http://gnm.org/DailyReflections/podcasts/
Good News ReflectionThursday after Ash WednesdayFebruary 26, 2009
Today's Readings:Deut 30:15-20Ps 1:1-4, 6Luke 9:22-25http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/022609.shtmlAudio:http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_02_26.mp3
Embracing the cross of self-denial
Walking close to Jesus is not easy. In fact, it's the most challenging way to live! Jesus describes how to follow him in today's Gospel passage. He says that we have to DENY ourselves. Oh phooey, that's no fun!
However, it's the only way to embrace our crosses. We want to get rid of them, but the only way to experience the thrill of resurrection victory is to go THROUGH the cross. This means accepting our crosses instead of tossing them.
Can you embrace the difficulties in your life as you would a good friend? Indeed, that is what trials are: They are good friends if we let them bring us closer to God, if we let them mentor us into greater holiness, if we let them stretch our ability to love and forgive those who make our journey unpleasant.
This is what it means to deny ourselves. It does not mean ignoring our own personal needs. Nor does it mean treating ourselves poorly. It does not mean that we become our own worst enemy.
Denying ourselves means that we "lose our lives", as Jesus put it, in the crosses that we embrace, rather than fight to protect the lives we'd prefer to have. Don't we want everything to go OUR way? And when things don't go our way, don't we want to cajole and manipulate and pray and plead to protect the illusion of how our lives "should" be (it's an illusion because it's our idea, but it's not reality)?
We could, if we worked at it long enough, make our lives into what we think is best for us. But what is the cost of that? Jesus says it destroys us. We lose touch with God. We lose human relationships. We lose ourselves in the process of getting what we want.
In today's first reading, Moses invites us to choose between God's ways and our own ways. He points out the advantages and disadvantages of our decisions.
Of course we want to do things God's way. But embracing our crosses and denying ourselves is painful, oh so painful!
There is only one way to do it: We must also embrace Jesus (and thus let him embrace us) as we cry our way through the Way of the Cross.
As we read in today's responsorial Psalm, happy are we when we hope in the Lord. The joy that's available in suffering comes from trusting God for a good future, and from being rooted in the Holy Spirit who affirms us, and from realizing that the Lord will transform every curse into a blessing.
Today's step on the Lenten journey: Name one thing you need to deny or let die in yourself for the sake of loving others more fully. After you identify it, get rid of it with the help of Jesus and the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue...
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is my employment through which I provide my writing services; the income from this (although very small at these early stages) will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe
Good News ReflectionThursday after Ash WednesdayFebruary 26, 2009
Today's Readings:Deut 30:15-20Ps 1:1-4, 6Luke 9:22-25http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/022609.shtmlAudio:http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_02_26.mp3
Embracing the cross of self-denial
Walking close to Jesus is not easy. In fact, it's the most challenging way to live! Jesus describes how to follow him in today's Gospel passage. He says that we have to DENY ourselves. Oh phooey, that's no fun!
However, it's the only way to embrace our crosses. We want to get rid of them, but the only way to experience the thrill of resurrection victory is to go THROUGH the cross. This means accepting our crosses instead of tossing them.
Can you embrace the difficulties in your life as you would a good friend? Indeed, that is what trials are: They are good friends if we let them bring us closer to God, if we let them mentor us into greater holiness, if we let them stretch our ability to love and forgive those who make our journey unpleasant.
This is what it means to deny ourselves. It does not mean ignoring our own personal needs. Nor does it mean treating ourselves poorly. It does not mean that we become our own worst enemy.
Denying ourselves means that we "lose our lives", as Jesus put it, in the crosses that we embrace, rather than fight to protect the lives we'd prefer to have. Don't we want everything to go OUR way? And when things don't go our way, don't we want to cajole and manipulate and pray and plead to protect the illusion of how our lives "should" be (it's an illusion because it's our idea, but it's not reality)?
We could, if we worked at it long enough, make our lives into what we think is best for us. But what is the cost of that? Jesus says it destroys us. We lose touch with God. We lose human relationships. We lose ourselves in the process of getting what we want.
In today's first reading, Moses invites us to choose between God's ways and our own ways. He points out the advantages and disadvantages of our decisions.
Of course we want to do things God's way. But embracing our crosses and denying ourselves is painful, oh so painful!
There is only one way to do it: We must also embrace Jesus (and thus let him embrace us) as we cry our way through the Way of the Cross.
As we read in today's responsorial Psalm, happy are we when we hope in the Lord. The joy that's available in suffering comes from trusting God for a good future, and from being rooted in the Holy Spirit who affirms us, and from realizing that the Lord will transform every curse into a blessing.
Today's step on the Lenten journey: Name one thing you need to deny or let die in yourself for the sake of loving others more fully. After you identify it, get rid of it with the help of Jesus and the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue...
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is my employment through which I provide my writing services; the income from this (although very small at these early stages) will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Uniting Ourselves to the Passion of Christ
My audio of this reflection is podcast at:http://gnm.org/DailyReflections/podcasts/
Good News ReflectionAsh WednesdayFebruary 25, 2009
Parishes, faith-sharing groups, RCIA: To distribute copies of this reflection, please order the printer-ready leaflet from Catholic Digital Resources:http://catholicdr.com/calendar/Lent/AshWed.htm
Today's Readings:Joel 2:12-18Ps 51:3-6, 12-14, 172 Cor 5:20 — 6:2Matt 6:1-6, 16-18http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/022509.shtmlAudio: http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_02_25.mp3
Uniting Ourselves to the Passion of Christ
Suffering, unfortunately, is something that we all experience. But when we unite ourselves to the passion and death of Jesus, by connecting our experiences to his, we will also experience victory, resurrection, and a worthwhile value for our hardships.
Join me this Lent in a walk from grief to healing and from anger to peace, which is only possible by uniting ourselves to the passion of Christ. Day by day, step by step, we will journey with Jesus as he teaches us to rise above our crosses by first embracing them in redemptive holiness. Thus, we will discover tremendous blessings that we cannot yet imagine.
In today's Gospel passage, Jesus gives us a walking staff for this journey. It has three parts. The top section, like a shepherd's crook, is almsgiving — this is what bends our heavenward heart back to earth as we turn our sufferings into ministries that help others. The middle section is fasting — this is what gives strength to the staff. The bottom of it is prayer — this is what grounds us.
ALMSGIVING is a gift that we give to God in thanksgiving for his generosity toward us. Jesus describes two different "rewards": (1) the repayment received by the Pharisees and (2) the recompense given to those whose generosity is based on love. Those who give lovingly are friends of God, and since friends share freely with each other, we are generous with our money, our time, our patience, or whatever others need that God has given to us. Such love opens our hearts to receive more of God's love. For example, when we give to others mercy and forgiveness, we receive more of God's mercy and forgiveness.
PRAYER can be motivated by a right attitude or a wrong attitude. Do we pray with pious words and appropriate gestures to get people's approval? Do we make the sign of the cross when we pray because we think it will improve our chances to get what we asked for? Do we recite formula prayers over and over to convince God to pay us heed? Or is our prayer time truly an intimate communication with the One whom we cherish most dearly?
FASTING is valuable only if it helps our spiritual life. If we fast so that others will think we're good Catholics, it's worthless. Fasting originated in Jewish history as a personal sacrifice on the Day of Atonement — the annual day for the forgiveness of sins — to show God humility and repentance. Today, fasting is recommended by the Church as a means of acquiring "mastery over our instincts and freedom of heart" (Catechism paragraph 2043). In other words, fasting helps us enter into greater conversion.
This three-part walking staff is necessary for our journey, because it aids our conversion. Almsgiving converts our hearts when it involves sacrificing our material goods for the sake of loving others. Praying converts our hearts when it involves sacrificing our selfish use of time for the sake of loving God. Fasting converts our hearts when it involves sacrificing our selfish pleasures, represented by our enjoyment of food, for the strengthening of our spiritual nature and our holiness.
Today's step on the Lenten journey: I accept this walking staff because I want to experience more conversion in _____.
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue...
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is my employment through which I provide my writing services; the income from this (although very small at these early stages) will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe
Good News ReflectionAsh WednesdayFebruary 25, 2009
Parishes, faith-sharing groups, RCIA: To distribute copies of this reflection, please order the printer-ready leaflet from Catholic Digital Resources:http://catholicdr.com/calendar/Lent/AshWed.htm
Today's Readings:Joel 2:12-18Ps 51:3-6, 12-14, 172 Cor 5:20 — 6:2Matt 6:1-6, 16-18http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/022509.shtmlAudio: http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_02_25.mp3
Uniting Ourselves to the Passion of Christ
Suffering, unfortunately, is something that we all experience. But when we unite ourselves to the passion and death of Jesus, by connecting our experiences to his, we will also experience victory, resurrection, and a worthwhile value for our hardships.
Join me this Lent in a walk from grief to healing and from anger to peace, which is only possible by uniting ourselves to the passion of Christ. Day by day, step by step, we will journey with Jesus as he teaches us to rise above our crosses by first embracing them in redemptive holiness. Thus, we will discover tremendous blessings that we cannot yet imagine.
In today's Gospel passage, Jesus gives us a walking staff for this journey. It has three parts. The top section, like a shepherd's crook, is almsgiving — this is what bends our heavenward heart back to earth as we turn our sufferings into ministries that help others. The middle section is fasting — this is what gives strength to the staff. The bottom of it is prayer — this is what grounds us.
ALMSGIVING is a gift that we give to God in thanksgiving for his generosity toward us. Jesus describes two different "rewards": (1) the repayment received by the Pharisees and (2) the recompense given to those whose generosity is based on love. Those who give lovingly are friends of God, and since friends share freely with each other, we are generous with our money, our time, our patience, or whatever others need that God has given to us. Such love opens our hearts to receive more of God's love. For example, when we give to others mercy and forgiveness, we receive more of God's mercy and forgiveness.
PRAYER can be motivated by a right attitude or a wrong attitude. Do we pray with pious words and appropriate gestures to get people's approval? Do we make the sign of the cross when we pray because we think it will improve our chances to get what we asked for? Do we recite formula prayers over and over to convince God to pay us heed? Or is our prayer time truly an intimate communication with the One whom we cherish most dearly?
FASTING is valuable only if it helps our spiritual life. If we fast so that others will think we're good Catholics, it's worthless. Fasting originated in Jewish history as a personal sacrifice on the Day of Atonement — the annual day for the forgiveness of sins — to show God humility and repentance. Today, fasting is recommended by the Church as a means of acquiring "mastery over our instincts and freedom of heart" (Catechism paragraph 2043). In other words, fasting helps us enter into greater conversion.
This three-part walking staff is necessary for our journey, because it aids our conversion. Almsgiving converts our hearts when it involves sacrificing our material goods for the sake of loving others. Praying converts our hearts when it involves sacrificing our selfish use of time for the sake of loving God. Fasting converts our hearts when it involves sacrificing our selfish pleasures, represented by our enjoyment of food, for the strengthening of our spiritual nature and our holiness.
Today's step on the Lenten journey: I accept this walking staff because I want to experience more conversion in _____.
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue...
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is my employment through which I provide my writing services; the income from this (although very small at these early stages) will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe
Monday, February 23, 2009
Is your love for God tried and true?
Good News ReflectionTuesday of the 7th Week in Ordinary TimeFebruary 24, 2009
Today's Readings:Sir 2:1-11Ps 37:(5)3-4,18-19,27-28,39-40 Mark 9:30-37http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/022409.shtmlAudio: http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_02_24.mp3
Is your love for God tried and true?
Have you experienced trials that challenge your faithfulness to God? Of course you have! It's very normal. As today's first reading says, when we serve the Lord, we should prepare for trials. Why? Because we're making a difference in the world — in people's lives — but not everyone wants to accept this change, so our efforts cause persecution, rejection, and other opportunities for us to practice what we profess.
This point was driven home to me one day when I tried to minister to a woman in church who was shutting herself off from the community. It's not so much her rejection of my outreach that challenged me, but my reaction to her judgmentalism. While I was still angry, God put me in the path of someone else who was angry, which challenged me to recognize my own unforgiveness.
The trials of this world expose us. Are we judgmental about those who are judgmental? Are we unforgiving toward those who are unforgiving? Are we unloving to those who don't love us? Are we unkind to those who are unkind?
Having our sins exposed by the sins of others can be the most important trials of our lives! These are what stretch us, but only if we accept the challenge to grow. These are what purify us, like gold tested in fire, so that we are strengthened in holiness. These are what help us become faithful to the Lord whom we claim to love.
Are we truly sincere of heart and steadfast in our love for God? Times of adversity reveal the answer. It's okay to be sorrowful during hardships, but do we trust God enough to wait on him with patience? Do we cling to him instead of trying to solve problems with short-cuts and retaliation? Do we place whatever befalls us into the context of our love relationship with God, who assures us (see Romans 8:28) that he is going to turn everything into a blessing for us?
A solid relationship with God enables us to trust in his mercy and compassion, even while we cry on his shoulder and moan to him about not understanding why he's taking so long to relieve our sufferings.
In a solid relationship with God, we're not discouraged by what we see during the trial, because we remain certain that God is doing something wonderful that we cannot yet see.
In a solid relationship with God, understanding comes not in our minds but in our hearts, where love, not brain-power, helps us realize the help that he is giving.
Our love for God is not solid, however, until it's been purified and strengthened by testing.
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue...
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is my employment through which I provide my writing services; the income from this (although very small at these early stages) will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe
Today's Readings:Sir 2:1-11Ps 37:(5)3-4,18-19,27-28,39-40 Mark 9:30-37http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/022409.shtmlAudio: http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_02_24.mp3
Is your love for God tried and true?
Have you experienced trials that challenge your faithfulness to God? Of course you have! It's very normal. As today's first reading says, when we serve the Lord, we should prepare for trials. Why? Because we're making a difference in the world — in people's lives — but not everyone wants to accept this change, so our efforts cause persecution, rejection, and other opportunities for us to practice what we profess.
This point was driven home to me one day when I tried to minister to a woman in church who was shutting herself off from the community. It's not so much her rejection of my outreach that challenged me, but my reaction to her judgmentalism. While I was still angry, God put me in the path of someone else who was angry, which challenged me to recognize my own unforgiveness.
The trials of this world expose us. Are we judgmental about those who are judgmental? Are we unforgiving toward those who are unforgiving? Are we unloving to those who don't love us? Are we unkind to those who are unkind?
Having our sins exposed by the sins of others can be the most important trials of our lives! These are what stretch us, but only if we accept the challenge to grow. These are what purify us, like gold tested in fire, so that we are strengthened in holiness. These are what help us become faithful to the Lord whom we claim to love.
Are we truly sincere of heart and steadfast in our love for God? Times of adversity reveal the answer. It's okay to be sorrowful during hardships, but do we trust God enough to wait on him with patience? Do we cling to him instead of trying to solve problems with short-cuts and retaliation? Do we place whatever befalls us into the context of our love relationship with God, who assures us (see Romans 8:28) that he is going to turn everything into a blessing for us?
A solid relationship with God enables us to trust in his mercy and compassion, even while we cry on his shoulder and moan to him about not understanding why he's taking so long to relieve our sufferings.
In a solid relationship with God, we're not discouraged by what we see during the trial, because we remain certain that God is doing something wonderful that we cannot yet see.
In a solid relationship with God, understanding comes not in our minds but in our hearts, where love, not brain-power, helps us realize the help that he is giving.
Our love for God is not solid, however, until it's been purified and strengthened by testing.
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue...
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is my employment through which I provide my writing services; the income from this (although very small at these early stages) will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe
Sunday, February 22, 2009
The power of a prayerful life
Good News ReflectionMonday of the 7th Week in Ordinary TimeFebruary 23, 2009
Today's Memorial: Saint Polycarphttp://wordbytes.org/saints/DailyPrayers/Polycarp.htm
Today's Readings:Sir 1:1-10 Ps 93:1-2, 5Mark 9:14-29http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/022309.shtmlAudio: http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_02_23.mp3
The power of a prayerful life
In today's Gospel passage, the disciples have failed in ministry, and the father of the possessed boy is wondering if Jesus can grant his request. Both situations are good examples of why our own faith wavers.
Like the disciples, we see failures as reason to doubt our ability to do the works of God. Like the father, we wonder if God really has enough power or enough compassion or even enough time to notice us to answer our prayers.
In the father's response to Jesus, why did he say "if"? How often do we pray with an "if" attitude? Can Jesus help us whenever we ask him to? Of course he can, if what we seek is within God's will. Ahh, but there's another "if"! So let's turn the "if" onto ourselves. IF we know God, we know his will (it's clearly explained in the scriptures and Church teachings) and we only want what he wants. Right?
Do we doubt Christ's compassion? Do we think he's not kind and caring enough to answer our prayers? Of course he is: God is Love, and no matter how undeserving we are, he is good to us. It's impossible for him to be uncaring. Even his discipline is good for us, although we might not think so at the time. Therefore, whenever we pray, we should say to him: "Thank you for being so good to me. I do believe; help me to overcome any unbelief that's still within me."
Whenever the "IF" word shows up in our prayers, we should ask ourselves why. Are we focused on the evidence of potential disaster or on the goodness of God? If our eyes are not on Jesus and all the good that he's already done for us, our prayers will be answered in unexpected ways and we won't realize what he's done. We'll miss his solutions to our problems!
Understand what Jesus meant by: "This kind of spirit you can only drive out by prayer." Surely the disciples had prayed as they tried to cast out the demon. Even a simple "Get out!" with the authority given to us by Jesus is a genuine prayer. What did the disciples do wrong?
Our prayers are merely noise if we're disbelieving that God truly cares. To prevent wavering between belief and unbelief, our prayers must be more than words. Our prayers need to be a way of life.
We cannot spend a few minutes a day talking to God and then expect to feel his presence when a crisis hits. We have to remain consciously aware, moment by moment, of his constant love, his constant nearness, his constant guidance.
True prayer is a life lived connected to Jesus, imitating Jesus, and being the presence of Jesus for others. In a lifestyle of prayer, our hearts are constantly turning to God, even while our thoughts are busy with the tasks of the day.
To develop this lifestyle, pray each day: "Jesus, I do believe that you care about me; help me to keep my eyes on you."
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue...
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is my employment through which I provide my writing services; the income from this (although very small at these early stages) will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
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Today's Memorial: Saint Polycarphttp://wordbytes.org/saints/DailyPrayers/Polycarp.htm
Today's Readings:Sir 1:1-10 Ps 93:1-2, 5Mark 9:14-29http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/022309.shtmlAudio: http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_02_23.mp3
The power of a prayerful life
In today's Gospel passage, the disciples have failed in ministry, and the father of the possessed boy is wondering if Jesus can grant his request. Both situations are good examples of why our own faith wavers.
Like the disciples, we see failures as reason to doubt our ability to do the works of God. Like the father, we wonder if God really has enough power or enough compassion or even enough time to notice us to answer our prayers.
In the father's response to Jesus, why did he say "if"? How often do we pray with an "if" attitude? Can Jesus help us whenever we ask him to? Of course he can, if what we seek is within God's will. Ahh, but there's another "if"! So let's turn the "if" onto ourselves. IF we know God, we know his will (it's clearly explained in the scriptures and Church teachings) and we only want what he wants. Right?
Do we doubt Christ's compassion? Do we think he's not kind and caring enough to answer our prayers? Of course he is: God is Love, and no matter how undeserving we are, he is good to us. It's impossible for him to be uncaring. Even his discipline is good for us, although we might not think so at the time. Therefore, whenever we pray, we should say to him: "Thank you for being so good to me. I do believe; help me to overcome any unbelief that's still within me."
Whenever the "IF" word shows up in our prayers, we should ask ourselves why. Are we focused on the evidence of potential disaster or on the goodness of God? If our eyes are not on Jesus and all the good that he's already done for us, our prayers will be answered in unexpected ways and we won't realize what he's done. We'll miss his solutions to our problems!
Understand what Jesus meant by: "This kind of spirit you can only drive out by prayer." Surely the disciples had prayed as they tried to cast out the demon. Even a simple "Get out!" with the authority given to us by Jesus is a genuine prayer. What did the disciples do wrong?
Our prayers are merely noise if we're disbelieving that God truly cares. To prevent wavering between belief and unbelief, our prayers must be more than words. Our prayers need to be a way of life.
We cannot spend a few minutes a day talking to God and then expect to feel his presence when a crisis hits. We have to remain consciously aware, moment by moment, of his constant love, his constant nearness, his constant guidance.
True prayer is a life lived connected to Jesus, imitating Jesus, and being the presence of Jesus for others. In a lifestyle of prayer, our hearts are constantly turning to God, even while our thoughts are busy with the tasks of the day.
To develop this lifestyle, pray each day: "Jesus, I do believe that you care about me; help me to keep my eyes on you."
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue...
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is my employment through which I provide my writing services; the income from this (although very small at these early stages) will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
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Friday, February 20, 2009
High on a tower or a cross
Good News ReflectionFriday of the 6th Week in Ordinary TimeFebruary 20, 2009
Today's Readings:Gen 11:1-9Ps 33:10-15Mark 8:34--9:1http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/022009.shtmlAudio: http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_02_20.mp3
High on a tower or a cross
In wanting to feel closer to God, we try different ways of reaching him. When it seems our prayers are not being answered, we bargain with him ("God, if I go to Mass every day, maybe then you'll do something about my request") or we increase our prayers by adding in novenas or by invoking saints. While there's nothing wrong with this of course, our motives need to be examined: Are we really trusting God? Or are we trying to manipulate him?
To feel successful in our spiritual lives, we seek spiritual highs. We want to feel more loved and more cared about. We want to feel so important to God that he'll grant us miracles. But if we don't feel his concern on an emotional level, we assume that he's not yet doing enough to make us happy, and we think that the solution is to "build up" our faith, hoping this will get us closer to the joys of heaven.
The people in today's first reading wanted that same emotional-spiritual high. To get it, they tried to reach heaven by building the tallest tower that their engineers could conceive. They defined spiritual success as fame, i.e., making a name for themselves that the rest of the world would notice. They thought they could feel heavenly by working together to build a towering accomplishment.
Was their motive really to get closer to God? Literally, yes, but spiritually, no, because they were not seeking an improved relationship with the Lord. They wanted to reach heaven by their own efforts. This motive was very arrogant.
Contrast this to what Jesus says in today's Gospel passage. We reach heaven by following in Jesus' footsteps. And where did he climb? Not up a tower. He climbed onto a cross. He built the Kingdom of God in the humility of self-sacrifice and a willingness to suffer for the sake of others.
It doesn't make sense. And we surely don't like it. But it's true: Our greatest accomplishments don't come from reaching personal heights of success and fame; they happen when we build up other people.
We are at our best when we give love sacrificially. We reach God when we walk on lowly ground to reach those who need help. We experience our biggest spiritual highs when we join Jesus on the cross, which means embracing our hardships as opportunities for serving others, because that's the only way to a glorious resurrection.
What cross are you nailed to? What hardship have you been forced into? Now here's the most important question, the one that raises us up in resurrection: How can this cross benefit the Kingdom of God?
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue...
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is my employment through which I provide my writing services; the income from this (although very small at these early stages) will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe
Today's Readings:Gen 11:1-9Ps 33:10-15Mark 8:34--9:1http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/022009.shtmlAudio: http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_02_20.mp3
High on a tower or a cross
In wanting to feel closer to God, we try different ways of reaching him. When it seems our prayers are not being answered, we bargain with him ("God, if I go to Mass every day, maybe then you'll do something about my request") or we increase our prayers by adding in novenas or by invoking saints. While there's nothing wrong with this of course, our motives need to be examined: Are we really trusting God? Or are we trying to manipulate him?
To feel successful in our spiritual lives, we seek spiritual highs. We want to feel more loved and more cared about. We want to feel so important to God that he'll grant us miracles. But if we don't feel his concern on an emotional level, we assume that he's not yet doing enough to make us happy, and we think that the solution is to "build up" our faith, hoping this will get us closer to the joys of heaven.
The people in today's first reading wanted that same emotional-spiritual high. To get it, they tried to reach heaven by building the tallest tower that their engineers could conceive. They defined spiritual success as fame, i.e., making a name for themselves that the rest of the world would notice. They thought they could feel heavenly by working together to build a towering accomplishment.
Was their motive really to get closer to God? Literally, yes, but spiritually, no, because they were not seeking an improved relationship with the Lord. They wanted to reach heaven by their own efforts. This motive was very arrogant.
Contrast this to what Jesus says in today's Gospel passage. We reach heaven by following in Jesus' footsteps. And where did he climb? Not up a tower. He climbed onto a cross. He built the Kingdom of God in the humility of self-sacrifice and a willingness to suffer for the sake of others.
It doesn't make sense. And we surely don't like it. But it's true: Our greatest accomplishments don't come from reaching personal heights of success and fame; they happen when we build up other people.
We are at our best when we give love sacrificially. We reach God when we walk on lowly ground to reach those who need help. We experience our biggest spiritual highs when we join Jesus on the cross, which means embracing our hardships as opportunities for serving others, because that's the only way to a glorious resurrection.
What cross are you nailed to? What hardship have you been forced into? Now here's the most important question, the one that raises us up in resurrection: How can this cross benefit the Kingdom of God?
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue...
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is my employment through which I provide my writing services; the income from this (although very small at these early stages) will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe
Thursday, February 19, 2009
What's your personal rainbow?
Good News ReflectionThursday of the 6th Week in Ordinary TimeFebruary 19, 2009
Today's Readings:Gen 9:1-13Ps 102:16-23, 29Mark 8:27-33http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/021909.shtmlAudio:http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_02_19.mp3
What's your personal rainbow?
In today's first reading, God renews with Noah the covenant that he had made with Adam and Eve. Notice the change, though: He replaced the commandment about not eating from the Tree of Knowledge with a commandment about not eating animal flesh that still has "its lifeblood" in it. This will be further renewed when he makes the covenant of Moses.
God is still renewing covenants today. When we sin, we turn away from God, but he's always eager to restore the relationship. Since things can never be the same again, thanks to damage caused by our sins, we need a new, enhanced covenant.
For example, years ago when a friend betrayed me, I was filled with resentment and wanted to drive him out of my life. However, God wanted me to obey the Christian commandment about loving our enemies. So, I wanted to know: "If there's no indication that this fellow is going to overcome the problems that are harming our relationship, why stay in this mess? It's hopeless!"
Then one day, as my husband and I were driving to a store, God showed us a rainbow. I said to Ralph, "Oh goodie, look at that. A rainbow. God is telling us not to give up. R-i-i-i-ight." We turned the car in a different direction and there in front of us was another rainbow.
"Okay, I get it!"
The rainbow became a symbol of my new, enhanced covenant with the Lord. By relying on his supernatural love, I could love the troublesome friend unconditionally, even while the relationship continued to disintegrate. I could keep trying to help him until God, instead of my resentment, told me to stop. And he did, a few years later, at which time I was able say good-bye in a spirit of forgiveness, knowing that God would try to help him some other way now.
God is sovereign. His plans always succeed, but sometimes people interrupt Plan A, and so he comes up with Plan B. That's what happened in the Garden of Eden. Plan A was a holy life in paradise. Noah's Ark was part of Plan B, but that didn't keep us holy either. Eventually, God gave us Plan J (Jesus). The new covenant is to love as Jesus loves.
Who do you say Jesus is? This is the question in today's Gospel passage. Is he truly your Lord and Savior — in EVERYthing? With EVERYONE? If not, this is where a renewed covenant is needed.
We restore our relationship with God in the ark of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Because it's a sacrament, Jesus is truly present there, in the form of a priest, to give us a new rainbow, i.e., the promise of his supernatural help to love and live in holiness.
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue...
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is my employment through which I provide my writing services; the income from this (although very small at these early stages) will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe
Today's Readings:Gen 9:1-13Ps 102:16-23, 29Mark 8:27-33http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/021909.shtmlAudio:http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_02_19.mp3
What's your personal rainbow?
In today's first reading, God renews with Noah the covenant that he had made with Adam and Eve. Notice the change, though: He replaced the commandment about not eating from the Tree of Knowledge with a commandment about not eating animal flesh that still has "its lifeblood" in it. This will be further renewed when he makes the covenant of Moses.
God is still renewing covenants today. When we sin, we turn away from God, but he's always eager to restore the relationship. Since things can never be the same again, thanks to damage caused by our sins, we need a new, enhanced covenant.
For example, years ago when a friend betrayed me, I was filled with resentment and wanted to drive him out of my life. However, God wanted me to obey the Christian commandment about loving our enemies. So, I wanted to know: "If there's no indication that this fellow is going to overcome the problems that are harming our relationship, why stay in this mess? It's hopeless!"
Then one day, as my husband and I were driving to a store, God showed us a rainbow. I said to Ralph, "Oh goodie, look at that. A rainbow. God is telling us not to give up. R-i-i-i-ight." We turned the car in a different direction and there in front of us was another rainbow.
"Okay, I get it!"
The rainbow became a symbol of my new, enhanced covenant with the Lord. By relying on his supernatural love, I could love the troublesome friend unconditionally, even while the relationship continued to disintegrate. I could keep trying to help him until God, instead of my resentment, told me to stop. And he did, a few years later, at which time I was able say good-bye in a spirit of forgiveness, knowing that God would try to help him some other way now.
God is sovereign. His plans always succeed, but sometimes people interrupt Plan A, and so he comes up with Plan B. That's what happened in the Garden of Eden. Plan A was a holy life in paradise. Noah's Ark was part of Plan B, but that didn't keep us holy either. Eventually, God gave us Plan J (Jesus). The new covenant is to love as Jesus loves.
Who do you say Jesus is? This is the question in today's Gospel passage. Is he truly your Lord and Savior — in EVERYthing? With EVERYONE? If not, this is where a renewed covenant is needed.
We restore our relationship with God in the ark of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Because it's a sacrament, Jesus is truly present there, in the form of a priest, to give us a new rainbow, i.e., the promise of his supernatural help to love and live in holiness.
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue...
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is my employment through which I provide my writing services; the income from this (although very small at these early stages) will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Who is influencing your faith?
Good News ReflectionWednesday of the 7th Week in Ordinary TimeFebruary 18, 2009
Today's Saint: Bernadette of Lourdeshttp://wordbytes.org/saints/DailyPrayers/Bernadette.htm
Today's Readings:Gen 8:6-13, 20-22Ps 116:(17a)12-15,18-19Mark 8:22-26http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/021809.shtmlAudio: http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_02_18.mp3
Who is influencing your faith?
Why did Jesus, in today's Gospel story, lead the blind man outside the village to heal him? And why did he warn him not to go back into the village?
I think a clue to the answer is in how long it took him to receive his healing. Jesus gave him vision, but he only received it partially; Jesus had to pray for him a second time.
Have you ever "seen" something new, some new insight or answered prayer, which helped you grow in faith, but when you told others about it, their skepticism made you doubt it? We have to protect our minds from anything that hampers our belief in God's love and his compassionate help.
When we share our good news, if it's not accepted, it's better to "leave that village" or at least change the subject. This is not anti-evangelization; we are not failing to be the witnesses that Christ commissioned us to be when we were baptized.
The blind man was probably too easily influenced by the doubts of the people around him. If he had trouble believing that a miracle would actually happen to him, it's no wonder his healing came slowly. Jesus dealt with this by taking him by the hand and giving him private attention. Had Jesus prayed for him in front of the townsfolk, the man might have focused on them and their opinions, rather than on Jesus.
We need to be selective about the people we listen to and spend time with. In the business world, those most likely to succeed are people who make friends with those who are already successful. Psychological studies have shown that by surroundings ourselves with happy, upbeat people, our spirits are uplifted, and that we when we're constantly with people who are depressed and pessimistic, we become like them. In Christianity, spending time with others who are strong in the faith will help us grow in the faith.
For this reason, it's very important that whenever our churches offer parish retreats and other faith-building events, we should make it a top priority to attend — and stay afterwards for the refreshments to socialize with others. We should also join Small Christian Communities to gain more faith-filled friendships.
When we spend time being influenced by truly Christian people and truly Christ-like attitudes, we open our hearts to the truth, the healings, and the answers to our prayers that we need. As we grow stronger in faith, we become the successful witnesses that Christ commissioned us to be. Then, the time and compassion we give to others will open their hearts for the truth and the miracles that Jesus wants to give to them.
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue...
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is my employment through which I provide my writing services; the income from this (although very small at these early stages) will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe
Today's Saint: Bernadette of Lourdeshttp://wordbytes.org/saints/DailyPrayers/Bernadette.htm
Today's Readings:Gen 8:6-13, 20-22Ps 116:(17a)12-15,18-19Mark 8:22-26http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/021809.shtmlAudio: http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_02_18.mp3
Who is influencing your faith?
Why did Jesus, in today's Gospel story, lead the blind man outside the village to heal him? And why did he warn him not to go back into the village?
I think a clue to the answer is in how long it took him to receive his healing. Jesus gave him vision, but he only received it partially; Jesus had to pray for him a second time.
Have you ever "seen" something new, some new insight or answered prayer, which helped you grow in faith, but when you told others about it, their skepticism made you doubt it? We have to protect our minds from anything that hampers our belief in God's love and his compassionate help.
When we share our good news, if it's not accepted, it's better to "leave that village" or at least change the subject. This is not anti-evangelization; we are not failing to be the witnesses that Christ commissioned us to be when we were baptized.
The blind man was probably too easily influenced by the doubts of the people around him. If he had trouble believing that a miracle would actually happen to him, it's no wonder his healing came slowly. Jesus dealt with this by taking him by the hand and giving him private attention. Had Jesus prayed for him in front of the townsfolk, the man might have focused on them and their opinions, rather than on Jesus.
We need to be selective about the people we listen to and spend time with. In the business world, those most likely to succeed are people who make friends with those who are already successful. Psychological studies have shown that by surroundings ourselves with happy, upbeat people, our spirits are uplifted, and that we when we're constantly with people who are depressed and pessimistic, we become like them. In Christianity, spending time with others who are strong in the faith will help us grow in the faith.
For this reason, it's very important that whenever our churches offer parish retreats and other faith-building events, we should make it a top priority to attend — and stay afterwards for the refreshments to socialize with others. We should also join Small Christian Communities to gain more faith-filled friendships.
When we spend time being influenced by truly Christian people and truly Christ-like attitudes, we open our hearts to the truth, the healings, and the answers to our prayers that we need. As we grow stronger in faith, we become the successful witnesses that Christ commissioned us to be. Then, the time and compassion we give to others will open their hearts for the truth and the miracles that Jesus wants to give to them.
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue...
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is my employment through which I provide my writing services; the income from this (although very small at these early stages) will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe
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