Monday, February 1, 2010

Romans 6:12-14

¹²Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. ¹³Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. ¹⁴For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.

What strikes me most today

Sin can be so hard to say no to. We know that, whatever sins we are prone to, can be difficult to overcome. One of the hardest for me is eating, or rather, overeating. Gluttony is a sin, and I know that. But often I eat more than I need to, more than I should, or I eat to relieve stress. One of the many reasons this is bad is that I am letting sin master my body and soul rather than the other way around. And when I overeat, it is ultimately bad for me as the person God created me to be - body and soul. It distorts my body and soul over time. It defiles the body that houses our souls and the Holy Spirit. The momentary "freedom" I think I feel when I "pig out" is soon replaced by guilt and feeling "like a pig" - not the image and likeness of God in which He created me. I don't want sin to be my master - rather I choose Jesus, the Divine Master, Way, Truth, and Life - now and for eternity!

What strikes you most today?

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Sunday, January 31, 2010

¹¹In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

What strikes me most today

This quote from Romans helps me realize that even when eating too much, drinking too much, talking about other people, etc. don't sound "that bad," they lead to death. Instead, we can use our energies serving Jesus, which will lead us to life in God! Not easy, but worth it! Even when we're not great at it, I have to think God appreciates the effort!

What strikes you most today?

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Saturday, January 30, 2009

Romans 6:8

⁸Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.

What strikes me most today

Today's picture says it all for me!

What strikes you most today?

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Friday, January 29, 2010

Romans 6:6

⁶For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.

What strikes me most today

This passage means a lot to me. It tells me that it is our earthly body that is crucified with Jesus, so that our eternal body is not held back from eternal joy in Heaven. If we are slaves to sin, we cannot give ourselves fully to Christ. And if we allow sin to dwell within us, we distort the image of God that He made us in, and prevents us from achieving St. Paul's description of "no longer I live, but Christ lives in me." (Gal 2:20) It is so hard to live this, but such an important goal for us to aim for. If we can reject sin, we free ourselves from the slavery that can separate us from God.

What strikes you most today?

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Thursday, January 28, 2010

Romans 6:3-4

³Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? ⁴We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

What strikes me most today

I have to admit it sounds strange to be "baptized into His death," but that is what we want - to imitate Jesus, the Divine Master. He is the Way (so we follow Him even to death, which is the "Way" to eternal "Life" (this is the "Truth!")

By the way, the photo above is of my grandparents, Joe and Helen Mathews, holding me at my Baptism.

What strikes you most today?

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Wednesday, January 27, 2010

St. Maria Goretti's mother, Assunta,

with Asessandro Serenelli, St. Maria's murderer

Romans 5:20-21

20Where sin increased, grace increased all the more, 21so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

What strikes me most today

"Where sin increased, grace increased all the more." This reminds me of St. Paul's own conversion. It also made me think of Alessandro Serenelli, who killed St. Maria Goretti. He later explained his earlier life of sin: "My behavior was influenced by print, mass-media and bad examples which are followed by the majority of young people without even thinking. And I did the same. I was not worried."
Over the years, and likely through the intercession of St. Maria, Alessandro had a tremendous conversion and lived a very holy life the remainder of his years on Earth. Fortunately, he was not executed, and he had time to repent before his natural death at age 80.
It sometimes doesn't seem fair that some who sin so grievously can undergo a conversion and receive the same eternal reward as someone who never killed a saint or watched others' cloaks as others stoned a saint. But realizing my own weaknesses and sinfulness, I am just glad I still have a chance that for me too "grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

What strikes you most today?
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Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Romans 5:19

¹⁹For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.

What strikes me most today

Today's quote makes me think of concupiscence. It's one of those words I didn't always fully comprehend, but the way I think of it is our inclination toward sin. Sometimes this inclination makes us think that disobedience is preferred to obedience - that righteousness is a bad thing. We even could convince ourselves of Billy Joel's line "I'd rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints; the sinners are much more fun."

The best example I have seen of concupiscence recently was in Spiderman 3 - the power the black suit gave Spiderman was so great, it was intoxicating and became all-consuming. It was so attractive and hard to resist. Sinners like me know how that can be.

But true freedom comes when we use our free will to choose the Divine Master - Jesus - the Way, the Truth, and the Life. When we overcome the effects of original sin, we lose that concupiscence - that attraction to sin. We know deep down sin separates us from God and distorts us from His image. That is why the temporary thrill or fun or temporary satisfaction we have when we sin is ultimately so unfulfilling (think of feeling sick after overeating or drinking too much and the subsequent hangover).

We are created by God for God, and as St. Augustine says, our hearts are restless until they rest in Him! It can be difficult to see this through the temptations of life; that is why Jesus and the teachings of His Church are so vitally important. Even though through the disobedience of one man (Adam) we (the many) were made sinners (sufferers of original sin), through the obedience of the other one man (Jesus), we (the many) will be made righteous (we can try to picture ourselves as the good Spiderman sacrificing for others and saving himself and others, rather than using our gifts/powers/talents for personal gain/self-gratification, leading to misery for ourselves and those we love).

What strikes you most today?

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Monday, January 25, 2010

Romans 5:18

¹⁸Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men.

What Strikes Me Most Today

The last part "brings life to all men." We were lost, condemned, without hope. Then came the man-God, Jesus Christ, the Way, the Truth and the Life. Once St. Paul experienced the person of Jesus, he knew this, and his life was never the same, nor is ours! St. Paul couldn't help but spend his life using all means he could to tell the world about the Divine Master.

On this Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul we ask: St. Paul, Pray for us!

What strikes you most today?

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Sunday, January 24, 2010

Romans 5:17

¹⁷For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.

What Strikes Me Most Today

I like the phrase "God's abundant provision of grace." It sounds to me like we are about to drown or fall to our death, but a hand comes out of nowhere to give us the gift of saving us. Like a hand coming out of the blue, we are pulled to safety. In a situation like this, we would not have earned or deserved the help we got, but someone sacrificed to save us. In this case, we are talking about eternal life, and it is "God's abundant provision of grace... through the one man, Jesus Christ" that saves us.

It also makes me think I need to remain even closer to Mary, Mediatrix of all Graces!

What strikes you most today?

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Saturday, January 23, 2010

Romans 5:15

"For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!"

What Strikes Me Most Today

"The many died by the trespass of the one man" refers to Adam. I have read Father Joseph T. Lienhard, S.J., who explains that a medieval tradition held that Calvary was also the burial site of Adam. In medieval art, the skull depicted at the foot of the Cross is not just any skull, but it is Adam's skull! It makes me look at those paintings in a whole new light with the death of humanity by our own sin, but rising above it is Jesus on the Cross, redeeming us through His sacrifice on that same Calvary. I don't know if it's true, but I appreciate the contrast!

What strikes you most today?

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Friday, January 22, 2010

Romans 5:10-11

¹⁰For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! ¹¹Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

What strikes me most today

The word reconciliation is what strikes me most today. Here's one of the many things I take for granted: When I go to Confession (or Reconciliation), I know that my relationship with God will be restored. That alone should tell me how much God loves me. It's not like I have to wait to see if He is willing to restore my relationship with Him. I know how much rejoicing in heaven there is over one repentant sinner, and how God is like the Father of the Prodigal son; He can't wait to welcome us back. I grew up knowing this. Maybe I would appreciate it more (or at least not take it so much for granted) if I were just now to learn this awesome truth of our Catholic Faith!

Another example of Jesus - the Way, the Truth, and the Life!

What strikes you most today?

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Thursday, January 21, 2010

Romans 5:8

"God proves his love for us in that while we were sinners Christ died for us."

What strikes me most today

The picture today can be disturbing, but it brings the point home that Christ did not suffer for the Saints or offer the sacrifice of His life for the sinless or perfect (if He did, I'd be in big trouble!) This picture reminds me just how much God the father loves us - He sent His only son and allowed Him to suffer and die for us "while we were sinners." This picture reminds us how Christ suffered for each of us individually to save us. What an awesome God!

What strikes you most today?

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Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Romans 5:6

"Christ, while we were still helpless, yet died at the appointed time for the ungodly."

What strikes me most today

We were helpless - that's in the PAST tense! What strikes me about this is that I often feel helpless, but I'm not. God died for my sins; he died so I have a chance of spending eternity with Him in heaven. I need to remind myself that I have Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life - that is the opposite of being helpless! I could and should do more to grow in my relationship with God - but if I don't, it is my fault for not taking advantage of Jesus' sacrifice for me when he "died at the appointed time for the ungodly." So I'll try to remind myself that I'm never helpless; I just need to accept the help God wants to give me. Part of that is avoiding sin, which separates me from the love of God.

What strikes you most today?

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Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Romans 5:5

Hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

What Strikes Me Most Today

I've had a pretty bad couple of days recently, but I'm trying to not let them get me down. Even if kids are getting into trouble and finances are tight, we have access to God in the Holy Spirit. Jesus left so he could send the Holy Spirit to us - it's up to us to access God in the person of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the love between the Father and the Son - He is the source of peace we seek in an otherwise harsh world. So when I feel stressed, disappointed, or just negative in general, I need to turn away from any sinful way to deal with stress (distractions, overeating, overdrinking, etc.), and instead seek God in the form Jesus sent to us --> the gift of the Holy Spirit.

What strikes you most today?
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Monday, January 18, 2010

Romans 5:3-4

"We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴perseverance, character; and character, hope."

What strikes me most today

With all the images of Haiti in the media these past several days, it is hard for me to read today's Scripture without thinking of the suffering of the people of Haiti. Today's quote from St. Paul reminds me that often suffering makes us focus on our ultimate dependence on God, the source of all goodness and life. No matter what, he is the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. Experiencing tragedy in our own lives, or witnessing the tragedies others are facing, we turn from the bad press and media that can waste our time, and we focus on the good of those helping and we are forced to look to God and assess our relationship with God. Ultimately, when we find God, we find hope!

What strikes you most today?

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Sunday, January 17, 2010

Romans 5:2

"We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God."

What Strikes Me Most Today

My niece was baptized today, and my wife is her Godmother. The deacon performed a beautiful Baptismal ceremony. He talked about the hope that is in each of us because of our Baptism. I later learned the deacon has been laid off his regular job for some time and is experiencing significant financial difficulties. I never would have known it; he was so focused on the hope given to us in Baptism. It was a great lesson for me about how insignificant other problems can and should be, compared to eternal joy offered to us in Baptism.

What strikes you most today? Click on "COMMENTS" below to share your thoughts.

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Romans 5

Peace and Joy

¹Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ²through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.

What Strikes Me Most Today

"We have peace through God through our Lord Jesus Christ." I often feel like I don't have much peace in my life - I worry about bills and mortgage payments, how the kids are doing and school and behaving, my relationships with others, if I'm taking the best care of my patients I can. But in my relationship with Jesus, I need to be like the little boy in the picture - enjoying time with the Lord and not worrying about all the less important aspects of my life.

What strikes you most today?

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Friday, January 15, 2010

Romans 4:24-25

"Believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. ²⁵He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification."

What strikes me most today

Abraham sacrificing his son had a happy surprise ending when the angel stopped him. The crucifixion and death of Jesus has a surprise happy ending (at least it's a surprise the first time we hear it!) What an awesome God, willing to allow His Son to suffer and die, but then raise from the dead for OUR justification!

What strikes you most today?

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Thursday, January 14, 2010

Romans 4:20-21

20Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.

What strikes me most today

OK, I like that Abraham believed that he and Sara could father a child at their advanced age, but the real faith in God comes when Abraham is willing to sacrifice his own son. It is so difficult to imagine sacrificing our own child; but it helps me grasp what God the Father allowed to happen to His Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ, for the salvation of us sinners! I am so sorry He had to, but so grateful He did!

What strikes you most today?

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Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Romans 4:17

17As it is written: "I have made you a father of many nations." He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.

What Strikes Me Most Today

"He is our father in the sight of God." The image of Abraham as an old man becoming the father of many helps me to imagine God the Father becoming an even closer Father to us through His son becoming like us, in all things but sin. I have to admit the way I picture God the Father is similar to the image in my mind I have of Abraham.

What strikes you most today?

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Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Sara and Abraham

Romans 4:13

13It was not through law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith.

What strikes me most today

Abraham's faith brought about his righteousness, but it also brought about a miracle. Sara should not have become pregnant - but through God's Blessing they did conceive. I believe miracles still happen today, but we are often afraid to believe. We want to be "realistic" and "practical." But we should never underestimate God. He is God after all, and He can do the impossible! We need to not be afraid to pray for miracles and thank God when miracles occur, rather than try to explain them away. Jesus, I trust in you!

What Strikes You Most Today?

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Romans 3:22-25

There is no difference, 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.

What strikes me most today

First of all, I am glad to hear that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," because I often feel like I'm the only one. Thank God He is still willing to redeem us through Christ Jesus. I feel guilty when I watch the movie "The Passion of the Christ" or look at the crucifix or pictures like today's, but I am so grateful He suffered and died in atonement for our sins. I am especially grateful when I think that He did this for my wife, my children, and all those I love. What an awesome God!

What strikes you most today?
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Sunday, January 10. 2010

Romans 3:21-22

21But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.

What strikes me most today

When St. Paul speaks of righteousness, he is speaking of a full and radical "Christ lives in me" type picture. What an awesome God that he allows us sinners to gain full righteousness, despite all our failings, thanks be to Christ!

What strikes you most today?

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Christmas Joy with the Daughter of Saint Paul

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Romans 2:12-18

¹²All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. ¹³For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. ¹⁴(Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, ¹⁵since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.) ¹⁶This will take place on the day when God will judge men's secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.

What strikes me most today

This passage says clearly to me that the natural law is written in the hearts of everyone. To me this shoots down moral relativism and the claim by many politicians that they must keep their religious beliefs out of law-making. If we honestly followed the truths written on our heart by our creator, what a wonderful world this would be!

What strikes you most today?

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Friday, January 8, 2010

The Resurrected Jesus in The Last Judgment

by Michaelangelo, Sistine Chapel

Romans 2:9-10

9There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 11For God does not show favoritism.

What strikes me most today

The Last Judgment is the Last Judgment.

No do-overs.

No excuses.

No "but"s.

No comparisons ("I wasn't as bad as __________.")

This is it!

Boy, do I have a lot of work to do to prepare for that day!

What strikes you most today?

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Thursday, January 7, 2010

Last Judgment, by Michaelangelo,

Sistine Chapel, the Vatican

Romans 2: 1-8

God's Righteous Judgment

1You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. 2Now we know that God's judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. 3So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgment? 4Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?
5But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. 6God "will give to each person according to what he has done." 7To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.

What strikes me most today

I know it's easy to think a "Last Judgment" is harsh, and many people want to think there won't be one, and everyone who wants to go to Heaven will get in. But if I look at it honestly, a "Last Judgment" makes sense. I heard it said before that the correlary of freedom is judgment. Since God gave us free will, it only makes sense that there would be a personal accountability for my choices and actions at the end of my life. That is why the Church, in her endless love for mankind, works so tirelessly to guide us toward Jesus, the Life, the Truth, and the Way to a Last Judgment we can live with!

What strikes you most today?
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Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Romans 1:20-32

²⁰For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

²¹For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. ²²Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools ²³and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

²⁴Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. ²⁵They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

²⁶Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. ²⁷In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.

²⁸Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. ²⁹They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, ³⁰slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; ³¹they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. ³²Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

What strikes me most today

This is the end of the first Chapter of Romans - I know it's a long quote, but it all seemed to go together and was important. It reminds me that any separation from God is a choice we make. God loves us; He wants us to love Him and be with Him for eternity - that's why He created us. It reminds me of St. Peter in Luke 5:8 after Jesus tells them to cast their nets again and they pull up a miraculous haul of fish. Peter realizes the miracle, and that being in the presence of Jesus is being in the presence of God. "When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, 'Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!'" (Lk 5:8). Notice it is not Jesus who tells Peter to go away from Him for being a sinful man - Peter is the one saying it.

When we choose to sin, we are in essence telling God to go away. Whether it is something as trivial as stretching the truth (lying), talking badly about others, overeating (gluttony), or any sin we may struggle with (and it's difficult not to struggle with sin in today's world) - we must try our best to avoid it, and when we falter (which we will since we are human), we have the gift of the Sacrament of Reconciliation to restore our relationship with God and give us the grace to persevere and try again to live the life we want to live in Jesus, the Divine Master.

What strikes you most today?

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Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Romans 1:18-19

¹⁸The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, ¹⁹since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.

What strikes me most today

Today's words of St.Paul make me think of times I have tried to rationalize what I know to be sinful behavior. I can make myself think I'm not bad because I'm not hurting anyone, but worse than that, I am redefining Who God is - that is how I "suppress the truth" of right and wrong - trying to live by my laws, not God's laws. When I sin, I am pushing God away. When I am honest with myself, God really has made it plain to me. If I am unsure, I have the Catechism and the Magisterium. Rather than redefine God the way I want Him to be, my prayer is to avoid sin, which will welcome Him into my life, rather than push Him away. This is the secret to "no longer I, but Christ lives in me." This is the Way, the Truth, and the Life for happiness in this life and for eternity - Jesus, the Divine Master. It seems such a plain, simple teaching - I just need to follow it!

What strikes you most today?

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Monday, January 4, 2010

Epistle of St. Paul to the Romans 1:16-17

The Theme of the Letter

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "But the righteous man shall live by faith."

What Strikes Me Most Today

St. Paul is telling us that the the gospel is the power of God for salvation! For me, that means it is the key for me, my family, my friends, everyone, to get into heaven (which means living in eternal joy rather than eternal torment!). I better not be ashamed of the gospel. And if I'm not ashamed of it, I better let everyone know the secret of eternal happiness - then we will all be happier in this life and the next. I'm going to make it a point to mention this to at least one person in the next 24 hours.

What strikes you most today?
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Sunday, January 3, 2010

Epistle of St. Paul to the Romans 1:8-15

Thanksgiving

8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world. 9 For God, whom I serve in my spirit in the preaching of the gospel of His Son, is my witness as to how unceasingly I make mention of you, 10 always in my prayers making request, if perhaps now at last by the will of God I may succeed in coming to you. 11 For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established; 12 that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other's faith, both yours and mine. 13 I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that often I have planned to come to you (and have been prevented so far) so that I may obtain some fruit among you also, even as among the rest of the Gentiles. 14 I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. 15 So, for my part, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.

What Strikes Me Most Today

We can see how anxious St. Paul is to visit the faithful in Rome. I can't blame him. He's been imprisoned and tortured for his faith. It'll be nice to sit and talk to a growing group of faithful, just as eager as he to live the Gospel message. It reminds me that, although St. Paul was willing to suffer for the faith, he certainly did not enjoy it. He is a human being, after all, and would certainly prefer that authorities let him preach in peace and leave him alone. On the other hand, he still knows that not everyone in Rome will be happy to see him. But, good or bad, St. Paul will not stop bringing Jesus Christ, the Way, the Truth, and the Life to every part of the world he can reach. How can you not love a guy like that?

What strikes you most today?

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Saturday, January 2, 2010

THE EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL TO THE ROMANS
CHAPTER 1
Greeting
1 Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh, 4 who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name's sake, 6 among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ; 7 to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

What Strikes Me Most Today

One of my New Year's Resolutions is to spend more time reading, studying, and praying with Sacred Scripture. I know Blessed James Alberione was greatly moved by St. Paul's Letter to the Romans, so I would like to start here. Even in this greeting at the beginning of his letter, St. Paul shows his humility in referring to himself as a servant before he identifies himself as an apostle. He immediately does what he does best - tells us about Jesus. And St. Paul knows Jesus! And before the Greeting is concluded, St. Paul lets the listener know that we are called by Christ to be saints, and wishes grace and peace from God before he starts to teach.

His words suggest that his teachings in his letters will be life-altering and vital to our salvation, and that is exactly what they are.

I will try to post words of St. Paul every day - please share any thoughts or reflections you may have, to help us all grow in our love for Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life!

What strikes you most today?

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