Thursday, March 25, 2010

My brother Greg's wife, Sherry Mathews, entered eternity last night after a rough last few months battling cancer. My brother and their 2 sons (ages 18 and 16) were with her as she received Last Rites and passed into eternity. Sherry received the Sacraments and became a member of the Catholic Church during the last month.

This is a very tough time for our entire family, but their faith is strong and they have been supported by the thoughts, prayers and assistance of innumerable people.

As we help my brother with this transition, I am planning a trip with my oldest son next week (the son who will be going off to college this fall).

So, a lot of change going on this week. I am going to take the week to spend with my family. I will return to the blog after Easter.

Wishing everyone a Blessed Holy Week!

Will be back after Easter!

God Bless You Abundantly!

Jeff

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

1 Corinthians 1:8-9

8He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.

What strikes me most today

Faith, fidelity, and fellowship. At the present time, I have several family and friends who are having to deal with loved ones who are ill. I have been so touched by the faithfulness, fidelity, and fellowship that they give so unselfishly to their loved ones. My brother Greg whose wife Sherry just moved to the De Greeff Hospice House - watching Greg and their two sons be with their mom in her last days is an incredible witness of perseverance in our relationships - being with those we love to the end, no matter how difficult.

My friend Tracy who is right at her sisters side as her sister battles brain cancer.

My friends Kathy and Becky who are right at their mom's hospital bedside, being with her and advocating for her.

All these people give all to their family member, asking for nothing in return but prayers for the one they love! What an awesome witness of faith, fidelity, and fellowship for me!

Please pray for Sherry, for Tracy's sister, and for Kathy and Becky's mom, and especially for all those who are sick but alone - not having such strong family support in their illnesses.

What strikes you most today?

Click on "COMMENTS" below to share your thoughts - or anyone else to add to our list of people to pray for!

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

1 Corinthians 1:4-5

4I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. 5For in him you have been enriched in every way—in all your speaking and in all your knowledge.

What strikes me most today

Thanking God for others. St. Paul continues to place a great emphasis on good friendships, even as we start 1 Corinthians. It stresses to me again how important good friendships are, and it's a good excuse (for those of you who told me you liked my last college yearbook picture) to find another one. I thought you might like this one when I thought I'd grow a beard my first year of college - it came off my first trip back to St. Louis when my Aunt Loretta told me it was cute - it reminded her of "Bluto from the Popeye cartoon."

(Not that I'm overly sensitive... but I've never grown it back since!)

What strikes you most today?

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Monday, March 22, 2010

Romans 16:17-18

17I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. 18For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites.

What strikes me most today

I love this picture of Blessed Alberione with a good friend. Today's passage speaks of the importance of good friends. Blessed James had many who disliked him - because he cared about them and their eternal salvation, and he was not afraid to steer them toward virtue and away from sin. In reading about his life, Blessed Alberione talks about his first time in the seminary, when "friends" were giving him "bad books" to read, because they were reading these books that approved of and apparently glorified sinful behavior. He saw the toxic effects this could have.

As Blessed Alberione learned, it is so easy to fall into sinful habits. We must be vigilant about fostering friendships - but they must be with people who love us enough to want our eternal salvation as much as we want it for ourselves - so we can help one another along the way.

Such friends are one of the greatest gifts God can give us in this life!

What strikes you most today?

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Sunday, March 21, 2010

Romans 15:13

13May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

What strikes me most today

OK. so I'm searching for God and trying to trust in Him alone - so why am I not filled with all joy and peace and overflowing with hope? The stressful days are still here!

I don't know the answer, but I know the answer has to do with me and not God. God is all good and all love - He created me out of nothing just so I could share in the love of the Blessed Trinity, in this life and in Eternity. He sacrificed His only Son for me, allowing His Son to suffer terribly and die - because of my sins -me, whom God created out of nothing; me, who adds another lash to His scourging every time I sin. And still, I know God loves me.

For me, part of the problem is trying to manage and take care of every aspect of life. My kids will tell you I try to "micromanage" their lives. But here's where the line gets gray and the stress builds. I need to be concerned about finances and financial planning for our family's future, but overly worrying doesn't help - I could worry a little less and pray a lot more - I admit it. I worry about work - my patients, tests, procedures, treatments, preventing sickness and death - but conscientiousness and thoroughness are great - but I could trust in Jesus more - He is the Divine Healer - He knows better than I what my patients need. And my children - OK, not likely I'm going to let up a lot or quit worrying about them for a while!

So the bottom line is - this is life! We get all the joys and emotions, good times and bad times, and a lot of surprises along the way - no matter how well we plan. But whatever is going on in my life, I need to try to worry less and trust in Jesus more!

What strikes you most today?

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Saturday. March 20, 2010

Daughters of St. Paul and

Pauline Cooperators in Malaysia

Romans 15:5-6

5May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, 6so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

What strikes me most today

The "spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus" made me think of the Universal nature of our Church. The picture I posted today is of Daughters of St. Paul and Pauline Cooperators in the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu.

The Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu is located in the "Land Below the Wind" - north of Borneo Island - in the Malaysian state of Sabah. In the past, Sabah was known as North Borneo. Sabah is one of the two states in East Malaysia, the other being Sarawak. They are bounded by Indonesia while Sarawak also shares a border with Brunei.

I am awe-struck when I meditate on how we share our love for Christ, our goal of "all for Christ," and our search for the Way, Truth, and Life that is the Divine Master with people in North Borneo!

God bless the Universal Church and all her members, wherever they live!

What strikes you most today?

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Friday, March 19, 2010

Romans 15:1-2

1We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.

What strikes me most today

When I read today's passage, my first thought went to my first year of college (I've been reminiscing more about this part of my life recently since my children are reaching that age!) The idea of building up our neighbor made me think of the great friends God has put in my path for this life. The friends I had in grade school, high school, college, and now have been so important in my life. My friends are one of God's greatest gifts to me. Even friends who may be smarter, better looking, funnier, friendlier, or more advanced in their faith - they almost all have helped build me up, not just putting up with my failings, but sharing their gifts and strengths to help build me into a better person. That to me is the essence of true Christian friendship - accepting one another with the realization that we all have weaknesses, sinfulness, and failings - but sharing those gifts we do possess to help each other grow in Christ.

God definitely knew what He was doing when He gave me the friends He did in this life!

(And, if you're wondering, I'm the black-haired guy in the SLUH Jr. Bills shirt - holding a soda, I'm pretty sure!)

What strikes you most today?

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Thursday, March 18, 2010

Violet and the Oompa-Loompas!

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Romans 14:17-19

17For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.

19Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.

What strikes me most today

This is one of those I need to write down for those times I am tempted to overeat. (It can take the place currently occupied by Violet Beauregarde and the Oompa-Loompas teaching about the evils of overeating - "Violet, you're turning violet!" - see the video clip above if it's not already etched in your brain)!

What strikes you most today?

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Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Romans 14:7-8

7For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone. 8If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.

What strikes me most today

I like this poster of the lonely grains of wheat - they may fall to the ground to grow into more new wheat plants, or they may be used for bread or cereal or even the Body of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. As long as they are used for some purpose useful to God's created world, they are the Lord's.

How much more awesome are the lives with which God has gifted each one of us. Who knows what God has planned for me today or tomorrow, but if I belong to the Lord, all will be OK!

(Sure, some days I may feel like I'm a piece of wheat going through a flour mill, but in the end, Jesus' Divine Mercy will prevail).

"Jesus, I Trust in You!"

What strikes you most today?

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Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Romans 13:14

"Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature."

What strikes me most today

Now that I'm getting to know St. Paul better, I know that when he says "clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ," he is not talking about wearing a Christ T-shirt (though I have to admit I really like this orange one!) St. Paul is still talking about "no longer I, but Christ lives in me." One of the keys is avoiding sin and the near occasion of sin - anything that takes up space in us that could be occupied by the Divine Master.

So, that means trying to avoid lustful thoughts and temptations (like someone suggested to me - any website I go to, imagine the BVM is looking over my shoulder and imagine her reaction to the website we're looking at - think about it - it works!)

It also has to do with trusting in the Lord. I shouldn't be preoccupied with thinking about "things" - like nice "things" to eat, drink, buy, wear, etc.

For myself, I even find myself worrying a lot about bills (mortgages, tuitions, car payments, insurance payments,... - OK , I gotta stop, I just started worrying more). These are necessary, but when I worry too much about them, I feel like I leave less room for Christ. I need a better balance in my life - less worry, more trust in Christ, and I know if I live a life of moderation and trust in Christ, all will be God's glory in this life and the next!

What strikes you most today?

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Monday, March 15, 2010

Romans 13:12-13

12The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

13Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy.

What strikes me most today

the image of light and darkness. Jesus is the light of the world. I especially like the image today because the light comes through the crown of thorns. After all Christ suffered willingly for my sins, I don't want to keep turning toward the sins for which I should be condemned. Rather, I need to "lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light." From reading today's words, I realize that St. Paul realized what struggles we all go through every day - a non-sinner can't understand and write like that, and what a comfort to know that a great Saint like St. Paul completely understands! It makes me glad I named this blog "Love of St. Paul!"

St. Paul, Pray for Us!

What strikes you most today?

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Sunday, March 14, 2010

The Ten Commandments Trailer (1956)

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Romans 12:8-10

"Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law."

What strikes me most today

I can't help but being a child of movies and modern media - every time I think of The Ten Commandments, I think of Cecil B. DeMille! A 1956 movie trailer is above (even just the trailer still gives me chills!)

What strikes you most today?

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Saturday, March 13, 2010

Romans 13:1

"Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God."

What strikes me most today

All authority on earth has been given by God. Even those who condemned Jesus only had power because God allowed them to have it.

I especially thought of the unbroken line of Popes the Catholic Church has had. We actually have the written record of Christ bestowing the authority on St. Peter - the authority that has been passed down to Pope Benedict XVI today. Above is a picture of Pope John XXIII - A Life magazine photo of the Holy Father kneeling in prayer - I like this picture because he looks like he is well aware that his authority is only from God!

What strikes you most today?

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Friday, March 12, 2010

Entertaining Angels - Paulist Picture starring Moira Kelly

Friday, March 12, 2010

Romans 12:21

"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

What strikes me most today

Romans 12:21 was one of Dorothy Day's favorite quotes. Above is a clip from the Paulist Pictures production of her life story starring Moira Kelly. It is one of my all-time favorite movies, and I learned a great deal about a New York city woman who may one day be canonized!

What strikes you most today?

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Thursday, March 11, 2010

Archbishop Dolan

Another Great Chief Shepherd for the Catholic Church!

Romans 12:15-17

15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.

What strikes me most today

This is one of those where a picture is worth a thousand words.

Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York (originally from St. Louis)

lives the Gospel and exemplifies Holy Scripture, especially today's passage!

What strikes you most today?

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Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Romans 12:11-12

11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

What strikes me most today

Boredom. What a strange problem. I think how busy we all are in our daily lives, but boredom still strikes. We can't wait for a free minute - but at times we still feel bored. I sometimes feel like what I sense in myself and others as boredom is a longing for "something." We may feel like we want an exciting activity, like talking (gossiping about the bad aspects of others to make myself think I'm not quite as bad), eating until I can't eat anymore, or drinking until I feel more lighthearted/less stressed.

I think that "something" we are longing for is God, and we are bound to be restless (and maybe even a little bored) until we rest in Him (to paraphrase St. Augustine).

That is why none of these things satisfies us - at least not for very long.

That is why at the times we feel the greatest longing for God, we often mistakenly turn toward temporary earthly substitutes - which in the long run draw us farther from God if we continue to pursue them.

I am finding my best solution is not to DO anything, but just to BE in His presence.

What strikes you most today?

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Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Romans 12:9-10

Love

"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves."

What strikes me most today

Today's passage reminded me of time our family spent in Canada this summer - we rented a van and drove from Nova Scotia to Quebec to Toronto to Niagara Falls. We had a blast! One of the secrets - NO CELL PHONES! We were worried about international charges, so we didn't call or text the whole time. We talked, laughed, told stories, told corny jokes, and played cards and other games. We clung to one another; we were devoted to one another in family love. This picture of all of us the day we got drenched at Niagara Falls reminds me how important my family is and to "honor one another" above myself!

What strikes you most today?

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We Are Many Parts

Monday, March 8, 2010

Romans 12:4-5

"Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others."



What strikes me most today



One of my favorite songs proclaims "we are many parts, we are all one body." I especially like the line, "and the gifts we have, we are given to share."
I found this short clip of the song on YouTube - even neater sung with an Australian accent!

What strikes you most today?
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Sunday, March 7, 2010

Sr. Maria Prema

Superior General of the Missionaries of Charity

Romans 12:3

"For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you."

What strikes me most today

Keeping with the theme of medical missions, Dr. Ed Gamboa is a Pauline Cooperator currently on a medical mission to Haiti. In his update today, I got a picture of truly humble people - reminding me of today's passage from Romans 12:3.

"Raining all day but truly a wonderful privilege for me and Lucie to have met Sr. Maria Prema, Superior General of the Missionaries of Charity and Fr. Tom Hagen, Founder of Helping Hands after Mass this morning celebrated by Papal Nuncio Bernardito Auza at MC House in Port-au-Prince.
Mea culpa! Did not realize she was Blessed Mother Teresa's successor until much later -- that's how truly humble she is! The other day, I was kneeling next to her and she handed me her hymn book -- and I was clueless."

What a great example of humility - and as pride is the first sin, humility is the first virtue!

What strikes you most today?
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Saturday, March 6, 2010

Romans 12:2

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

What strikes me most today

A group of medical professionals left from Lambert Airport this morning to volunteer a week of their vacation time to bring medical care to an underserved area in Honduras. They not only sacrifice their vacation time, they pay for their own flights to get there, and they work throughout the year to solicit donations of medical supplies, and often use their own money to purchase supplies they know they will need. These people should be in a Nike commercial - they don't just think about medical missionary work or support it or admire it - they "Just Do It!"
Reading today's Bible passage from Romans 12:2, it reminds me of these medical missionaries. The world is lucky that they don't just conform to the world; they step in to make the world a better place. The renewing of their mind tells them they can make a difference, and God calls us all to make a difference in the lives of others - using the time, talents, and treasures we have received from Him. These medical missionaries are an example to us all of how wonderful our world can be when we follow God's "good, pleasing, and perfect will."
Let us support these medical missionaries by praying for nine days a novena to St. Therese of Lisieux, patroness of missions. You can hear the daily novena prayers by clicking on the AudioBoo button under "Audio Prayers" at the top of the green box on the top right of the blog.

What strikes you most today?
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Friday, March 5, 2010

Romans 12:1

1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.

What strikes me most today

OK, another personal meaning of what this one means to me at this moment. I'm on call for the hospital this week. Some nights I go home and may get called in at 1 or 2 in the morning, or occasionally may be up all night - never know. But whatever happens, I need to quit feeling sorry for myself. When I'm up during the night, someone is sick and needs help. Maybe it's times like this, and times that we are up with sick children or sick or lonely parents or other adults, maybe these are the "living sacrifices" of our bodies we can offer one another while we are here on earth. Moms who give birth make tremendous "living sacrifices," but I see how lovingly and willingly they do so, during and after pregnancy. So instead of groaning when my pager goes off at 2 a.m., I'll try to remind myself that Romans 12:1 says this is a "spiritual act of worship."

What strikes you most today?
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Thursday, March 4, 2010

Romans 11:32

32For God has bound all men over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.

What strikes me most today

"Mercy!" I actually feel reassured reading this line from Romans. I really tried to not eat between meals during Lent. My excuse is that my week on Call has been stressful and I have eaten between meals several times. Now it's easy to do every day now that I started. But I'd like to go back to keeping my Lenten sacrifice - so I trust in God's mercy to help me. And it's reassuring that if He can do it for me with the small things, He can do it with bigger things, too, especially the Mercy I hope for at my Judgment! Jesus, I Trust in You!

What strikes you most today?

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A Prayer to Be Freed From the Seven Deadly Sins

A Prayer to Be Freed From the Seven Deadly Sins

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Romans 10:17

"Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ."

What strikes me most today

Another timely passage. This evening my wife and I took my son to his first "SLUH Class of 2014" mass. It was awesome - one of those moments where I look at my son and wonder how he got so old so fast! The homilist and the speakers were great. They talked about academic challenges and opportunities to participate in artistic endeavors and social justice ministries and volunteer opportunities, etc. But they made a point to remind the students and parents that the one thing that mattered most was focusing on the Truth that all the positives they would encounter and the entire purpose for having Jesuit Education boiled down to one thing: The Person of Jesus Christ! The person of Jesus IS our Faith! The reality of Jesus being the Way and the Truth and the Life could not be more clear to the faculty and staff at SLUH, and they are determined to pass that truth on to the students.

So this evening the students and parents of the "SLUH Class of 2014" learned Romans 10:17 - "Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ."

What strikes you most today?

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Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Romans 10:11

11As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in Him will never be put to shame."

What strikes me most today

the word "shame." I hope I'm never ashamed to show the world my love for Jesus. I trust in Him with all my heart and soul. If I offend others by wearing a t-shirt like this one --- better them than Jesus, the Divine Master!

What strikes you most today?

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