Proclaim the Beauty

Friends of Faith:

Proclaiming the Beauty, Goodness and Truth of Christ.

Christ lived it. Pope Francis proclaims it. Are we doing our own part to live and proclaim it?

What does our life, our marriage, our family, our speech and our choices, say about the beauty, goodness and truth of being Christian? www.thealexanderhouse.org (Proclaiming the Beauty, Goodness and Truth of Marriage)

Do you have that one large family that you admire that doesn’t seem to have a lot of “rich” ie money, but always seems to have it together by just being together, by the way they take care of each other?

I often say I give credit for many of my behaviors and attitudes to my grandparents, parents and aunts and uncles. It is because they showed me what it means to help out a neighbor, to serve within our family and community, and to forgive those who hurt us in anyway. They showed me the beauty of having Christ thru the Church in our family and in their own marriages because being together as a family in church was always an important part of our gathering together.

It was important for us to gather not just on holidays, but whenever possible. Traveling and vacation meant visiting cousins, playing cards, flying kites and Grandma’s walnut cookies and kolaches. We enjoyed just being together. And we were taught that peace and joy was found in giving instead of receiving by being active volunteers in our neighborhoods and communities.

We went to church every week as a family and often as an extended family, looking forward to the next time we would gather. Church was a priority and a central gathering place, a treasure that we looked forward to, especially when we traveled and got to visit someone else’s parish.

Have you ever tried to “hide” what is important, good or bad? Have you ever noticed that it is the church steeple that rises above other buildings in your community, and the bad news which gets all the publicity? But dark (bad) can be hidden, extinguished, by just a little light. And the beauty of Christ is that light.

Jesus said to the crowd: “No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed; rather, he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible, and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light. Take care, then, how you hear. To anyone who has, or will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he seems to have will be taken away.” Lk 8: 16-18

Light or darkness, there is no in between; for Christ or against him, there is no in between.

'The Amen, the faithful and true witness, the source of God's creation, says this: "I know your works; I know that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, 'I am rich and affluent and have no need of anything,' and yet do not realize that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I advise you to buy from me gold refined by fire so that you may be rich, and white garments to put on so that your shameful nakedness may not be exposed, and buy ointment to smear on your eyes so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and chastise. Be earnest, therefore, and repent. "'Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will enter his house and dine with him, and he with me. I will give the victor the right to sit with me on my throne, as I myself first won the victory and sit with my Father on his throne. "'Whoever has ears ought to hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'" Rev 3: 14-22

Hot or cold, not lukewarm; rich or poor—in God’s view; light or dark; open door or closed—It is our/my choice to see and proclaim the beauty.

God is standing outside our door with a light that is the truth. Do I see the beauty and proclaim the truth? Will “I enter his house (church) and dine with him, and him in me” (receive His body in the Eucharist)?

Or have I hidden the light, become lukewarm (through misguided priorities), or for any reason completely closed that door (through sin), so that all that is seen from the outside is a lukewarm hypocrite. (Do I proclaim my Christianity but do nothing to live it?)

In his goodness and mercy God will wait forever for me to turn the handle and reopen the door to arrive at His beauty. He will not leave, if I repent—he will forgive, AND His grace through the sacraments will help me get back up and come back in. That is the beauty of His proclamation to us.

So, am I “hot” for my faith? Have I opened the door to beauty and to proclaiming the Church teaching on marriage, love, relationships and life? Am I seeking to learn more and to be educated in God’s light?

Do I look forward to visiting Church, remaining in His presence, and proclaiming His good news? Am I regularly seeking nourishment (through prayer) that is full and fulfilling: Scripture, the Eucharist, and truth?

Or am I eating cultural lies and societal junk food (happy surface stuff) which only keeps me warm for a little while?

Christ, You are the Light of the World. You hold the keys to the heavenly kingdom, to the door of hope, healing and forgiveness. Help me to proclaim your beauty and goodness by showing all I meet how opening your door has given me peace and joy. Give each person the grace to open the door for themselves and the gifts of courage, wisdom and knowledge to make others curious enough to open the door for themselves. Amen.

Be Hot for Christ!
Proclaim the Beauty, Goodness and Truth of the one holy, apostolic and Catholic (universal) Church, of Christ, of marriage, of life and of unending joy by the way in which you live this week.
Blessings,
Charlotte

"Be" a Humble "Attitude"

Women of Faith:

I have always “cheered” the underdog. Their patience, their never give up attitudes, their faith and trust in a higher power, their hope. They remind me to “be” a humble “attitude.” Yesterday’s readings, especially that of the beatitudes, are favorites of mine because they remind me that when I am most humbled is when Christ is most visibly present in my life.

“Seek the LORD, all you humble of the earth, who have observed his law; seek justice, seek humility; perhaps you may be sheltered on the day of the LORD’s anger.” Zep 2:3; 3:12-13

“… God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise, and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong, and God chose the lowly and despised of the world, those who count for nothing, to reduce to nothing those who are something …” 1 Cor 1:26-31

“…‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.’” Mt 5:1-12a

I am humbled when I give up control and turn my trust to God. I am humbled when I am persecuted because of my choices to go against the norms of society, choosing the path against “it must be right if everyone else is doing it.” I am humbled when I receive a thank you for a few “right words.” I am humbled when I am the underdog. I am humbled when I remember that I can’t do it all and I have to turn to others for help.

THAT is when the humility of my heart seeks and finds God the closest. That is when my prayers ask for the truly important blessings—that of health, not wealth; that of spiritual comfort, not physical; that of peace, comfort and righteousness, not happiness.

When my “be” “attitude” is humbleness, then all of my fears and sorrows are turned to hope because my trust has turned to seek God’s reward not mans.

I read something yesterday about how we are always looking up, striving for “more,” reaching for new success, and while that is a good goal for the world, it isn’t God’s goal for us. God is closer to me when I am the humble underdog—if I am truly humble and remember to ask Him to be with me.

God blesses those who are on their knees in prayer. He blesses those who are suffering from the pains of loss and illness. He blesses those who serve the poor and lowly. He blesses them because it is in those situations that we are reminded that our rewards are not here on earth, but with Him in heaven.

Do we think we can do no wrong and that our sins will automatically be forgiven just because we believe in God? Is my attitude telling those around me that I am better than they are because my faith is stronger? Am I arrogant and careless in my faith or am I humble and respectful for the “gift” of faith I have received? Do I share that gift in a compassionate way with others or do I “beat” them over the head with it? Or do I hide my gift “under a bushel basket” unwilling to share it because I feel the pressure of the secular culture to keep God private? Are my choices telling God that I am in control, or am I allowing myself to be “weak” so that God can take control?

Heavenly Father, make my “be-attitude” humble. Thank you for being there for my friends and family who suffer illness and sorrow. Thank you for answering my prayers to help the underdogs win. Help them to seek and find comfort and hope by trusting in you. Help me to silently accept my sufferings and graciously give my gifts, not so that I may have earthly rewards, but so that my service will be given humbly and be seen as righteous in heaven. Amen.

Cheer the underdog! Be humble and know that God is near.
Blessings,
Charlotte
www.morningreflection.blogspot.com

The Kings Attitude, Look Up!

Women of Faith:
Happy New Year! This is a great time to resolve an "Attitude of the Kings.”

An attitude that looks up, not down; the attitude that we are not alone, that God is around us in the people around us.

An attitude that looks for the positives during negative times (the light in the darkness); the same wisdom that guided the Three Kings to follow the star to seek the newborn Jesus in Bethlehem.

And an attitude of thankfulness allowing us to look at our blessings, so that we can share them with others (and God, when loved ones leave us) just as the three Kings gave their gifts to Jesus; an attitude of gratitude.

The three wise men followed a star (God’s light) to find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes. They would have missed the star if they had not “looked up.” What difference would a positive attitude make in our life when things don’t go our way?

When the Kings looked up they saw a star put there to guide them on their journey. Who is being placed in our life here on earth to help guide us on our journey towards heaven? What sufferings are we being asked to bear so that our attitude towards life will change? A darkness so dark, that we will seek the brightest of lights, God’s light, instead of crying, whining or complaining?

God is the only one big enough, bright enough, comforting enough, to guide us out of the messes, struggles, or sorrows that have been placed in our life. Giving Him control and letting Him change us while we are suffering is to follow the light out of darkness.

The Kings were the leaders because they had the Wisdom to look up and seek God. Are we looking up for our wisdom? Or are we looking at what the world would say is right?

And the Kings presented gifts, given with gratitude, for they knew that they had reached their destination in Jesus. They gave back to Jesus. Do we “look out” for God’s other children? Or are we storing our blessings by using them to entertain ourselves and fulfill our own desires? Do we look up, give thanks and give back to God what He has given us; sharing our time, talent, or treasures with those who need lifted up in some way?

If we look up we will find God waiting to take control of our lives. If we look up we will see God ready to guide us on our journey. If we look up we will see that God has placed someone in our life to help make the journey easier. If we look up we will see that there is someone around us who needs our time and treasures more than we do.

Christmas is not over, Christmas has just begun.

The lights may have been taken off of our trees, but there is a much bigger light in our lives. The light of scripture is our guiding star and the light of the new born Christ and his church has been passed on to us through the generations to guide us on our life’s journey.

The gifts we received have been unwrapped and tucked away in closets. But we all have received gifts that need to continue to be given; gifts of our time and talents, gifts not material. Blessings given to us by God, are we wise enough to share them?

Dear God: Praise be the newborn son you “gifted” for me. Thank you for the Kings who you sent as a reminder that You are the One leading me on my own journey. Help me to keep a positive attitude even when things don’t seem to go my way. Keep reminding me that the only way I need to go is towards you, the worlds gifts don’t really matter. When I trip and stumble because I look down in sin or discouragement, help me to look up and accept your hand to get back up. Thank You for the blessings You have given me. Help me to have the wisdom of the Kings to give back all that I have been given in gratitude. Amen.

Look Up! And may the Christmas Spirit continue to lift you,
Blessings,
Charlotte