Tempted

Friends of Faith:

It is so easy in today’s world to fall into a trap set by the devil. It seems no matter where we turn there is an excess: fast food, un-inhibitive drink, easy money, “stuff” and lustful sex: instant gratification.

And by our human nature we all want to stop our suffering, “keep up with the Jones’,” and receive every need without too much effort on our part and without responsibility or consequence for our actions. We take little responsibility for what ails us, and we tend to blame others, and even God, for what we lack.

In yesterday’s gospel Christ was tempted 3 times while he walked in the dessert. The devil tempted him to use his power to stop his suffering.

Then he led him to Jerusalem, made him stand on the parapet of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written: He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you, and: With their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.” Jesus said to him in reply, “It also says, You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.” When the devil had finished every temptation, he departed from him for a time. Lk 4: 1-13

So too, are we asked to use our “power,” (our pride)to rely on ourselves, to fall into the traps of the world, to take the easy way out, rather than depending on God to take care of us in our times of need.

We don’t accept suffering well, and we think there must be some way to “work” ourselves out of whatever ailment that befalls us.

That is what temptation is: reliance on “our power” instead of God’s. Reliance on money and government programs to take care of us; trusting only in ourselves instead of praying to God for his blessings; and accepting our sufferings as His way of teaching us His power and as a way to more closely see His caring love for us.

Heavenly Father: Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble. No evil shall befall you, nor shall affliction come near your tent ,for to his angels he has given command about you, that they guard you in all your ways. Ps 91: 14-15 Amen.

Ponder this then today: What evil is tempting you today? What temptations are you falling to? Is your trust in God and in His people, or is your trust in a “manufactured” earthly power (the government) to take care of you? Is “pride” the obstacle that blinds you from recognizing God in your sufferings?

May we all be blessed with the strength and courage to follow God and His heavenly powers as we walk in this earthly dessert of life,

Charlotte

"Get Out of the Way!"

Women of Faith:
WE hung Him on the cross. WE rolled the stone over Him.

“They were saying to one another, "Who will roll back the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?" When they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back; it was very large.” Mk 16:1-7

He rolled away the stone. He arose without our help! “Get out of HIS Way!”

He didn’t need US to roll away the stone; HE did the hardest part without us.

My own sins stand in the way of my own salvation. HE took them all away—for me.

My own pride stands in the way of seeing the gifts HE so freely gives me thru the people HE has blessed my life with and the forgiveness He gave me.

Do I forgive others as unconditionally?

Is my pride “getting in the way” of accepting the love and forgiveness that a family member doesn’t quite know how to give—so I misinterpret their intended peace offering?

My own anger “gets in the way” of the love He freely gave us and the love given to me by others. His pure love was demonstrated to me thru His complete surrender of Himself FOR me. Do I deny myself to give to others?

Am I trying to do it all and then being resentful because no one else seems to be helping me? Am I praying for an outcome and then sabotaging the outcome by lacking the patience to wait for His answer to my prayers? Or am I missing his answer because I “spout off” instead of listening for/to His reply?

My own greed says that I deserve more. He gave me everything I need—both here on earth (“give us this day our DAILY bread”) and eternal bread, the Eucharist—His body and blood. He gave us EVERTYTHING! Do I continue to ask and expect more from others?

Am I expecting a thank you for what I do, but forgetting to thank those that serve me every day. The person in the checkout line, the spouse who fixes my car or does the laundry, the waitress or cook or spouse who feeds me, a child who gives me a hug but forgot to clean their room.

Is the outcome we seek, the outcome He desires? Or are we seeking worldly happiness instead of heavenly salvation?

I need to “get out of the way.” I need to forgive those who have hurt me. I need to deny myself and give more to others. I need to accept with thanksgiving all that is given to me, by Him and by those who love me.
None of them have done any greater wrong to me than what I did by crucifying Jesus.

I have not been scourged, beaten, crowned with thorns, made to carry a wooden cross 650 yards up a hill, or murdered by the cruelty of crucifixion.

I need to “get out of the way” of interpreting His word to meet my needs.
He gave me the Spirit and the Church through his rock, Peter. His 2000 years of truth are handed down thru the Popes and in the Tradition of the church, and the Spirit he puts in my heart to guide my way. He is the Way. He is the Truth. He is Life.

I need to adjust my attitude and love as He did without demanding someone to love me in return. I need to serve others without expecting something back. I need to remember to say THANK YOU for all that I have been given.

I need to step back and look UP. I need to “get out of His way!” I need to quit asking for more and say thank you for less.

I need to “get out of the way” of sin and allow Gods grace to flow into me and fill my cup so that I can pour my cup out to others.

He will give me all that I need. He already has given me all that I need.

“If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Think of what is above, not of what is on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with him in glory.” Col 3: 1-4

Dear God, Your grace is amazing. Thank you for all of the gifts you have given me, my health and the wonderful people you have placed in my life—family and friends. Move me out of the way, push me to see your truth, help me to remember that you have control of all that I am and all that I do. Amen

Give God control this week. Get out of His way!!
May you be blessed by His Easter,
Charlotte

Winners or Losers?

Women of Faith:
It’s not whether you win or lose, it’s how you play the game. The exception to this may be what I will call the ultimate game, the game of life. There, winning is heaven, and I don’t even want to think about losing.

Unfortunately, as I try not to judge, I fear that our society may be losing as I watch us accept sin as a norm. As I watch society try to put their “spin” on what the bible teaches. And as I watch people, who grew up in Christian homes, who know there is a God, who were taught about God from an early age, leave church, ignore the commandments, or worse yet, try to justify their sin/s.

I find comfort and hope by the outcome of a vote to “oust” judges who accept gay marriage as a right, and I find Hope in the prayers of the many who I know attend church regularly and who are unafraid to “speak” against sin and who volunteer in ministry in many forms.

I also find hope in seeing those who have the faith to accept their sufferings, knowing that Christ too suffered for us.

As the gospel said yesterday: Choose REPENTANCE, it is never too late. Lk 23:35-43 “Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, "Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us." The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, "Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." He replied to him, "Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."

The second thief is the only person we know who has entered the kingdom of heaven with Jesus because of this passage. On the cross this thief asked for forgiveness, but just as importantly accepted that he was a sinner, that he deserved earthly punishment and that his only salvation was true faith in Jesus.

Are we like the first thief, expecting God to save us, even though we have no shame, guilt or repentance for our sins? Is our pride preventing us from acknowledging our sins and seeking forgiveness?

Or are we like the second thief who admits to our sins, accepts our burdens by sacrificing our life for God, receiving just punishment for our sins and most importantly receiving God’s promised forgiveness, healing and grace given to us when Jesus died on the cross?

The earlier we learn to be like the “accepting thief” the more happiness, joy and peace we can find in Christ’s forgiveness and ultimately our salvation. And the easier it will be to bear our burdens and sufferings because like the “Footprints in the Sand” we will be carried by Jesus through the toughest of times.

Dear God, I praise Your healing grace. I yearn for your forgiveness and love. Please help me to live each day as your servant, accepting my burdens, sacrificing my time and using the gifts you have given me wisely. Help me to be less self-serving, less judgmental and more hopeful with the grace of Your Spirit. Let me be a witness to Your goodness in faith, hope and love. I ask that you open the hearts of each person, family and friend, those that I know, and will come to know, those that I can in anyway help or touch, so that we will be better listeners and learners of Your word. And especially this Thanksgiving Week, Thank you for the gift of Your Son, Jesus, who has granted us eternal salvation. Amen.

Blessings and Thanksgiving for all of our faithful friends.
Charlotte, Stan and family