Heavenly Work

Friends of Faith:

Honestly I think part (and maybe all) of the problem with our culture today is that we think we deserve something so we don’t do enough work – not physical work (although there is some of that issue too), but spiritual work –heavenly work. Not some repetitive prayer or physical showing of charitable work to “get”  to heaven, but work because we believe there is a heaven, work because we believe in Him; work that is in a stewardship frame of mind – of the giving back to God, our time, our talents and our treasures.

Every time I write the word “work” in one of my reflections I tone it down by changing the word because I know that many Christians of denominations other than the Catholic faith think that Catholics feel like they can “work” their way to heaven.

But I think I am doing us all an injustice in toning down the idea of work because I don’t believe there is a true Christian out there who doesn’t believe and understand that we must not only be something more but that we must DO something more BECAUSE we are Christians.

First off, I agree, no one of any faith (or non faith) can “work” their way to heaven – Catholics don’t believe this – it’s a misconception about our teachings. Only God will judge who will go to heaven and it is God who has given us the freedom to choose or to deny him.

When I say I am “working” on my salvation I don’t mean I am “earning” my way to heaven for “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?”James 2: 14-17)

A Catholic who says they are “working” on salvation – is saying that salvation is not a one-time profession of faith, but rather a continual profession of faith, a process in which we are constantly choosing to accept or to deny the teachings of Christ the Savior (we can just as easily fall out of God’s grace as we can choose to be in his grace)—that is also why we continuously need mercy and forgiveness.

We are taught to pray, fast and to give alms—not just once but all the time (2 Thes 1:11).

And the “Be”attitudes (Mt 5), which I so love, suggest that to be something in Christ we must “do” something in Christ.

And true, faithful Christians of every faith do just that –they do “good work” because they believe in the Gospel message of Matthew 25 to clothe the naked, feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, etc– that’s how the world knows we are Christians. We deny ourselves to help others, to love others, to care for others and to support others –we “work” to imitate Jesus and our work is for our neighbor.

My first work is to pray –to pray for guidance as to what my purpose here on earth is for God, to pray for the knowledge to know how he wants me to show others I am his and to pray for the abilities to do my physical work with honor. I am refreshed in doing this by starting my “work” week by keeping holy the Sabbath in Church. For me, it seems that this is the one place where I can get away from the distractions and duties which seem to steal my time away from the time I want to spend with him. Then when I am “sent” at the end of mass to evangelize for Christ I will be able to charitably help others, to more frequently tell others WHY I am Christian, to stand up for Him and if necessary to not be afraid to rebuke others as to what the Church teaches as right AND wrong.

I need to not be afraid to work for Christ—but to be more like the “good thief” who was converted at his death. “The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, “Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation?” Lk 23:40

In “working” to share the Gospel message the good thief challenged the other criminal, who conversely reviled Jesus with his “I deserve it” attitude, and so the good thief became “Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Mt 5:10

Salvation is a process which requires us to work in denying ourselves and in carrying what sometimes can be very heavy crosses. “Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself,^* take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” Mt16:24-25 and as St Paul so bluntly stated: “work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” Phil 2:12

Heavenly Father: I am called to Know You, To Love You and to Serve You. Help me to use the gifts of my time, my talents and my treasures wisely. It is only right that I work, and even suffer, by imitating Your son, Jesus. Help me to enrich my own belief in You and to help others to come to love you as I do. Thank you for making me everything I am. May everything I do be for you. Amen.

Let us not be afraid to work to unite ourselves to Jesus Christ,
Blessings,
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