Skip to main content
Yesterday's reading from St. Paul to the Romans was extremely powerful. It caused me to stop and read it again during Mass. I then had to read it twice more once I got home. I returned to it this morning. Romans 8:18-21 says, "Brothers and sisters: I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us. For creation awaits with eager expectation the revelation of the children of God; for creation was made subject to futility, not of its own accord but because of the one who subjected it, in hope that creation itself would be set free from slavery to corruption and share in the glorious freedom of the children of God." How timely is this passage for us today? There are so many earthly sufferings in our present time. I am not sure if there are more than in St. Paul's time but I am sure that some of them are the same. It is reassuring to know that Christians were experiencing trials during the early years of the Church just as we are today. We know that living the life of a Christian does not solve all of our problems. In fact, it creates new ones. As Christians we must get up every day and do things to honor God. As Christians we are persecuted for our beliefs. As Christians we are forced to spend tax dollars on abortion, homosexuality, and other abominations that God considers sinful. So how do we become free to worship God? How do we develop our relationship with God? We know that God exists because we can reason our creation was accomplished by a higher power. We know that we were created by a loving God who wants to have a relationship with us. We know that we were created to love God. In return, he loves us without condition. He is always ready to help and console us. He will never let us down. He always has our best interests at heart. Can you say that about anyone else in this world? The futility of the world is laid bare every day. Look at our brothers and sisters who are driven by greed, lust or power. Look at those who can never be satisfied no matter how many things they buy. Futility leads to unhappiness. But there is an alternative and it is offered freely and without burden. Jesus paid the price for us. We only need to say yes to God. Then the glorious freedom is bestowed upon us. How satisfying is that? It is like a drink of water after a walk through Death Valley. Let the Lord refresh you. Let him lead you out of futility today. Say yes!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Praying With The Five Wounds Of Jesus

I am just beginning to dive into the beautiful, ancient devotion to the Five Wounds of Jesus, and I wanted to share a bit of the journey with you. It can feel a little overwhelming at first to look at the Crucifix this closely, but I’ve found such a gentle guide in St. Bernard of Clairvaux . In his Jubilee Rhythm on the Passion, Bernard doesn't treat the wounds of Jesus as distant historical facts or sights to be avoided. Instead, he approaches them with the tenderness of a friend, speaking directly to the feet, hands, side, and face of our Lord. For someone like me who is just starting out, his rhythm teaches that prayer isn't just about reciting words; it’s a holy hide-and-seek. Bernard invites us to literally hide ourselves within these wounds, seeing them as clefts in the rock where we can find shelter when our own lives feel turbulent or heavy. As I start this process, I’ve been practicing what I call gazing and greeting. Following Bernard’s lead, I look at the Crucifix an...
Post a Comment
Read more

From Fisherman to Foremen: Peter’s First Act as Shepherd

In the immediate aftermath of the Ascension, we see a profound transformation in Peter, moving from the impulsive fisherman who once fled in the garden to the courageous shepherd of the early Church. By standing up in the heart of Jerusalem to deliver his first great "sermon" at Pentecost, Peter is not merely offering an inspired speech; he is stepping into the primordial role of the Papacy. He was specifically commissioned by Christ on the shores of Galilee to "feed my sheep," and here we see that nourishment take the form of the Word. He takes control of a frightened and confused community, providing the definitive interpretation of the Resurrection and anchoring the fledgling Church in the truth of the Gospel. This moment in the Acts of the Apostles reminds us that the authority of Peter was never about personal power, but about the sacred duty of unity and guidance. By taking the lead in the upper room and before the crowds, Peter demonstrates that the "key...
Post a Comment
Read more

Just War and the Gospel: How Christ and the Catholic Church Define Moral Conflict

The Catholic understanding of a just war begins not with violence, but with the teachings of Jesus Christ, who calls His followers to love their enemies, seek peace, and act with mercy. In passages such as the Sermon on the Mount, Christ elevates forgiveness and reconciliation as the highest ideals of Christian life. At first glance, this seems to stand in tension with the idea that war could ever be morally justified. Yet the Church, drawing from both Scripture and reason, acknowledges that in a fallen world marked by sin, evil can threaten the innocent in ways that demand a response. Rooted in Christ’s command to love one’s neighbor, the just war tradition insists that any use of force must ultimately serve the protection of human life and the restoration of peace. Over centuries, theologians such as St. Augustine of Hippo and St. Thomas Aquinas helped articulate the moral framework that guides Catholic teaching on war. Their insights, later developed in the Catechism of the Cathol...
Post a Comment
Read more