God is so good. It is always so amazing to see His Holy Spirit at work in our lives. I don't think I will ever get used to it -- I know I should expect that He will answer our prayers, but when He does, WOW. I just flip my lid.
I celebrated my 20th high school reunion last night. Of course, the prevailing question of the night was, "Nine kids? How do you do it?" I had many opportunities to kerygmatically share the many graces and mercies God has not only given me, but allowed me to SEE. Sometimes I think that is our job on earth: to help one another to see God.
Invariably, as I drove home, I thought of all the things I could have said but didn't. As I mused a question arose: have I squandered grace? Have I failed to allow God's grace to integrate into my soul and make me more like Him? I thought of my faults, my "thorns", my sins...and yet, the overriding feeling I had was that I have been too complacent. I have had many a holy man and woman tell me that my life itself will speak of Jesus, if I live His will. True, but is that enough? Is that the "New Evangelism" Pope John Paul II the Great wrote and spoke of? Somehow, I don't think so. Somehow, I believe too many of us hide behind good intentions. I believe that living our lives can be an invitation, but the party requires conversation. In other words, we need to share the good news.
I have heard St. Francis' words, "Spread the Gospel, use words if necessary," (poorly paraphrased) spoken by so many so often that they begin to lose objective meaning. They take on a life of their own, a pre-supposed factuality that can't be misconstrued as a licence to be silent by those reluctant to speak. Francis lived the life of a monk, in a dirty old habit, forsaking the world, with other monks, praying and living with God every moment of every day. He didn't have to speak to draw others to him. But you and I, working in the world, driving a car that looks pretty much like everyone elses, wearing clothes that pretty much everyone wears, and living in houses like mostly everyone else, well, we ain't so obvious. We need to open our mouths.
God loves us, is merciful, and wants to draw us to Himself. He sent His only Son to die for us that we may have eternal life. He sends His Holy Spirit to guide us, protect us, and even pray for us. That needs to be told. Otherwise, I believe we are squandering grace. Any thoughts?
I celebrated my 20th high school reunion last night. Of course, the prevailing question of the night was, "Nine kids? How do you do it?" I had many opportunities to kerygmatically share the many graces and mercies God has not only given me, but allowed me to SEE. Sometimes I think that is our job on earth: to help one another to see God.
Invariably, as I drove home, I thought of all the things I could have said but didn't. As I mused a question arose: have I squandered grace? Have I failed to allow God's grace to integrate into my soul and make me more like Him? I thought of my faults, my "thorns", my sins...and yet, the overriding feeling I had was that I have been too complacent. I have had many a holy man and woman tell me that my life itself will speak of Jesus, if I live His will. True, but is that enough? Is that the "New Evangelism" Pope John Paul II the Great wrote and spoke of? Somehow, I don't think so. Somehow, I believe too many of us hide behind good intentions. I believe that living our lives can be an invitation, but the party requires conversation. In other words, we need to share the good news.
I have heard St. Francis' words, "Spread the Gospel, use words if necessary," (poorly paraphrased) spoken by so many so often that they begin to lose objective meaning. They take on a life of their own, a pre-supposed factuality that can't be misconstrued as a licence to be silent by those reluctant to speak. Francis lived the life of a monk, in a dirty old habit, forsaking the world, with other monks, praying and living with God every moment of every day. He didn't have to speak to draw others to him. But you and I, working in the world, driving a car that looks pretty much like everyone elses, wearing clothes that pretty much everyone wears, and living in houses like mostly everyone else, well, we ain't so obvious. We need to open our mouths.
God loves us, is merciful, and wants to draw us to Himself. He sent His only Son to die for us that we may have eternal life. He sends His Holy Spirit to guide us, protect us, and even pray for us. That needs to be told. Otherwise, I believe we are squandering grace. Any thoughts?
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