Sex is God's Idea

‘This at last is bone from my bones, and flesh from my flesh! This is to be called woman, for this was taken from man.’
Gen.2:23

After being shown and naming all the animals, Adam is still alone. Eve is the solution to his problem.

When Adam first saw Eve, he never said, "Oh, wonderful. Here is someone to play cards with." No, he liked the curvy lines of what he saw... "flesh of his flesh, bone of his bone."

Sex is God's idea. We need to kick the devil off his pulpit and stop listening to his perverted lies about sex being his idea. Sex is God's idea and like all of God's ideas, it's beautiful and perfect... when used according to his plan. Used any other way sex becomes a poisoned chalice. 

So what is God's plan for sex? According to Scripture it's man loves woman loves children. I've tasted the poison chalice and eaten from the bread of marriage. Give me the bread every time.

Thank you Father for the gift of my sexuality, the gift of my wife, the gift of my children.

Heart Surgery

‘It is what comes out of a man that makes him unclean. For it is from within, from men’s hearts, that evil intentions emerge:"
Mk.7:20,21

In response to the Pharisee's criticism of the disciples over their failure to observe rituals, Jesus gets to the heart of the matter. What matters is the heart.

Of the twelve evil intentions that Jesus lists, I can name at least ten that I have committed. I'm not proud of this statistic, but there it is. In each case the evil has come from within, from my heart, so I understand what Jesus is talking about.

But Good News! Heart surgery can take place. When Jesus talks about me becoming a new man, born again, he means I have a new heart. This heart surgery is ongoing daily. Each time I go to Mass I receive a new heart, go to confession, a new heart, read the comments on the Christian Art forum, a new heart.

I gladly lay before the Great Physician and say, "Cut deep Lord. Create in me a new heart, renew a right spirit within me."

 

The Beginning

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 
Gen.1:1

The foundation of not only the world but all of creation is established by God.

The first verse of the Bible lays the foundation for all following sacred scripture. In the beginning God created... It is either true, or the rest is simply a fairy story.

There's something reassuring knowing that God created everything in the beginning. It means he will be there in the end as well. If he starts out of love he will finish out of love. All will be well.

Thank you God for creation. May I be a good steward of it all... its flora, its fauna and its souls, until you come again.

Saint Scholastica please pray for me

The Lord is With Me

God himself has said: I will not fail you or desert you, and so we can say with confidence: With the Lord to help me, I fear nothing: what can man do to me?
Heb.13:5,6

The book of Hebrews closes urging us to be intentional in living the Christian life. The love of God overpowers the fear of man.

Today's Gospel shows Herod succumbing to the fear of man. To save face he has John the Baptist executed. This evil haunts him as he later  believes Jesus is John the Baptist risen from the dead.

There is a peace in knowing that Jesus himself is beside me, that the Holy Spirit helping me. I let fear in when I forget this. 

Thank you Lord for your comfort and strength helping through today.

Peace and Holiness

Always be wanting peace with all people, and the holiness without which no one can ever see the Lord. 
Heb.12:14

Being intentional to be a person of peace and holiness has its reward. Seeing the Lord.

Living means working with people Some are easy, some are hard. With all of them I am being  called to be a man of peace and holiness.

Holy Spirit, I can't do this on my own. Kindle in me the fire of your love and I shall be created. And through me, renew the face of the earth.

No to Fear, Yes to Faith

‘Do not be afraid; only have faith.’ 
Mk.5:36

Fearful news comes to Jairus of the death of his daughter. Jesus counters by encouraging lifegiving faith.

My atheist mother had a lifelong fear of death. It dampened her otherwise joyfill, and I would add God given, nature. Five days before she died she professed a faith in God, which I had the absolute joy of witnessing. 

My non-believing sister mentioned to me the following morning that mum seemed more at peace. I shared with her how that had come about. My sister wept.

Fear robs life. Faith gives it. Do not be afraid; only have faith.

Faith that Guarantees

Only faith can guarantee the blessings that we hope for, or prove the existence of the realities that at present remain unseen. It was for faith that our ancestors were commended.
Heb.11:1,2

The writer of Hebrews focuses on faith that counts. That is, faith in action.

I remember hearing Catholics talk about "the faith" and judging they didn't know Jesus. God forgive me. I'm now beginning to understand that faith is the foundation on which to know our risen and living God, the ultimate "unseen". 

Faith is indeed commendable and a wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit. Faith filled people are great to hang around. Their faith is contagious. 

So, do I want to be blessed today? Yes! Then Holy Spirit, please give me faith that guarantees.