Come, Holy Spirit

Replace the tension within us with a holy relaxation. Replace the turbulence within us with a sacred calm. Replace the anxiety within us with a quiet confidence. Replace the fear within us with a strong faith. Replace the bitterness within us with the sweetness of grace. Replace the darkness within us with a gentle light. Replace the coldness within us with a loving warmth. Replace the winter within us with Thy spring. Straighten our crookedness, fill our emptiness, dull the edge of our pride, sharpen our humility, light the fires of our love, quench the flames of lust. Let us see ourselves as Thous seest us, that we may see Thee as Thou hast promised, and be blessed according to Thy word: Blessed are the pure of heart, for the shall see God. (Damien-Dutton Society for Leprosy Aid, Inc. 616 Bedford Ave, Bellmore, NY 11710)

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

In Constant Conversion

I firmly believe that we are all in a constant state of conversion to Christ.  I also believe that the key to continual movement toward Him is that we must have that desire.  In other words, it is not enough to just think or even say that "I love Jesus" or "I believe that He died for me", because my love without action isn't love, nor is believing without love and action true belief.  Therefore, I must search and learn in order to grow.  Jesus does instruct us to do just that in these words from Matthew 7:7

Ask, and it shall be given you: seek, and you shall find: knock, and it shall be opened to you.

If you are in a relationship with someone you don't only spend one hour a week with him/her, if you can help it.  You spend as much time with him/her as you can, and, not only in the beginning (even though, when you first "fall" for someone, there's "never enough of them", right?), but the commitment brings about spending more meaningful time together.  So, with the Church, one must go to Mass on Sunday, but where else to meet one's Beloved?  The Blessed Sacrament Chapel, through prayer, devotions, and through our daily work.  And, yes, even in other people.

Don't be afraid of standing behind the plow of your relationships.  Relationships can be demanding, but they can also be sweetly rewarding.

Thursday, February 16, 2012

In The Beginning . . .

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1 -NIV)

My walk in Faith is this journey I will be documenting here.  I hope that you (my visitor(s)) will enjoy your visit(s).  Please keep in mind that I am a practicing, loyal, Roman Catholic (a "convert" from the Lutheran faith in 1996), therefore, I would welcome you to comment and share, but without argument.  This blog isn't for you, if you are seeking to "save" me or criticize the Catholic Faith (or any faith, for that matter).

I keep you all in my prayers.