Riches vs Poverty

We live in a world where the pursuit of wealth and money is valued, but for the Christian poverty should be valued.  Fr Murray Bodo sums up the right attitude to money.

If I am truly poor, then I am dependent on others for everything, and I feel useless and worthless, and I realise deep within that everything is a gift from the Father. Then in this attitude of complete dependence, I become useful again, for then I am empty of selfishness and I am free to be God's instrument instead of my own. In poverty I begin to value everything rightly again. I see how little really matters, and I see that only that which glorifies God is of value.

I write these words in pain, Lady Poverty, for I have wept bitter tears because I was poor and had to beg from others, and I felt like a burden to people and to God . . . And I have grown weary of Christ's words not to worry about tomorrow. But in His grace I have surrendered to God's sovereignty and providence, and it has made me free.

. . . Lady Poverty, I love you. You, my Lady, take all the sting from being poor. In your embrace I am rich indeed, for I have someone to love. I have you. Perhaps, my Lady, that is why I keep submitting, surrendering my desire to control my life, my need to provide for the future. You have stolen my heart and made me happy, and your love makes up for all the pain that loving you involves.

. . . And we know it is all worthwhile because when we look into your eyes, we see Christ Himself.

Fr Murray Bodo OFM
Fr Murray Bodo

Being Happy, being called

Awaiting evening prayer today I realised that I was only happy when I was doing what I was called to do.

Not what I thought was best, but doing what I was meant to do.

Society will encourage us to earn more money, gain more influence.  We may be attracted to important, ‘sexy’ and prestigious roles.  Even our relatives may not have our best interests at heart.  When in fact we are called to do something simple and well.

In addition to loving God with all your heart, ALL you soul and your mind.  I am called to work, simple domestic work.  I am not called to be a priest, deacon, an officer, a manager rather to be humble before God and others.  When I serve, when I clean toilets, wash up then I feel fulfilled.

We each are called.  Pray that you come to know to what you are called to.  If you strive to follow Christ, it be something humble and humbling, not proud or arrogant.

Read 1 Corinthians 12:12

We are wanting

At the heart of the human condition we are needy.  We want.  From infancy we learn to be so.
A baby cries for food, for warmth,  for comfort, for attention, to have it’s needs met.  As the child grows this is further reinforced through childhood and adolescence as the family and society expressing their care, duty and love continue to pay attention to the developing person; pampering to it’s needs. The child learns to crave attention and limelight,  it gets what it demands most of the time.  Throwing a tantrum when it is ignored.  It is not therefore surprising that as adults that we are not much different, we want.  We want a comfortable home, nice food, good looks, health, wealth, fame, attention, sex, relationships, power, success;  we want.  Even in the church people want.

Most of what we want, that which we crave for only temporarily satisfies, we soon want more, we never have enough.  Our capacity for wanting is insatiable.  We are hardwired and socially conditioned for wanting.

Mary listened to the angel, and submitted to the will of God.  “Be it done to me according to thy word…”  Her acceptance and grace allowed all of humanity the chance of salvation, of freedom and love.

We can slake our insatiable thirst by responding to God’s call like Mary.  If we follow Christ’s example and live for others, love others feed their needs.  Then a remarkable thing happens, we stop wanting, we become satisfied.

"I pray that you and I can be reborn with the grace to love God and others, and our desires be for others and the Christ child."

Our country again needs converting

Our country again needs converting, It will not be done by the half hearted.

I cannot but agree with Kate Tristram, as she speaks from her home on Lindisfarne, in England.

Resurrexit sicut dixit

He is risen as he said

May the light of the Risen Lord be in our hearts today and every day.

Most Shocking Second a Day Video

My Child, your child, God's child,
Lent is a time for giving,
Give to God's children.

Time

I have given priority to work, family, personal development, study and prayer.  Other things hobbies, TV, Facebook and blog have been put on the back burners.
However, now is the beginning of the season of Lent, a period of preparation for Easter and a period of discipline.

We ought always to pray, but Lent is a great time of year for new beginnings.  During Lent many Christians, work through the spiritual exercises of St Igantious, these can be done at any time, but now is a great time to do them.  I have made time, go on, you can make time too.

Check out www.ignatianspirituality.com  You can work through the exercises starting today.  I have and can feel the power of good it is doing for me.