“'Be like servants who await their master's return,' says Jesus. Ready to open the door 'immediately.' How open are we to the unexpected arrival of God in our lives? In what surprising person, place or experience will God be revealed to us? Be ready to open the door!”Tagged: gospel, spiritual enlightenment, Spirituality, God's coming, welcoming God to your life
“'At an hour you do not expect,' says Jesus, 'the Son of Man will come.' This means the end of time and/or the end of our lives. How can we prepare? Not only by trying to live in a state of grace, but also by always leading loving lives, in preparation for God's judgment.”Tagged: gospel, spiritual enlightenment, Spiritual Journey, loving everybody, loving lives
“Jesus says that when we look at clouds we can tell the weather. So why can't we read 'the signs of the times'? That is, why are we resistant to listening to what the Holy Spirit is telling us--in the lives and experiences of people today? Look around: the Spirit is afoot!”Tagged: gospel, spiritual enlightenment, holy spirit, God's signs, Spirituality
“When Jesus calls the twelve apostles, he does so as a sign of the 'gathering' of Israel, and because we're meant to join together in worship and ministry. But Jesus doesn't call a faceless mass; he calls each by name, just as he calls you, with all your gifts and talents.”Tagged: gospel, spiritual enlightenment, God Cares, Jesus cares, God loves you
“'Love your neighbor as yourself.' But who is my neighbor? In response, Jesus tells the parable of the Good Samaritan. The shock comes from recognizing that the neighbor is the one who was formerly hated (the Samaritan). Your salvation may depend on the person you reject.”Tagged: Love Your Neighbor, good samaritan, Humility, Salvation, gospel
“Jesus invites us to take the 'lower place.' No need to puff yourself up. God knows your gifts. Who cares if others do? Who cares what others think at all? Don't fret about it. As C.S. Lewis said, 'Humility is not thinking less of yourself. It's thinking of yourself less.'”Tagged: gospel, spiritual enlightenment, Spirituality, Humility, humbleness
“People often smile if you mention worshiping "idols," as forbidden by the First Commandment. "Ridiculous!" But if your entire life revolves around money--getting it, growing it, keeping it--then it has become an idol for you. "You cannot serve God and Mammon," says Jesus.”Tagged: gospel, Idolatry, worship, Materialism, worshiping money
“Gospel: Jesus reminds us not to seek rewards when living the Christian life: "We have done what we were obliged to do." No need to tell people that you've given money to some foundation, or bought a homeless person a meal, or forgiven a longtime enemy. It's enough that God knows.”Tagged: Christian Life, donating, doing deeds, live simply, humbleness
“Before opining on religious liberty and the "War on Christmas," we should consider attacks on Gospel values and Christian morality. The real attack on Christianity is not saying "Happy Holidays," but rejecting Jesus's call to pray for your persecutors and love your enemies.”Tagged: Christianity, Christian morality, attack on Christianity, religiousity
“Gospel: As the liturgical year comes to a close, Jesus speaks about the end times. Today he asks us to be faithful until the end, when we will be judged. God is a God of mercy, but also of judgment. A God who didn't judge would be a God who didn't care. And God cares what we do.”Tagged: God, God Cares, Faithfulness, Faithfulness to God