Posted on 08/27/2014 2:35:55 AM PDT by markomalley
Yesterdays blog on the increasing darkness in our culture received a lot of good feedback. Special thanks to Patrick Madrid for spreading the word. Reading such data can cause us to feel discouraged at times. Here are a few thoughts on this discouragement and what we can do about it.
1. The beatitude Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted comes to mind. Who are those who mourn? It is they who see the awful state of Gods people: that so many do not know Him or honor Him. Those who mourn are those who see how many do not know why they were made and spend their lives on lesser or even useless things (and get lost in sin and the deadly wages of sin). Seeing this, they mourn. But this mourning is not depression; it is a sadness rooted in love, and so, as the beatitude says, they are comforted. But here the word comforted is to be understood more in relation to its Latin root confirmare which means to strengthen. Hence those who mourn because they love Gods people and see their awful state are also those who will be strengthened and motivated to go to work to make a difference.
2. Indeed, there is an old Chinese proverb that says, A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. And though we may feel things have descended deeply and rapidly, just keep preaching, teaching, and striving for holiness. God has a way of multiplying our works when we least expect it. The harvest will come; for now, just keep sowing seeds and watering them with your tears of love.
3. Another saying goes, It is easier to wear slippers than to carpet the whole of the earth. Further, we are instructed just before a flight that in the event of an emergency we should don our own mask before assisting others with theirs. In both of these instances, we hear the additional advice that we should initiate any reform by first tending to our own heart and life. If the world is going to reform, it has to begin with me, with my own decisions. Scripture says, They made me a keeper of vineyards, but my own vineyard I have not kept (Song, 1:6). May it not be so for us.
There are many things we can do, big and small, that can begin to make a difference. Some involve small personal changes, others summon us to greater courage in relationships, and still others call us to greater generosity. Here is a list of some possible avenues. Please add to it! (Note: this list was not created with any particular order in mind.)
In other words, consecrate your life to God and begin the great reform by looking to your own heart and mind. When people start to notice, ask them to join you. Many little things add up to a lot. We cant change the culture overnight, but we surely can begin to make a difference in our own life and in the vineyard of our family, parish, and community, all of which the Lord has asked us to tend.
Heres a beautiful song that you might print and pray often. (For a printable copy, Click here: Prayer of Consecration).
Take my life, and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.Take my hands, and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love;
Take my feet, and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee.Take my voice, and let me sing
Always, only, for my King;
Take my lips, and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee.Take my silver and my gold:
Not a mite would I withhold;
Take my intellect, and use
Every power as you choose.Take my will, and make it Thine,
It shall be no longer mine;
Take my heart, it is Thine own,
It shall be Thy royal throne.Take my love, my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store;
Take myself, and I will be,
Ever, only, all for Thee.
Words: Frances R. Havergal 1874.
Msgr Pope ping
AMEN!
Bump for the wonderful Monsignor
Ping!
The general theme of the poll Msgr. Pope discussed yesterday was, “Let’s all pretend our sins aren’t sins.” Everyone person who wakes up and says, “I am a sinner, and I need to change,” is part of the solution. If you’re no longer lying to yourself about sin, you are much less likely to be willing to lie to others about their sins.
**Support Catholic groups that seek to engage the culture and summon the world to reform and to Jesus.
Pray! And then pray some more. If you can, fast occasionally.
Pray some more!**
BTTT!
“If everyone lit just one little candle,
What a bright world it would be.” —Bishop Sheen
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.