Replies

I do not think Islam is a religion of peace, but I also do not feel it is a religion of violence. I thinks it is schitzoid on the subject.

I do not think Islam is a religion of peace, but I also do not feel it is a religion of violence.

I guess if you're just cheering when you hear the news that 3,000 americans are dead that wouldn't make one violent.

Good morning, everybody! Hope y'all had a great weekend. It was cold here in the state of Texas, so I just stayed inside and watched two local pro sports teams beat up on a couple of teams from Colorado. Did you enjoy those games and much as I did, Steven? ;o)

Monday, March 4, 2002
Saint Casimir - Commemoration

First Reading:
Responsorial Psalm:
Gospel:

Second Kings 5:1-15
Psalm 42:2-3; 43:3-4
Luke 4:24-30

Sometimes a soul rises more towards perfection by not excusing herself than by ten sermons. Since by this means one begins to acquire freedom, and indifference as to what good or evil may be said. Nay more; by a habit of not replying, one arrives at such a point that when he hears anything said of himself, it does not seem as if it related to him, but rather like an affair belonging to someone else.

-- St. Teresa

Na'aman had great difficulty believing that his healing would come from an act as simple as taking a bath! It seemed too small, too insignificant. Yet, when he finally did as the prophet Elisha asked, he was dramatically and miraculously healed. A simple act of faith produced remarkable results!

How often do we look for some dramatic action that we must take or some elaborate process that we must go through in order to receive extraordinary blessings from God? The truth is that our Father already loves us and wants to help us. He wants to touch us with new life. He wants to heal and deliver us. We don't need to jump through hoops to receive his love. We don't need to persuade him to act powerfully in our lives. We only need to have simple faith and trust in him.

Like Na'aman, we may need to do no more than an ordinary task to experience God's extraordinary action. It may be something as small as being faithful to a prayer time each day. Or it may be a simple act of kindness to a coworker, friend, or family member. Any number of ordinary things that we do day after day, week after week, opens the door for God to do the extraordinary things he longs to do in our lives and in the lives of those we love.

God isn't looking for the spectacular. All he wants from us is faith and love. He simply wants us to trust him for all that we need. He is good, and he is faithful. As we come to him each day in the simple, "ordinary" things of our lives, we give him the opportunity to move mountains. Why not come to him today in great simplicity and humility? Trust him in the small things, and he will act in the big things. Ultimately, Christianity is all about his love and his grace. Receive that love and grace today.

"Father, I love you. You are my God, and I trust in you. Help me to be faithful to the simple things you ask of me each day."

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Have a great day, everyone! God bless.

AC