My Blog is Moving

My blog is moving. I finally made the jump to make my blog a little more formal. Please visit my new blog at

DiscipleOnAJourney.org

I'm Restless

I overheard a conversation yesterday that left me a bit unsettled. It doesn't really matter what the subject or content of the conversation was just that it was unsettling. I am pretty sure we all have these. you hear or read something that just leaves you unsettled. These are usually things that we can do nothing about and yet they rattle us.

At the root of the issue I turn to a quote by St. Augustine

"My Soul is restless, Lord, until it rests in you"

I was not turning to God at this time. However, I sat down for evening prayer last night and the second psalm was Psalm 131 which speaks of childlike faith in God. I put it here for you to meditate  or muse on.

O Lord, my heart is not proudnor haughty my eyes.I have not gone after things too greatnor marvels beyond me. 

Truly I have set my soulin silence and peace.As a child has rest in its mother’s arms,even so is my soul.

O Israel, hope in the Lordboth now and forever.

Let us all rest in the arms of Jesus today. 

Musing

It seems that most everyday when I read the psalms the following phrase comes up:

On my bed I remember you.On you I muse through the nightfor you have been my help;

Last week I was on a street retreat which was an awesome experience. I will talk about that more later. Anyway, on the second night of the retreat I found myself sleeping in a hammock under the stars. As I lay there, I stared up at the stars and and just mused on God's creation and how he told Abraham that he would make his descendants as numerous as the stars. I thought how we are all a part of that promise made to Abraham.

Musing is a wonderful practice. I highly recommend it. Just find some quiet time and just meditate on the wonders of God. I often find it easy to obsess and over things in my life instead of lingering in that peaceful place of musing on the Almighty God. I have found that the practice of musing has reduced the time I used to spend on worrying. A pretty good trade, I think.

Path To Forgiveness

It's Lent and that means it is time for the semi-annual penance service. I almost always go to the communal penance that is offered by my parish. I have to admit, though, that I don't always seem to get a lot out of these times. Oh, I know that we receive grace every time we go to Reconciliation but I know that sometimes I feel more consoled than at other times. I prefer to go during a normal time throughout the year instead.

All of this being said, i went last night and the priest that heard my confession, who stood in persona Christi was a beautiful servant of God. It felt like Jesus himself was walking with me, gently guiding me and bringing me to a place where I was free of my past sins. God always knows what we need. Sometimes, I need a stern father who let's me know in no uncertain terms that I need to get on the right path. At other times, I need a brother, a good friend to walk with me and gently move me back onto the path.

This is what I received last night through the sacrament of Reconciliation, at the hands of a very loving priest who let the love of Jesus work through him.

So, if you haven't experienced Reconciliation in a while, no mater how long it has been or even if you have never been, go now!! Make haste! The grace of the sacrament is waiting for you.