Have Fun, But Don't Get Caught

Philippians 2:12-18 - My beloved, obedient as you have always been, not only when I am present but all the more now when I am absent, work out your salvation with fear and trembling. For God is the one who, for his good purpose, works in you both to desire and to work. Do everything without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine like lights in the world, as you hold on to the work of life, so that my boast for the day of Christ may be that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. But, even if I am poured out as a libation upon the sacrificial service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with all of you. In the same way you also should rejoice and share your joy with me. 

Thoughts: Paul speaks to the Philippians with apparent joy as he is finding them prospering in the faith. A True sign of faith and obedience is when one is obedient when no one is around to catch them. How often I used to fall into sin when no one was around, when no one could catch me. I deceived myself into believing that it was OK because no one knew about my sinfulness. But God who knows all always knew and always called me back. 

I was really good at hiding my sinfulness. I lived in a world of shame and guilt. But God is good and persistent. Christ now works in me, giving both the desire and call to serve Him. If the grace of God can work in someone like me then he can also work mighty deeds in you. 

I now find myself, not only with the ability but also the desire to do the work of God for His glory. The world we live in is one full of grumblers and complainers. It is so pervasive in our world that we now consider it normal. But God calls to us to be of the eternal not the earthly. In the heavenly kingdom there is no need to complain or grumble and we are called to bring a view of heaven to earth through our lives, living in the joy that can only come from our relationship with our Creator. 

If God is so concerned with our joy that He would go to great lengths to offer it to us then we have an obligation to share that joy with all that we come in contact with. Paul in the end of the reading above reiterates that fact in his statement that we are to share our joy and triumphs in Christ with all both the downfallen and our fellow followers that we can all be strengthened by each other.

Are We Trying To Kill God?

John 8:37 - I know that you are descendants of Abraham. But you are trying to kill me, because my work has no room among you.

Thoughts: As my wife and I read the gospel this morning, this verse stuck out for me. So, I asked my wife, how often do we try to kill God in our everyday life? We both just sat there in meditation. 

The Jews were trying to physically kill Jesus because they found his words hard to accept. They thought he was being unreasonable. He was raising the standard and they didn't like it. Who, of us, likes to be told we are not measuring up? 

While we don't have Jesus physically with us today, we do have the promised Holy Spirit here with us. How often do we try to kill the Spirit of God?

• Do we fail to help someone in need?
• Do we attack others with our words?
• Are we jealous of others?
• Do we fill our minds(and souls) with stuff and push God out?
• Do we have other God's in our life(money, power, work).

I am guilty of most of these so making the list was pretty easy. 

Let's make this final part of Lent a move closer to the sacred heart of Jesus. As part of our Lenten examination of conscience, if you can think of other ways we try to kill God, please comment here so all can benefit.

The Yoke Of Slavery

Galatians 5:1-6 - For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.

It is I, Paul, who am telling you that if you have yourselves circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you. Once again I declare to every man who has himself circumcised that he is bound to observe the entire law. You are separated from Christ, you who are trying to be satisfied by law; you have fallen from grace. For through the Spirit, by faith, we await the hop of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision not uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love. 

Thoughts: Babies often cry when they are in a large open area. After spending 9 months in the comfortable confines of the womb, they feel scared and alone when in an open area. In other words they have too much freedom. 

One way that we used to comfort our young children, and even our older children at times, was to hold them close. When babies can feel warmth and closeness from a parent, they sense the presence of them and feel comforted. We would wrap up our children in blankets and put them in a tiny bassinet at first then move up to a crib and finally to a bed. If we put them into a bed too early they felt insecure and would cry. It is the boundaries and closeness that gives them the freedom to feel comfortable and secure. 

Those boundaries move outward as they grow older but they are still there and are still viable. When we stay in close communion with God, we will feel His love and then we will feel the freedom of knowing that we walk with God. 

Paul was writing to the Galatians because they were being led away from God when they were told they had to obey the mosaic law. They were allowing the customs become more important than the message of Jesus. 

How often do we do the same? 

We let the things of this world become more important than our faith. It can be television or drinking. It can even be something that seems good; a church committee or organization, daily devotions like mass or the rosary. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in the act of doing these things and not resting in the love of Christ which should drive all of our desires. 

So, let’s walk within the boundaries of God’s love and let that love be the driving force behind our actions as faithful disciples of Christ.