Christ often spoke about the relationship between heaven and earth. In the Lord’s Prayer, he asks that the will of his Father be done on earth as it is in heaven. The apostles are told that whatever they bind on earth, will be bound in heaven (Mt 18:17). Jesus mentions heaven seventy times in Matthew’s Gospel alone. Christ establishes this impenetrable bridge to make known the ultimate destination that awaits us all. We are bound for heaven in a way that remains hidden to the world. Our earthly direction is tracked by the universal GPS – affirming that we are indeed on the way to buy milk, pick up the kids from school or arriving just in time to board the red-eye flight out of JFK. Unfortunately – there is no GPS tracking our way into heaven. Darn. Knowing how close or far we are is left up…
The best marketers persuasively try to equate “good” with their product or service. Catchy slogans like “Life is Good” and “Finger Lickin Good” are perfect examples of how “goodness” is used as the foundation for a brand’s identity. Yet in spite of their creative use of association, plenty of potential customers still choose to shop elsewhere. Driving this is the reality that the way people choose to determine what is “good” varies from person to person. Everyone has a different perception of what “goodness” means. Conversely, the nature of all persons universally begins with the same inherent goodness at the start of life. As we are all created in the image of God, his perfecting goodness is woven within each person in the same way. The reflection of God’s goodness is especially evident in the innocence and purity of young children. No matter how many…
Mary’s motherhood is a divine source of heavenly splendor drawing God’s people to seek her intercessory grace without end. She lovingly takes her sons and daughters by the hand and leads them to her Son Jesus Christ – the only begotten Son of God. Becoming aware that she is chosen by God and blessed among women, Mary responds in total humility saying “Behold the Handmaid of the Lord” (Luke 1:38). She is from the people, a pure woman also called to go the pilgrim way of faith. Already filled with the grace of the Holy Spirit, Mary says “yes” to the divine Word and became the eternal mother of Jesus in the Incarnation. Impeded by no sin, she devotes herself totally to the person and work of her Son, under Him and with Him, by the grace of almighty God, serving the mystery of our redemption from sin…
God’s promises to Abraham brought trials too. When called to take his family to an unknown land, Abraham had no time to prepare or dwell on all that might happen on the long journey ahead. An enduring friendship was at the heart of his relationship with God. He shared everything in his heart – all his hopes, fears and doubts. Time and again, God assures Abraham that He would keep his promises. And in every place where God came to him, Abraham built an altar of remembrance. When great fear of an enemy threatens, God said “Do not be afraid, I am your shield.” God’s promises do not come without setting the table with his commands. He tells Abraham that “I am God – walk before Me and be blameless.” Then Abraham falls to the ground covering his face. God makes it known that in order for his promises to…
Advent brings the wonder that is to come in the Incarnation. Christ’s unsurpassed love for humanity enters the world to restore the grace that has been lost. It is the sent Christ who carries out the will of the Father By laying down his life as the suffering Lamb, Christ overcomes the divine dilemma. How would God who is Love allow his beautiful creation to perish? We are made in his image – are we not? Yet, with mercy comes justice. God made known the consequence of sin – “Ye shall surely die.” Jesus enters – Immanuel By the love of the Son – Salvation comes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoPCdfMDUs0&ab_channel=SingAlongOpera Christ breaks into the darkness to save us. He willingly offers Himself in our place, as the sacrificial Lamb to reconcile the world with the Father. Healing begins from Mary’s womb at the moment of…
