Know - Grow - Go

As you encounter the little (and the big) things of brokenness in life, remind yourself: This is not heaven. . . but heaven is going to blow my socks off.

So much of what we’re exposed to every day is geared to provoke fear or outrage or insecurity or guilt or inadequacy. The saints and their stories present us a very different picture, because they see life through a different lens. This month, make some time in your life for their stories. Learn to see through their eyes. Invite them to be part of your own walk. To get you started, click here for one of Deacon Brett's favorite saint stories.

How many of us can really see, spiritually speaking? In one sense, we're all blind beggars like Bartimaeus; we're blind to the light of faith. Like Bartimaeus, we need to ask the Lord for the gift of faith - not just for ourselves and our families, but for the world and all who walk in the darkness of not knowing who Jesus is.

We are not powerless when it comes to anxiety. Jesus is with us when we call on Him, and He gives us timely help to help us live fully and not get sucked in to that black hole of anxiety, fear, and depression.

When we read scripture, we encounter Christ in His inspired word. There is an infinite, inexhaustible character to it; it's deep. But there's also a quality in it that adapts to the person hearing or reading it. You'll be able to see what you need in it at a given time, but its contents will also grow with you as you grow in your spiritual life.

Every single one of us, as disciples of Jesus, are called to die to self; to take up our cross; and to live our lives fully and deeply, honoring God, because God is the one who has given us that life. Everything in each of our lives is entrusted to us and belongs to God; it came from God and is to be used in a way that honors God. Sit quietly with that word entrust and ponder how that fits with everything in your life.

The world thinks of wealth as ours; something we’ve earned; something we possess. But in God’s eyes, money is ultimately not a possession, but a trust. A trust is something given to me for a purpose; something for which I’m accountable. God entrusts us with wealth, but He then expects us to use it for His glory and for the welfare of His children - for our neighbor and those most in need.

Revisit this simple exercise that Fr. Dave gave us some time ago, to help us consider how well we’re putting our wealth at the service of God and neighbor. Find a quiet space, invite the light of the Holy Spirit, and then ask yourself honestly: right now, is my giving too much? Too little? Or is it just right?

Ask God for the grace to see the world as He sees it, to give you the vision to deal with the world as He would want you to do.

Genuine faith doesn’t allow us to run and hide from what’s uncomfortable or painful. This week, pay attention to anything that might be troubling, worrying, or frustrating you - especially if it’s something you’re trying to avoid, minimize, or put a wall between you and it. Ask yourself: "What might God be calling me to in this? What might He be asking me to do?" And then pray for courage and wisdom, put your hand into God’s hand, and step into it.

If we are going to listen clearly to the Word of God and let it shape our lives, that's going to dramatically affect the way we relate to the people around us and the way we accept our own foibles and weaknesses. Identify a person in your life that annoys you. Pray for their well-being, and pray for a softening in your heart, to have greater compassion and patience with yourself and those around you.