Reflections of a beloved son

What comes to your mind when you hear “living freely?” Living freely does not mean living without pain or suffering, but it does mean embracing them. We may have a tendency to want to hide those pains and sufferings because we are taught that we ought to be ashamed of them and that any appearance of pain is a sure sign of weakness. Hiding your pain and suffering is weakness. Embracing them and owning them is strength and freedom. Jesus did not hide His pain. He cried. He wept. He grimaced. Jesus embraced His suffering because He knew somehow that the Father was going to bring about great good from it. So, how can we label as shameful or an embarrassment something through which God can bring great good?   We must not fear our weaknesses or our past. God knows them well and He will use them for good. The best example a father can give to his children is to show them that a real man loves and allows himself to be loved, and by doing so experiences pain and is not afraid to show it...

Have you ever woke up feeling well-rested, happy, and saying to yourself, "Today is going to be a great day!."  You get out of bed, brush your teeth, take a refreshing shower, and get dressed.  The coffee is brewing and you feel confident about the day that has begun already.  Then you phone dings and you receive a text.  You receive some news that you really were not hoping to receive.  Suddenly your day is ruined. What could have gone through Joseph's mind when Mary told him that she was pregnant?  Here Joseph was about to get married to the woman he loved and he finds out that she is pregnant with presumably another man's child.  I would have felt angry, betrayed, and hurt.  What would you have done?  In those days, Mary would have been guilty of adultery and who have been punished with death.  Joseph had every right  to tell the church leaders and officials and have her stoned.  But instead he decided to divorce her quiet...