Reflections of a beloved son

You were created out of love for love. You are loved not because of what you can do, what you have, or what others say about you. True and genuine love cannot be bought or earned. It can only be received and given. God loves you, but you have to receive it. You cannot really love anyone else, including yourself, if you do not receive love. You can't give what you don't have. The world will tell you that you are loved only to the extent you can perform and that others will love you more or less based on that. That's a lie! You are loved and you have been loved from all eternity. And that is the Truth. We belong to the Truth.  This Truth is so true that God became man for you and me. It's time to receive God's love. Pray with me, "Come into my heart, Lord. I am ready to receive your love."

" If you bestow your bread on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted; then light shall rise for you in the darkness, and the gloom shall become for you like midday; Then the Lord will guide you always and give you plenty even on the parched land " (Is. 58:10-11a). I believe it is in our nature - fallen human nature - that we try to make sure we are fed, clothed, and well before we really embark on acts of kindness and charity.  It is not unnatural. In fact I think it is common.  Today I met up with a former colleague of mine for lunch and while driving back she commented that she has come to realize more and more how selfish she really is. "I think there is a selfish strain in all of us.  I think it is part of our human nature."  Yes, there is selfishness in our human hearts.  But God wants to give us a heart that can conquer that.  While rebuking His disciples, Jesus said that they were thinking as human thinks and not as God thinks.  Elsewhere we are...

What does it mean to love someone or something?  Our modern world today tells us "do what you love, do what makes you happy, and do what feels good." So then love makes us happy and feels good.  Yes and no.  When you are in the presence of someone you love, there is a peace and joy in our hearts that do not get troubled.  Even when there are challenges and hardships, where there is true love, peace and joy and hope remains.  Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est.   "Where charity and love are, there is God." True and genuine love is the love that comes from God.  The love with which God created us and for which God created us.  Loving is wanting and willing the good of the other.  Sometimes this love feels warm and fuzzy, but sometimes this love comes in the form of discipline. When a parent disciplines his child, he does not because he enjoys it but because he wants what is best for his son.  Likewise, when the son disrespects his father ...

Are you tired?   Are you tired of trying to hold everything together?  Are you tired of trying to put on a brave face?  Are you tired of trying?  Are you tired of feeling like you are doing everything alone?  God is saying to you, " You are not alone; I am with you ."  He is with you, sitting with you, and asking you, " Do you want to be well? " In today's Gospel reading , there is a man lying on the floor who is unable to walk, and Jesus asks him that question.  The man did not say "yes" or "no," but rather did what I often do - try to avoid giving a straight answer, and making excuses.  The man said that no one helped him into the pool.  What are my excuses ?  Do I allow excuses to keep me from getting closer to the Father?  Do I allow excuses to keep me from getting closer to others?  Do I make excuses instead of reaching out? Oftentimes when we see someone who we love and care for struggling, we wish we could help them....