|
Written by Chris Padgett
|
|
Saturday, 26 April 2008 |
|
Celebrating when we are going through difficult times is never easy. Can you imagine the struggles Mary faced on a regular basis? The looks and not so subtle comments could certainly get old, yet Mary exemplified the "joy of the Lord" which was her strength. We are told to give thanks in everything because this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning us. Today, I just want to encourage you to be Eucharistic. We do have a lot to be thankful for, even if our feelings haven't caught up with the facts. You are breathing for starters! Let your life be like Our Lady's as you live gratitude even amidst turmoil. You are going to make it! |
|
Last Updated ( Saturday, 26 April 2008 )
|
|
|
Written by Chris Padgett
|
|
Friday, 25 April 2008 |
|
We have one chance to live this life in a way that will have eternal ramifications. It is not always the most comforting feeling to weigh our progress thus far, especially since most of us are far too aware of our failures and insecurities. That God wants us to do great things with this time we have been given, is probably understandable to most, but putting it into practice is quite another thing. Really, we are unable to be heroic based on our merits, skills, talents, and good looks. The real living we are called to participate in, allows for our oddities and awkward moments. Jesus is okay with our humanity, but calls us to walk in His grace. This coupling of the mortal dancing with the immortal is certainly not easy to comprehend. Suffice it to say, that your discouragement with your inabilities is not a factor when it comes to Christ and His love for you. The blood and flesh you carry about so heavily is an opportunity to reflect in time, what is unfathomable. Somehow God allows us to catch a better glimpse of Him through our stumbling and bumbling. How odd?! So, life the life with a sense of joy. You are not given up on, nor are you too far from His love. Jesus is captivated with you! |
|
|
From Adam, through David, to Today |
|
|
|
|
Written by Chris Padgett
|
|
Friday, 15 February 2008 |
|
Mary is with you during this Lent. As you journey towards holiness this season, realize that your sacrifices matter. In last weeks Mass readings we were reminded that the sin of Adam and Eve, although changing everything, was not without hope. The ProtoEvangelium in Gen. 3:15 speaks of God's salvific love being triumphant in spite of the impact of the world, flesh, and devil. The Psalm of David crying out for forgiveness should be our cry during this time of sacrifice. We too, are sinners. The Garden's impact reaches us today, yet with all of our sin, there is still the hope of redemption. In the Gospels we were told that Jesus also battled the world, flesh, and devil, yet He was able to do what Adam failed to do: willingly lay down one's life in obedience to the Father's. Jesus loved and followed the Father's commands. We, like Adam, have failed to obey. We have been more like David in the Psalm; sinful and in need of renewal. The Good News is for all of us, from Adam, through David, up to today. Jesus offers all at the cross, and His resurrection invites us into the true Eden. Mary, is assisting us as we come and repent. For us, the question is: What will we do? Will we follow Jesus' witness and obey the Father in our lives? Will we look for our satisfaction in Christ, and not the things of this world? Let us cling to the Gospel, for it is the hope of salvation for all of us who believe! |
|
|
Written by Chris Padgett
|
|
Wednesday, 23 January 2008 |
Our world is in such a mess! Just turning on the television for brief moments will give the viewer a look into just a few of its many problems. Pop-culture is presented in a glitzy and glamorous fashion, yet unable to maintain this plastic momentum, and we have celebrity melt-down from top to bottom, in both the music and movie worlds. We are no longer surprised when a cultural leader is found to be corrupt, and comedians and humorists have little joy in their sarcastic banter and cynical remarks. What a mess! The real tragedy is that many within our generation of young people still herald these stars as role models. The standard has fallen, and all things trite and superficial seem to become the fixation of the masses.
What is the solution? Our Lady wants to lead us to her Son! Jesus is the authentic leader and role model that we are longing for. We are fascinated with those in the limelight, but in the end, is this something we want to live our life for? The opinions of pop culture and the allure of mediocrity can not replace the substance of a faith in Jesus Christ. We know this to be true, yet the enticement of the world is so appealing. What a mess we have made of our lives, too. Unfortunately, we don't have to look too far to see the many wounded by pursuing popular culture. Young people are victims of fashion scrutinies, belittled because of the smallest things said or done, and invited into the stream of moral collapse, battered and beaten along the way. Thinking the world somehow really does have life all figured out continues to be dangled in front of a broken generation. Haven't we seen enough unhappy stars? Haven't we noticed families falling apart just a little too often? Isn't it clear yet that the world cannot fulfill all of its unrealistic promises?
It is time for us to run to Jesus through the maternal arms of Mary. Let us find our satisfaction with Christ. Let us run to Jesus for guidance and authentic wisdom. We will be made fun of the more we lose step with the culture of death, yet this same cultural destruction happens to those attempting to follow its inflated dreams. With all of the examples of heartbreak, death, destruction, and dissatisfaction why not run to the cross and find the many witnesses of heroic virtue. At the cross you will see the faithful with Our Lady. At the cross you will see the broken and sinful mended and healed. All of the witnesses of the saints speak about the beauty of fulfillment and true authenticity, having died to the world and its emptiness. Today you can leave the mess of the world and walk in the victory of your God. |
|
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 23 January 2008 )
|
|
|
|
<< Start < Prev 1 2 Next > End >>
|
| Results 1 - 8 of 10 |
