Following Jesus And Finding The Truth!
Our faith keeps us grounded in the realities of life with Christ’s message of forgiveness and love. When we neglect prayer in our lives, we could be headed down the road of perdition. The slightest hesitation of right and wrong is proof that faith and trust in God do exist in our lives. When in doubt, you can always find truth in the sacred Scriptures. The parables of Jesus have great images; and in these stories, spiritual truths are explained.
In the 10th chapter of John, Christ is described as the Good Shepherd. This likeness is celebrated in the Church each year on the 4th Sunday of the Easter Season in the Liturgical Calendar. We believe that Christ, the Good Shepherd, died on the Cross, and laid down His life for His sheep. In the gospel of Luke, He tells us that a shepherd will leave 99 sheep to go after the one who is lost. This parable of the “Lost Sheep” is the beginning of a trilogy of redemptive teachings with the “Lost Coin” and the “Prodigal Son” sharing the same message. Jesus used these teachings after He was accused by the Pharisees of welcoming “sinners.” We understand that Jesus died for our sins and will protect us from harm; but first, we must be familiar with the voice of the Good Shepherd.
Remember, even the disciples struggled with comprehending the teachings of Jesus. So, how can we remain faithful believers in such a doubting world? Do you take time in your day to be an evangelist, a teacher or a student of the Word of God? Would you be comfortable as a shepherd pursuing the lost sheep of the flock? If you recognize the voice of God in your conversations with Him, then you are ready to be a disciple, and Christ is counting on you!
Saint John Paul II, as Pope, often used the phrase “be more.” He wanted us to see the beauty of our individual charisms and use them for the good of the Church and Her mission.
In July, my husband and I will take a leap of faith as w "retire" into the next phase of life. We are creating an environment in our new home in Morgantown, Ind., that will encourage and strengthen the Catholic faith of those we love. Most important, our hope is to provide a place where people who minister to others can come to be renewed in spirit.
I was inspired to name this “House of Prayer” or retreat, the “Interior Castle” after the treatise from St. Teresa of Avila, one of the great Doctors of the Church. She began writing this work in the monastery of St. Joseph in Avila on the feast of the Most Holy Trinity, June 2, 1577. The book is a beautiful image of the mystery of the human person. In the text, the soul of the author journeys through the castle, from dwelling place to dwelling place, providing us with a plan for the battle of Christian life.
Much like the parables of Jesus, St. Teresa’s image of our souls on a journey to a place of perfect union with God is comforting, yet challenging. When we acknowledge the sacrifices made for our souls to have eternal life, we are less hesitant to damage our relationship with God by the ugliness of sin. St. Teresa of Avila shares the knowledge and the experience of God’s love in a way that can be applied to our times. Be attentive to the spiritual truths explained by God Himself. He is speaking to us every day through Scripture and those who are willing to serve.
The feast of the Most Holy Trinity is June 15, 2014, the Sunday after Pentecost, and the end of the Easter Season. And it is Father’s Day—pray for your Dad, and for the Holy Spirit to empower us to use and share our gifts! Amen!
