Change Is Constant. Sometimes we grow.
Excerpts:
Old Testament: “Because you have thought yourself to have the mind of a god, therefore, I will bring against you strangers, the most bloodthirsty of nations.” When we are born and grow, we take what we’re offered and later take what we want. Our lives are focused on ourselves; sometimes we’re generous, sometimes just selfish. We may have friends, but they’re hard to keep.
New Testament: “Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.” As we grow, we learn to make adjustments. We learn to share some things and ourselves. We have “support systems” which help us reach goals.
Jesus’ Teaching: “And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more and will inherit eternal life.” We can become quite generous, sharing the prosperity we develop.
As we traverse periods in our lives, gather information, and take “chances” on what the gospels suggest, we learn to live the teachings we received since our baptism. We learn from our mistakes and share our successes. We learn from our guardian angels, the saints who came before us, and the teachings from scriptures…as well as from each other.
Not only do we follow suggestions from the Gospels, from Peter Julian, from the Blessed Sacrament Fathers and Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, but also from Jesuits, Augustinians, Carmelites, etc. Just as the Apostles and early Christians learned from each other, so do we. In so doing, we grow in personal faith. We share and celebrate being gifts and encouragement for each other. We need to witness and encourage each other’s confidence. And this is good news.
Let Us Pray.
Lord Jesus, you bravely came to us and, over time, introduced us to your love and ministry, inviting us to follow you. We can see how every generation, every time, brings new experiences of life to all humankind. As we embrace your Eucharistic presence, help us to encourage each other as opportunities present themselves as gifts, as puzzles, as challenges to participate in life and grace for all. Amen.
