Suscipe Domine Traditional Catholic Forum

The Shrine => The Bookstore => Topic started by: Normandt on September 20, 2020, 12:33:44 PM

Title: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 20, 2020, 12:33:44 PM
 Hi! Peace and joy to you all!

I am french canadian and grew up in the province of Québec, incardinated in the Diocese of Rouyn-Noranda.

Small intro:
The texts I place here comes from homilies written from the beginning of my ordination as priest on June 12th 2011 up 'til 2014.

Each morning, I asked the Lord to help me write the homilies, but mostly for him to tell the people what he wants to tell them today, right now.
The reasons for that demand:
I wanted for the Lord to speak to his people. The second reason, I wanted to reread the homilies to make shure they're really from God, and not just some repeating or my own thoughts.

In 2013, while rereading, I was amazed of what the Lord had left me as a gift. Simple texts but profound at the same time, it seems to be. So I decided to place the paragraphs in order of a full text to be read as a book.
I can only bless the Lord for that and hope the message of his Love passes through hearts as it passes through mine.

The idea of the books has it's foudation on four subjects which the main object is Pathways of faith, a way to get to the Heart of God, accept and let him Love us.

1. Conversion
2. Love of God
3. The Mission (1st of all it's Jesus' Mission)
4. Evangelization (Jesus is the Evangelizer, the Good News)

I like to share also in different subjects when I feel the knowledge to.

I have also 420 videos that goes with the number of each text.


Link to videos: Go to 9th playlist "In Love":
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpGkHnpPdZpOd2Tzk48g6zQ/playlists?fbclid=IwAR1fQTB7A2TGIlKn8eQJsT-N23ReRax-Rng5LsBfkDPw8qNKpcRzLB6I1p4 (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpGkHnpPdZpOd2Tzk48g6zQ/playlists?fbclid=IwAR1fQTB7A2TGIlKn8eQJsT-N23ReRax-Rng5LsBfkDPw8qNKpcRzLB6I1p4)
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 20, 2020, 12:37:21 PM
92. The loss of meaning
Closing in on evil leads us to move away from Love. Then Love does not stick with us because of the limits that evil causes. Jesus conveys a strong enough image of the loss of meaning and sin:
"If the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have repented in sackcloth and ashes." Matthew, chapter 11, verse 21b

People who move away from faith in Jesus open the door to evil and lead others into it. When the Love of God does not pass, evil multiplies like a virus and contaminates those who let themselves be influenced by it.

Now, when Love passes, there is a progression in goodness, according to the pace of evolution of the person.

Jesus uses the example of these two cities to demonstrate to what extent sin can lead a person and groups of people, by a loss of meaning, a lack of good values, to their ruin. If Jesus's miracles do not come to us, we should check the quality of reception we confide into his Love.

(https://seed-image.gloria.tv/anna/l/cdip0z561o05nwvegjvpg89ym340o6gu29k7cao.jpg)

When we reject God's Love, what we really lack is the healing of the heart and soul through the flow of Love which is unfortunately diminished because of the evil that keeps us prisoners.

As soon as we ask Jesus for healing to welcome his Love, there is automatically something good happening in us. Even though the feeling may be subtle now, with determination, later on we will appreciate the inner transformations.

Book: Let's be Loved
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Vetus Ordo on September 20, 2020, 04:06:09 PM
Bienvenu sur le forum, Père Normand.
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 20, 2020, 04:13:35 PM
Merci à toi
paix et joie  :pray1:
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 21, 2020, 05:24:29 AM
93. Negative choice or Holy Spirit

There are choices that make a difference. First, what keeps us captive and imprisoned:
"Immorality, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, rivalry, jealousy, outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness, dissensions, factions, occasions of envy, drinking bouts, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." Galatians, chapter 5, verses 19 to 21

The promised inheritance is the Love of God. But what Paul says is that these acts lead us away from the Love promised to us.
Negative inclinations are those that lead us to become invalid, to become inhuman (thoughts, gestures, words), to evil and at the same time to the remoteness of God, even to the moving away from oneself. There are so many ways to refuse to let ourselves be Loved, the refusal to feed our body, our life of Love, the refusal to serve the Love of God in our neighbour.
We have the choice to let ourselves go to harmful and enemy inclinations or to collect the good with the Holy Spirit. What the Spirit offers us supports us and brings us closer to God:
"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control." Galatians, chapter 5, verses 22 to 23a

(https://seed-image.gloria.tv/anna/c/xmdjfw4lfoz4uno94daod9h33wvtjua916lfhrh.jpg)

Let's be aware of these fruits in our life. Let's look at them, collect them as invited friends at our home. Let's spend our days observing them, meditating on them and recognizing their benefits.

Let's keep our thoughts on the manifestations of the Holy Spirit and we will prefer this path that instills spiritual and human well-being. We will feel our life enter a major turning point that will amaze us.

Book: Let's be Loved
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 21, 2020, 06:52:11 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 22, 2020, 04:31:50 AM
94. The need to pray

Jesus recommends to us:
"Take care." Luke, chapter 11, verse 35
The only way we do not weigh down our lives is to live our lives like Christ, to put our trust in him and to feed ourselves with his Love.

All distractions causes wrong and move us away from the presence of God. May we remain vigilant in prayer. God does not need our prayers, but we need to pray. Prayer pulls us out of evil and leads us to a more sincere relationship with God.

We need to pray for our heart to unite with the will of God. We need to pray to better understand his will. We need to pray in order to be enlightened and inspired by God in front of multiple choices and decisions.

(https://seed-image.gloria.tv/anna/i/lg0y4mrfd8cjnuafzgk91chjx92fppdjmuofxlu.jpg)

It's the complete opposite of living life without God, without Love. All that unites us to God distances us from temptations and evil. It's the only law that governs our lives. Either we move toward God, or we move away from him. And everything that challenges and unites us to the Trinity keeps us in life, joy, hope, service, friendly encounters, holy with ourselves, with others and with God.

Book: Let's be Loved
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 22, 2020, 03:14:44 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 23, 2020, 06:15:50 AM
95. Watch and pray


Jesus tells us:
"Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man." Luke, chapter 11, verse 36


Let's watch and pray to discern good from evil in our lives and in the lives of others. Jesus watches over us and Loves us until sin is erased. He wants to guide us to salvation. May Jesus come and convert us, so that we live with him.

(https://seed-image.gloria.tv/anna/k/qckbjy81my09jds81pfulax0d9lxirme7emve1u.jpg)

May Mary and Joseph help us, by their example, to listen to what God asks of us personally. For this reason, we are invited to receive the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit in our hearts as Mary and Joseph knew how to welcome him.

Book: Let's be Loved
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 23, 2020, 02:23:31 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 24, 2020, 04:09:35 AM
96. The refusal

Beyond the cause of evil in the body, there remains for us a principle that is undeniable. Even if we know that evil is mainly caused by the evil prince, it progresses when one or more people let themselves be tempted.

If, for example, someone starts bullying a student at school, he will experience the consequences of this bullying. He will "feel it deeply". And this evil will develop in him, since he is a victim.

If other people know that he is intimidated and they are joining in, they increase the harm. They place invisible bricks around this person and they slowly build his prison. The victim will live the evil in all the fibres of his being and in his heart.

Evil is pernicious. Diseases are related to evil. Evil will not come from the one who is intimidated unless he decides not to let himself be loved. He suffers the consequences of the hurt caused by people who distance themselves from God's desired Love.

(https://seed-image.gloria.tv/anna/e/gh3o0jc3uanwhpclqez2a1nenaxhvgbyf3dlsbv.jpg)

The spirit of contradiction keeps us away from God. It takes a tremendous amount of energy to counter the surge of God's Love for us.

Health problems are related to the rejection of Love in our life, simply because we use stratagems and we exile ourselves away from Love. Unless this evil is caused by many. That said, the rejection of God's Love of others can also cause illness and evil that progressively destroys us.

Only the Love of God can bring back everything good, keep us from harm and give us freedom. We do not want to be around evil, but sometimes we slip into it.

Book: Let's be Loved
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 24, 2020, 04:29:54 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 25, 2020, 04:45:54 AM
97. Ask for help

We have probably experienced this feeling where nothing seems possible for us. We are tired, exhausted. We lack energy. And suddenly, we have a "flash of genius" to turn to Jesus and ask for his help.

And what a surprise we had when we felt something deep happen in us. From that moment, our life was awakened and it was transformed delicately, joyfully, from within.

(https://seed-image.gloria.tv/anna/a/hj4t2gl2ggbg0rovrsbvvv688gzt5hpa8o74mw1.jpg)

We had felt Jesus's presence. All was unclear, but we knew, from a certain intelligence and wisdom, that something gloriously had happened, something luminous in us.

It's like the intense joy of a moment that overwhelms us and that we fully live. Our life makes sense with Jesus. We want to remain in this state. We want to celebrate and pray this new momentum of life.

Let's ask God, again, to come and touch what needs to be healed in our life.

Book: Let's be Loved
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 25, 2020, 01:39:22 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 26, 2020, 06:47:09 AM
98. Pride is near

The impasse is on the watch:
"Because you have thought yourself to have the mind of a god." Ezekiel, chapter 28, verse 6

The king of Tire is in a proud phase of his life, since he believes he has everything necessary. He judges himself superior to others. He lends himself superior thoughts to others. He convinces himself to be a "god".

Sometimes things accumulate, but we forget to deepen what we need most, the Presence of God in our life and in the world.

(https://seed-image.gloria.tv/anna/d/rfq27tgqhwntccq9ikv22y6s0okvj8hufva46o9.jpg)

This is a calling not to let ourselves go to pride. When all is well, we feel light. Every day becomes an enchantment. Do be careful, because pride is looking at us through the optical hole of the door, by the "Judas".

Book: Let's be Loved
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 26, 2020, 01:52:12 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 27, 2020, 06:53:44 AM
99. Leave evil

The devil exists. He is a person, because of his movement, according to the thought of Thomas Aquinas. The devil fatally refuses the Love of God. The evil-doer refuses Love.

It is the responsibility of each person not to get caught, then to lose oneself and move away from God. The temptation for the human is to confine, then to isolate oneself in evil.

The devil totally refuses the Love of God. When we turn our backs on ourselves, on others and on God, we are moving toward division, the devil, the abyss of misfortune. He's amused and looks forward to seeing us moving toward him.

Negative habits of some lead other people into harmful attitudes. We are often in solidarity with evil because we become accustomed to it. This bad way keeps us prisoners.

(https://seed-image.gloria.tv/anna/g/gwrckysd2sp7oay5cu82f2w0dhi3f2r7f8eue12.jpg)

If we sin, we lead others to evil. If we pray to God, we lead people to good. At the very end of our lives, the Lord will reveal to us the sum of our good deeds. Prayer is like money in the bank and the time of retirement is eternal in the Kingdom of God.

This is why prayer is so important, even if sometimes we do not see any apparent results. Let's accept to change our heart and our attitudes. A change for the better will come. As soon as we pray, God helps us because we allow him to Love us.

Book: Let's be Loved
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 27, 2020, 02:09:17 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 28, 2020, 06:40:16 AM
100. Love him or not

John, who was very close to Jesus and received his Love, offers an important reflection that should lead us to reconsider our understanding of the judgment of God:
"God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him." John, chapter 3, verse 17

According to John, God does not judge. How did he come to such a conclusion? Surely that John has understood Love as he is. He also listened to Jesus.

If Jesus did not come to condemn the world, it means that God never judged the world. God does not judge, he Loves. If we speak of the judgment of God, his judgment can only be Love. It means that God will Love us whether we love him or not.

(https://seed-image.gloria.tv/anna/b/ry5jhb6v9f4yoy41q2uiqvmggq69bgztvj7ku4b.jpg)

Let's welcome Jesus to live in joy. Let's acknowledge that we are sinners, that we are empty, that we are destitute without his Love.

Let's ask him for forgiveness, for when people place their failures and faults on his back. Let's recognize that humans cause their own misfortunes, since they succumb to temptations. They let themselves be attracted by tempters. They become lukewarm, they neglect faith, then they move away from God.

Let's thank Jesus for reminding us that he alone saves us and may we dwell in his Love and joy.

Book: Let's be Loved
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 28, 2020, 04:46:12 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 29, 2020, 06:07:23 AM
101. God wishes our conversion

Our faith can be affected by shadows, by interrogations, but it is raised in Jesus:
"'To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbour as yourself' is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices". Mark, chapter 12, verse 33

What matters is to love. How to love? By following Christ.

(https://seed-image.gloria.tv/anna/e/1d8eugj9e6ugcvvhzwpkzfwsx630rptoxsru6lr.jpg)

But what confirms to us that we are really following Christ? By allowing Christ to become the centre of our lives and recognizing his manifestations of Love: joy, peace, mercy...

In truth, we are incapable of loving. God Loves through us.

Book: Let's be Loved
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 29, 2020, 04:16:22 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 30, 2020, 05:49:18 AM
102. Coverage

When we are not aware of evil, it spies on us. With the multiplicity of means to feed it, evil transforms like a blanket. This cover is cunningly transformed and becomes more and more difficult to remove. This cover of evil extends to us and onto others. The Lord of the universe reminds us of what is good to do to get away from evil:
"Consider your ways! Go up into the hill country; bring timber, and build the house that I may take pleasure in it and receive my glory, says the Lord." Haggai, chapter 1, verses 7 to 8

To get out of the trap of evil and to learn to love ourselves better, it is about serving the Lord, with the fear of doing harm. This fear is the signal to continually adjust our heart toward Jesus.

(https://seed-image.gloria.tv/anna/f/ipn16e4sv5svdf9zfqa30cpyxnne95n9gtoncl8.jpg)

The only way to build the house of the Lord and stay there is to move away from all forms of evil that we smoulder, often in spite of ourselves and sometimes because of us. Let's rebuild and gather together with the Lord.

Let's ask Jesus to uncover where we let evil dominate us. Let's offer him our discoveries, in a process of forgiveness and reconciliation. May Jesus wash us from his side with his Precious Blood and Water.

Book: Let's be Loved
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 30, 2020, 02:20:07 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 01, 2020, 05:32:55 AM
103. Impossible to love

Oh, love! Everyone is looking for it and thinks they have found it. In life, there is always a choice between loving or not loving. I love one thing, I do not love another. For things the choice is often easier. But for people, we often consider them, more or less, depending on our preferences.

In reality, it's impossible for us to love, since Love is from God. Without the Love of God in us, we have no love to offer.

We are created to receive Love and allow it to pass through us to love. Sometimes we do not accept everything in one person, but we are invited to open our hearts for God to pass through. All people are Loved by God, without exception.

(https://seed-image.gloria.tv/anna/g/3t3nh2sy9xsscw3jnxg16eg9lg48tdufezqen91.jpg)

There are also judgments about what people wear, about their ways, their way of speaking, their way of life. There are many reasons to get around people. But James tells us:
"Show no partiality as you adhere to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ." James, chapter 2, verse 1

James proposes that we see people, all people as children of God. If all relationships begin and continue this way, God's Love will cover the world. The Love of God already embraces all people of the earth, but we give the impression that God is not Love because of our resistance to him.

Let's accept that the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, that God is Love, and people will simply find out that they are Loved.

Book: Let's be Loved
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 01, 2020, 03:15:54 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 02, 2020, 06:11:16 AM
104. Persecution

We know it, persecution is not new. We find it at home, in schools, at work and on the street. Bullying is physical and verbal abuse.

Persecutions, divisions, God does not provoke them, but inhuman foolishness covets it. Some work hard to keep the power on them. They manage everything in their heads and by pride they persecute people. The persecutors do not need anyone to collapse, to self-destruct, considering they do not need God. The persecutor hurts himself whenever he hurts another. A double hurting.

Persecution and loss of meaning are awaiting us. Whether we are practising believers and celebrants or non-believers, we will be persecuted.

The difference is great for those who follow Jesus. They receive graces to live better, avoid persecution and pass through divisions that shake the world.

(https://seed-image.gloria.tv/anna/d/q1y7kyahlyoa7lxb6pth6ppt0rt2lwmsuz1n7oc.jpg)

Jesus recalls that persecution is real:
"They will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name. It will lead to your giving testimony. Remember, you are not to prepare your defence beforehand, for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute." Luke, chapter 21, verses 12 to 15

We are invited to receive the Love of God, to allow us a joyful transformation, to live in peace. We can, afterward, bring this joy and peace to others, even to the persecutors.

The solution Jesus offers is to always bear witness to our faith in God. If we leave God more room in our lives, we will have the strength and courage to persevere in faith, especially during trials.

Book: Let's be Loved
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 02, 2020, 07:27:41 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 03, 2020, 05:29:26 AM
105. The True Servant

God offers us a servant. He is Love:
"Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom I delight; I shall place my spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not contend or cry out, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets.

A bruised reed he will not break, a smouldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory." Matthew, chapter 12, verses 18 to 20

(https://seed-image.gloria.tv/anna/h/b1trrdbfm3oex3nmgj48008l2cbsw6g3ltc6zqx.jpg)

Let's be touched and moved by the unconditional Love of God. The more we distribute the Love of God, the more we receive. May we let the flowing grace of the Love of God descend on us. Let's let it flow into the crowd and we will receive plenty of it.

Book: Let's be Loved
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 03, 2020, 04:37:51 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 04, 2020, 05:03:34 AM
106. Like a flower

A phrase like this helps us to discover God in the Bible:
"Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God." Isaiah, chapter 40, verse 1
The people will sin against himself, the world will sin so much against God that he can no longer see God in his environment, because he believes that God is the one who disturbs him.

Yet God constantly reminds us that he watches over us: "Comfort, give comfort to my people." Whether we sin or not, he wants to join us and touch our heart. Let's continue with Isaiah:
"The grass withers, the flower wilts, when the breath of the Lord blows upon it. (So then, the people is the grass.) Though the grass withers and the flower wilts, the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah, chapter 40, verses 7b to 8

(https://seed-image.gloria.tv/anna/k/9t605oo45cdisr6882aakkmtc3zbiyz9ndwk70o.jpg)

To move away from God is like a plant that dries up. It fades. So, as water raises the flower, the only one that can give strength to humans is God.

To receive the Eucharist is like the plant that is nourished with vitamins and receives what it needs. He who offers eternal life is God. The Eucharist and the Word guarantees eternal life when we receive them with heart. They awake and elevate us.

God invites us. He wants to console us of what can hurt. He wants to lead and feed us at the source, in green pastures.

Jesus makes unceasing calls to distant hearts. The Lord is the Good Shepherd who wants to gather all the sheep and lead them into the community of saints, in his Kingdom.

Let's be attracted by our Father and trusting in our Saviour, the Good Shepherd of heaven and earth, Jesus Christ. May we be led to the Altar of the Gift of God, the Altar of Love for each person, to the Word and the Eucharist.

There is joy in heaven and peace on earth, since the promised Saviour liberates and consoles the one who really seeks him, wholeheartedly.

Book: ... for Love
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 04, 2020, 02:51:22 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 05, 2020, 06:22:46 AM
107. Reconciliation

Paul tells us:
"We know that all creation is groaning in labour pains even until now." Romans, chapter 8, verse 22

Many women can share their feelings about the pain of giving birth. They know what Paul is talking about. But this pain is much more stinging, even if it doesn't seem perceptible, when we are away from Jesus.

Sin in us is stubborn and constantly assails us. But we are invited to return to awareness and accept healing, so that we may live happily and unite in God.

When we read God's recommendations in the Bible, we find that they always lead to avoid problems. The Bible is full of examples. Yet it's necessary not to twist, to bend the good to the point of thinking that it's wrong and to not sublimate evil and think to succeed in transforming it into a good deed.

Let's face it, a person who doesn't know that he's doing wrong is getting trapped. But a person who likes to live peacefully, when evil comes, does everything possible to avoid it, circumvent it or, ideally as soon as possible ask Jesus to help him pass by it.

(https://seed-image.gloria.tv/anna/h/w5k226dzb60s4x92gepp9kr8865ec6bo22wpmwr.jpg)

Let's read:
"Wash yourselves clean! Put away your misdeeds from before my eyes; cease doing evil." Isaiah, chapter 1, verse 16
We often give our faults, our sins to Jesus, and we know the good he brings us and the healing that follows. We give it to him because we trust him. God purifies then consoles us beyond our expectations.

Every time we confess, Jesus's Precious Blood washes us, cleanses us. He makes the hurting part of our confession white as snow. It provides well-being.

To this is added a way to repair, a way to become better. After the forgiven fault, these are attitudes that help us to improve:
"Learn to do good. Make justice your aim: redress the wronged, hear the orphan's plea, defend the widow." Isaiah, chapter 1, verse 17

We tend to move away from God, and that is evil, and ultimately we hurt ourselves. It requires discernment to fully understand the difference between what is really bad or good. Let's return and God will do his work in us.
Getting people to become truthful could be disastrous, if it's not well framed, with patience and gentleness. We must not make people flee as much as to pray for their spiritual improvement. We hope they'll find themselves in the grace of God. God will do his work in them.

Book: ... for Love
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 05, 2020, 02:46:56 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 06, 2020, 04:49:40 AM
108. Charity

Many people are alone, even in groups, because they feel misunderstood, judged, left out too. Let's defend the lonely person's cause. Offering charity helps others and helps us too. There is a clear advantage. While we are doing good, we are freeing ourselves from evil.

The Bible often offers ways to improve our faith, to reach God. This sentence is timely, while Jesus speaks of some scribes and pharisees:
"Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practise." Matthew, chapter 23, verse 3

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Let's be careful not to judge people but gather their qualities, the gifts they've received from God. Thus, if we cannot trust the actions or words of some people, we can however retain their good counsel and perseverance in following Jesus. So, we shouldn't take apart what they might not be doing good, it's more about making sure we move forward and do good. We too are not perfect.

It's up to each person to discern and be empowered to become better christians and truly God's children. The good we perceive in others teaches us to become better ourselves.

But let's be careful not to mix up good and bad. Discovering the evil in others is also a great way to avoid slipping into the same evil. We learn from their failures. This teaches us and it's an opportunity to pray for them. Learning from their failures helps us and will help them eventually.

Book: ... for Love
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 06, 2020, 02:42:32 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 07, 2020, 04:28:26 AM
109. Staying in God

God offers us his creation. We are the fruit of his creation. He offers us life, joy, peace and above all the freedom to choose. But we often live as people who stay away from God.

This freedom to choose, we often seem not to know what to do with it. The proof is that with our freedom, we could feel free to choose something other than God. Or we just stay far enough, so as not to be afraid of God, which is a totally useless fear.

We are especially afraid of being afraid of God. We believe that God is the cause of our fear. However, he cannot scare us because Love is not scary. Fear is the sign of us leaving the Lord.

(https://seed-image.gloria.tv/anna/a/kdysaq3qc2eto3j2kcyt4wp7kyboca9x6x8nl8j.jpg)

God's Law is simple. Let's remain suspended to his Love and we will be saved. We're already in his Love. Jesus shares with us his law of Love. Let's love Jesus. It's an easy choice.

God's Law is related to his Perfect, True, and Real Love. The word "law" may seem to mean something strict and caging. Yes, we can say that for a badly practised law that becomes dehumanizing, but never for the law of God.

God's Law of Love is the real journey to our salvation. If it seems strict and stifling, we're not grasping it. Such an interpretation prevents us from living peacefully in God.

Let's ask Jesus for healing and purification, in order to advance in faith. May fear and suffocation stay away from us. Let's get closer to Jesus.

Book: ... for Love
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 07, 2020, 03:18:29 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 08, 2020, 05:44:40 AM
110. The needles hole

Someone has this question for Jesus:
"'Lord, will only a few people be saved?' He answered them, 'Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.'" Luke, chapter 13, verses 23 to 24
We will be saved to the extent that we find the narrow door.

There are many people who wonder, in the light of this passage, whether their families, their friends will be saved if they don't find this door, if they don't open to the will of God. The question is launched. Do we want to live this passage toward, then in God's Heart? Jesus tells us how easy it is:
"It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." Matthew, chapter 19, verse 24

(https://seed-image.gloria.tv/anna/k/2gcuj76f36xguhhctqq4lcx26ypmmjnpheovguj.jpg)

Jesus says that it's necessary to go through the hole of a needle to enter the Kingdom of God. The camel succeeds easily. This is a message he sends us. It invites us to go beyond the conceptions, the sense that we usually give to things and to meditate on what he proposes.

The narrow door, the hole of the needle, is to be aware of what God asks of us. We must dare to rise and walk in Jesus's steps, so that we may always find the unique pathway to truth and Love that leads to the Father's house. Anyone can find it, because that's the easiest thing to do.

Let's ask Jesus if we are on the right path. Are we on the right track, Jesus? Are we doing what is right? Do we live in the present moment as something precious, to cherish and celebrate with good deeds and good words?

Are we watchful of the poor? Not only to throw money at him, but to help him on his way and help him walk in your footsteps, Jesus. The answer Jesus offers us is in our heart.

Book: ... for Love
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 08, 2020, 02:19:37 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 09, 2020, 05:43:17 AM
111. The door

For people who cannot be involved a lot, prayer is the answer. Prayer helps us to stay focused on the Trinity for the world.
It is up to us, who have found the narrow door in our heart, to let it stay open and let God's Love pass through. We will be saved to the extent that we find the door and let Jesus open it.

The narrow door is to always move forward to God by following Jesus; it is hoping to adjust ourselves to what Christ wants us to achieve in us and around us; it's becoming so united to Christ that people see Christ in us; it's wanting to be at the service of the neighbour, because Christ invites us to love, with his Love. This is the only path that leads to the narrow gate. Many other trails lead out of Love.

(https://seed-image.gloria.tv/anna/b/3kjsgie8ea6pl8jm5gx92be830gowvdwmvncmrl.jpg)

Let's trust and walk with Jesus. We will evolve to the extent that we will keep him with us.

For the Love of God, everything is possible. It's too easy. The needles hole and the narrow door represent the path, the tunnel that leads to the Trinity. If we really think about it, it is possible for Love to make us pass into eternal life, in the Heart of God. Love doesn't suffer restrictions. It goes anywhere. It opens the main door of the Kingdom of God at the same time it opens our heart.

Book: ... for Love
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 09, 2020, 02:28:48 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 10, 2020, 05:35:09 AM
112. Discernment is a grace

We can observe what we do, what we say, how we live, and here we have the basis for discovering and correcting many small annoyances we're living in.

Discernment is a grace that we can ask to the Holy Spirit. Discernment allows us to fully observe all facets of our lives and stay in a fair path. Better still, it's a grace we already have, which comes with the gift of life. We only need to accept it and practice discernment. Grace will do the rest. Everything is simple when we only need to ask and receive.
James tells us:
"For one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, it is a sin." James, chapter 4, verse 17

It's clear that if we enter the good path, we move away from evil, we move away from sin.

We are faced with multiple choices every day, but we also have the possibility to sort through our memory, clean our habits. In this way, we will learn to become more ourselves by avoiding clutches and traps.

(https://seed-image.gloria.tv/anna/b/1wx7vx9xpj0mlubqxlr2era0rq2g0niqf738efb.jpg)

The freedom we have is to choose the right passage, the road that leads to the Heart of God and let go of the empty, illusory and useless.

If there's someone who does good in the name of Jesus:
"do not prevent him. There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me." Mark, chapter 9, verses 39 to 40

Jesus assures us that if the person does good, according to the Heart of God, he is a person who discerns, makes good choices and does Jesus's will. This is the path that leads to God's Heart.

Book: ... for Love
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 10, 2020, 09:27:48 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 11, 2020, 05:03:13 AM
113. Freedom to choose

"For to everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich." Matthew, chapter 25, verse 29

If the question of talents mentioned by Jesus, moreover, was the movement of our freedom? Because what freezes us prevents us from being free. But by receiving the Love of God in our heart, everything becomes possible.

We have the opportunity to do everything in life, but it is not everything we do that leads us to happiness. We experience suffering that is sometimes linked to choices that have not been well thought out, to desires that have not been identified or contained, to actions that are contrary to charity toward ourselves or others, or that we have suffered.

Every day we have the freedom to choose or refuse what is presented to us. We have the choice between this new TV or another one. We have the choice of different programs. We also choose our friends according to criteria that resemble us.

(https://seed-image.gloria.tv/anna/d/28ujcv6xlxui7l66spf8wq57zitbgimelp23ln3.jpg)

The choice of our work depends on the skills that we possess and that have shaped us over the years:
"Freedom is the power, rooted in reason and will, to act or not to act, to do this or that, and so to perform deliberate actions on one's own responsibility." Catechism of the Catholic Church, number 1731: http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P5N.HTM

However, choosing requires thinking first. We know that when the choice we make is not well thought out, we are prone to making mistakes, hurting ourselves, hurting others. The less we understand it, the more likely it is to deceive us and cause useless mistakes. The less we know the Trinity, the more likely it is to enter a tortuous path. In the life of faith:
The more one does what is good, the freer one becomes. There is no true freedom except in the service of what is good and just. The choice to disobey and do evil is an abuse of freedom and leads to "the slavery of sin". (cf Rm 6, 17) Catechism of the Catholic Church, number 1733, website:
http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P5N.HTM

We have a choice between the tortuous or the virtuous way. One leads to evil, the other to the Heart of God. Becoming a slave to sin is so easy, but climbing the Mount of Beatitudes requires attention and consistency, no matter which street brings us there. Effort in good will makes the road much easier than slavery in evil. We only need to recover, to pray in the silence of our heart, to find the way and the Trinity.

Book: ... for Love
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 11, 2020, 04:14:33 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 12, 2020, 05:24:29 AM
114. Obedience

Obedience to the will of God is a great way to keep our intentions orderly. Obedience to God may not be the most popular virtue today, but it makes us free and responsible. Obedience to God keeps us awake. This obedience is always linked to Love, never to the evil that is opposed to it. Obedience is always keeping us in line with the narrow door, the Heart of God.

Realizing good around us gives people a pleasant feeling and helps them continue to offer a well-being around them. Then, another person will receive and share it. It's the wheel of happiness. We will become free and we will feel a deep inner joy that will indicate to us that our accomplished action is directly related to the love of the neighbour and wanted by God. This is how we reach our family and friends, as well as the people we meet. Let's stay in God.

(https://seed-image.gloria.tv/anna/c/broczfjyxm4al4bczh3pgfgvr9cgmpe229re9fu.jpg)

On the contrary, sinking into evil or because of the evil of another, causes a feeling of not succeeding, a feeling of guilt and sadness that can lead to depression and distress. Evil suffocates, while goodness frees.

We have the freedom to do good or not. We understand that the freedom we possess as humans leads to the different actions we accomplish throughout our life, every moment.

Book: ... for Love
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 12, 2020, 03:16:37 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 13, 2020, 04:05:17 AM
115. Spiritual laziness

It's simple to enter into a certain spiritual laziness, for example, and tell ourselves that we have freedom, without verifying the consequence of our actions and our words, without being responsible.

In the Parable of talents, we read that people have the freedom to multiply their gifts or bury them in a closed heart that will become heavier than a basket of unshared fruits. Evil freezes the heart of the person and makes it so heavy that it can become frozen like stone:
"The man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and buried his master's money." Matthew, chapter 25, verse 18

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To keep the basket of fruits in hand, to keep the graces received from God for ourselves, is to remain fixed on the spot at the expense of faith. In our hands the basket becomes heavy. The unshared fruits of the trees will not serve and they will rot, like the fruits of the Holy Spirit remain in our hands.

While the fruits of the Holy Spirit are not shared, they remain in our consciousness. They're waiting to be shared. Not to share them cuts us off from the vital movement of Love. Love just won't pass through us.

Book: ... for Love
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 13, 2020, 05:02:36 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 14, 2020, 06:34:00 AM
116. Nourished by Love

The heart of flesh is one who is nourished by the Love of God and shares it with his neighbour:
"To everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich." Matthew, chapter 25, verse 29

The one who has shares, the one who has and does not share, has nothing. That is to say, the one who blocks the talents that God offers him closes up and he will go so far as to believe that he has nothing to share. This sentence can be a good indicator: "Ah, I'm never doing anything good... I'm not able. It's impossible." Do continue and you'll get there! Give yourself small goals and, with experience, you will achieve bigger ones.

Blocking God's Love prevents him from circulating in us and sharing it. This causes us personal suffering and distress.

(https://seed-image.gloria.tv/anna/i/ydx8lp3cm9romv7ko0u2wb3kbu3cuextfpn1yzf.jpg)

Graces will become numerous when they are passed on to others by the one who shares the Love of God. Let's continue with the catechism:
"Freedom is the power, rooted in reason and will, to act or not to act, to do this or that, and so to perform deliberate actions on one's own responsibility. By free will one shapes one's own life. Human freedom is a force for growth and maturity in truth and goodness; it attains its perfection when directed toward God, our beatitude." Catechism of the Catholic Church, number 1731, website: http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P5N.HTM

Our freedom becomes total when our whole life is given to God for the neighbour. This attention to the other teaches us to become also charitable toward ourselves. Our freedom becomes mature when it is also engaged by the mercy of God. He seeks mercy givers.

Book: ... for Love
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 14, 2020, 02:24:53 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 15, 2020, 05:31:39 AM
117. A natural law

We have in our hearts a natural law that is a grace of God. It helps us to discern and choose between good and bad. It is better to remain stationary in the face of evil than to be trapped in it.

It is better to think a while than to act too quickly and engulf ourselves in evil. The drug is a striking example. It is better for children to learn at length about the negative effects of drugs, so that they can get around it, i.e. alcohol, all drugs, divination that places the pride of a person between God and others, selfishness and all that leads to evil.

Let's ask the Holy Spirit to increase in us vigilance, courage, determination and constancy; to offer us his grace, as well as for the neighbour. If we want them, God gives us his graces.

(https://seed-image.gloria.tv/anna/d/tyc4yy65xc5kfzlv8huxxf84n37q5yetaqr6ibo.jpg)

May freedom always lead us to perfect goodness, with the desire to always return to the Paschal Meal that is placed upon the Altar of Love, by Christ, for us. It is the only true source that assures us a free and fulfilled life, thanks to the Life and Love of God.

May Mary and Joseph, who freely chose the will of God in them, inspire us with their total and definite "yes". May our life be offered with joy to him who gave us his life, Jesus, for our well-being and for the salvation of the world.

Book: ... for Love
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 15, 2020, 02:35:14 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 16, 2020, 04:52:07 AM
118. Our judgment

From God's Love and Light, we can observe in ourselves and in people the shadows and the lights. Then, discern with wisdom what would be the best way to help.

If we move away from God, we close the shutters of the windows, and instead of having the full light of day, we glimpse at some rays that seek to join us. Again, it will be necessary to be aware of these rays and not worry too much for the specks of dust in it. Dust does not alter or define the purity of light.

The less we let the light in, the more we seek to protect our eyes. This phenomenon occurs during night time. When we wake up at night and open the light switch, our eyes close alone. We try to move away from the light. We even place our hands on our eyes. Even sometimes, we immediately turn off the light.

This is what happens when we move away from God. The less we seek God, the more we sink into darkness. We have trouble supporting what is clear and bright. Then we have difficulty receiving the power of his light. We may not find the door.

(https://seed-image.gloria.tv/anna/c/75dbc6yleunmfdborb9h8f9pqdlgyh88u1r73ey.jpg)

To flee the Light, to flee Wisdom, to flee the Love of God is already our judgment. The judgment of others is not necessary since we judge ourselves. We develop a fear of God, we close the Light ... on God. Then we dig deeper into the illusion that we are better, surrounded by our defences, going deep down and away from the Light.

This passage of wisdom has been transmitted for our greatest joy:
"If you choose you can keep the commandments; it is loyalty to do his will." Sirach, chapter 15, verse 15

That's totally God! He tells us: "If you choose." Around a buffet, we choose whatever we want. It's not for others to choose for us. They will also choose for themselves.

It's also up to each of us to remain faithful and to unite our life to Jesus or not. We are free, we are responsible for our faith. If we accept what God offers us, then we will have an overflowing buffet where everything will be good for us and for humanity.

Book: ... for Love
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 16, 2020, 02:32:37 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 17, 2020, 05:27:34 AM
119. A personal choice

The author continues:
"Before man are life and death, whichever he chooses shall be given him." Sirach, chapter 15, verse 17

According to the choice of each person, life is proposed to them by God and death remains a personal choice ... "whichever he chooses". It's not God's choice. Death is not God's choice. He does not offer us this choice.

(https://seed-image.gloria.tv/anna/j/pb96ss4su39hfnzdacu0t44nexv4n09tdmg212i.jpg)

The choice for death is nothing but the rejection of God's Love, the refusal to let us love God, the refusal to welcome him and share the immense love that everyone expects. The refusal to receive Jesus' Love leads to evil and finally, to death.

Yet it is much easier to share what we receive. The buffet is not only there for us. Let's receive the Love of God and share it.

Book: ... for Love
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 17, 2020, 05:29:39 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 18, 2020, 05:19:03 AM
120. God does not command

This sentence, which makes us smile, allows us to meditate and deepen it:
"No man does he command to sin, to none does he give strength for lies." Sirach, chapter 15, verse 20

God commands nothing that is destructive to us and to our neighbour: "To none does he give strength for lies." He does not allow anyone to sin. Sin is not God's choice. God does not impose anything on us.

(https://seed-image.gloria.tv/anna/b/m483cuo61pnhhvk7dfz4eflrxi3ph3cyh7rj5l3.jpg)

Let's say it like this: "He did not allow anyone to be stupid." Because the lack of intelligence, understanding and reflection is the sign of a closure to God and to others.

We are free as wind, free as children of God. It is up to us to discern and want what God offers us.

Book: ... for Love
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 18, 2020, 04:11:02 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 19, 2020, 05:03:25 AM
121. That's wisdom!

Paul understood:
"We do speak a wisdom to those who are mature, but not a wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age who are passing away." 1 Corinthians, chapter 2, verse 6

We are entertained ... while we are far from reality. The world, more specifically the mundane, entertains us and moves us away from good.

"The ruler of this age", mentioned by Paul, is usually the power that submits the neighbour. They entertain us while we pay or others pay the price.

(https://seed-image.gloria.tv/anna/g/oobp5cn4oxrmmjov4818fctfu8rt5u50l8ortit.jpg)

The only one that can lead us to reality is Jesus:
"You, Lord, give light to my lamp; my God brightens the darkness about me." Psalm 18, verse 29

Jesus is "the Light" of our lamp if we welcome it. Night turns into day with the Lord.

Book: ... for Love
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 19, 2020, 12:27:06 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 20, 2020, 03:54:20 AM
122. God's invitation

Caution:
"You were called for freedom, brothers. But do not use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh; rather, serve one another through love." Galatians, chapter 5, verse 13

Our freedom lies in God's welcome. Our freedom lies serving "one another through love".
Jesus tells us:
"If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John, chapter 8, verses 31 to 32

Do we want to follow Jesus? Do we want to live within his truth? May we give our heart to Jesus.

(https://seed-image.gloria.tv/anna/j/1p2tkryl9h612vov4bfnqkv71e3t5u8e0jwtlpz.jpg)

Do we want to love the neighbour? Let's ask the Holy Spirit to Love with our hearts.

We want to live forever? Let's ask the Father to lead us to Jesus who is the Way, the Truth and the Life.

Jesus invites us to deeply meditate on his will. The others will not think about it for us. It is our responsibility to constantly ask Jesus to cleanse us, so we can grasp all the good that we can achieve for the world, in the world.

Book: ... for Love
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 20, 2020, 03:50:28 PM
(https://seed-image.gloria.tv/anna/c/l2iuvcy8y5it745kif775kzm4vcau8c6kywx0sg.jpg)
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 21, 2020, 05:11:57 AM
123. Pure heart

May Jesus clean out our heart by his presence. The pure heart is the heart (the person) who emerges from evil and advances toward good, continually. May we let God simply Love us, like a child:
"Let the children come to me and do not prevent them." Luke, chapter 18, verse 16

We have one important decision in life. Jesus.

(https://seed-image.gloria.tv/anna/b/9iqqg8u8omt5v1ikskahrywu3a9nuih9ukau8rv.jpg)

To welcome the Love of God or to refuse it? It is the key of our responsibility, the opening toward our freedom. If we accept the Love of God, we move toward him, if we refuse, we slip into evil.
Let's share and receive God's Love between us. It's too simple. It is the only path that leads to the pierced Heart of God. Let's go in often. May God manage our life, since he shapes us with Love.

If we really want to find ways to come back to God, we will have to be aware of what we are experiencing inside and outside of us. Jesus always chases us with his Love, he is with us with open Heart and always ready to receive us.

Book: ... for Love
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 21, 2020, 04:56:44 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 22, 2020, 06:25:05 AM
124. Conversion and truth

"The Advocate, the holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name - he will teach you everything and remind you of all that (I) told you." John, chapter 14, verse 26

We want it, Lord, your Spirit of Truth. This is the first request to be made to the Trinity. We want to welcome the Spirit of Truth, the Spirit of Jesus and of the Father.

(https://seed-image.gloria.tv/anna/e/xw2r5es0pzoytpawppvykoilvoxf6fmubd0gzj9.jpg)

The truth is sometimes difficult to pin down. Several situations and obstacles caused by some people made us fear the truth.

And the truth that is most difficult to grasp, even to accept, is the one within us, the one that moves us from within, until it leads us to the shore of freedom.

Book: ... for Love
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 23, 2020, 06:27:33 AM
125. Let's talk about Jesus

Jesus declares to his disciples:
"Everyone who acknowledges me before others the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God." Luke, chapter 12, verse 8

That's true! But what does Jesus want us to say about him? The truth.

But what is the truth for us? This is much more delicate. To talk about Jesus (or a person), we need to spend time with him, walk together, share together and read what is said about him, enter into communion and communicate with him. May we dare a conversion to his Heart.

(https://seed-image.gloria.tv/anna/i/wggb3ur48zda1cd7z2k93s4dj6kihpzjmw42r7r.jpg)

Above all, if we want to talk about Jesus, let's make sure we know ourselves well enough. Because a person who has not taken some time to listen to his own life will hardly put into perspective the reality of another person, especially Jesus's life. It's a daily reflection to discover ourselves and to know ourselves in reality and truth.

Book: ... for Love
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 23, 2020, 02:16:35 PM
(https://seed-image.gloria.tv/anna/i/2358h3rr0j7da5x4ma1fcmknnrd2ec70s5yi1bc.jpg)
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 24, 2020, 04:39:07 AM
126. Who is Jesus?

In the Gospels, there's a lot of information about Jesus. His presence, at the heart of our history, is particularly relevant to the history of his time. He is Jewish and he is surrounded by people who testify to his presence.

There are libraries lined up with books about him. From all that we can read about Jesus and to discern how he really is, may we ask a Person who knows him well to inform us. We want the Spirit of Truth!

Only the Holy Spirit and the Father truly know Jesus. Well, Jesus knows himself too. But how do we grasp the Holy Spirit if we do not see him? Let's ask for his Love on us and in us, and we will gradually discover the truth Jesus is.

The more we develop our relationship with Jesus, the more we will know him. Lesser we approach Jesus, lesser we will know him.

Jesus gave us the Church to help us know him better. The Church will offer us the best documents to get in touch with him. Surely, our welcoming the Church and the Trinity will be necessary.

(https://seed-image.gloria.tv/anna/h/zcxyxmvr7ofxqr2a7ei3cymreuz7kxbhg5ak52f.jpg)

Only the Love of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit leads us to the truth about God, about us and about the people around us. It takes a daily and lifelong conversion from our heart to the Heart of God.

Let's always begin with Love to know the Trinity. If there is lack of love, it's not Jesus, it's not the Trinity.

This step of faith in the Trinity will make the road easier and we will see it develop and operate in the hearts of people.

Book: ... for Love
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 24, 2020, 12:26:44 PM
(https://seed-image.gloria.tv/anna/g/86jy2j8idskt3vkw9yp1pa9dxs3p6zvoeim7rld.jpg)
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 25, 2020, 05:26:14 AM
127. Listening to ourselves

Listening to ourselves will help us greatly. To offer ourselves a little time to check our interior can avoid many unpleasant situations. Taking time to watch our daily movie will be the best movie we'll see every evening and for life.

There is no more "reality" than the unfolding of our life. It will teach us a lot about our thoughts, our attitudes and our actions. Let's appreciate these moments that allow us to adjust, to know ourselves better and this practice will help to continue on the road, to live joyfully.

Before we get to bed, we can check how the day went. Who did we meet during the day? Where did we meet people? How did we welcome them? How did they greet us?

To live with the desire that God may be the only master of our life requires efforts to live in reality, in search for truth and goodness. To pray with an open heart to God is also a way of keeping us from harm.

Have we listened to ourselves and to others? We learn a lot when we are in small groups sharing on topics of faith, hope, charity, exchanges on the Word of God and pray together.

(https://seed-image.gloria.tv/anna/d/icqadutcab16ce1hfw02wr9u5am6r5tzfp378tv.jpg)

Have we handed over to the Lord what seems wrong, the negative words we've heard, for example? Did we suffer the pain and weeping of the person who confided in us? Have we handed over the distress, the anguish of some people to Jesus? Have we remained calm and have we played down difficult situations? Are we becoming instruments of peace?

These are some questions that can help us improve and clean up our thoughts and memory. Above all, we are invited to give everything to Jesus. He's the only one who can free our being from all that is negative, sadness, sorrow. Let's become friends with ourselves. May we engage in joy, hope, peace.

Let's always place ourselves under the Love of God and we will see that we still have much to achieve, little by little, while respecting our limits. Let's respect the direction of the sailing, the direction of our journey to the eternal shore.

Let's offer the joy and sorrow to Jesus and believe that he will rejoice in joy with us, and with the sorrow he will transform it, free us, so that we can move evermore freely with him, toward him. Let's prepare our heart for the Presence of Jesus. He is present. Let's talk to him, freely.

Book: ... for Love
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 25, 2020, 06:15:20 PM
(https://seed-image.gloria.tv/anna/k/j9wp7haptnfql6yo6nmwciw7rde3ywkl95uulfy.jpg)
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 26, 2020, 06:09:45 AM
128. Let's return to Jesus

God knows that, despite efforts, we are sometimes at fault and we are struggling. Nobody is perfect and Jesus doesn't necessarily demand perfection of who we are and in what we do. Let's accept to not be perfect. We will make mistakes, we will sin. He simply asks us to share his Love.
His Love will do its work and triumph in our heart, and we will feel its benefits, and we will see its deployment.

He wants us to be more and more like him and work toward the perfection of our being. Let's accept to be where we are right now. We move forward with who we are and what we live with. We're doing our best.

Let's abide in Jesus who embraces our heart despite the sorrows, the sickness, the errors, the lack of interest, the forgetfulness, the mistakes.

(https://seed-image.gloria.tv/anna/d/hmzf72blzwkfe6tc2pdc1x5klyeymsmcpu93y9j.jpg)

Let's be quick to ask for the graces of the Holy Spirit in activities, really all activities, so that it illuminates, inspire our efforts and our sharing. May the Lord remain with us at work, at home and while participating in activities.

Let's pray wherever we can, and whenever possible at every moment.

Sometimes we go different ways for several reasons. But if our heart is ready, we will be redirected to the one who opens his Heart to us, Jesus.

Jesus welcomes us as soon as we return silently (humbly) every evening to him. May the Lord watch over us, let him answer us and save us from whatever tries to lead us away from eternity.

May our heart find comfort in him, night and day.

Book: ... for Love
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 26, 2020, 02:20:43 PM
(https://seed-image.gloria.tv/anna/a/1xe87vdwkc393k4vdig26t5jmrs953fffz53xac.jpg)
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 27, 2020, 05:25:33 AM
129. Conversion and freedom

The Holy Spirit helps us in faith as Paul says:
"In the same way, the Spirit too comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit itself intercedes with inexpressible groaning. And the one who searches hearts knows what the intention of the Spirit is, because it intercedes for the holy ones according to God's will. We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose." Romans, chapter 8, verses 26 to 28

To love God is first of all to welcome him into us. Paul tells us that there is a reality that we're going to live, whether we know Christ or not:
"The world in its present form is passing away." 1 Corinthians, chapter 7, verse 31b

This world in which we live, this world visible to our eyes will not remain. Our eyes will one day see the reality and the truth, as well as our forthcoming transformation, until then more or less successful, when entering into eternal life.

(https://seed-image.gloria.tv/anna/c/sq59lqeu490p7mor1feq2oaia5ut1rcd3v08wyq.jpg)

We go through life to learn to love one another, from Love. God's reign is near every person. Jesus invites us to continually convert in order to be as free as possible when we appear before him.

This doesn't mean to make ulcers and headaches with our faults, since we give them to Jesus. It simply means finding all the means to enter deeper into God's Love.

Let's not live in the regrets of the past with the memory of the wounds piling up and weighing down on our hearts. We have the right to live free from everything that assails and suffocates us.

It's important not to keep our eyes fixed on our faults, but to find ways to get rid of them, in order to approach God. Let's ask the Holy Spirit to help us find solutions, then continue to develop faith received from the Lord by letting us heal through Jesus.

Book: ... for Love
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 27, 2020, 04:08:16 PM
Jesus is tempted by evil, but not like us. He fights temptations for us; the temptation to move away from the Life and Love of God; the temptation of evil against God; the temptation of what distracts us from God and the temptation to possess what exists by repelling God.

(https://seed-image.gloria.tv/anna/c/mz7zh47ok91e7eozmmx06ysppbmt9cjwdzaq3dw.jpg)
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 28, 2020, 10:30:25 AM
130. God Loves us

Sooner or later, and we may have heard it, we hear people who seem to have taken control of their lives. They will say things that seem to place them above God. The most fragile will often follow or begin to act or live like them.

The habit of evil, the one we no longer see in ourselves, leads others to turn away from good. All that's against God leads the most vulnerable to move away from him. May we not reject God. He is the one who Loves us.

Here is a striking example of an intermission during the broadcast of a major news station in the United States. A man is promoting for atheist people, paid by his association. He speaks for them and at the same time, he makes fun of christians. He initiates and strongly invites to become an atheist (although the "atheist" does not really exist), to deny their christian faith. He adds that he is not afraid of burning in hell. These are his last words.
May we pray for him and for those who could follow his ideal.

He turns people away from christianity. He also cuts the bridge between him and God. And what he says risks driving him where he doesn't wish to go. He doesn't understand what he is saying. He doesn't perceive the consequences of his words which block his way and that of others toward God.

(https://seed-image.gloria.tv/anna/d/kr10de5f3dt8hwmc2kb0lz0to34rmshadeby7co.jpg)

Nobody wants to go to hell. But still his words are said. He is convinced of this lie and he risks driving away other people from God. What a bizarre setting! He has a great need to ask God and humans for forgiveness. Let's pray that his heart will open to the Trinity and to the recognition of Love.

Let's be careful with what we ask. We do not know how far we can get away from God and away from other people too. This has the effect of increasing evil in the world.

Let's pray that people, who develop an aversive feeling against God, that their hearts be touched and live a profound conversion.

Then let's give thanks to the Lord, once again, for all those who are truly embarking on the reality of perfecting of faith. Contrary to this last testimony against faith and against God, they allow us to see the manifestation of the Lord in their life. They simply make us understand, by their gestures and their attitudes, by their words and their writings that we need to continue our journey toward holiness!

Book: ... for Love
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 28, 2020, 01:33:44 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 29, 2020, 05:13:52 AM
131. To eliminate sins

If we let ourselves be trapped by sin regularly, and often the same ones come back, let's put them in order of priority, the worst ones first. Then, let's strive to eliminate them from our life experience.

We can decrease sugar consumption, stop wasting time, for example. The efforts we make to eliminate the small mistakes help us practice to deal with the bigger sins, later on. Also, they will have less influence, because they will not be supported by the smallest sins. We must never underestimate the smallest sins! They are vigorous!

(https://seed-image.gloria.tv/anna/b/sk80vs4juvc9e3xtos6dan7emdb23ep5q3z5say.jpg)

Often it's just a bad habit. Let's replace it with a healthier one. We can also play tricks on ourselves. As we go, let's change our habit and move on. If it's the sugar-filled drink, for example, let's cut the pace and the amount with another healthier drink that will eventually replace it. These are ideas. You can find ideas that suit you better.

We propose above all to be creative, in order to eliminate as much as possible what can keep us away from a conversion to Jesus, then to keep us away from other unhealthy attachments. These are ways of getting closer to God. And for faith, for love, let's replace evil with a healthier, holiest way of being.

Book: ... for Love
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 29, 2020, 02:32:01 PM
(https://seed-image.gloria.tv/anna/h/94nhfyixsxj1tyrymskwb6f0hp6w8cpj94ide5a.jpg)
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 30, 2020, 04:56:09 AM
132. Jesus with us

Jesus says:
"This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel." Mark, chapter 1, verse 15

If the kingdom of God is near, we are also close to God. Very often, when we make a small mistake, we think we are very far from God.

But God did not move. He did not make this mistake for us and by us. However, he is right next to us. He remains close to us. More than that, he is in us. He Loves us and he wants us to be in him too.

The best way to remain holy is to realize everything with Jesus, to keep him close to us, everywhere, to include him in our research, our thoughts, our activities. In spite of the fault, any fault, let's return constantly to God.

(https://seed-image.gloria.tv/anna/b/rvqf86ffjocfnjr5dujw62hfxlrwf3ri9zeftl6.jpg)

Jesus will convert us if we invite him to be our Lord and Saviour. We can also invite him to make himself present in the lives of all the people around us, at work, at home, at school, in the parish church, at the grocery store, in our travels.

Keeping Jesus in our life guarantees us a simpler life, with an increase of peace and joy. Others will see and benefit from it.

Book: ... for Love
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 30, 2020, 02:23:57 PM
(https://seed-image.gloria.tv/anna/k/2a3w5slbf985wtxaaxq9ek5vo112k0upm7w39cm.jpg)
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 31, 2020, 07:57:56 AM
133. With Jesus or not

Whether we are with Jesus or not, the difficulties of life will arise and we will have to go through these trials. It's in fact much better to go through a trial with Jesus than without him.

How many times have we met a person in Jesus who walks freely through trials, while others who do not know him feel the weight of suffering that often seems insurmountable; suffering that is often linked to the past.

The difference is impressive. To live our trials without Jesus gives us the impression of being abandoned, alone. Then, the test becomes devastating.

To live our trials with Jesus is to grow in faith trusting in him. To trust Jesus is the sign of a healthy faith, despite the trials. So we will get better passing through the pitfalls of life.

When it's stormy and we still dare to go somewhere, when we arrive, we'll tell ourselves that we did well to go after all.
The storms of life are sometimes difficult. Of course, it's not always easy. With the decision to continue with Jesus, the road is more pleasant. Jesus opens the way.

(https://seed-image.gloria.tv/anna/b/nk3ew7uyyc42vq3tfwojtoraqcy835tnwm0poex.jpg)

We are getting there in faith. We are happy for every step we take. Only the decision to live the test with Jesus can free us to a great extent and at best from fear and evil.

We can say with the psalmist:
Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my saviour. For you I wait all the long day, because of your goodness, Lord. Psalm 25, verses 4 to 5a

We are passing through the trials of this world and we are worshiping more and more the Lord who keeps on being with us. The door opens in front of us and then we can share our conversion experience with others.

Let's live in joy as this world passes and savour true life in God. Let's receive and cherish the Love of God in us. May we appreciate all that God has already transformed in our life. Let's keep him with us and we will appreciate him more. He Loves us with infinite Love.
Why not try the experiment with Jesus? It will be the best decision we'll ever take, for life.

Book: ... for Love
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 31, 2020, 02:03:11 PM
(https://seed-image.gloria.tv/anna/c/k034i90udcrs9e9s2wlas12cm3me2stknld0qao.jpg)
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 01, 2020, 06:47:40 AM
134. From trial to grace

Paul reveals how to recognize the grace of God in people who are experiencing hardships:
"In a severe test of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their profound poverty overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part." 2 Corinthians, chapter 8, verse 2

We note that Paul did not say that God subjected them to "a severe test of affliction", but that they were "in a severe test of affliction". This "severe test of affliction" comes from them or other people, not from God.

This affliction is "testing" them. And there are trials in life. What characterizes the grace of God in these people is that "the abundance of their joy and their profound poverty overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part".

Of course it's not easy. But, in spite of the trials and sufferings, Paul experiences God's grace simply because of the abundance of the joy, the extreme poverty which characterizes them and which overflows "in a wealth of generosity".

They knew how to ignore their trials and let God's grace pass through them. This allows these people to let their distress turn into a tasty fruit of conversion. They need grace to not put their suffering back on others or on God. Grace transforms their way of life. This last passage is to be meditated often. It is quite impressive that by the grace of God we can increase joy, even during trial and suffering.

(https://seed-image.gloria.tv/anna/i/0r3immo13ntipetvpwqnie95rsmy5ftp0bq7jfd.jpg)

It's now impossible not to turn to Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and see in her, who lived in the midst of a time of trial, a life filled with a joyful and Immaculate Heart. She who let radiate the grace of God in her and whose radiance she received passes through all ages. (Magnificat, Luke, chapter 1, verses 45-55)
"The Love of God was revealed to us," 1 John, chapter 4, verse 9

also by the "yes" of Mary. This is what we are also invited to do. To receive, then radiate the grace of God. God's Love is manifested in shared love, in peace, joy, hope, prayer, etc.

Book: ... for Love
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 02, 2020, 02:12:30 PM
135. Listening to the Word

James tells us:
"Everyone should be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath, for the wrath of a man does not accomplish the righteousness of God." James, chapter 1, verses 19 to 20

One of the practices that help us become better, through a life of faith in motion, is to slow down. Slowing down isn't necessarily laziness. Being slow to talk or get angry, for example, allows us to be more vigilant to the internal movement of our lives. Often, what is done in a hurry doesn't yield much result except in necessity and urgency.

It's an invitation to change lanes:
"Therefore, put away all filth and evil excess and humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you and is able to save your souls." James, chapter 1, verse 21

(https://seed-image.gloria.tv/anna/g/l0booa3ky95bt66tnmfoo8mnjyeb3dje1hkk17j.jpg)

God's Word saves. Let's welcome the words of wisdom for the well-being of our body and soul:
The one who peers into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres, and is not a hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, such a one shall be blessed in what he does. James, chapter 1, verse 25

It's never a waste of time to welcome God and his Word, the Verb, into our lives. Let's practise everything God teaches us. We will reap the benefits. These fruits are to share.

Book: ... for Love
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 02, 2020, 06:21:16 PM
(https://seed-image.gloria.tv/anna/l/nc2zxdym32p8tpmsp7wrrw9mzvxr2f4v4k870ng.jpg)
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 03, 2020, 06:32:54 AM
136. Before the Father

Paul offers us a moving sentence:
"I kneel before the Father." Ephesians, chapter 3, verse 14

We fall to our knees, we stop in our footsteps with Paul, because the Father's Love is eternal, infinite, quite simply. We fall to our knees to lower ourselves before the length, width and depth, before the movement of his Love.

We don't lower ourselves because we are oppressed or submissive by an overwhelming force, we do not lower ourselves because we are crushed by a proud person, by a selfish person.

We lower ourselves, because we recognize that the Father is all that we hope for, everything we dream of. It's all there is to it. We fall to our knees to offer ourselves to God, since we are nothing without him. We recognize it.

(https://seed-image.gloria.tv/anna/f/vodhg7gmb7ex7i2l0egrc6b77lq7vqbf45i9lv6.jpg)

By going inside our heart, we have a multitude of reasons to give thanks to the Father. We are amazed in front of him.

In all humility, we also lower ourselves before Jesus who has lowered himself to come into the world and lead us to eternal life. Jesus also lowered himself to wash the Apostle's feet. And we let ourselves be Loved by the Spirit with a heart turned toward him, to receive him, to welcome him.

We lower ourselves before the Holy Spirit, we thank him because he is Love who is God and who unites humanity with him.

Book: ... for Love
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 03, 2020, 02:03:35 PM
(https://seed-image.gloria.tv/anna/e/aoirczrqxh2ec8ghgm8ckwarp4glr6j7pd885dp.jpg)
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 04, 2020, 08:08:31 AM
137. God has his place

Paul also invites us to a relationship with God:
"We have not received the spirit of the world [wordly] but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the things freely given to us by God." 1 Corinthians, chapter 2, verse 12

The Spirit we receive is God's. Paul is convinced and convincing. He's living so deep the presence of God that he recognizes and receives his action in his life.

To leave to God a place in our life supposes that we have left something out, that we're achieving some cleaning of the past of certain harmful or even destructive habits. Thus, the future will not clutter our minds.

(https://seed-image.gloria.tv/anna/a/tevdm8mnj498izgkhcrpa5na0a7lu79q23hloov.jpg)

As soon as we leave the Holy Spirit a unique place in our hearts, our habits are transformed, our attitudes become charitable, we develop healthy and holy ways of thinking, seeing, understanding the reality of the world and the heart of the person.

As soon as we ask the Trinity to help us and to enter our lives, we progress for the better, immediately. We feel a light breeze guiding us to the One God. If we do not feel it, we are not paying enough attention.

Book: ... for Love
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 04, 2020, 02:42:44 PM
(https://seed-us2.gloria.tv/FxK6pqhk7ZiS1AZwTDoBU6KMY/35z3vlm2wjzyc4378umr38diopc8hyrl4wkbwca.jpg)
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 05, 2020, 06:25:53 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 05, 2020, 04:31:19 PM
138. Reserves of love

This passage is clear:
"The natural person does not accept what pertains to the Spirit of God." 1 Corinthians, chapter 2, verse 14

The person who only relies on his strengths and abilities is like a discount battery rapidly losing energy. He is not aware of what God is doing.

A person has reserves of love. But if he's not connected to the Love of God, if he's not connected to the source, he comes to believe that love comes from him. He may also believe that love comes from his family or from others, without reference to God. He is divided (disconnected) from God.

This is perhaps the most serious danger of thinking that God's Love comes only from others. We place the merit on the person and we do not think to thank the source of Love. We may become proud.

We can say of a person that he is good, but kindness comes from God. We can say that a person is beautiful, but beauty comes from God. We can say that he is strong, but strength he receives from God. Everything that makes life good, beautiful and strong is God's. Although we try to love as best we can, true Love comes exclusively from God.

(https://seed-us3.gloria.tv/FH1AFqwCGATb4aNv9QSRL3f3H/cuuqmgj66l7jmeeachiampyiuimjk2ehnf1wwi3.jpg)

It would be very risky to give another meaning to the word "love" and not recognize that true Love is from God. That's what we do in general. We try to extinguish the meaning of God's Love, try to distort it. We will not succeed. Love always finds its source in God.

Jesus's teaching surpasses us:
"All who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers." Luke, chapter 2, verse 47

Jesus's authority has no resemblance to the frowning eyebrows and the forefinger pointing to others. The authority of Jesus is discovered by his Love and his desire that we live from it.

By his Word, he leads us to the best, the real, the right, and helps us to become complete in truth. Let's get closer to him. We will live a real evolution, a normal transformation.

Book: ... for Love
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 06, 2020, 08:26:21 AM
139. Shout out to God

Sometimes, to come back to God, we think we have to cry out, because suffering holds us and doesn't let us go. But we don't have to scream.

Shouting is a sign that we have gone too far. We have moved away from God. God is here, let's trust! God chases us with his Love! And his arrows are joy, peace, hope, mercy, life, love, etc.

(https://seed-us1.gloria.tv/ZZaGSMDMuccL1XxWyTaVHvCHE/83yyyajbdqhuxie0su459dizqqqjair3i2pgdeb.jpg)

We cry because we don't want to live in the negation that keeps us away from God. We shout because we forgot that God is always with us. Within the walls we have created for ourselves, we believe that God is no longer there.

We locked ourselves in and closed the windows. After our cry, the storm will calm down, the dust will fall and we will have no reason to cry if we turn our heart to God.

It's a good reflex to turn to him. Shouting is not a fault, but it's not the end result.

Book: ... for Love
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 06, 2020, 03:17:06 PM
(https://seed-us2.gloria.tv/ss1VZbCRYisL1dbLuRSAbHyJU/zpaxadlxdzex9lb2zzhn1vfn7ztgcpwg0u7d1vk.jpg)
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 07, 2020, 06:38:17 AM
140. God is with us

This sentence reminds us that God is here:
"He will be gracious to you when you cry out, as soon as he hears he will answer you." Isaiah, chapter 30, verse 19b
God answers us as soon as we cry. This is the sign that he is close. When we have enough, when we stop wanting to do everything alone, when pride accepts the transition to simplicity, peace and joy, when we are saturated with being exploited with injustices, it's no longer necessary to cry out to the Lord.

We then cry for joy since we have turned away from our closures or the injustices we suffered. We turn to God. We shout for joy, because we understand the difference between the harm others are doing to us (or ourselves) and the pure, just, true, and righteous Love of God. We open ourselves again to grace, to the Love of God. Our heart becomes interested to being in his presence.

(https://seed-us2.gloria.tv/ZZaGSMDMuccL1XxWyTaVHvCHE/21kqfjgpxxas0zfgg4ikfcmkk17kq61hx8oky8m.jpg)

We read in the Gospel:
"Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness." Matthew, chapter 9, verse 35

May we trust, Jesus has not ceased to travel endlessly to our heart. May we trust, open our hearts to salvation, to peace promised by Jesus. Jesus, I trust in you!

Jesus is already there, simply, without noise. We can talk to him before we scream. He invites us again to open our hearts wide, for God to live in it and to work with us.

Book: ... for Love
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 07, 2020, 04:36:53 PM
(https://seed-us2.gloria.tv/FH1AFqwCGATb4aNv9QSRL3f3H/bgxvsrbkuta3manyv0wwze6p7his8lxv9sq43v2.jpg)
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 08, 2020, 05:48:59 AM
141. Our road is lit

The light illuminates our way when we are driving. It would be very risky to venture on a road at night without headlights on. We may not get very far. And the danger of damage and injury is great.

This is what happens in our lives when we do not give God the leisure to enlighten it. We are at great risk. Instead of opening ourselves to life, we may close our hearts. Then fear becomes imminent.

When our road is lit, it becomes more visible. The only temporary errors that remain are the fact of moving away from the light again or not being cautious enough.

(https://seed-us1.gloria.tv/kpck8L6QduHw3JXzWpBHTizir/x1v98723y4rnzcytyfhq2ey08fk33ocg3vqwew0.webp)

Let's enter happily into the light that God gives us. Let's get back to it quickly. Let's thank God for his light, enter into communion with him and our hearts will open ever more. We are also invited to go deeper into our hearts, to thank Jesus for the treasures we find there.

Let's take some time to discover these treasures and offer our thanksgiving to Jesus. The treasure that has greater value is our heart, since Jesus lives in it.

Book: ... for Love
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 09, 2020, 08:26:39 AM
142. The light leads to dawn

The fire of earth [Jesus in our heart] shines in heaven. It enlightens all those who take refuge in God, welcome him and accept to live with his light. To the young people gathered in Rome in 2000, Pope John Paul II said of Jesus:

"He is the beauty to which you are so attracted; it is he who provokes you with that thirst for fullness that will not let you settle for compromise; it is he who urges you to shed the masks of a false life; it is he who reads in your hearts your most genuine choices, the choices that others try to stifle. It is Jesus who stirs in you the desire to do something great with your lives." World Youth Day, Prayer Vigil at Tor Vergata, August 19, 2000, number 5. Vatican Site:
http://w2.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/speeches/2000/jul-sep/documents/hf_jp-ii_spe_20000819_gmg-veglia.html

(https://seed-us3.gloria.tv/ss1VZbCRYisL1dbLuRSAbHyJU/04488nnghm1jk6j7tbpv4r6h4neohj8o8x34vs8.webp)

Let's put on the garment of light that leads us to the dawn of the new day. Let's have the courage, the will, the desire to transform the world through Love, with God.

Book: ... for Love
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 09, 2020, 03:04:19 PM
(https://seed-us2.gloria.tv/ss1VZbCRYisL1dbLuRSAbHyJU/mhmnddmni0jjy5axv6qv78kpo8df7l3p80ki3ct.webp)
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 10, 2020, 06:14:59 AM
143. Our requests?

Jesus Loves us, he doesn't force anyone and he sets us free. Jesus accepts what we want and he will not give more than we ask. Freely, if our request is not precise, we risk finding ourselves with very little.

Sometimes we ask, but we don't believe in it. Sometimes we want to follow Christ, but there are too many things or people who hold us back, or we aren't vigilant enough.

Sometimes the Lord will take his time, because we are not in a hurry to change lanes. Sometimes asking something from the Lord will lead us where we would not want to go. It helps us to grow in faith because we have to learn to adjust to God as true disciples. Let's check carefully whether our requests really lead us to the house of the Father, through the Son, in the Spirit.

(https://seed-us3.gloria.tv/ZZaGSMDMuccL1XxWyTaVHvCHE/jwv4gs1qcg40msf4q9hpiwssf90keg6g2b8q63u.webp)

God can do anything and everything is offered to us. But it is still necessary that we accept what comes from him. When the priest says, at the beginning of Mass: "The Lord be with you," the Lord is already with us, but he always leaves us free to answer, to want God present with us.

This interpellation does not mean: "The Lord may be with us." We know that the Lord is always with us, but do we still want him with us, again and now? That's the question. At each mass, we are free to answer.

Book: ... for Love
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 10, 2020, 04:54:39 PM
(https://seed-us2.gloria.tv/1uRc9MeuUe4VCaxjW7oyj2qbq/q1qc4l4ghm5n7zjt983ruvf8ve7o3z524n7dmjz.webp)
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 11, 2020, 05:48:06 AM
144. "I will go"

This sentence can make us think of all those who dare to recognize that God is their only possible path to holiness:
"'Come! let us go to implore the favour of the Lord'; and, 'I too will go to seek the Lord.'" Zechariah, chapter 8, verse 21

(https://seed-us3.gloria.tv/XGVV4fGcX6xx3p2HRzhSm2wqc/re92zv9dz8q4j1puq3ylq4pfw79u4g0xyjgntks.webp)

Me, whatever the case, I will seek the face of the Lord, I will look for it and I will find him. I have decided that my will, I will place it in a safe place, in God's Heart. Let's find him, together!

Book: ... for Love
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 11, 2020, 04:31:58 PM
(https://seed-us1.gloria.tv/tTo7PQmHDjL923DoCVLPMJrLU/1lh7j442g94d3yg92pvh1ww9eu6ljsmuuu8un2f.webp)
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 12, 2020, 07:14:27 AM
145. Jesus leads us to salvation

We go and come from different places, but:
"Jesus is resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem." Luke, chapter 9, verse 51

Jesus could have simply followed the road to Jerusalem like many people every day. However, he embarked on the road with a mission, the only mission he had in Heart and in his Head, which is leading us to salvation, in truth.

This is what the saints like Therese of Lisieux, Francis of Assisi, Padre Pio and people we know have done. As quickly as possible they reached the highway to holiness.

(https://seed-us1.gloria.tv/kpck8L6QduHw3JXzWpBHTizir/20owq8tmxk0znugwj4vtzbhmed2l691u6snf02y.webp)

What is the mission that leads us today to holiness, Love in God? The first mission is to make sure we are on the straight path to the Heart of God. If not, where are we heading, to which unknown place? Where are we heading to?

Wherever we are going to, let's go in faith and with the conviction that Jesus is with us. Jesus is with us.

Book: ... for Love
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 12, 2020, 05:01:30 PM
(https://seed-us3.gloria.tv/ss1VZbCRYisL1dbLuRSAbHyJU/dlvtw8z0qo3kn16e5rw04zthux9bovovdxbrvii.webp)
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 13, 2020, 06:18:17 AM
146. Helping the world

To begin a mission for us and for humanity, we start with Jesus. He is the cause, the reason and the purpose for the Mission.

To accomplish it, there is only one solution, that Jesus be our Lord and Saviour, our Master. If we want to help the world to improve, to find values, to become holy, Jesus will transform us, at our request and according to the trust we will entrust in him.
Mary is the perfect example of an intimate and renewed relationship of Jesus in her. Mary still evangelizes us today through the mission she accepts from God.

Holiness in the world begins with holiness within us. Without our will to live an improvement of life and faith, we reject Jesus's blessing. Then, Jesus cannot help us evolve.

(https://seed-us1.gloria.tv/ZZaGSMDMuccL1XxWyTaVHvCHE/3sme5yz4c2os0rrj7d140oykfszwtxa0ht0wy3d.webp)

Holiness solely depends on our relationship with Jesus. The improvement of our existence depends on our intention to receive everything from the Lord and to let ourselves be Loved by him.

The mission received from God is to familiarize ourselves with Jesus, to receive his teaching, to follow him. Let's become committed persons to increase our faith in his presence.

In this way and becoming more and more filled with God (our mission), his Light, his Love, and the other manifestations of his Love, at the good moment, will unfold, join and delight the hearts of the people (evangelization). These people will also be encouraged to follow the Way, the Truth and the Life, to follow Jesus.

Book: The heart's mission
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 13, 2020, 02:37:01 PM
(https://seed-us3.gloria.tv/kpck8L6QduHw3JXzWpBHTizir/vu5bw05lxgjr7fgsz3uydcrzpcnl2p0tb6opddx.webp)
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 14, 2020, 06:49:51 AM
147. In the mother's womb

"Hear me, O coastlands, listen, O distant peoples. The Lord called me from birth, from my mother's womb he gave me my name." Isaiah, chapter 49, verse 1

At the beginning of our existence, when we are in the womb, and even before we find ourselves there, the Lord calls us to him and to his mission. It's extraordinary that the Lord already has a plan for our life, whether we are a little fetus or even when we were only a small cell.

(https://seed-us3.gloria.tv/tTo7PQmHDjL923DoCVLPMJrLU/c5uvtzavylaijsqc4wmlfbhg590vmutly8nfutu.webp)

God creates us and he is with us from the first moment of our formation until we return to him. His plan of Love, he offers it to us. He knows us perfectly, since he is the Life that gives us life.

We become aware that we exist. Then we discover that all that we are comes from the Heart of God, our Creator. God is Creator and present for all, without exception.

Book: The heart's mission
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 14, 2020, 03:42:19 PM
(https://seed-us3.gloria.tv/tTo7PQmHDjL923DoCVLPMJrLU/y7rkb8j89sf6bo4jirz8kw34b9w9t8oyld81izu.webp)
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 15, 2020, 06:21:02 AM
148. God's mission for us

God has a mission for us:
Now the Lord speaks, he who has fashioned me from the bosom of my mother to be his servant, that I bring Jacob back to him, that I will gather him Israel.

"I am made glorious in the sight of the Lord, and my God is now my strength!" Isaiah, chapter 49, verse 5

The service in which God inscribes us, what he wants, is that we become servants of Love. It is already inscribed in our being. He created us Love and he is waiting, all the same, for a precise answer from us. That's the responsibility we have. It is the decision of our whole life: to be servants or not of Love.

(https://seed-us3.gloria.tv/RLhEYE1RNTHG3CPrHuZx9ECWT/c6pcfz1w8992q01blltv5kip26he654sfdjr3zu.webp)

He invites us to live with his Love, to be connected to the source and he also wants us to be love for one another. Let's think of this, there's no better and beautiful life than having as foundation the infinite Love of God to live and to share. Eternity becomes familiar with this mission:
"I will place my law within them, and write it upon their hearts; I will be their God, and they shall be my people." Jeremiah, chapter 31, verse 33

God confirms it to us. His law of Love is inscribed in our heart. This law is to be received. Do we want it? But beware, in accepting the law of God's Love, we must also accept to live our life fully with him, to want to taste the joy and peace continually, to receive all that is the manifestation of his Love and to know we are Loved!

Book: The heart's mission
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 15, 2020, 04:01:47 PM
(https://seed-us1.gloria.tv/FH1AFqwCGATb4aNv9QSRL3f3H/8wuo05pl83crrbugukcmmumsadjzqkhbzf6k6yy.webp)
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 16, 2020, 06:23:50 AM
149. In God

Sometimes we have ups and downs. Our life is not always in a straight line. There are sometimes curved lines. And we know that we can wander far before a return to the natural base of life offered by God. In society as in the Church, it is similar, their members live ups and downs.

King Josiah has had a long journey. He repented. He moved back into his life and he adjusted. He makes a commitment and concludes that it's good to put his life in God's hands:
"Standing by the column, the king made a covenant before the Lord that they would follow him and observe his ordinances, statutes and decrees with their whole hearts and souls, thus reviving the terms of the covenant which were written in this book. And all the people stood as participants in the covenant." 2 Kings, chapter 23, verse 3

(https://seed-us3.gloria.tv/XGVV4fGcX6xx3p2HRzhSm2wqc/mewkph0z5qts2pd89dm6y12sjsxiizaljrd067d.webp)


What a person can manifest by his faith and freely uniting himself to God in his covenant, when he testifies to it, enables others to dare to be in a natural union with him. As a result: "All the people stood as participants in the covenant." His testimony of faith attracts people in the same direction.

Whether we are aware of it or not, the Covenant with God is the sole searching of every person, without exception. Even if we go away with our bundle, God calls us from the depths of our being. The call follows us everywhere.

To enter into the path that leads us to the Heart of God is the definitive call we receive. But even if we are marked with Love, it implies a decision on our part, as for King Josiah.

Book: The heart's mission
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 16, 2020, 02:23:18 PM
(https://seed-us1.gloria.tv/gaLXKWcpRQHL1CuW3bDYRGuo8/9wpwt4ra3471ngl4ngy6vm67zwoqeddxjoy4lnh.webp)
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 17, 2020, 06:50:18 AM
150. Vigilance

Sometimes we think that we have to do many things and find solutions to be accepted by God. But it's much simpler. Let's just ask him to help us find him. Let's just accept him in our lives by saying, "Yes, Lord, I want it, be my Lord, my guide and my master. I want to follow you. Teach me how to stay on the road with you. Thank you Lord."

There, it's done. Then, we can remember that we told him "yes" to his will on us. Every moment, we want to let him join us. Let's pray, then watch our life improve and that of others too.

(https://seed-us3.gloria.tv/ZZaGSMDMuccL1XxWyTaVHvCHE/q9hgwtlcqljmr5rwhdf5zru1tcdw67aeis3sfhx.webp)

Let's not worry about what does not seem to work at the beginning of a conversion. To get out of a traffic jam, we wait for the stopped cars to advance again, then we move slowly and stay behind the others, until we can drive more freely, but always with caution.

Vigilance teaches us to return to the foundation of faith in Jesus, especially during a trial. We continue to be careful not to stray from the Lord, even after passing the test.

Book: The heart's mission
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 17, 2020, 04:44:59 PM
(https://seed-us3.gloria.tv/FxK6pqhk7ZiS1AZwTDoBU6KMY/w7lptz4uxf03eyrfutvnmtsedp6wpkqu0f5qs1a.webp)
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 18, 2020, 07:52:25 AM
151. Lead me!

We can say to God:
"Lead me in the path of your commands, for that is my delight. Direct my heart toward your decrees and away from unjust gain." Psalm 119, verses 35 to 36

May our heart look toward the Heart of God and not on the side of lusts, illusions, the "mundane" of this passing world. May we not wait to gain to become happy. We want to remain in his Love. With God, we will have all that's necessary for our survival. We are happy now, with whom we are, in him.

Jesus wants to teach us. This is the foundation of the mission. Jesus wants to detach us from human and material goods. But, that doesn't mean to become insensitive, to shut ourselves up. Not at all.

(https://seed-us2.gloria.tv/ZZaGSMDMuccL1XxWyTaVHvCHE/rjbnyd2usgj8eo44hd9yjvyi8aw9e7a8bc7wwwv.webp)

Detachment is to be free from useless ties. It helps us to know each other and to know people better. It also helps us to use material stuff for the sole purpose of bringing us closer to Love, by sharing, for example.

Jesus surrounded himself with Apostles because it is important to be united to others. Jesus didn't want to be alone. He knows it's important to surround himself with people. And he doesn't mention to deny our family.

He proposes to live as a christian, like him, to become who we are to evangelize and to create important and significant relations with all, through his presence. He is the centre. He wants to teach us the foundations of faith. Let's allow ourselves more time to know Jesus. To trust in Jesus is part of the desire to be united to him forever.

Book: The heart's mission
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 18, 2020, 03:14:44 PM
(https://seed-us2.gloria.tv/ZZaGSMDMuccL1XxWyTaVHvCHE/1dq9dz3923qqt9zam2bxqsfg1sh4kczaaj4dupd.webp)
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 19, 2020, 07:30:17 AM
152. To take our place



John the Baptist is so right in saying these words:

"He must increase; I must decrease." John, chapter 3, verse 30


Following Jesus is not diminishing. But we understand what John teaches us. To follow Jesus is to become humble before whom he is and to appreciate the gift of his person freely given to us. Even though he is God, Jesus thinks of us, wants to live with us, wants to dwell in us and pass through us to touch the hearts of people.


Even if we aren't perfect, let's remember that it isn't us that people must follow, but Jesus. May the people not follow our personal difficulties, because we are struggling to become saints, but that they absolutely follow the Honest, the Pure, the True, the Perfect, Jesus.

(https://seed-us2.gloria.tv/gaLXKWcpRQHL1CuW3bDYRGuo8/7drxxj7ezor1gz9ei884d4y9jp7eo857h6gwn7a.webp)


When we understand that Jesus is the only one we need to follow and receive his teachings, we discover even more that we aren't perfect. This is the beginning of healing, of openness to reality that leads to the path of holiness. We will develop the desire to give him more space in our lives and we will accept to make him present for our contemporaries.


Jesus must find more space in hearts. Otherwise, the evil in the world will increase. It's one or the other, the Love of God who raises us or moving back from his Love, the slip to the evil and the pain of the loss. Let's be sure to let faith in Jesus grow in us. Let's not think we have succeeded.



Book: The heart's mission

Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 19, 2020, 03:22:19 PM
(https://seed-us1.gloria.tv/kpck8L6QduHw3JXzWpBHTizir/lt2z5ierhug060te1zonh6cdcv8yorwn0aiar0g.webp)
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 20, 2020, 06:00:05 AM

153. God's place


John the Baptist declares the reality of who Jesus is. He is inspired:

"Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world." John, chapter 1, verse 29

If there's anything the world should remember about Jesus, it's that he cleanses us from sin. Especially the sin of wanting to take his place. To understand Jesus "the Lamb of God" let's develop a sincere relationship with him, observe him and listen to him. We will be stunned by him. May we take the place that is ours. It's a privilege!

(https://seed-us3.gloria.tv/ZZaGSMDMuccL1XxWyTaVHvCHE/zhdi402umldrpv954o3swxmhb33eful25p9kvzo.webp)

We know how hard it is to keep a promise. It's better not to make a promise, because it's quite possible that we cannot hold it. But Jesus fulfills what he promises:

"This is the promise that he made us: eternal life." 1 John, chapter 2, verse 25

Is there a better friend than being with Jesus? To remain with Jesus and to follow him is to guarantee ourselves freedom, to offer ourselves a better life, a more confident and well-adjusted life. For if we have Jesus as a friend, we will be better equipped to face the difficulties and the more difficult moments. With him, we are already in a journey to eternal life.


Book: The heart's mission

Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 20, 2020, 04:31:26 PM
(https://seed-us3.gloria.tv/ZZaGSMDMuccL1XxWyTaVHvCHE/mj1ousxd92c2td6f8v86pogr68lbpys7ji0e5ut.webp)
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 21, 2020, 06:53:14 AM
154. Jesus, our master

After choosing Jesus as a friend, we have the opportunity to welcome him as a teacher. It's difficult to trust God with everything we hear, what they suggest in the world, but it's up to us to create a relationship with him. Let's verify by ourselves and with competent people, verify who God really is. Let's not rely on half-measures, half-words, half-explanations. We want to know the true Jesus.

He's always present and waiting for us to place our trust in him.


God is Love and a Master who is Love is the best Master who exists.

A prophecy:

"'Make straight the way of the Lord,' as Isaiah the prophet said". John, chapter 1, verse 23


(https://seed-us1.gloria.tv/XGVV4fGcX6xx3p2HRzhSm2wqc/ifkwkon3qryw3d32q83qjkyfl6l8cg523cwwt9r.webp)

Let's find all the means to create a bridge between us and Jesus. Let's enter our heart and constantly search for our master. He always lets himself be found, and especially in the good, the right, the beautiful, the true and the real, that we live and observe in people.


Let's find some time to find Jesus. Let's learn to be patient with ourselves, because we often block the way. Let's learn to free the surface of the bridge, to better see on the other side. Let's free the course so that we can quickly reach the shore where Jesus is standing. The sooner we find him, the more we will improve the quality of our lives. Jesus is already here. Let's find him, he's easily found.



Book: The heart's mission

Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 21, 2020, 03:07:04 PM
(https://seed-us2.gloria.tv/1uRc9MeuUe4VCaxjW7oyj2qbq/hwqwq1zz6qq3svnb7ukltzpogq3slxrjymbn24b.webp)
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 22, 2020, 05:56:37 AM
155. God is not present

Here's a testimony of people who have allowed the Lord to establish himself in their lives. People flourish, they enter a new life, in the eternal promise. Even the unfortunate will live in joy:
"The deaf shall hear the words of the book; And out of gloom and darkness, the eyes of the blind shall see. The lowly will ever find joy in the Lord, and the poor rejoice in the Holy One of Israel." Isaiah, chapter 29, verses 18 to 19
But what are we watching today? Faced with so much misery in the world, did the world understand Isaiah's prophecy? We could conclude that God is not as present as we would like.

But it's the people who are turning their backs for many reasons. In reality, God is more than present, but there are people in the world who don't let him open their hearts. They block the passage between them and God. Then, they try to block the passage of those who believe. They think and try to manage the world at their convenience.

(https://seed-us3.gloria.tv/rxHxNhVFpktd4gEVUxZYzbdjd/vzr8ogroezsriujphigikp9quh2oz7ffvd174i2.webp)

There are some who are nevertheless interested. The deaf hear the Word. The blind see God, they receive the Eucharist too. The humble ones recognize themselves in God, they rejoice. The unhappy exult immediately while they meet him and listen to his Word.

May hearts open up to the presence of the Lord and we will witness more and more small and less small miracles. There are so many people who need to hear that God is with us and that he offers us his Love, that he Loves us.

Book: The heart's mission
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 22, 2020, 08:17:27 AM
(https://seed-us1.gloria.tv/RLhEYE1RNTHG3CPrHuZx9ECWT/6rqnxibevozkuq9o54cwufulrcyeyv1b9nrszfx.webp)
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 23, 2020, 07:59:29 AM
156. Faith in Jesus

Have we discovered God's Love in our hearts? Isn't it the best way to help our neighbour to let God simply pass through our heart, to ignite it? Jesus will guide us and show us what we are called to become:
"Here comes with power the Lord God, who rules by his strong arm; here is his reward with him, his recompense before him. Like a shepherd he feeds his flock; in his arms he gathers the lambs, carrying them in his bosom, and leading the ewes with care." Isaiah, chapter 40, verses 10 to 11

(https://seed-us1.gloria.tv/nqxTqHQSH2Mo3mQUfBt68ig9G/nljgto6pf5l1o1gak006g0zk1k9lkaxzj9cxyp5.webp)

How comforting! The Lord illuminates his servants. The people who enter the service of the Lord are the people who have accepted him in their hearts and in their lives.

With two blind men, Jesus makes them discover that faith in him is the solution to their discomfort:
"'Let it be done for you according to your faith.' And their eyes were opened." Matthew, chapter 9, verses 29 to 30

Book: The heart's mission
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 23, 2020, 12:15:51 PM
(https://seed-us3.gloria.tv/nqxTqHQSH2Mo3mQUfBt68ig9G/tn78cz4hom419706m4jw8kght3f5gc1i91wevho.webp)
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 24, 2020, 06:31:52 AM
157. Behold Mary

Mary and all the saints help us to stay on the road of faith through their experience. Jesus offers us to behold Mary as our Mother. Let's recognize her as Mother of God:
"Standing by the cross of Jesus was his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, 'Woman, behold, your son.' Then he said to the disciple, 'Behold, your mother.' And from that hour the disciple took her into his home." John, chapter 19, verses 25 to 27
Jesus's message is also for us, "Woman, behold, your son". As Jesus introduces Mary to John, we are also Mary's children. John wasn't forced by Jesus to welcome Mary home.

Let's read the Catechism of the Catholic Church which is a simple and practical prayer. Let's just read the important points about Mary, what the Church believes and teaches about the Mother of Jesus in numbers 963 to 975. Let's meditate especially number 971, why we pray with Mary, why she helps us in the mission:
"'All generations will call me blessed'(Lk 1:48): 'The Church's devotion to the Blessed Virgin is intrinsic to Christian worship.' (MC 56). The Church rightly honours" the Blessed Virgin with special devotion.
From the most ancient times the Blessed Virgin has been honoured with the title of 'Mother of God,' to whose protection the faithful fly in all their dangers and needs... (...).

(https://seed-us2.gloria.tv/nqxTqHQSH2Mo3mQUfBt68ig9G/gblhf6szrgqvh29goaijfwn55uaeqe7hw88ljtf.webp)

This very special devotion ... differs essentially from the adoration which is given to the incarnate Word and equally to the Father and the Holy Spirit, and greatly fosters this adoration. LG 66); The liturgical feasts dedicated to the Mother of God (see SC 103) and Marian prayer, such as the rosary, an 'epitome of the whole Gospel', express this devotion to the Virgin Mary." (cf MC 42.) http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P2C.HTM

The worship given to Mary is different from that reserved to the Trinity. But it's essential. We worship the Trinity, but we pray with Mary. Mary adores and prays the Trinity with us. She is for us an example of faith and life with Jesus.

Book: The heart's mission
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 24, 2020, 11:25:53 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 25, 2020, 06:21:28 AM
158. Mary accepted God

The Marian worship is at the service of the Trinity and for the people. The recognition of Mary's grace in our world and especially her relationship to Jesus should lead us to cry out with joy, to accept God as she did and then to do the will of the Trinity.

Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with you (Message of the Angel Gabriel),
blessed are you among women
and blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus. (Her cousin Elizabeth)
Holy Mary, mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death (It is our request to Mary that she helps us and pray to Jesus with us, so that we persevere in faith following her Son and that we may enter the promised eternal life, in the Heart of God).
Amen.

(https://seed-us1.gloria.tv/gaLXKWcpRQHL1CuW3bDYRGuo8/vqy025fyar16m6ay6jk2fk1ph1ef8wgjf8wz35m.webp)

We worship Jesus in Mary's belly.
Let's notice that all christians are asked by someone to pray for them. It's mutual help and it's a service of charity to pray for all. That's what we're asking of Mary too. Mary, pray with us. Mary prays for us. She prays that we turn to Jesus.

Book: The heart's mission
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 25, 2020, 02:42:43 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 26, 2020, 08:27:59 AM
159. God's will

Jesus introduces himself into our world to live his mission:
"I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me." John, chapter 6, verse 38

Jesus came to our world with the mission to make known to us the Father and the Holy Spirit. He came to do exactly what God proposed to humans in the Old Testament; to console, to heal, to recover, to save, to Love. He kept nothing for himself and offered his life for us. Jesus serves us:
"This is the will of the one who sent me, that I should not lose anything of what he gave me, but that I should raise it (on) the last day." John, chapter 6, verse 39

(https://seed-us3.gloria.tv/gaLXKWcpRQHL1CuW3bDYRGuo8/4xv0bmsbzjjeel1ryvvvb4emaxt61osu84gc0yi.webp)

The Father's will is that all those who adhere to the message of Jesus Christ, become disciples of God and never be separated from the Trinity.

The mission is those who are meditating to let Jesus pass in their hearts and to consider what Jesus is transforming in them. They let themselves be taught by him to make sure they will be true disciples on the road of faith. The experience of faith is discovered in the heart.

To believe in Jesus, to know him and to resurrect with him, is the surest way. Jesus wants us to receive his teachings. He leads us to salvation and he wants to entrust in us, initiate us, then reveal his mission.

Book: Watch with faith
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 26, 2020, 01:57:02 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 27, 2020, 06:59:06 AM
160. Peace of heart

"Love and truth will meet; justice and peace will kiss. Truth will spring from the earth; justice will look down from heaven." Psalm 85, verses 11 to 12

The Love of God who leans toward us seeks his truth in us. God's justice brings peace to our lives. Justice is all that God offers us. May we share what we receive from God: Joy, peace, hope, mercy...

We read that Love is received in the Truth and the Justice of God leads to peace. Now, how can we get peace in our hearts if we are quick to get into conflict and slow to listen to God? How to get peace, when some groups in the world provoke war and want to control the world?

(https://seed-us3.gloria.tv/ZZaGSMDMuccL1XxWyTaVHvCHE/l9052clokelax7ht9tjfq0luhffm3zqisjcj850.webp)

The bottom line is very simple. Everything is simple with the Trinity. When we turn away from Love, from Truth, from God's righteousness, we do not have peace, we do not live justice, love and truth. The lack of peace causes war and makes the path to peace more difficult.

Peace is a sign, a foretaste of holiness. Peace is a sign that we are a family, a people approaching God. Let's observe the peace, the truth, the justice and the love of a person, a family, a people, a nation and we will discover the quality of their openness to God. The lack of these dimensions is diminishing the ability to receive the Love of God.

Book: Watch with faith
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 27, 2020, 03:17:40 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 28, 2020, 06:36:48 AM
161. To see clearer

Let's pray to the Lord every day:
"Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man." Luke, chapter 21, verse 36
Let's stay awake and continually receive Jesus's message for us.

We will be able to escape some obstacles that come around on the road, because the light of God transmitted by prayer allows us to see clearly. Prayer enables us to discern what are the different objects and the people who take us away from God from those who gather us to him. Prayer illuminates what is happening in our lives and in the lives of those surrounding us. To see clearer let's stand in the Light of the Lord.

Jesus prepares us for the mission of evangelizing:
"Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master's return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks." Luke, chapter 12, verses 35 to 36

(https://seed-us1.gloria.tv/ss1VZbCRYisL1dbLuRSAbHyJU/84qux7o5et9mp8ulk1sdpgihx0gzvayrqisgvll.webp)

Let's stay awake and vigilant, to grasp every movement of the Holy Spirit in us. Mary, herself, had to be in a state of deep prayer to be fulfilled and to welcome what the Holy Spirit wanted to achieve miraculously in her. Her mission is to host. The evangelization that Mary realizes is to offer Jesus, God with us, the Son of God, to the world.

Since we hold fast to prayer, we hold fast to the Word, we hold fast to the Eucharist, we hold fast to the Trinity, we want to share God's Love to the people. God is with us. The Holy Spirit wants to realize his miracle of peace in us and fraternity between us.

We have a special mission, a unique mission in a precise plan, immutable, unchangeable, God's perfect plan. We don't see all that Jesus realizes in our life, by our life, but he works with us, he continues to be God for the world.

Book: Watch with faith
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 28, 2020, 05:58:52 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 29, 2020, 05:41:17 AM
162. Let's be merciful

Jesus divinely proposes to us:
"Be merciful, just as (also) your Father is merciful." Luke, chapter 6, verse 36

And how can we be merciful and like the Father, when we see that we have difficulty to be patient with ourselves, to be at peace? Once more the answer is the Holy Spirit.

Despite our failings and mistakes, the Holy Spirit can go through us to touch the hearts of people. Despite the little in good we think we can achieve, let's live in peace, and we will obtain more results. With a free and happy heart, may we allow the Spirit of God to pass through our life.

(https://seed-us1.gloria.tv/kpck8L6QduHw3JXzWpBHTizir/e305e8oz0aoao3ovzz0ffq74o9bt5pwzs825icu.webp)

Let's let him transform our heart as well as the hearts of the people we meet. Goodness will increase, since we will let the Holy Spirit fulfill us.

Let's reduce the noise to find peace in hearts. May our life and our heart continue to find their source of peace in God's Heart.

Book: Watch with faith
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 29, 2020, 04:44:52 PM
(https://seed-us2.gloria.tv/tTo7PQmHDjL923DoCVLPMJrLU/dfe03s9qo90q1yf3ow9own236h6kdet81pz0hu2.webp)
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 30, 2020, 07:08:29 AM
163. To Pardon


Jesus reminds us to forgive:

"Go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift." Matthew, chapter 5, verse 24


Reconciliation is realized in different ways. The most effective is to give everything to Jesus, absolutely everything at every opportunity. What we experience as negative, what stifles, what destroys us and keeps us enslaved to evil, we do not need. When we give them to Jesus, he gives us peace. He helps us improve.


(https://seed-us1.gloria.tv/gaLXKWcpRQHL1CuW3bDYRGuo8/doy74rip86h8q7fr5m05mtf25jfk1vjzif5dgt4.webp)

Let's allow the Lord to cleanse what seems to be drying in our hearts, for lack of forgiveness. Forgiveness is an act of healing within us and for others. It may seem hard to forgive sometimes, especially when we have been deeply hurt, but it's actually and effective act of healing.


Let's entrust everything in God's hands. Let's receive his peace. Our heart will expand, it will drink the Living Water in Christ's Heart. It's a holy sharing between us and God.



Book: Watch with faith

Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 30, 2020, 03:32:10 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 01, 2020, 07:24:42 AM
164. Peace and forgiveness

Paul's mission is a way of walking and growing in holiness:
"Let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful." Colossians, chapter 3, verse 15

(https://seed-us1.gloria.tv/ZZaGSMDMuccL1XxWyTaVHvCHE/bvbfycp7ljcqofbtb1k7y3armeng31yjkrf85az.webp)

The liberation of our faults allows the reign of Christ to be effective in our heart. To live in peace after forgiveness and to rejoice in thanksgiving, confirms us in our vocation to remain unified in Christ. We will find little by little our unique person, whom God has created.

Book: Watch with faith
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 01, 2020, 12:40:37 PM
(https://seed-us1.gloria.tv/ZZaGSMDMuccL1XxWyTaVHvCHE/c17lxhn963nrwhzv347ivytvn9p45t16voar9bu.webp)
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 02, 2020, 06:09:52 AM
165. Forgiving liberates

Forgiveness leads to peace:
"Bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do." Colossians, chapter 3, verse 13

To reconcile with the neighbour is the condition to live a life of peace and joy. Let's continue to forgive and build lasting relationships with others, freely and smoothly on our way. Suffering itself will diminish. Even though forgiving is sometimes difficult, it's liberating.

(https://seed-us2.gloria.tv/ZZaGSMDMuccL1XxWyTaVHvCHE/adnxxqi4hap6qff1olf61arn89nkbeiejump1wu.webp)

Let's praise God continually. Whenever we have good dispositions of the heart with God and with the neighbour, each time it's the Holy Spirit who lives in our heart and he motivates our actions and our sharing. He transforms the walls into fields of wheat, into generous vines. May the Holy Spirit stimulate us with his graces:
"Hallelujah! Praise God in his holy sanctuary; give praise in the mighty dome of heaven. Give praise for his mighty deeds, praise him for his great majesty!" Psalm 150, verses 1 to 2

Book: Watch with faith
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 02, 2020, 02:27:11 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 03, 2020, 07:55:20 AM
166. How many times!

How many times do we have to forgive, asks Peter? Here is Jesus's answer:
"Seventy-seven times." Matthew, chapter 18, verse 22

Jesus answers as only God can answer. Forgive all the time. Do not stop forgiving. This is another way of liberating the world and especially of converting us to God's Heart.

(https://seed-us3.gloria.tv/RLhEYE1RNTHG3CPrHuZx9ECWT/r01zonooulnc2emnlm2s9zq7xtmrxbj152bolle.webp)

It's not always easy to understand, especially if we're experiencing a painful injustice. But to forgive remains the best heart remedy for us, and for the people of our time. To forgive in our heart is a mission. Teaching others to forgive is evangelization. And when we confess, we free people from our mistakes.

Book: Watch with faith
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 03, 2020, 03:13:09 PM
(https://seed-us1.gloria.tv/rxHxNhVFpktd4gEVUxZYzbdjd/81fdvgv23oclshuz8wm9cqzyoxpz9ytlm52xcci.webp)
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 04, 2020, 06:06:19 AM
167. The Doctor

Jesus declares:
"Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' I did not come to call the righteous but sinners." Matthew, chapter 9, verses 12 to 13

Ah well, it's surprising! Jesus calls "sinners" to him. He Lo-o-o-o-ves sinners! Not because he encourages us to sin, but because he knows that our request for forgiveness will heal us and grant us peace of heart. His Love will be able to go through our life.

(https://seed-us1.gloria.tv/nqxTqHQSH2Mo3mQUfBt68ig9G/mrkbk6ta4cdohjt9ddsuubtklkryj3ar7nnry95.webp)

Jesus comes not for the ones who are well, but for the sick, for those who need the Doctor. To acknowledge that we are sinners, to recognize that we need Jesus, to recognize that we need the Doctor is already a step ahead.

Book: Watch with faith
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 04, 2020, 05:00:43 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 05, 2020, 06:28:45 AM
168. Mission school

May we recognize that Jesus is Lord and saves us from evil and sin.

Jesus sends his disciples to learn at the mission school. He sends us there too. He tells us, "Go and learn the meaning of the words, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' I did not come to call the righteous but sinners."

It's reassuring. We are all called to him. Here and now, he asks us to be merciful. It's difficult for us to become "righteous", but it's to become righteous that we are called to be. We are sinners and yet we are asked to offer to others what God offers us.

(https://seed-us1.gloria.tv/tTo7PQmHDjL923DoCVLPMJrLU/aahsbeox7bvyo289yrmomx94zzadjool1f97ink.webp)

God's justice is what he transmits to us through Love; joy, peace, mercy, hope, etc. Let's offer them too. In this way, we will always be searching, standing, walking.

The school of life and faith in Jesus is just beginning. Let's remain in the mission and stay awake to seek the Doctor. Here we're on the road to follow Jesus and we want to enter salvation, freely.

Book: Watch with faith
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 05, 2020, 02:08:53 PM
(https://seed-us3.gloria.tv/FxK6pqhk7ZiS1AZwTDoBU6KMY/jgcq9wvqw9vhzyktnaxqce9rw56p3d7w35q75kq.webp)
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 06, 2020, 06:05:47 AM
169. The church is growing

The Holy Spirit passes in hearts and between people. The Church is moving when its members become fervent. The Church is growing and the Holy Spirit is helping to multiply its members. John writes in his first letter:
"Children, let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth." 1 John, chapter 3, verse 18

(https://seed-us2.gloria.tv/FxK6pqhk7ZiS1AZwTDoBU6KMY/xq10o45525rjfq912m0l782upjyebsjzy0k08d4.webp)

What seems most difficult in the mission is to mention what is needed at the appropriate time or for the appropriate activity, meeting. It is about being in the best disposition of ourselves and knowing the one we're talking about, in truth. Are we really talking about God?

Even though sometimes the deeds and words are not always in accord with the Gospels, since we are not perfect, let's continue to improve our relationship with people. And if we succeed, may we remember that we have done only what we could.

Book: The Fruit that lasts
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 06, 2020, 05:37:19 PM
(https://seed-us1.gloria.tv/FxK6pqhk7ZiS1AZwTDoBU6KMY/ra86v0oqys19vvk9c94qdo56v13pj2633603kjm.webp)
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 07, 2020, 05:53:01 AM
170. Balance

"Behold, this too is vanity. Here is a man who has laboured with wisdom and knowledge and skill, and to another, who has not laboured over it, he must leave his property. This also is vanity and a great misfortune.
For what profit comes to a man from all the toil and anxiety of heart with which he has laboured under the sun?" Ecclesiastes, chapter 2, verses 1 and 21 to 22

We are invited to invest ourselves with balance. Some people try to achieve everything and they are so engaged in all kinds of activities that they don't realize that they are harming their health ... even sometimes the health of others.
What are our priorities?

(https://seed-us2.gloria.tv/RLhEYE1RNTHG3CPrHuZx9ECWT/bu39iautj4gkq4tqwm86jr18e0cy0mj7jc3zm2l.webp)

Can we offer more of our services to the Church, for the world?

Do we carry out activities that will bring us closer to a relationship with Jesus and help others to know him?
Or are we just looking to put on a show, to look good, occupied?

It's always easier to participate in the life of the Church than to leave the work to one or two people. It's also necessary that those who work in the Church leave some space for others.

Book: The Fruit that lasts
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 07, 2020, 03:00:15 PM
(https://seed-us2.gloria.tv/RLhEYE1RNTHG3CPrHuZx9ECWT/xqe1jflutjpxrvwj1d3cyetoq431tra2prqr2ep.webp)
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 08, 2020, 07:05:45 AM
171. Talents

Let's invest in something that resembles us, brings us together and reflects our talents, supported by the teaching of the Church. It may seem simple, but it's good to think about it properly to fit and meet our talents.

Each person has his own charisms. It's also recommended to ask the Holy Spirit what would be best for us to achieve.

There are always people in the Church who hold on despite the adversity of everything that keeps the world away from churches. They hold on and that keeps the Church fruitful. They receive courage and tenacity from Our Lord. Glory be to Jesus!

(https://seed-us1.gloria.tv/1uRc9MeuUe4VCaxjW7oyj2qbq/jbw6iuqo4drkgfpli7iy75fkp0nuv84hb0hdydl.webp)

Paul tells us:
"Think of what is above, not of what is on earth." Colossians, chapter 3, verse 2

May all that we do for the people be inspired by the realities from above. The realities of the earth are good and pleasant, like picking strawberries, but the realities of heaven are superior to them, like the fruit of charity toward people.

Book: The Fruit that lasts
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 08, 2020, 05:45:58 PM
(https://seed-us1.gloria.tv/gaLXKWcpRQHL1CuW3bDYRGuo8/3zba1w1le09rtqkfjbw9yenphhypp98vmrql352.webp)
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 09, 2020, 05:43:56 AM
172. Seeds

Jesus invites us to think:
"Friend, who appointed me as your judge and arbitrator?" Luke, chapter 12, verse 14

Jesus is not a judge as we may think. He doesn't judge us as we often do. He lets us judge of what we achieve. He lets us decide if we want to share the goods of the kingdom of God that we carry within us. He even questions us. He wonders why we perceive him as a judge, in the sense of a referee.

Let's ask Jesus to help recognize in us what we can share of our spiritual life, so that his Heart overflows on people and between hearts.

(https://seed-us1.gloria.tv/nqxTqHQSH2Mo3mQUfBt68ig9G/7hg61vuaoulk18tm9utk3ikga1gywzrsxwuiuym.webp)

As the fields and the valleys are full of fruits and vegetables that feed us, all our actions and words are full of divine and beneficial seeds for those around us.

Let's gather the fruits of paradise and fill our baskets with hope, faith, charity and also prudence, temperance, strength and justice; the strength and righteousness that are from the Love of God, and offer them to all, so that they too may discover the beauty and wonder of the divine fields of God.

Book: The Fruit that lasts
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 09, 2020, 01:54:26 PM
(https://seed-us3.gloria.tv/nqxTqHQSH2Mo3mQUfBt68ig9G/8sggwluakle15sqwse9al78lz20v6ib8nej6znn.webp)
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 10, 2020, 07:15:08 AM
173. Mutual aid

If there are people who can help in one area or another, mechanics, caretaking, fraternal listening, helping one of the members in one of his needs, according to their talents, the help will be appreciated and they will receive a hundredfold from the Lord.

It would be easier to have about twenty people who offer their services than just a few who do everything. That doesn't prevent that the generosity is at hand when there is an important work to accomplish in the churches. Often people give themselves without counting in big events. Many people offer their services discreetly, without anyone being aware. All these people are generous.

(https://seed-us3.gloria.tv/tTo7PQmHDjL923DoCVLPMJrLU/7lfbg48dhpc96sjya7zddo2a0k0o804yq600oo5.webp)

To leave our task, when there's no one to assume it and to take over, for example, is to take risks, it's mortgaging the immediate future of the responsibilities and the activities of evangelization in the church.

Let's think of other people who could share our tasks, while we still have the capacity to do them. In this way, if something happens to us, a loss of health, an accident or a new job, a new opportunity for example, we know that the mission will continue. In addition, it allows others to walk in faith as they offer their services.

Book: The Fruit that lasts
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 10, 2020, 03:07:40 PM
(https://seed-us2.gloria.tv/kpck8L6QduHw3JXzWpBHTizir/dtt0gsn50l5rsshl0xzwvzdewo0mvquy9obbsk9.webp)
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 11, 2020, 05:46:54 AM
174. Walking

In the book of Isaiah we read:
"The Lord called me from birth, from my mother's womb he gave me my name." Isaiah, chapter 49, verse 1

God calls all people, without exception, to a unique vocation and mission. Yet not all people respond to the invitation. Many people don't know it or ignore it or worse yet, refuse to believe it and slow themselves down. Yet it's when we're on the move that we discover the potential of faith that we receive from God.

We are called to a vocation and a mission from our conception. However, we have the freedom to answer yes or no:
"I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth." Isaiah, chapter 49, verse 6

(https://seed-us2.gloria.tv/rxHxNhVFpktd4gEVUxZYzbdjd/6vj2j083iwnihi6xdd252tpm8xqb73a1iv5n0wi.webp)

Jesus is the Light of the nations and we need his Light to enlighten our faith and to understand the mission. Let's ask him his Light constantly to live well the mission in which he wishes to send us.

Let's walk with the Light of Christ, walk with Christ, walk for Christ, live in Christ and in his Light every day, so that the mission has meaning and fits in God's will. Not my will, but your will, Jesus. It is you, Jesus, who makes us capable of such a beautiful, exciting and wonderful mission.

Book: The Fruit that lasts
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 11, 2020, 03:27:21 PM
(https://seed-us3.gloria.tv/ZZaGSMDMuccL1XxWyTaVHvCHE/y38o9d7rq8edfz6u33y6p0vozj7b4t0xjict2n4.webp)
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 12, 2020, 05:44:36 AM
175. The danger

It must have been so difficult for the people who know Jesus to recognize him in his new mission. Jesus changed according to their eyes. From one day to the next, Jesus is on a mission and he must be very different before them. He says and he does what others can't do.

They perceive here and there fragments of what Jesus realizes and it's difficult to place the few pieces of the puzzle in a frame, especially when there are many missing pieces. In addition, they may receive conflicting messages of what they hear about Jesus.

Even today, the ambient message about Jesus, in general, in the world, is sometimes discordant. But it's sometimes easy to trust the fears, rather than what Jesus tells us and realizes.

The people from his home, watching him go, came to seize him because they said:
"He is out of his mind." Mark, chapter 3, verse 21

(https://seed-us1.gloria.tv/ZZaGSMDMuccL1XxWyTaVHvCHE/cw7133x6t5dw4wwsissx57vpy04128prayjt3ml.webp)

They want to protect their idea of Jesus. They can't imagine for a moment that Jesus entered another stage of his life.

It's a bit like that when a person causes problems in an environment. If people don't check the foundation of a person's mission, fear may be taking hold of some people and it may further harm the mission, instead of helping to build a more just, better world, merciful and true.

If we begin, in the immediate future, a mission in the name of Jesus, there is a good chance that our surroundings will find us different. It's also possible that some people won't recognize who we are, since we're experiencing a transformation by following Jesus. It is a sign that we're moving forward and a testimony of our faith to them.

Let's give them some time to join us and understand, in faith. Let's pray that they will also discover Jesus in their hearts. Let's give them time to adjust to this novelty.

It's then necessary to meet with other people who have faith in Jesus, to truly enter the mission that allows us to live and achieve goodness.
Let's listen, discern, then encourage and help those who evangelize honestly in the name of Christ, with Christ.

Book: The Fruit that lasts
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 12, 2020, 04:48:54 PM
(https://seed-us3.gloria.tv/ZZaGSMDMuccL1XxWyTaVHvCHE/dyoczvyasiihy3scmbszlf1c32bxmc8rcerzqrn.webp)
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 13, 2020, 05:13:36 AM
176. The judgment

Paul is right:
"The kindness of God would lead you to repentance." Romans, chapter 2, verse 4

... To conversion. By and large, Paul invites us to patience, and to receive from people their kindness and generosity. We discover God's goodness in them. The goodness of God overcomes reluctance and attracts to conversion. The call that God sends us is related to his kindness.

He also talks to us about this:
"By the standard by which you judge another you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the very same things." Romans, chapter 2, verse 1

(https://seed-us1.gloria.tv/kpck8L6QduHw3JXzWpBHTizir/5fymob8l67mqaxhxtskh2fyamv5m7jpjuvrwoag.webp)

It must be said that we tend to mix judgment about others with what is a constructive judgment.

Judging others about whom they are at first sight, without really knowing them, is a judgment. But, to observe the actions of another person in order to help, even if we have the same difficulty as this person, can still help.

We must not wait to be perfect to evangelize and help others. Otherwise, nothing would be possible for the world.

Book: The Fruit that lasts
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 14, 2020, 09:17:32 AM
177. Your perfect!

And this phrase said by some people sometimes blocks us: "Ah, and you, you are perfect!" In fact, the person may not want our help. We still can pray for him.

Let's face it, nobody's perfect. It would be a shame not to be able to help the people considering that we're also imperfect. Where would charity unfold in such circumstances? It would be like telling a doctor who has cancer that because of that he cannot heal us. We would tell him to heal himself before thinking of healing us. Yet, helping helps to improve who we are. We help each other to help each other, and so on.

Jesus seems to be leading the idea further, when he says to the pharisees:
"You pay no attention to judgment and to love for God." Luke, chapter 11, verse 42

(https://seed-us3.gloria.tv/kpck8L6QduHw3JXzWpBHTizir/fb29p6iovvexaatagmspmsicp7iyk6jr2f4gqds.webp)

That's the basis. A testimony must encourage good deeds. And Jesus brings us back to reality, respectfully. In fact, we're not perfect, and it's clear that our actions and words are not always the best.

What Paul wants us to understand, mostly, is that we cannot evangelize if we're not connected with Jesus. Jesus abounds here, in the same sense. We are invited to deeply convert if we want to evangelize others, but let's not wait to be perfect.

It would be illusory, in spite of our difficulties, not to evangelize when we have received so much, received all from the Lord. Let's trust and evangelize, according to our resources and abilities, according to the openness of our heart. May we remember that it isn't we who evangelize, but Jesus through us.

By improving our life of faith with Jesus, we're on the move. By helping others to improve their lives of faith, we will come closer to Jesus together. Let's destroy our illusions and let God Love us, and through us, let him Love others.

Book: The Fruit that lasts
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 14, 2020, 04:09:01 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 15, 2020, 06:09:08 AM
178. All we achieve

All that we say, all that we achieve will be to lead us and draw people to salvation in the Lord's life.

Let's read a few times what Peter says in this little text and we will have a synthesis of the purpose of our faith:
"That the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire, may prove to be for praise, glory, and honour at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Although you have not seen him you love him; even though you do not see him now yet believe in him, you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, as you attain the goal of (your) faith, the salvation of your souls." 1 Peter, chapter 1, verses 7 to 9

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/kpck8L6QduHw3JXzWpBHTizir/81rezl6z0vjt9oywc7tnsaayi9w3624s0lm8c6u.webp?format=webp)

All that we say, all that we realize will be to lead us and lead people to salvation in the kingdom of God. As soon as we direct our life to make it pleasing to God, we also help our neighbour to discover the purpose of life. We walk on the path of holiness.

This passage from Peter is revealing: "As you attain the goal of (your) faith, the salvation of your souls". The salvation of souls is the goal of our faith. It is the will of God and "genuineness of our faith". As soon as a few people come together in the name of Jesus Christ, there will be other people interested in discovering the reality of their faith, and in doing so fulfilling the Lord's mission.

Book: The Fruit that lasts
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 15, 2020, 08:06:39 PM
(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/kpck8L6QduHw3JXzWpBHTizir/kbap9noftrmw8val8wptr4rayd3fvyto6kgpomy.webp?format=webp)
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 16, 2020, 06:15:41 AM
179. Going beyond

The Church is on the move. We are in the world and we're invited to share what we have received from Jesus. We already carry everything in our heart. We will pass on what we receive in abundance. Jesus, through us, will come to listen, to watch, to console, to heal people of the great lack of missing out on Love.

Going beyond our capabilities doesn't require greater effort. It requires above all living in faith, to let Jesus by and to be conscientious to what others are going through.

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/rxHxNhVFpktd4gEVUxZYzbdjd/1tp9twrtgqh06iojsnk2b01t57qttikjf4cz7ts.webp?format=webp)

In reality, we don't need to go beyond our capacities. We discover what is essential in us, what God has placed. It creates balance. We don't need more. We already have what's necessary.

As a guitar player retreats alone to practice his pieces of music, before making them available to the public, we'll retreat in a favorable environment and pay attention, in a place of prayer, hear and discover what lives in us, of what God gives us, bound to his Love.

Then, as the musician, we will be able to join others and create a harmony of talents that we have received, practiced and developed. We'll go to places where people recognize our style, our music, what is natural and what is of God for us and for them.

Book: Up! Let's go!
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 16, 2020, 03:28:23 PM
(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/rxHxNhVFpktd4gEVUxZYzbdjd/yhme8wb4muw2pygqtls9njg39r6l0jirmgvehxc.webp?format=webp)
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 17, 2020, 05:24:23 AM

180. Welcome Jesus

The basis of evangelization begins with this:
"Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me." Matthew, chapter 10, verse 40

It would be interesting to ask ourselves these questions: "Who is the person who seems interested in knowing Jesus, but doesn't seem to dare move forward?" "Who welcomes our faith in Jesus? "Who shows signs of faith by their words, by their gestures?" "In whom do we welcome Jesus?"
We need to create a dialogue of faith with someone close to us.

Logically, in the world, there are many people who seek meaning in their lives, who wish to see more values spread, who are thirsty for a good word, who struggle for the lack of the presence of believing and convinced people.

These people may welcome us already. But did we suggest they discover the richness in their heart, which is of God, by telling them of the talents he wants to reveal in them?

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/RLhEYE1RNTHG3CPrHuZx9ECWT/0p8mnj4yr6wxezbbp0qvjuwkwzvb3yk7p9te244.webp?format=webp)

It may be the glass of water we can offer:
"Whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones to drink because he is a disciple - amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward." Matthew, chapter 10, verse 42

In the smallest daily gestures, with words of encouragement, simple words that Jesus himself would say in the current context, we can reach the people around us.

Let's ask the Holy Spirit to prepare the hearts of the people we visit. May the Holy Spirit come to meet us and put a balm of Love on these people and especially in their hearts. Let's take the opportunity to make the same request for us.

Book: Up! Let's go!
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 17, 2020, 02:48:52 PM
(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/1uRc9MeuUe4VCaxjW7oyj2qbq/nidikpw0a5tnbgdpqk0v3kj83loizghz8wwhmr6.webp?format=webp)
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 18, 2020, 06:00:29 AM
181. Charity

Paul, in his first letter to the Corinthians, invites us to charity. To evangelize today, let's develop charity towards people. Here is one of his famous passages:
"If I speak in human and angelic tongues but do not have love, I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal. Love is patient, love is kind (...) rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." 1 Corinthians, chapter 13, verses 1, 4 and 6 to 7

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/tTo7PQmHDjL923DoCVLPMJrLU/vhkcxt72w59oou3y8ymnn4ixli288yvl0gggb93.webp?format=webp)

Anchored in Jesus' Heart, we're on the move (mission) and we're joyful militants (evangelization) so that the world finds what is still current in biblical values; free the captives, feed the hungry, visit the lonely, evangelize people far from Church, from God.

Book: Up! Let's go!
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 18, 2020, 05:04:24 PM
(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/XGVV4fGcX6xx3p2HRzhSm2wqc/a88yo5ib3ydllt95ayr0772h6wx8rjaw73nmbn9.webp?format=webp)
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 19, 2020, 06:13:21 AM
182. Fulfilled in our heart

We're invited to say like Jesus:
"Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing." Luke, chapter 4, verse 21

Today, what God offers, is fulfilled in our heart because we freely accept it. Let's meditate on what we receive. Then, about what we must offer.

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/ss1VZbCRYisL1dbLuRSAbHyJU/z9m2pxk1l82b6w9p4aylksd5pc4ezu7xyd4bjdx.webp?format=webp)

May the Holy Trinity inspire us with the urgency of evangelization for our time, for today. Not the urgency to run everywhere and in all directions, but the urgency to recognize what we receive from God and to overflow with all that we receive, to be filled and to quench the thirst of love that so many are longing for.

It's also important to always adjust our dedication to what each person really needs. We're called to be charitable, watchful and just.

Book: Up! Let's go!
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 19, 2020, 01:13:47 PM
142. Let's ask God's grace on us to discover his light in the heart, the life and the being of the people around us.

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/rxHxNhVFpktd4gEVUxZYzbdjd/jnm3zqba40n8d7txg30j8fk6t8fy760zw1rikht.webp?format=webp)
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 20, 2020, 07:22:57 AM
183. Gently

Paul's letter to Timothy is a teaching to revisit. He tells him :
You, man of God, avoid all this. Instead, pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness.
"Compete well for the faith. Lay hold of eternal life, to which you were called when you made the noble confession in the presence of many witnesses." 1 Timothy, chapter 6, verses 11 to 12

Are we capable of such a beautiful affirmation of faith before many witnesses? It is the foundation of evangelization: to stay in the good, the beautiful, the true, the real, in what is eternal, and to reveal it to our contemporaries. We want to reel in eternal life and stay there.

We're invited to reflect on how we can affirm our faith before many witnesses. What meaning do we want to give to our faith life from day to day? What do we want the world to discover about faith? How are we to reveal the Love of God that swells in our heart?

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/ZZaGSMDMuccL1XxWyTaVHvCHE/i8oggx4hhygp38lzpo7mh6w69jgq9fl6zaiukx4.webp?format=webp)

We see in the world the many persecutions against christians or against other religions and its progressing, in different peoples and nations. People are persecuted and defending their faith without fail and with courage that certainly surpasses us.

We're in an environment where faith in our God seems already acquired, but this false acquisition of faith left behind all sorts of complications and closed the possibilities of growing in God. What could we do while we still live in peace, to transmit, to sow signs of faith? What are the means we use for Jesus to be known to the world?

Faith in us must be in motion if we want to progress and hope for more joy and peace in the world. Let's run away from evil. It's important to be on the move before we fall below the bar of what is unreasonable, and then have to fight to keep our faith in a world that thinks no longer having reasons to believe in God.

Jesus is looking for people to announce the good news, where they are. He wants us to participate. Only if the Good News is announced will we see the gifts of the Holy Spirit at work: joy, peace, love, etc., in the hearts of others.

The good news is that we are Loved by God and are called to live free, responsible and joyful until the resurrection with Jesus.

Book: Up! Let's go!
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 20, 2020, 05:30:37 PM
(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/FH1AFqwCGATb4aNv9QSRL3f3H/ylcgwp2wk8qg23ysqtous2in9ab32gqn7leg1xv.webp?format=webp)
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 21, 2020, 06:28:18 AM
184. Comforting words

The Lord tells us:
"So shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; It shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it." Isaiah, chapter 55, verse 11

We know that our words are important. When it's said, it can bring sadness or comfort, it can deeply hurt and cause pain or propose love. It's to consider.

What words do we use with others? Are they the same we would use in front of children? Are they more to hurt, to control or to love and set free? Let's have a positive message that will always allow those who listen to take a step in the faith and approach Jesus.

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/tTo7PQmHDjL923DoCVLPMJrLU/0a8dwn7wwojs2gkdfiqa5cg0dropn5fpnyoee1c.webp?format=webp)

Nothing is trivial when we talk to someone. But we sometimes manage to create pain with slightly less charitable phrases. The pain we cause to others also causes us pain. Lack of sleep can be a factor of importance. The disease can make us more irritable and say phrases we wouldn't want to say.

If it takes more reserve before the words we use and for forgiveness towards ourselves, the person who listens to us must also become aware of our weaknesses and do his utmost to forgive us.

Each person must give chances to the person speaking to him and sometimes go over what seems less charitable. It's an opportunity to pray for the difficulty that we hear in the words, so that the Holy Spirit illuminates it and transforms the words that he uses.

Book: Up! Let's go!
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 21, 2020, 03:15:28 PM
(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/tTo7PQmHDjL923DoCVLPMJrLU/ntedqllii85gjn1xqz0kufwtp9v67gwzxnru7du.webp?format=webp)
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 22, 2020, 05:44:51 AM
185. Give with heart

God wants us to live. He wants us to stay in his Love, so that we can feed and guide ourselves continually. Here's another way to share the faith we receive from God:
"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." Isaiah, chapter 58, verse 10

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/RLhEYE1RNTHG3CPrHuZx9ECWT/hk3uwg666ve3v7qfpwwuwacybgfvpftv7pmacz1.webp?format=webp)

If we give above all simply from our presence, heartily, to those who are hungry and thirsty for an encounter with the Lord, we will be happy and we'll see the joyful people around us.

By our presence, if we fill the desires of joy of the unfortunate, we'll see an even greater light and darkness will hurry out of sight. Our light will be like that of noon in a bright summer sun.

Book: Up! Let's go!
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 22, 2020, 02:45:17 PM
(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/RLhEYE1RNTHG3CPrHuZx9ECWT/9irpdmhrhahtq7fufvx1djmy4afk45swe6vkcsv.webp?format=webp)
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 23, 2020, 07:47:19 AM
186. Closer to Jesus

We are invited to conversion, to live a meaningful relationship with God and to love the world:
"Let the words of my mouth meet with your favor, keep the thoughts of my heart before you, Lord, my rock and my redeemer." Psalm 19, verse 15
And give back to my heart its freshness of youth!

Let's convert, that is to say, be closer to Jesus, our shining Sun, and we'll be ourselves in his Spirit and in his Life:
"Whenever a person turns to the Lord the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/FxK6pqhk7ZiS1AZwTDoBU6KMY/6t3j6gi9qr4i1djew7ys3ymv4kloom4x5wak9s5.webp?size=512x432&format=webp)

All of us, gazing with unveiled face on the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, as from the Lord who is the Spirit." 2 Corinthians, chapter 3, verses 16 to 18

All means of conversion are good, since they unite us more to the Lord and to the neighbor. We will live a progression in faith. Jesus will be happy to tell us: "Follow me".

It's like he's saying, "Learn to let go of what's hurting you and follow me. Give up what is futile by seeking personal glory and follow me. Forget your past revolts and follow me. Share my message with everyone while you follow me. Calm down tensions, play down crisis situations while you follow me. Watch in peace and joy as you follow me."

Book: Up! Let's go!
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 23, 2020, 02:52:08 PM
(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/ss1VZbCRYisL1dbLuRSAbHyJU/5zr740y6r4sye5fpuz2kgbusmjdkzkw1x9ns6a4.webp?format=webp)
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 24, 2020, 06:30:30 AM
Happy Birthday Jesus !
"This will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger." Lk 2, 12

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/gaLXKWcpRQHL1CuW3bDYRGuo8/857rm8xbm0cb659jwqhpthwql0detmng2mtu49l.webp?format=webp)
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 26, 2020, 05:36:38 AM
187. A firm decision

Let's take the firm decision to follow Jesus. He never stops our march or our progress. It gives a feathered step and guides through a serene evolution.

We can say once more with the singer of the Psalm:
"All goes well for those gracious in lending, who conduct their affairs with justice. They shall never be shaken; the just shall be remembered forever. They shall not fear an ill report; their hearts are steadfast, trusting the Lord.

Their hearts are tranquil, without fear, till at last they look down on their foes. Lavishly they give to the poor; their prosperity shall endure forever; their horn shall be exalted in honor." Psalm 112, verses 5 to 9

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/ss1VZbCRYisL1dbLuRSAbHyJU/o8br7nzp57b3x76hdtb95f8tm2fbr3qamyr67an.webp?format=webp)

Let's receive everything from God to transmit it around us without constraint, freely. It's very important what is written in this passage. When we share what we receive from God, we never fall! Misfortune doesn't stick to our backs. We have no reason to fear the difficulties that arise during our passage on earth.

With this attitude, we'll grow in faith, we'll rely on the Lord, we'll live the promised inheritance in his justice, his power of Love and we'll be covered with the glory of the Lord, eternally. Several saints, after their death, were discovered with an incorruptible body. God can lead us this far, in his glory, to the glory saints receive.

Book: Up! Let's go!
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 26, 2020, 04:13:54 PM
(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/rxHxNhVFpktd4gEVUxZYzbdjd/zqmfuc6dczhthyp1n55n6xgz4n6ubd240z9eds8.webp?format=webp)
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 27, 2020, 06:33:12 AM
188. Going Forward

Paul tells us that:
"Whoever is in Christ is a new creation." 2 Corinthians, chapter 5, verse 17a

This sentence challenges us. From now on, immediately, if we're in Christ, we're a "new creation". Yet we remain ourselves, as we are. But instead of leaning towards evil, we move resolutely toward the good, the beautiful, the true, the real, following the Lord.

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/tTo7PQmHDjL923DoCVLPMJrLU/ty84d2iawyxgv97qb4l9djalxohc011km6v8zl9.webp?format=webp)

It's good to know that our relationship with Jesus, that the efforts to come to Mass and create other spiritual activities make us new people in Christ. That is to say people who let themselves be modeled continuously by him. And if Jesus transforms us, every day we wake up as a new person, a person who lets in the light of God.

Of course, that doesn't prevent the mosquitos from stinging us, or hurting here and there, but Jesus transforms us from the inside. Those who have experienced it can testify about it.

Book: Up! Let's go!
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 27, 2020, 05:10:42 PM
(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/rxHxNhVFpktd4gEVUxZYzbdjd/nfsdj1m7mo4fbpy1b5mvw5cfsjx3b12l8phatg4.webp?format=webp)
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 28, 2020, 08:08:21 AM
189. Difficult questions

Faith is at the heart of the human being and it's transmitted where we are.

Our existence on earth passes quickly. We are constantly on the move and often we change places. And the people we meet might be around for a short period of time.

Sometimes we have a tiny opportunity to let faith that dwells in us appear. Hence, it's the importance of finding simple but effective, true and awakening answers.

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/FxK6pqhk7ZiS1AZwTDoBU6KMY/k1h2mmepszur4rm8sxbl7my18mzriiuay0ywfw7.webp?format=webp)

One of the big challenges is not knowing the others and coming to fear them. We tend to fear what we do not know and distance ourselves from certain people. But their difficult questions help us find answers.

We are asked to go to the lost sheep and offer what God gives us for them. The mission of evangelizing is now.

On every occasion that we are presented with a sheep who seeks alone, a sheep who doesn't know Jesus, a sheep who is thirsty to hear his Word, we are the one sent to them. All sheep, without exception, consciously or not, have the desire to find God. And God places us on their way.

Book : Here, where we are
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 28, 2020, 02:55:35 PM
(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/RLhEYE1RNTHG3CPrHuZx9ECWT/napi4t015i5gg0f16j7y1kkxkp8kbwg6buwib8a.webp?format=webp)
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 29, 2020, 06:37:21 AM

190. Let's meet the sheep

Jesus said to the twelve Apostles:
"Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'" Matthew, chapter 10, verses 6 to 7

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Let's go to the people who seek God. There are some who are like children of God without a shepherd. All the baptized or not are in search to discover faith in themselves.

Let's proclaim that the Kingdom of God is near, that salvation has come, that Jesus is the Good News and that he is gathering his people for eternal joy!

Book : Here, where we are
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 29, 2020, 04:28:49 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 30, 2020, 05:30:50 AM
191. Fear the unknown

John invites us to be cautious when comes time to choose. We have the choice to follow Christ or another way. He tells us about people who were with the Apostles, but who are no longer with them:
"They went out from us, but they were not really of our number; if they had been, they would have remained with us." 1 John, chapter 2, verse 19

Sometimes, even in our churches, there may be people who are not with us, that is to say, who follow another doctrine than that of Jesus Christ.

Since we're called not to judge, only God can know whether a person lives his faith authentically or not. We can, however, propose ourselves this question: "Does the person follow the Love of God and let the Holy Spirit work in his life?" Otherwise, here are some very good opportunities to pray. We have around us, in the church, an ideal place to practice observing and listening to the faith of others.

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John knows Jesus:
"The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him." John, chapter 1, verses 9 to 10

Jesus is the true Light, but there are people who don't know him.

Now, how do we make sure that these people do not lead us in another direction, other than in the Light of Christ? Let's be as careful for ourselves as these people can drive us off the road.

May the grace of God invade us as he covered Mary and kept her totally pure and sinless. May grace, just like the Word and the Eucharist, transform us every day, to become "image of God" in the world and for the world.

Let's personally decide to live in Love, Peace, Truth, within the Life that Christ transmits to us and to move freely on the Way where he leads us.

Book : Here, where we are
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 30, 2020, 03:20:14 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 31, 2020, 07:35:24 AM
192. To live in Love

Offering our life to God is the answer he seeks. In this way, he can fulfill his dream in people. Then, let's invite people to let themselves be loved and open their hearts to the Presence of God. Let's invite them to give their lives to God.

Let's tell them that his Love is free and perfect.

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He gave us the gift of his life and he expects from us the answer to his Love. May we offer him our life in answer to his Eternal Life for us. Let's offer love in response to his Love. Let's also observe the fruits that the Spirit transmits to people and we'll discover God present in them.

Book : Here, where we are
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 31, 2020, 03:40:55 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 01, 2021, 07:09:46 AM

193. Be a beacon and listen

The true disciple is in the middle of the world as a lighthouse that attracts to conversion. He is also the one who listens to the human heart. He helps the person to tell himself and share his sufferings. It helps him to find his answers.

It's necessary, however, that the listener refrain from elaborating on his own difficult experiences so as not to block the opening or the passage that is created in the one who shares his suffering.

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Let's become aware of what others live. Let's be attentive and sensitive to the difficulties he has.

However, transient difficulties are nothing compared to the life that God offers us. God shares us infinitely more than anything we can hope for. The grace of God is overflowing when, despite suffering, we cling to him and make him known.

May the mission continue, as long as people do not know Jesus. Let's continue his works.

Book : Here, where we are
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 01, 2021, 03:53:01 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 02, 2021, 07:13:16 AM
194. Seeking the sheep

Today, Jesus tells us:
"What is your opinion? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills and go in search of the stray?" Matthew, chapter 18, verse 12

We are invited to learn each day by simply reading passages or books from the Bible. Some books in this library (Bible) contain very few pages.

We receive the Word whenever we open the Bible, go to Mass, and on many other occasions. We are studying it. Let's also develop the ability to transmit the Word to the people of our time. We can offer it and transmit it to the people, since we are here now:
"I fed you milk, not solid food, because you were unable to take it. Indeed, you are still not able, even now." 1 Corinthians, chapter 3, verse 2

Paul proposes to give milk and not solid food to new disciples. It would be important to remember this recommendation which is of prime importance. Paul's text is very good for anyone who wants to advance in faith and share it.

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Because, milk is usually given to babies, if we understand the meaning that Paul wants to give it. The baby cannot take a bottle. The parent does not stop watching and listening to the baby to fully understand his immediate needs. And for steak, we'll have reached a certain age to consume it.

The missionary will always give milk and not steak to all the new people he meets because he doesn't know anything about them. This helps to verify where the person is rendered in the faith. If he practises his faith, he will want to share it.

If the person doesn't know a lot about faith, he will either let the evangelist continue if it remains simple or close up, because he doesn't join him with words too difficult or trying to stuff in all the words he knows from the dictionary.

It's a question of being attentive to these two poles of opposite reactions to place ourselves in front of this person, in order to discover the real depth of his faith. The ultimate goal of evangelization is to keep people awake in the faith by offering small steps to achieve.

For every little step that a person makes, we rejoice. Jesus will heal that which slows the people of a fulfilling life, so that these people become empowered, in faith. Every contrary movement tells us what is to be handed over to Jesus. Whenever we meet a person, whom we evangelize, we can update what is to be corrected in our approach, in general.


Let's be assured that we are never wrong when evangelization is done simply, with simple words and gestures. On the other hand, what is complicated repels people and this can affect their experience of faith.

Beef steak is eaten by the person who has gained experience. So, we're going to feed people to faith, little by little, until these people have gained experience. Our mission is to offer what Jesus gives us, a little portion at a time.

The progression of faith is similar. At first, people see themselves in a situation that requires a lot of effort. Every little achievement requires some coordination between the heart, the body, the soul and the spirit.

It's better for us to be sensitive to the reality and inner movement of the person to adjust the progress of faith in him than to want him to learn everything, too quickly and with a single stream of words.

Let's think of all the efforts that a baby will undertake to succeed in walking, all the coordination of the functions of his body that this requires, in order to succeed a single step forward. That's what we need to think about when we first meet someone, whether they're believers or not.

It's also useful for people who are believers or might believe they know everything. It brings them back to the essential, to the simplicity of faith. Let's be patient with ourselves and with others. Although simple in itself, the experience of faith is complex for the beginner or for the one who, without being aware of it, is leaving the church.

If we're listening since the beginning, we offer ourselves opportunities to discover where their faith is. If we do not see results, it's a sign that we must continue to deeply listen and be more attentive and precise in the information we're collecting. It's not time yet to talk too much. Better we pray for these people.

We are invited to do good to humans. All that we do well in God helps us to become more humble and happy.
We are the servants of God and he can only want the best for us and for the world. To offer faith in the name of God is to give ourselves the means to become saints.

Let's develop our Catholic faith and seek Jesus by reading and sink deeper into his Word. Jesus did not say many words to people, but he was precise in saying the right words at the right time.

Let's continue to receive the Eucharist so that our hearts will open more to the Love of God on us and for our neighbour.

Book : Here, where we are
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 02, 2021, 07:32:47 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 03, 2021, 05:22:58 AM

195. Being simple

We are invited to let go of pride. The release that this will accomplish will allow us to use the gifts and charisms we receive from God for others.

God comforts us:
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and God of all encouragement, who encourages us in our every affliction, so that we may be able to encourage those who are in any affliction with the encouragement with which we ourselves are encouraged by God." 2 Corinthians, chapter 1, verses 3 to 4

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When there's an opportunity to let Jesus take care of our distress, our fears, our sorrows, pride, God comforts us. Or rather, we discover that God comforts us, since we've surround ourselves again with his Heart.

Book : Here, where we are
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 03, 2021, 05:47:01 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 04, 2021, 07:14:28 AM
196. Comforting

When we are comforted, we can think of comforting others. It's a beautiful exchange that begins with God. He transforms us to be open to others and allows them to live the comfort of his Presence, thanks to the encounter we have with them.
Paul pushes even further:
"If we are afflicted, it is for your encouragement and salvation." 2 Corinthians, chapter 1, verse 6

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So even in distress, if we are in the Lord, we can be people inviting our contemporaries to salvation, supported by the comfort of God.
We can say:
"I will bless the Lord at all times; praise shall be always in my mouth. My soul will glory in the Lord that the poor may hear and be glad." Psalm 34, verses 2 to 3

Blessing the Lord at all times and even misery will be transformed for the glory of God and the salvation of the world.

Book : Here, where we are
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 04, 2021, 02:49:07 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 05, 2021, 06:09:33 AM
197. Who are our friends?

"If you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that?" Matthew, chapter 5, verse 47

It's not uncommon to regularly sit in a group and share continuously with the same people. Although it's less pleasant and without putting them aside, it's recommended, on occasion, not to sit with the same people all the time. This will create new relationships.

Let's try to eat with different people and by telling our friends that we are not leaving them, that we'll be back. We'll discover new interesting exchanges and we'll learn to know new people.

This allows discovering the wonders that Jesus realizes in their heart. Even if they are not naturally talking about their faith or the presence of Jesus in them, let's listen to them all the same. Let's listen to their silence. They have something to tell us. They allow us to pray for them.

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Not only the priest, but everyone, we are invited to visit the people of our parish. The light of Jesus is there in their hearts. We discover charity, peace, joy? We can reveal to them how Jesus is present in their lives.

That said, it's also important to have sincere friends that we sometimes eat and share with. But, above all, we raise the danger of always going to the same homes. We risk leaving other people behind. This is of great importance for the sowing mission to continue.

Let's share the little we earned from Jesus and our faith will grow with others. Let's share our welcome with others and the sense of welcome will develop, listening and it will increase, patience and we will become wise.

Let's share with others what God puts in us and we'll discover that God is also in others. Sometimes, it may take a while, but let's not be afraid to sow what God offers us. Much delicately, because the place in which we sow is the heart.

Book : Here, where we are
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 05, 2021, 03:31:40 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 06, 2021, 06:15:48 AM

198. Paul challenges us

Paul took Timothy under his wing and he wants to increase his knowledge. He wants his spiritual son to have a good background for living and transmitting faith. Paul, although held captive, finds in this situation a motive for improving the faith of others. Paul says to him:
"Proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching." 2 Timothy, chapter 4, verse 2

Let's not stop proclaiming the Word, it's the basis of the salvation for all. Let's intervene with good words and with justice while respecting the people around us. This will require patience that will allow us to develop a greater and more accurate concern, to nurture and educate by relying on common sense and wisdom of Scripture.

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Paul adds:
"Be self-possessed in all circumstances; put up with hardship; perform the work of an evangelist; fulfill your ministry." 2 Timothy, chapter 4, verse 5

It's grace for Paul to have a spiritual son to whom he can pass on his experience. Paul's recommendations are accurate and timely. The ministry is also very joyful when faith is realized and developed in people's hearts.

Too want to do too much, faith loses its meaning, it loses its lustre. It's important to be ourselves, live the present and let the Lord act in and through our lives.

Even if we have received a lot, let's remain simple, let's be people with heart, soul, people with a clear mind, less about appearance and engaged in the good, plunged in Jesus Christ's Good News for the world. All we are is to be faithful witnesses and serve God's cause.

Let's refocus our heart on God's. May our life become filled with Trinitarian Love, to reach all the children of God. May there be so much love around us that even the most rebellious be touched and freely transformed.

Book : Here, where we are
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 06, 2021, 04:21:31 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 07, 2021, 06:05:11 AM

199. Let's unite

The Lord our God is rallying. During the Old Testament period, God never stopped wanting to bring the people back into his covenant. He still has the same desire.

Even when we suffer and we live difficult passages of life, God is present with us and he supports us with Love. When we receive it daily in our lives, the much needed faith increases and helps us in the midst of the trials we experience.

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/XGVV4fGcX6xx3p2HRzhSm2wqc/cxv1346dm35a4nhvo8k5podtl6vm5e5jii0b79r.webp?format=webp)

Then there's the community. God keeps inviting the living communities of faith to enter into his Intelligence and Wisdom, so that we may also feed people outside the Church. The common good is that all people have the chance to walk toward their salvation in God. All people, without exception, must know that God Loves them.

Jesus needed to surround himself with people like the Apostles. It's necessary to surround ourselves with people who have faith. We read that crowds follow Jesus, want to hear him and receive his teaching. Jesus also taught Joseph and Mary how to become a holy family. The family is the basic cell for the community.

Let's meditate in our hearts on the delicacy and wisdom of God to each person.

Book : Here, where we are
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 07, 2021, 04:22:10 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 08, 2021, 07:00:44 AM
200. God needs evangelizers

Jesus is the Good Shepherd who gathers the sheep of Israel and the whole world. Every lost sheep, he wants to bring back to the Father. He doesn't want any of them to be lost. He continues to send prophets today. He wants to get his message of freedom and salvation to us.

Today, where we are, we're called to share the Good News of our salvation in Jesus Christ. We are the people Jesus needs for our time. His Spirit will guide us to share his message so that the world hears it.

Jesus is there for everyone, but not everyone gives himself the means to meet with Jesus. When we cannot evangelize people near us, let's look elsewhere for other sheep. May we work full time, continuously.

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We often hear that in families and with their own children that it's not always easy to keep up with faith. This isn't the time to become stationary and discouraged. It opens the door for other people. If we join other people, they may join the children of the families someday. Meanwhile, our faith supports our children. Let's keep going. In any case, we know that Jesus is in their heart.

Let's not lose hope. Let's place our trust in Jesus. In this way we will have vocations everywhere, committed people who will announce the good news. Paul does not force anyone, he leaves elsewhere:
'From now on I will go to the Gentiles.' So he left there and went to a house belonging to a man named Titus Justus, a worshiper of God; his house was next to a synagogue. Crispus, the synagogue official, came to believe in the Lord along with his entire household, and many of the Corinthians who heard believed and were baptized. Acts, chapter 18, verses 6 to 8

Jesus is with us. We want to keep his Love with us forever. May our sorrow of seeing a world seek and not find a shepherd turn into joy of being able to join them, personally, and to evangelize them.

May the world know that God is alive and that salvation has passed for every person of every generation. It's this joy that we are called to transmit to others.

Book : Here, where we are
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 08, 2021, 03:23:12 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 09, 2021, 07:18:07 AM
201. Help humanity

Since the beginning of humanity, the rich want not to be poor and the poor would like to be rich or at least have what's necessary to survive. Still, investing a little in the poorest and they would be active in society.

How many poor neighborhoods around big cities, with few resources and efforts, could be helped and recover? It's a strange mystery that of the human being in front of poverty.

We still notice them today. They are begging on the street. Their budget is tight. They are easy to recognize and yet how many people are passing by them. The rulers don't seem to be able to find answers to help out. Television shows are devoted to people from the most disadvantaged countries.

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/rxHxNhVFpktd4gEVUxZYzbdjd/fjhsgqwn783fug7q9zj10r6icloc0zwiet34w06.webp?format=webp)

But it doesn't stop there. Although it's important and disappointing, there are other kinds of poverty. There are people who cannot go into a group or in a small place. There are those who cannot write, those who are intimidated, those who are marginalized, those who don't eat (anorexic), those who cannot stop eating, sickness, sadness.

There are the disappointments of life, the bad weather, the horrors of war, and so on. Poverty then follows several slippery and often steep slopes.

There's a multitude of people who help in all dimensions of poverty. Let's encourage these people and help them to continue to invest time and resources in this mission of humanity.

Brother Andre of Mont-Royal knew how to find, by God's grace, the wound of a person and ask Saint Joseph to intercede to Jesus for healing. Saint Bernadette Soubirous, by the faith of God in her, has made Lourdes a stronghold to many cures from which bodies and hearts can be healed. And in Medjugorje, people can find peace through Mary's intercession.

Let's observe and seek in our heart the precise point that is wrong with a person and offer it to Jesus. Sometimes that's what bothers us most about this person. We may have similar poverties.

Book: Caring for our poverties
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 09, 2021, 02:51:06 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 10, 2021, 06:29:30 AM
202. Without hurting

As soon as we feel angry with a person's gesture or word, it's the signal that informs us to offer it and him to Jesus. Something hurts us in what he says or does? it's also a signal to pray for him and to put his difficulty back to Jesus. It's a mission to simply find faults and sins in others, without becoming instigators and without hurting them further.

It's a mission to detect what is wrong with others and it is evangelization to hand it over to Jesus, so that he cleanses the wound and transforms their lives.

We are invited to observe what the poverty of the person is. What's stopping him from moving forward? What prevents him from being free and confident? Where is his difficulty?

How many people close to us could we help? We are on a mission where we are, with Jesus and above all with his Spirit. Let's also offer what is wrong with us to Jesus.

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/tTo7PQmHDjL923DoCVLPMJrLU/phtg9qjl9vpag9vk0s3eth8zb2h0uqp2rmt6dzn.webp?format=webp)

Caring for our poverty takes on a double meaning.

The first sense is that there is poverty among people who need help. We must help the poor recover from everything they lack of, mostly from a relationship with Jesus and be aware of what's essential to their survival.

The second meaning to give to poverty is that it's practical and necessary if it leads us to be free from the bonds of this world and leads us to Jesus. Being poor, for example, or free of drugs, is poverty that leads us to freedom. Fasting teaches us to become poor of superfluous or bad habits.

Book: Caring for our poverties
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 10, 2021, 07:42:07 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 11, 2021, 07:58:57 AM
203. Our weaknesses in God

Let's meditate Paul's reflection:
"Consider your own calling, brothers. Not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. Rather, God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise, and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong, and God chose the lowly and despised of the world, those who count for nothing, to reduce to nothing those who are something, so that no human being might boast before God. It is due to him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, as well as righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, so that, as it is written, 'Whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord.'" 1 Corinthians, Chapter 1, verses 26 to 31

Paul seems to have understood how a person on a mission is. He doesn't elaborate much and defines it in a few words: "foolish, weak, lowly, despised". That's what Paul thinks of us. It's not very flattering. But it depends on the point of view of the person who receives it.

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For the world, being foolish, weak, despised, it's the equivalent of nailing us onto a cross. In their eyes, we're poor.
But when we place our weaknesses in God, in what Paul says about us, becomes strength. For the strength doesn't come from our pride, our know-how, our wisdom, but from God. We place our pride in God.

We are foolish to believe in a Crucified Messiah. We are despised to follow Jesus, we are weak to trust only in Jesus. We mention this from the beginning to give us an idea of the different types of poverty. For some people, poverty is wealth, for others wealth is poverty. But, in reality, there is real wealth and real poverty, and all humans stand between these two realities.

As we read this book, we're invited to reflect on our different personal experiences of poverty and the different kinds of poverty we see around us. These discovered poverties we can give them to Jesus. We will be on a mission to help improve the quality of people's lives.

Book: Caring for our poverties
Nomand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 11, 2021, 03:23:27 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 12, 2021, 06:45:03 AM
204. Life and happiness

We could still hear today the message Moses receives from the Lord:
"I have today set before you life and prosperity, death and doom." Deuteronomy, chapter 30, verse 15
God proposes to all: "life and prosperity". What comes at the beginning is life. Life is a gift of God's Love and what's complementary is happiness. Happiness is lived in the present. Happiness is to know we're Loved. But above all, happiness comes from its source, which is God.

Happiness comes from the Lord. Nobody else has given it. Happiness is the fruit of God's Love. It is to be shared and received between people.

It's the ultimate choice of our faith. We have the choice between "life and prosperity, or death and doom". Happiness is in God. God has nothing to do with evil, death and doom. He offers us Love. It is we who can either follow the road to happiness or descend the slope into evil.

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Unlike welcoming God's Love, the result is the misfortune that leads to death. Death is the gradual response that leads to refusing God. It's our responsibility to choose one or the other, life or death, good or evil, truth or lies, forgiveness or hatred, joy or despair, etc.
The choice seems easy, but according to our experience, we know that sometimes we have wandered in the wrong at the expense of good.

Under the ashes of misery we see, there is often the embers of Love that we no longer see. In this world that too often proposes a culture of death in all its forms, we struggle to find embers under the ashes.

We are created to be the bearers of embers, to ignite the world of God's Love. This ember, we carry in our heart, so that others discover "life and prosperity" which is suggested to us.

Jesus also speaks in the same sense:
"If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." Luke, chapter 9, verse 23
This cross is very light when we know about the Love we bring to humanity. For people who do not know that the cross is Love, it can seem heavy. Heaviness comes with lack of love, either from others or from us.

The cross of Love that Jesus offers us is much easier to bear than misfortune. And the more we share God's Love, the more our existence becomes meaningful. Let's give misfortune, evil, poverty to Jesus and live fully with the embers of the Love of God.

Book: Caring for our poverties
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 12, 2021, 02:57:07 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 13, 2021, 05:45:14 AM
205. Life or death

Jesus doesn't cut anyone from his presence. But there's nothing simpler than cutting us off from Jesus. To which source do we sink our roots? Which sun do we stay close to, during our life? The sun that gives cancer when we are too exposed to it or the Sun (Son) of God of which there's no limit of exposure, since he increases Love in us?

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/tTo7PQmHDjL923DoCVLPMJrLU/p8zkj057a51eh6awem61bpnz7jef64j5e41ldv4.webp?format=webp)

God is the patient master who always gives new chances. He wants us to take advantage of his Presence and to root ourselves so that we may sink deeper and deeper into his Heart.

Moses speaks to the people of Israel and offers decrees to observe in the name of the Lord. Here is a solid foundation:
"I have today set before you life and prosperity, death and doom, if you obey the commandments of the Lord, your God, which I enjoin on you today, loving him, and walking in his ways, and keeping his commandments, statutes and decrees." Deuteronomy, chapter 30, verses 15 to 16
Let's keep God's Love in us.

Book: Caring for our poverties
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 13, 2021, 02:34:13 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 14, 2021, 07:18:16 AM
206. Let's be vigilant

Paul gives this recommendation:
"See to it that no one be deprived of the grace of God." Hebrews, chapter 12, verse 15

Of all the insurances that we can buy to give us a sense of security, the assurance of God's grace is the one that exceeds all others. Let's ask God for our assurance to stay with Jesus.

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The assurance of God's grace costs nothing. It's true that today, we often think that what costs more is better, but it's almost never true. With God, what's necessary for life and for the road is free.

God offers his endless grace, but we can neglect it. How easy it is to get away from the exercise regime that we gave ourselves at the beginning of the year. It's even easier to get away from the grace of God and lose sense of reality. Let's be sure to be constantly under the coverage of God's grace.

Let's check if our "coverage" of the "grace of God" is still valid. God's service is always open, but are we updating it in our lives? Otherwise, let's regain confidence. Let's take time for an appointment with Jesus and take up the coverage of the Holy Spirit on us. May his assurance be renewed every day. Let's walk in faith with the complete and free coverage of God.

Book: Caring for our poverties
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 14, 2021, 03:06:55 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 15, 2021, 06:37:10 AM
207. Follow the call

Paul, from his prison cell, evangelizes his friends:
"I urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace." Ephesians, chapter 4, verses 1 to 3

The call we've received from the Lord is to love him and to love one another. Paul invites us to be humble because we have received a lot, we have received everything from God and we could believe that what we have, especially when the habit settles in, is our possession.

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/XGVV4fGcX6xx3p2HRzhSm2wqc/r9msgwfsjb5yqqhighup9bg8wyyms6et22nemkj.webp?format=webp)

Stopping to walk is like stopping eating and drinking. It's even worse. It is necessary to renew the water and food in our body to continue living. We receive them from nature. We especially have to renew the Love we receive from God by standing near him.

Sometimes we lose a lot of spiritual vitality when we move away from the Love of God and we can't find a way to replace ourselves in the right way. So, to help others, it is necessary to find ways to keep ourselves in the path of joy, serenity and holiness, on the road with Jesus.

Book: Caring for our poverties
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 15, 2021, 03:46:12 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 16, 2021, 06:47:23 AM
208. He moved away
"Quiet! Be still!" Mark, chapter 4, verse 39

We wouldn't like it that much if someone said, "Quiet! Be still!" But this person would possibly serve us well. This is what we need to recognize the presence of the Trinity in our heart.

Only silence can help us hear what Jesus tells us. Only silence allows us to return to Jesus and be free. Silence also allows us to find ourselves and clean out our lives.

Let's welcome silence as a gift of the Holy Spirit. Some people have the gift of talking, why not ask for the gift of being silent? We may be experiencing the poverty of lack of silence and to speak at the right time.

Silence is not necessarily lack of noise. Silence is a state where we are well, where we develop a sense of serenity and listen to the Lord, to ourselves and others.

We can write, sitting in a restaurant, with some pretty loud music and still be in silence, internally. We can write in a library and silence could bother us. The external noise isn't the first cause of the lack of silence, but the inner noise, the noise in us. Let's give the many sounds in us to Jesus.

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/1uRc9MeuUe4VCaxjW7oyj2qbq/300n5rbzcdldod4qg3fov1heq5l9060e1odfseq.webp?format=webp)

We would be surprised at the number of people working in the noise, and yet this doesn't stop them from praying while going along. We can be in silence and be with Jesus, even if our work is noisy.

As soon as we approach Jesus in silence, even if it's a timid approach, immediately Jesus will be able to obtain us peace. The more we are silent, the more Jesus will touch us subtly and the more we'll feel his presence.

Is Jesus really present? The question gives out the answer. Yes, he is present. When we say Jesus's name he is immediately present. We cannot live, love, breathe, sleep, hope, laugh, and so on, without Jesus in us. May we welcome him.

The Holy Spirit is the very sweetness and he displays his strength in the silence of the soul. Now, the Spirit of Jesus will fill us as a breeze in our soul.

Book: Caring for our poverties
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 16, 2021, 02:53:37 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 17, 2021, 05:28:27 AM
209. Jesus keeps evil away

Jesus sees a man come out of the tombs. It is someone who consciously or unconsciously allowed himself to be influenced and trapped in evil:

"Catching sight of Jesus from a distance, he ran up and prostrated himself before him, crying out in a loud voice, 'What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me!' (He had been saying to him, 'Unclean spirit, come out of the man!')" Mark, chapter 5, verses 6 to 8

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/ZZaGSMDMuccL1XxWyTaVHvCHE/xaph4b9oi45rksmtuwoc4rnzt40r3ktnpx3ldhp.webp?format=webp)

With Jesus, the evil in this man doesn't resist, doesn't hide. Jesus recognizes that there's an evil spirit in this man. Even the evil spirit obeys him, it leaves and abandons the man who is now set free. We could also say that humanity is free, like this man, if we decide to let Jesus free us.

Notice when the conversion begins for this man. In spite of the evil that annihilates him, it's when he advances to join Jesus, that he's being released. Jesus is the key, the answer. Always moving forward to reach Jesus, always adjusting our lives to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, always placing ourselves under the Light of God and letting him act in our existence, saves us.

Jesus wants us to tell him now that we want to follow him and be transformed by his graces. Ready? Let's run to him!

Book: Caring for our poverties
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 17, 2021, 02:55:49 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 18, 2021, 07:24:21 AM
210. Outing evil must hurt

Often, we encounter situations, more or less painful, that we live or that people live. And sometimes, when a person gives us an easy way out, we don't think it will work or fear makes us think that we'll have more pain.

We think that to solve a problem, there must be pain. And very often, actually, it will hurt. But, getting out of harm's way is more of a healing. And it doesn't hurt in the same way.

How often, when we discover the truth of a painful situation, we say that it hurts: "You cannot imagine how it hurt when I knew the truth!" What a falser expression than this one! The truth has never hurt anyone. It's not the truth that hurts, but the discovery of the lie, of a painful situation. It's the lie that contains evil. The discovery of truth leads to freedom.

One of our greatest poverties is not knowing how to differentiate between good and bad. The line is thin when we don't understand, at the time of discovery, whether it's good or bad that hurts. Let's be certain, it's always evil that causes evil, hurt, sorrow.

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Let's take the example of a person who is bitten in the leg by a venomous snake. The bite and the venom are the cause of evil. And to pluck the venom in the leg hurts even more. If the doctor has to cut the flesh around the bite of the snake, the person will certainly cringe. Ouch!

What's good? It's the person who helps extract the venom. The hurt wasn't caused by the person helping, but by the bite and the venom. Once the venom is gone, the life of the person is saved. He will have avoided death and he will continue to live.

The "evil hurt" he felt by curing from the venom is related to the bite and venom. The good that spared him from death, even though he felt the pain, is the good intention of the person who has helped heal the dying man. Let's be sure to distinguish between what's really good or bad.

Book: Caring for our poverties
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 18, 2021, 03:12:32 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 19, 2021, 06:09:50 AM
211. Returning

Let's return to Love, let's get away from what isn't good:
"You shall love your neighbour as yourself." Matthew, chapter 22, verse 39

To love oneself with the Love of God is to avoid violence and evil to stick to our life. When we listen to people talking to us, we don't accept that they yell at us. Why do we accept it in certain programs and music, for example?

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/1uRc9MeuUe4VCaxjW7oyj2qbq/pmvhq6wh1pgx9um34u7gvb8l4s2rdur6ton6zsd.webp?format=webp)

Suffering is already in the world because of evil. But we are invited to become saints by being ourselves and spread peace, joy and hope of life in Jesus Christ for the glory of God and the salvation of the world.

We are continually doing our best not to enter into a plan of misfortune. We must also help the world around us not to embark on ideas that will cause misfortune.

Quite simply, we are responsible for bringing the good news that Jesus is to the world and for keeping us, as we can, away from evil. It's a decision: "You shall love your neighbour as yourself."

Book: Caring for our poverties
Normand Thomas

Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 19, 2021, 02:49:05 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 20, 2021, 06:37:31 AM
212. God is patient

God has all eternity. We only have a few years. He's totally patient with us. He is mercy. He continues to want the fig tree to produce fruit and is ready to weed it and put new soil around it. God takes care of it.

Let's imagine that this next story is forever repeated. We understand that God constantly wants to give us opportunities to come back to him. Jesus tells this parable:
"There once was a person who had a fig tree planted in his orchard, and when he came in search of fruit on it but found none, he said to the gardener, 'For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree but have found none. (So) cut it down. Why should it exhaust the soil?' He said to him in reply, 'Sir, leave it for this year also, and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it; it may bear fruit in the future. If not you can cut it down.'" Luke, chapter 13, verses 6 to 9

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God, the gardener, by his great mercy, doesn't stop wanting to help us to develop roots into his Love. The tree of our existence cannot flourish and bear fruit unless it is rooted in God. He wants the tree to take root in him. It would be easy to tell ourselves that this is false, since we seem to have everything to stay alive.

We live? Indeed, we live. But we can close our lives in a well-insulated cave without the constant and beneficent source of God. The cave is all that attracts us and keeps us in front of a treasure that sparkles, unattainable, illusory, instead of rooting us in the ground that is ours, in our own heart in the centre of God's garden.

We are invited to convert every day. Every moment when we take the advantage to place ourselves in the Heart of Jesus it's always a precious moment. This moment is worth an infinite quantity of treasures.

The Trinity is always there for us, but from time to time we are in our shelter, focused on something else and not watchful to receive God in our life.

Book: Caring for our poverties
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 20, 2021, 03:05:43 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 21, 2021, 07:18:04 AM
213. The thorn

There may be something left in us that still need transformation. We'll always be able to move forward, even if sometimes we feel tried or we seem stationary.

In spite of the journey that Paul has gone through, remains the test that will increase his faith and lead him to the best of himself. Since he has not finished living the purification of his being to lead him in the Love of God, Paul describes to us the ordeal he bears:
A thorn in the flesh (...) Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it might leave me, but he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.' I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me. 2 Corinthians, chapter 12, verses 7 to 9

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/ss1VZbCRYisL1dbLuRSAbHyJU/93fkjzd6giau4szrkvaezqzoen041as9rs2x228.webp?format=webp)

To put one's pride in one's weaknesses is not so pleasing, to let ourselves be drawn into our weaknesses, but to remind us that God Loves us no matter what our difficulties are is a blessing.

To acknowledge that we have weaknesses allows us not to pride ourselves on the strengths, qualities that God offers us, and to create false ideas about ourselves. We have received everything from the Trinity, so we must place our pride in God.

The closer we come and discover God, the more our being leaves what makes it proud, and the more we become like God by recognizing him as the "everything" of our life. Let's seek the Love of the Trinity in everything we have.

Book: Caring for our poverties
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 21, 2021, 03:24:18 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 22, 2021, 05:58:58 AM



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214. Evangelize the Apostles

Jesus chose people of his time to send on a mission, such as Peter, John, and the other Apostles. The first to be evangelized are the Apostles. After Jesus's resurrection, they are left to themselves, but they are not alone. Jesus has already breathed his Spirit upon them and they are sent into the world to join all nations, languages and peoples:
"Receive the Holy Spirit." John, chapter 20, verse 22

Today, where we are, every person is called to share the Good News of our salvation in Jesus Christ. Jesus sends us as we are. We're the people Jesus needs for our time and his Spirit will guide us to share what he wants the world to receive and hear. We are not alone. We: "receive the Holy Spirit," says Jesus.

The only effort is to be sure we're really listening to Jesus and his Spirit. For this we must become his disciples. We think we cannot be true disciples? We're not perfect? The important thing is to stay close to Jesus. And he will guide us. Let's accept to not be perfect. From our imperfections, the Lord will surprise us.

Jesus is there for the world, but not all people give themselves the means to meet Jesus. When we cannot evangelize people near us, let's look elsewhere for other people.

Let's not lose hope and place our trust in Jesus. In this way there will be everywhere people who have the vocation to announce the good news. A huge crowd; postmen, engineers, doctors, schoolchildren, carpenters, every person can transform the world, thanks to Jesus.

Book: Let's evangelize
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 22, 2021, 02:45:44 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 23, 2021, 06:04:26 AM
215. The mission that saves

"If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved.

For the scripture says, 'No one who believes in him will be put to shame.' For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all, enriching all who call upon him. For 'everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'

But how can they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach?

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/1uRc9MeuUe4VCaxjW7oyj2qbq/utv7ert2skay21frdoh5iaqras9k13lgibmo5yd.webp?format=webp)

And how can people preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring (the) good news!'

But not everyone has heeded the good news; for Isaiah says, 'Lord, who has believed what was heard from us?'
Thus faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.

But I ask, did they not hear? Certainly they did; for 'Their voice has gone forth to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.'" Romans, chapter 10, verses 9 to 18

Let's stop and meditate these questions: "How can they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach?"
Christ invites us to the mission that saves.

Book: Let's evangelize
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 23, 2021, 04:38:56 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 24, 2021, 05:29:43 AM
216. The only promise

Paul tells us the way:
"He indeed died for all, so that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised." 2 Corinthians, chapter 5, verse 15
That: "those who live might no longer live for themselves".

Christ has come to show us that life has all its meaning to love one's neighbour and to live so that the hearts of people be transformed.

For that, we are invited to be free from what closes us on ourselves, to receive Jesus' teaching and to make him visible in our life, in order to become lights in this world. Let's run away from what tends to cut us off from God's will and from others.

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/nqxTqHQSH2Mo3mQUfBt68ig9G/4wds78xy8thu8p651k1cle2x1exbfrh0peq0bpz.webp?size=512x341&format=webp)

The influences today are manifold and evil continues to be a counter-testimony, but there's only one way that leads to God. To receive his Love is the only way that leads to Jesus's Sacred Heart.

Jesus teaches us:
"You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, 'Do not take a false oath, but make good to the Lord all that you vow.'" Matthew, chapter 5, verse 33

The only promise we should remember is that God Himself is laying his Love in us, which nullifies all our oaths. From ourselves we could not take an oath before God without receiving the necessary from him.

To love and to move away from evil is the basis of what God wants as an oath. Our actions and words will adjust to this recommendation.

Book: Let's evangelize
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 24, 2021, 02:27:54 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 25, 2021, 05:54:38 AM
217. We continue

God knows his friends. God knows the people who follow him and hope to accomplish his will. The Lord says to Paul:
"Do not be afraid. Go on speaking, and do not be silent, for I am with you. No one will attack and harm you, for I have many people in this city." Acts, chapter 18, verses 9 to 10

It's as if God is telling us: "Be without fear, keep talking, don't remain silent. Stop worrying. Don't just trust what you see, what you hear and what can discourage you. Go on! Exceed your first impression of this city. Yes, you have had some difficult times, but there will be fruit. This is what the Lord seems to say to Paul."

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/rxHxNhVFpktd4gEVUxZYzbdjd/0uspoe5er03k3t1vt4ksacdeki165j1j53obs83.webp?format=webp)

Today, the Lord speaks to us too. We're doing it for many reasons. We don't see all the people who really follow Jesus, it's within the heart.
God knows everything that is done secretly in hearts. God knows that there are people who do his will and who are at the bedside of sick people, who extend their hand to offer money or food, who open their arms to offer health care or love for free, who are on the roads to evangelize. We don't know them all, but the Father, the Holy Spirit and Jesus see them acting and speaking. Their works will surprise many.

It's as if Jesus tells us: "Continue to be my disciple, continue to do what I ask of you. It doesn't matter if you don't see everything that's happening, because I see it. I keep you in humility and I love you. I am the one who converts, it is I who touches the hearts. I only ask you to remain in my Love."

Book: Let's evangelize
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 25, 2021, 03:22:57 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 26, 2021, 06:50:55 AM
218. You are wondering

Jesus tells us as in John's text:
"You also are now in anguish. But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you." John, chapter 16, verse 22

Jesus seems to be saying, "Yes, maybe now you are wondering, you don't see clearly, you throw some grain in the wind and it doesn't seem to fall into a fertile land. But your heart will rejoice, you will be happy, because you will follow me and you will have done the will of my Father under the influence of the Holy Spirit. Be confident! Do not be afraid!"

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/1uRc9MeuUe4VCaxjW7oyj2qbq/iu16g2fzdgok4gygjd6xu85jm4o3q9a5ank3xap.webp?size=512x341&format=webp)

Then Jesus adds:
"On that day you will not question me about anything. Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you." John chapter 16, verse 23

Questions are no longer needed when Jesus goes through our life, through our heart, when we're connected to the source.


Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 27, 2021, 05:45:41 AM
219. To find trust

Let's ask the Father, by the name of Jesus, to help us find trust, that the Father will rejoice to see us follow Jesus for the good of souls. As Therese of Lisieux, who never went out after entering the cloister, may we believe that God works in our hearts, even if we think we have empty hands.

One night, the Lord tells Paul in a vision: "Do not be afraid. Go on speaking, and do not be silent, for I am with you."
When we come closer to the Lord, we develop the confidence to evangelize with the testimonies of faith that we give and the acts we do.

With Jesus, our mission is growing and becoming more secure. Let's pray, meditate on the Word with a regular presence at Mass, and we'll continually enter into a relationship with Jesus.

We can observe more and more the Lord acting in the hearts and lives of the people around us. Also, by becoming more patient with ourselves, we'll become more patient in front of the faults of others. Believing more in Jesus leads us on the path with him.

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/rxHxNhVFpktd4gEVUxZYzbdjd/ccsj3ooqq5mopn38e0wr9b4nwnv8i4xv42n21k8.webp?format=webp)

It's not always simple or easy, especially when we're distracted, but we know that making Jesus known is possible. Jesus tells us:
"Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy." John, chapter 16, verse 20

Sometimes we'll cry in the desert like John the Baptist, and we'll have the impression that no one will listen, but the Holy Spirit is active in the world. We only have to watch him act in people's lives and hearts.

Let's read again:
You are now in anguish. But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you. John, chapter 16, verse 22

The joy of God is so deep and intense that no one can rob it. Joy is in God and of God.

The sole purpose of the mission is to enter the heart of God and to be Loved. May the kingdom of God be established in our hearts. Then, let's continue to ask Jesus to guide us day by day and help us to embark in the touching and inspiring adventure of faith and evangelization. Let's accept to be joyous and daring, filled with hope, since we can see that the Holy Spirit continues his work in the world.

Book: Let's evangelize
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 28, 2021, 06:31:40 AM
220. With Jesus

Evangelization is realized to the extent that we are in communion with Jesus. Without Jesus, without welcoming his Love in our heart, there's no evangelization and null is the mission.

Whatever the function or mission in the Church, to achieve success, we must be on the move with Jesus. This is what the first Apostles understood. The author of the Acts of the Apostles describes it well:
"After staying there some time, he left and travelled in orderly sequence through the Galatian country and Phrygia, bringing strength to all the disciples." Acts, chapter 18, verse 23

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/ss1VZbCRYisL1dbLuRSAbHyJU/gdnnpq05o1yismnajjd4632sq1usk9gchzf06em.webp?format=webp)

Paul is successful and this success is indebted to Jesus. It is with Jesus that Paul succeeds in the mission.

Book: Let's evangelize
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 28, 2021, 03:27:01 PM
(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/rxHxNhVFpktd4gEVUxZYzbdjd/jepwqsad2znk3b1hye3w5o466pj6rob29y02kua.webp?format=webp)
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 29, 2021, 06:23:29 AM
221. Our freedom

Jesus's recommendation is clear. He addresses our freedom. He leaves us free to choose a mission with or without him. If we live our mission with Jesus, here is what he tells us:
"On that day you will not question me about anything. Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you. Until now you have not asked anything in my name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete." John, chapter 16, verses 23 to 24

While Jesus was with the Apostles, they had nothing to bother about. Jesus took care of everything. When Jesus will be back in heaven, he invites them to ask him everything, to remain united with him, to evangelize with him, to realize everything with him, in order to succeed in the mission of evangelization. Joy is linked to our demand for salvation and holiness of humanity.

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/rxHxNhVFpktd4gEVUxZYzbdjd/kekx4x1q6mf1eqqowp9w2zrb0lyvymm89vbppo6.webp?size=512x336&format=webp)

Let's ask Jesus to evangelize through us. We want to be precision instruments in his service for the salvation of humans. Let's ask everything to Jesus, so that salvation is achieved in the hearts of people, and that the glory of God comes out in the open.

Book: Let's evangelize
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 29, 2021, 03:26:23 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 30, 2021, 06:10:58 AM
222. Offer Jesus

God hears what is said by some people:
"You have defied me in word, says the Lord, yet you ask, 'What have we spoken against you?' You have said, 'It is vain to serve God, and what do we profit by keeping his command, and going about in penitential dress in awe of the Lord of hosts?'" Malachi, chapter 3, verses 13 to 14

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/1uRc9MeuUe4VCaxjW7oyj2qbq/dhnpsvxwg2r5xq70qa7hh0x5m8ycag76uacvjat.webp?format=webp)

It may be difficult for us to conceive of people thinking that about the Lord, but there are people who have let down by refusing God's presence in their lives.

There's nothing simpler than to get away from the Lord and there's nothing more difficult thereafter than to return to him. Not because God would not welcome us if we come back, but because there are so many elements that get in the way of our march back. The reality should be the opposite; easy to approach Jesus and difficult to get away from him.

Book: Let's evangelize
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 30, 2021, 02:35:12 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 31, 2021, 06:16:35 AM
223. A thousand and one

There are thoughts, money, hatred, fear, lack of faith that, among other things, barricades that are difficult to overcome and even bypass. There are a thousand and one impediments, but only one way to lead us to God's Heart. When we decide to walk the road toward God, he himself removes impediments, blockages, barricades, rocks.

We have just shared the importance of taking the right path with God, but it is just as important to follow the road of fraternity with our contemporaries. Jesus tells us:
"What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish?" Luke, chapter 11, verse 11

Who among us would want to offer something other than Jesus and his message to people?

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/1uRc9MeuUe4VCaxjW7oyj2qbq/o6wul3gxjeld6a8mlpmbd8gsf4idwbmlo6ke63p.webp?format=webp)

We can continually sow the Love we receive from God. And if we gave ourselves the challenge of bringing only one new person to the Church in the next year, we would contribute to that person's faith. Even by praying for him, and without his knowledge. We will have increased the prayer in our city and in our life. Let's pray for a person who isn't going to Mass. Whatever the result, don't seek to know the result, but rest assured that Jesus will have visited him.

Every person has God in them, since God created them. Often the person is ready to hear that God is in his life. He's waiting for someone to tell him. Said in a wise, fair and simple way, often a person cannot resist the invitation to recognize the presence of God in him. It's easy to reveal to him the joy that he has from God.

Book: Let's evangelize
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 31, 2021, 02:57:17 PM
(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/1uRc9MeuUe4VCaxjW7oyj2qbq/6a7u6mrn3skz1n60kzuuc6venjvbaawt75itsb4.webp?format=webp)
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 01, 2021, 06:26:14 AM
224. Welcome him as he is

Let's ask ourselves, "Who would be on the point of wanting to come back or go to church?" Let's go slowly, invite him, but leave him free. Whether he says yes or no, we'll welcome his answer. We'll continue to welcome him as he is. Either we'll continue to pray for him, or we'll pray for another person, since he will have accepted.

One day a person says that he has no connection with God even though he's doing good. The answer was simple: "Yet you do what Jesus asks of you to watch every day on your two parents who are living their last passage to eternity." He understood. Children do what God asks for when they take care of their parents. Parents do what God asks for when they take care of their children too.

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/XGVV4fGcX6xx3p2HRzhSm2wqc/l6jn2lgkw1dst8lp1scj2k729ngqzrpbwvw5gx8.webp?format=webp)

Then remains to celebrate what God offers us for free by living Mass, listening to the Word and receiving the Eucharist. Everything we receive from God is perfect. When we share the good, beautiful, real and true, it comes from God. Why not thank him by confessing our faults and receiving everything from him through the Eucharist and the Word?

Announce the Good News:
"Philip came to Azotus, and went about proclaiming the good news to all the towns until he reached Caesarea." Acts, chapter 8, verse 40
He evangelizes.

A christian is someone who carries Jesus wherever he goes. All opportunities are good to witness, to know Jesus, to evangelize and to be in the mission.

Everywhere, in all places, we can pray for the people who are present, on the road, in the shops, in our meetings. The humble prayer of the heart is powerful.

Praying in our hearts for people we meet is very effective. And we leave it to Jesus to touch their hearts.

Book: Let's evangelize
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 01, 2021, 02:29:32 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 02, 2021, 06:16:18 AM
225. Eat!

The Lord said to Ezekiel:
"Son of man, eat what is before you; eat this scroll, then go, speak to the house of Israel. So I opened my mouth and he gave me the scroll to eat. Son of man, he then said to me, feed your belly and fill your stomach with this scroll I am giving you. I ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth." Ezekiel, chapter 3, verses 1 to 3

Let's ask Jesus to increase the grace of his Word in us.

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/ss1VZbCRYisL1dbLuRSAbHyJU/3zm9h21qthbl2744kx56b5nxqlf9eau4j4hlbe6.webp?format=webp)

Ezekiel finds that the scroll tastes the golden honey of God. It's the light that lights the way, that instructs, the Love that enters his heart. There's all the sweetness and tenderness of God. This contrasts with the sometimes bitter taste of all that the world does wrong under the sun; sin, injustice, pride, greed, and all that leads to evil. Why is it bitter? Because the prophet now has his eyes open to the world. He now sees what's wrong and that's bitter.

It is the difficulty of evangelization: the more we walk, the more we observe that there's hatred, evil. Our eyes are opening. It twists our guts, makes our hearts bleed, but we're confident that the world can improve. We're also favored by the sweet honey of God's tenderness. We're called to give to Jesus the difficult situations that people experience, so that he may free them from the pain that makes them suffer.

Book: Let's evangelize
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 02, 2021, 02:38:10 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 03, 2021, 06:25:25 AM
226. What is asked of him

God said to Ezekiel,
"Son of man, go now to the house of Israel, and speak my words to them. Not to a people with difficult speech and barbarous language am I sending you." Ezekiel, chapter 3, verses 4 to 5

Ezekiel receives from God the Word and at the same time Love. And what is asked of him is to go and bring the Word and the Love of God to the house of Israel: "Go now!"

By accepting God's request, Ezekiel can help improve the lives of people in Israel. He can transmit the Word of God aware of the epoch in which he is and to the society to which he is sent. He will adapt to their language and their customs to pass the messages that God wants for the people.

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/ss1VZbCRYisL1dbLuRSAbHyJU/1qfks6zmxbe8uffwlt8i6sa0rxnk6bq7vz48efi.webp?size=512x376&format=webp)

Of course, he will not speak of Jesus, since this text is before the birth of Jesus. But in the Word that he will have to proclaim in the name of God, Jesus is there. The Word is whole, but the revealing of the revelation isn't complete for Ezekiel.

Therefore, through the evolution in which he lives and to his personal limits, he shares what he can receive from the Word. He will join to his words what he needs to reach the people of his time, especially to the people of Israel.

Ezekiel is between the people and God. He will need to understand what God is telling him and to make himself understood by the people to whom he is sent.

Book: Let's evangelize
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 03, 2021, 03:06:01 PM
(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/ss1VZbCRYisL1dbLuRSAbHyJU/1dmxm92f8tf9wd9sw6hzd2sgs0le2m3gc6equgl.webp?format=webp)
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 04, 2021, 06:35:53 AM
227. Receive the Book to swallow

Jesus is the Word. At the time Jesus lived on earth, the people also had to understand it. He says all he has to say and the Word will only be understood by the opening of people's hearts. Jesus' Word is complete. We understand it imperfectly, by the way, because of the evolution of our time and because of the evolution of our thoughts and our heart. We must go beyond what limits us, return to the foundation to understand it.

Many prophets receive the Book to swallow. Now it's John's turn:
"I went up to the angel and told him to give me the small scroll. He said to me, 'Take and swallow it. It will turn your stomach sour, but in your mouth it will taste as sweet as honey.'" Revelation, chapter 10, verse 9

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/FxK6pqhk7ZiS1AZwTDoBU6KMY/v8x7qji1rw6zjpk3ccua5t0hxqxpd29tny5yvlb.webp?format=webp)

A prophet is one who swallows the Word of God, it's sweet and tastes honey, but in the stomach it's bitter.

The bitterness of being unable to do anything, of feeling useless in the face of a world that is struggling and suffering. But in the mouth, the honey of the one who offered his life to Christ and the one who receives everything from him. John feels the interior sweetness of God's Love. He witnessed what Jesus did in hearts.

We observe the grace in John shared through his writing, the sweet honey of his life with Jesus and the sweet honey of the life and message of Jesus.

Book: Let's evangelize
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 04, 2021, 04:58:32 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 05, 2021, 07:21:19 AM
228. It will be given to you

When we realize that there's evil in the world, it is because we're in the grace of the prophet. Our eyes open, our stomach shudder. We're the people sent who can introduce the goodness. We must continue to carry God's Love to others. We are prophets thanks to our Baptism.

The Gospel of John allows us to know God more deeply. By his writings he enables us to become disciples of Jesus. It opens wide the doors to the mysteries that surround the life of Christ, as the other three evangelists did also.

If Father Marie-Eugene of the Infant-Jesus is able to become blessed, only by being a witness of the faith of Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross and Therese of the Infant-Jesus, meditating their lives in the light of Christ, let's imagine what the writings of John the Evangelist and the texts of the Bible can achieve in our life, through the light of Christ!

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/FH1AFqwCGATb4aNv9QSRL3f3H/aw8nm2f1d10ym7k1n1zkw3md6efpbdyyxpfkruz.webp?format=webp)

John's mission, the mission of the prophet is to open a path, so that we can meet Jesus, our Lord, the Love of the Holy Spirit and know the Father.

We have a lot to ask to the Holy Spirit. We remember this Word of Jesus:
"Ask and it will be given to you." Matthew, chapter 7, verse 7

We mostly need to be with the Spirit. May the Holy Spirit increase our faith, our life of prayer, the impulse of our heart to fully share what we receive from the Trinity, to transmit to the world that seeks, sometimes through difficult trials, the meaning of life, the meaning of love. May they know that they can only find Love in God.

May the Lord keep us close to his Heart as John rested his head on Jesus' Heart. Let's listen to the message of his Heart. May he comfort us so that we may be free to embark on the road with him for the salvation of the world, the Word of God in hand and in heart.

Book: Let's evangelize
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 05, 2021, 02:25:11 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 06, 2021, 04:06:21 AM
229. More joy

"I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance." Luke, chapter 15, verse 7

To dare to testify is to give thanks to God for the wonders he accomplishes in our life. His wonders are always in us, but we have a tendency to be embarrassed, to stay away from them, to let ourselves go astray, to search everywhere without finding an answer or without others offering us one.

God Loves his wonder, the treasure that we are, since he creates us with his Love. He can do nothing else but Love us.

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/RLhEYE1RNTHG3CPrHuZx9ECWT/719iaswlda8miltc55ehlt4asbtymv2due52ogw.webp?format=webp)

Personally, I thank those who are around me, witnesses of faith. They transmitted to me the taste of God and the desire to follow Jesus.

Many other people have been role models for me. To name one would be injustice to others. Those who read these lines and feel concerned about having participated in my life of faith, consider that you are among those who helped me to know and follow Jesus. May we be united in prayer.

And what can we say about Mary and Joseph, of all the saints who have set off with joy and enthusiasm in my pursuit to help me each day through conversion, the only path that leads to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. May the Trinity be praised!

Is it not our only mission to discover Jesus through evangelizing thoughts, words and gestures? So many graces we receive to testify! It sends us on the move with Jesus for the world. It transforms something in us and in other people.

Book: Joy in heaven!
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 06, 2021, 03:24:50 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 07, 2021, 07:13:22 AM
230. Living right

Solomon is the son of David and he becomes king of Israel. He is at a stage in his life where he understands the need to become one of God's friends.

He wants to follow a straight path and become more anchored in the truth. He wishes to do well as a child who knows he's loved. Solomon has a special relationship with God.

King Solomon gives us a very good idea of a person who lives a conversion. He leaped faithfully. He asks God:
"Give your servant, therefore, an understanding heart to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong. For who is able to govern this vast people of yours?" 1 Kings, chapter 3, verse 9

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/RLhEYE1RNTHG3CPrHuZx9ECWT/50d2q46lbcwlwyk8fezzipleoq6pi5bycb1jscb.webp?format=webp)

Judgment is not a method of judging recklessly the negative experience of the lives of others. Instead, it's a way of being awake to what others are living, praying for them and guiding them to God when necessary.

We could say, "Give us a heart of judgment to love our neighbour, to discern between good and evil. To help in the good and to deliver evil to God. Who could love without you, God?"

Discerning between good and evil is an open door to conversion because it helps us, with good judgment, to better turn away from evil, move toward Love, to God and to give him a place in our lives.

King Solomon asks for something just, basic and at the same time major to God for the foundation of his faith, to watch over the people of God. Let's imagine the graces for employees when the boss asks God to govern rightfully!

Book: Joy in heaven!
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 07, 2021, 03:09:16 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 08, 2021, 05:48:50 AM
231. God offers all

This relationship between Solomon and God is quite unique in the Old Testament. Solomon asks neither wealth nor the death of his enemies (which God cannot give him anyway, since he is Love), but Solomon wishes to receive an "understanding heart" from God.

This request of Solomon pleases the Lord, who says to him:
"Because you have asked for this - not for a long life for yourself, nor for riches, nor for the life of your enemies, but for understanding so that you may know what is right - I do as you requested. I give you a heart so wise and understanding that there has never been anyone like you up to now, and after you there will come no one to equal you." 1 Kings, chapter 3, verses 10 to 12

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/gaLXKWcpRQHL1CuW3bDYRGuo8/d3101h79qjyfl5tppto6z5env4dyzfqnjshc1jp.webp?format=webp)

We can learn from Solomon's wisdom. He doesn't seek power, nor wealth.
Solomon actually asks for what God is already offering him. His intentions are pure and his life is blessed. God gives him wisdom.

God offers us all that is best for our existence. Let's ask him for what is right. For my part (the author), my prayer for conscious awareness is: "Lord, give me the grace to receive, to accept your graces."

Book: Joy in heaven!
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 08, 2021, 02:42:10 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 09, 2021, 06:11:35 AM
232. A gift from God

Solomon's wisdom is a gift from God. God gives him his presence, what he needs most, a wise and intelligent, understanding heart.

God also always grants us his graces and a wise and intelligent heart, but he wants us to ask him as Solomon, just so we can be more aware of it.

Let's ask God for what's best. In any case, he cannot offer us something that isn't good, that isn't wise, that isn't Love. It isn't to please God that we must ask him, but it's to allow us a holy experience through a personal approach. We have the desire to remain in God. In short, God already gives what's necessary, but asking him unites us to his will. Without asking him, we don't become aware of his Love for us.

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/RLhEYE1RNTHG3CPrHuZx9ECWT/npz0usvoogifo4i2fn1pzaaemvcnc5k02sm8sag.webp?size=512x550&format=webp)

On earth, as humans, we move forward when we want something. We should do this regularly with God, in order to keep us in accordance with what he proposes to us.

Solomon leads us to a good exercise to achieve. Who would've believed that someone who lived nearly three thousand years ago would be the one who would give us the idea to ask what is best from God!

When we get closer to the will of God, everything improves. The weight of past resentments, tomorrow's anxiety, the fear of the future are letting go of our lives. Adjusting to God's will allows light to enter, joy to settle in, and peace to become a constant experience.

King Solomon is at a moment in his life where he understands the need to become more of God's friend. He wants to live right and in the truth. He fears God, but as a child who wants to do better, since he knows he is Loved. Solomon lives in the grace of God.

On the other hand, if a person is looking for glory and popularity, it will most likely come to him, but it will not be a gift of God, rather a departure from God, by human pride. While not seeking the good, the beautiful, the real and the truth, people get trapped in evil.

Book: Joy in heaven!
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 09, 2021, 02:52:55 PM
(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/FxK6pqhk7ZiS1AZwTDoBU6KMY/0o3ilihn8osyn5edy9h7cc5eg3djno6gk5o3s4o.webp?format=webp)
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 10, 2021, 05:27:37 AM
233. The Holy Spirit ignites

Jesus's wisdom is greater, higher, deeper than that of Solomon, since Jesus is Wisdom himself. Let's continue to ask Jesus for wisdom, to share what God has already bestowed on us, in all circumstances and for the good of each person:
"There is no greater freedom than that of allowing oneself to be guided by the Holy Spirit, renouncing the attempt to plan and control everything to the last detail, and instead letting him enlighten, guide and direct us, leading us wherever he wills.

The Holy Spirit knows well what is needed in every time and place. This is what it means to be mysteriously fruitful!" The joy of the gospel, number 280, Pope Francis.

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/FxK6pqhk7ZiS1AZwTDoBU6KMY/4gqjjal1ihtcpx3p89kkefwjg058zy6jx7rux4l.webp?size=512x479&format=webp)

The Holy Spirit helps us to live with people. We don't give ourselves charisms, it's the Holy Spirit who gives them to us. Let's ask the Holy Spirit for his graces, to transmit them to the world. Let's open the gift he offers us and receive its content.

Let's open the doors, open the windows, open our hearts to the Holy Spirit. Up and away! The more we share what the Holy Spirit offers us, the more we discover his action among us. Whenever we perceive it in a person, we also observe it in ourselves.

If we're under the governance of the Holy Spirit, his evangelical values, his fruits, his gifts and charisms will appear in our lives. The fruit that dwells in us and transforms within comes from the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit isn't limited to a single spark of a fireworks show. The Holy Spirit is the immense fireworks to which we want to pray and discover, to rejoice and dance around its many diverse lights.

Book: Joy in heaven!
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 10, 2021, 02:44:52 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 11, 2021, 05:43:30 AM
234. Can we even imagine

Let's embark with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit and receive the fruits of the Spirit. Let's welcome everything from the Trinity.

The person who doesn't maintain the quality of their vehicle for a very long journey may discover that the destination might get longer and demand more time. The transmission chain of our life is the Holy Spirit and we need to make sure he's constantly with us. May our hearts be in order to receive the Holy Spirit, to continue on the path of salvation and for the salvation of our neighbour.

Let's not limit the Holy Spirit. We would take one reality and close ourselves to the other graces of the Holy Spirit? Let's not do that. We cannot limit the Holy Spirit without limiting ourselves.

We have not finished discovering him and he will surprise us. Let's dare to let the Holy Spirit ignite and illuminate us with all his fires.

Jesus proposes to evangelize:
"Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." Matthew, chapter 28, verses 19 to 20a

Can we even imagine all the graces we receive to go on a mission, if we listen to him?

It is the Spirit of Jesus and the Father who guides his Church, who guides us in our journey, which is our guarantee of the presence of Jesus in us. We have the special grace of being in the Catholic Church with a marked dimension of the Holy Spirit. This is the Blessing for the Church. It's a privilege for us.

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/ss1VZbCRYisL1dbLuRSAbHyJU/hlys1yd6quuaezzciykuery6yx74m8vj773wkmi.webp?size=512x336&format=webp)

The Holy Spirit is in perfect communion with the Father and the Son. When we pray to the Holy Spirit, it's impossible to be removed from the Father and the Son. Mary is present too. All the saints are united with us.

In praying the Holy Spirit, we don't exclude the Father or the Son. The three are eternally one. We don't favour. We are in God when we walk with the Holy Spirit. We don't further favour the Holy Spirit.

We know what the Holy Spirit of Jesus and the Father has done so far in our lives. We know what the Holy Spirit is doing in our lives right now. We will then discover what he will achieve by passing through our soul, our heart, our spirit, in the future. We would not believe the extent and possibilities if the Spirit told us all that he's able to do in us and through us.

Let's not block the Holy Spirit to one reality. May we not dictate to him what we want. But let him decide what he wants for every person in the Church, to give us strength, justice, temperance, prudence, theological virtues, charisms, gifts, fruits, etc.

Let's keep the courage and the determination to want the Holy Spirit in our life and to walk together, despite our differences which are so many beauties for each other.

Book: Joy in heaven!
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 11, 2021, 03:06:39 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 12, 2021, 05:51:05 AM
235. The wind is blowing

We need different aspirations of the Holy Spirit depending on who we are. Every person is different, but totally wanted of God for a holy and continuous evangelization.
We all need different graces depending on who we are, how we are, where we are, and where we're going to while following a Holy Spirit who doesn't tell us where he's going.

"The wind blows where it wills." John, chapter 3, verse 8a

He is free, totally, sovereignly free! He isn't confined to a single expression, to a single idea.
Jesus tells Nicodemus the meaning of the movement of the Spirit:
"The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." John, chapter 3, verse 8

It is so with us, born of the breath of the Spirit. We don't know where the Spirit leads us. We must trust him, day by day, to be free, to be responsible in the mission to which he prepares us and sends us. It's the heart's mission.

Let's not limit the Holy Spirit or the evangelical values that are multiple:
""Furthermore, many elements of sanctification and of truth" (LG 8 # 2) are found outside the visible confines of the Catholic Church: "the written Word of God; the life of grace; faith, hope, and charity, with the other interior gifts of the Holy Spirit, as well as visible elements." (UR 3 # 2, see LG 15).

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/FxK6pqhk7ZiS1AZwTDoBU6KMY/dyxjxmfcvhcthtl48qb5yemegv1qeynairqks4g.webp?format=webp)

Christ's Spirit uses these Churches and ecclesial communities as means of salvation, whose power derives from the fullness of grace and truth that Christ has entrusted to the Catholic Church. All these blessings come from Christ and lead to him (see UR 3) and are in themselves calls to "Catholic unity."" (LG 8). Catechism of the Catholic Church number 819,
http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P29.HTM

We will have to be watchful in order to discover these graces in people. They're not only for ourselves. We can also lose them if we don't take a jealous care of them:
"'Christ, sent by the Father, is the source of the Church's whole apostolate'; thus the fruitfulness of apostolate for ordained ministers as well as for lay people clearly depends on their vital union with Christ. (AA 4; cf. ? Jn 15:5.) In keeping with their vocations, the demands of the times and the various gifts of the Holy Spirit, the apostolate assumes the most varied forms. But charity, drawn from the Eucharist above all, is always 'as it were, the soul of the whole apostolate'." (AA 3). Catechism of the Catholic Church number 864,
http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P29.HTM

We receive the different gifts and charisms of the Holy Spirit, but we don't develop them all in the same way, according to the life we lead, the blockages or openness, according to the possibilities that we obtain to share them.

Let's engage with the Holy Spirit. Let's be aware and take some time to receive all that he offers:
"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you." 2 Corinthians, chapter 13, verse 13

Union with Christ is vital: "Charity is drawn mainly from the Eucharist." The grace of God must always remain with us and bear fruit beyond the Eucharistic celebration:
The Church therefore asks the Father to send the Holy Spirit to make the lives of the faithful a living sacrifice to God by their spiritual transformation into the image of Christ, by concern for the Church's unity, and by taking part in her mission through the witness and service of charity. Catechism of the Catholic Church number 1109, http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P2X.HTM

This is not our own mission. It is the participation in Jesus's Mission, in the Shepherd's Mission.

Book: Joy in heaven!
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 12, 2021, 02:38:40 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 13, 2021, 07:10:39 AM
236. Infinite number of graces

The mission varies depending of the epoch in which we are. "Through witnessing" in the world of what the Spirit realizes in our person, whether we're old or young, we're called to offer the way of salvation in God, to give thanks to him in this way, always and in all places. Whatever our poverty, whoever we are, we're bearing fruit in the world, but we must also let them pick them. We must not keep them for ourselves.

And "service of charity". Charity doesn't come from a single ray of the sun, but from all the rays of the sun that are multiple and varied.

It means, in all situations, all possibilities, as soon as we're in contact with a person, we can live the meeting of the resurrected, whatever the reality, whether we like the reality of this person or not. This requires all possible graces. We must ask everything to the Holy Spirit and use them with caution, but use them with him in abundance. To be fair and just to people is an excellent charity. That is evangelizing.

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/nqxTqHQSH2Mo3mQUfBt68ig9G/88c38u2x5ps1jmrp1hh6p6cbrbuwzregjiiapfw.webp?size=512x378&format=webp)

We received the gift of the Holy Spirit on the day of our baptism. The gift that we still receive today, renewed, in the reality of the Holy Spirit, includes all the holiness that it implies. By holiness, it means the infinite number of graces that come to us with this unique gift:
The Most Holy Trinity gives the baptized sanctifying grace, the grace of justification:
- enabling them to believe in God, to hope in him, and to love him through the theological virtues;
- giving them the power to live and act under the prompting of the Holy Spirit through the gifts of the Holy Spirit;
- allowing them to grow in goodness through the moral virtues.

Thus the whole organism of the Christian's supernatural life has its roots in Baptism. Catechism of the Catholic Church number 1266 http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P3N.HTM

Book: Joy in heaven!
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 13, 2021, 03:43:06 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 14, 2021, 06:59:13 AM
237. Two by two


Jesus wants us to receive the baptism, the life and the light of God. He sends the disciples two by two to evangelize and he tells them:
"As you enter a house, wish it peace. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it." Matthew, chapter 10, verses 12 to 13a

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/ZZaGSMDMuccL1XxWyTaVHvCHE/ggreddcrzbiuga2nywlrteoezfi7xotk4mqmsn0.webp?format=webp)

Is our house welcoming to receive Jesus? Is our heart ready to welcome him? Let's stay awake to welcome Jesus, so that he may lead us to his home.


Book: Joy in heaven!
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 14, 2021, 05:30:00 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 15, 2021, 05:05:49 AM
238. We are lights

Jesus tells us:
You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father. Matthew, chapter 5, verses 14 to 16

Our light shines when we're good, when we live truly, we recognize what is beautiful, and we observe the reality. The light that shines in us is the Lord. With him, joy is shown.

To be responsible for the faith and the light that dwells in us, giving glory to God, we live the mission that is proposed to us. God does not ask for more than what we can achieve, but he asks us to trust him. By giving glory to God by our agreement to his will, we also glorify him in the world.

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/FxK6pqhk7ZiS1AZwTDoBU6KMY/7t3n8gadg7w45ysath39kpj2rj6xkje2md1hgf4.webp?format=webp)

During the Pascal meal, the Wedding of the Lamb, the Eucharist, let's ask Jesus to help us to clear and polish our light, so that it shines for the glory of God and for the salvation of the world.

Let's continue to nourish ourselves with the Word of God, to come to Mass, to live the sacraments in the Light of the Holy Spirit, to shine like the baptized believing that they are saved, to radiate the light of Jesus and to forgive. Forgiveness is the key to truth and peace in God.

We know God's will well. He wishes us to share his graces. All good deeds and charisms we freely receive, we're invited to share them for free. Let's ask the Holy Spirit in abundance so that he overflows in the meetings, in the visits, on all the people we meet.

As the sun gains strength in the spring, we will see the Holy Spirit shine around us, thanks to our decision to open up.

Book: Joy in heaven!
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 15, 2021, 01:51:06 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 16, 2021, 06:23:14 AM
239. The sign of the will

Jesus helps people to stand up. Evil and suffering are the cause of soreness. He challenges the paralyzed and says to him:
"Come up and stand before us." Luke, chapter 6, verse 8

Getting up is the sign of the will. But let's not think that a paralytic isn't a fighter and that he has no will. On the contrary! We can associate it with someone who has cancer and decides to fight to stay alive. Often his decision to stay alive will prolong his life. He becomes a fighting and a living witness for all. The paralyzed has finished struggling as he lets Jesus lift him up.
Whatever the path, and each path is unique, we're invited to stand in the faith with a good attitude.

"Praise the Lord, my soul; I shall praise the Lord all my life, sing praise to my God while I live." Psalm 146, verse 2

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/XGVV4fGcX6xx3p2HRzhSm2wqc/kpyterod8euci16v01fmx9fjoc9b5qyezqldxcx.webp?size=512x536&format=webp)

To give thanks to God, to praise him is to be alive, it's above all the joy of the Spirit that manifests in us and through us. Paul sees the man standing as the one who fights. He also testifies of his personal struggle:
"I want you to know how great a struggle I am having for you and for those in Laodicea and all who have not seen me face to face, that their hearts may be encouraged as they are brought together in love, to have all the richness of fully assured understanding, for the knowledge of the mystery of God, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." Colossians, chapter 2, verses 1 to 3

Paul fights what in him doesn't want to bow to the Love of God. And through his personal struggle, he teaches us that we must become guides of faith in Jesus for our contemporaries. Fighting is above all letting go of everything, but keeping the essential, the necessary and improving in God. To fight means to become ourselves and to recognize that God is present and active.

In the beating of the Heart of God, there is our beating heart, if we want it.

Book: Joy in heaven!
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 16, 2021, 02:48:20 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 17, 2021, 06:18:20 AM
240. The world needs to hear

Let's ask God, it's as simple as that:
"O Lord of hosts, restore us; Let your face shine upon us, that we may be saved." Psalm 80, verse 4

The world needs to hear that. Come Jesus, deliver us! Let's believe that he saves us, that he can save our children and the multitude of people who need to experience eternal salvation.

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/FxK6pqhk7ZiS1AZwTDoBU6KMY/sajzoxnpv4lvba36as75yvoe6ei8g0p6ir7msuz.webp?format=webp)

Let's continue our journey toward Jesus, even if sometimes we think we're not progressing and we also think that the world isn't moving forward. All the reasons are good for putting one foot in front of the other. With confidence in Jesus, let's continue for the salvation of the world and for the glory of God.

Book: Joy in heaven!
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 17, 2021, 02:12:34 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 18, 2021, 06:02:44 AM
241. Peter loves Jesus

At the beginning of the christian era, just after Jesus's death, it was very difficult to testify about faith, because it was a novelty for most of the disciples and Apostles.

Jesus verifies Peter's faith and invites him to continue the mission. Peter had denied him when he was questioned before the crucifixion. Then, during the events surrounding his resurrection, Jesus will help Peter find him in his heart by asking him the same question three times:
"Do you love me?" (See John chapter 21, verses 15 to 17)

And Peter answers him with heart:
"Lord, you, you know everything: you know that I love you." John, chapter 21, verse 17

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/XGVV4fGcX6xx3p2HRzhSm2wqc/jjcuo7ocnlwk501a170eui3yys86kr4zrnu1cmd.webp?format=webp)

Then Jesus said to him:
"Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." John, chapter 21, verse 18

We need to develop acceptance as Peter, to love Jesus. We also need to let ourselves be Loved by Jesus. Then, we need Peter's determination to carry out the mission. The mission of evangelizing for us will be different from him, but we will need the same determination to lead people to the faith.

To receive the Holy Spirit for our mission will enable us to see God working in the hearts of people and in life situations close to us.

Book: The Shepherd's Mission
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 18, 2021, 05:55:28 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 19, 2021, 05:58:42 AM
242. Promise to Abraham

God is included in our life. He is present at 100%. We have the grace to receive God, but we aren't always well disposed. In the Bible, there are many testimonies of people who dare to let God come into contact with them. This is what we discover in Genesis when God enters into a covenant, in a relationship with Abraham.

God promises to Abraham (Abram) many descendants:
The word of the Lord came to him: 'No, that one shall not be your heir; your own issue shall be your heir.' He took him outside and said: 'Look up at the sky and count the stars, if you can. Just so,' he added, 'shall your descendants be'. Abram put his faith in the Lord, who credited it to him as an act of righteousness. Genesis, chapter 15, verses 4 to 6

God does everything perfectly. He promises many descendants to Abraham and he will do so. This offspring, at first sight, seems to be of human nature, but God sees well beyond that, since the descendants of Abraham are ultimately "the offspring" of faith in God.

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/tTo7PQmHDjL923DoCVLPMJrLU/iayrfdfb5zk5c6pbma0wt0bwqaeulc7z9mc9aev.webp?size=512x384&format=webp)

God, through Abraham, gives himself an offspring that will please his heart. It is God who accomplishes the descendants of faith in the hearts of practising believers. These believers celebrate with their God. They thank him for his presence among them. This is the very meaning of the Eucharist, a thank you, a Thanksgiving.

This descent is the people who accept God in their lives, who live by faith, who thanks God and who transmit the received graces to their neighbour.

Book: The Shepherd's Mission
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 19, 2021, 03:50:24 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 20, 2021, 06:18:26 AM
243. The faith

This promise of the Lord is also for us. We are the people who will see many descendants. In the Catechism, we read:
"The people descended from Abraham would be the trustee of the promise made to the patriarchs, the chosen people, called to prepare for that day when God would gather all his children into the unity of the Church. (cf Rom 11:28; ? Jn 11:52; ? 10:16.) They would be the root on to which the Gentiles would be grafted, once they came to believe." (cf Rom 11, 17-18, 24). Catechism of the Catholic Church, number 60, website:
http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__PG.HTM

This gathering is also ours. And the people who will see even more converted people to the Lord are us and our descendants. Then God will continue his work of salvation from generation to generation.

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/gaLXKWcpRQHL1CuW3bDYRGuo8/kap9bxmx0yyzx9gd3wmjrnxy4qhlnttlwkzvcsb.webp?format=webp)

We are in the mission with Jesus, he who continues to join the world, all without exclusion. And it takes only a tiny spark to light the fire of the Holy Spirit, the fire of God's Love in the hearts. In faith, with God, we are on a mission.
We proclaim:
"Happy those who do not follow the counsel of the wicked, nor go the way of sinners, nor sit in company with scoffers. Rather, the law of the Lord is their joy; God's law they study day and night." Psalm 1, verses 1 to 2

Happy those who "God's law they study day and night!" Let's continue to please ourselves in Jesus and even without our knowledge, we will touch people by his presence in us. Living in Jesus's Light is contagious when we are in the world:
"By their fruits you will know them." Matthew, chapter 7, verse 16

We bear the fruits of the Holy Spirit and bring them to the world. Sometimes we may not seem too happy about certain situations, but in our heart we can always carry a ball of Love received by God's grace. This ball of Love is received at each Eucharist and at each reading of the Lord's Word. Prayer is also an indispensable tool for uniting with the Trinity and the world at the same time.

Book: The Shepherd's Mission
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 20, 2021, 02:53:51 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 21, 2021, 05:51:26 AM
244. Fishers of men

With the audacity and effort of a continuous conversion, every moment, Jesus will tell us:
"Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew, chapter 4, verse 19

Let's walk with Jesus, follow him ... on his way. Let's continue walking behind Jesus and just because we dare to, others will want to follow him. The important thing is that we are developing a way of walking with Jesus.

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/gaLXKWcpRQHL1CuW3bDYRGuo8/0c033lb6sp24gycvp8lw17gnmy6h5f5k9uje1aj.webp?format=webp)

United around Jesus, united in the Spirit, let's say with faith this beautiful prayer to the Father:
Our father who is in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name,
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our bread today.
Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from Evil. Amen.

Let's slip under his grace, come under his roof and give thanks to Jesus for sending us on the roads in search of exhausted sheep that fight alone.

Book: The Shepherd's Mission
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 21, 2021, 04:01:05 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 22, 2021, 06:28:02 AM
245. Thanks to God

This is not written in all books:
"There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written." John, chapter 21, verse 25

We don't see everything we do from day to day. We don't see everything that others do with their daily mission. But as the field is full of oats, together, we are, by the presence of God, a presence of Love in and for the world.

Any story of faith is a sacred story with God and could be added to the Bible. That would not change the nature of God and it would be to give him glory.

The field lives its transformations. What is produced there is usually of quality. It's a moment for us to give thanks to God for all that we receive.

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/gaLXKWcpRQHL1CuW3bDYRGuo8/nfp4sni2t7c55vhli8xpenrhhy3mv85w27zpv5j.webp?format=webp)

It's also time to appreciate each other's work, especially the decision to walk with Jesus and to offer others what we receive from him.

Let's give thanks to God for the trust he gives us and all that he offers us to share with others. Let's thank God for allowing us to participate and then produce, with his grace, grain and fruit a hundredfold. Let's continue with Jesus. We are following in his mission.

What Jesus asks of us is to welcome him into our vineyard and our field, to invite him with us wherever we go. May we let him convert us and convert the hearts of people. Instead of asking Jesus to help us, since he already does it without even asking, let's help Jesus in his mission:
"The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve." Matthew, chapter 20, verse 28

Note that in this last passage, Jesus doesn't ask us to serve him. He came to serve people. He invites us to serve others. Let's receive what is necessary from God and serve others as Jesus wants, as he serves.
With Therese of Lisieux, we ask:
"Oh divine Blood of Jesus, water our mission; make it bring forth chosen souls!"

- Saint Therese of the Child Jesus. Website: The Story of a Family: The Home of St. Therese of Lisieux, Rev. Fr. Stephane-Joseph Piat, O.F.M.

Book: The Shepherd's Mission
Normand thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 22, 2021, 03:06:55 PM
(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/gaLXKWcpRQHL1CuW3bDYRGuo8/5m37896ed3ukiggtszmxc18exrol3iwla5d6slc.webp?format=webp)
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 23, 2021, 06:13:37 AM

246. Near Jesus

Paul is rejoicing in Thanksgiving. He's cheerful and overwhelmed by the Presence of Jesus made visible in the people who are with him. He received this news from a good companion, Epaphras. He says:

"Epaphras our beloved fellow slave, who is a trustworthy minister of Christ on your behalf and who also told us of your love in the Spirit." Colossians, chapter 1, verses 7 to 8

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We see this Love of the Holy Spirit in every person who devotes himself to the salvation of his neighbour. The Pope, cardinals, priests, spouses, children, religious, sisters, brothers, deacons, pastoral workers, committed laity, people who have at heart the believers of a community, the leaders of faith groups, mature faith in hearts of children in Jesus Christ, the children who live it fully, people awakening God in hearts, let's name them all, as soon as we carry Christ internally, we become faithful to the mission of Jesus for our contemporaries. Let's receive the anointing of graces that feeds our spiritual life.

Book: The Shepherd's Mission
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 23, 2021, 02:30:40 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 24, 2021, 07:07:33 AM
247. No reason to wait

Every day, there's no reason to wait, let's go and find Jesus. This is what is lived here. Jesus is so well known that he has trouble keeping up the pace:

"At daybreak, Jesus left and went to a deserted place. The crowds went looking for him, and when they came to him, they tried to prevent him from leaving them. But he said to them, 'To the other towns also I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God, because for this purpose I have been sent.'" Luke, chapter 4, verses 42 to 43

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There are some who have evangelized, in addition to Jesus, that's why there are so many people around him. His fame spreads.

May we seek to prevent Jesus from leaving us, may we retain his presence in us, so that the world may observe and believe that Jesus is Lord of our lives. In reality, we do not need to hold him back, but to welcome him into us, since he is already here.

Book: The Shepherd's Mission
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 25, 2021, 06:09:54 AM

248. Keep Jesus

Paul considers himself the last, since he's aware of his smallness before the greatness of Christ, of the Spirit and of the Father. He says:
"To me, the very least of all the holy ones." Ephesians, chapter 3, verse 8

Then he confirms that he receives everything from Christ as we must also expect everything from him:
"To me, the very least of all the holy ones, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the inscrutable riches of Christ." Ephesians, chapter 3, verse 8

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/XGVV4fGcX6xx3p2HRzhSm2wqc/vvxiogl9nwxm7y09bbnuzucrhx65j18m7s6a55i.webp?format=webp)

By the light that he receives from Christ, he can say:
"What is the plan of the mystery hidden from ages past in God who created all things." Ephesians, chapter 3, verse 9

It's impressive, striking, how God gives Paul his knowledge for the people. Paul is touched by the grace of God. It is the Lord's wish for all. If he transmits the content of the mystery of God, it is because there is no more mystery. It's unveiled!

Like Paul, we are never too small. We accept to be small though, since God is so infinite in every respect. Nothing outclasses him.

Book: The Shepherd's Mission
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 25, 2021, 04:19:44 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 26, 2021, 07:08:28 AM
249. How precious

Let's continue to let ourselves be invaded by God, so that we become christians for others. May active holiness be:
"So that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church." Ephesians, chapter 3, verse 10

How confusing this passage of Paul. It is "through the Church", founded by Jesus Christ, that visible and invisible forces, "that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known".

It is to "fall off our horse" or "fall off our chair" for the more discreet. The Church is the unity between the world and the Kingdom of God, because the Word and the Eucharist lead us into the Kingdom. In reality, it is Christ, who is the Eucharist and the Word, who unites the living of the Kingdom of God and the living of the universe (the earth included), in his Church.

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/FH1AFqwCGATb4aNv9QSRL3f3H/g9xtlvifad3naa4fc38fxuxggti9p207sq6vu4e.webp?format=webp)

We receive faith from the Trinity. So:
"Our faith in Christ, in whom we have boldness of speech and confidence of access through faith," Ephesians, chapter 3, verse 12

through Jesus, celebrating Mass. How precious it is to graft ourselves on Jesus. We become little by little like Jesus, by our confidence and our acceptance to let him transform us.

Jesus invites us to watch, to watch constantly, to the light of his grace, which is transmitted to us in the Church, so that we may become vibrant and visible witnesses of his wisdom.

May Jesus come and set us on fire with his Spirit so that we may become true followers of his Love.

Book: The Shepherd's Mission
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 26, 2021, 02:18:41 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 27, 2021, 06:13:03 AM
250. Possess what we hope for

Faith in Jesus Christ is necessary for every person to believe, to become free and to be saved. To fill the churches is salutary. The more people have faith, baptized, therefore priests, prophets and kings, in Jesus Christ, the better the mission will glide with well-oiled ball bearings.

Our Father, "your will be done". We are not alone in living the faith, it is lived worldwide. It is the faith of all the Baptized who help this world to live in a blessing of peace and hope.

Take away faith in Jesus Christ and the world is faced with massive humanitarian, scientific, social, planetary and universal crises. Because God is the only one who will always lead us to common sense, to truth.

All that is good and true in the highest understanding of these terms is from God:
"Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen." Hebrews, Chapter 11, verse 1

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Let's possess what one hopes for, the Love of God. To believe is to receive forgiveness and the joy of God. And the manifestation of joy is to announce that Jesus is alive, that our life has meaning and that the world is invited to enter the eternal dance. An "'evidence' of things not seen" is still knowing them!

Faith develops when we are at Jesus's school and we enter into the joy of following Him. To believe is to offer our services to Jesus so that we can combine and bear fruit in abundance. To believe is to trust and be faithful to the one who guarantees life.

Let's ask Jesus to tell us what he wants us to do in faith and we will be ready to receive his Holy Spirit. This will lead us ever closer to the Heart of Jesus.

Book: The Shepherd's Mission
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 28, 2021, 06:17:43 AM

251. Driving to the Kingdom

God's purpose is to take us all back to his Kingdom, to his resting place. But there are still people who do not realize that they are straying from this rest by all kinds of remoteness from the Presence of God.

Paul then sends us on a mission. He brings us closer to the Lord:
"Let us strive to enter into that rest, so that no one may fall after the same example of disobedience." Hebrews, Chapter 4, verse 11

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We want to heal of our lack of impetus. We want our heart to regain its boundless spirit on the way to God, here and now. We want sin to be eliminated from our lives, that ball and chain that we drag day after day. And we hope that our heart will resume its enthusiasm of youth, free and fulfilled in the joy and peace of God. Jesus says:
"'So that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth' - he said to the paralytic, 'I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home.'" Mark, chapter 2, verses 10 to 11

May Jesus be the Light of our life. Christ frees the one who places his trust in him.

May we become free by a life fulfilled in God and responsible with the neighbour. Let's also teach others to become responsible for their faith. As the paralyzed man is newly freed from his stretcher, we are released from evil, and then we sail toward salvation. Let's go back to our house, to our heart and to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, of I Am.

Book: The Shepherd's Mission
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 28, 2021, 04:35:33 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 01, 2021, 06:07:47 AM

252. We believe

Jesus leads us to the Father. Paul tells us:
"Jesus is always able to save those who approach God through him, since he lives forever to make intercession for them." Hebrews, Chapter 7, verse 25

The key to christian hope is there. Jesus is still alive and he intercedes for us.

We know that as we approach Jesus, he will lead us to the Father. This is why we are continually at Mass, which is why we pray regularly and demand him to be forgiven, in order to become free in him.

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/ss1VZbCRYisL1dbLuRSAbHyJU/rg2isr2njob1xq1s4psiya0r4ky62umrvrmy5s5.webp?size=512x404)

What we want for us, we also wish for the world. Prayer and forgiveness also opens a way for God's grace to those who need it most.

We believe that Jesus is our Saviour and that he is the one who will keep us in the Love of God until the day we see him face to face.

Book: The Shepherd's Mission
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 01, 2021, 03:17:30 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 02, 2021, 06:02:48 AM

253. Jesus divides

Here are two other extreme thoughts that come out of the Bible. When we hear a person sowing division, immediately we think that there'll be a loss. Jesus tells us:
"Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division." Luke, chapter 12, verse 51

If we follow the thread of this book, we're already aware that Jesus is different, simply because of his infinite Love. In addition, Jesus' Spirit illuminates the texts of the Bible. But here, Jesus challenges us.

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Jesus, who is all Love, tells us that he comes to place division in the world. Is Jesus lying in this sentence? We might ask ourselves if he speaks the same language as us.

When we read a passage from the Bible, we must always keep in mind that God is Love and only Love. This should guide our way of thinking.

Jesus is the Word that divides us, but of what? His Word is a two-edged sword. His Word, like a sword, is the wall of grace before the wall of sin. It separates in us the evil that is against God.

Book: Let's reveal God
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 02, 2021, 02:39:38 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 03, 2021, 06:35:27 AM
254. The fight

If we see a fight, what is our first intention? Divide the two people so that the fight stops. We want to divide them. Jesus does just that.

Jesus cannot bring peace if we court sin. Now, at the request of the sinner, Jesus divides the brawler who causes the evil in the person to lead him to love. Jesus divides sin in us so that we can live in peace.

If we let Jesus enter our lives, he will create a place of fierce fighting between him and evil. Evil cannot win. These moments of tension will be for our good.

However, let's be careful, because evil derives, cuts from good and it attracts us away from Love.


The division of which Jesus speaks must be established before peace settles. Let's place our trust in Jesus, to be free from sin and remain in peace.

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/XGVV4fGcX6xx3p2HRzhSm2wqc/l9s2xu8qw9frtejt27gt3dhnexmo3s4f6wpf12i.webp?size=512x339&format=webp)

Jesus necessarily causes division, and we lose something. We lose our unnecessary ties, our doubts, stress, fear, etc. There is a division between what divides us from God and what unites us to Life in God.

Jesus causes a division between good and evil, to lead us into the truth. Jesus establishes a life of grace and at the same time he illuminates our days with new hope.

Let's leave it to Jesus to transform us or continue to participate carelessly in places and with tools that lead us far from grace.

Let's choose eternal life in God.

Book: Let's reveal God
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 03, 2021, 04:37:47 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 04, 2021, 06:05:20 AM
255. Paul's thorn
Paul's body, his own body, is rebellious to him or perhaps, by his faults, he pushes his body to rebel. He asks God three times to remove the splinter that sinks into his flesh. And God answers him:
"My grace is sufficient for you." 2 Corinthians, chapter 12, verse 9

In reality, the body does not rebel. It cannot do anything without the intention, the will of the person. The person is responsible for his body and can lead it into rebellion.

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/kpck8L6QduHw3JXzWpBHTizir/bs7iat4rahvs46vr7t4uq9d0jle01xq37jlbe76.webp?size=512x341&format=webp)


God is still with this person. God supports him with his Spirit, with his presence, with his kindness and he wants to be trusted more.

There are also times when we ask God to remove a difficulty. But this inconvenience can remain there to allow us to grow in faith.

It isn't God who allows this inconvenience. The circumstances of life put us to the test. The splinter, we often keep it with us. We are invited to give it to God, to receive his grace.

To let ourselves be loved by God makes it possible to pass through difficulties like Paul, with the splinter in his flesh.

Book: Let's reveal God
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 04, 2021, 02:12:45 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 05, 2021, 03:13:19 PM

256. It's not easy

The existence on earth isn't always easy, even for Jesus. And, if it's not easy for Jesus, we can be in trouble too:
"A prophet is not without honour except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house." Mark, chapter 6, verse 4

Whether we are believers or not, we will someday have challenges that will require patience and time to get through it. From childhood to today, the challenges were multiplied.

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/rxHxNhVFpktd4gEVUxZYzbdjd/f56rl5g8e1vxo1mwwsw67elml19r6mpvj0qj09m.webp?size=512x339&format=webp)

For Jesus, he will be continually persecuted. Not because of his mistakes because he didn't sin, but because the people around him don't understand him. It's not the thorn that he wears in the manner of Paul, but the insults, the spittle, the thorns. Then the nails and the spear will be revealed when he receives them on the Cross.

We move forward day by day with our sorrows and with our joys too. Let's ask Jesus to help us persevere in faith and continue to grow in the Love of God, with the Holy Spirit as our guide.

Book: Let's reveal God
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 05, 2021, 03:14:43 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 06, 2021, 06:16:05 AM
257. God does not punish

Jonah also thinks that an east wind is God's intention to punish him:
"When the sun arose, God sent a burning east wind; and the sun beat upon Jonah's head till he became faint." Jonah, chapter 4, verse 8

It's impressive, how quickly Jonah deposits his trial on God's account. He even thinks God sends it against him. "God sent a burning east wind."

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/ZZaGSMDMuccL1XxWyTaVHvCHE/bu0ftv38sqv32fe5ki754hll91njfaf6ixtjzxm.webp?format=webp)

The east wind blows by itself and is part of terrestrial conditions. The heat of the sun is one of these conditions.

Let's discern. God is not the one who purposely sends sickness to Jonah. And Jonah, did he think of drinking a lot of water or protecting himself by standing in the shade?

God repeats that he is always with us and that he is not the one who causes our misfortunes. God did not want him harm, nor to the city:

"Should I not be concerned over Nineveh, the great city, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot distinguish their right hand from their left?" Jonah, chapter 4, verse 11

Book: Let's reveal God
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 06, 2021, 03:00:44 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 07, 2021, 04:59:06 AM
258. Reign on us

Let's keep this in mind, God doesn't harm anyone, or even the most subtle, the least, or the most hidden:
"Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come." Luke, chapter 11, verse 2

We are told by Jesus to pray as follows: "Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come." At this request, we want to recognize that God is the one who sanctifies us, who offers us Life and Love in abundance:
"We ask this daily, for we need sanctification daily, so that we who fail daily may cleanse away our sins by being sanctified continually... We pray that this sanctification may remain in us." (S. Cyprien, Dom. Order 12: PL 4, 526A-527A). Catechism of the Catholic Church, number 2813
vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__PA7.HTM

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/kpck8L6QduHw3JXzWpBHTizir/58635ltlgfgjol2jo58n2672qot7te270vi5ge9.webp?format=webp)

We need it every day. Being with Jesus helps us to improve.
May holiness abide in us, in order to recognize his Love, which comes from him.

We do not yet know how much God Loves us and how distracted we are. We're not always united to him. Let's recognize that evil is caused by our distance from God and not by him.

Book: Let's reveal God
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 07, 2021, 02:27:02 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 08, 2021, 03:18:11 PM
259. Clean up our space

Let's prepare our heart:
"Now, put away the strange gods that are among you and turn your hearts to the Lord, the God of Israel." Joshua, chapter 24, verse 23

This is the key, in order to become free. Day by day, let's leave the illusions, the automatisms that freeze and imprison without our knowledge, the spiritual disturbances of which we become accustomed to. Let's deny these "strange gods".

Destructive thoughts, manipulations, gossiping are all closures of the heart to oneself, to others and to the Trinity.

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/gaLXKWcpRQHL1CuW3bDYRGuo8/1m1eh3h9b7ekrer8c45841s1njmwi214lxdqfb4.webp?format=webp)

Let's go back wholeheartedly to God. Let's sort out what prevents us from being free. Let's go to God with a child's heart, free from all confinement. Jesus invites us:
"Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew, chapter 19, verse 14

Let's love God, as the child surrenders to his parent's heart. Let's give him our fears, our ties and celebrate with joy and peace.

If we pursue negative conditioning, conditioning of fears or illusions (strange gods) we will reap the bitterness of our plantations.

It's reassuring to know that there are only two choices. It's one or the other; God or evil.

Book: Let's reveal God
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 09, 2021, 06:04:30 AM
260. God cannot curse

Jeremiah seems to say this in the name of God:
"Cursed is the man who trusts in human beings, who seeks his strength in the flesh, whose heart turns away from the Lord." Jeremiah, chapter 17, verse 5
Jeremiah, like all the prophets of his time, tries to understand what God is giving him and to share it to the people in the most appropriate way.

While giving a teaching or a rule of conduct on the part of God, the prophet sometimes includes inhuman thoughts.

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/XGVV4fGcX6xx3p2HRzhSm2wqc/cw8bilu6mpjop8b263ejvuto20ggcw0dwo6r2ql.webp?format=webp)

Let's be certain. All the texts of the Bible are wanted from God. They allow us to discover that humanity doesn't always succeed in recognizing the Love of God.
God is Love, he does not curse. It is the person who moves away from the Love of God who curses himself.

If we move away from heat in the winter to minus thirty degrees celsius and we don't wear proper clothing, we will freeze and die. If we refuse the Love of God, we will die. This is what the word "cursed" means by Jeremiah. Cursing here takes on the meaning of death. And God doesn't want our death.

It's more of a cry from God's heart. As the parent says to the child, "Do not touch the fire, you will burn yourself!" God constantly tells us what looks like this: "Do not go away from my Love, you will curse yourself, you will die!" The rock thrown in the air will very possibly fall on our head. God wants us to live!

Book: Let's reveal God
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 09, 2021, 02:12:44 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 10, 2021, 06:18:34 AM

261. Happiness in God

Happiness is not always where we seek it, but when we do the will of God. Committing ourselves to God will allow us not to sink. On the contrary, it values us.

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/XGVV4fGcX6xx3p2HRzhSm2wqc/8j4xt05n3g860oh26loyw6s63fwmcwinbpiqkr0.webp?size=512x512&format=webp)

May God guide our steps. Let's leave him our plans and everything will be realized according to the Heart of God, if we really give them to him. May our projects be placed in the hands of God through prayer, heart to Heart with God and adoration of the Word (of the Verb) and the Eucharist.

Book: Let's reveal God
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 10, 2021, 02:16:37 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 11, 2021, 06:35:48 AM
262. Forgive writers

We say that to forgive, we must be more giving, go beyond giving. To forgive, it's important to stop and take time to assess the situation and then forgive.

May we forgive all authors who, with a lack of knowledge (quite normal), have placed on God's shoulders many words contrary and harmful to his Love.

If a zebra made a painting of God, he would paint him with black and white stripes. We paint God too often as we think he is and not as he really is.

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/tTo7PQmHDjL923DoCVLPMJrLU/4f981x2kfmoz1i238cqidtu1a7q7dy9pv65sfys.webp?size=512x339&format=webp)

As we read the Bible, we must go ever deeper to understand God. Humans have given a representation of God who, sometimes, is vengeful, inhuman and even as unthoughtful as a tyrant.

Let's imagine a beautiful play, with the expression that it supposes on the faces of the people. This is what is placed by Jeremiah in the mouth of God for the city of Sion:
"I struck you as an enemy would strike, punished you cruelly; Why cry out over your wound? Your pain is without relief. Because of your great guilt, your numerous sins, I have done this to you." Jeremiah, chapter 30, verses 14 to 15

It's as if God hurts someone with a "cruel punishment" if they don't listen or do what is told. But it's the person who is punishing and injuring himself by his faults. God can only Love. God doesn't do any harm.

Book: Let's reveal God
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 11, 2021, 01:50:18 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 12, 2021, 06:07:12 AM
263. Total and Definitive Love

God can only be Love. Although, even today, we still have thoughts of authors that resemble some described in the Bible.

Let's venture far beyond forgiveness to know God. Let's forgive human beings for placing too much burden on God's shoulders. Then, change our perception of God and recognize that he is Total and Definite Love.

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/kpck8L6QduHw3JXzWpBHTizir/iu1crwnd11lk2qxpwdhjl4d3r0y2zmagwegbhfl.webp?format=webp)

Let's acknowledge our own wrongdoings and our own path full of hesitation, clutter and falsehood confusing the image of God. It takes time to get it right.

Book: Let's reveal God
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 12, 2021, 03:09:35 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 13, 2021, 06:02:19 AM

264. Jesus cares for the sick

In this story, some recognize who is God. Jesus came to show us who he is. God wants to heal every person. Are we ready to be healed:

"When the men of that place recognized him, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought to him all those who were sick and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak, and as many as touched it were healed." Matthew, chapter 14, verses 35 to 36

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/nqxTqHQSH2Mo3mQUfBt68ig9G/q5lv1t9f9zs0s43d5hb6f7zsnfc8nveaj8jx6b0.webp?size=512x343&format=webp)

Let's recognize the Love of God and let him touch our hearts. That he transforms our distorted image of him. Let's rediscover his real image. May we let Jesus save us.

Book: Let's reveal God
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 13, 2021, 03:15:51 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 14, 2021, 05:23:55 AM
265. God does not condemn

Sometimes God seems severe:
"The Lord, therefore, became angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel." 1 Kings, chapter 11, verse 9
God "is angry" at the impiety of Solomon. But God, in reality, doesn't need to be angry, since its Solomon who persecutes himself with his impiety. Solomon's unhealthy words and gestures irritate himself.

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/FH1AFqwCGATb4aNv9QSRL3f3H/kn3hnimqxpi054f5ff6h7t5pfeckf5c5u05333z.webp?format=webp)

The inner light that God gives us allows us to judge between what is good and what is less good. God gives us everything; that we have good use of it. To misuse the graces of God is to condemn ourselves to wrongdoings, to evil.

In the following two texts, we have a summary of the importance of being enlightened to choose between bad and good:
"Contemplation is a gaze of faith, fixed on Jesus. 'I look at him and he looks at me': this is what a certain peasant of Ars used to say to his holy cure about his prayer before the tabernacle." Catechism of the Catholic Church, number 2715, Saint Jean-Marie Vianney

This focus on Jesus is a renunciation of self. His gaze purifies our heart; the light of the countenance of Jesus illumines the eyes of our heart and teaches us to see everything in the light of his truth and his compassion for all men.

Contemplation also turns its gaze on the mysteries of the life of Christ. Thus it learns the "interior knowledge of our Lord", the more to love him and follow him (see St. Ignatius of Loyola, Spiritual Exercises, 104). Catechism of the Catholic Church, ## 2715-16. Website: http: //vatican.va/archive/FRA0013/_P9H.HTM

Book: Let's reveal God
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 14, 2021, 02:47:13 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 15, 2021, 05:32:33 AM
266. He is close by

Too many people are not listening to God. Too many people take their bundle and start walking alone. They are growing away from God, as if God does not exist, as if God has let them down. Yet it is they who leave and let God and the people out. They go to idols or become idols themselves. Then, turned to these idols they want to promote them. These idols will not bring anything good to the people.

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/RLhEYE1RNTHG3CPrHuZx9ECWT/yakylip19tegiapsyklujya0p3iu2ohk7ca8edo.webp?format=webp)

It's always the people who are disappearing from God. We know it's impossible for God to let us down, for God to be far from us. He is closer to us than we can be of ourselves. He helps us to the extent that we want good for all.

Let's pray that the rulers will always lead with human thoughtful feelings and lead to achievements that are truly inspired by God's will.

Book: Refusing sin
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 15, 2021, 02:21:34 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 16, 2021, 04:58:55 AM
267. Be ourselves

In the Psalm, it is written:
"Who may go up the mountain of the Lord? Who can stand in his holy place? The clean of hand and pure of heart, who are not devoted to idols, who have not sworn falsely." Psalm 24, verses 3 to 4

With this wise passage, we have a master idea to properly embark on the journey that leads to the Kingdom of God or more precisely, in the Heart of God.

We want to "go up the mountain of the Lord" and "stand in his holy place". We want to enter the true Love, Love that God offers and receive it, simply by asking him.

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/nqxTqHQSH2Mo3mQUfBt68ig9G/mvu99i74x7kskidprmc3mlijh1qizhjbgfxgx5m.webp?format=webp)

"Climbing the Mountain" can make us think of some climbers who are struggling and sweating in a dangerous and high-risk environment. But with God, to go up the mountain means to become more ourselves, to welcome others more, to create bonds in order to transmit his Love.

This is "the pure of heart" mentioned in the text. The person who allows himself to be transformed by God becomes a freer person. This freedom makes it possible to climb into the Heart of God and to guide people well.

The passage ends with a recommendation. Men: "who are not devoted to idols." Idols keep us away ... far from God.

Let's search in our life for what distances from God and we will find what idols we serve. They will become visible and may be dismantled by Jesus.

Book: Refusing sin
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 16, 2021, 01:01:59 PM
(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/tTo7PQmHDjL923DoCVLPMJrLU/5czktmqnqic8tk0ccyxcqvsg15s5m2vwpj7qupq.webp?format=webp)
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 17, 2021, 05:11:27 AM

268. Fleeing idols

Paul says:
"My beloved, avoid idolatry." 1 Corinthians, chapter 10, verse 14

Avoiding, fleeing idols is quite difficult in a world that constantly offers it to us. Idols are everything that keeps us focused on other people or objects rather than on Jesus. Paul tells the people who accompany him not to follow him, but to follow Jesus:
"Whenever someone says, 'I belong to Paul,' and another, 'I belong to Apollos,' are you not merely human?" 1 Corinthians, chapter 3, verse 4
We belong to no one else but to God.

Paul also speaks of worship. Worship is what a group will live together, for a common purpose to worship or adulate a person or object. There is the cult of sport, the cult of films, the cult of artists, the cult of leaders, the cult of cats, the cult of chocolate, etc.

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/ZZaGSMDMuccL1XxWyTaVHvCHE/30todmdh452di7lw03k67hys15fq6q0jj0tw6pq.webp?size=512x341&format=webp)

Otherwise, we can choose some different activities to bring out some good for us and for society, for example, to improve health. It's not a bad thing to have all these activities and professions, but they must not become a cult that monopolizes our energies, our perceptions and our actions, without regards to a life of faith in God. The true worship to render is to God.

Then Paul, following this sentence, adds:
"Judge for yourself what I am saying." 1 Corinthians, chapter 10, verse 15

Paul wants people to take responsibility and to verify if they follow idols or if they are constantly turning to God. Paul suggests to "avoid idolatry".

As we deepen our relationship with Jesus, idols will fall and disappear one after the other. Jesus will enlighten our life and help us to choose reality, truth and well-being.

Book: Refusing sin
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 17, 2021, 01:57:01 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 18, 2021, 05:09:35 AM
269. A good tree

Jesus teaches us:
"A good tree does not bear rotten fruit, nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit." Luke, chapter 6, verse 43

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/nqxTqHQSH2Mo3mQUfBt68ig9G/uox13a1yb64mr7seyloh7obz1wfxooinu009dph.webp?format=webp)

Everyone hasn't God's knowledge. When a person lives a conversion, he comes equipped with the idols he carried, that he followed, those who sit in his environment. He still can follow some. These idols, these imprisonments, we cannot usually see them with the naked eye. On the other hand, other idols, we see them well. We know they're there.

With Jesus in our life we are like trees that give good fruit. Let's give our heart to Jesus. Jesus will transform our way of living, seeing, speaking, listening, because he is the Light we need so much. His light illuminates in our life the possible idols. All in all, we have the choice and the responsibility to either keep these idols or to keep away from them.

Book: Refusing sin
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 18, 2021, 12:57:45 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 19, 2021, 04:36:29 AM
270. Detecting idols

It is precious to know how to listen to the people, with our ears glued to our hearts. If we hear in their language ideas (ideals) that seem to be related to idols, we can give them to Jesus. For example, the word "energy" is fashionable.

Energy is caused by movement. And the movement is caused by the Love of God. It is better to convert to the Love of God than to energy. Otherwise, we remain in a state of less importance then we stray and stay away from God.

If we hear a person talking about energy, we can silently, in our heart, hand over to Jesus what leads them to talk about it. As another example, if a person has often negative and unnecessary comments, we can offer this negativity to Jesus. He will come into his heart to add his light.

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/ZZaGSMDMuccL1XxWyTaVHvCHE/oyk4yvlk9etb6p7erlz392mfuxxcohiyg2ektii.webp?format=webp)

We can help many people in a day by praying for them in silence and offering their difficulties to Jesus. Detecting what is difficult in people is not a judgment if we know how to do it. Moreover, it will prevent us from judging since we are doing a good deed for them.

This will also allow us to find in ourselves what we have not thought of checking before. We too may have repeated negative comments, for example. The same practice is essential for ourselves; giving everything back to Jesus.
Jesus declares:
"Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you." Matthew, chapter 5, verse 44

Let's love, in the sense of discovering the enemies, the idols in our life, in the lives of others, and handing them over to Jesus. Let's help people get rid of the shadows they carry, that persecute them, of their idols, too often without being aware of their presence. Our prayer will become precise. We therefore ask God's purity for all.

If the difficulty of another person bothers us, destabilizes us, it's an opportunity to let Jesus take care of it. Something good will happen in our life and in the lives of others. Let's leave it to Jesus. He will take care of it.

Book: Refusing sin
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 19, 2021, 01:44:07 PM

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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 20, 2021, 05:28:01 AM
271. Let's adore Jesus

The only true worship to render is to Jesus Christ and to no one else.
It's liberating to think of worshiping one person (Jesus)! This solves the quest of knowing whom to worship or not:
"May God form you in all that is good to fulfill his will, that he may realize in us what is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs glory forever and ever." Hebrews, chapter 13, verse 21

"To fulfill the will of God". God alone can make such a request because what he asks of us are what in turn is best for our salvation and for the salvation of the world.

Two rather strong expressions are included in this short piece of text: "to fulfill the will of God" and to "realize in us what is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ". We can never say that for someone other than him.

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/rxHxNhVFpktd4gEVUxZYzbdjd/mu7x5qwuegyw8eogbwbb16ec3nmtq1taouicqr8.webp?format=webp)

Jesus invites people to worship him because he is God. He says:
"If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John, chapter 8, verses 31 to 32

Being faithful to meditate on the Word of God and to bring out what's good and true in the texts of the Bible, especially to discover all that is Love of God, is to worship God. No more worry. To fulfill the will of God is to let him be Lord in our life, let him Love, transform, sanctify us with his presence. May God: "realize in us what is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ".

By allowing God to take charge of our lives, we ensure our salvation, we lead others to salvation, since we allow ourselves to be purified for the great day of our entry into Eternity. We need to do everything with Jesus, accomplish everything with Jesus, hope totally in Jesus. (It's) Just to be with Jesus!

Book: Refusing sin
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 20, 2021, 01:30:17 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 21, 2021, 05:21:42 AM

272. Love

When we look at Jesus on the Cross, we do not just look at metal, wood, plaster or plastic without any meditation or prayer. When we look at Jesus's Cross, we know that we look beyond this representation, onto God's pierced Heart, into God's Love who has gone to that extent so that we may be saved. The representation of Jesus's Cross is the summit of Love for us, because of Jesus. Our soul is quenched with the memory of our God saving us.

Let's look, understand, love who Jesus is on the Cross, letting it happen to save us. What Love led him on the Cross!

We benefit from rediscovering the Cross with Jesus nailed to it, in our churches, in our homes and elsewhere. God wants us to look at the Cross with Jesus's Body on it, so that we may be saved. It is the support of widows, oppressed, persecuted, trailed, sick, dying, etc. The Cross is the support of the poor, the left behind, the lonely, etc.

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/FH1AFqwCGATb4aNv9QSRL3f3H/63yn8vvw993xakvbava72jry01s0l0s9kvvpcom.webp?size=512x388&format=webp)

Jesus on the Cross is the one who totally understands us. He wants us to give him the toils we have, as well as the people who are caught up all over the world. Let's place their pain on Jesus's Cross.

Let's take some time, at home, to begin or continue looking at the Cross. Let's meditate on him. Let's pray and let Jesus speak to our heart. Far from being an unpleasant object for the eyes, Jesus on the Cross is the way of understanding pain, a path of healing and a reminder that evil kills the person. May Jesus on the Cross speak to our heart. His Love touches us. Let's put it under our pillow and listen to him or put it on the pillow and look at Jesus. May he also be placed between the spouses.

The Cross is for us a sign of joy, liberation, redemption. The Cross is the sign and reality of the healing victory over sickness, Love over evil, the victory of Christ over death.

Jesus says:
"That everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life." John, chapter 3, verse 16

Let's read it again:
"We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. Because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world."

Book: Refusing sin
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 21, 2021, 02:05:49 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 22, 2021, 01:25:08 PM

273 Pray with Mary

Mary has only one goal. She always invites us to the same reality; to follow Jesus, our Lord and Saviour. Mary repeatedly begs us to follow Jesus.

The Catholic Church never sees in Mary a goddess or God. It is never taught by the Church. She is a simple woman with an extraordinary experience of faith, by the grace of God. And we venerate her for who she is and for her "yes".

A statue of Mary represents the grace of God in a woman. The memory of this woman becomes an example of true faith. The more we meditate on what God has done (blessed) in Mary, the more reasons for worshiping God.

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/ZZaGSMDMuccL1XxWyTaVHvCHE/jyr7dpm86s9bf9t28kdp2gcklnhycyhc2vsay98.webp?size=512x510&format=webp)

When we kneel before her, we ask her to pray with us and for us. When we kneel before Mary, she carries our heart to Jesus. When we pray to Mary, she offers our prayers to Jesus. When we speak to Mary, she speaks to Jesus about us and for us. We ask Mary to show us the way to Jesus.

We like to ask another person to pray for us. And we pray for others. It isn't because we intercede in prayer for another person that we stand between the person and God and that it would prevent him from reaching the heart of that person. When we pray for others, we do not place ourselves against God. To pray for a person is to let God through our heart (for God) to Love our neighbour. God Loves us to pray him for one another.

Mary does not stand between Jesus and his children. She helps us to reach her Son. Our thinking and meditation go further than a statue as our family meal allow more human depth than mere food. The body of a person allows going further than just his body, for example. It allows him to join the creation of God, the Heart of God.

Book: Refusing sin
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 23, 2021, 04:39:08 AM
274. United in prayer

We appreciate it when someone asks us to intercede with him in prayer. And this person trusts in prayer. We pray with him by placing our trust in God. When he asks us to pray, he does not cut off God. He seeks spiritual support, like for support between friends and family.

We then ask Mary to pray with us our Lord. Just by this request, we are approaching God, with Mary. Mary helps us, when we look at her, to constantly look to her Son, so that we may be saved by him. She is with us (our Mother) for that.

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/ss1VZbCRYisL1dbLuRSAbHyJU/efjcul5q8sdx17dvwgq50365clfi5mdpitf4j06.webp?format=webp)

Communion through prayer between us and with all the saints living on earth and in heaven is a precious support. As soon as Jesus expires on the Cross, the life of the holy persons continues:
"Jesus cried out again in a loud voice, and gave up his spirit. And behold, the veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked, rocks were split, tombs were opened, and the bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised. And coming forth from their tombs after his resurrection, they entered the holy city and appeared to many." Matthew, chapter 27, verses 50 to 53

The saints continue to live in God. They were sleeping, they were resurrected with Jesus. In the book of Revelation John sees a multitude of people living in heaven. It is also the case for Mary that John mentions here:
"A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars." Revelation, chapter 12, verse 1

Book: Refusing sin
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 23, 2021, 02:02:42 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 24, 2021, 05:23:30 AM
275. Praying before a statue

Jesus's freedom is liberation:
"Amen, amen, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin. A slave does not remain in a household forever, but a son always remains. So if the Son makes you free, then you will truly be free." John, chapter 8, verses 34 to 36

Only the Son liberates us. When we pray in front of a statue, we give thanks to Jesus for what he did in this saint person. Our prayer goes beyond the statue and we praise the Lord in all humility for his wonders in the beings he has created and for the amazing beings that we are.

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/tTo7PQmHDjL923DoCVLPMJrLU/a0l9m7yqyypqm21yid7auirx1xa688a6nnupbpi.webp?format=webp)

Statues and representations of Jesus are not "golden calves". The Cross with Jesus on it is more than the brazen serpent on a mast. May Jesus be the master of our life. Let's offer him all of who we are and live in the gratitude that God has deemed worthy to create us, so that we may live in his Love. May we praise God Trinity, pray to him together and with the saints give thanks and praise to him eternally.

Jesus is so precious. Let's go with him. It's important to deepen our Catholic faith, our faith through universal prayer and to understand it even more. Jesus is the Heart of the Church, the world and the universe.

Book: Refusing sin
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 24, 2021, 01:13:04 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 25, 2021, 04:59:05 AM
276. Even God want statues

There are two crafted cherubim shading the Ark of the Covenant. God himself asks Moses to melt metal, form cherubim and install them on the Ark of the Covenant.

The Ark of the Covenant will be carried in the desert by priests:
Make two cherubim of beaten gold for the two ends of the propitiatory,

fastening them so that one cherub springs direct from each end. The cherubim shall have their wings spread out above, covering the propitiatory with them; they shall be turned toward each other, but with their faces looking toward the propitiatory. There I will meet you and there, from above the propitiatory, between the two cherubim on the ark of the commandments, I will tell you all the commands that I wish you to give the Israelites. Exodus, chapter 25, verses 18 to 20 and 22

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/XGVV4fGcX6xx3p2HRzhSm2wqc/vuhnk3uzb40dm3osa55uln7tovbt20247ez57cg.webp?format=webp)

The statue is not bad in itself if it helps out to rise to God. We have the right to possess images of angels, people or other representations, provided that they are not perceived as gods, but help us to meditate on God's reality.

So there is an abyssal difference between God's will who wants us to worship him, even through representations that signify his presence in people or archangels and the desire of King Nebuchadnezzar who proclaims himself greater than God and who wants "his" people to be centred on his own person ... by worshiping ... a calf, "his calf".

Now it's up to us to choose; to follow Jesus or to follow the lie that turns us away from him. Jesus offers us his life unlike King Nebuchadnezzar who concentrates everything on himself and turns the people away from God.

Jesus is the King of Love and we can be assured that he will always be with us in all our difficulties, as in a joyful life.

Book: Refusing sin
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 25, 2021, 01:12:40 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 26, 2021, 05:58:18 AM

277. The Eucharist

If Sidrac, Misac and Abdenago can recognize God in the midst of the flames in a fiery furnace, if we can look at a bronze serpent on a pole that represents Christ crucified, we can also recognize God and his Love in a little host of bread at the moment of the Eucharist.

Instead of consuming idols, let's consume the Body of Christ at the moment of the Eucharist, the food that keeps alive and prepares us for Eternal Life, in the Kingdom of Heaven, in God's Heart.

Let's recognize that Love occupies a piece of bread. It's an invitation to worship him in a small piece of bread, at every mass. God is in the Eucharist, God is the Eucharist. We proclaim a thanksgiving to God. We allow him to increase by his Love, the love in us, whenever we receive the Eucharist.

God wants us to make the effort to go deeper than what we seem to see, a small piece of bread, to what we seem not to see, God himself. By the representation of a little piece of bread, and by the request of the Trinity on it, at Jesus's request, we totally worship God who is totally present in it (in the host).

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/ZZaGSMDMuccL1XxWyTaVHvCHE/263bm7ptecywdpqgn18a7gcezoxvqdy7n0sasn9.webp?size=512x341&format=webp)

Gospel of Matthew:
"While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, "Take and eat; this is my body." Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins." Matthew, chapter 26, verses 26 to 28

Gospel of Luke:
"He took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me." And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you." Luke, chapter 22, verses 19 to 20

Paul tells the Corinthians, because they live the banquet of God in an unworthy manner:
"I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over, took bread, and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, "This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.""

For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes. Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will have to answer for the body and blood of the Lord. A person should examine himself, and so eat the bread and drink the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body, eats and drinks judgment on himself. 1 Corinthians, chapter 11, verses 23 to 29

Jesus is the one who is universally worshiped and leads us with his Spirit to the Father. Jesus is our King. He is the one in whom we place our trust. He will not disappoint anyone. Let's continue to come to Jesus. He calls upon us.

Let's give our lives to Jesus and let Jesus's truth take control of our lives. For our salvation and the salvation of our neighbour, let's receive the Eucharist, Body and Blood of Christ, and allow Jesus to live freely in us. Let's be in thanksgiving within the Love of God.

Jesus doesn't live in time. He lives in eternity and he is with us at this very moment. Because of that, we live in the present time the same Last Supper as Jesus with his Apostles. Every mass celebrated is lived now with our Lord and Saviour.

Book: Refusing sin
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 26, 2021, 01:58:15 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 27, 2021, 05:14:55 AM
278. Our remoteness

Catholics do not always realize this, but the removal of people from the Church and all the invalid reasons that result from it causes a distance from God. And getting away from God can open the door to more wickedness, more suffering, more harm, more loneliness and sadness. Our remoteness also gives reasons to others to not follow Jesus.

Often, we hear people say, "but these people believe and help others!" Certainly, they are already doing well. But they lack a vital part of faith; the Word and the Eucharist.

A good person is a good person. A canoe is a canoe.

A good person who prays is a good person who prays. A ship is a ship.

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/rxHxNhVFpktd4gEVUxZYzbdjd/05stt5yt9duonyn9zb3674ay616sjp82j0g8cum.webp?format=webp)

A good person who prays and receives the Word and the Eucharist is a good person who prays and receives the Word and the Eucharist. A Church is a Church.

We live on reserves of Love when we stay away from prayer, the Word and Eucharist. A car that runs on low fuel will be driven to a total stop and stay put if we don't go to a gas station to fill the tank. The car will stop where it stops. Then, the elements of nature will cease the car and it won't roll anymore. It just might become good for scrap.

People who say they believe they do practise, but those who do not celebrate and do not revive in their Church, their reserves are emptying, their strength is dwindling. They risk freezing and no longer being able to return to Church. They are staying away from God.

The only way we can fill our reserves of Love is by receiving the Word and the Eucharist. It is also an opportunity to give the offering of our life to God and to thank him for all that he offers us with justice. All that is of God is just (justice) for us.

Let's also learn to reconcile with our neighbour. For christians, to reconcile with our neighbour is also to invite him once more to walk with us in faith.

Let's place our life on the Altar where the offerings of bread and wine become the Body and Blood of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Let's become more and more transformed in God's life, the Eucharist in us, through the Word. And ask Jesus to touch the generous hearts of people outside the walls of the Church and especially to reach them so they may rediscover the Eucharist and the Word.

Book: Let's love God
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 27, 2021, 02:27:56 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 28, 2021, 05:12:06 AM

279. God Loves us

A prophet like Jeremiah has moments of genius and he lets himself be moved by God's truth. He writes what he receives from God in his heart:
"I Love you with an eternal Love." Jeremiah, chapter 31, verse 3

God Loves his people, he Loves Jeremiah, he still Loves us today. God Loves us "with an Eternal Love". The people are happy and ask God to save him. It's party time, joy, but for how long?

It's simple. The further we stay away from God, the more our life lacks light, lacks strength, lacks wisdom, our life becomes drained by the refusal to receive Love. So, what can we leave aside to increase our presence with Christ? What is useless and destroying our life and what could be useful to improve our faith?

John allows us to understand that there is a choice to make, either throwing ourselves toward the Love of God or moving away from him:
"Children, let no one deceive you. The person who acts in righteousness is righteous, just as he is righteous." 1 John, chapter 3, verse 7

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/ZZaGSMDMuccL1XxWyTaVHvCHE/cvcbss1qwp1sazbj8103ajipw87gtyyzg3vg3kt.webp?size=512x343&format=webp)

How to be fair if not to go to Church and thank God for all that we have of good, beautiful, real and true, then to receive him again in the Eucharist, to receive his Love once more and let his joy grow in our hearts.

May we let no one steer us away from the Love of God. May we not rely on others to decide for us. We are the only ones responsible for our relationship with Christ.

Immediately after, John tells us exactly what the word "devil" means. The one who divides our relationship with God:
"Whoever sins belongs to the devil, because the devil has sinned from the beginning." 1 John, chapter 3, verse 8

"The devil is a sinner." We give the devil many titles, but what characterizes him the most is that he is the best "sinner" of all. It's not a very rewarding trophy to be the sinner, crowned with excellence.

To recognize oneself as a sinner and to follow Jesus is fine. But the devil decided not to choose the Love of God. He is "the sinner". He doesn't recognize or want to receive the Love of God. How difficult it is to understand someone who decides ... not to lean with all his being toward, then dive into God's Love.

Book: Let's love God
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 28, 2021, 04:57:25 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 29, 2021, 05:09:19 AM

279. God Loves us

A prophet like Jeremiah has moments of genius and he lets himself be moved by God's truth. He writes what he receives from God in his heart:
"I Love you with an eternal Love." Jeremiah, chapter 31, verse 3

God Loves his people, he Loves Jeremiah, he still Loves us today. God Loves us "with an Eternal Love". The people are happy and ask God to save him. It's party time, joy, but for how long?

It's simple. The further we stay away from God, the more our life lacks light, lacks strength, lacks wisdom, our life becomes drained by the refusal to receive Love. So, what can we leave aside to increase our presence with Christ? What is useless and destroying our life and what could be useful to improve our faith?

John allows us to understand that there is a choice to make, either throwing ourselves toward the Love of God or moving away from him:
"Children, let no one deceive you. The person who acts in righteousness is righteous, just as he is righteous." 1 John, chapter 3, verse 7

How to be fair if not to go to Church and thank God for all that we have of good, beautiful, real and true, then to receive him again in the Eucharist, to receive his Love once more and let his joy grow in our hearts.

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/ZZaGSMDMuccL1XxWyTaVHvCHE/cvcbss1qwp1sazbj8103ajipw87gtyyzg3vg3kt.webp?size=512x343&format=webp)

May we let no one steer us away from the Love of God. May we not rely on others to decide for us. We are the only ones responsible for our relationship with Christ.

Immediately after, John tells us exactly what the word "devil" means. The one who divides our relationship with God:
"Whoever sins belongs to the devil, because the devil has sinned from the beginning." 1 John, chapter 3, verse 8

"The devil is a sinner." We give the devil many titles, but what characterizes him the most is that he is the best "sinner" of all. It's not a very rewarding trophy to be the sinner, crowned with excellence.

To recognize oneself as a sinner and to follow Jesus is fine. But the devil decided not to choose the Love of God. He is "the sinner". He doesn't recognize or want to receive the Love of God. How difficult it is to understand someone who decides ... not to lean with all his being toward, then dive into God's Love.

Book: Let's love God
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 29, 2021, 01:17:03 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 30, 2021, 05:11:54 AM
281. Follow or run away

There are two groups of people who follow Jesus. Those who really follow him and those who seek to contradict, to flee what Jesus is proposing. Whoever contradicts Truth rejects Truth. We can contradict a person, but we cannot contradict, without consequences, the Love of God.

People who follow Jesus give him space and time. Jesus needs space and time in our life so that we can observe and live through him. Let's take some time with Jesus since we don't know him, take time to discover who Jesus is and we will get to know him better for when we meet in eternity.

There are people who follow Jesus and who do not have open hearts, or they do not use their human intelligence to receive the Love of God. And even the words of Jesus, they will make fun of them, they will understand them in a negative way, they will make them obsolete, without flavour, without taste, without colour, without texture.

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/ZZaGSMDMuccL1XxWyTaVHvCHE/trhnj5z5dlijyzocwrmlg0f9sz7tmmoly9cdngk.webp?format=webp)

The scribes of the group of pharisees, seeing that Jesus eats with sinners and publicans, say to his disciples:
"Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners!" Mark, chapter 2, verse 16

This affirmation casts a doubt about Jesus. Jesus eats and drinks! How can Jesus be God since he eats and drinks? We can see that he is a man! Even worse, he eats with sinners and people of the world, of the public!

They do not know Jesus. They reveal their lack of discernment. Their theology resembles the desert that bypasses the city of Jerusalem. They are going to want to drive Jesus back into the desert, and then consider him dead to their eyes.

They closed their hearts, trapped by a bricked up knowledge gained from the past. They aren't in the present. Then, to avoid following Jesus, they will also mislead people around them who could be touched by his words and gestures.

While making fun of him, they refuse the advent of Jesus in their hearts and block it from the hearts of their contemporaries. Double fault.

Book: Let's love God
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 30, 2021, 01:16:28 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 31, 2021, 05:17:02 AM
282. Become childlike

Jesus proclaims:
"I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike." Matthew, chapter 11, verse 25

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Adults who are childlike in God know how to spot what is sin in the world from what is not. They also know how to reach people's hearts, especially through prayer to the Holy Spirit. With him we can reach people's hearts to improve the world and awaken in them the light that is already there.

The light received from God in some makes it possible to transfer the fire of joy and peace to the hearts of others. For each person who receives the light, its spreading is instantaneous.

Book: Let's love God
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 31, 2021, 02:05:55 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 01, 2021, 05:16:48 AM

283. We tend to be

"Your piety [love] is like a morning cloud, like the dew that early passes away," Hosea, chapter 6, verse 4

says God to Hosea and his people ... to us too. It is true that we tend to be evasive in our thoughts, distracted in our intentions and selective in our achievements. And we become fugitives, even fearing Love.

We have hurt persons, we had pain too. And we come to believe that even negative ambient thinking has become a reality. We gradually sink into an attractive mud. And the more we are seized by this mud, the more we feel surrounded and comfortable.

It's as if the mud secures us. But it's the opposite. Our forces diminish, the tension increases, and we gradually freeze in a contentment that numbs us. We come to believe that that's life.

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/FxK6pqhk7ZiS1AZwTDoBU6KMY/maq0opobr7uee26eprctlvlqzsabofob6e7j4nd.webp?size=512x462&format=webp)

We go so far as to believe that God is a tyrant, that he doesn't take care of us, that he has something else more important to do.

It's necessary to recognize that we are sinners, that we often have the tendency to leave the narrow road that leads to real happiness. When we are tingling with numbness, it's not time to wait, it's the red alert that tells us to turn our face to Jesus.

God does not participate to distance us from him. God doesn't push us to our failings. God doesn't waste his time wanting to lose us in the fog or sink us in the mud. Just one look at him and we're out. He is waiting for us. He is waiting for us as the parent waits with love and open arms for his child who is walking his first steps.

Jesus invites us to look into the depths of our hearts to come to the truth about our intentions.

Book: Let's love God
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 01, 2021, 01:30:40 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 02, 2021, 05:23:27 AM

284. Getting confused

God is clear. There are those who:
"obeyed not, nor did they pay heed. They walked in the hardness of their evil hearts and turned their backs, not their faces, to me." Jeremiah, chapter 7, verse 24

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/XGVV4fGcX6xx3p2HRzhSm2wqc/r12jdilpd2ci3j07aic75ajcl7r5h0fbkymhq9s.webp?size=512x353&format=webp)

These people recede and move away from the clarity of God. They enter a path of darkness. Their life becomes confused, because they extinguish the Light of God. Their path is filled with congestion and obstacles until they sink and lose themselves.

It is the summit of a closing heart and the remoteness of God to the point of not recognizing him. They will then have to make indescribable efforts to simply live.

Book: Let's love God
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 02, 2021, 11:55:43 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 03, 2021, 05:18:35 AM

285. Jesus dispels darkness

Jesus came to dispel the darkness within us and offer us his Light. Jesus wants to free us. God reminds people who are listening:
"Listen to my voice; then I will be your God and you shall be my people. Walk in all the ways that I command you, so that you may prosper." Jeremiah, chapter 7, verse 23

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/ss1VZbCRYisL1dbLuRSAbHyJU/0yiobl4oyv3ophy5uwq4u4xox6p3fktphngv2lr.webp?size=512x532&format=webp)

We will be happy to the extent that God is the Light of our life:
"Now, says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart." Joel, chapter 2, verse 12

It's the only solution and it's so simple. Too simple, maybe!
Let's ask Jesus to take his place in us, guide us, teach us, remove darkness and fill us with his Light, joy and peace so that we become like him, the Father and the Holy Spirit.

God created us. He creates us. He knows us and he wants us to be happy. He creates us with the freedom to choose him or even to refuse his presence. It is the summit of freedom.

Book: Let's love God
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 03, 2021, 01:23:11 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 04, 2021, 04:46:45 AM
286. Cutting us off from God

Is there anything more distressful than someone who doesn't listen or doesn't want to listen, especially when we want goodness for that person?

Not listening to God is cutting us off from his Love. To cut ourselves off from the Love of God is to cut us off from wisdom, light, tenderness, shelter, strength, joy, peace, from the heart, etc. And to cut us off from these vital signs for our life, we build a wall and prevent ourselves from loving. As a crowning, we become deprived to the point of thinking that God isn't there for us.

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/ss1VZbCRYisL1dbLuRSAbHyJU/od9ax69fv0c3e5uib46dynknqedzs115qrzi1ez.webp?format=webp)

The lack of attention to the Love of God leads to harden ourselves and our heart suffers due to the lack of spiritual vital signs of God in us. This brings us to revolt and close ourselves to what the Lord offers us. We live as if God isn't there anymore.

God tells us that we can go astray:
"They have always been of erring heart, and they do not know my ways. As I swore in my wrath, 'They shall not enter into my rest.'" Hebrews, chapter 3, verses 10b to 11

The most serious danger for someone who believes is to move away from God. The danger for those who do not believe is to remain with their backs turned against the presence of God.

Book: Let's love God
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 05, 2021, 05:32:48 AM
287. God's anger

God's wrath is not like the anger we feel in the world. God's wrath is nothing but his Love to let us know that we are moving away from him. He only wants to bring us closer to him. We could say without pretense that the "wrath of God" is his kindness for us.

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/rxHxNhVFpktd4gEVUxZYzbdjd/1wkzrjycmc1s359dz3rafl3gsrdenp0qn8x1ugc.webp?format=webp)

The anger of God does not hurt us, it is benevolent. But it is our distance from his Love that leads us to enter into evil. We cut ourselves off from God's kindness. We cut ourselves from resting in God, from peace. Then we come to think that God is angry.

Book: Let's love God
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 05, 2021, 02:47:32 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 06, 2021, 05:20:38 AM

288. Jesus heals us

We can enter the desert of our heart, even if there is noise around us, to hear God. Let's take time to listen to him and discover, again, the joy he offers us, the kindness he has on us.

May Jesus come to heal us of our doubts, our revolts, our anger and the worst lie to think that God is not with us. Let's ask as the leper who falls on his knees and begs Jesus:
"'If you wish, you can make me clean.' Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched him, and said to him, 'I do will it. Be made clean.'" Mark, chapter 1, verses 40 to 41

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/tTo7PQmHDjL923DoCVLPMJrLU/un6avuwk023bd6770oa3ry5z8yechql9gka3dwj.webp?size=512x403&format=webp)

Let's discover the silence, turn our heart to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and humbly ask him: "Jesus, cleanse me!"

To let Jesus cleanse us, allows us to become free and to be filled with peace. The more people understand that God is Love and that he is only Love, the more our world will become familiar and united. We will be able to taste and share his Love and live it fully.

Book: Let's love God
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 06, 2021, 03:25:37 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 07, 2021, 05:05:41 AM
289. God's will

Our Father, "your will be done". Faith is lived worldwide. It is the faith of all people of good will. With the Church, some people understood that only Love can reign on the earth. It is these people who help this world to live in maximum peace and hope.

On the other hand, take away the faith of the world in Jesus and it is faced with humanitarian, social, biological, planetary and other important crisis. This crisis of faith becomes a real loss for every person who does not know God.

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/FxK6pqhk7ZiS1AZwTDoBU6KMY/5b1gigqv3pp4i83se95dbffk6cg82464q4rdyux.webp?format=webp)

Because God is the only one who will always lead us to common sense. All that is good and true in the sublime understanding of these terms is from God. God can only be Love. Whatever the religion, as long as God of this religion is really Love, there will be a love evolution everywhere.

Jesus guarantees his Love to all those who open their hearts to him. We only have to welcome him:
"My home will be at home, I will be their God and they will be my people. Then the nations will know that I am the Lord, the one who sanctifies Israel, when my sanctuary will be in their midst forever." Ezekiel, chapter 37, verses 27 to 28

When God will be welcomed in our midst, in the midst of our heart.

Book: Let's love God
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 07, 2021, 01:35:06 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 08, 2021, 04:31:26 AM
290. To try believers

Some intimidate people to justify that they are not upright, honest. And it's easy to prove their point because no one is perfect. They also try those who walk after Jesus as others have tried Jesus.

There will be people who will push the righteous onto the wall, rather than check their own heart:
"Let's see whether his words be true; let us find out what will happen to him." Wisdom, chapter 2, verse 17

To observe too much the defects of others, people evaluate then devalue themselves. They judge by their criteria, often unfair, about what others say and do. So there are people who will never be satisfied and they will condemn the just.

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/RLhEYE1RNTHG3CPrHuZx9ECWT/hyzeap61lcf7eq6bbv2dzsowqw7j6ve1x7rxank.webp?size=512x380&format=webp)

Why is there a desire to confront the faith of those who follow Jesus? Why not check their own thoughts, words, and gestures, then receive God's Love again?

Perhaps because these people are not on the road and do not live a personal conversion to Jesus Christ. They claim that others convert to be in God, but they are not attentive to their own faith and the responsibility that goes with it.

Book: Let's be Loved
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 08, 2021, 01:21:45 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 09, 2021, 05:12:17 AM

291. Jealousy

A word that is often used by people is the word "jealousy". This word is simple to say, but it is sad to count the number of people hurt by this word.

Then there is the word "judge". It is better never to say these words, because all too often we do not know the real meaning of them:
"Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every foul practice." James, chapter 3, verse 16

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/XGVV4fGcX6xx3p2HRzhSm2wqc/v2salebl6wv2fiwh7kfazx19m2q1rxhens9znan.webp?size=512x341&format=webp)

On the other hand, this evil goes away when we are open to the grace of God:
"The wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without inconstancy or insincerity." James, chapter 3, verse 17

Let's deepen these last wise words and recognize them in the people we meet, since God has placed them in them. Let's recognize these qualities in others, instead of camping on their faults.

Book: Let's be Loved
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 09, 2021, 02:02:24 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 10, 2021, 05:01:30 AM
292. A fulfilling life

Who receives from God and truly lives in his heart wisdom, peace, righteousness, understanding, benevolence, mercy, and is fruitful in benefits?
Without being too deceiving, we all have a little bit of a difficult time working to achieve a fulfilling life of faith.

Let's discover the qualities that God places in others to encourage and value them.

(https://image-processing.gloria.tv/FxK6pqhk7ZiS1AZwTDoBU6KMY/6k9cnouk33x74mzaxgic9ihzdeu4kndhp2ufd1z.webp?format=webp)

Flagging people with what we think are their faults only make the relationship worsen between us:
"Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show his works by a good life in the humility that comes from wisdom." James, chapter 3, verse 13

James is telling us that. He knows that the grace of God, when it is received and transmitted, shows in our words and by our actions.

Book: Let's be Loved
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 11, 2021, 05:08:13 AM

293. The work that pleases

Faith accompanies the works. To love in thought, words and gestures is the work that pleases the Lord.

He continues:
"The wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without inconstancy or insincerity. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for those who cultivate peace." James, chapter 3, verses 17 to 18

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Let's ask Jesus to change our lives and teach us how to live as he wants. Let's become more and more humans sharing the Word with inspired gestures as the Lord wants.

Book: Let's be Loved
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 12, 2021, 04:55:23 AM
294. They just don't know

Jesus wants to purify us. But he also asks us to enter into a movement of wisdom, words and gestures that will help to insert goodness in hearts. This way, the world will learn to live with the Trinity and move away from evil and sin.

Jesus invites us to try to reach people in their hearts in a sober way. Let's be on the move:
"They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic." Mark, chapter 6, verse 9

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He says:
Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there. Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them. Mark, chapter 6, verses 10 to 11

If we find hospitality in people's hearts, let's get closer to them.

But if we feel that they refuse us, let's go our way and pray that these people will find Jesus in their hearts. Let's ask Jesus to touch their hearts with his Love. These people do not refuse us personally. They just don't know what they're missing by not daring to let Jesus enter their hearts.

Let's ask Jesus to touch the hearts of the people we meet. May the Holy Spirit come before us and let the Father's Heart become their home.

Book: Let's be Loved
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 12, 2021, 01:55:20 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 13, 2021, 04:42:01 AM
295. To love with Jesus

John is so interesting. He tells us:
"Beloved, let us love one another, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God." 1 John, chapter 4, verse 7

To love keeps us on the road with God, since God is Love. Love is from him and never from us. God Loves in us and through us our family and our friends. To discover that it is God who Loves is to recognize what we can transmit to our surroundings.

To love is the treasure, the unheard-of riches of the Heart of God. And this treasure, God offers it all to us. He wishes for us to accept and appreciate his gift (giving).

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Nothing is easier for God than touching hearts, but there is nothing more difficult for us because we often block Love. Love is on everyone's lips, but often abused because many of us do not allow Love to Love. We try to love in God's place.

The degree of love passed from person to person varies. We observe that there is more or less love flowing between us. Well, it is difficult to measure it.

We need Jesus to love. May Jesus be the Love in our life and Love the world through our words, our actions, but also by our silence and our prayers. His Love is always perfect. All opportunities are good to let God Love us.

Let's find the means that allow us to let the Love of God flow. Only Jesus can Love without measure in us and overflow toward all people.

We have nothing to lose and everything to gain by welcoming Jesus into our lives. He will transform us with respect, slowly and surely.

Let's dare to receive Jesus in our life. Let's concede to Jesus his right to Love.

Book: Let's be Loved
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 13, 2021, 08:26:40 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 14, 2021, 05:28:08 AM

296. Our relationship with Christ

Paul tells us:
"Such confidence we have through Christ toward God. Not that of ourselves we are qualified to take credit for anything as coming from us; rather, our qualification comes from God." 2 Corinthians, chapter 3, verses 4-5

In short, our trust in God comes from God.

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It's nice to know that everything real and good comes from God. This is the best assurance we have, divine assurance. And it doesn't cost anything.

Book: Let's be Loved
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 15, 2021, 01:28:58 PM
297. The basis of faith

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Ah! Humility:
"My son, conduct your affairs with humility, and you will be loved more than a giver of gifts." Sirach, chapter 3, verse 17

Fulfill all things in humility ... in the humility that God offers us. It is the basis of faith, from its awakening to its fulfillment. To live in humility, we are invited to develop observation.

Being attentive to one's self enables one to develop listening to the other, to others. To know how to observe Jesus in our heart, to know how to observe Jesus in each person, is to reveal Jesus in their heart.

We decentre on ourselves and turn to our heart, to humbly open it to the one who can heal it, Jesus. To reconnect us to the reality of people is an open path to holiness.

Book: Let's be Loved
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 16, 2021, 05:57:01 AM
298. Through humility

The healing of the heart is through humility. Humility before others, before ourselves and before our Creator. Ben Sirach continues:
"Humble yourself the more, the greater you are, and you will find favour with God." Sirach, chapter 3, verse 18

To humble oneself is not to fall under the others, it's not to let us fall sharply, it is to recognize that human beings are marvels of God, starting with ourselves. God is the master of these wonders.

When we approach God, we recognize that we are very tiny. Our child's heart marvels of who we are before the Creator, before the Creation and before the creatures of God. We have the grace to observe God's beauty in the human being and give the difficulties to Jesus.

All of God is beyond us. To recognize it is to place others where they are in the Heart of God. Let's become friends of God ourselves. Let's receive what God gives us.

Book: Let's be Loved
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 16, 2021, 02:27:48 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 17, 2021, 05:13:31 AM

299. Humbled and exalted

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Jesus tells us:
"For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted." Luke, chapter 14, verse 11

Whoever raises himself in the will and wisdom of God humbles himself before the splendour of God's presence in his neighbour. He enters into a relationship with God and he discovers Jesus in the life and heart of others. Jesus raises us in his Light so that we can see clearly in our life and with the wish that his Light will spring up and be lowered onto others.

To rise and to lower oneself, if it's God's will, it's exactly the same reality. To humble oneself before God is to be lifted up in God. To be lifted up in God is to lower oneself before God.

We lower ourselves before God to recognize his Kingship in our life. Jesus is Lord of our existence and we recognize him as such. Our humiliation before Jesus is a testimony of the humility received from God, a testimony of faith received from God for others. We affirm with all our being that there is no one superior to Jesus.

Then, we are raised in Jesus since his Love lifts us up and leads us into reality and truth.

To humble oneself before Jesus and to be raised in Jesus allows humility to become our sister.

Book: Let's be Loved
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 17, 2021, 02:37:51 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 18, 2021, 02:32:31 PM

300. Childlike

(https://assistant.gloria.tv/FxK6pqhk7ZiS1AZwTDoBU6KMY/oypwooi6ykhbz1dxmxqi894la49i7cupv1l2zyp.webp?scale=512&format=webp)

There are elements of life that become grand. Life itself is a grace of which it is necessary to be aware and thankful of. We do not see life, it is discreet, but life is much more important, much more to appreciate than it seems to be.

Joy is a reality that we do not see, except when it is manifested through the emotions of a person. Joy is grace and it leaves us much more than just being there.

Peace is a favoured grace, because it leaves us with a sense of heavenly comfort.
Love is the proper of all these graces and it belongs to God. God invites us to live with his Love, to share his graces between us. We discover that there are small gestures and simple words that provoke a lot of good:
"Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Matthew, chapter 11, verse 25

Where the Body and Blood of Jesus is present in small elements of everyday life, we receive infinitely more than we can hope for. We receive everything from the Trinity. Let's receive the Eucharist and let's marvel from within.

May Mary and Joseph, who knew how to give little Jesus to the world, teach us to look at the little and humble, in order to discover God in his infinite Love.

Book: Let's be Loved
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 19, 2021, 05:00:59 AM
301. God's help

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Elijah is a man of faith. He listens to God and prophesies in his name. After announcing a drought to the people of Gallad, Elijah hears out the Lord:
"So he left and did as the Lord had commanded. He went and remained by the Wadi Cherith, east of the Jordan." 1 Kings, chapter 17, verse 5

Despite the drought, Elijah does not lack food or water as it is written:
"Ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the stream." 1 Kings, chapter 17, verse 6

If Elijah knew the next passage, he would surely have recited it, since he has so much faith in God:
"I raise my eyes toward the mountains. From where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. God will not allow your foot to slip; your guardian does not sleep. Truly, the guardian of Israel never slumbers nor sleeps. The Lord is your guardian; the Lord is your shade at your right hand. By day the sun cannot harm you, nor the moon by night." Psalm 121, verses 1 to 6

The only way to be so deeply rooted in God, as Elijah is living it now, is to adjust our life to his freely given Love. Elijah listened to God.

Jesus gives us other ways, with the Beatitudes, to abide in His Love:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit," "the meek," "they who mourn," "they who hunger and thirst for righteousness," "the merciful," "the clean of heart," "the peacemakers," "the persecuted for righteousness" (See Matthew, chapter 5, verses 1-12).

Jesus adds to our good will:
"Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven." Matthew, chapter 5, verse 12

Let's enter the promised Bliss of God's Love and let ourselves be guided to his Heart. Our "reward is great" right now, with Jesus.

Book: ... for Love
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 19, 2021, 02:19:32 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 20, 2021, 10:47:51 AM

302. We did some wrong

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Let's return briefly to what distances us from God and from ourselves.
Who among us could say that they do not have these defects, before God? We have a good reflection here:
"We have sinned, been wicked and done evil; we have rebelled and departed from your commandments and your laws." Daniel, chapter 9, verse 5

Sometimes we miss the opportunity to truly be children of God.
Confession of Daniel's journey:
"Ah! Lord, great and awesome God, you who keep your merciful covenant toward those who love you and observe your commandments." Daniel, chapter 9, verse 4

God Loves us even when we are at fault. He waits for our return every time with open arms. He Loves us beyond everything. It is our faults that keep us away from him. We simply stay away.

It's up to us to check if we love each other and if we want to walk forward in God's Love. Many people do not like this reality that God Loves every person, whatever sin they did. Why? Because God cannot be any other than Love!

Book: ... for Love
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 21, 2021, 05:18:52 AM

303. Damned? No... Loved!

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We all know this popular phrase: "Damned if I do, damned if I don't." There are moments in life when we feel that everything we try to achieve seems to be compromised without really knowing why. This is a good sign, the right time to return to our inner self and allow more precious time with God.

But this English expression is transformed with God: "We are Loved by God if we do it, Loved if we do it not." We are Loved even with our failings, mishaps, bad luck, mistakes, because God is Love.

Does this mean that God encourages the harm we do? That we can do anything wrong? Never. Does that mean to do nothing more? Not at all. And this is not the question.

God Loves us and he wants his Love to take us back to the path of life and truth. It is we who cause evil and succumb to sin. We freeze away from God. But still, God Loves us, forever! When we shy away from him, we block his Love.
Jesus tells us, as to the crowd:
"Be merciful, just as (also) your Father is merciful. Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven." Luke, chapter 6, verses 36 to 37

Whether we love God or not, he continues to Love us. Our decision to be with God or against God leads us either in Love or away from Love. We are the only ones responsible for our decision. And this is a decision we must make as soon as possible.

Book: ... for Love
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 22, 2021, 05:04:53 AM

304. Let's dive in

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It's quite difficult to believe that one person would not want God's Love. Let's dive into his Love now.
Let's read:
"Remember your compassion and love, O Lord; for they are ages old." Psalm 25, verse 6

Why should we say, "Remember your compassion and love, O Lord; for they are ages old?"

Wouldn't it be better to say: "Lord, your compassion, your Love is always with me!"

But what is written in the Psalm is, "Remember, Lord." Does the Lord need to remember about his Love? No need for him to remind himself of it. He is Love.

It's certain that when we are suffering, it is possible to think that God has let us down. We would like him to remember, we plead him to not let us down. But it isn't so.

Even in suffering, the Lord is always with us, with the same infinite Love, with the same tenderness and compassion, the same mercy at every moment, totally and continually. We think that God will remember, but it is we who must remember that God is here, now, with us.

Shouldn't we be remembering his Love?

God's Love is priceless. God is not a mystery. Nor is he a mystery to himself. The greatest mystery is that we don't really understand God. We're still not totally convinced that he is Love. The mystery is on us. It is we who don't understand how deeply God Loves us. This is a mystery! Jesus wants us to do exactly as he does, to Love.

Book: ... for Love
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 22, 2021, 01:30:02 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 23, 2021, 05:07:48 AM

305. We are forgiven

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Peter doesn't seem to be aware that Jesus will answer that his Love is infinite. The answer that Jesus will give to his question on forgiveness shouldn't surprise anyone. Peter approaches Jesus and asks him:
"Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?" Matthew, chapter 18, verse 21

We might have submitted our proposition: "Once?" To forgive once is enough! Forgiving sincerely is effective. But when mistakes are repeated, we can go up to seven times, too, like Peter.

Thanks to Peter, we get an answer. Peter offers him his idea, which is already a good idea: "Up to seven times?" Jesus answers him:
"I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times." Matthew, chapter 18, verse 22

It's not easy to forgive, it takes practice. The less we practise forgiving, the more difficult it will be to forgive. All our life, we need to forgive, we need to be forgiven, we need to forgive ourselves. We need God's forgiveness to stay sane, in holiness.

Honestly, we wouldn't have known that Jesus's response would be as demanding as his Love is Mercy. Yet we cannot expect less from Jesus than the answer he gives us. He is God!

So, Jesus delivers the challenge on a silver platter and offers it to us. Forgive God 100% because God has never hurt anyone. Forgiving others to help us and also help them to improve, to become the image of God. We personally forgive ourselves to touch the Love of God in us and to become a complete child.

God doesn't have to remember his Love for us, since he is eternally Loving. There is no failure in his Love. May we discover it. We only need to believe, remember and embrace it.

Book: ... for Love
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 23, 2021, 02:08:23 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 24, 2021, 05:33:39 AM
306. God seduces

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Jerusalem continues to be unfaithful. The people are unfaithful to God. The inhabitants take unspecified paths, which keep them away from an authentic relationship with God.

God wants to conquer us as he does with his people, because he knows that we are beings of love, since we are beings created by Love:
"[My unfaithful wife], I will allure her; I will lead her into the desert and speak to her heart." Hosea, chapter 2, verse 16

God wants to seduce, not to force. He wants to seduce his unfaithful wife. We recognize ourselves in this unfaithful wife towards Love, when we move away from him by ways contrary to his will. God goes beyond our unfaithfulness.

Book: ... for Love
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 24, 2021, 02:59:24 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 25, 2021, 05:14:27 AM

307. To listen
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God knows that the strength of his Love can do anything. God wants to drag us to the desert, in the silence of our heart:
"So I will allure her; I will lead her into the desert and speak to her heart." Hosea, chapter 2, verse 13

We just need to listen. We often think that living a personal desert is painful and that there seems to be a growing void. We feel so alone.

The desert is rather the ideal place where we can enter into a relationship with God. A heart to Heart relationship is never a refusal for him. God wants to be in touch with us all.

Book: ... for Love
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 25, 2021, 02:50:52 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 26, 2021, 05:10:06 AM
308. More faith
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God keeps on giving:
"I will give her the vineyards she had, and the valley of Achor as a door of hope." Hosea, chapter 2, verse 14

Only God can give us hope. Today we see churches half-filled. And we see sufferings in the world. It's not necessary to describe them. We observe them, we know them, their misfortunes.

But God tells us to open the door to hope. He wants to unite us with him. God adds:
"I will allure her [unfaithful]; I will lead her into the desert and speak to her heart." Hosea, chapter 2, verse 13

God will make of what we think to be a misfortune in a "valley of Achor [tears] (v. 13)", an air of youth, faith and freedom. Whatever our age, human youth comes from inflamed faith for God and in God.

Let's ask for more faith in God so that our life reaches its inner youth, so that people around us reach it too and that our Church enters a turning point of constant faith, hope and charity, rejuvenated in the Heart of the Trinity. May everyone benefit because we are created for God and live it forever.

Book: ... for Love
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 26, 2021, 02:23:22 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 27, 2021, 05:13:30 AM

309. Peace
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Paul's salutation:
"To all the beloved of God in Rome, called to be holy. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." Romans, chapter 1, verse 7

It is realistic to say that holiness leads to grace and peace from God. Let's continue to place our trust in Jesus and walk with him on the road to holiness. Jesus doesn't lead us anywhere else. He is merciful and even though we are at fault, he wants us to stay with him, to improve ourselves and that he leads us to holiness.

If we see people in churches who are not perfect, let's say they're in the right place. It's in the Church that we find ways to improve ourselves with Jesus and with others. We are in the Church for this reason, because we know that we are sinners and we want to improve on a path of faith and hope. People are usually in Church for that reason.

In the beginning, when we start going to church, it's more our mistakes that make us not want to go back. We think we're not worth it. On the contrary, we are worth the joy! Let's give our sins to Jesus and walk in the Church. May we convert day after day. This is the pathway to enter eternal life.

Book: ... for Love
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 27, 2021, 04:05:51 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 28, 2021, 04:40:33 AM
310. Abide in Jesus
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Jesus is Love. We have no reason to pull away from him. He is our joy. Let's take the example of food. As soon as we eat better, we feel better and with more vitality. Jesus leads us to spiritual vitality.

The desert is filled with Jesus's presence. It is there that he touches our hearts with his tenderness, compassion and mercy. Coming to Jesus leads to holiness. By a sustained journey toward him, we feel the benefits and much more vigour, intensity, endurance. Even if we seem to be used to this well-being with Jesus, let's continue.

According to Paul:

"God is righteous and justify the one who has faith in Jesus." Romans, chapter 3, verse 26

We have the best example in Jesus to receive what is right for us. That's what Paul recommends. May we abide in Jesus to receive what we need most, to continue on the road.

Book: ... for Love

Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 28, 2021, 02:11:32 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 29, 2021, 04:46:38 AM

311. We receive all
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We need the Love of God, patience, peace, strength to go through hardships. We receive all this and more in Jesus, in the Church. It is the hope that fills the hearts of children.

All holiness and perfection of soul lies in our love for Jesus Christ our God, who is our Redeemer and our supreme good. It is part of the love of God to acquire and to nurture all the virtues which make a man perfect.

Has not God in fact won for himself a claim on all our love? From all eternity he has loved us. And it is in this vein that he speaks to us: "O man, consider carefully that I first loved you. You had not yet appeared in the light of day, nor did the world yet exist, but already I loved you. From all eternity I have loved you."

From a sermon Alphonse-Marie de Liguori on the Love of Christ, Office of readings, August 1, Tract. de praxi amandi Iesum Christum edit. latina. Romae, 1909, pp. 9-14

Sometimes we feel superb when we serve God and live in his Presence. May we never think we have succeeded though. This is a trap. We risk becoming lukewarm and let go of what we have lived for. The best way to make sure we move forward is to always deepen our faith through reading, teaching, Mass, to keep having questions and to search continually even if we think we have reached the goal.

Book: ... for Love
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 29, 2021, 02:15:47 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 30, 2021, 05:07:12 AM

312. Whom you will serve
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Joshua questions the people of Israel of what should be a priority, for us as well, to bring us back to basics:
"Decide today whom you will serve." Joshua, chapter 24, verse 15a

Let's choose who we want to serve. What is the god (other gods) to whom we give our life, our time, our habits, our desires? Is it to God? Where are our priorities? Is God first in our life? Joshua finishes and confirms:
"We also will serve the Lord, for he is our God." Joshua, chapter 24, verse 18b

We want to serve the Trinity. We want to follow Jesus, let ourselves be transformed by the Holy Spirit and be children (sons) of the same Father.

Are we really united to the Trinity wholeheartedly, with all our soul, with all our being? It's quite possible that we aren't. We are making efforts, but we know that we aren't succeeding alone in being captivated by the Trinity.

Let's ask God to come and surprise us with his presence and teach us how to love him, be Loved by him.

Book: ... for Love
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 30, 2021, 01:50:13 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 01, 2021, 05:35:42 AM

313. Our relationship wiith Jesus

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Jesus sent the Spirit to his Church to continue on his behalf to guide his family. The catechism is the fruit of the Holy Spirit transmitted to the authority of the Catholic Church. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (version 1999) is the christian reflection on what Jesus taught us, a Bible study, and all that the Church believes and teaches about the Testaments that complement each other, and that God has given as our heritage.

Let's ask Jesus to help us deepen our faith and our relationship to him by being firmly anchored in the Catholic Church. The Church conveys all the care we need by receiving it from God.

Jesus confers the authority of his Church to the Apostles and sends the Holy Spirit to nourish her in her roots. Let's subscribe, adhere to the Church of the Lord which continues to watch over the Body and Blood of Christ.

May Mary, our Mother of all, with Joseph, the Apostles and saints, teach us to take care of Jesus who is in our heart and to accept the teaching of the Church he has founded.

Book: The heart's mission
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 01, 2021, 06:59:40 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 02, 2021, 04:44:44 AM

314. Let's pray with s. Joseph

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Joseph, with Jesus and Mary, you knew hunger, uncertainty, and illness.
You turned your heart to God to lift up your needs and those of your family.
In faith you accepted the Father's response as events unfolded.

Be with me today as I offer my requests to the Father.

Joseph, help me recognize God's will as I open my hands to accept what God bestows in loving kindness. With tenderness, God fills creation with life and love. Open my eyes to the wonders that God works without ceasing.

Help me learn the true intention behind my request so that I may discover
within myself the lowly one that God commends. Amen.

I lift up my needs in prayer: Website of Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal:
saint-joseph.org/...spirituality/saint-joseph/prayers-to-saint-joseph/
Mary and Joseph, like all the saints, assist us with your prayers. Pray for us, with us!

Book: The heart's mission
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 03, 2021, 05:07:53 AM

315. We hope

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Through the liturgy, we celebrate the entrance to heaven. We hope for life in God and we give thanks for all the wonders he does in the world and in our lives.

Here is how it is expressed:
On that day they will sing this song in the land of Judah: 'A strong city have we; he sets up walls and ramparts to protect us. Open up the gates to let in a nation that is just, one that keeps faith.' Isaiah, chapter 26, verses 1 to 2

A sung canticle is part of the liturgy. Let's put our trust in God. Let's lean onto him. We will become the righteous nation, the believers who enter through the doorway to salvation.

Protection and salvation come from the Child Mary carries in her. This Child is the only one who can protect us and lead us as a nation of sheep to the enclosure of eternal joy. Generations have hoped for him. And we have the grace to know that this Child has come to Love and save us.

Book: The heart's mission
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 03, 2021, 02:13:15 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 04, 2021, 05:07:21 AM

316. The House, the Church

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The strong city is the Jerusalem on earth that represents the City of God, as also the Church, it is the New Jerusalem from above that nothing can destroy. To succeed:
"Trust in the Lord forever! For the Lord is an eternal Rock." Isaiah, chapter 26, verse 4

The house, the Church that is built on the rock that is Jesus, is our life that is built on the faith of the Apostles and on the promise of God for our salvation. Many will be converted because they will see us walking behind Jesus, walking on the mission road.

Jesus tells us:
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven." Matthew, chapter 7, verse 21

Let's seek Jesus, or even simpler, let's find Him. Let's become available. Let's welcome him as Mary welcomed him into her and learn from him all that is necessary for the pilgrimage here below and to present ourselves to heaven in thanksgiving.

Mary did not run after Jesus. The Holy Spirit simply offered to receive him. It's too simple to receive Jesus. Let's try it, to receive him in our heart. We don't have to beg, we only need to ask him to reveal himself in our heart. May he take off the veil we place before him.

Let's continue to deepen our relationship with Jesus just as Mary carries him in her and Joseph welcomes him into him, in his own way. Let's welcome him as we are. It is our mission, our personal base.

Book: The heart's mission
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 04, 2021, 11:31:53 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 05, 2021, 05:27:56 AM

317. To know Jesus

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Paul offers us his thoughts:
Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ. So be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and handed himself over for us as a sacrificial offering to God for a fragrant aroma. Ephesians, chapter 4, verse 32 to chapter 5, verse 2

To unite ourselves with God's plan, it's necessary to know Jesus. Then we will become: "kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving".

Book: The heart's mission
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 05, 2021, 03:12:11 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 06, 2021, 01:55:35 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 07, 2021, 02:13:53 PM

319. Love passing through

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Philemon is an example for Paul:
I have experienced much joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the holy ones have been refreshed by you, brother. Philemon, chapter 1, verse 7

Philemon's charity is the Love and Mercy of God in action and passing through him. Paul's joy is that he's conscientious and charitable toward others. It pleases his heart.

For his part, Jesus has a way of spreading joy:
"The whole crowd rejoiced at all the splendid deeds done by him." Luke, chapter 13, verse 17

What is the vivid action Jesus is doing right now in us, on this day, simply offered to us?

Let's always trust Jesus, let's continually give him what we are living, so that he purifies our journey, the bridge that connects us to him. We will discover his presence in our life and for a better world.

We will gradually discover our talents throughout the mission. Our talents are different from those of others, but together we will bring to the world faith received from God.

Book: The heart's mission
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 08, 2021, 05:09:25 AM

320. Grace and peace

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Our first pope Peter wishes us what we also want to wish each other:
"May grace and peace be yours in abundance through knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord." 2 Peter, chapter 1, verse 2

"May grace and peace be yours!" Grace and peace to all, but also knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ! The more we engage in Jesus's "knowledge", the more our faith rises in humility and charity for every person who meets with us on the road.

As for any realization, Peter invites us to the effort of reception, to the effort to be there. We can read it slowly:
Make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, virtue with knowledge, knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with devotion, devotion with mutual affection, mutual affection with love. 2 Peter, chapter 1, verses 5 to 7

There is a clear progression of faith in what Peter describes to us. In short, virtue serves and leads to know God. Virtue is the door that opens to conversion and progression through sincere and lived faith.

Knowing God gives us control on our thoughts, our senses, our language, our actions, in order to live humbly and to edify our neighbour.

Self-control brings balance and perseverance, endurance.

Piety and virtue develops shoulder to shoulder with perseverance.
Fraternity is the fruit of piety. Fraternity is intimately linked to Love. It is the mission that God proposes to us.

We embark on a virtuous life to join a Loving meeting in God, Love that forms and ends the loop: virtue - knowledge of God - self-control - perseverance - piety - fraternity - love. May we commit ourselves to repeat it and live it, in a loop, in order to stretch out our heart, to bind it to Love and thus to obtain eternal life. By knowing God.

Book: The heart's mission
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 08, 2021, 03:26:13 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 09, 2021, 04:42:54 AM

321. Summit of Hope

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This text of Paul is called the Kenosis. It is the descent of God and he passes into our human reality:
"Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped.

Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross.

Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians, chapter 2, verses 5 to 11

He came into human nature, through the "yes" of Mary. Mary carries him in her until she gives him back to the world.

God shows us his great mercy and Love by embracing our human condition, in order to transform it for the sole purpose of gathering us together and leading us to the Father's house.

God could've stayed aloof and seem from another world, as we search for answers to our life on earth. But God wears our reality.

Jesus shows us his mercy by taking a body like ours and giving it back its nobility, its beauty. He rectifies and converts through purification our sin-prone fragile body and brings it back to its natural condition.

Book: The heart's mission
Normand Thomas

Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 09, 2021, 02:39:42 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 10, 2021, 05:00:17 AM

322. A jewel

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Jesus is the one who draws people to him. He tells us in his parable:
"Go out to the highways and hedgerows and make people come in that my home may be filled." Luke, chapter 14, verse 23

We know that freedom is a jewel for those who use it to enter the Heart of God. But freedom becomes camouflaged by a virus, when they don't use it to enter Jesus and remain in his Heart.

It is written that God wants us to enter by force: "make people come in". But in the language of God, it's easy to understand what he really wants to tell us. It might be something like this: "Bring them in with all the strength of my Love that I placed in your heart." That being said, we understand how delicately, but with what insistence God tries to find us and gather us on his Heart. We are attracted to him.

To welcome Jesus is to give him time so that he may sanctify our life. In our hearts, let's join the feast of all the saints: "that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father". Philippians, chapter 2, verses 10 and 11

Book: The heart's mission
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 10, 2021, 02:07:17 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 11, 2021, 04:52:50 AM

323. The wealth we need

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During Jesus's descent into the bread and wine and after communion, let's remember why we fall to our knees during Mass and adore him. Because Jesus is God, he lowers himself to our height and he saves us. We wish to thank him. He is the reason and faith of our worship.

Jesus lowered himself to us, he took flesh in the body of a Virgin named Mary. He is God and he knows us humans, since he is the Lord of creation. He knows the heart of the human. Jesus is the only wealth we need. No need to look elsewhere.

Everything that sneakily draws us in the worldly is complicit to our distance from God. We are often distracted from other activities in other places. And time flies by if we don't allow ourselves a moment for a sincere dialogue with Jesus in our heart. That unnecessarily monopolizes our interest, causes a lack of relationship with God and makes us waste precious time.

Jesus tells us that we are called to holiness. We have in us the mark of the children of God and our being is attracted by grace at every moment.

Book: The heart's mission
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 11, 2021, 04:17:35 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 12, 2021, 05:29:14 AM

324. Let's let Jesus find us

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Ah! The book of Wisdom. Here we read:
"Love justice, you who judge the earth; think of the Lord in goodness, and seek him in integrity of heart; Because he is found by those who test him not, and he manifests himself to those who don't disbelieve him." Wisdom, chapter 1, verses 1 to 2

Let's seek Jesus with a simple heart. That is to say, may we let Jesus find us. He will drive us on his way.

"Putting him to the test" is putting us to the test. Over the years, we have developed practices that are sometimes automated. It will be important to return to Jesus and "pray with the heart" as Our Lady of Peace proposes to us in Medjugorje.
Let's repeat what the Apostles ask of Jesus:
"Increase our faith." Luke, chapter 17, verse 5

Faith increases to the extent that we want to let go of what falsely secures us and that we want to receive from Jesus everything that leads us to him, all that will help us to free ourselves from our bonds and make us free by the Loving Trinity.

May Mary accompany us, who has been freed and protected from all that can keep away from Jesus. May Mary teach us to stay with him.

Book: The heart's mission
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 12, 2021, 02:13:27 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 13, 2021, 04:41:44 AM

325. Mission school

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May we recognize that Jesus is Lord and saves us from evil and sin.
Jesus sends his disciples to learn at the mission school. He sends us there too. He tells us, "Go and learn the meaning of the words, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' I did not come to call the righteous but sinners." Matthew chapter 9, verse 13

It's reassuring. We are all called to him. Here and now, he asks us to be merciful. It's difficult for us to become "righteous", but it's to become righteous that we are called to become. We are sinners and yet we are asked to offer to others what God offers us.

God's justice is what he transmits to us through Love; joy, peace, mercy, hope, etc. Let's offer them too. In this way, we will always be searching, standing, walking.

The school of life and faith in Jesus is just beginning. Let's remain in the mission and stay awake to seek the Doctor. Here we're on the road to follow Jesus and we want to enter salvation, freely.

Book: Watch with faith
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 13, 2021, 01:19:40 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 14, 2021, 05:08:33 AM

326. Listening

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Publicans and sinners came to listen to Jesus. But some of them don't listen anymore:
"The Pharisees and scribes began to complain (against him)." Luke, chapter 15, verse 2

It's very unfortunate that they are bothering him, while Jesus takes care of the people who came to listen to him. Some are listening but others don't. They're wasting a lot of time, and only wanting to trap him.

Jesus tells them how joyful he is of being surrounded by people who want to hear him:
"What woman having ten coins and losing one would not light a lamp and sweep the house, searching carefully until she finds it? And when she does find it, she calls together her friends and neighbours and says to them, 'Rejoice with me because I have found the coin that I lost.'" Luke, chapter 15, verses 8 to 9

Jesus is not compared to a coin. But Jesus shares this scene to offer a teaching to those who don't realize what they are losing, since they don't fully realize what Jesus represents; our ultimate wealth.

Some scribes and pharisees lose a lot, while they search for some defect about Jesus and especially, while they seek default catching. They keep people from following God's mission. They're pushing souls away.

Jesus came to gather sheep, his family, his people and some people put him to the test. How much easier it is to offer our services, to help and encourage those who work for the glory of God and the salvation of the world, in the name of Jesus, rather than thwarting his plan of salvation.

And when we found Jesus as this woman her lost drachma, there we find the way to become free while being responsible. We enter into joy and peace, an intensely greater joy to find Jesus than a lost coin.

Book: Watch with faith
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 14, 2021, 02:22:26 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 15, 2021, 02:38:55 PM

327. Prayer of a multitude

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The reality of life becomes clear when we allow the Trinity to settle in us. We can say that we have prayed for many years and that nothing changes, that we pray during Mass regularly and that nothing changes, that we live our faith to the best of our ability and that nothing changes. Yet there is change, even without our knowledge. There is always change!

We cannot see everything, know everything and yet the life of many is improving because of the prayer of a multitude in heaven and in the world. God offers a unique mission and, let's acknowledge it, extraordinary by its simplicity and humility, by prayer.

What does God do in us? Maybe we don't see and maybe we're not totally unaware of it, but God knows what he's doing with our prayers, our intentions, with faith. We are simply transformed from coming to Mass, listening to the Word and receiving the Eucharist. This is slowly unveiled to us year after year.

God can do wonders before our eyes, in our hearts and in the hearts of others, without our being aware of them. Even though usually we can feel and see some change. Let's restore our trust in God and let him transform his world, his children, and our poor prayers. He is truly accomplishing Love in hearts. Prayer allows him to go from his Heart to our heart to hearts. It's all about opening up to him.

Let's rejoice in the hope and joy of knowing that God's Love reigns in the universe, for the salvation of all.

Book: Watch with faith
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 15, 2021, 02:40:36 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 16, 2021, 05:01:41 AM

328. Talents

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In what follows, let's notice what Jesus said to him who received his five talents. He did not do anything to receive his talents, but with Jesus, they amount to more:

"The one who had received five talents came forward bringing the additional five. He said, 'Master, you gave me five talents. See, I have made five more.' His master said to him, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master's joy." Matthew 25, verses 20 to 21

He was already living in his master's joy. And the Lord confirms to him that joy will remain, since he has submitted to his joy.

Let's ask Jesus again to reveal our talents to us and enter the joy of the Master right away.

Let's pray together that the authority of the members of the Catholic Church is always united to the will of the Trinity. May there be many apostles and disciples in the world who live their relationship with God. May they be luminous witnesses for the salvation of all.

Like Mary and Joseph, let's become more and more saturated people with the Presence of God (mission) for humanity. This saturation is not pressure building on the body, but it's revealed by a spiritual well-being.

Book: Watch with faith
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 17, 2021, 04:56:50 AM

329. Let's stay with Jesus

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Our first pope understands what the scriptures say about Jesus. He is ready to lead the mission. He bears witness to Jesus Christ. After all he has seen, all he has lived, heard, touched of Jesus, Peter is on the road to proclaim the Good News.

Peter became Good News in all his being. He can only want to relay it. He knows to what extent Jesus went to teach us eternal life. He knows how Jesus offered well-being to those seeking the Doctor. He knows why Jesus healed sick people and invited them to stand up and walk. He understands that faith is supported by a sincere relationship with Jesus.

Peter knows why Jesus wanted to gather all the sheep in order to bring them to him, then to the Kingdom of Heaven. He knows why Jesus surrounded himself with sinners to become fishermen of souls.

Peter knows that all of God's Love is contained in Jesus's life and that his Love will not end:
"Everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name." Acts, chapter 10, verse 43

God's Love purifies our being from sins, when we want it, when we don't seek ways to keep Jesus away from us.

Book: Watch with faith
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 17, 2021, 02:19:32 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 18, 2021, 05:35:34 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 18, 2021, 03:04:23 PM

330. To seek Jesus

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"The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord has this been done, and it's wonderful in our eyes." Matthew, chapter 21, verse 42

Peter knows how people tried to reject Jesus. But he knows how much better it is to stay united to him and walk with him.

Paul, for his part, was struck down by the Luminous Presence of the Lord. He tells of what is most incomprehensible. Jesus, the one who was crucified, is risen:
"If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Think of what is above, not of what is on earth." Colossians, chapter 3, verses 1 to 2

Paul invites us to seek Jesus, otherwise we will miss out on what we need, ultimately. He invites us to follow the living saints, who follow the living one, Jesus.

We are resurrected in Christ. He invites us to continue to seek the realities from above, since Christ is seated at the right hand of the Father. The closer we come to the Love of God, the more our point of view changes, reality becomes clear, our being becomes light. We are called to the same glory as the Trinity:
"This is the day the Lord has made; let's rejoice in it and be glad." Psalm 118, verse 24

Hallelujah! Come, let's praise the Lord!

Book: Watch with faith
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 19, 2021, 04:58:18 AM

331. Preparation

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The mission we're in is the preparation for evangelization:
"One of the seraphim flew to me, holding an ember which he had taken with tongs from the altar. He touched my mouth with it. 'See, he said, now that this has touched your lips, your wickedness is removed, your sin purged.'" Isaiah, chapter 6, verses 6 to 7

To become evangelizers, to enter the New Evangelization proposed by pope John Paul II, we must live a personal conversion to receive fully the Love of God, of Christ. We must live a continuous conversion, otherwise we do not experience it and live it.

Isaiah walks in the movement of this conversion. But he must also live the forgiveness of his faults to live well the mission that will be his. A seraph takes care of that: "Your wickedness is removed, your sin purged." This is a major step for faith and for receiving God's mission.

"Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?' 'Here I am,' I said; 'send me!'" Isaiah, chapter 6, verse 8

After experiencing the forgiveness of his sins, Isaiah is ready to listen to God. Let's think about this, it's important. God can offer us his mission, but if we do not live the forgiveness of sin, we aren't ready to be sent.

God sends on a mission the person whose fault is taken away, the sin forgiven. If not, God is waiting and he may wait a long time. The more we are purified in the grace of God, the more we walk in the mission to which God invites us, because we are more open to him. We become responsible for the mission by letting ourselves be Loved by God.

Book: Watch with faith
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 19, 2021, 01:29:30 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 20, 2021, 04:47:23 AM

332. Our personal mission

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Paul invites us to deepen our faith, it's our personal mission:
I remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you indeed received and in which you also stand. Through it you are also being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. 1 Corinthians, chapter 15, verses 1 to 2

Let's receive the Gospel, meditate on it, share it. Many of us share on the Word and faith in small groups. Whenever we pray alone or in groups, the Word enters our life and sows new small shoots of faith and hope. To remain attached to the Word and the Eucharist saves us. To move away from it, takes us away from God.

Jesus teaches his Word:
"While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God, he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret." Luke, chapter 5, verse 1

The crowd stands near Jesus to hear his teaching. When we come together to share the Word, Jesus teaches the group in particular and he also teaches us personally.

Book: Watch with faith
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 20, 2021, 01:21:31 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 21, 2021, 05:07:43 AM

333. In deep water

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Jesus says to Simon (Peter):
"Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch." Luke, chapter 5, verse 4
After teaching, he sends the Apostles fishing.

After we have received the teaching of Jesus, we will also be invited to become teachers (fishermen). We become evangelizers of the Good News that is Jesus. We spread his message.

The mission is to find a way to equip people who can evangelize. Let's just accept the basics of faith, to offer them. We don't have to worry, the Holy Spirit will inspire us to say what is needed to the people around us. But let's remain united to the Church's teaching.

Respect for the person, his situation, a number of factors must be taken into consideration. It's important to teach through charity and above all to be observant of people's needs.

If we set out, if we expose the sails, we will discover all that the Lord has sown in us for a joyful evangelization in and for the world. We receive more in ourselves than we can imagine. We become bearers of the presence of Christ with enhanced flavour, just as salt enhances the taste of food.

Let's learn to keep one foot in the sheepfold and the other in the world, to go to the sheep that are also waiting for the Good News of salvation. Our family and the human family are also the people who are called to holiness, to live through Jesus's presence.

Book: Watch with faith
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 21, 2021, 02:27:59 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 22, 2021, 05:17:47 AM

334. Learn with the Spirit

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Let's be constantly on a mission to learn with the Holy Spirit, with Jesus and his Church, and the Father, and gradually become the evangelizers of the Love of God. All people are waiting on Jesus's teaching, without exception, whether they are aware of it or not.

It is written:
"They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers." Acts, chapter 2, verse 42

Together, in fraternal communion "to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers". In the early days when we were aware that Mass was important, that the teachings of the Church were necessary for our faith and that participating in prayers helped us understand salvation and then live to move toward salvation, we felt the presence of God in us, just like the first christians following the Apostles, have their hearts turned toward Jesus.

Let's ask Jesus to bring us back to the grounding of our first conversion, our first loving experience with God, the spiritual honeymoon we were naturally immersed in. If we have not experienced this first conversion of the heart, let's ask Jesus to take our life in hand and show us how to follow him. Let's be aware of his movements inside us.

Book: Watch with faith
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 22, 2021, 02:15:57 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 23, 2021, 04:16:45 AM

335. Our concern is to teach

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Paul recommends dedication to his beloved son, Titus:
"You must say what is consistent with sound doctrine, namely." Titus, chapter 2, verse 1

Titus also receives some guidance for the homily. Paul says to him:
"Showing yourself as a model of good deeds in every respect, with integrity in your teaching, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be criticized." Titus, chapter 2, verses 7 to 8

Paul teaches (evangelizes) his best in the days that is his. What he proposes are good recommendations for everyone:
"Our saviour Jesus Christ, gave himself for us to deliver us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people as his own, eager to do what is good." Titus, chapter 2, verses 13 to 14

Jesus seeks in each person the one who will transmit his message to the world.
The Church has always had the concern to teach in the midst of customs, cultures, people of her time. Let's adjust to the people of our time. We are with them, now.

With what was raised earlier in the text, we see that there are many beautiful attitudes that we can already include in our lives with healthy, caring gestures and words.

Book: Watch with faith
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 23, 2021, 03:36:41 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 24, 2021, 05:32:25 AM

336. Teaching is necessary

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Jesus is with the Apostles and he wants to find a better place to speak to the crowd gathered around him to listen to his Word. He gets into Simon Peter's boat and asks him to paddle from the shore so that his voice is better heard:
"Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat." Luke, chapter 5, verse 3

Simon's boat represents the craft of the Church. And Jesus wants to teach Simon Peter that teaching is a necessity to make known the will of God. The Church, in foundation, in becoming, will be invested to teach (to evangelize) the Gospel to numerous crowds.

Book: Watch with faith
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 24, 2021, 01:53:46 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 25, 2021, 03:22:48 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 26, 2021, 04:39:04 AM

338. Help people

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Let's focus on this passage:
"Refuse no one the good on which he has a claim when it is in your power to do it for him." Proverbs, chapter 3, verse 27

This sentence is surprising. Often, we think that we should never refuse our help. It's full of common sense. But there are two nuances here.

The first nuance is that we should not refuse our help to someone, "which he has a claim". Who deserves our help? Let's say that each person deserves our help and deserves to find the Lord.

It might be easier to understand it as follows: "Where it is possible for us to help a person and we're able to do so, let's help them, whether they deserve it or not."

The second nuance is wise: "when it is in your power to do it". We're not told to become needy to help or offer what is not ours, such as material, but to know how to recognize our personal resources and help as best we can, at the best of who we are. With discernment, we will know the percentage of what we can offer, if not everything. It is, however, enjoyable to share the graces that God gives us. They are always available, totally.

When we develop the service resources we have in us, we become more willing and effective in our interventions. Acknowledging our strengths and weaknesses is also a blessing within ourselves. Just thinking about it, we start helping ourselves.

We have only few resources. But together, when we form a helping group, we develop the resources and skills to better help others.

In the end, we must help our neighbour. But we must also know our strengths and limitations. Otherwise, we may be hurting more than we're helping. But this should not stop us from trying to help others in the best way we can. May we accept to learn at our own pace and be more precise of what we can offer. We do not all have the same resources, but our resources are used when they are well used and shared.

Book: The Fruit that lasts
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 26, 2021, 01:58:10 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 27, 2021, 02:11:22 PM

339. God's light shines

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Jesus illuminates our lantern:
"No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed; rather, he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light." Luke, chapter 8, verse 16

When we pray and deepen our faith through readings and teachings, the Light of Christ will go through our life to enlighten us.

The following may seem surprising:
"To anyone who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he seems to have will be taken away." Luke, chapter 8, verse 18

Let's put this sentence before the light of God. He who receives Light through his relationship with God will enlighten more, since God will come through him for the good of his people. It becomes like the stained-glass windows of a church, illuminated by the sun. He allows the Light of the Trinity to pass through him.

But the person who's not walking or even slowing down and moving away from the Light of God, he even loses the glimmer of what he thinks to hold back for himself.

Let's let God's Light shine in us so that receiving the best from him becomes light for our contemporaries. Let's find ways to keep up with Jesus. It will be a wise step into the Light, as the rays of the sun pass through the clouds.

Book: The Fruit that lasts
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 27, 2021, 02:12:28 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 28, 2021, 05:10:00 AM

340. Humility

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Paul tells us:
"Nor, indeed, did we ever appear with flattering speech, as you know, or with a pretext for greed - God is witness - nor did we seek praise from human beings, either from you or from others." 1 Thessalonians, chapter 2, verses 5 to 6
We are christians, we never need to look for honours. This is interesting to find out if we are walking in the Lord's will. These are christian values to place in our suitcase, for the road.

It's too easy to take ourselves for someone else and not be ourselves. It's easy to get into characters that are successful, that we see on TV or that we hear singing, and stop being ourselves. But the way of another person will never be our own personal way. We will never walk in his shoes.

We must not seek to build our personal kingdom, it would be wrong. We already have everything in the Kingdom of God:
"Happy those who (...) who enjoys the law of the Lord is their joy; God's law they study day and night. They are like a tree planted near streams of water, that yields its fruit in season." Psalm 1, verses 1 to 3

To reach wisdom that comes from God, may we let God be God in our life. Better still, may we don't rely on our own strength and let the wisdom of God pass through.

For that, let's become very good friends of God. May we recognize the difference between our thinking and that of Jesus. Let's become more and more filled with his presence. May we know when it is us or Jesus speaking through us.

By the way, we know when we're talking or the person next door is talking. It should be the same for Jesus who goes through our words. We know when our thoughts come from Jesus or from us. There's a difference.

Book: The Fruit that lasts
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 28, 2021, 02:40:52 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 29, 2021, 04:35:26 AM

341. Peter's humility

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Our first Pope is full of humility:
"When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and, falling at his feet, paid him homage. Peter, however, raised him up, saying, 'Get up. I myself am also a human being.'" Acts, chapter 10, verses 25 to 26

Even if Peter is the Pope whom Jesus has chosen, he knows his rightful place. Already in the Church that is beginning to form, Peter is aware that Jesus continues to be Lord and God. It's amazing!

Peter knew Jesus and lived with him. He was appointed by him the head of the Church. He's also responsible for the Apostles. He would have all the reasons to "brag about", to become proud and to become someone else.

For every missionary, Peter has just realized an important teaching with a testimony worthy of a Pope. He sees Cornelius coming and throwing himself at his feet. He could say, "You're a good disciple," or "get up now and let's have a drink".

But by his words, Peter presents himself in a different way. He said to Cornelius, "Get up. I myself am also a human being."

What a beautiful grace of humility! May we ask this grace to Jesus. By his gesture and words, he helps Cornelius to understand that Jesus is Lord. Peter recognizes himself as a simple man and therefore gives full opening to Jesus. He evangelizes.

Peter cannot do anything by himself and he knows it. He's on a mission, but not for himself. He's a missionary for Jesus, for the announcement of the Good News.

Book: The Fruit that lasts
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 29, 2021, 01:30:18 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 30, 2021, 04:46:29 AM

342. We're improving

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The couple's challenge is that each person has his own rhythm and definition of love. The ideal is that each person of the couple improves in the faith. Jesus will ignite Love as it should be. It takes time for someone to realize it, but the experience will be beneficial.

Moreover, every teaching of faith is for each person in the couple, for each spouse. Marriage will be joyful and holy to the extent that each person advances in faith and improves by contact with Jesus.

Each person is responsible for improving his relationship with God, who will, in turn, give graces, a hundredfold, to the spouses. The opening of each one in the couple allows the grace of God to pass into them. This is the only way of a true journey between spouses.

If each person tries to love the other, it's lost. But if each person connects to God and asks Jesus to go through his heart to love, then there's joy that progresses every day, even without their knowledge. Each person in the relationship will have a good reason to give more to each other. Jesus transforms the relationship between them.

It's the same basis for every personal relationship to Jesus:
"As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love." John, chapter 15, verse 9

God Loves us. Let's stay in his Love. God Loves us first, we only need to welcome and accept his Love. It sounds demanding, maybe. But there's nothing simpler to achieve than to remain in God's Love. Let's love. It is demanding to stay away.

Abiding in the Love of God allows us to discover and gradually recognize the reason we live, the reason we are created. Sticking to God's Love makes us more and more like him.

We have not acquired anything by ourselves. We're not perfect, but we gradually become "love" thanks to God's "Love". When we accept to approach Jesus, we accept to let ourselves be more Loved by him. It takes us away from evil, fear, anxiety and purifies us, meeting after meeting, with him.

Book: The Fruit that lasts
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 30, 2021, 02:58:06 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 31, 2021, 05:28:33 AM

343. Only men

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To know ourselves to be Loved by God and to let him Love others through us is a miracle in itself. We allow Love to touch people. We understand more and more the will of the Trinity.

A man listens to Paul's words:
"He listened to Paul speaking, who looked intently at him, saw that he had the faith to be healed, and called out in a loud voice, 'Stand up straight on your feet.' He jumped up and began to walk about." Acts, chapter 14, verses 9 to 10

In a leap, the man walks! What faith does Paul demonstrate in his Lord and how much he listens to the man's faith that he's brought back on his feet! What seems extinguished in this man was waiting only for a thoughtful look from the Apostle, in the name of Jesus, to set his faith on fire and "give him back his legs" to walk.

Paul discovers gifts he didn't know, perhaps. Paul gives what he receives, the gift of healing, but even more, he receives the gift of perceiving faith in people. Paul saw that this man had faith in the words he said, received from Jesus.

The crowd is amazed by what Paul realizes before their eyes:
"When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they cried out in Lycaonian, 'The gods have come down to us in human form.'" Acts, chapter 14, verse 11

We can imagine that Paul didn't expect what has just been proclaimed. The danger against faith is to believe that there are gods, idols, even humans who think they take the place of God or give to humans God's place.

This is perhaps the most corrosive tendency that exists against faith, that is, placing our faith in anyone or anything but Jesus. And even worse, thinking about taking ourselves or giving them God's place.

Paul declares his faith by his enlightened reason of the divine Light. He defends himself vividly, immediately, to be a "god" at the whim, to the fantasy of humans. He seems aghast, demolished and he tells them:
"Men, why are you doing this? We are of the same nature as you, human beings." Acts, chapter 14, verse 15

Paul is a man like all men. No better, no worse. He did not heal anyone. The good news that Paul conveys is that the human is transformed by faith in Jesus Christ. It's Christ who heals this man. Jesus heals. Paul believes it for saying these words.

Let's look deeper into our hearts and we will understand that only Jesus is God. This is not a healing operated by Paul:
"We proclaim to you good news that you should turn from these idols to the living God, 'who made heaven and earth and sea and all that is in them.'" Acts, chapter 14, verse 15

With these words, many converted.

As for Paul, Jesus sends us the Holy Spirit so that we can live with contagious faith. Jesus sends us help, support:
"The Advocate, the holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name - he will teach you everything and remind you of all that (I) told you." John, chapter 14, verse 26

Jesus announces that there will be people like Paul to intercede with others:
"Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him." John, chapter 14, verse 23

Jesus dwells in Paul to proclaim the truth and the Word with tenacious faith, but with human words. Paul conveys the truth and the Word of Jesus and it is Jesus who heals.

Of all that Jesus teaches it invites us to welcome him, then to understand and live it. Paul understood it very well. We also know holy people now who work according to the will of God.

Let's ask Jesus to adjust our faith to our reason and our reason to our faith, so that we may be more and more in the image of our Saviour and Lord, in the midst of the world into which he sends us.

Book: The Fruit that lasts
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 31, 2021, 01:40:17 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 01, 2021, 05:24:01 AM

344. Peace to the people

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Jesus says to the Apostles:
"Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I say to you, many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it." Luke, chapter 10, verses 23 to 24

We're sent to our contemporaries, not to say the same words as them just to make them comfortable, but by speaking a different language. If it's possible for us to get used to their language, it's also possible for them to get used to the language of faith and reason.

We can see Jesus in our hearts and receive our mission from him. Let's ask him to help us prepare ourselves and to illuminate the mission, so that we may walk and evangelize with his words.

Let's pray that our moods and attitudes become holier, so that we may remain peaceful people for ourselves and for those we meet.

Book: The Fruit that lasts
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 01, 2021, 03:17:27 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 02, 2021, 01:47:55 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 03, 2021, 04:41:27 AM

346. Evangelization doesn't tire

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Isaiah thought to himself:
"I thought I had toiled in vain, and for nothing, uselessly, spent my strength." Isaiah, chapter 49, verse 4a

It would not be surprising that many faith people have this thought someday during their life: "I uselessly spent my strength."

Of course, sometimes we're exhausted, sometimes we feel like going in circles. And even sometimes we run everywhere, in all directions, and we lose time. These are opportunities to learn how to properly manage our efforts and the time we're allowed.

It's important to ask whether Jesus was evangelizing with us, or whether we were all alone. Were we thinking of getting everyone to convert to Jesus, for example, but trying too hard to convert and not enough to unite ourselves to Christ who is the only one who can convert people? Have we placed our trust in Jesus or tried to do his work?

God thinks differently. Isaiah reflects on what God says to him:
"You are my servant, he said to me, Israel, through whom I show my glory." Isaiah, chapter 49, verse 3

It's very sweet to the ears: "through whom I show my glory". God passes in us.
It would be important to give ourselves time to meditate and return to the importance of Jesus in our lives, so that Jesus has plenty of room to touch the hearts of those around us. Only Jesus converts.

Book: The Fruit that lasts
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 03, 2021, 01:25:18 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 04, 2021, 05:15:23 AM

347. Free for Jesus

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Paul seems to be proposing a wise phrase to free us from tension and its consequences and keep us in peace as much as possible. By not having too many worries, we will also be freer to walk and follow Jesus:
"The world in its present form is passing away." 1 Corinthians, chapter 7, verse 31

Time passes, our existence on earth passes. All we currently have is going to stay here. May nothing hold us back, may nothing disturb us.

Sometimes we create our difficulties searching for what we cannot get. But, let's trust in Jesus. All the relationships we have built with people will remain. The love shared and received remains. Let's be happy as we are, with the Trinity. To be happy in God keeps us in reality.

We may have been hurt during our existence, but our existence is not an injury, it's a person. A person Loved by God. A person who, in the present, adjusts to the will and joy of God. Evil and suffering last only in time, our life in God is eternal.

Book: The Fruit that lasts
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 04, 2021, 01:27:19 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 05, 2021, 05:21:19 AM

348. Return to Jesus

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We have a good example when Jesus says, "woe to you". He doesn't make a judgment saying that the person will be unhappy, he rather reveals truth. He knows what remoteness from the Love of God produces:
But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. But woe to you who are filled now, for you will be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will grieve and weep. Luc, chapter 6, verses 24 to 25

He observes that the person who moves away from the good, the beautiful, the true, the Love of God, becomes unhappy. He becomes unhappy in evil. He's unhappy and he loses his joy. He becomes unhappy, scared. Finally, fear takes over. This fear isn't of God, but the result of a distance from him.

Let's always receive God's joy, let's return to Jesus, in order to remain happy, in spite of the pains and the temporary difficulties of existence.

Book: The Fruit that lasts
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 05, 2021, 12:23:07 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 06, 2021, 04:54:59 AM
349. Let's go !

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Jesus invites the disciples:
"Let us cross to the other side." Mark, Chapter 4, verse 35

The Apostles are on a boat and Jesus offers them to continue rowing, not to look back. This is normal, since Jesus wants to evangelize new people who will be on the other side, people whom the Apostles probably don't know.

He invites them to row once more to join the people. And he will invite them down from their boat to walk in the crowd. It's as if he's telling the Church right now, to us, to dare to go to others, to welcome them and to talk to them about values until we are comfortable talking about the faith. Let's descend from our established security and move together, in a common project of faith, to people thirsty for God's Love.

The security we have will be transformed into new means and they will help us to remain confident while we learn to evangelize. The experience gained will help to organize the foundation of the testimony we'll bring to the people.

We cannot talk about faith all of a sudden to a person we don't know, but we can listen and detect in him where he is at in faith. We can go one step further with each person we meet. A little word there, a little phrase here of peace and joy. We can help a person to improve their faith little by little.

It would be interesting, when we go to our home church and when we meet other people from our parish, to ask, "How is your faith doing?" This could involve in sharing the discoveries and learning of the faith. It would help us to get used to talking about it to each other.

Even without questioning, for people who are not in church, it would help us to dare to discover more where their faith is at, just listening to them. We can pray Jesus to join them where there is a fault, the one that prevents them from converting to Jesus. Jesus knows where the fault is. May he take care of it.

Also, we can discover in a person in church or not, that his greatest quality of faith is in his joy, the love he has for others, how he receives them. We can tell him that what he does touches us. He would discover that he has talents from God.

By recognizing and encouraging an aspect of faith in people who are far from church, we allow them to discover that they have qualities. This will bring them to be more aware.

This will replace the traditional: "I like your hair, I like your dress, or your coat and your shoes". We can change this simple habit and talk about the values we discover. By "crossing to the other bank", let's let people know that we are aware of their personal values. This will create an evolution in our parish and it will spread in neighboring parishes.

Then, when we feel the storm, the fear of speaking, we can ask Jesus to lower the wind that rattles us. Jesus will be happy to say:
"Quiet! Be still!" Mark, chapter 4, verse 39

Relax, come back to what's simple. And the wind of our bad habits will calm down. The wind of the Holy Spirit will be revealed in silence and this will allow us to reach people in a renewed way.

May the Spirit renew us in Jesus under the Father's lovingness and we'll do a lot of good to people.

Book: Up! Let's go!
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 06, 2021, 04:21:03 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 07, 2021, 04:28:46 AM

350. Values

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Nothing is simpler than what Jesus tells us:
"Of all the nations make disciples, baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." Matthew, chapter 28, verse 19

"Make disciples". It's easy to invite someone to have a drink with us. We can also simply invite people, friends who trust in us to convert and become believers in Jesus Christ. Jesus only asks us that. The attention, the gestures and the words, the listening and the living of faith with the people, it's the mission that Jesus proposes to us.

What is more difficult is to convert ourselves and find ways for people to gradually adhere to Jesus. Today is no different than when Jesus passed on the mission to the Apostles. The world we're in is not very different. People always have the same thirst, the same desire to find meaning in their lives, to discover true Love.

Love, values and the meaning of life are in God and nowhere else.

Book: Up! Let's go!
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 07, 2021, 01:27:55 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 08, 2021, 03:18:38 AM

351. God-like

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John tells us:
"Beloved, we are God's children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed. We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is." 1 John, chapter 3, verse 2

We are children of God. Our parents offered us the grace of Baptism and we became children of God.

We grow in faith every day. We come to Mass, we listen to the Word and we live the Eucharist. We are privileged: "We are God's children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed". We know at least that by abiding in God we will freely enter, through the resurrection of the Son, into his Kingdom.

We're always between two realities; God's children and at the same time, we are not yet complete in the faith. Faith allows us to hope in God and to feel his Love in our hearts, but it's not complete for us simply because we're not fully restored. We hope, however, to experience the fullness of Love in God.

We want to be totally transformed into God. Some people are quickly transformed and others are transformed gradually, according to the rhythm of each person. We are never stationary when we walk with others in the Church.
Sometimes people are already saints, but it's because they dare a conversion of each day strongly supported on the graces received at their baptism.

The more we find ways to walk with Jesus, the more our lives are transformed, often without our knowledge. We have everything in us to become saints. We have everything in ourselves to follow Jesus indefinitely. The more we are with him, the more we are connected to the essence of existence.

Book: Up! Let's go!
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 08, 2021, 03:00:01 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 09, 2021, 05:04:31 AM
352. Jesus is real food

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Jesus confirms to us that he is God:

"I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." John, chapter 10, verse 11

Jesus is the true Shepherd. We have no other shepherd than Jesus. Yes, there are people in the Church who help as shepherds, who help in conversion and keep the flock together to lead it to fresh pastures.

But Jesus alone gives real food. Jesus is also the only one who gave his life for us, who saves us and guarantees eternal life.

Book: Up! Let's go!

Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 09, 2021, 02:15:08 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 10, 2021, 05:29:12 AM

353. To be released

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Jesus says that we are not the only ones to be saved:
"I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd." John, chapter 10, verse 16

People follow Jesus without knowing it and Jesus welcomes them as they are. As christians, we're invited to seek, with Jesus, the people who don't seem from his enclosure, to encourage them to follow and talk to them about his Love.

Too many people today live in fear and rejection, violence in many forms. Let's pray for these people to be released from the tormentors of violence, scorn, hatred.

Let's pray also for the violent and unhappy people to become converted and models of faith, love and peace. May their hearts be healed from the injustices they also experienced in their childhood.

Let's continue to evangelize them with values, joy, hope, peace. Because these values are worth more than gold. The presence of Jesus in a life is worth more than anything.

Happy are we to know that Jesus is in our life! Let's pray for Jesus' presence to spread in the world. Joy will grow in us each time we present to the Trinity a person interested in adhering to his Love.

Book: Up! Let's go!
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 10, 2021, 01:49:57 PM
(https://assistant.gloria.tv/FxK6pqhk7ZiS1AZwTDoBU6KMY/jft0qr3coypbacx0igttiyhn5vk2a8ds6baf1tg.webp?format=webp)
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 11, 2021, 04:57:00 AM

354. Hopefully

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Paul speaks of Abraham's faith:
"He believed, hoping against hope, that he would become 'the father of many nations,' according to what was said, 'Thus shall your descendants be.'" Romans, chapter 4, verse 18

We know about the mission of Abraham and the promise of God to give him many descendants. Now let's imagine that we're evangelizing and that many people are converting to Jesus Christ. We too will have many descendants.

For this, we must carry on, let ourselves be lifted up by the Spirit and set to work. We must accept to evangelize if we want God to give us strength. It's when we are in motion that we receive God's graces. Otherwise we'll not discover the missionary grace that God offers us.

We may have the grace to pray. The grace of the missionary is also to be discovered, to remove the cover of what closes and freezes us to receive all the graces of evangelization.

"Hoping against all hope," Abraham believed. Let's imagine if we believe it too, the spiritual descendants we'll have, and the grace we'll live every day! We too can, we too must hope.

Book: Up! Let's go!
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 11, 2021, 01:49:31 PM
(https://assistant.gloria.tv/FxK6pqhk7ZiS1AZwTDoBU6KMY/hsmshprimpnawll66qwtrxayiptqgwnv6k98c6a.webp?format=webp)
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: christulsa on June 11, 2021, 10:52:47 PM
https://youtu.be/SFnr6IFa074

Nice altar.  Do you offer the Traditional Mass, Father?
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 12, 2021, 05:12:33 AM
Sorry,
for me I'm offering the Eucharist,
and I grew up in the Catholic Church.
For me there is no Traditional or Vatican II,
there's Mass.

So, may each person feel good in the church they are.
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 12, 2021, 05:15:19 AM

355. A happy exchange

(https://assistant.gloria.tv/FxK6pqhk7ZiS1AZwTDoBU6KMY/97fqnjueaqy1zg7l1tphv501ndocvrqouohyfby.webp?scale=256&format=webp)

Jesus reminds us of what the grace of evangelization confers on us:
"Everyone who acknowledges me before others the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God." Luke, chapter 12, verse 8

We will enter into a happy exchange, between us and the Trinity, then between us and the people on the road.

We invite our families and friends to come for coffee, a meal, shop, play, practice recreation and sports, we can also invite people to a mass, to a teaching of faith, to an evening of prayer.

Book: Up! Let's go!
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: christulsa on June 12, 2021, 08:32:42 AM
Quote from: Normandt on June 12, 2021, 05:12:33 AM
Sorry,
for me I'm offering the Eucharist,
and I grew up in the Catholic Church.
For me there is no Traditional or Vatican II,
there's Mass.

So, may each person feel good in the church they are.

A good read by Cardinal Ottaviani, Father:

https://sspx.org/en/ottaviani-intervention
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 12, 2021, 09:25:52 AM
(https://assistant.gloria.tv/FxK6pqhk7ZiS1AZwTDoBU6KMY/pglmv4dyf1mbqiu5lqvcxu2if1qzfbnupq60w3m.webp?format=webp)
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 13, 2021, 04:54:58 AM

356. Let's sow peace

(https://assistant.gloria.tv/FxK6pqhk7ZiS1AZwTDoBU6KMY/uqny1ve9rv05qjdd1jdp9rrusqrinrgc223p8gb.webp?scale=256)

Jesus said to the disciples and Apostles:
"As you enter a house, wish it peace. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; if not, let your peace return to you." Matthew, chapter 10, verses 12 to 13

This affirmation of Jesus, "Let your peace return to you," is twice comforting and once disappointing.

It's twice comforting because it guarantees us that the peace we offer will bring Jesus's peace to the person who receives it. It's nice to know that when we do good, it transforms people. This brings us joy and that's the second comforting.
Peace, joy, hope, love and the other goods that God offers are free and they are to share with great deployment. The world is improving day by day with those graces received from God.

What is disappointing is that it's possible that people do not want it. Hard to believe that a person would refuse God's graces. But that seems possible. We will find it painful for this person.

The grace of God will not be lost since it's already there. If what we offer comes from God and not from us, and if the person refuses the graces, we're sure not to lose peace. It's a sign that we're working with Jesus and not for our own sake to add a number of conversions to our acquisition rather than giving to the person their freedom and responsibility to choose. God leaves him his freedom and his responsibility, we must also leave it to him.

Let's pray for him and give him to Jesus. Let's continue the road with the Trinity in search of interested souls who ask for a little push, a small encouragement of sweetness and accompaniment.

Book: Up! Let's go!
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 14, 2021, 05:11:08 AM

357. Implementation of the mission

(https://assistant.gloria.tv/FxK6pqhk7ZiS1AZwTDoBU6KMY/16kfjwryyergdwq1orwjufs6l44vbeovwnrqk9p.webp?scale=256&format=webp)

The saints sometimes had to leave a lot, they had to deprive themselves of the "well-being" that they had acquired and they started following Jesus. They agree to let their person be formed, to change their rules of conduct. They let themselves be led by Jesus. They remain the same, but they improve inside, when they accept the Lord's presence. From the outside, we will be able to perceive the light of God, especially in their eyes.

Some will say that they let themselves be led by the ear. With God, this is never the case. When the saints follow Love, it's easy to be attracted and to adhere freely. They follow the Shepherd to the enclosure of peace. Paul states:
"I, then, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace". Ephesians, chapter 4, verses 1 to 3

Let's place our interests in something lasting, in the Heart of Jesus. Let's set ourselves the task of bringing our interest received from the Lord to as many people as possible, so that our heavenly bank-building spiritual capital increases.

The more we find people who walk and pray with us, the more we'll increase our chances of remaining firmly anchored in Christ. Let's evangelize to receive from God and receive from others and evangelize ... again.

The evangelists realized their evangelization by writing, painters by painting. And us? What will be the defect that we can transform or the quality, by the grace of God, which will be used as a springboard of holiness for us and for our neighbor?

May we offer our failings to Jesus and he will come and have a meal with us. He will then entrust us with the grace to watch over his flock.

Book: Up! Let's go!
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 14, 2021, 05:12:22 AM
(https://assistant.gloria.tv/FxK6pqhk7ZiS1AZwTDoBU6KMY/do4wmuk7rr7d4lnesmz5w4281mtsoijyipg0mp7.webp?format=webp)
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 15, 2021, 04:53:58 AM

358. The best possible intentions

(https://assistant.gloria.tv/FxK6pqhk7ZiS1AZwTDoBU6KMY/u1qw5cp12k6v7zru9joiz7rbgg7w4zgnvsjpp41.webp?scale=256)

The first condition for the evangelizer, after a sincere encounter with Christ, is to put one step in front of the other and to go forward, to place one word after the other, in the best possible intentions, and to share them is to use one's arms and legs, one's heart to reach and embrace the hearts of others.

The idea here is crystal clear. This sentence of Paul is a reminder of his meeting with the Lord and the precise moment when he decided to train for the mission and to evangelize: "The Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the proclamation might be completed and all the Gentiles might hear it".

We're invited to the same evangelization as Paul, by who we are and where we are. It takes "me", "us", with the evangelizers, with Jesus.

The Holy Spirit promises to help us, after our agreement and the decision to walk, to offer us his strength to proclaim the Gospel everywhere and "all the Gentiles might hear it". It's major. The decision to evangelize allows God's action to unfold within us and to assist us. We will observe and feel the difference.

The decision to evangelize will prepare us to receive what we need for the journey of evangelization. Let's be evangelized by God, then let him evangelize from our heart.

Let's feel what is said here:
"Lord, I am your servant, the child of your maidservant; you have loosed my bonds. I will offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people, in the courts of the house of the Lord, in your midst, O Jerusalem. Hallelujah!" Psalm 116, verses 16 to 19

In the church and in the world, I will give thanks to the Lord by telling his wonders. Let's become servants of the Word of God and let's go, and evangelize!

Book: Up! Let's go!
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 15, 2021, 04:56:46 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 16, 2021, 05:06:27 AM

359. As sweet as lambs

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The setting in motion to evangelize will become strength and salvation of God, with God.

Jesus tells us to pray:
"The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest." Luke, chapter 10, verse 2

The two quotes are one. Let's pray to the Trinity and act. Since the following sentence is:
"Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves." Luke, chapter 10, verse 3

We seem to have nothing at first, but we have the Lord; we have everything. Let's not be afraid to challenge gently, with respect and charity and many wolves will become as sweet as lambs again.

Book: Up! Let's go!
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 16, 2021, 05:08:21 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 17, 2021, 04:57:56 AM

360. The effects of grace

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Paul informs us:
"Working together, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain." 2 Corinthians, chapter 6, verse 1

It's never a waste of time to spend time with God, especially if we know how to discover Jesus and recognize the manifestations of God's Love in the hearts of others. The grace of God is found in a contact with other people.

The most beautiful mission is the works with God. We sometimes think that spending time with God keeps us away from precious time with our family. But, we can easily unite both. This will improve the lives of everyone in the family without adding pressure. It's possible to always live with God, whatever we do. Our journey will be filled with wisdom and meaning.

Every moment of our life can be transformed into thanksgiving when God is present in our activities, as in restful moments. Our entire life can bear witness to the presence of God.

Book: Up! Let's go!
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 17, 2021, 04:59:47 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 18, 2021, 05:31:16 AM

361. Naturally

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A testimony isn't only when we tell about our conversion, but also when we live naturally with Jesus. This is what Jesus proposes in his speech on the mountain:
"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil.'" Matthew, chapter 5, verses 38 to 39

Often, our attitude testifies to the presence of Christ in us. We try our best not to react to hatred by hate, evil by evil. By not responding to evil with evil, we will help people to walk in faith.

May the Lord, through his Word, continue to be, with our agreement, the light that guides our steps and illuminates the road.

Book: Up! Let's go!
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 18, 2021, 05:32:39 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 19, 2021, 04:47:38 AM

362. The different intersections

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Paul is familiar with us, he is also a brother in faith with Titus, so much so that he confides freely, simply. He tells him and to us too:
"He [God] revealed his word in the proclamation with which I was entrusted by the command of God our saviour." Titus, chapter 1, verse 3

Paul mentions to Titus the proclamation of the Gospel entrusted to him. The mission, lived faith, begins with the meditation of the Word and then with the Eucharist. The mission is transformed into evangelization by shared faith, by the invitation to share at the crossroad.

The crossroad is the place of the encounter of faith with another believer or not. This crossroad encounter of faith is where we meet a person and we share faith spontaneously, without waiting in return. We sow. Then we leave it up to the Lord to continue to increase faith in the person we met.

This doesn't necessarily mean the crossroad on street corners, though the idea is good, but also the crossroad of our families, our friends, at the crossroad with people in class, at work or in leisure time, in other parts of the city, everywhere and for all.

Book: Here, where we are
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 20, 2021, 04:34:39 AM

363. Let's listen with charity

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When we walk, we notice that there's always somewhere, often when we don't expect it, a person who challenges us with a disconcerting question. Our first reaction would be to turn our defences on.

If these are people we meet again and, for the moment, we have no answer to their question, we can say, "I hear your question and will come back to you about it later." It can take a week, a month, six months, but when we have the answer of a competent person, we can come back with an answer.

For example, someone tells us, "Why go to church?" Instead of highlighting defensive responses, let's take time to think about it, find an answer, and then come back with the person. His question, he will have it again. The listening and the welcome that we realize is a mission. The answer we give, if it's appropriate and can allow the person to walk, is evangelization.

May Jesus increase in us the faith to the point of becoming like trees letting themselves be rocked by the wind and let go their fruits. Let's offer the fruits of faith at the crossroad of those who gather them.

Book: Here, where we are
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 20, 2021, 04:37:13 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 22, 2021, 06:05:45 AM
365. It could look like this

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Jesus seems to be more severe than Paul, when he speaks to some people:
"Woe to you, scribes and pharisees, you hypocrites. You lock the kingdom of heaven before human beings." Matthew, chapter 23, verse 13

Jesus doesn't say, "I will make you unhappy," but if we follow his reasoning well, it could look like this: "You will become unhappy, since you do not open your heart to the presence of God and for that reason you don't allow others to go through the door of the Kingdom of Heaven. You don't offer them an opening.

You do not allow them to feed themselves. They are waiting at the door and you're not talking about Jesus, the Love of God, the importance of being united to the Trinity."

Let's continue to let Jesus enter our hearts so that he can touch the hearts of others. May Jesus pass totally into our lives, then into the heart of who seeks him.

Book: Here, where we are
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 22, 2021, 06:06:21 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 23, 2021, 06:04:44 AM

366. My beloved

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My dear child, this is how Paul calls his disciple Timothy:
"My dear child." 2 Timothy, chapter 1, verse 2a

Paul wishes him all the best:
"To Timothy, my dear child: grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord." 2 Timothy, chapter 1, verse 2
Isn't this what the Holy Spirit tells us?

In families, there are often these tender words between a parent and his child and between a child and his parents. It's also true between friends. The words that come from the heart are a retransmission of the good received from God.

As for Timothy, after a disciple has well learned and is supported in the knowledge of the realities of heaven and lives a personal relationship with Jesus, he is sent, he becomes an evangelizer:
"Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves. Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way." Luke, chapter 10, verses 3 to 4
"Lambs among wolves" means that we mu
st be well prepared to become true missionaries. Lambs yes, but lambs that already have some experience.

Jesus does not send anybody. They are people who are already following him, studying what he teaches, people who are aware of the reality of others living in their environment. They are people who are walking the mission long enough that they develop the desire to evangelize.

May the Lord prepare us to join the people in respect and charity, outside the walls of our church and, of course, in the parish churches.

Book: Here, where we are
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 23, 2021, 06:05:59 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 24, 2021, 06:02:09 AM

367. Sheep < Jesus > wolves

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Jesus said to those who want to evangelize: "Behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves."

As a first impression, it doesn't seem very comforting. Why would Jesus send us among the wolves, like sheep who have no defences? Yet the image is very strong.

We must then discern of what sheep are unable to do. When sheep are in the pen, everything is fine, but a rancher would not send his animals among the wolves.

Jesus warns us and invites us to prudence and discernment. It's as if he tells us to take some time, reflect, get used to observing the world we are in for to react and respond well to people who are on the same road as us.

But beyond all the precautions that we can give ourselves to properly embark on a mission, it's vital that Jesus be first in front of us. Jesus must be the centre, the summit, and the foundation of all that we are called to do in the world.

Jesus must be in the centre, between us and the wolf. Us (sheep) < Jesus > wolf.

Jesus is our protection if we pray, if we evangelize with him, if we leave him room to touch hearts. Every mission begins with Jesus, is realized and continues with Jesus.

All that we can learn from Jesus and all the means that Jesus offers us are major for a mission worthy of a child of God, of a disciple who is like a sheep sent among today's wolves. Let's trust in Jesus and dare to take the path with him for the glory of God and the salvation of the world.

However, if we move away from Jesus, we give a hold to the wolves of this world; drugs, divination, possessions, etc. Moreover, all that we try to regulate, to possess, to manipulate, to destroy by ourselves, are the wolves who watch for us as soon as we leave the enclosure of the one who watches over us.

And even worse, we'll go and say that it's Jesus's fault that he isn't with us. As soon as this thought arises in us, let's take it as an important signal. It's time to turn away from evil and come back to Jesus. Let's get back quickly and let's love again. May we let go of all that holds us back and all we want to do without him. Let's let Jesus defend us. He is the only one who can protect and save us.

Book: Here, where we are
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 24, 2021, 06:03:49 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 25, 2021, 06:05:02 AM

368. Remoteness

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Sometimes we move, we go elsewhere. Let's continue to follow Jesus and feel t(//)he need to join some new people, humbly. This is an opportunity to evangelize a new territory.

Let's be more motivated to proclaim that Jesus is Lord:
The news about them reached the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas (to go) to Antioch. When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced and encouraged them all to remain faithful to the Lord in firmness of heart, for he was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith. And a large number of people was added to the Lord. Acts, chapter 11, verses 22 to 24

Jesus reminds us to attach ourselves to him:
"My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me." John, chapter 10, verse 27

Jesus's sheep follow him. Where we have both feet, we can follow Jesus. It's simple. The sheep who listen to Jesus's voice becomes people who transmit their voice, so that the world may know and be guided by it. It's the greatest of missions, to receive the voice of Jesus and to proclaim it. May we follow Jesus's way and send faith waves out. To know the truth of Jesus and to help others discover it.

Another reason for receiving the voice of Jesus is that it transforms us from within. Jesus's voice whom we welcome gives us peace and joy. His voice supports us in the most difficult moments of existence.

When we welcome Jesus's voice, he unites us to him. And as Barnabas rejoiced over the members of the community, Jesus rejoices with us, since he recognizes his presence in us.

Mary is the best person who received Jesus in her, Word, flesh and royalty of Jesus. Let's carry Jesus in us and share his joy.

Book: Here, where we are
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 25, 2021, 06:06:26 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 26, 2021, 05:11:32 AM

369. Let's love the Word

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If there's a time in the history of the Church where evangelization is the most difficult and that the challenge is great, it's when Paul and the Apostles begin to evangelize. They are determined to transmit the Good News.

In the book of Acts, they feel the joy of small daily achievements:
"The word of God continued to spread and grow." Acts, chapter 12, verse 24
And:
"There were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers." Acts, chapter 13, verse 1

Two important points. When the Word of God is transmitted, it fecundates the hearts and multiplies vocations and members in the Church.

Then, what is prerequisite for the Word to be shared, people need to teach it. Today, too, it's important that people share the word and invite others to share it. The more the Word of God is known and Loved, the more it will connect from heart to heart.

Book: Here, where we are
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 26, 2021, 05:12:20 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 27, 2021, 04:53:39 AM

370. Jesus saves

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Jesus tells us:
"If anyone hears my words and does not observe them, I do not condemn him, for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world." John, chapter 12, verse 47

It may be that a person does not adhere to the Word of Jesus. This is a pity, since the Word of Jesus is Spirit and Life. Jesus makes it clear that he did not come to judge people, but to save them.

It means that each person has to decide himself to follow Jesus or not.
Jesus does not condemn, he does not judge, it's the person who will judge of his response to God. But it's nevertheless strange that a person, knowingly, would refuse God's Love.

We are invited to pray for all people in the world who do not yet know the Lord.

Book: Here, where we are
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 27, 2021, 04:54:23 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 28, 2021, 06:06:56 AM

371. Over the right side

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The Apostles are on a mission. They become even dizzying for Temple officials:
"They were disturbed that they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead." Acts, chapter 4, verse 2

The Apostles understood very well what Jesus asked of them. Go everywhere and announce the Good News.

Moreover, Temple officials did not like the healings that were happening. They feared that this Good News might be the cause of the increase in the Christian population.

They try to prevent the spread of Christians as one would try to prevent Love from reaching the heart. But it's impossible. They question Peter and John:
"They bring them into their presence and question them, "By what power or by what name have you done this?" Acts, chapter 4, verse 7

Peter answers:
"In the name of Jesus." Acts, chapter 4, verse 10

Once again, these questions offer enlightening answers. Jesus is dead, but he is very alive. It's normal for him to be in the heart and in the faith of the Apostles.
The Apostles may think at this moment of this spoken Word by Jesus:
"'Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something.' So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the number of fish." John, chapter 21, verse 6

Continuing to evangelize and heal hearts in the name of Jesus is the way to bring Christians together and increase their number.

Jesus invites us to the same mission. We are filled with the presence of God and Jesus encourages us to spread his good news.

Book: Here, where we are
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 28, 2021, 06:10:49 AM

372. In the world and in the Church

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We are really in two different worlds. On one hand, there's the social world by which we share our everyday reality. And on the other side, there's the world of faith in Jesus Christ. It shakes and adjusts everything we say and do.

We struggle to create a balance between these two worlds. But it's necessary to adjust to what is natural to the human being and to the reality of eternal life, in the Trinity.

Isaiah sees what God does in us:
"A nation of firm purpose you keep in peace; in peace, for its trust in you." Isaiah, chapter 26, verse 3

Placing our life in God brings us peace in the social world and trust in God in the hearts of the faithful of the Church.

When we are in the social world and keep our heart united to God, he assures us of his peace. His peace is transmitted in the invisible. If we do not feel this peace, let's ask ourselves if we bring God to the heart of our human relationships.

This peace will be felt more in the Church, since every person is looking for it. But it's also possible that in the Church, people are not at peace. Fortunately, they are in the right place to acquire some more.

A person will say, "I do not go to church, because there are people there who, coming out, talk in the backs of others, against others!" Let's think about it, it's good that they go to Mass! Imagine if they didn't go. Or rather, do not imagine, it might seem worse. They know they are not perfect. They can thus walk and progress gradually toward peace, thanks to the teachings they receive in Church.

Then Isaiah concludes by saying:
"Trust in the Lord forever! For the Lord is an eternal Rock." Isaiah, chapter 26, verse 4

Whether we are in the world or in Church, let's put our trust in God that he will transform our hearts, then of people.

Let's ask the Holy Spirit to be in all our relationships, in each of our meetings, and our city will be built on rock. Let's ask him every day:
"Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock." Matthew, chapter 7, verse 24

Let's build with Jesus. Let's ask Jesus, every day, to be active in our heart, then to the hearts of those we meet.

Book: Here, where we are
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 29, 2021, 06:02:09 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 30, 2021, 04:54:00 AM

373. The gospel of the Lord

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Paul confirms that the gospel and salvation of Jesus Christ is unique:
"The gospel preached by me is not of human origin." Galatians, chapter 1, verse 11

Nobody thought of such a revelation. No one has been able to imagine or invent all that is proclaimed in the Gospels. Nobody except God.

Nobody can replace Jesus. We are poor of Jesus if we don't accept him, as he is, in our life. And we become poor in Jesus when we leave what is useless to embark with him on the great adventure of God and man.

That's why Paul says:
"I did not receive it from a human being, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ." Galatians, chapter 1, verse 12

Book: Caring for our poverties

Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 30, 2021, 04:54:46 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 01, 2021, 04:57:09 AM

374. Reinforced concrete

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Everybody's own is to find God and to hold onto God as the most precious good. But other people escape the real mission to which they should hold on to. They will be very imaginative to get away from the mission by all sorts of means, for fear of being hurt, for fear of the unknown.

To speak negatively against others, to leave good habits, basic habits, to abandon prayer, the commitment in faith to serve others, even in what is simplest and here they are in a turning away from God. There are also those who cannot discern good deeds while asking for evidence from others.

Today, how often do we see truths being completely twisted by negligence or interest? They go so far as to treat truth as criminal. These people prefer to eliminate others from their lives as long as they are right, they get what they want and they do not lose their solid, concrete reputation. They only have barbed concrete left.

They abandon their good behaviour, stick to their wall filled of personal achievements, display their deceptive advertisements, their extinguished fame. Then, they come to believe that others are not on the right track, because they're different. Their perfection becomes reinforced concrete.

Each person is free to do what they want with its harmful consequences or helpful realizations. Turning to evil leads to evil. And evil leads to death. Let's lead the way back to Jesus. He's there waiting. Love leads to Love and Life.

Book: Caring for our poverties
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 01, 2021, 04:58:06 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 02, 2021, 06:00:41 AM

375. Let's find our heart

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How difficult it is for us to find time to look at ourselves, to observe what needs to be improved to follow Jesus on the only necessary path, the way of our salvation, the way to eternal life.

Maybe others do not see it, but God sees everything. Even Jesus, people thought he was a liar and someone who thought he was God, because he was following the true path, and they crucified him.

Let's return to the Rosary with all our heart, return to prayer. Let's increase our meetings with the Lord, Mass, teachings, to all that is vital and true to guarantee us not to freeze up like ice.

Let's not look at what others are doing or not, and if we see any flaws let's give them back to Jesus. Let's not make the situation worse by reacting or talking about it to others to speak ill and insult. Then let's continue our journey in faith, with Mary, for a more beautiful, truer, more real, more just and more fraternal world. Jesus is with us.

It's good to know when to stop and observe what our personal strengths are, to make them useful for the kingdom of God on earth. To take care of ourselves in the faith, to take care of others by the commitment of our faith, is to realize Jesus's will.

Book: Caring for our poverties
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 02, 2021, 06:03:06 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 03, 2021, 05:11:55 AM

376. Let's catch the just

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The unjust ones say:
"Let us beset the just one, because he is obnoxious to us; he sets himself against our doings, Reproaches us for transgressions of the law and charges us with violations of our training." Wisdom, chapter 2, verse 12

There are people who do not see how just some are. They may have difficulty discerning between good and bad and then they will have difficulty discovering the good, the real and what's true in people.

Often they are people who are afraid of being hurt again, or they think everyone resents them. Often they are people who are proud and manage the lives of others. Basically, they don't know how to find peace in their own hearts. They place their fears on people around them.

We are invited to be charitable and pray for them.

Book: Caring for our poverties
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 03, 2021, 05:14:58 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 04, 2021, 04:40:00 AM

377. The Just is repulsed

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It's a shame to be at this point to want to surprise the just, to want to test honest people. It's known, we have some fears about new people we still don't know.

The righteous disturb them because they do not follow the easiest way. When they walk on a path, they always invite the Presence of God with them. And when there is the Presence of God, they can feel the resistances, the significant distances of the grace of God from others.

The just will be repulsed, he will be reproached, he will be despised, trapped and accused. This is also what happens with Jesus:
"Jesus cried out in the temple area as he was teaching and said, 'You know me and also know where I am from. Yet I did not come on my own, but the one who sent me, whom you do not know, is true. I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me.'" John, chapter 7, verses 28 to 29

And they do not want to get their hands on Jesus, because the world would see them. They know they are wrong with their false thoughts about him. They prefer to wait until it's dark to stop him. At night, it's hard for people to know who they are stopping. But later, it will be easy to accuse him with unfair lies.

Everything is randomly engineered to skew about Jesus.

Book: Caring for our poverties
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 04, 2021, 04:43:15 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 05, 2021, 06:16:52 AM

378. Denounce evil

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It would seem that the Lord is asking to denounce the faults as it is written here:
"Cry out full-throated and unsparingly, lift up your voice like a trumpet blast; Tell my people their wickedness, and the house of Jacob their sins." Isaiah, chapter 58, verse 1

If we start doing this, we risk disappointments. This text is nearly three thousand years old.
In the generation we are in, it would be difficult to begin to shout sins out to everyone. In a group, we can still talk about sin in general, and let people self-observe.

On the other hand, it seems easy for many people to tell their sins in the media. It may be good for these people, but the publicly announced evil can become a trampoline where others will develop bad habits. For, the announcement of sins in the public square gives evil ideas to other ill-intentioned people.

Book: Caring for our poverties
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 05, 2021, 06:18:25 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 06, 2021, 06:03:49 AM

379. Why Lord?

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Far from publicly denouncing personal mistakes, it would be nice to invite people to let themselves be Loved by God. Real Love is a reality rarely recognized today. The Love of God allows the person himself to discover his faults. The light illuminates the life of the person and reveals the dens of evil.

Then the people of Israel say this:
"Why do we fast, and you do not see it? afflict ourselves, and you take no note of it?" Isaiah, chapter 58, verse 3

We could add: When we pray, why don't you hear it? Because we don't fast for God or for others, but we fast for ourselves. It's good to fast, to pray and to do penance for us, but most of all this must lead to thinking about the world in general. If people around the world improve, we are progressing. God always hears us, but we're not always watchful to the presence of God with us.

We have thousands of distractions that keep us away from the goal, from our relationship with God. However, everything we do to bring ourselves closer to God transforms us for the better.

Book: Caring for our poverties
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 06, 2021, 06:04:13 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 07, 2021, 05:20:17 AM

380. Slaves of the Gospel

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Paul is an artist of the good evolution. He gave a new meaning to the word "slave". Let's read:
"as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, willingly serving the Lord and not human beings." Ephesians, chapter 6, verses 6 to 7
Instead of associating the word "slave" with forced submission, Paul introduces it to a higher level of goodness.

Jesus washed the feet of his Apostles like a slave. And Paul understood it in that sense. With all our hearts, let's freely become servants (slaves) of our neighbour for the glory of God and the salvation of the world.

Let's work voluntarily for the sole purpose that souls turn from their ways of destruction and take the path of faith following Jesus Christ.

Let's take the opportunity to be with the weakest of us, in all dimensions of their poverty, to practise our relationship with Jesus. Perhaps we'll discover that we are the weakest. Let's restore the dignity that belongs to every person.

Let's ask God to open our hearts and to lay down his Love. Let's become slaves of the Love of God, in the good sense of the word. Let's be constantly generated and generous by Love.

Book: Caring for our poverties
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 07, 2021, 05:23:31 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 08, 2021, 05:45:29 AM

381. Jesus opens the book

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When Jesus opens the book in the synagogue, he reads the passage that is the reality of God's Love for all:
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord. Luke, chapter 4, verses 18 to 19

"'Today,' says Jesus, 'it is today that it is fulfilled'". Luke, chapter 4, verse 21

Love gives freedom when our freedom is connected to God now, every morning, every day, every moment. This Word is the Love of God for all his creatures and for his creation. Let's meditate on the graces of the Trinity that we received during our life.

Book: Caring for our poverties
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 08, 2021, 05:46:42 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 09, 2021, 05:17:41 AM

382. Poverty

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The poor have many faces. The rich are poor of something. People who are in the middle class are poor of something. The poor also lack something.

Jesus called Matthew who did not seem poor. He joined him in front of a counter of one of the riches of the country. The fishermen, Peter and Andrew, John and James, were also rich because fishing was a necessary food for families.

What was their poverty then? At the beginning of their mission with Jesus, they all lacked a real and meaningful experience with him. Now, they live the grace of being on the road and following Jesus. Jesus chose them for the mission.
We are all poor of Jesus. We need to live a personal relationship with him.

Real poverty touches every person in their deepest being. If we don't have Jesus, we are really poor. If we do not live on God's Love, we are very poor.
What is true wealth? True wealth isn't found in what we usually have. What we have isn't all we have.

True wealth is in the heart of the human being. True wealth is when we are in communion with God and his will, who is in our life. God is in our heart. It's what's necessary and we already have it. The Trinity nourishes the soul.

Book: Caring for our poverties
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 09, 2021, 05:19:03 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 10, 2021, 05:04:18 AM

383. Who is poor?

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Who are the poor in the Church? Whom should we give to? And most importantly, what do we have to offer?
James allows us to think about it. He talks about what he sees in his time:
"You pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say, 'Sit here, please,' while you say to the poor one, 'Stand there,' or 'Sit at my feet.'" James, chapter 2, verse 3

There should always be a constant concern for the poor and the poverty of these people would be almost non-existent. It takes a little discernment and charity to help them. Helping a poor person takes a little time. Valuing it can lead to being much better in society.

But also, some poorly-minded people are causing further poverty to other poor people. They use what is sent to the poor to provide themselves with wealth. Although rarer, there are some who stockpile money, live in well-off apartments, do not work and benefit from others, who are poorer.

This may seem simple, but in practice it isn't guaranteed to be continually close to the poorest. Or we do not know how to join them or we have few human resources when we take care of them, one person at a time. The task may seem too broad.

We can take them to centres where people can really take care of them and give them some dignity. These people would do them good. That said, if we don't feel the ability to help them. We are, nevertheless, called to remain attentive to them.
If not, let's learn and lead others to Jesus who will develop the charism of charity for these particular people.

Book: Caring for our poverties
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 10, 2021, 05:05:31 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 11, 2021, 05:08:05 AM

384. Other forms of poverty

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There are many other kinds of poverty in the world, such as the lack of true spirituality, the refusal to let God Love us, the ego, the sadness and many other issues that keep the human being subjected to thousands of closures and traps.

Jesus knows the greatest poverty that human beings can suffer; the refusal of God, to believe that God is lying and go so far as to eliminate the Loving God from their lives. The greatest poverty that exists is to not welcome God into one's life.

Let's notice that if all the people in the churches of the whole world lead charitably one person to Jesus, one day everybody would be in the service of the neighbour and that would engage them on the way reserved for them.

Let's accept to follow Jesus, let him cleanse us and transform us. Let's find ways to increase our faith and invite people to follow Jesus.

Jesus will do the work in their hearts. It will transform their hearts and these people will be freed from intoxication, from their wounds and their closures. They will be with Love, with Jesus.

To follow Jesus sincerely, allows his Love to develop as a gift in us, to be unpacked around us.

Book: Caring for our poverties
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 11, 2021, 05:09:56 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 12, 2021, 05:08:11 AM

385. Sweet and bitter

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Why:
"Why do you let me see ruin; why must I look at misery?" Habakkuk, chapter 1, verse 3

This question is on the lips of the majority, if not all humans of all time. Well yes, Lord, why do we see all these injustices, this evil, and the innocent ones dying? Why don't you do anything?

It's quite normal to have this question, not to be satisfied with what we see, hear, of distress, fears, anxieties when there should be plenty of opportunities, chances, achievements, but these opportunities are lost and too often annihilated. We are quite normal to question this way: "Why Lord?"

It's because we become more and more prophets and christians. We become a little more like the Lord when we realize that the reality of our world isn't as he wishes.

God offers his Love, peace, joy, hope and in return we observe, day after day, what destroys these possibilities. These are all the graces received from God that are not lived because they are not welcomed or transmitted.

We're on the right path! The more God gives us the sweet honey of his truth, the more in our belly the taste becomes bitter with what is presented to us in the world. There are people who are becoming aware of the difference between the reality of God and what the world is doing.

It's not necessary to add here negative thoughts to what is wrong in the world. It's high time to bring to the world the graces we receive from God. We have a message of joy, peace, hope, love, etc., to transmit. When our eyes are opened, it is up to us to be missionaries of God and to evangelize the people with his Love.

God does not cause distress in the world, but God is patient and he hopes that the world will convert. God did not create distress. He is Love and he has created humans capable of living from his Love.

God does not drop misery in the world. It is peoplenot listening to his will that causes this misery. God does not make us suffer. These are inhuman acts, by lack of faith, that causes evil to the people, day after day, after day, after day... God never told us to hate, to kill each other. He doesn't push us toward evil. He's not the cause of evil.

It's understandable that we don't understand that God is so good when there's so much evil in the world. It's because God is really good, but humans cover and refuse the goodness of God by turning toward evil. Moving away from God's Love automatically brings evil closer.

The people who are moving away from God's Love and doing evil give us the impression that God wants evil. But in reality and definitely, God is not in the wrong. Evil is incompatible with the reality and the will of God. We still have a lot to ask to the Holy Spirit, so that this world will change its ways and listen to the Trinity.

Fear, anguish does not come from God:
"God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control." 2 Timothy, chapter 1, verse 7

But, does the world welcome what God gives? Do people only bury somewhere in them the Love received from the Lord?

Book: Let's evangelize
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 12, 2021, 05:09:49 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 13, 2021, 04:33:57 AM

386. Reflect the glory

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Paul tells us:
"Whenever a person turns to the Lord the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." 2 Corinthians, chapter 3, verses 16 to 17

We have a veil on that keeps us away from Jesus. Paul adds that when we accept conversion, when the veil falls:
"All of us, gazing with unveiled face on the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, as from the Lord who is the Spirit." 2 Corinthians, chapter 3, verse 18

We reflect "the glory of the Lord" more and more by being with him. To reflect the Light, let's store it in us. To reflect on the glory of the Lord, we must receive it. When this glory increases, we're transfigured, as the light covered Jesus during the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor. Carrying this light within us touches the heart of others. We then become full-time prophets.

Book: Let's evangelize
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 13, 2021, 04:38:18 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 14, 2021, 03:17:05 AM

387. With or without God

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Paul reminds us of a proverb:
"Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully." 2 Corinthians, chapter 9, verse 6

How do we sow too little or how to sow widely? We see that the harvest is tied to the way we sow.

Sowing a sample means that we don't let God go through our lives. And by protecting us from the presence of God, we'll reap little. Our spiritual generosity will increase when we let the grace of God increase in our life.

That said, we could put a lot of effort, make multiple facial expressions to the point of becoming actors, without God or with little relationship with God, and not succeed, eventually.

What to sow? It's time to give God his place. Let's watch him work. Let's work with him to learn from him how to live a blooming life of faith that will yield abundant and quality crops.

If we go there with our own means, we'll build in a vacuum. God invites us to more than that. He invites us to become more converted to him, to his thought, to his action, to his Word. He will build with us and there will be results.

Book: Let's evangelize
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 14, 2021, 03:18:31 AM
(https://assistant.gloria.tv/FxK6pqhk7ZiS1AZwTDoBU6KMY/szolu2anghb7vzud7p40dxjqpc7znxm3d69h4dx.webp?format=webp)
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 15, 2021, 04:52:20 AM
388. Let's be with Jesus

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Jesus says:
"It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you." John, chapter 15, verse 16

Jesus speaks to the people he has chosen. At the same time, these people, just like his Apostles, must also accept Jesus, receive him, as their Lord.

Jesus gives everything to those who ask the Father in his name. When we're with Jesus, we're with the Father. Jesus unites us to his mission and he wants us to be comfortable asking the Father, in the Spirit, everything we need for that mission.

Book: Let's evangelize
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 15, 2021, 04:55:41 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 16, 2021, 04:43:49 AM

389. With others

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Paul and others are choosing people who can continue the mission of evangelization. Paul met Christ on the road to Damascus and since then he wants the Church to continue what Jesus started in him and in different christian communities. He says:
"We have with one accord decided to choose representatives and to send them to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, who have dedicated their lives to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Acts, chapter 15, verse 26

By dedicating their lives to Jesus, they can ask the Father everything they need to continue the mission.

Let's also ask the Father, through Jesus, to give us the solutions to find other people who have faith and sow together. May faith increase in our parishes and in our hearts.

Book: Let's evangelize
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 16, 2021, 04:44:56 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 17, 2021, 05:12:12 AM

390. Healthy fruits

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Gamaliel is a man with his mind adjusted to the will of God. It makes one believe that there are good Pharisees, Pharisees who have faith. He's also a doctor of the law. Gamaliel managed to change the idea of the few who wanted to kill the Apostles. He's very enlightened and he says to the Temple officials, concerning them:
'For if this endeavour or this activity is of human origin, it will destroy itself. But if it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy them; you may even find yourselves fighting against God.' They were persuaded by him. Acts, chapter 5, verses 38b to 39

Gamaliel has what it needs to be holy. And they are wise to be convinced.
Let's not go against God. Let's observe the fruits of those who announce the dead and risen Christ. Gamaliel has grasped how to discern the presence of the Holy Spirit in these missionaries. Let's look at the fruits. If the fruits are related to the will of God, they will be beneficial for all and if the fruits are bad, they will destroy themselves. It's also like this that in the world we can perceive what comes from God from what is not of him. The good is of him, evil isn't.

As Jesus allowed the Apostles and people to see, God is exuberant when it comes to giving his graces and his gifts. Are we ready to receive them?

May the Eucharist be for us our ultimate receiving of graces, then thanksgiving for all the fruits that it will produce in abundance in our life to nourish the people of God and satisfy the hungry, the thirsty.

May the joy of being united to Jesus fill our lives with blessings. May we share them without measure, as the excesses of God who gives without counting. God exceeds all measures.

Book: Let's evangelize
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 17, 2021, 05:13:12 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 18, 2021, 04:55:54 AM

391. God evangelizes

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God draws our attention:
"Hear me, O coastlands, listen, O distant peoples." Isaiah, chapter 49, verse 1
We have moved away or too far away. God invites all peoples to his table, his sharing, his tenderness, his listening.

Our existence is called to flourish under the grace of the Holy Spirit. To open ourselves to God is to let ourselves be Loved and let God inhabit our existence. The more space we give to the Trinity in the world, the more we'll see God's actions in our lives, and we'll be delighted to see him act in others.

Book: Let's evangelize
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 18, 2021, 04:58:00 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 19, 2021, 06:21:25 AM
392. God's Presence

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We wish this, as Paul asks:
"We do not cease praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding." Colossians, chapter 1, verse 9b

We want the world to be filled with the holy presence of God. So, continues Paul:
"Live in a manner worthy of the Lord, so as to be fully pleasing, in every good work bearing fruit and growing in the knowledge of God." Colossians, chapter 1, verse 10

That's how we become true christians. Always receive from God, to share with the people around us, helps us to become saints.

When we're alone and we don't ask for God's help, we're fishing in the void. This is what happens when the Apostles don't invite God in their boat.
Jesus says to Peter and to us too:
"Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch." Luke, chapter 5, verse 4

They understand the difference between being alone with lost efforts and being with Jesus, he who multiplies the efforts and whose work becomes as efficient as to tear the nets with so much fish. They will need the help of other fishermen to pick up the fish. We need the faith of others to move forward together and achieve good fishing. It's also important to stop looking at the nets, to only gather around the nets, and just throw them out.

To throw out is to go forward with the Trinity, trusting Jesus. Then we'll have as a result:
"When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing." Luke, chapter 5, verse 4

Jesus shows them that with his grace, the quantity of fish is multiplied. Let's trust in Jesus, when he's in our life, for the evangelization of our environment, where our two feet are.

Book: Let's evangelize
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 19, 2021, 06:24:11 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 20, 2021, 04:33:47 AM

393. We announce him!

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The mission of evangelization is the summit of what a person can bring to the world. Evangelization is taking the beauty of the Word of God, of his Eucharist and transmitting holiness to each person. John shares his testimony:
"What we have seen and heard we proclaim now to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us." 1 John, chapter 1, verse 3a

John is precise: "We proclaim now to you." To announce Jesus, to announce the message that he offers us, to announce his presence in the Word and the Eucharist, saves us. The world needs to hear it. This is the ultimate need of the world.

We're privileged people to go to Mass, to receive the word of God and the Eucharist, the Body of Christ. We cannot imagine how much we receive graces on graces in abundance. God fills us up.

We're called as John to announce the Love of God for every person, without exception. John knows what he's talking about:
"It is this disciple (John) who testifies to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true." John, chapter 21, verse 24

John had a special relationship with Jesus and he invites us to live the same relationship with the Lord. The way to remain united to Jesus is that we make him known.

The more people around the world believe, the more we'll be able to support each other in faith and stay in Jesus. It's vital for us to announce Jesus to the world. This is the true testimony: for Jesus to be known.

Book: Let's evangelize
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 20, 2021, 04:35:17 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 21, 2021, 05:12:29 AM

394. The foundation is Christ

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As soon as we accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, that we are baptized, and decide to follow Jesus and allow others to discover the gospel, we progress in faith. We progress in the faith as we live a personal and progressive involvement with Jesus, for the world. Paul supports this idea:
"With Christ Jesus himself as the capstone." Ephesians, chapter 2, verse 20

Everything is built from and on the foundation of Christ:
"Through him the whole structure is held together and grows into a temple sacred in the Lord" Ephesians, chapter 2, verse 21

More clearly, it is Christ who is the real builder of his Church. But what is exceptional is that he needs us all, without exception. He needed Antony of Padua, the present Pope, Catherine of Siena, Bernard of Clairvaux, and many holy persons whom we may know. Paul confirms it to us:
"In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit." Ephesians, chapter 2, verse 22

Let's be assured that Jesus has come for us all, and that we all receive equally. The Trinity gives so much Love to every person who receives it. Let's give thanks to God, who keeps us in his Merciful Love.

We don't know how to ask Jesus to be with us and help us? Let's ask him in our heart and let's be sure he's heard us. Let's prepare to receive him well and let him transform us from the inside. Let's allow some time, before seeing the new shoots. Let's be patient, we will rejoice.

It's 100% sure, as soon as we ask Jesus to help us, to be with us, he's there, since he wasn't elsewhere. Let's welcome Jesus! He is here with us.

Book: Let's evangelize
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 21, 2021, 05:13:23 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 22, 2021, 05:03:07 AM

395. With Jesus

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In what Jesus shares with us now, there's a clear contrast between the smallness of the mustard seed and its growth:
"It is the smallest of all the seeds, yet when full-grown it is the largest of plants." Matthew, chapter 13, verse 32

To welcome Jesus in our life seems to be nothing at first. Sometimes it can take time, years to develop like mustard seed. While the Lord is preparing our heart, he invites us to patience before discovering the result. It's official that the Lord works in our life. Let's allow time and improve with good values, waiting for the results.

Let's learn to feel the presence of Jesus in us. Let's get small by inner observation. May Jesus grow in us. Then let him touch people's hearts.

We don't think we have a lot of resources in view of the scale of evangelization.

Let's take one step at a time. Let's be silent in ourselves for months and years. Let's listen to Jesus. Then we'll be able to better observe and to evangelize the world. We'll only have to discover and understand the issues in the world now. We'll be gradually aware of all the challenges that it entails.

But we cannot do anything alone. On the one hand, we need the community of the Church, to learn the means to evangelize. Then, with the help of the Holy Spirit, we will develop various dimensions and goals of evangelization. Even more, for all these stages, we need the Trinity.

The Father creates the seed, the Holy Spirit sprinkles it and gives it nutrients and Jesus carries it to hearts that are hungry and thirsty for Love and all its manifestations; joy, peace, mercy, hope, etc. The seed in us, with the wisdom of God, will give fruit in its time.

We may not see the results, but God sees everything and he knows when we're walking with him for the salvation of people. With Jesus, we'll get there.

Book: Let's evangelize
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 22, 2021, 05:04:10 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 23, 2021, 05:22:13 AM

396. Evangelize with Jesus

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Jesus calls for humility

"What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what can one give in exchange for his life?" Matthew, chapter 16, verse 26

This message is very important if we want to work (evangelize) with Jesus. During his visit, he showed us how difficult it is to move into a world where many people stay away from God. It's in this world that we're sent, because God Loves people, always.

Jesus would like to gather all the sheep:
"How many times I yearned to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her young under her wings, but you were unwilling!" Matthew, chapter 23, verse 37

That's what Jesus wants us to understand. It is he who saves, it is he who converts. Jesus wants us in his mission, but he doesn't want us to be living the mission alone. He's the one who guides and leads his people, his family, to eternal life.

Book: Let's evangelize
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 23, 2021, 05:23:22 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 24, 2021, 05:12:47 AM

397. Succession

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Sometimes, when we have worked on a mission and we don't see a succession on the horizon, we wonder who will continue the work. Jesus has always worked, he has always found witnesses of faith. He will continue to find some.

Let's never think that it is our mission, but Jesus who sends us in a mission to evangelize.

A little push toward Jesus and it doesn't take more so that each person feels Loved and becomes transformed, respecting their own pace. Only Jesus can win the world, to the extent that people in the world turn to him:
"I myself will look after and tend my sheep." Ezekiel, chapter 34, verse 11

How difficult it is to leave him his sheep. To take charge of Jesus's sheep is to stand before him, when it's better to let him reach hearts.

Are we disappointed of people who don't seem to be converting to God? The question would be: Do we try and do too much? Do we take Jesus's place? Do we leave him his people? We then become bridges between the world and Jesus as soon as we understand that he's the Evangelizer, he'll convert.

God himself says that it is he who brings back the sheep. Let's be happy to serve as his research instruments. And let the Holy Spirit touch their hearts:
"The lost I will seek out, the strayed I will bring back, the injured I will bind up, the sick I will heal." Ezekiel, chapter 34, verse 16

Book: Let's evangelize
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 24, 2021, 05:13:58 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 25, 2021, 05:17:46 AM

398. Listen

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"Listen to my voice; then I will be your God and you shall be my people. Walk in all the ways that I command you, so that you may prosper." Jeremiah, chapter 7, verse 23

We wish to be happy. We ardently want to be of the family of God. It's good to be told, "Listen to my voice; then, I will be your God and you shall be my people," my family. We're happy.

God invites us to follow the prescribed path. What is the prescribed path? Eliminate what makes us stumble, get away from what leads to evil, keep away from taking something for granted, stop wanting to control, let go of all that is useless, etc., trust, and live in peace and joy.

The resolve to focus on Christ is the only prescribed path. If we embark resolutely on following Jesus, we will want to convert more to him. Do we want to have Jesus as our Lord and Saviour and trust in him completely?

To trust in Jesus is essential. That too is our mission. Let's take the path he prescribes. Jesus tells us:
"I am the way, the truth and the life." John, chapter 14, verse 6

He did not say he's the obstacle, the lie and the death. Jesus said he is "the way, the truth and the life".

To get away from the way, the truth and the life in God is to harm us, then to harm others. It's important to ask God for the grace to remain in his joy. Let's ask for the grace to stay with Jesus.
We are created for Jesus, we're created for Love.

Book: Joy in heaven!
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 25, 2021, 05:19:04 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 26, 2021, 03:36:28 AM

399. My heart is ready

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Let's say together with all saints:
"My heart is steadfast, God, my heart is steadfast. I will sing and chant praise." Psalm 57, verse 8

It's a testimony to sing, to play hymns to God. We know it, when we're helpful, when we adjust our life to that of God, our heart is in joy and it wants to "sing and play hymns".

Let's add this passage:
"I will praise you among the peoples, Lord; I will chant your praise among the nations." Psalm 57, verse 10

When we love, we want to share the joy of love that we have and especially to mention the person who gives us this love. When we love a person, his name doesn't bother us. The name of Jesus cannot displease us. Love does not displease.

With God, we want to give thanks (thank him) everywhere and at all times, since we know that Love comes from him. We want to share the joy of the Love we receive from God, because it makes us live and transforms us to the point of experiencing joy in abundance! The desire to love the neighbour of the Love of God is the sign that we understand the mission in which Jesus engages us.

Book: Joy in heaven!
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 26, 2021, 03:37:44 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 27, 2021, 05:17:08 AM

400. God Loves through us

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Here is Jesus's command:
"Love one another as I love you." John, chapter 15, verse 12

To love allows Jesus to recognize us as his:
"You are my friends if you do what I command you." John, chapter 15, verse 14
But we should also learn how to convey who Jesus is and that he Loves us forever.

Beloved, we are. We are created by Love and to live his Love between us. Receiving Jesus's love and sharing on whom he really is, allows us to become friends of the Shepherd in the Covenant. And we're fulfilling the same mission that Jesus came to live during his stay at the heart of our reality.

The mission is to receive Jesus, to be happily saturated and evangelization is to allow others to taste his presence that overflows us by thoughts, words and gestures. We're free to evangelize Love. Let's not burden ourselves with evil. Let's give the heaviness to Jesus and continue to radiate Love that circulates in our lives.

Jesus came to Love us and if we love thanks to him, we offer what he has offered us, his Love for humanity. Let's love God and God in one's neighbour so that we may learn to love ourselves too.

Let's love God? Well, it's impossible to love God, since Love comes from him. As it is written in the book Let's be Loved, Paths 34 - 40, God gives us his Love and we cannot give him back his gift. But he asks us if he can go through us so that his gift of Love passes from our heart onto and in the hearts of others. And what great joy to let God Love through us! This is proof that we accept his Love and let him pass to heal and convert the neighbours.

The mission knocks on the door of evangelization when we're like a sponge that's saturated with the Love of God. Evangelization knocks on the door of the heart of the people when we let God Love. The evangelization of Jesus's message is completed by the reception of the message of salvation by the other person.

Book: Joy in heaven!
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 27, 2021, 05:19:26 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 28, 2021, 05:22:53 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 28, 2021, 05:25:29 AM

401. Graces

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Paul discovers the graces, since he lives united with God:
There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. 1 Corinthians, chapter 12, verses 4 to 6

Gifts, services and activities are graces when they are intimately related to God and practised according to his will. The graces are revealed by the good, the beautiful, the real and true in the world. The sharing, health care workers, those who pray, and everything that can help a person is related to the graces and gifts that God gives us.

Assistance to people in poverty, attention to persecuted people, to those who don't live their lives naturally and get bogged down in drugs or lies, among others, that conflict against the deep nature of people, paying them attention is a means of encouraging them and leading them to the graces they receive, but of which, too often, they no longer believe in, since they see them less or lacking in their surroundings.

Book: Joy in heaven!
Normand Thomas

Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 29, 2021, 05:06:52 AM

402. Grace for all

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Paul tells us:
The grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age, as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of the great God and of our saviour Jesus Christ. Titus, chapter 2, verses 11 to 13

The grace of God is for all people. Grace is present, it is active, it makes us holy. It teaches us to reject sin and the passions of this world. Being passionate is good in itself. But Paul places certain passions as evil.

What are the passions and sins today that lead to evil? Indifference, rejection, judgment, gluttony, disordered passions, hatred, and so on, what in our life prevents us from fully receiving the grace of God? Let's refuse sin. By asking God to help us free ourselves from everything that hinders our life to be free, we'll discover or rediscover more and more the beauty and power of God's grace.

By doing our part to allow the grace of God to pass through our lives, we offer ourselves the chance to advance in faith and to live in an intimate and deep relationship with him.

Book: Joy in heaven!
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 30, 2021, 05:08:26 AM

402. Grace for all

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Paul tells us:
The grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age, as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of the great God and of our saviour Jesus Christ. Titus, chapter 2, verses 11 to 13

The grace of God is for all people. Grace is present, it is active, it makes us holy. It teaches us to reject sin and the passions of this world. Being passionate is good in itself. But Paul places certain passions as evil.

What are the passions and sins today that lead to evil? Indifference, rejection, judgment, gluttony, disordered passions, hatred, and so on, what in our life prevents us from fully receiving the grace of God? Let's refuse sin. By asking God to help us free ourselves from everything that hinders our life to be free, we'll discover or rediscover more and more the beauty and power of God's grace.

By doing our part to allow the grace of God to pass through our lives, we offer ourselves the chance to advance in faith and to live in an intimate and deep relationship with him.

Book: Joy in heaven!
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 30, 2021, 05:09:43 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 31, 2021, 05:07:31 AM

404. The testimony of God

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John tells us:
"If we accept human testimony, the testimony of God is surely greater. Now the testimony of God is this, that he has testified on behalf of his Son." 1 John, chapter 5, verse 9

The testimonies are multiple. When a team wins in hockey, we value, in the newspapers, the effort and commitment of the players. When there is a traffic accident, the witnesses say what they saw.

When people go on a visit to a natural environment that is breathtaking, they are in front of something different. Nature raises our spirit, it isn't invented by humans. Nature is there, simply, with its beauties, its colours, its diversity of species.

Another adventure, another testimony comes to disrupt the course of history. That of the Creator to Moses, who calls himself "I am", God. Then the evangelists and many other people testified about Jesus and this continues today. Each person's testimony will reveal one aspect or another of what they have seen and heard. Our testimony of faith reminds us that God is always there, present with us and continues to Love us.

Book: Joy in heaven!
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 31, 2021, 05:08:57 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 01, 2021, 04:49:12 AM

405. They are One

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There is also God's testimony to his Son. The Father recognizes himself in his Son. They are One. Now, what the Father says of the Son is the summit as testimony. John confirms it:
"This is the testimony: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

Whoever possesses the Son has life; whoever does not possess the Son of God does not have life." 1 John, chapter 5, verses 11 to 12

The Son is one with us, taking flesh of the Virgin Mary. He pays homage to our human nature, since humanity is his jewel. He wants to bring us back to him.

It's a privilege for humanity to receive Jesus, but sometimes, because of sin, people don't do justice to God. Jesus has come to bring us back to the purity of God.

Book: Joy in heaven!
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 01, 2021, 04:50:20 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 02, 2021, 05:06:57 AM

406. John's testimony

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John shares his testimony:
"I write these things to you so that you may know that you have eternal life, you who believe in the name of the Son of God." 1 John, chapter 5, verse 13

Our testimony helps deepen our faith in Jesus. The purpose of our life is to place our faith in him. This testimony in Jesus is valid for the world. This is the testimony of testimonies. Nothing surpasses this one.

God also receives our testimony to him. It's our way of paying tribute to what we receive. We ask Jesus to purify us more so that our testimony will become through prayer, mass and fasting, the one that Jesus wants to hear.

May our testimony to communion with the Word and the Eucharist reflect our desire to make Jesus known, as the Father testifies:
"This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased." Matthew, chapter 3, verse 17

Then Jesus bears testimony to the Father and his Spirit by sending it to us:
I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of truth, which the world cannot accept, because it neither sees nor knows it. But you know it, because it remains with you, and will be in you. John, chapter 14, verses 16 to 17

Let's communicate with the Holy Spirit, let's keep him with us. We will see the wonders that the Trinity will realize in our heart and in the world.

Book: Joy in heaven!
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 02, 2021, 05:08:32 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 03, 2021, 04:16:15 AM

407. Joy

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Many people live the poverty of not being in joy. God tells us:
"There shall always be rejoicing and happiness in what I create; for I create Jerusalem to be a joy and its people to be a delight; I will rejoice in Jerusalem and exult in my people." Isaiah, chapter 65, verses 18 to 19

God creates every second, He creates us right now. We're in the constant creation of God. Let's repeat what God says: "Rejoice, exult without end for what I create."

He creates. He offers us to be in joy, to live with his joy, here and now. We have every reason to rejoice when we think of God, when we do our best to work in his vineyard, when we place our trust and life in him.

Let's exult, because God is present with us, God feeds us and showered us with truth and graces.

The authentic journey is to place our faith in Jesus. We can already be in God's joy and exult to know that Jesus is life and he invites us to live eternally with the Trinity.

Every day we have reasons to rejoice to know that God is with us, if we place our life and the lives of our family, friends and everyone we meet in his hands.

Book: Joy in heaven!
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 03, 2021, 04:17:49 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 04, 2021, 05:17:30 AM

408. We see God

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As Jesus said in the Beatitudes:
"Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God." Matthew, chapter 5, verse 8

It's important to see God one day, if not in our time, in eternity. To see him, let's let God turn our heart into a pure heart.

To see God, let's welcome his Love into our life and accept to joyfully share our experience of faith. The more we share the Love received from God, the more it grows in us. The more the flower receives sun, water and nutrients from the soil, the more it will grow and offer the beauty it receives from God, for the eyes of passers-by.

Let's not be afraid to be so much in Jesus that he will show himself to us. And for people who have never seen Jesus, it's not a lack, it's only because Jesus is so close to their heart that he doesn't seem to be perceptible to their senses.

Book: Joy in heaven!
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 04, 2021, 05:18:54 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 05, 2021, 04:59:53 AM

409. Intense joy

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Seeing God doesn't necessarily mean seeing him with our eyes. We can see him with the eyes of the heart, in the good deeds of people, in us and in all that is realized of good, beautiful and true in the world. The pure heart is to become like a child, to shed oneself of what isn't necessary, of what keeps us captive.

To see Jesus is to see Love and to see Love is to see the Trinity. Humanly, with our eyes we do not see Love. But the Love we receive from God is what motivates us during life. We all seek love when the Love of God is offered for free. As soon as we feel the true, pure, real love, we actually receive the Love that comes from God, which comes from Jesus.

Then, there was a multitude of people who had the privilege of knowing Jesus, who had the deep and intense joy of entering into a deep relationship with him.

We may have had this chance to feel Jesus's presence in our heart, to discover his person in our lives and to understand that he is the Master and Lord, then to grasp that his only judgment is his Love, that he Loves us with a total and definitive Love.

Paul gives us the purpose of faith. In Christ Jesus:
"You are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God." Ephesians, chapter 2, verse 19

Do we believe it? In Jesus, we become saints, people of his family? Let's share what we lived with the Trinity. It's a good time to testify.

Book: Joy in heaven!
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 05, 2021, 05:01:00 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 06, 2021, 04:36:04 AM

410. The nobility of work

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How much time is spent at work, how many dialogues are there between two employees on multiple topics? It can also become an opportunity to slowly and gradually implant an important topic of faith.

In Genesis, God says that we will work at the sweat of our forehead. But this reality happened after the human got scared of God.

In fact, when we walk with Jesus, it's no longer a job, much less forehead sweat, it becomes a vocation. It's works, and it is time and energy. But it's really different with Jesus.

When we are on a mission with Jesus, it's no longer a job, it's to let God be God in our life, to let Jesus be in our heart and to share his Love with others. How sweet! For the rest of the work and because of sin, yes, it's through the sweat of our forehead.

The more we achieve his will, the more we'll discover Jesus in our lives and in those of others.

By becoming workers of Jesus, we help the world to find him. It would be nice if each person had a little something to realize, simply, for evangelization in their environment. Only through prayer, we participate in evangelization. There are also other ways. The Lord hires all the time. Let's ask him to work in his vineyard.

Book: Here, where we are
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 06, 2021, 04:37:07 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 07, 2021, 03:13:49 AM

411. Pray for his people

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On the road:
"They went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs." Mark, chapter 16, verse 20

As soon as we think about the people around us who don't walk, who don't pray, who don't go to Mass, Jesus invites us to the mission. He offers us the Holy Spirit, so that we may be little igniters of love in all hearts.

We can pray for his people, give them to Jesus, love them from a distance. And above all, send them the Holy Spirit every day that is given to us to transform their lives and to embellish their hearts.

The Holy Spirit is the breeze of fresh air that we can send to the people we love, to our children, so that the oxygen of their faith can be cleansed and cleared.
May the Holy Spirit invade every person we love.

Book: Here, where we are
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 07, 2021, 03:15:02 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 08, 2021, 04:37:16 AM

412. Sowing widely

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"Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully." 2 Corinthians, chapter 9, verse 6

It's Paul who tells us that! It's true in the garden as in life. The more we sow what we have and who we are, even with smaller seeds, the more we'll harvest or others will reap the fruit of our labour. Let's check that we receive everything from Jesus:
"For you know the gracious act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that for your sake he became poor although he was rich, so that by his poverty you might become rich." 2 Corinthians, chapter 8, verse 9

Jesus confirms it to us, he knows that the Father will restore it to us a hundredfold:
"When you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you." Matthew, chapter 6, verse 17

Let's offer what is most precious for a mission that is precious to God, for the salvation of all people. God gives to us accordingly to what we offer of him.

Book: Here, where we are
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 08, 2021, 04:38:25 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 09, 2021, 04:54:13 AM

413. Love is transmitted

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The saints give freely:
"Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life." John, chapter 12, verse 25

God's Love costs nothing. It's always transmitted in freedom and it joins the freedom of the person who receives it.

We are invited to offer 100% of what we receive from God. If we think we cannot give a lot, let's give 100% of the little we can offer. The Lord will be happy because we give the maximum of what we can:
"God loves a cheerful giver. Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work." 2 Corinthians, chapter 9, verses 7 to 8
It's quite special that we have so many graces and overabundance, because God doesn't know how to count. He gives too much, and after having given everything, we still have some superfluous to do all kinds of good.

For children, when they share their candies, candies disappear quickly. The more they share, the less they have and the little bag becomes empty. It's different for what God gives us. Even though we share God's Love, the more we share it, the more we receive. Then, we have forevermore.

Many of the holy people we met showed to us by their lives that God's Love was possible and easy to share. This is the easiest thing to offer. Their hearts were swollen with the divine sap that overflows on their surroundings.

There's no question of tests of strength or exhausting us too much wanting to convert the world, in what Jesus offers us, but to share what he himself offers us simply for the faith of people.

To love one's life is selfish, it's to take it strictly on oneself. But to offer what we receive from God, to be just, is to become more and more generous with the Love we receive from him. The more experience we have in transmitting what God gives us, the more we develop ways for him to pass through us, to the hearts of people.

We are created to offer the Love of our life, the Love of God, in abundance. Sharing the graces (evangelization), we receive (mission) from God is the summit of the mission.

The love that nourishes and water our life, when it's lived happily, gives good fruit in abundance. All people can come to feed and drink from our tree filled with fruit. Then we will tell them that these fruits are provided by God to feed them.

Book: Here, where we are
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 09, 2021, 04:57:03 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 10, 2021, 05:05:00 AM

414. Make Christ present

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What goods received from God can we waste and lose? The first good is the Love of God. We are not always aware in us of the Love of God.
When we sleep, when we eat, work, celebrate, watch, we always have the opportunity to make Christ present in us, thinking of him.

Sometimes we keep the Love of God for us. Or we don't know how to share it. But just to realize that Jesus is with us soothes us and that can reach others. They will feel that we are not alone in life and that we are in peace. And it's true, we are accompanied by the Presence of the Holy Spirit. He transforms us while we pay attention to him when we're aware that he's with us.

If we don't have water, we dry. We only need to drink. When we drank water, this reserve follows us everywhere. It's even simpler with Jesus. We have only to drink to his Sacred Heart and he is in us. We only have to think of him and he is Present. God is the eternal present. We drink from him, otherwise we do not drink from him.

When we receive the Eucharist, it's the presence of God who is there. Like water, we carry God with us after Mass, wherever we go. Its luminous rays coming out of us (like Jesus in Mary's womb) join the souls of the people we meet. In his rays are transported his Love and all that he offers us. Let's carry his Eucharist within us and let his rays transform the world.

Book: Here, where we are
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 10, 2021, 05:15:12 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 11, 2021, 04:42:58 AM

415. In thanksgiving

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May we transport Jesus like in vases of great price, the price of salvation for oneself and for everyone
"Whoever keeps his word, the love of God is truly perfected in him." 1 John, chapter 2, verse 5

He who keeps the reality of Christ in him receives the Love of God in its perfection. May the Love of God overflow us to invade all the people we meet. Let's be children of light, life, of the way and the truth.

Let's live in thanksgiving. Let's offer our heart and body to Jesus to cover them with his Love so that it may be reflected in us and on all.

Let's become skilled in fighting, without violence, for the faith. May Mary and Joseph be examples of life for us, since they have remained close to Jesus by offering the gift of their lives.

Paul says to the Romans and to us:
"I am not ashamed of the gospel. It is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: for Jew first, and then Greek." Romans, chapter 1, verse 16

The four key words in this sentence are: "To serve the gospel (French version)". To receive the service of Jesus and his Word, his Verb.

We have here the first step to begin to know Jesus Christ, and then to make him known. Paul seems to go beyond reading the gospel, since he speaks of the service of the gospel. The gospel, the good news is all about service.

When we share the gospel or prayer, even though it's in the kitchen, the Lord will pass. Even if it's sitting in the stands during a sports game, the Lord passes.

We understand that we can share the Word, live evangelizing gestures, but the summit is to live accordingly to the Word, and the Lord will pass. Jesus is simply asking us to enter into intense communion with his Word and he will do the rest. To share one's Word has the effect of increasing happiness a hundredfold.

But all too often, we seek our happiness rather than receive it from Jesus. We seek to transmit our word instead of his.

If we let the Word act powerfully in our heart, it will be transmitted with power, through gentleness and respect, to other people. This is evangelization. Let's live a deeper conversion, listening to Jesus in our heart.

Book: Here, where we are
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 11, 2021, 04:43:59 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 12, 2021, 05:03:11 AM

416. Disciples' language

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"The Lord God has given me a well-trained tongue. That I might know how to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them. Morning after morning he opens my ear that I may hear." Isaiah, chapter 50, verse 4

Let's listen to Jesus. Let's listen to others to "rouse them".
Jesus came into our world to assume our human nature and he took advantage of it to bear it on him, with him. He asks us to give him all the burdens, ours, as well as those of others.

Jesus shows us how to be a disciple so that with his Word, he supports the exhausted. Every morning Jesus gets up with us for the same Mission. To lead the human family to the Father.

Let's prepare our heart to go to the Lord's Supper, then come out from the table with Jesus and observe what he is doing for us in the world. Let's ask the Holy Spirit to allow us to live with Jesus his unique experience, his Mission, his Word in our heart, for the salvation of humanity. May the Father rejoice that we observe his will for Love.

Book: Here, where we are
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 12, 2021, 05:03:59 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 13, 2021, 04:47:12 AM


417. Serving

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Jesus tells us:
"The greatest among you must be your servant." Matthew, chapter 23, verse 11
Since Jesus is the greatest of all and has been the servant of all, we can imagine what that means for us.

Jesus asks everyone to become servants of one another. To one is given to care for a patient, to the other to be treated, to one to teach, to the other to be taught, for one to improve the world and for all to embark in the mission.

The person who is being cared for serves the caregiver. This allows the caregiver to develop his talents, become more compassionate and loving.

So it's not just the people who need care that are receiving from God, but also the caregivers through their dedication and attention to the others.

It's similar for faith. When we share faith, the person who receives it allows us to serve and improve. We receive as much as he does. We're all winners when we share and receive faith from each other.

We are called to serve the neighbour, as our master, Jesus who's with us. Let's continue to follow Christ, to receive his Love and to share it among us.

Book: Here, where we are
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 13, 2021, 04:48:09 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 14, 2021, 04:27:37 AM

418. To encourage

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John the Baptist knew how to speak to the people to distract them from what they were doing and to centre them on Jesus, on the Lamb of God. He is also the main actor in the election of the first Apostles, John and Andrew.

We have the same mission. We are invited to encourage people to follow Jesus.
Every person who focuses on Jesus sees his life being transformed. Paul tells us:
"From David's descendants God, according to his promise, has brought to Israel a saviour, Jesus. John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel; and as John was completing his course, he would say, 'What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. Behold, one is coming after me; I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.'" Acts, chapter 13, verses 23 to 25

Moses took off his sandals before God:
"Come no nearer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground." Exodus, chapter 3, verse 5

John the Baptist is not worthy to remove the sandals from the feet of the Lord. And Jesus does not need to take off his sandals, he is God, he is holiness. Where he stands, the earth is holy.

Book: Here, where we are
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 14, 2021, 04:28:34 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 15, 2021, 04:45:52 AM

419. The strength to love

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It's for us that Jesus came, but also for people who do not know him yet. They need to know that the Trinity Loves them. Let's carry them in our prayer.
Jesus invites to believe in him. Jesus answers them:
Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled.

Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him the Father, God, has set his seal. John, chapter 6, verses 26 to 27

Jesus makes it plain that he gives eternal bread. This bread that Jesus offers is the bread of the life of God and in God.

During the reception of the Bread of Life, may Jesus grant us the grace to never depart from him or from his Church. May his Bread, his true Body, be the strength to love, health, and be the holiness of our Life.

Book: Here, where we are
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 15, 2021, 04:47:55 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 16, 2021, 06:03:48 AM

420. God is here

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With God, everything is too simple, even wisdom is simple. But we tend to complicate it.

We only have to focus on Jesus and wisdom will simply invade us every time. At the same time, we must be willing to meditate and receive it.
With ease:
"As the rising sun is clear to all, so the glory of the Lord fills all his works." Sirach, chapter 42, verse 16

Still, we must be placed in front of his sun (Son). It's to blush with joy, as the sun likes to blush our cheeks.

May every moment of our lives be filled with the joy of God's gaze upon us, look of tenderness, peace and love ... and our existence will praise the Lord, that is, our existence will be in so much joy we'll want to share it with the Lord as a friend.

Book: Joy in heaven!
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 16, 2021, 06:05:12 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 17, 2021, 05:04:09 AM

1. The family

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Christians want to convert. They want to find every means to stay with God. They want his Love to take root in them, so that their faith improves.

They recognize that God's Word is important. The Word is like water turning seed into a root, then the root into a shoot, the shoot into a tree, then the tree bears fruit and gives back to humans and to the earth.

To let ourselves be profoundly transformed by the Word allows us to act as christians.

Paul confirms it by this inspiration:
"But what does it say? 'The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart' (that is, the word of faith that we preach)." Romans, chapter 10, verse 8

God lays down his Word in us. It helps us to believe more in Christ and to work with him. Jesus offers everything from his heart. He who receives it thus becomes an abundant source that transmits Love from heart to heart.

One of the purposes of the christian family is to break the chains by and with the Word of God. We are invited to avoid chains by not letting ourselves be captured by them. Then we are called to become people from whom flows a source of peace, with respect and charity, inspired by the Word, so that others are released from their chains.

Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 17, 2021, 05:05:23 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 18, 2021, 04:12:30 AM
2. Jesus or darkness

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Even if it's easy to understand, the way doesn't seem that easy to reach and to find God. Maybe it's too easy? It's simple to want to follow the light, but there are shadows that draw us to the side of the road. As Augustine mentions, we have trouble focusing on light:
"The lovely things kept me far from you." goodreads.com/.../520812-late-have-i-loved-you-beauty-so-old-and-so

We have fear of the objects that are found in darkness and to think about them too much, to seek too much, we attach ourselves to them. We are attracted by objects, sometimes by people more than God and they distract us away from Light: "The lovely things kept me far from you," says Augustine.

Instead of seeing the person and the objects under God's reality, there's the danger of observing them according to the shadows they offer us.

Jesus invites us to return to the Light to better understand and grasp the world around us, in its reality. He stops and he talks to the blind beggar man:
"'Call him.' So they called the blind man, saying to him, 'Take courage; get up, he is calling you.'" Mark, chapter 10, verse 49

Trust, go to the Light, Jesus is here and he is waiting on you.
We may have this question: What do we want Jesus to do for us here and now? What do we want to see? We want to see the true Light. And Jesus will tell us:
"Go your way; your faith has saved you." Mark, chapter 10, verse 52

Being blind in this context is not comparable to physical blindness. To be blind is above all to let our soul slip into darkness, alienation contrary to the Light, the unpleasant and disappointing side of the cloudy and dark, of which keeps us away from God.

In reality, all that is realized in the world for God brings graces to all. We will see each other and we will see the world as it is in Truth and in the Light of God. Only then can we be transformed by Truth.

The Shepherd's Mission
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 18, 2021, 04:13:41 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 19, 2021, 04:47:04 AM

3. In a pilgrimage place

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It's good to say:
"Lord, Lord." Matthew, chapter 7, verse 21a

It's a beginning. It's good to recognize Jesus as our Lord. Then he immediately brings us back to reason:
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven." Matthew, chapter 7, verse 21b

Works are like fruits on a tree. They are of God for others. What works can we do?

We are invited to open ourselves to the world. But it isn't enough to be satisfied with what we do, although what we do can already be very good.
A christian cannot be whole if he doesn't evangelize, if he doesn't ask Jesus to convert people around him and invite them to walk in faith, if not in our community, at least may they walk in faith.

To offer to others the graces received from God, it's important to strengthen our foundations continually and also to be patient and gentle with ourselves. Let's place our pride in God, because with Jesus, we can quickly find ourselves with new people who discover faith, in a short period of time.

Are we ready to open the doors and welcome? Do we leave priests and bishops with this initiative or do we also engage with them?

We're in a place of pilgrimage, where we are, right now. The people around us are those who seek God, sometimes even without knowing it.

We are pilgrims when we are searching for the presence of God in the hearts of people. We are pilgrims when we look for ways to pray. We are pilgrims when we go to Church and receive the Word of God and Eucharist.

We are very adept at helping a child learn, attain and grow, we can be as skilled at helping people in their faith.

Jesus is Lord and he shines on and in the world. Let's ask Jesus to touch him with his graces and rays of light. Let's help, by prayer, to discover it. Let's become pilgrims of the world around us, where we are. May people become aware that God loves them.

The Shepherd's Mission
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 19, 2021, 04:47:54 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 20, 2021, 05:10:47 AM

4. Adjusted to God

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In God, what seems more fragile is often what's strongest. The Love of God, life, hope, mercy, joy, among others, are solid. They stay with us. All the rest will pass. Like the house built on rock, we want to put our feet on concrete. It is written:
"A nation of firm purpose you keep in peace; in peace, for its trust in you." Isaiah, chapter 26, verse 3

Let's put our trust in God. Give him all the space. Let's find support in him. May the Lord be our home to shelter us from the cold, rainy, windy or snowy weather and even in sunny weather:
"Open up the gates to let in a nation that is just, one that keeps faith." Isaiah, chapter 26, verse 2

It's precise: "let them enter, the righteous (the nation)"! The righteous is the one who is adjusted to God and not the opposite. God doesn't adjust to us, to what we wish, what we want, what enchants us.

God doesn't adjust to himself, since he is just. We are invited to focus on the Love of God and our life will have everything it needs, spiritually. God's Love is... Love is.

Jesus offers us the mission: "It is not by saying to me, 'Lord, Lord,' that we will enter the kingdom of heaven, but it's by doing the will of my Father who is in heaven."

Let's do the Father's will. His will is that we love one another, from his Love. The one who guides us in the way of loving our neighbour is Jesus.

The Shepherd's Mission

Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 20, 2021, 05:12:13 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 21, 2021, 05:37:44 AM

5. Deepening our faith

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It's important to nurture our faith in the Church and then become missionaries in our region. Paul tells us:
"I am reminding you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you indeed received and in which you also stand." 1 Corinthians, chapter 15, verse 1

We are invited to live every moment of our lives by being aware of the presence of God and also by being conscious of deepening our faith. We stand firm by keeping the Word of the Gospel close at hand and in us. We have received the Gospel, now we are good to announce it.

"Those who with God's help have welcomed Christ's call and freely responded to it are urged on by love of Christ to proclaim the Good News everywhere in the world." Catechism of the Catholic Church, number 3, website: vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P2.HTM

The best way to know if we are truly and freely attached to the Trinity is to feel "urged on by love of Christ to proclaim the Good News everywhere in the world".

Let's bring his love to the world. Let's go into the world. Unless we have a different calling, of course, which is more related to prayer for the world as for the cloistered Carmelites, Franciscans. It's their way of being in the world. These two ways of evangelizing are excellent. All missionaries are thus supported by prayer.

With more people in a hurry and charitably committed to proclaiming the Love of Christ, supported by the prayers of all, there will be an ocean of universal love. Then, the grace of the mission nourishes and deepens our personal faith.
Let's recognize the Love that God gives us by his Word, by his Body and his Blood, by the Eucharist for our salvation and the salvation of the world.

The Shepherd's Mission
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 21, 2021, 05:38:48 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 22, 2021, 05:12:25 AM

6. The Lord's voice

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The Lord's envoy does not always have the simplest mission. And in Jeremiah's time it was even more difficult. Where he is sent, he risks death, since people consider his message as an obstacle:
"This man deserves death; he has prophesied against this city, as you have heard with your own ears." Jeremiah, chapter 26, verse 11

This is why the leaders and prophets want to kill him:
Jeremiah gave this answer to the princes and all the people: 'It was the Lord who sent me to prophesy against this house and city all that you have heard. Now, therefore, reform your ways and your deeds; listen to the voice of the Lord your God, so that the Lord will repent of the evil with which he threatens you.' Jeremiah, chapter 26, verses 12 to 13

Let's review our actions, our words and listen to the Lord's voice. Misfortune never comes from the Lord, but our refusal to be on the road and the refusal of others to listen. It is quite brilliant what Jeremiah declares in the name of the Lord.

Conversion involves meditating on the people's needs and the desire to listen to those who transmit the voice of God. Then the princes and all the people said to the priests and prophets:
"This man does not deserve death; it is in the name of the Lord, our God, that he speaks to us." Jeremiah, chapter 26, verse 16

When Jeremiah professes that he is the Lord's messenger, they consider holding their hand and allow him a longer life. They are kind to him. They decide to change lanes.

They recognize in Jeremiah a prophet who wants to help the people become better, holy, thanks to God. A new time of grace begins because the people agree to be transformed by the Voice of God announced by the voice of the prophet. Joy can be replaced in the people.

We don't have to wait to change lanes. The holy way is to let God be the master of our life, immediately.

Today, however, it is difficult to accept a straight, good and solid path. And not everyone appreciates that christians invite them to change their ways. There are, for example, those who do not want to hear reproach about their unhealthy and destructive practices that can harm them.

Happy are the people who dare to listen to the message of the Lord and who agree to redirect their lives in the good that he proposes to us. The world needs people who listen to the Trinity through the voice of prophets who touch the heart with righteous and loved filled words, with messages that are adapted to them and with gentleness and respect for their journey.

Let's offer to the Lord everything that can lead us out of his message of conversion, freedom and truth in faith. May he free us from this reckless conduct and keep us with him. Then we can make him be loved by others.

The Shepherd's Mission
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 22, 2021, 05:14:04 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 23, 2021, 05:56:09 AM

7 Seeing God's face

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We are called to a resplendent life. The Apostle John describes to us all the splendour of the Holy City that he receives in a vision. At that moment, John must be living heaven on earth. These images will remain engraved in his memory forever.

John sees the Lamb and he mentions that those who have accepted the Love of God will see his face:
Nothing accursed will be found there anymore. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will look upon his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. Night will be no more, nor will they need light from lamp or sun, for the Lord God shall give them light, and they shall reign forever and ever. Revelation, chapter 22, verses 3 to 5

Seeing the face of God is the ultimate dream from the beginning of mankind to its end, when we return in him. Whether they're aware of it or not, it will happen. But often they look elsewhere and move away from their reality as children of God.

Down here, we carry in ourselves the image of God. But we must also want to welcome the life of Christ in us as Mary made herself available to his will. We will not bear God like her, but we will carry him in the core of who we are.

The Holy Spirit can already place on our faces the light of God, in our hands the gift of God, in our eyes the vision of God on the world, and in our feet the footsteps of little pilgrims of Love who hurry on to go to the people, to lead them to Jesus.

The Shepherd's Mission
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 23, 2021, 05:56:58 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 24, 2021, 05:11:05 AM

8. Let's remain free

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Jesus then invites us to the virtue of prudence:
"Be vigilant at all times and pray." Luke, chapter 21, verse 36
This is the secret that isn't secret. Let's keep the light of our sal
vation in plain sight, let's keep Jesus, our Light, close to us. His presence will help us to see the obstacles on our way to minimize, move or circumvent them.

Let's remain free, knowing that we are loved by God and may Jesus be the Lord of our life. In this way, we will see the face of God. Jesus confirms it:
"That you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man." Luke, chapter 21, verse 36

To escape all that will happen, to circumvent the obstacles, to remain on the road of holiness, is to draw water and light from Jesus, from the Well of his Sacred Heart, who keeps us in hope.

Let's also observe the other missionaries who fight with the light of peace, joy, justice and mercy. Jesus is the wisdom that allows us to properly assess the situations around us, then to teach the world, in confidence. The more our path aligns with that of Jesus, the better we will discern. The mission will become efficient and precise. Others have succeeded, why not us? It is humanly feasible.

We want to give thanks to the Lord and reiterate our "yes" to Jesus so that he may remain with us in the days of purification, in the crucible of transformation as in the days of trust with him, our host and guide.

The Shepherd's Mission
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 24, 2021, 05:11:52 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 24, 2021, 05:13:06 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 25, 2021, 05:15:20 AM

9. Let's listen

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We are in the core of a treasure mine that never stops twinkling. We receive everything to be happy:
Hear then, Israel, and be careful to observe them, that you may grow and prosper the more, in keeping with the promise of the Lord, the God of your fathers, to give you a land flowing with milk and honey. Deuteronomy, chapter 6, verse 3

In short, it tells us: "To watch, listen and practise what brings us happiness and fruitfulness." Joy in God is the sign that we are following Jesus and listening to him. We become fruitful and offer God's graces.

First, let's be watchful. Let's keep our hearts open and ready to reach people on the road. Let's watch what they live to know them better. Let's receive from Jesus what we'll give back to them. Joy restores and allows us living from its fullness.

Secondly, listen. Let's listen to what people tell us. They give us points of reference as to possible evangelization with them.

Jesus gave us his Catholic Church for us to have teachings, sacraments, the Word and the Eucharist. Let's listen to what will lead us to the Holy Trinity for eternity.

Third one, let's practice. Let's practice what we learn and discover what amazes us through faith in Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit. Let's practice all that will allow us to progress in faith and that will make our surroundings holier and anchored in the divine (God).

The Shepherd's Mission
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 25, 2021, 05:16:20 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 26, 2021, 04:25:58 AM

10. Love reflects

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Then there is this piece of text we know well and which is to be regularly meditated. This prayer is a jewel, a beacon for the Jews:
"Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone! Therefore, you shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength." Deuteronomy, chapter 6, verses 4 to 5 (See also Mark, chapter 12 verses 29-30)

It's a whole lesson, in a few sentences. There's: "Listen." Listening means being all ears to what the Lord says to us: "The Lord is our God, the Lord alone." Our God is One. Let's listen to what God tells us and not everything that is said to be negative about him in a clumsy and inexperienced way.

Then the sweet recommendation for our conversion, through a path of holiness: "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength." Love the Lord your God with the strength of his Love that he lays down upon you. Love God, since he is Love and he wants to observe the brilliance of his pure diamond, his Love which reflects of a thousand colours, out of you.

Let's love God. Then, how do we love God if we don't love the person he has created, ourselves? God created us Love. He is still creating us right now. Let's love in ourselves the Love that God creates at every moment. This Love will reflect on our contemporaries. We love God in return when we let him go through us to Love humanity.

The Shepherd's Mission
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 26, 2021, 04:26:37 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 27, 2021, 04:27:33 AM

11. Easy and light

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Paul testifies:
"Although I am free in regard to all, I have made myself a slave to all so as to win over as many as possible." 1 Corinthians, chapter 9, verse 19

First, Paul says he is "free in regard to all". It's the result of being as free as possible from worries and staying on the road with Jesus.

It's not always easy to live in this way with all the distractions and illusions that surround us, with all that takes us away from Jesus, all that causes us to leave the path.

But Paul's intention is to invite us to stay on the path of holiness, to remain focused on the mission that Jesus proposes to us for the glory of God and for the salvation of the world.

We are not here to block the people around us. Every step we take is to help our neighbour. We walk with them and offer them ways to improve their lives.

Paul says that he wants to "win over as many as possible" to Jesus. Only a free person can really lead souls, lead people to Jesus. But Paul knows, like all of us, that he isn't perfect and that he depends entirely on the will of God. To be a "slave" as Paul mentions means to love the Love of God for the mission of salvation.

This way of Paul is also ours. We are walking with Jesus and we can ask each day what Jesus would do if he were us. What would Jesus say or propose to people? Each person is unique, they are not like others. How would Jesus join the hearts of people very different from each other?

The freedom of which Paul speaks is of primary importance. Jesus sets us free. He is Liberty. Where Jesus passes and where he is welcomed, he sets free. Darkness has no influence over Jesus or those who trust in him.

The Shepherd's Mission
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 27, 2021, 04:28:36 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 28, 2021, 04:41:33 AM

12. Offer hospitality to Jesus

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How is it that Jesus is not known and loved more? Why is love so hard to spread and hatred seems to take over? How many people are not free right now?

So:
Simon and those who were with him pursued him and on finding him said, 'Everyone is looking for you.' He told them, 'Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.' Mark, chapter 1, verses 36 to 38

Simon and his companions look for Jesus, they find him and they tell him: "Everyone is looking for you."

We all seek Jesus and at the same time we only have to receive and welcome him into our hearts, sharing him with others, then discover Jesus in the hearts of others.

Let's not waste time revealing the flaws of others. Let's find instead their qualities that come from God and teach them to discover them, so that they also recognize his presence from within.

Let's offer hospitality to Jesus every moment in our heart and it will not be necessary to seek him. Let's not let ourselves be disappointed, thinking that Jesus is not with us. Jesus is always with us. How do we listen then and receive him? By listening to him, welcoming him and sharing Jesus' Love with others, we will truly be in his mission and evangelize.

Jesus answers them: "Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come."

People are looking for Jesus and that's exactly what he wants. Now he invites his Apostles to go elsewhere. It's like he's saying, "Do not just stay between you where everything seems to be going well and in a group that loves you. Go elsewhere too, find others, bring my Good News to them." To proclaim the Gospel is to evangelize.

We feel good between us. We are sometimes too happy with our friends, so Jesus invites us to cross the borderline to create encounters of faith with new people.

It will be a sign of our freedom with Jesus when we want to create friendships of faith and walk with some new people we meet. This will not keep us away from the circle of friends we already have. Rather, it will improve it.

The Shepherd's Mission
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 28, 2021, 04:43:13 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 29, 2021, 04:52:22 AM
13. God dwells in us

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John, the Apostle sponsors us to understand the Sacred Heart of Jesus:
"No one has ever seen God. Yet, if we love one another, God remains in us, and his love is brought to perfection in us." 1 John, chapter 4, verse 12

It seems strange that John says no one has seen God since he was with him. Jesus had also told Philip, his Apostle brother:
"Whoever has seen me has seen the Father." John, chapter 14, verse 9

Surely John wants to attract us on a specific point, since he has already said that he touched the Word of Life, that he touched Jesus. The two were walking together during the mission. John especially wants to introduce us into our heart.

The best way to discover Jesus is to immerse ourselves in our heart and draw out the Love that's placed there. And, "If we love one another, God remains in us, and his love is brought to perfection in us."

John tells us nothing new, since Jesus spent his life spreading his desire that we love one another. But he adds that God's Love will reach his perfection in us. We can see that John knew him. He knows what it means to walk with Jesus.

Let's be reassured, Jesus is still in us, but we risk closing the door of our senses from tasting the Word, hearing it, from tasting the Eucharist, from touching Jesus's Heart, from feeling holiness and see Jesus. Let's continually develop a deeper meaning of God's reality.

The offered Love of God transforms us from day to day and leads us to improve until the day we are fully in him. The journey of our heart to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is the only passage that exists to reach salvation.

The more we spread the Love of Jesus's Sacred Heart, the more our life becomes like his. It's simple, but effective, though it's not easy for us to get going every day. With Jesus, we will get there, we will perfect ourselves.
John also tells us:
"This is how you can know the Spirit of God: every spirit that acknowledges Jesus Christ come in the flesh belongs to God." 1 John, chapter 4, verse 2

To announce Jesus is also to receive the Love of his Heart. And he can tell us once more:
"Come to me, all you who labour and are burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew, chapter 11, verse 28

Even if sometimes the road is rough, to dive in Jesus's Heart will make us discover that the Love he offers us smooths out the road, transforms us, helps us, guides us toward joy and eternal peace.

The Shepherd's Mission
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 29, 2021, 04:55:47 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 30, 2021, 06:14:11 AM

14. God does it

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This is what is said in the book of Isaiah:
"O Lord, you mete out peace to us, for it is you who have accomplished all we have done." Isaiah, chapter 26, verse 12

The works, the Lord fulfills them for us and with us. It's kind of curious to say that what we do, God does for us.

But it's the truth. Let's assume that God is the one who prepares us for the mission. We are only the instrument. When we do something human, true, peaceful, following the road with Jesus, we will succeed. God does it (in his way, by his will) through us.

If what we are undertaking is linked to a refusal to love, to a refusal to let God be the one who realizes his works, we skid to our loss. We stifle the Love of God who wants to go through us to touch hearts and who wants to realize in them the salvation he promised.

We are aware that we aren't perfect. Precisely, let's let the Lord's care pass through us even more. He will transform us while touching the hearts of our contemporaries. God will accomplish his works through us.

Let's become the passers of the faith of God, people who gently undertake to evangelize the world. God will fulfill in these people the salvation he promises.

The Shepherd's Mission
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 30, 2021, 06:15:03 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 31, 2021, 04:43:28 AM

15. To sow peace

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Let's imagine that we sow iron balls in the garden. There will be no vegetables or iron growing. But if we sow grains of vegetables in the garden, it will give us good vegetables.

First, we need to know what we want to grow in the garden. We need a minimum of knowledge to be aware that iron doesn't grow there. Then we did not form the grain. We did not create the grain. We do not do anything for the garden to offer us vegetables. They grow alone, but not completely alone. So, we aren't even soil or nutrients that help vegetables grow. All this is offered to us, as well as the participating rain and sun.

We undertake to sow peace, justice, love in the world, but God realizes it in us and around us by the good, the beautiful, the real and the true. Let's be certain and meticulous that what we sow comes from God. When it is God who transmits his graces, the task is easy as Jesus tells us:
"My yoke is easy, and my burden light." Matthew, chapter 11, verse 30

If it's not easy and light, we don't let God carry out his work. We place ourselves between people and him. We are exhausting ourselves. But when it's easy and light, we don't get tired because we allow God to work. Even in effort and pain, the joy of God supports us.

The Shepherd's Mission
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 31, 2021, 04:44:32 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 01, 2021, 04:59:52 AM

16. Strength from above

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Moses encourages Joshua. He conveys to him his courage and determination:
"It is the Lord who marches before you; he will be with you and will never fail you or forsake you. So do not fear or be dismayed." Deuteronomy, chapter 31, verse 8

Now, let's take Moses' words for us. They are comforting and they encourage to dare to walk with Jesus in the mission he proposes to us; to announce his Good News in a simple and respectful way with a courageous, audacious, decided and dedicated attitude.

May the force come from above to discern what is good to achieve, how to challenge people and how to transmit the fire of faith. Let's meditate on the best ways to reach people's hearts today. The strength is to welcome God's Love. May God enlighten what we must do to help in the salvation of the world.

God trust's us. Let's also trust God, for us, our children, our friends, and especially for the people to whom we think the least about.

The Lord walks with us. The Holy Spirit in our heart, Jesus on the road and the Father who watches, we have every reason to feel the confidence for evangelization of the hearts of people we meet on a daily basis.

With trust in the Trinity, with faith as a plan of salvation, with the outpouring of happy pilgrims on the road to holiness, we bring light so that others receive it in the heart of their lives.

The Shepherd's Mission
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 01, 2021, 05:01:25 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 02, 2021, 05:02:26 AM

17. It's quality that leads sheep

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Jesus tells us that the Shepherd:
"Rejoices over [for the found sheep] more than over the ninety-nine that did not stray." Matthew, chapter 18, verse 13

We can think that Jesus is very happy for one sheep. However, Jesus has a bigger plan. Yes, for starters, it's good practice to discover a soul to lead to Jesus. If each person leads one person to Jesus, the world will be evangelized in a fairly short period of time.

In reality, when Jesus speaks of the "lost sheep" to be saved, he speaks of the importance of preparing to evangelize each sheep as we pass by them. Jesus thinks of all sheep.

It isn't as much the quantity of sheep to find that matters most, because we will only pull on their chains and they will not want to follow, but it's with the quality of the faith and the message that we will join the people more and that we will entrust them to the Shepherd himself, Jesus. In this case, the number of sheep will grow.

We are thus invited to attract the sheep with the good grain of faith, to nourish them with authentic faith in Jesus Christ while asking Jesus of what they need most. Because each sheep has a potential to discover and develop to become stronger and attracted to the good, the real, the beautiful and the true.

The Shepherd's Mission
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 02, 2021, 05:03:57 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 03, 2021, 05:06:39 AM

18. Leading sheep to Jesus

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We walk, we meet, we share, we do everything in prayer and a clear relationship with Jesus so that all are saved by him. All we do in faith and following Jesus is to offer to him, person after person, so that their faith increases and they may be saved.

The mission is to always lead the sheep, the people to Jesus, so that he can touch their souls and ignite their hearts with Love. Let's begin by giving the people back to Jesus in our hearts and on every occasion.

At the same time, we observe that the more we work for others with Jesus, the more the doors of our own holiness opens. The more we work for others, the more we learn how to unite with Jesus and the more we convert ourselves. It's a good deal.

Jesus invites us to become his Love missionaries. Jesus wishes us to become contagious of his presence for the world. We who know that Jesus saves us, he wants us to participate in attracting others to salvation.

To enter into a mission with Jesus is to do the will of God. But to do our own will, our mission without reference to God, is to hide as Adam and Eve.

Sometimes there are people who think they are so "on a mission" that they take control of others just to make themselves feel like they are doing something. But on the contrary, they have to let go more and let the Lord pass.

When we let go, we can return to Jesus's mission and lead people to the Word and Eucharist. They are the food of heaven for human life.

The Shepherd's Mission
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 03, 2021, 05:07:41 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 04, 2021, 05:06:12 AM

19. God guides us

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The Lord is rallying. Humanity, God has never stopped wanting to bring him back to his Covenant. Then there's the community. God keeps inviting the living communities of faith to enter into his Intelligence and Wisdom, so that we can also feed people who aren't of these communities. The common good for all people is to lead them to their salvation in Jesus Christ.

Jesus was present in his region. Crowds followed Jesus to welcome him and hear his teaching.

Life on earth would be so much simpler if we let God guide us. We see it here, it's party time:
"On this mountain the Lord of hosts will provide for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines." Isaiah, chapter 25, verse 6

God continually invites us to a meal with him. It is the eternal banquet that begins with our yes to the feast with God, the banquet of the Word and the Eucharist.

All this is already promised to us by God, since Christ has come into our world to lead us to definite salvation.

Let's give glory to God:
"Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us! This is the Lord for whom we looked; let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!" Isaiah, chapter 25, verse 9

It is the promise, the only promise of God, our hope. We know he is saving us, now we want others to be saved by him.

Let's tell him we'll receive his gifts for him to touch the heart of each person. Let's pray for people to let themselves be touched.

The Shepherd's Mission
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 04, 2021, 05:07:40 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 05, 2021, 05:11:24 AM

20. Tell the truth

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Jesus declares to his disciples:
"Everyone who acknowledges me before others the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God." Luke, chapter 12, verse 8

True! But what does Jesus want us to say about him? The truth. This is more delicate. To talk about a person, especially Jesus, we need to spend years with him, talk with him, share with him, share in a group and read what is written about him, then enter into a better fellowship with him, naturally.

Above all, if we are talking about Jesus, let's make sure we know ourselves well and gradually adjust to his will. However, a person who has not invested time to listen to his own life will hardly be able to put the reality of another person into perspective. It's an everyday job to discover ourselves in reality and truth.

In the Gospels, there's a lot of information about Jesus, his life is part of the history of his time. He is Jewish. And Jesus is surrounded by people who testify to his presence. However, to discern in the Gospels how Jesus really is, it is recommended to become more familiar with him:
"As proof that you are children, God sent the spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out, 'Abba, Father!'" Galatians, chapter 4, verse 6

Only the Holy Spirit really knows the Creation of the Father and the Heart of the Son. But how to grasp the Holy Spirit if we don't see him? Through the Love received from him, lived and shared. Gaining experience in this area is an asset.
To know Jesus, let's comb the Bible in order to discover all of the Trinity's reality and especially that which is particular to the Beloved Son Jesus.

May the Eucharist, the Body and the Blood of Jesus together, the living God, help us to make truth in us ... if we want to discover his Truth in us. Then, by being totally free from ourselves and from some reducing principles about God, may the Holy Spirit teach us what to say about him for the salvation of the world and the Glory of the Trinity.

The Shepherd's Mission
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 05, 2021, 05:12:45 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 06, 2021, 05:13:18 AM
21. God passes

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God comes before us. Let's imagine God passing in front of us? Can we afford the time to receive God and let him reveal his presence to us?
God joins Elijah in front of a cave:
"A strong and heavy wind is rending the mountains and crushing rocks before the Lord - but the Lord is not in the wind. After the wind there's an earthquake - but the Lord is not in the earthquake. After the earthquake there's fire - but the Lord is not in the fire. After the fire there is a tiny whispering sound. When he heard this, Elijah hides his face in his cloak and goes and stands at the entrance of the cave. A voice says to him, "Elijah, why are you here?"" 1 Kings, chapter 19, verses 11b to 13

God does not show up in something very impressive. Elijah hears him as a delicate voice, in "a tiny whispering sound", "the sound of sheer silence". God is discreet. He stands before us and in our heart with the same discretion.

Do we want God to speak to us? God speaks to us like he does to Elijah. What is he telling us?
To hear God, we need to enter in the silence of our heart. Let's seek God's presence in us and in our environment and we'll become more aware that he's here.

God proposes to us the same question as to Elijah: "Elijah, why are you here?" Why is Elijah hidden in a cave? Why are we hiding from God and not inviting him into our life? Why are we hiding in our houses and apartments or in our "bubble" when we're in a group?
"Elijah, why are you here?" God asks. And God asks us why we are confined in our body and in our heart by preventing his Loving power to live in it, to breathe in it.

We enter the covenant with God, we enter God's Love when he can reach us. May we set free to him the space of our heart.

Book: A path to conversion

Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 06, 2021, 05:14:01 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 07, 2021, 04:53:56 AM

22 Follow me

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Jesus loves to challenge people who are seated or lying down. Here is Matthew, a tax collector sitting at his desk, to which Jesus says:
"Follow me." Matthew, chapter 9, verse 9b

Which means: "Stand up and walk with me."
Jesus knows the heart of every person, of every individual. He chose Matthew because he's ready to be plucked like a ripe fruit:
"He got up and followed him." Matthew, chapter 9, verse 9c

Says Matthew, himself. Jesus touches Matthew at the heart of his being. Matthew gets up "immediately" and follows him.

Matthew will become Jesus' Apostle and evangelist and he'll continue, his whole life, to remain with him.

When the faith of the person enters its maturity, it becomes easier to follow Jesus. Jesus wants for Matthew to follow him. He knows that Matthew has made the necessary efforts to exercise faith. Matthew perhaps wasn't aware of the degree of faith he had and maybe few people knew also. He is ready to walk on the road that Jesus borrows.

The completion of the conversion in Matthew is to hear and respond to the call of Jesus. Matthew goes and follows Jesus, step by step, without knowing in what Jesus is getting him into. His heart is touched, then he's overturned by this unique moment with Jesus.

The new American bible, 2011-2014, Vatican.va
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 07, 2021, 04:55:20 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 08, 2021, 04:44:46 AM

23. Joy settles in

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When adjusting to the will of God, we can receive the light, then joy settles in and peace becomes a constant reality. Jesus came to teach us the Good News and to free us.

Jesus invites us back to a child's dignity from God, in purity of heart. Everything is better in God. The weight of past feelings and tomorrow's worries recede from our conscience.

Paul is proposing that we visit our heart:
"It is God who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us, by putting his seal on us and giving us his Spirit in our hearts as a first instalment." 2 Corinthians, chapter 1, verses 21 and 22

The past is a shadow, the future is a mirage, but the Holy Spirit dwells in our heart right now. Living in God improves our life. Welcoming the Holy Spirit into our heart leads to joy in God's Love.

But when we drag the past on our shoulders, we fight for years and we lose energy. And when we suffer from anxiety for the future, we seek for the impossible for hours, months and years as time passes. God is found in the present.
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew, chapter 5, verse 3

The poor of heart, of spirit, know they can rely on God. They receive the basic necessities. They hold the key to the Kingdom God.

The new American bible, 2011-2014, Vatican.va
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 08, 2021, 04:46:30 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 09, 2021, 05:13:49 AM

24. May we convert

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This passage announces the disposition of the faith:
"Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people." Psalm, chapter 85, verse 8

Let's listen and be focused to what the Lord God will say in our heart. When we are vigilant, we turn our faith and our heart as a receiver to the Heart of God.

His Heart is similar to the satellite that launches signals. We do need to put our faith towards the right frequency to receive God. We must not turn it to channels whose waves affect the reception of our soul. The dome of the heart adjusted in the right direction to the Heart of God will receive the signals of his Love.

If we do not listen, it's possibly because we are troubled, we are elsewhere. We may be at war against our own heart. After the war, it's the distress creeping in, loss of energy then lack of peace.

May we listen to what the Lord says in the silence of our heart. We think we're not hearing anything? Still, God speaks to us all the same. Only experience will clarify our listening. Let's count five seconds and gradually increase from week to week, the time to listen to God. Let's adjust the beating of our heart to the Heart of God.

God offers us his peace, peace for his family and children. Peace is offered to us. Let's listen and cling to the one that offers us his peace and his Love.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 09, 2021, 05:14:35 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 10, 2021, 04:29:12 AM

25. It's time

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Peter tells us that God wants all of us to have time to convert:
"The Lord does not delay his promise, as some regard 'delay', but he is patient with you, not wishing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." 2 Peter, chapter 3, verse 9

God is in a hurry, because he wants all of us with him, without exception. But he respects us. He waits for us to decide. Are we going to wait until tomorrow? Do we want to convert from the depths of our heart? For God is eternal, but we're passing through a limited time. Time is the passage between our conception and eternity. The responsibility for an answer is ours.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 10, 2021, 04:30:11 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 11, 2021, 05:53:43 AM

26. Choosing Jesus

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In Matthew's Gospel, Jesus proclaims:
"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Matthew, chapter 4, verse 17b

Let's convert and we'll get a bonus by receiving the kingdom of God. Or more precisely, we receive the kingdom of God by a true conversion. Our yes to God guarantees life in the kingdom of God. God is with us. All that is ours should be to thank God. Let's discover the infinite Love of the Trinity. We are invited to a wonderful fellowship, to welcome God's Love and live it to obtain a gradual transformation of our person to wellness, a free life at last and the guarantee of a return to God.

Conversion of the heart, conversion of ourselves to the Persons of the Trinity, listening to what God's wisdom proposes, implementation of charity without expecting, in doing so we attune gradually to the will of God.

As soon as we follow Christ, we become like the Light of Christ, in the image of God. We become his Love. The offer remains ... to choose Jesus ... and this claim belongs to us. To receive as much, with such great a promise, our demand to God should be simple, fast and efficient.

How do we please God? Preferring Jesus pleases God. It's the ultimate option that improves all the others, especially our relationships with people. Dare we say "yes" to Jesus with our heart and our life.

God never ceases to invite us to conversion to a wiser life, more charitable, more beautiful, full of value, holier. God draws us to himself, here and now.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 11, 2021, 05:55:26 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 12, 2021, 04:49:17 AM

27. John lives with Jesus

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Let's imagine a moment that John has the grace to follow Jesus wherever he goes, for three years. John, the Apostle and Evangelist ate and drank with Jesus, he slept next to Jesus, he leaned his head on the Sacred Heart of Jesus. John is privileged because he decided for Jesus.

If we have ever felt the presence of Jesus, may we try to remember the exact moment when it happened. Let's meditate on it. If we experienced a conversion as the biblical persons in the first chapter of this book, let's try to remember the spark that has awakened and unsettled us to convert. Was it a person, an event, the construction of a church, a word, a gesture, joy, peace, silence, nature, "or so on"?

"What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we looked upon and touched with our hands concerns the Word of life." 1 John, chapter 1, verse 1

John agrees to follow Jesus and he spends three years on the road with him. Before meeting Jesus, John has readied his heart for his encounter with Jesus, John vibrated and after spending quality time with Jesus, John taught it. John remembers what Jesus lived and taught to the Apostles. John saw and he believed.

Although John had never known Christ, he had never touched him, we could still believe in Jesus.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 12, 2021, 04:51:21 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 13, 2021, 04:27:54 AM

28. Don't wait

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The vast majority of conversions become effective after a very unfortunate event or suffering that endures. Many people seek God when they are injured, when they hit a wall, in an accident or during a burnout. We wait often too long before considering Jesus.

It's not necessary to suffer, wait for the suffering to torture us to finally know God, be anxious to shout at him or to be trapped to request for him to free us.
Like us, the world needs to know that God is always here, constantly. In joy, we praise, in troubled times we can thank him for the past joy. Jesus becomes the first dialogue of our consciousness. This will help us move pass the wall that approaches instead of hitting it and collapse before it.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 13, 2021, 04:30:56 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 14, 2021, 04:08:46 AM

29. Conversion destabilizes

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To offer our life to Christ, by a sincere conversion, destabilizes our personal universe. Even if we are converted for years, even today, if we give our life to Christ, we must not be surprised that there are events that will incline us like the wind against the trees.

We are not accustomed to see clearly, to meet reality and feel the resistance against our faith. But to give ourselves to Jesus Christ and to be loved by him will illuminate our path on which we are engaged. Jesus will take control of our life and lead us on the right track. We lose our control by giving control to Jesus. And that's salvation!

And, let's face it, we're not fond of leaving our existence to someone or even to Jesus. We have difficulty in trusting. But that is what Jesus asks of us, to allow him to receive our life in his hand.

We are also invited to live in the present, to leave behind what is unnecessary in the past and the apprehension of the future, but it's destabilizing and undermines our bad habits. In the present, we are in God.

What grace constantly remind us that Jesus is Lord and Saviour of our life, that God created us and is the author of our life, our body, our soul, our spirit! He creates us now. May we thank Jesus for the graces received. Let's trust in Jesus!

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 14, 2021, 04:11:45 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 15, 2021, 05:07:59 AM

30. Two choices

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Two choices are offered with the surprise of the new conversion. The first choice is to sit on the novelty and think about it. It's demanding, but it also allows to regroup and to situate us in relation to sudden major interior changes.
Like a person lost in the forest of the opportunities that offers conversion, it's important to stop, to sit down, assess our position and observe that we live deeply in order to resume our journey. It's like someone who tells us wonderful news, we'd better sit down.

It's not wise to run in all directions. That's the second choice. There is a risk of going astray in the misunderstanding of people confronting us and getting to think we really have "lost our mind". And we could also lose our orientation in this forest. Rather, it's time to enjoy peace in the joy of God.

Let's think about it! In Jesus, it's impossible to lose our head since it's now safer than ever. Others will adapt to the enhanced version of our person. We are not changed, we do not become someone else, we are only improved through faith in Jesus.

For some Pharisees go beyond the idea that Jesus has only lost his head and that he is possessed, now they falsely perceive Jesus as the devil, satan. Jesus' answer is quite illuminating:
"If Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, that is the end of him." Mark, chapter 3, verse 26

Jesus speaks of the nature of evil, satan, that he manipulates to divide. Jesus recalls he's just the opposite. He came to liberate what is split apart, without love, without joy, without light. Jesus cannot be divided, because Love is not divisible. Evil cannot be joy. We know that we are close to Jesus when we are in joy, peace, real love.

Jesus came to heal the internal infirmities that distance from God, heal what divides us from our relationship to God. Jesus eliminates, eradicates and dethrones evil. Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is the one (Satan) who dares to keep people away from Love and the Covenant with God. The confusion starts from the principle of the great lie that Jesus is Satan just to prevent the conversion of people to the Love of God.

The Son Jesus keeps us in life, without division, without death, with the promise of eternity. It's eternity in God we live in this very moment with Jesus.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 15, 2021, 05:09:37 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 16, 2021, 06:01:43 AM

31. There are many discoveries

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The first conversion, a brand new one, needs a very strong push to propel it in the heights of reality. It's like the plane taking off and displays great power to rise. We feel like something interesting is happening, again and again. We're in motion.

There are many discoveries, many novelties. This can last for weeks, months. Our heart is cheering and we continually marvel at the wonders of God, one after another. We are witnessing the awakening of our senses taming faith.

As the plane takes off and settles "on" air, we possibly get the impression that our faith has stabilized. So, for the new convert to Jesus as for the disciple, eventually everything seems to normalize. The landscape does not change as fast as in the beginning. We don't have the same feeling of elevation in faith as for the time of the initial conversion.

We quickly run the risk of getting bored, thinking that nothing is moving and that we are even possibly not in God's plans anymore. Then we may find comforting thrills in anything other than faith in God.

It's time to allow us a moment to recheck the path that we have just experienced and to thank God for the evolution through the months or years since our first conversion. This will allow us to get back to the foundation of our faith, to know ourselves better and re-centre our life on Jesus.

This is the right time to strengthen our faith, to dare the periodic conversion of a continuous journey, to be with people who travel together and who want to follow Jesus more confidently.

Then, we must not forget that the people who practise faith in groups are not perfect, as we are not perfect, and that our first goal is to follow Jesus. Let's try not observing the faults of others, but seek Jesus in the heart of these people. Let's seek God's qualities in them and leave to Jesus what isn't his.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 16, 2021, 06:03:47 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 17, 2021, 05:45:02 AM

32. Day after day

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All believers are called and invited to eternal life. God says to Abraham:
"My covenant with you is this: you are to become the father of a host of nations." Genesis, chapter, 17, verse 4

Abraham believes in God's Word, but he may not know what it definitely means. Often, we get intuitions from God, but there's a mystery surrounding these intuitions, even if after a longer or shorter discernment, they're from God.

God wants us to remain with him. He wants us to trust him. Day after day, year after year and for the duration of our lives, we'll need to work the foundation of our faith and solidify it. We then become examples for others, often unknowingly. Like the conversion of Abraham, our own conversion will help lead people to God.

For this friendship (Covenant) to be feasible, God says to Abraham:
"You and your descendants after you must keep my covenant throughout the ages." Genesis, chapter 17, verse 9

To become credible believers, we need to enter into a relationship with God, in his Covenant. For how can we know someone without trying to know him? God wants to be known. As we were visited in our heart by God, he seeks to be exposed in our surroundings for everyone.

However, some will say to us: "Why do you invite us to perfection, if you are not perfect yourself?" And "why do you talk so much of Jesus, when you're not that converted to him? Why dare you even speak of Jesus?"

Let's not wait to be perfect beings before inviting to the perfection of faith to which Jesus calls us. Let's not expect to be "Jesus" ourselves, before talking about Jesus. We are all called to become like him, to abide in him. And yes, this book is written for the author, so that he may also, himself, convert.

Jesus invites us to evangelize. It's never in our own name but in Jesus' name. It's charitable to invite to the perfection of faith and it's charitable to mention Jesus's name. The soul thirsts to hear his name!

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 17, 2021, 05:46:18 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 18, 2021, 05:03:53 AM

33. Invitation to conversion

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Paul is not perfect, but he invites us nevertheless to a conversion:
You should put away the old self of your former way of life, corrupted through deceitful desires, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self, created in God's way in righteousness and holiness of truth. Ephesians, chapter 4, verses 22 to 24

May we get rid of ways that lead us to forget God in our meetings, while we're sharing memories with our family or with our friends.

Then Paul continues in the quoted text: "put on the new self, created in God's way in righteousness and holiness of truth".

Paul offers us a beautiful journey of faith. Let's trust in Jesus. Let's find time to explore God's reality, to thank him, to let him love us. But let's not think that we have achieved our goal. Let's continue to move forward in faith, simply, with whom we already are.

Being in God allows us to become more ourselves. We want to be like him, give our lives to him, recognizing him in humanity and inviting people to follow him by charitable ways.

May we let God's Word transform us to the point of becoming like him.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 18, 2021, 05:06:08 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 19, 2021, 04:53:04 AM

34. God elevates us

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Jesus wants us as friends:
I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father. John, chapter 15, verse 15

We become friends if we stay close to what Jesus is teaching us. God seeks to clothe us with his presence. He speaks with his Heart:
"I will be like the dew for Israel: he shall blossom like the lily; He shall strike root like the Lebanon cedar." Hosea, chapter 14, verse 6

God says: "I will be like the dew for Israel." But we don't really understand this passage. Because usually our relation with others contains conscious and unconscious blockages and we'll say: "When you'll become my friend, I'll be your friend."

Usually, we need to know the person, trust him, and then that person can enter our group of friends. This seems the norm in our way of proceeding, before welcoming and accepting friendship.

But for God, when he says: "I will be like the dew for Israel," he does not say that he will test us to see if he will love us. God isn't us. He doesn't expect to create a relationship with us. He loves us immediately. God loves us unconditionally. He loves us despite our faults and sins. He loves us eternally. God is always the dew that surrounds us, he's always present to his people, his family, he's the perpetual love that covers us.

The more we're hurt, the more people have let us down, the more we have experienced disappointments, the more we become trivial in choosing friends. God isn't such a person. God will never let us down. God lifts us and loves us without any special request from us.

So, the difficulty of entering a relation with God always comes from us, because we fear some of our past supposed friends. We confuse God with people from our past. We fear God, instead of letting him love us. We block our relationship with God in a thousand ways.

We are resourceful in finding reasons and excuses for not honestly following Jesus. We cut ourselves from his love, and we terribly suffer from the lost. We cannot count the cost of refused blessings.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 19, 2021, 04:53:49 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 20, 2021, 05:21:51 AM

35. Keeping Jesus with us

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Jesus reminds us of God's Law of Love:
"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength." The second is this: "You shall love your neighbour as yourself." There is no other commandment greater than these. Mark, chapter 12, verses 30 to 31

Then one of the scribes say:
Well said, teacher. You are right in saying, "He is One and there is no other than he." And "to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbour as yourself" is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices. Mark, chapter 12, verses 32 to 33

Jesus knows that he makes a good point then adds:
"You are not far from the kingdom of God." Mark, chapter 12, verse 34a
He's not far, but... he's not near the kingdom. He still needs to recognize Jesus as his Lord and Saviour. He will need to accept and follow Jesus.

And we have so many activities and projects underway that it will be difficult not to start the journey of faith, but to continue it. A small inconvenience could jeopardize the realization of the journey.

Turbulence under the airplane will make us doubt the craft quality. A negative distraction, especially from people in the church or even elsewhere, can lead us to believe less in Jesus and back off. May we not let distractions or negative situations end our walk with Jesus.

It demands our personal decision, not the one of others, for us to remain forever with Jesus. And it's for us now, to bring more joy, serenity, positive thoughts and prayers in our parish, then to our surroundings. This is our mission! Let's keep Jesus with us. It is he who completes us with his presence and grants us his gifts to share.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 20, 2021, 05:23:18 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 21, 2021, 06:00:50 AM

36. United in God

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Jesus tells us:
"The Father and I are one." John, chapter 10, verse 30
And since God is one, he wants us to unite in his Kingdom. God wants us to unite in him, every one of us, without exception.

May we continue to step forward with Jesus in our lives, in our heart, even if we have the illusion that nothing is happening, and may we be transformed from day to day in Jesus's manner, with Jesus, for Jesus, for the world and for our salvation.

Let's continue to go to faith gatherings and share the Word of God in the Bible with others. Let's walk with Jesus. The small steps that we'll achieve will lead us one day, perhaps in a few years to discover the improved person we've become.
Jesus will rejoice to see each small step we're taking, like with our parents the day when, very unsettled and unsure of ourselves, we walked toward them with outstretched hands.

If our parents had not allowed us to take these steps, maybe we wouldn't walk today. They even left us fall with love, to the ground, so that we progress in walking toward them. If our parents had not taught us to speak, and it has taken time to learn, we would not be talking. And yet today we're still learning our language.

So it's necessary to rejoice being in places of worship, just to be there even if we don't seem to bring a lot to the group. Or even by thinking we're not receiving much out of the group. The important thing is to be there. Jesus is there. Let's be reassured, we are moving at high speed, like the plane stabilized "on" air at 800 kilometres or more per hour. Even if the landscape seems at a stand still.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 21, 2021, 06:02:06 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 23, 2021, 04:45:12 AM

38. Watching

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With wisdom and knowledge, he fills them; good and evil he shows them. He looks with favour upon their hearts, and shows them his glorious works, that they may describe the wonders of his deeds and praise his holy name. Sirach, chapter 17, verses 6 to 8a

This is what's written. God gives us to: "describe the wonders of his deeds and praise his holy name".

God gazes on allowing us to see his work in us and around us.
The miner has a light on his helmet, he sees the environment. It allows him to observe and choose the ore that he's seeking. The light illuminates whatever is in the dark.

God's bright light allows us, by grace, to find out what's in our heart and in the heart of the people on our way. Then we can say:
"His majestic glory their eyes beheld, his glorious voice their ears heard." Sirach, chapter 17, verse 11

To be mindful of everything from God]] helps us to spring up and eliminate fear. We have seen the wonders of God. We see the wonders of God. We will see the wonders of God. Those who awaken to the grace of God will see his wonders. Let's see with the eyes of God while he sees in us what is his.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 23, 2021, 04:45:54 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 24, 2021, 05:08:06 AM

39. Giving us time

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We live every day the opportunity to convert more. It's essential to improve our relationship with Jesus. Otherwise, we'll move on. We will leave the Church and we will leave faith practises so necessary to our survival. We'll no longer celebrate Mass to thank God for all that he offers.

We are invited to refocus on the need to check with Jesus if we really follow him or if we're going away. May we rediscover the importance of our first conscious love with God.

A retreat in prayer, a few days to refocus on Jesus and the quality of our faith will help us to find ourselves in him. Let's give once again our trust to Jesus.
Let's go back to what initially brought us to Jesus. Let's rethink when and how we converted to him. Who convinced us to follow Jesus?

May we dare to move another step forward.

May we dare to find ways to get closer to Jesus.

May we dare to improve in faith.

Let's accept new steps in faith now, otherwise we'll quickly go astray.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 24, 2021, 05:11:14 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 25, 2021, 06:00:21 AM

40. Perseverance

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Continuous conversion is necessary if we are to remain strong in the midst of a boat being plagued by high waves, preyed upon by all the promises from the outside, all the illusions that sparkle on the water surface, proposed to us outside the Church.

May conversion be real in our heart and in the heart of our life. May we become lovers of God who loves us first. Let's love God more and more.

Let's ask Jesus's perseverance to remain in him. It's imperative, important today to rest completely, to anchor ourselves firmly in Jesus's love, in order not to be tossed on the waves of life, from one side to the other. It must become a commitment to progress and stabilize our faith, by following Jesus Christ.

Perseverance in faith keeps us glued to our loving God who seeks our "yes" every day. No need to tense up our faces to move forward and be persistent, but let down our barriers one by one and believe in the ways and means received by the Holy Spirit, because God believes in us.

Let's be vigilant. Let's live our faith. This is the first assurance we need to get. Starting the day with the sign of the Cross. Staying in Jesus's Heart. Jesus is Love. Jesus Loves us.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 25, 2021, 06:02:15 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 26, 2021, 06:45:14 AM

41. Caution

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To evolve in faith, it is important to observe from time to time, what is and what is not fine in our faith. Let's replace ourselves before Christ, to be at our best and to grow in faith.

A continued conversion allows the jewel of faith to be polished by the hand of God. People who are filled with God's Love become inflamed, they become lights in the world.

Paul invites us to persevere:
Provided that you persevere in the faith, firmly grounded, stable, and not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, am a minister, Colossians, chapter 1, verse 23

during Mass, among other means. May we remain strong and firm in the faith and strong in the grace of God. And as Paul says:
"To live in a manner worthy of the Lord, so as to be fully pleasing, in every good work bearing fruit and growing in the knowledge of God." Colossians, chapter 1, verse 10

Let's be certain that if we keep Jesus with us, in us, we will make progress "in the true knowledge of God". In Jesus, we will become bearers of God's Love. We will grow in this love and the people accompanying us during our earthly pilgrimage will benefit from it.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 26, 2021, 06:46:12 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 27, 2021, 04:59:11 AM

42. Fears

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Fears, anxieties, phobias, etc., are not from God. The more we get closer to Jesus our Lord, the more our lives will turn around and we will observe decrease of the discomfort.

We can ask ourselves: "Do we let the Holy Spirit work in our lives or do we let fear take over?"

If sadness prevails over joy, if the closure of our heart trumps openness to others, if we become stagnant instead of walking behind Jesus, if fear paralyzes us instead of tasting joy and freedom, the Holy Spirit doesn't pass. He can't go where we locked him out. It may be that we spend more time retaining ourselves, locking ourselves up instead of living our faith, free, and in God's Light.

Let's enter quickly into God's delights.

To not choose, to not decide is a devious trap. Elijah speaks these words to the crowd, and they are illuminating for us too:
"How long will you straddle the issue? If the Lord is God, follow him; if Baal, follow him." 1 Kings, chapter 18, verse 21

Elijah's invitation does not require an immediate response, but further reflection that will allow an evolution in faith.

Elijah places the people that he guides in front of their choices. There are only two choices. There will always be only two choices for us. God or whatever.
It's impossible to turn straight ahead. It's just impossible. We must turn either right or left, or go straight. Either we turn or we go straight. It's one or the other. God invites us to go straight. But often we "dance" to the left and then to the right, as souls that get out of hand then we may get out of the path that leads to God.

We are constantly faced with choices more or less simple. But what is interesting in what Elijah offers us is that we're in front of the only decision that really matters. All other decisions we eventually make results from this one. All personal achievements we live will be linked to that decision alone, "Do I choose God or not?" God is God of Love, the Holy Spirit breathes life into us and Jesus came to show us the path to follow to enter Eternal Love. The decision is easy. Or, is it easy?

Nobody can answer that question for us. We have full responsibility. Let's enter our heart and take the time to verify our choices and then align our life in the direction of our choice.

This sentence is to the point:
"Happy those [...] (which) God's law they study day and night, [...] that yields its fruit in season." Psalm 2, verses 1 to 3

With multiple paths already on the subject, we possibly know the answer. God allows us to become what's best for us, if we choose and remain focused on him.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 27, 2021, 05:00:49 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 28, 2021, 04:36:24 AM

43. The Fruits of the Spirit

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Let's observe the fruits of the Holy Spirit in the persons, which will unfold in goodness, truthfulness, in reality. If the person's words bear fruit and they are in the will of God, they'll lead to peace, joy, life, to all the gifts and charisms of the Holy Spirit, we can then follow what they live internally and be inspired by them.

If not, let's be careful with all the teachings that are given in the world. No need to deny and banish them, but let's separate the speeches that lead us to God from the ones that can separate us from him.

And why not internally compare the teachings we hear, not to discredit it at once, but to help us understand and refocus on Jesus. Let's ask Jesus to enlighten what's good in what we receive as teachings.

The same is true for gestures. Let's observe if the gestures of people lead to charity or not. As we listen and observe the others, we can achieve the same study on our ability to want to live and transmit values and if we live it well.

Let's ask Jesus to help us discern between what is from God and his Holy Spirit of what divides, separates us from him. People we meet may have good intentions, but the path they have chosen may lead away from God, then we are set astray with them. Let's be aware and careful.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 28, 2021, 04:38:12 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 29, 2021, 06:11:26 AM

44. To seek light

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To seek the light of God is a process to do every day of our lives. Let's rise:
"Rise up in splendour! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you." Isaiah, chapter 60, verse 1

What is the light that we seek? The Light is already on us. The Light of the Lord, the light of the Trinity is always on us, and it is for us to welcome it, to receive and be enlightened by it.

Jesus's light is to be demanded on us often, then we allow God to illuminate our lives and help us move forward on a quiet road, a better-defined road since we become better informed. With the light of God, we discern more in the depths of our heart what's necessarily needed for the road.

A sincere prayer of the heart is the best way to unite with God, to welcome him and be enlightened. It focuses us on God and allows him to do the cleaning of our existence.

A prayer that's already written, as the prayer of Jesus is, the Our Father, said with the heart, is an act of love. Each time we pray with an already written prayer or from within us, if it's said with the heart, it's an "I love you" to God.

We will possibly be distracted during our prayer time. These distractions are an opportunity for us to give them to God. This is part of our internal cleansing. It creates space to better accommodate God's Presence in us.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 29, 2021, 06:12:05 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 30, 2021, 06:24:18 AM

45. Freedom

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Jesus came to show us the face of God. He came to heal us and help us out of slavery and convert, of course, if we want to welcome Jesus as our Lord and Saviour. As it is written:
"Many followed him, and he cured them all." Matthew, chapter 12, verse 15

Let's continue to work on our own conversion to Jesus's Sacred Heart and he will show us he's our Lord and Saviour. Let's ask ourselves the question: "Did I become a slave to something or someone?"

Let's briefly do a parallel with the slavery of sin. As soon as we move away from God, we will reduce ourselves to more faults and sins. The remoteness from God will be caused by slavery, which will sink us into sin. Sin and evil always lead us away from God.

May we dare take the risk of following Jesus like the people of Israel out of Egypt with God's forceful hand. May we dare leave our bad habits.

Jesus heals us from our remoteness if we wish. The decision is ours, because we are free.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 30, 2021, 06:25:05 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 01, 2021, 05:02:41 AM

46. Continuous conversion and notice

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When we are living a basic conversion, there arises a deep desire to boldly explore the source, to know who God is and why his Love pierces our hearts.

Continuous conversion involves discovering and deepening the roots that lead us to know God's Love. Prospecting in the Bible, to examine the source of faith, is a human and natural process to starting to know who is God.

The teenage years are usually coloured by researching and understanding of family roots.

The teenager becomes aware of the people around him who have been present during his life. Who am I? Why am I? Who are they? Why them?

We will do the same exercise, in order to identify in several Bible texts, of which concerns God. Then we will dig into the very source of God's reality. Who is God? Why him?

But what are we looking for? As every human being one day finds himself before the question of love, we will search together, in the Bible, what's revealed about the Love of God. On the other hand, and because of this exercise, it will be necessary to dig out what is also contrary to the Love of God.

We are aware that there is a danger in carrying out such a project. It's sometimes difficult to understand why, on one hand, God is loving and the benefactor, but on the other hand, he seems to be wishing us harm, for obscure reasons.

It's false that God would want to hurt us, we know that. More precisely, evil is present in the sacred texts (Bible) because the people become lukewarm and they turn away from God; which undeniably attracts him to sin, to evil.

It should be noted that, as you will become aware in this book, the reality of God will never be eliminated (Love, peace, joy, mercy, etc.). On the other hand, what does not suit him will be underlined. This is the difficult part of the exercise. It requires an openness of mind and heart on the reader's part. After clearing through the deeper meaning of God in the Bible, Love will become visible.

It will be up to every person who reads this book, to discover that God is Love and that he never causes harm or leads his people or anyone to misfortune. We hope this makes the Bible more interesting and easy to read. We want to bring out the best of the Bible and we wish it ardently, without prejudice to the truth it contains.

Let's be reassured from the start that all that's written in the Bible is wanted from God. We repeat: All the texts of the Bible God wants. They teach us about history and human behaviour and God who's with us in history.

So we want to search together, excavate (dig out) and unpack the reality of God through what is written about him. We dare to release and reveal the Love of God by elevating, as within a hologram projection, some chosen passages from the Bible.

It's an invitation to conversion and to a sincere journey. We do believe, God is Love and he can only be Love. It's rather humans who sin, hides and disfigures the face of God.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 01, 2021, 05:05:05 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 02, 2021, 05:46:43 AM

47. God coexists with humans

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Since the beginning of humanity, mankind has been trying to understand who God is.

Events in the world make us love God. But in a strange way, they can also dissuade us, make us doubt, then move us away from the Love of God.

Writers too, in the Bible, have given intentions to God that does not seem to suit him very well. We'll try to restore briefly the reality of God, who is Love.

We'll also try to detect the reality of the human being, too often inhuman, because of his faults and his sins, who thinks that God is like him. Or, just like us sometimes, writers imagine God as an avenger, a scary being, who keeps us in fear as well as other unattractive attributes.

There are two basic aspects that influence us in the Bible. First, we discover the Love of God, purer than a perfect diamond with all its facets of mercy, joy, hope, peace, life, etc.

The second point of view that we need to remember is that God is present in the history of humanity. Despite the fact that there are saints in the Bible, very often the story recalls inhuman gestures and words that intermingle with the Love of God, unfortunately.

The image we project on God is often tarnished. We place an opaque veil between us and him. It can become confusing to the point that the "god" we invent seems to betray us, make us suffer and kills us, according to his mood (We place a small "g" to "god" here, because we want to signify, right from the outset, that this "god", like an idol, is a pure invention of our misunderstanding of the reality of God).

Moreover, we observe that since the beginning of humanity, inhuman sins contradict the Love of God. Violence and evil caused by sin distorts reality. God then becomes, through a false perception, guilty of the evils, the misery and the suffering of humanity. Even today, we blame God for evil and sin.

Now, inhuman acts and words cause harm and its horrors are found in the Bible. Evil becomes an agent of confusion that blurs the reality of God.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas

Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 02, 2021, 05:47:26 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 03, 2021, 05:03:07 AM

48. Beauty of God in the Bible

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But, thanks to God, goodness shines, forevermore, in the Bible. And it's in this goodness that the transparent Beauty of God is revealed.

The most extraordinary thing about the Bible is that humanity, with its weaknesses and sins, and God with his Love, live side by side.

God inspired writers to write the Bible. We repeat: God inspired writers to write the texts of the Bible.

The Bible could be considered as a one and only parable. What is of God and what is the misunderstanding of the human with respect to God?

It's up to us to understand the enormous difference, the chasm (gap) that too often exists between us and God. No inhuman gesture, thought or word can be given to God.

The great drama of the Bible is that God wants to convert his people and bring him back to his Love, and his children inhumanly sin and cause harm, then move away from God, pretexting it's his fault.

We will explore, with this reading guide, some texts of the Bible. We will discover how easy it is to think that God "allows" evil when he's not responsible for it.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 03, 2021, 05:06:20 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 04, 2021, 05:42:21 AM

49. Who is like God?

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Micah raises the lid on God:
"Who is there like you, the God who removes guilt and pardons sin for the remnant of his inheritance; Who does not persist in anger forever, but delights rather in clemency, and will again have compassion on us, treading underfoot our guilt? You will cast into the depths of the sea all our sins." Micah, chapter 7, verses 18 to 19

In this opening passage from Micah, we discover that God is merciful. But Micah also tells us that God can "persist in anger". These are the two aspects that we will pursue now. We know that God is merciful. But, can he be angry too? Absolutely not.

Let's get the magnifying glass out of its holster and follow in God's footsteps.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 04, 2021, 05:43:27 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 05, 2021, 05:10:11 AM

50. The Covenant

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After the flood, God makes a Covenant with Noah and his family. God guarantees that he will always be present:
See, I am now establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you and with every living creature that was with you: all the birds, and the various tames and wild animals that were with you and came out of the ark. Genesis, chapter 9, verses 9 to 10

God's Covenant is eternal. God never breaks it. We can conclude that his Covenant with humanity was already defined, already established from the creation of the world, even before he formed the universe.

God reassures the people:
"I set my bow in the clouds to serve as a sign of the covenant between me and the earth." Genesis, chapter 9, verse 13

God's Covenant is the Love he offers us without limit, all the time and in which he wants to keep us. God reminds Abraham of it:
"I will maintain my covenant with you and your descendants after you throughout the ages as an everlasting pact, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you." Genesis, chapter 17, verse 7

God is always in relation with the people, if the people want him. Him, he will never leave.

Are we, ourselves, in the Covenant of the caring Love of God?

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 05, 2021, 05:11:06 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 06, 2021, 05:44:06 AM

51. The Heart of the ship

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Theologians have seen in Noah's ark the salvation offered to us, the salvation that raises us above sin and death. God has consideration and he proposes a boat for his people, so that he may be saved from death.

The boat that is the Church is founded by Jesus on the Apostles. She teaches us his will. She administers his Sacraments, especially the Eucharist and the Word of Life for our salvation and fraternity among humans. The Church of Jesus offers us the means to move away from temptations and from evil.

God also entrusts Mary, Mother of Jesus, for to contemplate and to follow as an example of faith.

Christ is the Heart and he drives the ship, the ark. Jesus is the undeniable proof that God loves us forever. Peter understands it:
"For Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the sake of the unrighteous, that he might lead you to God. Put to death in the flesh, he was brought to life in the spirit." 1 Peter, chapter 3, verse 18

Jesus offers himself to save us. He did not condemn us to death. God does not condemn. He takes our flesh that is dying, to arise it in eternal life. He wants us alive in his Covenant. Jesus came into our history, to bring us back to the dignity of being, to the dignity of being human.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 06, 2021, 05:45:04 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 07, 2021, 05:08:28 AM

52. Jesus fights temptations

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Jesus, when tempted in the desert, teaches us how to fight evil.

Evil takes us away from the Eucharist and the Word of God. Evil brings us down to become lost kings and queens, far from the world and from our Church. We risk thinking that we are the only ones who can handle everything. Evil degrades us to the point of thinking that we own the goods and the people. Evil diminishes us, it pulls us away from others and from God.

In the midst of temptations:
"The Spirit drives Jesus out into the desert." Mark, chapter 1, verse 12

The Spirit drives Jesus to the desert. Jesus goes freely because he is eager to fulfill his mission and to lead us on the road of life to Life everlasting. He shows us how to fight temptations:
"He remained in the desert for forty days, tempted by Satan. He was among wild beasts, and the angels ministered to him." Mark, chapter 1, verse 13

Jesus is tempted by evil, but not like us. He fights temptations for us; the temptation to move away from the Life and Love of God; the temptation of evil against God; the temptation of what distracts us from God and the temptation to possess what exists by repelling God.

The worst and most subtle temptation is to think that God is not Love.
Jesus doesn't need to fight temptations for himself. Jesus is already victorious. He fights temptations for us and to show us how to be free. Every time we are tempted, Jesus fights with us, if we allow him to intervene in our life.

There are not many fruits growing in the desert, there is not much water. The desert certainly means death for a person. Let's perceive that the desert contrasts with paradise, which was promised to us before the fall, before the original sin, the sin that only Baptism can wash out.

Jesus overcame the desert of temptations that leads to death and he turns it into a fertile land. Jesus comes to tell us not to fear because he has conquered death by leading us into his life. He invites us to walk behind him, to walk on the path of real life. It's now the time of the great cleansing of our person, to empty it of all that is useless and to let it fill up with the Love of God.

May all the shady areas of our existence be purified in the Love of God. Let's enjoy it! We will then avoid running into evil.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 07, 2021, 05:10:05 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 08, 2021, 05:05:52 AM

53. God cannot curse

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Abraham has the impression that God says:
"I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you." Genesis chapter 12, verse 3

If one person despises another, will he be happy? Is it possible to be happy when he hurts a person? Let's read it again: "I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you." We know that God cannot reprove, condemn, curse: this is absolutely not in his nature. Yet it is written, some will say.

Would it be better said that the person who despises the other could go so far as to curse himself? It's possible. So, if someone curses someone, he commits to cursing himself.

Because the evil that he ventures on the other is the evil with which he's contaminated. God doesn't curse. He doesn't need God to condemn and condemn himself. He curses and then he curses himself. He's able to condemn himself alone.

This text is, therefore, in itself an affirmation that can put God at wrongdoing. The "I will curse" placed in the mouth of God is very possibly the understanding of the writer, in his living time, about God. To reprove, to exclude a person from his face for eternity is absolutely not in the way of God's action, it isn't in God's plan.

For the author of Genesis, by this biblical passage, God seems to be responsible for both good and evil in the world. The author had not yet learned to distinguish between evil that doesn't concern God and good that represents God.

The final answer would be more likely: "The person who will curse, he will condemn himself. He risks being excluded from eternity if he curses others; even worse, if he curses God." The boomerang effect.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 08, 2021, 05:07:12 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 09, 2021, 05:27:12 AM

54. God does not harden the heart

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However, the people of Israel, with Moses as guide, managed to flee Pharaoh and Egypt. God seems to say, by Moses:
"Thus will I make Pharaoh so obstinate that he will pursue them." Exodus, chapter 14, verse 4

God cannot harden the heart of anyone, even Pharaoh's, and lead him to persevere, so that he catches fugitives and takes them back into captivity. It's not realistic to portray God this way.

This passage is an example of people at the time who do not know God. God is not complicit in "Pharaoh's stubbornness", so to "harden Pharaoh's heart". It's Pharaoh who persists and hardens his heart.

It's the human being who hardens the heart and becomes inhuman through gestures and words against humanity.

We need discernment from the wisdom of God. God can only be Love. Let's remember that in the Love of God are included the following manifestations: peace, joy, prayer, wisdom, life, liberty, mercy, etc. The remains, especially the negative words about God, are nothing but a wrong and incorrect way of perceiving him.

God's Heart is filled with Love and he cannot encourage people to harden their hearts, to become obstinate. We ourselves do not encourage it, since the person would become dangerous for himself and his environment.

So, we appreciate God by placing all the writings of the Bible under the magnifying glass of his infinite and luminous Love. God saves his people, but he's no friend of the evil caused by Pharaoh.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 09, 2021, 05:27:58 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 10, 2021, 05:09:03 AM

55. Rebuke against God

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The people of Israel still rebuke against Moses:
"Why did you ever make us leave Egypt? Was it just to have us die here of thirst with our children and our livestock?" Exodus, chapter 17, verse 3

It's classic. When we do not have what we want, we often accuse others, the government, and then recriminate directly or indirectly against God. Why does God seem to cover us with misfortune?

As for families in Israel, we are used to living in an environment that can lead us to maximum security, to habits that are no longer to be dismantled. And we go around in circles, instead of bouncing our way back to God.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 10, 2021, 05:09:48 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 11, 2021, 05:14:57 AM

56.Too heavy

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After an interesting internal journey, surprisingly, Moses becomes free and lucid enough to ask God for help:
Was it I who conceived all this people? Or was it I who gave them birth, that you tell me to carry them at my bosom, like a foster father carrying an infant, to the land you have promised under oath to their fathers?

Where can I get meat to give to all this people? For they are crying to me, 'Give us meat for our food.'

I cannot carry all this people by myself, for they are too heavy for me. Numbers, chapter 11, verses 12 to 14

What Moses understands is invaluable: "Was it I who conceived all this people?" He understands that the people of Israel are the people of God: "I cannot carry all this people by myself, for they are too heavy for me."

Yes, Moses is a wanted guide of God for his people ... and his mission is to lead him to God. Moses recognizes God as the one who leads his people. He hands the people over to God, since he is responsible for this people.

We cannot do anything without God. Let's give him back all people and all groups.

Despite the weight of the moment, Moses clings to his relationship with God. He has always worked with God. But there are people who are never happy, never satisfied. They will demonstrate to Moses that they do not want freedom. Nevertheless, Moses wishes to take them out of their bad experience lived in Egypt and bring them back to freedom, in God.

Moses is in a listening attitude with God:
To the people, however, you shall say: Sanctify yourselves for tomorrow, when you shall have meat to eat. For in the hearing of the Lord you have cried, "Would that we had meat for food! Oh, how well off we were in Egypt!"

Therefore the Lord will give you meat for food, and you will eat it. Numbers, chapter 11, verses 18 to 19

God is always listening. As soon as Moses is released from the complaint of the people, he gets his answer.

May the leaders of a people, a nation, a country, a church remain in God, like Moses. May they continue, in spite of everything and even in what seems impossible to comprehend, to return to God.

Moses relies on God. Let's trust Jesus. Let's receive what we need and the needs for others. It's never necessary to complain, since God is there and he hears us very well. Although, to complain is often the reaction which precedes a serious reflection.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 11, 2021, 05:16:26 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 12, 2021, 04:35:25 AM

57. No consequences for sin?

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Are there no consequences for sin? Absolutely not. Because sin is lacking, separating from the Love of God. Sin is an action and evil is its consequence.
Through sin, the person hurts himself and can destroy himself. The only decision of the person to turn to sin causes him evil.

This is being unfaithful to the Love of God. Leaving God, which will cause us evil, leads to suffering. Without the love of God, we sink into the mud of evil.

Let's continue with the next passage of the Exodus, which is not easy to understand, since it seems to contradict the message of Jesus:
"Love your enemies." Matthew, chapter 5, verse 44

Let's continue immediately with what is written in the Book of Exodus:
"I will be an enemy to your enemies." Exodus, chapter 23, verse 22

For a people who are often at war, we can assume that he did not understand the message that God is transmitting to him. How can God be an "enemy" since he is Love?

It's easy to conclude that God would hurt someone. But Jesus sets the clock back on time. He confirms that God loves even enemies.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 12, 2021, 04:37:39 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 13, 2021, 04:44:20 AM

58. God doesn't fight anyone

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God is present from generation to generation. He is now with Joshua. Joshua thinks God is fighting the people of the Amorites:
"They fought against you, but I delivered them into your power. You took possession of their land, and I destroyed them before you." Joshua, chapter 24, verse 8

Joshua assumes that God is fighting in war with them. But he does not fight Joshua's war enemies.
God has never been in their wars. God has never destroyed anyone. He has no weapons. It was the people of that time who believed that God was in their battles and gave to them victories against humans.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 13, 2021, 04:46:08 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 14, 2021, 04:19:53 AM


59. A curse from God, impossible

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Another false image of God:
"The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked, but the dwelling of the just he blesses." Proverbs, chapter 3, verse 33

This gives the impression that God can cause a person's curse. Impossible. We now know that it is the person who is causing the curse. By moving away from God, from his Love, the person turns outward toward the evil's side. He causes his evil, being away and rejecting God.

On the other hand, when a person lets himself be loved by God, he becomes more righteous, more adjusted to Love. And the justice of God becomes his discipline and his balance of life. The justice of God is to receive what we need, life, love, mercy, etc. Let's offer what we receive from God.

It's simple to understand; we are approaching or moving away from God. Becoming charitable or becoming selfish. Become a follower of Jesus, give thanks to Jesus or place the pride of popularity on us.

We are free to choose. God offers us good and we are free to choose evil.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 14, 2021, 04:20:40 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 15, 2021, 05:10:19 AM

60. John, the beloved

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John, Jesus's Apostle and evangelist lives a relationship close to perfection with Jesus.

He's not perfect, but John seems to have found the way to surrender to the Heart of God. He reveals to us the truth. John is the only one who sums up the Heart of God and the core message of the Bible, in three words:
"God is Love." 1 John, chapter 4, verse 16b

And John wrote just before:
"We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us." 1 John, chapter 4, verse 16a

John speaks to "us" in this last statement, but is he aware of what this implies: "We have come to know and to believe in the Love God has for us." However, to have written it, John must have experienced the Love of God in the depths of his being.

John is near God. It is therefore possible to believe in God and to know his Love. But are we aware of it? How do we determine that we know his Love?

Some texts in the Bible give the impression that God isn't Love. How many of our contemporaries like to rebel against God and say that with all that is happening in our world, God cannot be Love? It just keeps on going.
Let's add this excerpt:
"Whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him." 1 John, Chapter 4, verse 16b

John's powerful words remind us to remain in Love to know God.
So why do we deny God's truth? What are the reasons for being opposed to John's words? Consciously or unconsciously, in many ways and words we assume that God isn't Love. Why does attraction to evil lead us so far?

It's crucial to update our database. "God is Love" and God can only be Love. Maybe we underestimate the Love of God, but we can never overestimate the Love of God.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 15, 2021, 05:11:31 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 16, 2021, 06:12:17 AM

61. Jesus respects the people

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Jesus is very respectful of people. He cannot reach us if we don't want to welcome him. Yet he could force us to receive his Love, but patiently he prefers to wait on us.

Jesus says to them:
"A prophet is not without honour except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house." So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there, apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith. He went around to the villages in the vicinity teaching. Mark, chapter 6, verses 4 to 6

Jesus leaves, he goes to the neighbouring villages. In fact, it is us, we are leaving and keeping Jesus away. It's us who reject him because we're not interested in his message. Jesus is always with us, but we are not always with him. Jesus goes so far as to be surprised at the lack of faith.

Jesus saves us, he heals us from evil, he shows us the only way to be joyful and to embark with him if we want.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 16, 2021, 06:13:03 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 17, 2021, 04:34:27 AM

62. Conscious refusal

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The extent of a fulfilling life is to receive the Love of God and cling to him. The opposite of hosting and living God's Love is to let oneself fall into evil.
The abyss of evil is the conscious total refusal to receive God's Love.

The prophet trumpets:
Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her service is at an end, her guilt is expiated; Indeed, she has received from the hand of the Lord double for all her sins. Isaiah, chapter 40, verses 1 to 2

The guilt of skipping away from Love is forgiven by God. But it's always tempting to move away from him, to lurk into evil, from which emerge the denials, the fears, the crimes.

The double punishment is to get away from the Love of God and slip toward evil. It is a double fault, a double distress, a double distance. That's why in the text, the person receives double from God, accepting Love after having turned away from evil.

As a person seeks to identify the name of his illness to better be treated and heal, let's dare to observe the evil that causes sin.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 17, 2021, 04:35:31 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 18, 2021, 05:10:54 AM

63. Whoever believes

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It is written in the Gospel:
"Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains upon him." John, chapter 3, verse 36

The key phrase is: "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life." We receive eternal life by believing in Jesus. Jesus enlightens the journey to the Kingdom of Heaven as soon as we allow him to.

This is more troubling: "Whoever disobeys the Son will not see life." It's honest: "Whoever disobeys (refuses to believe)". Not the one who does not believe, but the one who refuses, who will not believe.

A person may not seem to believe and walk with Jesus without noticing it. But the person who refuses to believe in Jesus sets out. He goes on without him.
The last part of the sentence is difficult to read: "Whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains upon him."

From a dehumanized point of view, God may seem angry, vengeful (wrath) but from God's point of view, he is Love. What seems to be God's anger is rather our lack of love and our rejection of Love.

To refuse God intentionally is to place ourselves before evil and let it make fun of who we are. Then, we think wrongly that God is the reflection of this evil.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 18, 2021, 05:11:58 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 19, 2021, 06:11:12 AM

64. Far from God

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Jesus comes to ease our struggles, to heal from disease:
"Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness." Matthew, chapter 9, verse 35

There are people looking for the doctor. They fight their illness, they adapt to their disability day after day. But the most destructive disease of which God wishes to heal is unquestionably the closing of our heart, of wanting to keep God's Love locked in. To imprison Love, to want to deny it and to do everything not to recognize it is the primary cause of our misfortune.

The person who is truly sick, the ultimate illness, is to shy away from the Love of God. Yet lacking his Love is impossible. Love is. Love remains.
Some people refuse love and they can give the impression that God's Love doesn't exist. But evil is always provoked either by us or by other people.

It becomes very sensitive when we experience the prolonged absence of people who care for us. We may have the impression that there's no love and that it's only for others. We think we are worthless, especially when we've been alone for too long.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 19, 2021, 06:12:43 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 20, 2021, 05:57:10 AM

65. Being with others

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We may not go and meet with others. We live with the "what will they say," "what will others say about us" and we feel that if we approach them, we will disturb them. We come to think we're a burden.

It's a shame to think that way, since loving is never a burden. Even though we are not always perfect, we can learn to be with others. Let's take steps and learn to trust others, carefully. It's all about being ourselves and being peaceful.
Paul has a deep wish:
If I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing as I observe your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ. So, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in him, rooted in him and built upon him and established in the faith as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. Colossians, chapter 2, verses 5 to 7

Paul offers a good example of faith. Although he knows he's far from his friends, he wants to reassure them that he is with them wholeheartedly. He reminds us that no one is alone. We think of others and they think of us in a special way through prayer.

Let's give thanks to God who's 100% with us. We are united by the will of Love. Jesus gives us the courage to meet people. When we are united with Jesus, then we are fully with others. May we let Jesus totally fill us with his presence.

Jesus surrounded himself with twelve Apostles so as not to be alone. And Jesus wants everyone, without exception, around him to console and bring us to happiness.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 20, 2021, 05:57:57 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 21, 2021, 05:52:45 AM

66. We do not listen to God

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Here's a confession of the people:
We did not heed the voice of the Lord, our God, in all the words of the prophets whom he sent us, but each one of us went off after the devices of our own wicked hearts, served other gods, and did evil in the sight of the Lord, our God. Baruch, chapter 1, verses 21 to 22

It's automatic, whenever people shy away from God's will, the danger is real to get lost and seek compensation elsewhere.

God created us (creates), our body, our soul and our spirit. But if our judgment is not in conformity with his, our existence doesn't always demonstrate what is of God. Even though we have received everything from God, all too often we are not conscious about it. We are then influenced by many ways and many discordant voices that have nothing similar to the will of God.

We are told:
"We have been disobedient to the Lord, our God, and only too ready to disregard his voice." Baruch, chapter 1, verse 19

We turn easily from the goal and we risk a lot by not planting our roots in God. Let's go back to our roots, back to the Heart of Jesus.
In order to discern, let's listen to the voice of the Lord.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 21, 2021, 05:53:49 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 22, 2021, 05:56:10 AM

67. Our actions

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God's invitation:
"Wash yourselves clean! Put away your misdeeds from before my eyes; cease doing evil." Isaiah, chapter 1, verse 16

The central message of the Bible is to stop doing evil and learn to radiate goodness. There are natural foundations for life and we are invited to discover them. Conversion, a return to the Love of God, is to take the narrow path and live the only journey that leads to God's Heart.

Even if past sins are heavy [with meaning], with God's forgiveness, we will gradually feel the lightness of the feather. The more feathers we have, the more we can fly to the Kingdom of God.

It's difficult to watch the snow when it reflects the sun. The same phenomenon occurs when the dry sand of the beach receives and reflects the sun's rays. Our eyes do not support it.

God's light is even more powerful than the sun's glow on snow and sand, but infinitely softer and observable. The light will be bright, but progressive and very respectful for the person who receives and enters into it.

The more we follow Jesus's recommendations, the more we will decide to follow him, the more we'll become confident disciples. We will want to gradually enter God's Heart and follow his will. Let's pray for all humans to be taught by Jesus.

This light is Jesus's testimony to all. What we need to do is to recognize that we are servants and allow Jesus to be the master of our lives. May his light spread over all humans and into them.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 22, 2021, 05:57:30 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 23, 2021, 06:12:29 AM

68. God is here

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"Cast away from you all the crimes you have committed, and make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit." Ezekiel, chapter 18, verse 31
Let's ask Jesus to clean our heart and free it from all the little undesirable teachings we collect. May Jesus become the only Master of our heart, our thoughts and of our life.

"You, Lord, give light to my lamp; my God brightens the darkness about me." Psalm 18, verse 29

Yes:
"Lord, hear my prayer; let my cry come to you. Do not hide your face from me now that I am in distress. Turn your ear to me; when I call, answer me quickly." Psalm 102, verses 2 to 3

When we are in deep distress, we often feel that there is no one who can help. We also feel our helplessness. Sometimes we meet someone and he question in this way, "How are you?" and we become more anxious. We seem confronted over and over again by the same question. And we say to ourselves: "Yet people should see it or know that we are not doing well!"

Here, in the passage of the Psalm that we have brought up, the feeling is quite the same. We believe that God is not aware of what we're going through. By saying, "Lord, hear my prayer," we hope he will hear. But the Lord hears very well. He knows. Even if the people don't see or feel our distress, God knows and he sees it. He understands and supports us already.

It's normal to seek God in times of unease. That's what we do, of course. It would be better to learn to trust God more, before discomfort occurs. Let's reserve time every day, when we are healthy and when we are sick too. We will have greater certainty that he is present with us and we will feel his consolation. We will know that he is with us.

Just thinking about God is already a wise move. Let's give him a few minutes. Then, for God to tame us, let's come back often to meet with him.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 23, 2021, 06:13:06 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 24, 2021, 04:42:03 AM

69. To manipulate

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The difficulty for people in authority who are afraid of losing their place, mostly their ideal, is to manipulate their surroundings. They will find the means to be the "ones". To remain at the top, they will provoke and bring down the person who seems to contradict them. This is happening with Jesus and also with Jeremiah. God asks Jeremiah to speak on his behalf to the crowd:

They have forsaken me and alienated this place by burning in it incense to strange gods which neither they nor their fathers knew; and the kings of Judah have filled this place with the blood of the innocent. Jeremiah, chapter 19, verse 4

After Jeremiah describes the people's attitude, he hears the murmur that threatens him:

"'Terror on every side! Denounce! let us denounce him!' All those who were my friends are on the watch for any misstep of mine. 'Perhaps he will be trapped; then we can prevail, and take our vengeance on him.'" Jeremiah, chapter 20, verse 10

Jeremiah understands and feels that his remarks shock people. They are not listening. They do not seek to understand the urgency included in his message. Jeremiah listens to the Lord and does everything to help the people, but they do not listen to the Lord. They are withdrawing from God.

These people have lost their judgment because they try to subject God to their ideas. They lack charity toward Jeremiah. They are not at peace and they think they are right to be that way. They want to trap him who seems to be disturbing.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 24, 2021, 04:44:28 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 25, 2021, 06:00:54 AM

70. The facts announce God

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Jesus is caught in the middle of a situation. He administers wellness, he warns against evil, and some want to stone him. Jesus encounters incomprehension:
"The Jews again picked up rocks to stone him. Jesus answered them, 'I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of these are you trying to stone me?'" John, chapter 10, verses 31 to 32

We know all the good works that Jesus did. He has multiplied them. We can read or reread the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, to discover or rediscover them.

People are stuck in their hearts and they don't let the light through. They fear losing control over situations, over the people and they fear Jesus. They have trouble to align themselves properly.

These people answer him:
"We are not stoning you for a good work but for blasphemy. You, a man, are making yourself God." John, chapter 10, verse 33

The reason they want to stone Jesus is that they think he thinks he is God. And yet, absolutely all the signs that Jesus did describe God, also describe the values of life. Forgiveness, justice, great love, mercy are signs and facts that Jesus is God. Jesus doesn't think he's God, he doesn't propose himself to be God, he is God.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 25, 2021, 06:03:28 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 26, 2021, 04:42:40 AM

71. The lie

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To think that God is blaspheming, to think that God is lying is the ultimate lie of too many people in Jesus's days and this is still happening now. It is written and still today people think that Jesus is not God.

The person distorts reality by slipping away from Jesus. He comes to not even recognize that Jesus is God. The remoteness from God removes the person from believing in him. He loses sense of reality and the meaning of God.

It's not surprizing that some people responsible of the Temple want to stone Jesus, with their incomprehension, their loss of meaning, to the point of thinking that Jesus blasphemes.

Let's find Jesus in our heart, in our life, let's keep him close by. This is the only way to recognize Jesus. Let's continue our walk with Jesus to the cross. Let's take advantage today to free ourselves from the evil that we carry and give it to Jesus, so that he may cleanse and save us too. May we recognize him as he is.

May Jesus guide and encourage us to discover the misunderstanding of people toward him. This will help us to hand everyone to him. He wants to heal them.

Jesus came to bear the burden of the sins of the world. Let's let him take upon himself our evil and our sins. Only Jesus can bear it and give peace.

Let's get out of pride and egoism that electrify lies. And let's walk with him to the victory of Love over evil, hatred, despair, God's victory over satan, the victory of our liberation and salvation in Jesus Christ, God and Lord.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 26, 2021, 04:43:49 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 27, 2021, 04:51:46 AM

72. God's authority

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What a beautiful passage:
"Since in this way I have profited, I will give my teacher grateful praise." Sirach, chapter 51, verse 17

Let's acknowledge that everything that has been accomplished in beauty, truth, good and reality during our life has not happened by chance.

We did not create wisdom. We did not invent love. We did not think our intelligence. Let's face the facts and recognize that all talents, values, gifts, charisms and graces come exclusively from the Lord.

Let's also recognize that the wisdom of God has been given us to receive him. If God had not allowed receiving him, we would be like a cloth that has no interest, no will, no movement.

Yes, there are still people who think that they are the only kings of their lives, that they have given themselves everything and that they can even stand above Jesus. Temple officials question Jesus:
"By what authority are you doing these things? Or who gave you this authority to do them?" Mark, chapter 11, verse 28

Strange question indeed. It is still possible today to have this question: "By what authority do you do that?" It's as if we'd say, "Jesus, I do not know you, and what you do is a lie."

Jesus has just healed a person. And it is acknowledged that only God can heal in his name. Yet Jesus keeps reminding us that he's healing in his name. They only need to open their eyes. Jesus healed a person before them.

Jesus, we do not recognize your authority. Jesus, we question ourselves to know if you are really God. Yet there is a multitude of signs in the world right now that are from you.

We need to see clearly and accept that you are truly God and Lord. Without you we are lost, without you we have no real life or soul. Without you we exist not.
We need to recognize that you are God Jesus, the Lord of our life.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 27, 2021, 04:53:39 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 28, 2021, 05:42:21 AM

73. God is with us

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Jeremiah, from the beginning of his ministry, as soon as he works with God, he understands him, since he's with him:
"I knew it because the Lord informed me; at that time you, O Lord, showed me their doings." Jeremiah, chapter 11, verse 18

The Lord informs and guides us. He is with us when we are with him. From then on, the Lord teaches us, as he informs Jeremiah.

Are we listening like the prophet Jeremiah? Too often, we do not feel that Jesus is close. Too often, too, we are busy elsewhere. Jesus cannot speak to us if we aren't in a listening state.

If we are not listening to Jesus, we enter a risky zone. For Jesus alone can really teach us about himself.

We are, ourselves, a mystery when we do not understand God. The Lord is not a mystery. The greatest mystery is that we are not listening to him.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 28, 2021, 05:43:55 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 29, 2021, 06:00:38 AM

74. Jesus is the target

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Some people from the temple want to stop Jesus. They closed their hearts. They are convinced that he isn't God:
"The guards went to the chief priests and pharisees, who asked them, 'Why did you not bring him?' The guards answered, 'Never before has anyone spoken like this one.'" John, chapter 7, verses 45 to 46

The guards hear reason. They find no reason to stop Jesus, because they know that Jesus did nothing wrong.

Still, the temple officials will insist and plan Jesus's capture. Nicodemus questions them:
"Does our law condemn a person before it first hears him and finds out what he is doing?" John, chapter 7, verse 51

Nicodemus seeks to rescue Jesus, but some of them don't want to listen. When we are convinced that a person is false, even wrongly and because of false rumours and conscience manipulation, even if the person is fundamentally authentic, the door closes on the truthfulness of this person.

Then, they develop obscure ways to crucify Jesus. And that's how, in the world, so many people are crushed, disfigured, so many people are persecuted, abused, killed. It is the same sin that is constantly repeated, because some people are not listening. They do not reflect and observe, hear and understand. Collective prejudice causes death.

Our prayer can help to make a difference, so that people be spared from the deafness of others. But sometimes even our good intentions are not enough because of their heart's closure. May God be known for who he is. God is completely natural and real for humans.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 29, 2021, 06:01:43 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 30, 2021, 05:14:28 AM

75. We scream to the Lord

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To this demand:
"Graciously rescue me, God! Come quickly to help me, Lord!" Psalm 70, verse 1
Let's add:
"I waited, waited for the Lord; who bent down and heard my cry." Psalm 40, verse 2

This cry is the realization that we are sinners, since we think that God is not around. The cry helps in recognizing that we are making too much effort that leads to nothing and that we do not let ourselves be Loved by God or by others.
This cry is also about thinking that we can manage everything on our own, that we can manipulate for our popularity, that we can go so far as to hurt others.

Let's not wait. Let's accept the Lord's truth, fully. He will free us from harm, since he hears our cry. Better still, he had heard our inner complaint before our cry.
God separates within us evil from good to elevate peace anew from our baptism:
"He drew me out of the pit of destruction, out of the mud of the swamp, set my feet upon rock, steadied my steps." Psalm 40, verse 3

When we are drawn from the mud and placed on the rock, it is God who embraces and establishes us in a safe place.

With confidence (faith), may God take us in his arms as the child lets himself be embraced by his parents. May the truth of God filter our being to remove the residue of evil.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 30, 2021, 05:17:26 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 31, 2021, 04:49:16 AM

76. The rule of Love

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God is Love and his Love contains a Law:
"Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God." 1 John, chapter 4, verse 7

A person who has a grudge or hatred is invited to do an examination of conscience. Why is he like this? Well, it's because he is like that or has he become like that? Is it because he himself did not receive love from people or did not discover the Love of God?

It's very difficult to define someone's fault. This is why we are invited to let this person observe himself before God. The person who did some harm is the only one who can figure out what led him there. This harm comes either from him or caused by another person. He did not receive this evil from God.

We are invited to perform an examination of conscience before God. Jesus invites us to receive faith by inviting him into our life. The faith that will abound in us will help better understand the more difficult situations.

The Love of God is the rule of love between people. Let's give the people back to God, even if they are unfair to us, even if we don't understand everything.

Let's put ourselves in Jesus's hands, so that his Love will lead us to a new conversion. And gradually, we will obtain lights to become better, to better understand.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 31, 2021, 04:50:51 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 01, 2021, 05:00:51 AM
77. Indispensable Love

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Love is abused and very often refused. If God is Love, why does it seem there's lack of love on earth?

Believing in God, transforming our way of life, returning to a heart to Heart with God, so that his Love flows freely within us, is indispensable.

Otherwise, we block God's Love and without a compass we drift away. The implications of misleading ourselves or not following Jesus are many. The risk is to have difficulty returning to him.

The only compass we can trust is the Love of God. Jesus invites us to welcome and follow him to truly live within his Love. We are also encouraged to humbly find our place before God.

May we be persons who are signs of Christ present among our contemporaries, to help them receive the Love of God.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's Love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 01, 2021, 05:05:01 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 02, 2021, 04:52:48 AM
78. God's Kingdom

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Paul gives us a very beautiful message:
"For we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the good works that God has prepared in advance, that we should live in them." Ephesian, chapter 2, verse 10

"We are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus." How powerful, just these few words!

We usually live in a house and we always come back to the house. Our real home is in Jesus Christ. We are true when we establish ourselves in him.

Mary and all the saints are also in the Kingdom of God and they watch over us helping us constantly to get closer to Jesus. Everything is there, now, freely offered, to lead us in Jesus.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's Love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 02, 2021, 04:53:47 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 03, 2021, 05:41:21 AM

79. Dehumanized thinking

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This is a reflection that God proposes to Job. It can also feed our thoughts. The Lord addresses Job from the midst of his personal storm:
"Who is this that obscures divine plans with words of ignorance?" Job, chapter 38, verse 2

Jesus showed us, when he passed into our world, how we disfigure God. We risk being upset when we chase God away. We expose ourselves to lose a lot when we back away from him.

We observe humans, we fall into the faults and sins of the past to such an extent that we come to think God is like us. We hear it everywhere. This one is like that, that one is like this. Why should I follow people in the Church if they are not able to be charitable, to be happy?

We believe that by observing the human being, we see God there. But it's a little simpler than that. The human being is not God. So, it's impossible for a human to be perfect either in the world or in the Church.

It will always be easy to find some fault with someone, but let's not put that fault on God's back.

We should be responsible in the faith to understand that a fault, a human who sin is contrary to the reality of God. God has created us Love, but we have trouble sharing and receiving it.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's Love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 03, 2021, 05:42:38 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 04, 2021, 04:42:23 AM

80. God's grace on us

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Job is in the middle of the storm. And he responds to God with wisdom:
"I am of little account; what can I answer you? I put my hand over my mouth. Though I have spoken once, I will not do so again; though twice, I will do so no more." Job, chapter 40, verses 4 to 5

In seeking the good in the other, we will discover goodness in us and we'll move forward together by following Jesus. Easy.

Let's become beings filled with the Presence and the Light of God, in order to become familiar with his Light. Let's ask God's grace on us to discover his light in the heart, the life and the being of the people around us.

Let's give thanks for the Presence of God in our life and welcome his Light that enlightens us on the daily path of conversion and faith.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's Love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 04, 2021, 04:43:30 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 05, 2021, 06:08:39 AM

81. To run away

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Moses responds to the people:
"Fear not! Stand your ground, and you will see the victory the Lord will win for you today. These Egyptians whom you see today you will never see again. The Lord himself will fight for you; you have only to keep still." Exodus, chapter 14, verses 13 to 14

It takes caution to clearly understand this text. The Lord fights evil among the Egyptians, although God does not fight the Egyptians. Pharaoh chooses evil by confining a nation to slavery.

Pharaoh lays his evil on the backs of his own Egyptians. He makes the Egyptians, his people, responsible for his evil and he swings his evil against the Israelites.
If the Lord fights for the people of Israel, it is simply to give them the courage of their convictions and to continue on the road of faith in God. That will set them free.

Fleeing evil leads to God. By fleeing the state of slavery in which the Israelites have been for far too long, they are giving themselves the means to take back their lives.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's Love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 05, 2021, 06:12:14 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 06, 2021, 04:55:44 AM

82. Two Choices

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The human person has two choices: to focus on God or to move away from him. The image represented by the escape of the Israelites before the Egyptians represent a return to God. To return to God is to be placed in the line of good, to want his Love, to accept the best he offers, to let ourselves be raised and then be peacefully embraced.

A nation who is in God and on the move is recovering his freedom. All peoples should be on the way, together, both feet in the Kingdom of God.

It's with the Love of God that people and the environment are transformed. They are walking with him.

Let's cling to this thought:
"Whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother." Matthew, chapter 12, verse 50

The one who loves his brother and his sister, his mother and his father and all humans, place himself in God's family.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's Love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 06, 2021, 04:56:43 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 06, 2021, 07:47:38 AM
Feel free to share my texts and cards to family and friends.
Thus keeping them the way they are, and for the text, with the information at the end,

Let's continue evangelizing.  :D
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 07, 2021, 05:50:11 AM

83. Evil hates Light

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Often in the Bible, there are clear passages like this one and at the same time, precise and without appeal:
"For everyone who does wicked things, hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God." John, chapter 3, verses 20 to 21

To do evil is to hate light. To hate light is to hate God. Evil and light are not compatible. It is unthinkable to build up a bad action and declare that it's luminous.

It's also difficult to get rid of bad habits. When they don't seem too damaging, we tend to forget them. And yet the tiniest bad habit can degenerate into unhealthy or even harmful habits.

So, it's important to watch over our habits and dig out those that can cause harm. If they can harm others, they can also hurt us:
"Whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God." We move in faith only with the light of God.

To come to the truth and to get rid of our bad habits is to allow the truth to be generated in our life. God's light helps us to discern the issues of life.

Moreover, when we feel bad after an action, it's necessary to check if it really is good or bad, true or false. It would be nice to take some time to find solutions. To realize this discernment and to want to return to goodness is to let ourselves be improved by God.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's Love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 07, 2021, 05:51:16 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 08, 2021, 05:34:02 AM

84. The Lamb

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Jeremiah has a very beautiful relationship with God. We feel he's like a son talking to his father:
"The Lord informed me; at that time you, O Lord, showed me their doings." Jeremiah, chapter 11, verse 18

The closer Jeremiah is to God, the more the Spirit of God guides him through difficulties and sorrows. God helps him maneuver among people who hurt him and does not seem to listen to the Lord.

Besides, it doesn't prevent the prophet of God to be persecuted because he disturbs while transmitting the truths of God:
"I was like a gentle lamb led to slaughter." Jeremiah, chapter 11, verse 19a

This text prefigures what Christ will live: "I was like a gentle lamb led to slaughter."
The only difference is that Jesus is not "like" the Lamb, but he "is" the Lamb who will be led to slaughter, because of the evil in the world and for his sole purpose to save us.

The psalm reveals the same thought:
"Lord my God, in you I take refuge; rescue me; save me from all who pursue me, lest they maul me like lions, tear me to pieces with none to save." Psalm 7, verses 2 to 3

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's Love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 08, 2021, 05:35:37 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 09, 2021, 04:27:28 AM
85. Free Jesus!

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Nicodemus allows us to think and understand that persons can condemn other persons without knowing a lot about them. Nicodemus is touched by Jesus:
"There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. He came to Jesus at night." John, chapter 3, verses 1 and 2a

Nicodemus meets Jesus and he appreciates his quality of God. Only a person who knows Jesus and who loves him can understand what Jesus is doing in the world. He will defend Jesus after his capture:
"Nicodemus, one of their members who had come to him earlier, said to them, 'Does our law condemn a person before it first hears him and finds out what he is doing?'" John, chapter 7, verses 50 to 51

Can we judge Jesus? Can we ensnare Love? This is the impression that emerges: "I was like a gentle lamb led to slaughter."

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's Love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 09, 2021, 04:29:02 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 10, 2021, 06:38:44 AM

86. The confusion

(https://assistant.gloria.tv/FxK6pqhk7ZiS1AZwTDoBU6KMY/x3kl02u3qmf9chs4xflf8foxcspxencks1rmb0d.webp?scale=256&format=webp)

There is confusion around Jesus. Instead of looking in each of their hearts, the people openly question themselves and become confused. Some say Jesus is the Messiah, others say no. Another group would like to stop him. They question the guards who come back:
"'Why did you not bring him?' The guards answered: 'Never before has anyone spoken like this one.'" John, chapter 7, verses 45 to 46

The guards come back to some priests and pharisees and say to them, "Never before has anyone spoken like this one!" Let's imagine the Romans, in the drawings of Asterix and Obelix, return to the emperor and say to him: "Ave, Caesar! These Gaul's are too strong!"

Here, the Love of Jesus is too powerful.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's Love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 10, 2021, 06:39:56 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 11, 2021, 06:38:06 AM

87. Jesus is so Holy

(https://assistant.gloria.tv/FxK6pqhk7ZiS1AZwTDoBU6KMY/247knceom9x4rkm9frbj79uar5srj5oaw0lsofq.webp?scale=256&format=webp)

This man speaks so well that he turns us upside down and inside out. He is so true that he fills us with his presence. He is so God, that we have no more doubt. He opens our eyes.

But not of all. The only way to really follow Jesus is to take our responsibility in hand and follow him.

Let's grant to Jesus, the High Priest of the Eternal Covenant, to fill us with his presence, to open our heart, to dispel our doubts. Let's live in joy and hope to see the Church filled with people renewed by grace.

May Jesus be unveiled and known by the future generations.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's Love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 11, 2021, 06:39:01 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 12, 2021, 05:56:31 AM

88. Our sins

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Peter does not accept that Jesus must die for our sins. Peter stands before the reality of his own sins, his old sins, and he cannot understand why Jesus would die for him. Peter does not understand Jesus's words and mission and he tells Jesus how he must behave. He doesn't want Jesus to leave for Jerusalem because he's going to be killed.

"Peter, takes him aside and begins to rebuke him, 'God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.'" Matthew, chapter 1, verse 22

We would also like to tell Jesus what he needs to do to make us happy, but we need to walk away from that conception. It's easier to understand how Jesus wants us to be happy. Let's not refuse Jesus anymore in our life.

God alone knows the way. And when Jesus says he will have to surrender to the elders of Jerusalem and they will kill him, he knows what he means. He shows us his way. Jesus says what he does and does what he says.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's Love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 12, 2021, 05:58:03 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 13, 2021, 07:07:15 AM

89. God allows evil?

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God never uses the strong way like giving cancer to drive a person back to him. It's impossible. He doesn't need that. This is not his way.

The body is fragile and sometimes there are complications. But God does not give sickness hoping that someone will convert. Never.

The only powerful way of God is the infinite tenderness of his Love. The test can lead a person to consider God, because it allows time for reflection. Reality and the present moment, in pain, often leads a person to ask himself the important questions of life; sickness, evil, suffering, loss of energy. Often, he will cast a simple look toward God.

Suffering takes him inside himself, turns him toward his heart, and perhaps he will shout. However, it's always a shame when a person waits to be with his back against the wall to think and react. Perhaps he will accept to let his heart open up to let God create in him silence, then peace.

God is always present and he's waiting for that person to turn to him. He does just that, wait for him. The person who decides to let God enter into his life will receive him in his heart. And it is guaranteed that God will be there too in his heart.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's Love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 13, 2021, 07:08:02 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 14, 2021, 05:23:39 AM

90. Let's find means

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We are the only ones who can block off the Love of God. We are the only ones who can pretend to love if we block the Love of God in our heart. To the limit, it is inconceivable to block the Love of God in our heart, without dying in evil.
Let's find ingenious means to not refuse the Love of God. We'll see how simple it is. It's not demanding to think about it and to walk with God.

Let's give our heart to Jesus, so that he helps us to open the door, that his Love passes in us and that it overflows on people.

Let's imagine that we hear God say this to us today: "Everyone will know that I am a Loving God when people live in my will. The world will see me in your life."
But for us, humans, it's not so easy, because we know how far we can dwell from his love.

We are invited to encourage ourselves and remain vigilant in prayer and spiritual friendship.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's Love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 14, 2021, 05:25:00 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 15, 2021, 07:10:36 AM

91. Dried up

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These people's thoughts are interesting, in this next passage. They recognize that they are moving away from God. We feel here the heart that is ready to receive the presence of God:
"All of us have become like unclean men, all our good deeds are like polluted rags; We have all withered like leaves, and our guilt carries us away like the wind," Isaiah, chapter 64, verse 5

because we kept away from you, Lord.

Even so, the world should know that we are sinners and that we can never be perfect enough to let God perfectly pass in our lives. God is passing by, though. Let's give him his place.

Fortunately, there are people who allow us to feel the presence of God, despite their sinful state. They become examples of faith.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's Love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 15, 2021, 07:12:24 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 16, 2021, 07:32:46 AM

92. The loss of meaning

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Closing in on evil leads us to move away from Love. Then Love does not stick with us because of the limits that evil causes. Jesus conveys a strong enough image of the loss of meaning and sin:
"If the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have repented in sackcloth and ashes." Matthew, chapter 11, verse 21b

People who move away from faith in Jesus open the door to evil and lead others into it. When the Love of God does not pass, evil multiplies like a virus and contaminates those who let themselves be influenced by it.

Now, when Love passes, there is a progression in goodness, according to the pace of evolution of the person.

Jesus uses the example of these two cities to demonstrate to what extent sin can lead a person and groups of people, by a loss of meaning, a lack of good values, to their ruin. If Jesus's miracles do not come to us, we should check the quality of reception we confide into his Love.

If we move away from people, for example, let's check if the drug that we consume is not too strong and destructive. Evil and drugs acts in a similar way and destroys relationships between people.

When we reject God's Love, what we really lack is the healing of the heart and soul through the flow of Love which is unfortunately diminished because of the evil that keeps us prisoners.

As soon as we ask Jesus for healing to welcome his Love, there is automatically something good happening in us. Even though the feeling may be subtle now, with determination, later on we will appreciate the inner transformations.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 16, 2021, 07:33:40 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 17, 2021, 07:06:38 AM

93. Negative choice or Holy Spirit

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There are choices that make a difference. First, what keeps us captive and imprisoned:
"Immorality, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, rivalry, jealousy, outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness, dissensions, factions, occasions of envy, drinking bouts, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." Galatians, chapter 5, verses 19 to 21

The promised inheritance is the Love of God. But what Paul says is that these acts lead us away from the Love promised to us. Negative inclinations are those that lead us to become invalid, to become inhuman (thoughts, gestures, words), to evil and at the same time to the remoteness of God, even to the moving away from oneself. There are so many ways to refuse to let ourselves be Loved, the refusal to feed our body, our life of Love, the refusal to serve the Love of God in our neighbour.

We have the choice to let ourselves go to harmful and enemy inclinations or to collect the good with the Holy Spirit. What the Spirit offers us supports us and brings us closer to God:
"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control." Galatians, chapter 5, verses 22 to 23a

Let's be aware of these fruits in our life. Let's look at them, collect them as invited friends at our home. Let's spend our days observing them, meditating on them and recognizing their benefits.

Let's keep our thoughts on the manifestations of the Holy Spirit and we will prefer this path that instills spiritual and human well-being. We will feel our life enter a major turning point that will amaze us.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 17, 2021, 07:08:00 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 18, 2021, 06:10:10 AM

94. The need to pray

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Jesus recommends to us:
"Take care." Luke, chapter 11, verse 35

The only way we do not weigh down our lives is to live our lives like Christ, to put our trust in him and to feed ourselves with his Love.

All distractions causes wrong and move us away from the presence of God. May we remain vigilant in prayer. God does not need our prayers, but we need to pray. Prayer pulls us out of evil and leads us to a more sincere relationship with God.

We need to pray for our heart to unite with the will of God. We need to pray to better understand his will. We need to pray in order to be enlightened and inspired by God in front of multiple choices and decisions.

It's the complete opposite of living life without God, without Love. All that unites us to God distances us from temptations and evil. It's the only law that governs our lives. Either we move toward God, or we move away from him. And everything that challenges and unites us to the Trinity keeps us in life, joy, hope, service, friendly encounters, holy with ourselves, with others and with God.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 18, 2021, 06:11:09 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 19, 2021, 03:57:27 AM

95. Watch and pray

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Jesus tells us:
"Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man." Luke, chapter 11, verse 36

Let's watch and pray to discern good from evil in our lives and in the lives of others. Jesus watches over us and Loves us until sin is erased. He wants to guide us to salvation. May Jesus come and convert us, so that we live with him.

May Mary and Joseph help us, by their example, to listen to what God asks of us personally. For this reason, we are invited to receive the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit in our hearts as Mary and Joseph knew how to welcome him.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 19, 2021, 03:58:58 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 20, 2021, 07:09:15 AM

96. The refusal

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Beyond the cause of evil on the person, there remains for us a principle that is undeniable. Even if we know that evil is mainly caused by the evil prince, it progresses when one or more people let themselves be tempted.

If, for example, someone starts bullying a student at school, he will experience the consequences of this bullying. He will "feel it deeply". And this evil will develop in him, since he is a victim.

If other people know that he is intimidated and they are joining in, they increase the harm. They place invisible bricks around this person and they slowly build his prison. The victim will live the evil in all the fibres of his being and in his heart.

Evil is pernicious. Diseases are related to evil. Evil will not come from the one who is intimidated unless he decides not to let himself be loved. He suffers the consequences of the hurt caused by people who distance themselves from God's desired Love.

The spirit of contradiction keeps us away from God. It takes a tremendous amount of energy to counter the surge of God's Love for us.

Health problems are related to the rejection of Love in our life, simply because we use stratagems and we exile ourselves away from Love. Unless this evil is caused by many. That said, the rejection of God's Love in others can also cause illness and evil that progressively destroys us.

Only the Love of God can bring back everything good, keep us from harm and give us freedom. We do not want to be around evil, but sometimes we slip into it.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 20, 2021, 07:10:01 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 21, 2021, 07:16:30 AM

97. Ask for help

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We have probably experienced this feeling where nothing seems possible for us. We are tired, exhausted. We lack energy. And suddenly, we have a "flash of genius" to turn to Jesus and ask for his help.

And what a surprise we had when we felt something deep happen in us. From that moment, our life was awakened and it was transformed delicately, joyfully, from within.

We had felt Jesus's presence. All was unclear, but we knew, from a certain intelligence and wisdom, that something gloriously had happened, something luminous in us.

It's like the intense joy of a moment that overwhelms us and that we fully live. Our life makes sense with Jesus. We want to remain in this state. We want to celebrate and pray this new momentum of life.

Let's ask God, again, to come and touch what needs to be healed in our life.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 21, 2021, 07:17:21 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 22, 2021, 06:37:24 AM

98. Pride is near

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The impasse is on the watch:
"Because you have thought yourself to have the mind of a god." Ezekiel, chapter 28, verse 6

The king of Tire is in a proud phase of his life, since he believes he has everything necessary. He judges himself superior to others. He lends himself superior thoughts to others. He convinces himself to be a "god".

Sometimes things accumulate, but we forget to deepen what we need most, the Presence of God in our life and in the world.

This is a calling not to let ourselves go to pride. When all is well, we feel light. Every day becomes an enchantment. Do be careful, because pride is looking at us through the optical hole of the door, by the "Judas".

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 22, 2021, 06:38:44 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 23, 2021, 06:13:01 AM

99. Leave evil

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The devil exists. He is a person, because of his movement, according to the thought of Thomas Aquinas. The devil fatally refuses the Love of God. The evil-doer refuses Love.

It is the responsibility of each person not to get caught, then to lose oneself and move away from God. The temptation for the human is to confine, then to isolate oneself in evil.

The devil totally refuses the Love of God. When we turn our backs on ourselves, on others and on God, we are moving toward division, the devil, the abyss of misfortune. He's amused and looks forward to seeing us moving toward him.
Negative habits of some lead other people into harmful attitudes. We are often in solidarity with evil because we become accustomed to it. This bad way keeps us prisoners.

If we sin, we lead others to evil. If we pray to God, we lead people to good. At the very end of our lives, the Lord will reveal to us the sum of our good deeds. Prayer is like money in the bank and the time of retirement is eternal in the Kingdom of God.

This is why prayer is so important, even if sometimes we do not see any apparent results. Let's accept to change our heart and our attitudes. A change for the better will come. As soon as we pray, God helps us because we allow him to Love us.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 23, 2021, 06:15:39 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 24, 2021, 05:58:18 AM

100. Love him or not

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John, who was very close to Jesus and received his Love, offers an important reflection that should lead us to reconsider our understanding of the judgment of God:
"God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him." John, chapter 3, verse 17

According to John, God does not judge. How did he come to such a conclusion? Surely that John has understood Love as he is. He also listened to Jesus.

If Jesus did not come to condemn the world, it means that God never judged the world. God does not judge, he Loves. If we speak of the judgment of God, his judgment can only be Love. It means that God will Love us whether we love him or not.

Let's welcome Jesus to live in joy. Let's acknowledge that we are sinners, that we are empty, that we are destitute without his Love.

Let's ask him for forgiveness, for when people place their failures and faults on his back. Let's recognize that humans cause their own misfortunes, since they succumb to temptations. They let themselves be attracted by tempters. They become lukewarm, they neglect faith, then they move away from God.

Let's thank Jesus for reminding us that he alone saves us and may we dwell in his Love and joy.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 24, 2021, 05:59:08 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 25, 2021, 06:47:00 AM

101. God wishes our conversion

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Our faith can be affected by shadows, by interrogations, but it is raised in Jesus:
"'To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbour as yourself' is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices". Mark, chapter 12, verse 33

What matters is to love. How to love? By following Christ.

But what confirms to us that we are really following Christ? By allowing Christ to become the centre of our lives and recognizing his manifestations of Love: joy, peace, mercy...

In truth, we are incapable of loving. God Loves through us.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 25, 2021, 06:48:42 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 26, 2021, 06:14:51 AM

102. Coverage

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When we are not aware of evil, it spies on us. With the multiplicity of means to feed it, evil transforms like a blanket. This cover is cunningly transformed and becomes more and more difficult to remove. This cover of evil extends to us and onto others. The Lord of the universe reminds us of what is good to do to get away from evil:
"Consider your ways! Go up into the hill country; bring timber, and build the house that I may take pleasure in it and receive my glory, says the Lord." Haggai, chapter 1, verses 7 to 8

To get out of the trap of evil and to learn to love ourselves better, it is about serving the Lord, with the fear of doing harm. This fear is the signal to continually adjust our heart toward Jesus.

The only way to build the house of the Lord and stay there is to move away from all forms of evil that we smoulder, often in spite of ourselves and sometimes because of us. Let's rebuild and gather together with the Lord.

Let's ask Jesus to uncover where we let evil dominate us. Let's offer him our discoveries, in a process of forgiveness and reconciliation. May Jesus wash us from his side with his Precious Blood and Water.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 26, 2021, 06:17:05 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 27, 2021, 07:08:37 AM

103. Impossible to love

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Oh, love! Everyone is looking for it and thinks they have found it. In life, there is always a choice between loving or not loving. I love one thing, I do not love another. For things the choice is often easier. But for people, we often consider them, more or less, depending on our preferences.

In reality, it's impossible for us to love, since Love is from God. Without the Love of God in us, we have no love to offer.

We are created to receive Love and allow it to pass through us to love. Sometimes we do not accept everything in one person, but we are invited to open our hearts for God to pass through. All people are Loved by God, without exception.

There are also judgments about what people wear, about their ways, their way of speaking, their way of life. There are many reasons to get around people. But James tells us:
"Show no partiality as you adhere to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ." James, chapter 2, verse 1

James proposes that we see people, all people as children of God. If all relationships begin and continue this way, God's Love will cover the world. The Love of God already embraces all people of the earth, but we give the impression that God is not Love because of our resistance to him.

Let's accept that the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, that God is Love, and people will simply find out that they are Loved.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 27, 2021, 07:10:54 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 28, 2021, 07:04:10 AM

104. Persecution

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We know it, persecution is not new. We find it at home, in schools, at work and on the street. Bullying is physical and verbal abuse.

Persecutions, divisions, God does not provoke them, but inhuman foolishness covets it. Some work hard to keep the power on them. They manage everything in their heads and by pride they persecute people. The persecutors do not need anyone to collapse, to self-destruct, considering they do not need God. The persecutor hurts himself whenever he hurts another. A double hurting.

Persecution and loss of meaning are awaiting us. Whether we are practising believers and celebrants or non-believers, we will be persecuted.

The difference is great for those who follow Jesus. They receive graces to live better, avoid persecution and pass through divisions that shake the world.
Jesus recalls that persecution is real:
"They will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name. It will lead to your giving testimony. Remember, you are not to prepare your defence beforehand, for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute." Luke, chapter 21, verses 12 to 15

We are invited to receive the Love of God, to allow us a joyful transformation, to live in peace. We can, afterward, bring this joy and peace to others, even to the persecutors.

The solution Jesus offers is to always bear witness to our faith in God. If we leave God more room in our lives, we will have the strength and courage to persevere in faith, especially during trials.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 28, 2021, 07:06:02 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 29, 2021, 05:59:26 AM

105. The True Servant

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God offers us a servant. He is Love:
"Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom I delight; I shall place my spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not contend or cry out, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets.

A bruised reed he will not break, a smouldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory." Matthew, chapter 12, verses 18 to 20

Let's be touched and moved by the unconditional Love of God. The more we distribute the Love of God, the more we receive. May we let the flowing grace of the Love of God descend on us. Let's let it flow into the crowd and we will receive plenty of it.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 29, 2021, 06:00:31 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 30, 2021, 06:56:08 AM

106. Like a flower

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A phrase like this helps us to discover God in the Bible:
"Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God." Isaiah, chapter 40, verse 1
The people will sin against himself, the world will sin so much against God that he can no longer see God in his environment, because he believes that God is the one who disturbs him.

Yet God constantly reminds us that he watches over us: "Comfort, give comfort to my people." Whether we sin or not, he wants to join us and touch our heart. Let's continue with Isaiah:
"The grass withers, the flower wilts, when the breath of the Lord blows upon it. (So then, the people is the grass.) Though the grass withers and the flower wilts, the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah, chapter 40, verses 7b to 8

To move away from God is like a plant that dries up. It fades. So, as water raises the flower, the only one that can give strength to humans is God.

To receive the Eucharist is like the plant that is nourished with vitamins and receives what it needs. He who offers eternal life is God. The Eucharist and the Word guarantees eternal life when we receive them with heart. They awake and elevate us.

God invites us. He wants to console us of what can hurt. He wants to lead and feed us at the source, in green pastures.

Jesus makes unceasing calls to distant hearts. The Lord is the Good Shepherd who wants to gather all the sheep and lead them into the community of saints, in his Kingdom.

Let's be attracted by our Father and trusting in our Saviour, the Good Shepherd of heaven and earth, Jesus Christ. May we be led to the Altar of the Gift of God, the Altar of Love for each person, to the Word and the Eucharist.

There is joy in heaven and peace on earth, since the promised Saviour liberates and consoles the one who really seeks him, wholeheartedly.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 30, 2021, 06:57:28 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 01, 2021, 07:05:49 AM

107. Reconciliation

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Paul tells us:
"We know that all creation is groaning in labour pains even until now." Romans, chapter 8, verse 22

Many women can share their feelings about the pain of giving birth. They know what Paul is talking about. But this pain is much more stinging, even if it doesn't seem perceptible, when we are away from Jesus.

Sin in us is stubborn and constantly assails us. But we are invited to return to awareness and accept healing, so that we may live happily and unite in God.

When we read God's recommendations in the Bible, we find that they always lead to avoid problems. The Bible is full of examples. Yet it's necessary not to twist, to bend the good to the point of thinking that it's wrong and to not sublimate evil and think to succeed in transforming it into a good deed.

Let's face it, a person who doesn't know that he's doing wrong is getting trapped. But a person who likes to live peacefully, when evil comes, does everything possible to avoid it, circumvent it or, ideally as soon as possible ask Jesus to help him pass by it.

Let's read:
"Wash yourselves clean! Put away your misdeeds from before my eyes; cease doing evil." Isaiah, chapter 1, verse 16

We often give our faults, our sins to Jesus, and we know the good he brings us and the healing that follows. We give it to him because we trust him. God purifies then consoles us beyond our expectations.

Every time we confess, Jesus's Precious Blood washes us, cleanses us. He makes the hurting part of our confession white as snow. It provides well-being.

To this is added a way to repair, a way to become better. After the forgiven fault, these are attitudes that help us to improve:
"Learn to do good. Make justice your aim: redress the wronged, hear the orphan's plea, defend the widow." Isaiah, chapter 1, verse 17

We tend to move away from God, and that is evil, and ultimately we hurt ourselves. It requires discernment to fully understand the difference between what is really bad or good. Let's return and God will do his work in us.

Getting people to become truthful could be disastrous, if it's not well framed, with patience and gentleness. We must not make people flee as much as to pray for their spiritual improvement. We hope they'll find themselves in the grace of God. God will do his work in them.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 01, 2021, 07:08:27 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 02, 2021, 08:00:14 AM

108. Charity

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Many people are alone, even in groups, because they feel misunderstood, judged, left out too. Let's defend the lonely person's cause. Offering charity helps others and helps us too. There is a clear advantage. While we are doing good, we are freeing ourselves from evil.

The Bible often offers ways to improve our faith, to reach God. This sentence is timely, while Jesus speaks of some scribes and pharisees:
"Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practise." Matthew, chapter 23, verse 3

Let's be careful not to judge people but gather their qualities, the gifts they've received from God. Thus, if we cannot trust the actions or words of some people, we can however retain their good counsel and perseverance in following Jesus. So, we shouldn't take apart what they might not be doing good, it's more about making sure we move forward and do good. We too are not perfect.

It's up to each person to discern and be empowered to become better christians and truly God's children. The good we perceive in others teaches us to become better ourselves.

But let's be careful not to mix up good and bad. Discovering the evil in others is also a great way to avoid slipping into the same evil. We learn from their failures. This teaches us and it's an opportunity to pray for them. Learning from their failures helps us and will help them eventually.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 02, 2021, 08:04:55 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 03, 2021, 06:41:09 AM

109. Staying in God

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God offers us his creation. We are the fruit of his creation. He offers us life, joy, peace and above all the freedom to choose. But we often live as people who stay away from God.

This freedom to choose, we often seem not to know what to do with it. The proof is that with our freedom, we could feel free to choose something other than God. Or we just stay far enough, so as not to be afraid of God, which is a totally useless fear.

We are especially afraid of being afraid of God. We believe that God is the cause of our fear. However, he cannot scare us because Love is not scary. Fear is the sign of us leaving the Lord.

God's Law is simple. Let's remain suspended to his Love and we will be saved. We're already in his Love. Jesus shares with us his law of Love. Let's love Jesus. It's an easy choice.

God's Law is related to his Perfect, True, and Real Love. The word "law" may seem to mean something strict and caging. Yes, we can say that for a badly practised law that becomes dehumanizing, but never for the law of God.

God's Law of Love is the real journey to our salvation. If it seems strict and stifling, we're not grasping it. Such an interpretation prevents us from living peacefully in God.

Let's ask Jesus for healing and purification, in order to advance in faith. May fear and suffocation stay away from us. Let's get closer to Jesus.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas

Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 03, 2021, 06:46:49 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 04, 2021, 06:47:55 AM

110. The needles hole

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Someone has this question for Jesus:
"'Lord, will only a few people be saved?' He answered them, 'Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.'" Luke, chapter 13, verses 23 to 24

We will be saved to the extent that we find the narrow door.

There are many people who wonder, in the light of this passage, whether their families, their friends will be saved if they don't find this door, if they don't open to the will of God. The question is launched. Do we want to live this passage toward, then in God's Heart? Jesus tells us how easy it is:
"It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." Matthew, chapter 19, verse 24

Jesus says that it's necessary to go through the hole of a needle to enter the Kingdom of God. The camel succeeds easily. This is a message he sends us. It invites us to go beyond the conceptions, the sense that we usually give to things and to meditate on what he proposes.

The narrow door, the hole of the needle, is to be aware of what God asks of us. We must dare to rise and walk in Jesus's steps, so that we may always find the unique pathway to truth and Love that leads to the Father's house. Anyone can find it, because that's the easiest thing to do.

Let's ask Jesus if we are on the right path. Are we on the right track, Jesus? Are we doing what is right? Do we live in the present moment as something precious, to cherish and celebrate with good deeds and good words?

Are we watchful of the poor? Not only to throw money at him, but to help him on his way and help him walk in your footsteps, Jesus. The answer Jesus offers us is in our heart.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 04, 2021, 06:49:27 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 05, 2021, 05:35:58 AM

111. The door

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For people who cannot be involved a lot, prayer is the answer. Prayer helps us to stay focused on the Trinity for the world.

It is up to us, who have found the narrow door in our heart, to let it stay open and let God's Love pass through. We will be saved to the extent that we find the door and let Jesus open it.

The narrow door is to always move forward to God by following Jesus; it is hoping to adjust ourselves to what Christ wants us to achieve in us and around us; it's becoming so united to Christ that people see Christ in us; it's wanting to be at the service of the neighbour, because Christ invites us to love, with his Love. This is the only path that leads to the narrow gate. Many other trails lead out of Love.

Let's trust and walk with Jesus. We will evolve to the extent that we will keep him with us.

For the Love of God, everything is possible. It's too easy. The needles hole and the narrow door represent the path, the tunnel that leads to the Trinity. If we really think about it, it is possible for Love to make us pass into eternal life, in the Heart of God. Love doesn't suffer restrictions. It goes anywhere. It opens the main door of the Kingdom of God at the same time it opens our heart.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 05, 2021, 05:37:07 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 06, 2021, 06:48:14 AM
112. Discernment is a grace

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We can observe what we do, what we say, how we live, and here we have the basis for discovering and correcting many small annoyances we're living in.
Discernment is a grace that we can ask to the Holy Spirit. Discernment allows us to fully observe all facets of our lives and stay in a fair path. Better still, it's a grace we already have, which comes with the gift of life. We only need to accept it and practice discernment. Grace will do the rest. Everything is simple when we only need to ask and receive.
James tells us:
"For one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, it is a sin." James, chapter 4, verse 17
It's clear that if we enter the good path, we move away from evil, we move away from sin.
We are faced with multiple choices every day, but we also have the possibility to sort through our memory, clean our habits. In this way, we will learn to become more ourselves by avoiding clutches and traps.
The freedom we have is to choose the right passage, the road that leads to the Heart of God and let go of the empty, illusory and useless.
If there's someone who does good in the name of Jesus:
"do not prevent him. There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me." Mark, chapter 9, verses 39 to 40
Jesus assures us that if the person does good, according to the Heart of God, he is a person who discerns, makes good choices and does Jesus's will. This is the path that leads to God's Heart.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 06, 2021, 06:50:22 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 07, 2021, 06:10:12 AM
113. Freedom to choose

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"For to everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich." Matthew, chapter 25, verse 29
If the question of talents mentioned by Jesus, moreover, was the movement of our freedom? Because what freezes us prevents us from being free. But by receiving the Love of God in our heart, everything becomes possible.

We have the opportunity to do everything in life, but it is not everything we do that leads us to happiness. We experience suffering that is sometimes linked to choices that have not been well thought out, to desires that have not been identified or contained, to actions that are contrary to charity toward ourselves or others, or that we have suffered.

Every day we have the freedom to choose or refuse what is presented to us. We have the choice between this new TV or another one. We have the choice of different programs. We also choose our friends according to criteria that resemble us. The choice of our work depends on the skills that we possess and that have shaped us over the years:
"Freedom is the power, rooted in reason and will, to act or not to act, to do this or that, and so to perform deliberate actions on one's own responsibility." Catechism of the Catholic Church, number 1731: http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P5N.HTM

However, choosing requires thinking first. We know that when the choice we make is not well thought out, we are prone to making mistakes, hurting ourselves, hurting others. The less we understand it, the more likely it is to deceive us and cause useless mistakes. The less we know the Trinity, the more likely it is to enter a tortuous path. In the life of faith:
The more one does what is good, the freer one becomes. There is no true freedom except in the service of what is good and just. The choice to disobey and do evil is an abuse of freedom and leads to "the slavery of sin". (cf Rm 6, 17) Catechism of the Catholic Church, number 1733, website:
http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P5N.HTM

We have a choice between the tortuous or the virtuous way. One leads to evil, the other to the Heart of God. Becoming a slave to sin is so easy, but climbing the Mount of Beatitudes requires attention and consistency, no matter which street brings us there. Effort in good will makes the road much easier than slavery in evil. We only need to recover, to pray in the silence of our heart, to find the way and the Trinity.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 07, 2021, 06:12:02 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 08, 2021, 06:29:13 AM

114. Obedience

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Obedience to the will of God is a great way to keep our intentions orderly. Obedience to God may not be the most popular virtue today, but it makes us free and responsible. Obedience to God keeps us awake. This obedience is always linked to Love, never to the evil that is opposed to it. Obedience is always keeping us in line with the narrow door, the Heart of God.

Realizing good around us gives people a pleasant feeling and helps them continue to offer a well-being around them. Then, another person will receive and share it. It's the wheel of happiness. We will become free and we will feel a deep inner joy that will indicate to us that our accomplished action is directly related to the love of the neighbour and wanted by God. This is how we reach our family and friends, as well as the people we meet. Let's stay in God.

On the contrary, sinking into evil or because of the evil of another, causes a feeling of not succeeding, a feeling of guilt and sadness that can lead to depression and distress. Evil suffocates, while goodness frees.

We have the freedom to do good or not. We understand that the freedom we possess as humans leads to the different actions we accomplish throughout our life, every moment.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 08, 2021, 06:31:13 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 09, 2021, 07:02:44 AM
115. Spiritual laziness

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It's simple to enter into a certain spiritual laziness, for example, and tell ourselves that we have freedom, without verifying the consequence of our actions and our words, without being responsible.

In the Parable of talents, we read that people have the freedom to multiply their gifts or bury them in a closed heart that will become heavier than a basket of unshared fruits. Evil freezes the heart of the person and makes it so heavy that it can become frozen like stone:
"The man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and buried his master's money." Matthew, chapter 25, verse 18

To keep the basket of fruits in hand, to keep the graces received from God for ourselves, is to remain fixed on the spot at the expense of faith. In our hands the basket becomes heavy. The unshared fruits of the trees will not serve and they will rot, like the fruits of the Holy Spirit remain in our hands.

While the fruits of the Holy Spirit are not shared, they remain in our consciousness. They're waiting to be shared. Not to share them cuts us off from the vital movement of Love. Love just won't pass through us.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 09, 2021, 07:03:57 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 10, 2021, 06:11:27 AM

116. Nourished by Love
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The heart of flesh is one who is nourished by the Love of God and shares it with his neighbour:
"To everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich." Matthew, chapter 25, verse 29

The one who has shares, the one who has and does not share, has nothing. That is to say, the one who blocks the talents that God offers him closes up and he will go so far as to believe that he has nothing to share. This sentence can be a good indicator: "Ah, I'm never doing anything good... I'm not able. It's impossible." Do continue and you'll get there! Give yourself small goals and, with experience, you will achieve bigger ones.

Blocking God's Love prevents him from circulating in us and sharing it. This causes us personal suffering and distress.

Graces will become numerous when they are passed on to others by the one who shares the Love of God. Let's continue with the catechism:
"Freedom is the power, rooted in reason and will, to act or not to act, to do this or that, and so to perform deliberate actions on one's own responsibility. By free will one shapes one's own life. Human freedom is a force for growth and maturity in truth and goodness; it attains its perfection when directed toward God, our beatitude." Catechism of the Catholic Church, number 1731, website: vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P5N.HTM

Our freedom becomes total when our whole life is given to God for the neighbour. This attention to the other teaches us to become also charitable toward ourselves. Our freedom becomes mature when it is also engaged by the mercy of God. He seeks mercy givers.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 10, 2021, 06:12:27 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 11, 2021, 09:16:59 AM

117. A natural law

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We have in our hearts a natural law that is a grace of God. It helps us to discern and choose between good and bad. It is better to remain stationary in the face of evil than to be trapped in it.

It is better to think a while than to act too quickly and engulf ourselves in evil. The drug is a striking example. It is better for children to learn at length about the negative effects of drugs, so that they can get around it, i.e. alcohol, all drugs, divination that places the pride of a person between God and others, selfishness and all that leads to evil.

Let's ask the Holy Spirit to increase in us vigilance, courage, determination and constancy; to offer us his grace, as well as for the neighbour. If we want them, God gives us his graces.

May freedom always lead us to perfect goodness, with the desire to always return to the Paschal Meal that is placed upon the Altar of Love, by Christ, for us. It is the only true source that assures us a free and fulfilled life, thanks to the Life and Love of God.

May Mary and Joseph, who freely chose the will of God in them, inspire us with their total and definite "yes". May our life be offered with joy to him who gave us his life, Jesus, for our well-being and for the salvation of the world.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 11, 2021, 09:17:31 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 12, 2021, 06:39:34 AM
118. Our judgment

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From God's Love and Light, we can observe in ourselves and in people the shadows and the lights. Then, discern with wisdom what would be the best way to help.

If we move away from God, we close the shutters of the windows, and instead of having the full light of day, we glimpse at some rays that seek to join us. Again, it will be necessary to be aware of these rays and not worry too much for the specks of dust in it. Dust does not alter or define the purity of light.

The less we let the light in, the more we seek to protect our eyes. This phenomenon occurs during night time. When we wake up at night and open the light switch, our eyes close alone. We try to move away from the light. We even place our hands on our eyes. Even sometimes, we immediately turn off the light.

This is what happens when we move away from God. The less we seek God, the more we sink into darkness. We have trouble supporting what is clear and bright. Then we have difficulty receiving the power of his light. We may not find the door.

To flee the Light, to flee Wisdom, to flee the Love of God is already our judgment. The judgment of others is not necessary since we judge ourselves. We develop a fear of God, we close the Light ... on God. Then we dig deeper into the illusion that we are better, surrounded by our defences, going deep down and away from the Light.

This passage of wisdom has been transmitted for our greatest joy:
"If you choose you can keep the commandments; it is loyalty to do his will." Sirach, chapter 15, verse 15
That's totally God! He tells us: "If you choose." Around a buffet, we choose whatever we want. It's not for others to choose for us. They will also choose for themselves.

It's also up to each of us to remain faithful and to unite our life to Jesus or not. We are free, we are responsible for our faith. If we accept what God offers us, then we will have an overflowing buffet where everything will be good for us and for humanity.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 12, 2021, 06:40:46 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 13, 2021, 06:23:01 AM
119. A personal choice

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The author continues:
"Before man are life and death, whichever he chooses shall be given him." Sirach, chapter 15, verse 17

According to the choice of each person, life is proposed to them by God and death remains a personal choice ... "whichever he chooses". It's not God's choice. Death is not God's choice. He does not offer us this choice.

The choice for death is nothing but the rejection of God's Love, the refusal to let us love God, the refusal to welcome him and share the immense love that everyone expects. The refusal to receive Jesus' Love leads to evil and finally, to death.

Yet it is much easier to share what we receive. The buffet is not only there for us. Let's receive the Love of God and share it.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 13, 2021, 06:24:17 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 14, 2021, 06:58:08 AM
120. God does not command

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This sentence, which makes us smile, allows us to meditate and deepen it:
"No man does he command to sin, to none does he give strength for lies." Sirach, chapter 15, verse 20

God commands nothing that is destructive to us and to our neighbour: "To none does he give strength for lies." He does not allow anyone to sin. Sin is not God's choice. God does not impose anything on us.

Let's say it like this: "He did not allow anyone to be stupid." Because the lack of intelligence, understanding and reflection is the sign of a closure to God and to others.

We are free as wind, free as children of God. It is up to us to discern and want what God offers us.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 14, 2021, 06:59:14 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 15, 2021, 07:07:53 AM
121. That's wisdom!

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Paul understood:
"We do speak a wisdom to those who are mature, but not a wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age who are passing away." 1 Corinthians, chapter 2, verse 6

We are entertained ... while we are far from reality. The world, more specifically the mundane, entertains us and moves us away from good.
"The ruler of this age", mentioned by Paul, is usually the power that submits the neighbour. They entertain us while we pay or others pay the price.

The only one that can lead us to reality is Jesus:
"You, Lord, give light to my lamp; my God brightens the darkness about me." Psalm 18, verse 29
Jesus is "the Light" of our lamp if we welcome it. Night turns into day with the Lord.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 15, 2021, 07:08:42 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 16, 2021, 05:41:41 AM
122. God's invitation

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Caution:
"You were called for freedom, brothers. But do not use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh; rather, serve one another through love." Galatians, chapter 5, verse 13

Our freedom lies in God's welcome. Our freedom lies serving "one another through love".

Jesus tells us:
"If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John, chapter 8, verses 31 to 32

Do we want to follow Jesus? Do we want to live within his truth? May we give our heart to Jesus.

Do we want to love the neighbour? Let's ask the Holy Spirit to Love with our hearts.

We want to live forever? Let's ask the Father to lead us to Jesus who is the Way, the Truth and the Life.

Jesus invites us to deeply meditate on his will. The others will not think about it for us. It is our responsibility to constantly ask Jesus to cleanse us, so we can grasp all the good that we can achieve for the world, in the world.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas


Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 16, 2021, 05:42:57 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 17, 2021, 07:36:54 AM
123. Pure heart

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May Jesus clean out our heart by his presence. The pure heart is the heart (the person) who emerges from evil and advances toward good, continually. May we let God simply Love us, like a child:
"Let the children come to me and do not prevent them." Luke, chapter 18, verse 16

We have one important decision in life. Jesus.

To welcome the Love of God or to refuse it? It is the key of our responsibility, the opening toward our freedom. If we accept the Love of God, we move toward him, if we refuse, we slip into evil.

Let's share and receive God's Love between us. It's too simple. It is the only path that leads to the pierced Heart of God. Let's go in often. May God manage our life, since he shapes us with Love.

If we really want to find ways to come back to God, we will have to be aware of what we are experiencing inside and outside of us. Jesus always chases us with his Love, he is with us with open Heart and always ready to receive us.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 17, 2021, 07:37:57 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 18, 2021, 05:57:31 AM
124. Conversion and truth

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"The Advocate, the holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name - he will teach you everything and remind you of all that (I) told you." John, chapter 14, verse 26

We want it, Lord, your Spirit of Truth. This is the first request to be made to the Trinity. We want to welcome the Spirit of Truth, the Spirit of Jesus and of the Father.

The truth is sometimes difficult to pin down. Several situations and obstacles caused by some people made us fear the truth.
And the truth that is most difficult to grasp, even to accept, is the one within us, the one that moves us from within, until it leads us to the shore of freedom.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 18, 2021, 06:01:21 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 19, 2021, 05:02:12 AM
125. Let's talk about Jesus

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Jesus declares to his disciples:
"Everyone who acknowledges me before others the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God." Luke, chapter 12, verse 8

That's true! But what does Jesus want us to say about him? The truth.

But what is the truth for us? This is much more delicate. To talk about Jesus (or a person), we need to spend time with him, walk together, share together and read what is said about him, enter into communion and communicate with him. May we dare a conversion to his Heart.

Above all, if we want to talk about Jesus, let's make sure we know ourselves well enough. Because a person who has not taken some time to listen to his own life will hardly put into perspective the reality of another person, especially Jesus's life. It's a daily reflection to discover ourselves and to know ourselves in reality and truth.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 19, 2021, 05:05:59 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 20, 2021, 05:57:50 AM

126. Who is Jesus?

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In the Gospels, there's a lot of information about Jesus. His presence, at the heart of our history, is particularly relevant to the history of his time. He is Jewish and he is surrounded by people who testify to his presence.

There are libraries lined up with books about him. From all that we can read about Jesus and to discern how he really is, may we ask a Person who knows him well to inform us. We want the Spirit of Truth!

Only the Holy Spirit and the Father truly know Jesus. Well, Jesus knows himself too. But how do we grasp the Holy Spirit if we do not see him? Let's ask for his Love on us and in us, and we will gradually discover the truth Jesus is.

The more we develop our relationship with Jesus, the more we will know him. Lesser we approach Jesus, lesser we will know him.

Jesus gave us the Church to help us know him better. The Church will offer us the best documents to get in touch with him. Surely, our welcoming the Church and the Trinity will be necessary.

Only the Love of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit leads us to the truth about God, about us and about the people around us. It takes a daily and lifelong conversion from our heart to the Heart of God.

Let's always begin with Love to know the Trinity. If there is lack of love, it's not Jesus, it's not the Trinity.

This step of faith in the Trinity will make the road easier and we will see it develop and operate in the hearts of people.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 20, 2021, 05:58:57 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 21, 2021, 05:56:49 AM
127. Listening to ourselves

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Listening to ourselves will help us greatly. To offer ourselves a little time to check our interior can avoid many unpleasant situations. Taking time to watch our daily movie will be the best movie we'll see every evening and for life.

There is no more "reality" than the unfolding of our life. It will teach us a lot about our thoughts, our attitudes and our actions. Let's appreciate these moments that allow us to adjust, to know ourselves better and this practice will help to continue on the road, to live joyfully.

Before we get to bed, we can check how the day went. Who did we meet during the day? Where did we meet people? How did we welcome them? How did they greet us?
To live with the desire that God may be the only master of our life requires efforts to live in reality, in search for truth and goodness. To pray with an open heart to God is also a way of keeping us from harm.

Have we listened to ourselves and to others? We learn a lot when we are in small groups sharing on topics of faith, hope, charity, exchanges on the Word of God and pray together.

Have we handed over to the Lord what seems wrong, the negative words we've heard, for example? Did we suffer the pain and weeping of the person who confided in us? Have we handed over the distress, the anguish of some people to Jesus? Have we remained calm and have we played down difficult situations? Are we becoming instruments of peace?

These are some questions that can help us improve and clean up our thoughts and memory. Above all, we are invited to give everything to Jesus. He's the only one who can free our being from all that is negative, sadness, sorrow. Let's become friends with ourselves. May we engage in joy, hope, peace.

Let's always place ourselves under the Love of God and we will see that we still have much to achieve, little by little, while respecting our limits. Let's respect the direction of the sailing, the direction of our journey to the eternal shore.

Let's offer the joy and sorrow to Jesus and believe that he will rejoice in joy with us, and with the sorrow he will transform it, free us, so that we can move evermore freely with him, toward him. Let's prepare our heart for the Presence of Jesus. He is present. Let's talk to him, freely.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 21, 2021, 05:57:34 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 22, 2021, 05:44:32 AM
128. Let's return to Jesus

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God knows that, despite efforts, we are sometimes at fault and we are struggling. Nobody is perfect and Jesus doesn't necessarily demand perfection of who we are and in what we do. Let's accept to not be perfect. We will make mistakes, we will sin. He simply asks us to share his Love. His Love will do its work and triumph in our heart, and we will feel its benefits, and we will see its deployment.

He wants us to be more and more like him and work toward the perfection of our being. Let's accept to be where we are right now. We move forward with who we are and what we live with. We're doing our best.

Let's abide in Jesus who embraces our heart despite the sorrows, the sickness, the errors, the lack of interest, the forgetfulness, the mistakes.
Let's be quick to ask for the graces of the Holy Spirit in activities, really all activities, so that it illuminates, inspire our efforts and our sharing. May the Lord remain with us at work, at home and while participating in activities.
Let's pray wherever we can, and whenever possible at every moment.

Sometimes we go different ways for several reasons. But if our heart is ready, we will be redirected to the one who opens his Heart to us, Jesus.

Jesus welcomes us as soon as we return silently (humbly) every evening to him. May the Lord watch over us, let him answer us and save us from whatever tries to lead us away from eternity. May our heart find comfort in him, night and day.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 22, 2021, 05:45:39 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 23, 2021, 05:51:04 AM

129. Conversion and freedom

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The Holy Spirit helps us in faith as Paul says:
"In the same way, the Spirit too comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit itself intercedes with inexpressible groaning. And the one who searches hearts knows what the intention of the Spirit is, because it intercedes for the holy ones according to God's will. We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose." Romans, chapter 8, verses 26 to 28

To love God is first of all to welcome him into us. Paul tells us that there is a reality that we're going to live, whether we know Christ or not:
"The world in its present form is passing away." 1 Corinthians, chapter 7, verse 31b

This world in which we live, this world visible to our eyes will not remain. Our eyes will one day see the reality and the truth, as well as our forthcoming transformation, until then more or less successful, when entering into eternal life.

We go through life to learn to love one another, from Love. God's reign is near every person. Jesus invites us to continually convert in order to be as free as possible when we appear before him.

This doesn't mean to make ulcers and headaches with our faults, since we give them to Jesus. It simply means finding all the means to enter deeper into God's Love.

Let's not live in the regrets of the past with the memory of the wounds piling up and weighing down on our hearts. We have the right to live free from everything that assails and suffocates us.

It's important not to keep our eyes fixed on our faults, but to find ways to get rid of them, in order to approach God. Let's ask the Holy Spirit to help us find solutions, then continue to develop faith received from the Lord by letting us heal through Jesus.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 23, 2021, 05:52:48 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 24, 2021, 05:44:49 AM
132. Jesus with us

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Jesus says:
"This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel." Mark, chapter 1, verse 15
If the kingdom of God is near, we are also close to God. Very often, when we make a small mistake, we think we are very far from God.
But God did not move. He did not make this mistake for us and by us. However, he is right next to us. He remains close to us. More than that, he is in us. He Loves us and he wants us to be in him too.

The best way to remain holy is to realize everything with Jesus, to keep him close to us, everywhere, to include him in our research, our thoughts, our activities. In spite of the fault, any fault, let's return constantly to God.

Jesus will convert us if we invite him to be our Lord and Saviour. We can also invite him to make himself present in the lives of all the people around us, at work, at home, at school, in the parish church, at the grocery store, in our travels.

Keeping Jesus in our life guarantees us a simpler life, with an increase of peace and joy. Others will see and benefit from it.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 24, 2021, 05:45:31 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 25, 2021, 05:46:05 AM

420. God is here

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With God, everything is too simple, even wisdom is simple. But we tend to complicate it.

We only need to focus on Jesus and wisdom will simply invade us every time. At the same time, we must be willing to meditate and receive it.
With ease:
"As the rising sun is clear to all, so the glory of the Lord fills all his works." Sirach, chapter 42, verse 16

Still, we must be placed in front of his sun (Son). It's to blush with joy, as the sun likes to blush our cheeks.

May every moment of our lives be filled with the joy of God's gaze upon us, look of tenderness, peace and love ... and our existence will praise the Lord, that is, our existence will be in so much joy we'll want to share it with the Lord as a friend.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Joy in heaven!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 25, 2021, 05:48:04 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 26, 2021, 04:59:06 AM

130. God Loves us

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Sooner or later, and we may have heard it, we hear people who seem to have taken control of their lives. They will say things that seem to place them above God. The most fragile will often follow or begin to act or live like them.

The habit of evil, the one we no longer see in ourselves, leads others to turn away from good. All that's against God leads the most vulnerable to move away from him. May we not reject God. He is the one who Loves us.

Here is a striking example of an intermission during the broadcast of a major news station in the United States. A man is promoting for atheist people, paid by his association. He speaks for them and at the same time, he makes fun of christians. He initiates and strongly invites to become an atheist (although the "atheist" does not really exist), to deny their christian faith. He adds that he is not afraid of burning in hell. These are his last words.

May we pray for him and for those who could follow his ideal.

He turns people away from christianity. He also cuts the bridge between him and God. And what he says risks driving him where he doesn't wish to go. He doesn't understand what he is saying. He doesn't perceive the consequences of his words which block his way and that of others toward God.

Nobody wants to go to hell. But still his words are said. He is convinced of this lie and he risks driving away other people from God. What a bizarre setting! He has a great need to ask God and humans for forgiveness. Let's pray that his heart will open to the Trinity and to the recognition of Love.

Let's be careful with what we ask. We do not know how far we can get away from God and away from other people too. This has the effect of increasing evil in the world.

Let's pray that people, who develop an aversive feeling against God, that their hearts be touched and live a profound conversion.

Then let's give thanks to the Lord, once again, for all those who are truly embarking on the reality of perfecting of faith. Contrary to this last testimony against faith and against God, they allow us to see the manifestation of the Lord in their life. They simply make us understand, by their gestures and their attitudes, by their words and their writings that we need to continue our journey toward holiness!

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 26, 2021, 05:01:25 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 27, 2021, 06:46:59 AM

131. To eliminate sins

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If we let ourselves be trapped by sin regularly, and often the same ones come back, let's put them in order of priority, the worst ones first. Then, let's strive to eliminate them from our life experience.

We can decrease sugar consumption, stop wasting time, for example. The efforts we make to eliminate the small mistakes help us practice to deal with the bigger sins, later on. Also, they will have less influence, because they will not be supported by the smallest sins. We must never underestimate the smallest sins! They are vigorous!

Often it's just a bad habit. Let's replace it with a healthier one. We can also play tricks on ourselves. As we go, let's change our habit and move on. If it's the sugar-filled drink, for example, let's cut the pace and the amount with another healthier drink that will eventually replace it. These are ideas. You can find ideas that suit you better.

We propose above all to be creative, in order to eliminate as much as possible what can keep us away from a conversion to Jesus, then to keep us away from other unhealthy attachments. These are ways of getting closer to God. And for faith, for love, let's replace evil with a healthier, holiest way of being.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 27, 2021, 06:49:40 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 28, 2021, 05:29:28 AM

133. With Jesus or not

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Whether we are with Jesus or not, the difficulties of life will arise and we will have to go through these trials. It's in fact much better to go through a trial with Jesus than without him.

How many times have we met a person in Jesus who walks freely through trials, while others who do not know him feel the weight of suffering that often seems insurmountable; suffering that is often linked to the past.

The difference is impressive. To live our trials without Jesus gives us the impression of being abandoned, alone. Then, the test becomes devastating.
To live our trials with Jesus is to grow in faith trusting in him. To trust Jesus is the sign of a healthy faith, despite the trials. So we will get better passing through the pitfalls of life.

When it's stormy and we still dare to go somewhere, when we arrive, we'll tell ourselves that we did well to go after all.

The storms of life are sometimes difficult. Of course, it's not always easy. With the decision to continue with Jesus, the road is more pleasant. Jesus opens the way.

We are getting there in faith. We are happy for every step we take. Only the decision to live the test with Jesus can free us to a great extent and at best from fear and evil.

We can say with the psalmist:
Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my saviour. For you I wait all the long day, because of your goodness, Lord. Psalm 25, verses 4 to 5a

We are passing through the trials of this world and we are worshiping more and more the Lord who keeps on being with us. The door opens in front of us and then we can share our conversion experience with others.

Let's live in joy as this world passes and savour true life in God. Let's receive and cherish the Love of God in us. May we appreciate all that God has already transformed in our life. Let's keep him with us and we will appreciate him more. He Loves us with infinite Love.

Why not try the experiment with Jesus? It will be the best decision we'll ever take, for life.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 28, 2021, 05:30:35 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 30, 2021, 06:23:57 AM

135. Listening to the Word

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James tells us:
"Everyone should be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath, for the wrath of a man does not accomplish the righteousness of God." James, chapter 1, verses 19 to 20

One of the practices that help us become better, through a life of faith in motion, is to slow down. Slowing down isn't necessarily laziness. Being slow to talk or get angry, for example, allows us to be more vigilant to the internal movement of our lives. Often, what is done in a hurry doesn't yield much result except in necessity and urgency.

It's an invitation to change lanes:
"Therefore, put away all filth and evil excess and humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you and is able to save your souls." James, chapter 1, verse 21

God's Word saves. Let's welcome the words of wisdom for the well-being of our body and soul:
The one who peers into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres, and is not a hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, such a one shall be blessed in what he does. James, chapter 1, verse 25

It's never a waste of time to welcome God and his Word, the Verb, into our lives. Let's practise everything God teaches us. We will reap the benefits. These fruits are to share.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 30, 2021, 06:25:35 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 31, 2021, 06:02:13 AM

136. Before the Father

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Paul offers us a moving sentence:
"I kneel before the Father." Ephesians, chapter 3, verse 14

We fall to our knees, we stop in our footsteps with Paul, because the Father's Love is eternal, infinite, quite simply. We fall to our knees to lower ourselves before the length, width and depth, before the movement of his Love.

We don't lower ourselves because we are oppressed or submissive by an overwhelming force, we do not lower ourselves because we are crushed by a proud person, by a selfish person.

We lower ourselves, because we recognize that the Father is all that we hope for, everything we dream of. It's all there is to it. We fall to our knees to offer ourselves to God, since we are nothing without him. We recognize it.

By going inside our heart, we have a multitude of reasons to give thanks to the Father. We are amazed in front of him.

In all humility, we also lower ourselves before Jesus who has lowered himself to come into the world and lead us to eternal life. Jesus also lowered himself to wash the Apostle's feet. And we let ourselves be Loved by the Spirit with a heart turned toward him, to receive him, to welcome him.

We lower ourselves before the Holy Spirit, we thank him because he is Love who is God and who unites humanity with him.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 31, 2021, 06:03:06 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 01, 2022, 07:02:12 AM

137. God has his place

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Paul also invites us to a relationship with God:
"We have not received the spirit of the world [wordly] but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the things freely given to us by God." 1 Corinthians, chapter 2, verse 12

The Spirit we receive is God's. Paul is convinced and convincing. He's living so deep the presence of God that he recognizes and receives his action in his life.
To leave to God a place in our life supposes that we have left something out, that we're achieving some cleaning of the past of certain harmful or even destructive habits. Thus, the future will not clutter our minds.

As soon as we leave the Holy Spirit a unique place in our hearts, our habits are transformed, our attitudes become charitable, we develop healthy and holy ways of thinking, seeing, understanding the reality of the world and the heart of the person.

As soon as we ask the Trinity to help us and to enter our lives, we progress for the better, immediately. We feel a light breeze guiding us to the One God. If we do not feel it, we are not paying enough attention.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 01, 2022, 07:02:52 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 02, 2022, 06:15:34 AM

138. Reserves of love

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This passage is clear:
"The natural person does not accept what pertains to the Spirit of God." 1 Corinthians, chapter 2, verse 14

The person who only relies on his strengths and abilities is like a discount battery rapidly losing energy. He is not aware of what God is doing.

A person has reserves of love. But if he's not connected to the Love of God, if he's not connected to the source, he comes to believe that love comes from him. He may also believe that love comes from his family or from others, without reference to God. He is divided (disconnected) from God.

This is perhaps the most serious danger of thinking that God's Love comes only from others. We place the merit on the person and we do not think to thank the source of Love. We may become proud.

We can say of a person that he is good, but kindness comes from God. We can say that a person is beautiful, but beauty comes from God. We can say that he is strong, but strength he receives from God. Everything that makes life good, beautiful and strong is God's. Although we try to love as best we can, true Love comes exclusively from God.

It would be very risky to give another meaning to the word "love" and not recognize that true Love is from God. That's what we do in general. We try to extinguish the meaning of God's Love, try to distort it. We will not succeed. Love always finds its source in God.

Jesus's teaching surpasses us:
"All who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers." Luke, chapter 2, verse 47

Jesus's authority has no resemblance to the frowning eyebrows and the forefinger pointing to others. The authority of Jesus is discovered by his Love and his desire that we live from it.

By his Word, he leads us to the best, the real, the right, and helps us to become complete in truth. Let's get closer to him. We will live a real evolution, a normal transformation.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 02, 2022, 06:16:20 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 03, 2022, 07:17:29 AM

139. Shout out to God

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Sometimes, to come back to God, we think we have to cry out, because suffering holds us and doesn't let us go. But we don't have to scream.

Shouting is a sign that we have gone too far. We have moved away from God. God is here, let's trust! God chases us with his Love! And his arrows are joy, peace, hope, mercy, life, love, etc.

We cry because we don't want to live in the negation that keeps us away from God. We shout because we forgot that God is always with us. Within the walls we have created for ourselves, we believe that God is no longer there.

We locked ourselves in and closed the windows. After our cry, the storm will calm down, the dust will fall and we will have no reason to cry if we turn our heart to God.

It's a good reflex to turn to him. Shouting is not a fault, but it's not the end result.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 03, 2022, 07:18:28 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 04, 2022, 06:00:54 AM

140. God is with us

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This sentence reminds us that God is here:
"He will be gracious to you when you cry out, as soon as he hears he will answer you." Isaiah, chapter 30, verse 19b

God answers us as soon as we cry. This is the sign that he is close. When we have enough, when we stop wanting to do everything alone, when pride accepts the transition to simplicity, peace and joy, when we are saturated with being exploited with injustices, it's no longer necessary to cry out to the Lord.

We then cry for joy since we have turned away from our closures or the injustices we suffered. We turn to God. We shout for joy, because we understand the difference between the harm others are doing to us (or ourselves) and the pure, just, true, and righteous Love of God. We open ourselves again to grace, to the Love of God. Our heart becomes interested to being in his presence.

We read in the Gospel:
"Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness." Matthew, chapter 9, verse 35

May we trust, Jesus has not ceased to travel endlessly to our heart. May we trust, open our hearts to salvation, to peace promised by Jesus. Jesus, I trust in you!

Jesus is already there, simply, without noise. We can talk to him before we scream. He invites us again to open our hearts wide, for God to live in it and to work with us.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 04, 2022, 06:02:03 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 05, 2022, 08:00:59 AM

141. Our road is lit

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The light illuminates our way when we are driving. It would be very risky to venture on a road at night without headlights on. We may not get very far. And the danger of damage and injury is great.

This is what happens in our lives when we do not give God the leisure to enlighten it. We are at great risk. Instead of opening ourselves to life, we may close our hearts. Then fear becomes imminent.

When our road is lit, it becomes more visible. The only temporary errors that remain are the fact of moving away from the light again or not being cautious enough.

Let's enter happily into the light that God gives us. Let's get back to it quickly. Let's thank God for his light, enter into communion with him and our hearts will open ever more. We are also invited to go deeper into our hearts, to thank Jesus for the treasures we find there.

Let's take some time to discover these treasures and offer our thanksgiving to Jesus. The treasure that has greater value is our heart, since Jesus lives in it.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 05, 2022, 08:01:46 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 06, 2022, 06:14:48 AM

142. The light leads to dawn

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The fire of earth [Jesus in our heart] shines in heaven. It enlightens all those who take refuge in God, welcome him and accept to live with his light. To the young people gathered in Rome in 2000, Pope John Paul II said of Jesus:
"He is the beauty to which you are so attracted; it is he who provokes you with that thirst for fullness that will not let you settle for compromise; it is he who urges you to shed the masks of a false life; it is he who reads in your hearts your most genuine choices, the choices that others try to stifle. It is Jesus who stirs in you the desire to do something great with your lives." World Youth Day, Prayer Vigil at Tor Vergata, August 19, 2000, number 5. Vatican Site:
vatican.va/...ep/documents/hf_jp-ii_spe_20000819_gmg-veglia.html

Let's put on the garment of light that leads us to the dawn of the new day. Let's have the courage, the will, the desire to transform the world through Love, with God.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 06, 2022, 06:15:37 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 07, 2022, 05:38:56 AM
143. Our requests?

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Jesus Loves us, he doesn't force anyone and he sets us free. Jesus accepts what we want and he will not give more than we ask. Freely, if our request is not precise, we risk finding ourselves with very little.

Sometimes we ask, but we don't believe in it. Sometimes we want to follow Christ, but there are too many things or people who hold us back, or we aren't vigilant enough.

Sometimes the Lord will take his time, because we are not in a hurry to change lanes. Sometimes asking something from the Lord will lead us where we would not want to go. It helps us to grow in faith because we have to learn to adjust to God as true disciples. Let's check carefully whether our requests really lead us to the house of the Father, through the Son, in the Spirit.

God can do anything and everything is offered to us. But it is still necessary that we accept what comes from him. When the priest says, at the beginning of Mass: "The Lord be with you," the Lord is already with us, but he always leaves us free to answer, to want God present with us.
This does not mean: "The Lord may be with us." We know that the Lord is always with us, but do we still want him with us, again and now? That's the question. At each mass, we are free to answer.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 07, 2022, 05:39:45 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 08, 2022, 05:26:20 AM
144. "I will go"

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This sentence can make us think of all those who dare to recognize that God is their only possible path to holiness:
"'Come! let us go to implore the favour of the Lord'; and, 'I too will go to seek the Lord.'" Zechariah, chapter 8, verse 21
Me, whatever the case, I will seek the face of the Lord, I will look for it and I will find him. I have decided that my will, I will place it in a safe place, in God's Heart. Let's find him, together!

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas

Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 08, 2022, 05:29:44 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 09, 2022, 06:57:36 AM

145. Jesus leads us to salvation

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We go and come from different places, but:
"Jesus is resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem." Luke, chapter 9, verse 51

Jesus could have simply followed the road to Jerusalem like many people every day. However, he embarked on the road with a mission, the only mission he had in Heart and in his Head, which is leading us to salvation, in truth.

This is what the saints like Therese of Lisieux, Francis of Assisi, Padre Pio and people we know have done. As quickly as possible they reached the highway to holiness.

What is the mission that leads us today to holiness, Love in God? The first mission is to make sure we are on the straight path to the Heart of God. If not, where are we heading, to which unknown place? Where are we heading to?

Wherever we are going to, let's go in faith and with the conviction that Jesus is with us. Jesus is with us.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 09, 2022, 06:58:40 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 10, 2022, 05:59:25 AM

146. Helping the world

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To begin a mission for us and for humanity, we start with Jesus. He is the cause, the reason and the purpose for the Mission.

To accomplish it, there is only one solution, that Jesus be our Lord and Saviour, our Master. If we want to help the world to improve, to find values, to become holy, Jesus will transform us, at our request and according to the trust we will entrust in him.

Mary is the perfect example of an intimate and renewed relationship of Jesus in her. Mary still evangelizes us today through the mission she accepts from God.

Holiness in the world begins with holiness within us. Without our will to live an improvement of life and faith, we reject Jesus's blessing. Then, Jesus cannot help us evolve.

Holiness solely depends on our relationship with Jesus. The improvement of our existence depends on our intention to receive everything from the Lord and to let ourselves be Loved by him.

The mission received from God is to familiarize ourselves with Jesus, to receive his teaching, to follow him. Let's become committed persons to increase our faith in his presence.

In this way and becoming more and more filled with God (our mission), his Light, his Love, and the other manifestations of his Love, at the good moment, will unfold, join and delight the hearts of the people (evangelization). These people will also be encouraged to follow the Way, the Truth and the Life, to follow Jesus.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 10, 2022, 06:00:50 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 11, 2022, 12:52:03 PM

147. In the mother's womb

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"Hear me, O coastlands, listen, O distant peoples. The Lord called me from birth, from my mother's womb he gave me my name." Isaiah, chapter 49, verse 1

At the beginning of our existence, when we are in the womb, and even before we find ourselves there, the Lord calls us to him and to his mission. It's extraordinary that the Lord already has a plan for our life, whether we are a little foetus or even when we were only a small cell.

God creates us and he is with us from the first moment of our formation until we return to him. His plan of Love, he offers it to us. He knows us perfectly, since he is the Life that gives us life.

We become aware that we exist. Then we discover that all that we are comes from the Heart of God, our Creator. God is Creator and present for all, without exception.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 11, 2022, 12:53:12 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 12, 2022, 06:07:33 AM
148. God's mission for us

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God has a mission for us:
Now the Lord speaks, he who has fashioned me from the bosom of my mother to be his servant, that I bring Jacob back to him, that I will gather him Israel.

"I am made glorious in the sight of the Lord, and my God is now my strength!" Isaiah, chapter 49, verse 5
The service in which God inscribes us, what he wants, is that we become servants of Love. It is already inscribed in our being. He created us Love and he is waiting, all the same, for a precise answer from us. That's the responsibility we have. It is the decision of our whole life: to be servants or not of Love.

He invites us to live with his Love, to be connected to the source and he also wants us to be love for one another. Let's think of this, there's no better and beautiful life than having as foundation the infinite Love of God to live and to share. Eternity becomes familiar with this mission:
"I will place my law within them, and write it upon their hearts; I will be their God, and they shall be my people." Jeremiah, chapter 31, verse 33

God confirms it to us. His law of Love is inscribed in our heart. This law is to be received. Do we want it? But beware, in accepting the law of God's Love, we must also accept to live our life fully with him, to want to taste the joy and peace continually, to receive all that is the manifestation of his Love and to know we are Loved!

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 12, 2022, 06:08:23 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 13, 2022, 06:01:34 AM

149. In God

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Sometimes we have ups and downs. Our life is not always in a straight line. There are sometimes curved lines. And we know that we can wander far before a return to the natural base of life offered by God. In society as in the Church, it is similar, their members live ups and downs.

King Josiah has had a long journey. He repented. He moved back into his life and he adjusted. He makes a commitment and concludes that it's good to put his life in God's hands:
"Standing by the column, the king made a covenant before the Lord that they would follow him and observe his ordinances, statutes and decrees with their whole hearts and souls, thus reviving the terms of the covenant which were written in this book. And all the people stood as participants in the covenant." 2 Kings, chapter 23, verse 3

What a person can manifest by his faith and freely uniting himself to God in his covenant, when he testifies to it, enables others to dare to be in a natural union with him. As a result: "All the people stood as participants in the covenant." His testimony of faith attracts people in the same direction.

Whether we are aware of it or not, the Covenant with God is the sole searching of every person, without exception. Even if we go away with our bundle, God calls us from the depths of our being. The call follows us everywhere.

To enter into the path that leads us to the Heart of God is the definitive call we receive. But even if we are marked with Love, it implies a decision on our part, as for King Josiah.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 13, 2022, 06:02:24 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 14, 2022, 06:07:02 AM

150. Vigilance

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Sometimes we think that we have to do many things and find solutions to be accepted by God. But it's much simpler. Let's just ask him to help us find him. Let's just accept him in our lives by saying, "Yes, Lord, I want it, be my Lord, my guide and my master. I want to follow you.

Teach me how to stay on the road with you. Thank you Lord."

There, it's done. Then, we can remember that we told him "yes" to his will on us. Every moment, we want to let him join us. Let's pray, then watch our life improve and that of others too.

Let's not worry about what does not seem to work at the beginning of a conversion. To get out of a traffic jam, we wait for the stopped cars to advance again, then we move slowly and stay behind the others, until we can drive more freely, but always with caution.

Vigilance teaches us to return to the foundation of faith in Jesus, especially during a trial. We continue to be careful not to stray from the Lord, even after passing the test.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 14, 2022, 06:08:27 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 15, 2022, 05:50:30 AM

151. Lead me!

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We can say to God:
"Lead me in the path of your commands, for that is my delight. Direct my heart toward your decrees and away from unjust gain." Psalm 119, verses 35 to 36

May our heart look toward the Heart of God and not on the side of lusts, illusions, the "mundane" of this passing world. May we not wait to gain to become happy. We want to remain in his Love. With God, we will have all that's necessary for our survival. We are happy now, with whom we are, in him.

Jesus wants to teach us. This is the foundation of the mission. Jesus wants to detach us from human and material goods. But, that doesn't mean to become insensitive, to shut ourselves up. Not at all.

Detachment is to be free from useless ties. It helps us to know each other and to know people better. It also helps us to use material stuff for the sole purpose of bringing us closer to Love, by sharing, for example.

Jesus surrounded himself with Apostles because it is important to be united to others. Jesus didn't want to be alone. He knows it's important to surround himself with people. And he doesn't mention to deny our family.

He proposes to live as a christian, like him, to become who we are to evangelize and to create important and significant relations with all, through his presence. He is the centre. He wants to teach us the foundations of faith. Let's allow ourselves more time to know Jesus. To trust in Jesus is part of the desire to be united to him forever.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 15, 2022, 05:51:17 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 16, 2022, 06:14:34 AM

152. To take our place

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John the Baptist is so right in saying these words:
"He must increase; I must decrease." John, chapter 3, verse 30

Following Jesus is not diminishing. But we understand what John teaches us. To follow Jesus is to become humble before whom he is and to appreciate the gift of his person freely given to us. Even though he is God, Jesus thinks of us, wants to live with us, wants to dwell in us and pass through us to touch the hearts of people.

Even if we aren't perfect, let's remember that it isn't us that people must follow, but Jesus. May the people not follow our personal difficulties, because we are struggling to become saints, but that they absolutely follow the Honest, the Pure, the True, the Perfect, Jesus.

When we understand that Jesus is the only one we need to follow and receive his teachings, we discover even more that we aren't perfect. This is the beginning of healing, of openness to reality that leads to the path of holiness. We will develop the desire to give him more space in our lives and we will accept to make him present for our contemporaries.

Jesus must find more space in hearts. Otherwise, the evil in the world will increase. It's one or the other, the Love of God who raises us or moving back from his Love, the slip to the evil and the pain of the loss. Let's be sure to let faith in Jesus grow in us. Let's not think we have succeeded.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 16, 2022, 06:15:28 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 17, 2022, 05:52:08 AM

153. God's place

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John the Baptist declares the reality of who Jesus is. He is inspired:
"Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world." John, chapter 1, verse 29

If there's anything the world should remember about Jesus, it's that he cleanses us from sin. Especially the sin of wanting to take his place. To understand Jesus "the Lamb of God" let's develop a sincere relationship with him, observe him and listen to him. We will be stunned by him. May we take the place that is ours. It's a privilege!

We know how hard it is to keep a promise. It's better not to make a promise, because it's quite possible that we cannot hold it. But Jesus fulfills what he promises:
"This is the promise that he made us: eternal life." 1 John, chapter 2, verse 25

Is there a better friend than being with Jesus? To remain with Jesus and to follow him is to guarantee ourselves freedom, to offer ourselves a better life, a more confident and well-adjusted life. For if we have Jesus as a friend, we will be better equipped to face the difficulties and the more difficult moments. With him, we are already in a journey to eternal life.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 17, 2022, 05:53:15 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 18, 2022, 06:48:53 AM

154. Jesus, our master

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After choosing Jesus as a friend, we have the opportunity to welcome him as a teacher. It's difficult to trust God with everything we hear, what they suggest in the world, but it's up to us to create a relationship with him. Let's verify by ourselves and with competent people, verify who God really is. Let's not rely on half-measures, half-words, half-explanations. We want to know the true Jesus. He's always present and waiting for us to place our trust in him.

God is Love and a Master who is Love is the best Master who exists.

A prophecy:

"'Make straight the way of the Lord,' as Isaiah the prophet said". John, chapter 1, verse 23
Let's find all the means to create a bridge between us and Jesus. Let's enter our heart and constantly search for our master. He always lets himself be found, and especially in the good, the right, the beautiful, the true and the real, that we live and observe in people.

Let's find some time to find Jesus. Let's learn to be patient with ourselves, because we often block the way. Let's learn to free the surface of the bridge, to better see on the other side. Let's free the course so that we can quickly reach the shore where Jesus is standing. The sooner we find him, the more we will improve the quality of our lives. Jesus is already here. Let's find him, he's easily found.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 18, 2022, 06:49:43 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 19, 2022, 06:11:26 AM

155. God is present

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Here's a testimony of people who have allowed the Lord to establish himself in their lives. People flourish, they enter a new life, in the eternal promise. Even the unfortunate will live in joy:
"The deaf shall hear the words of the book; And out of gloom and darkness, the eyes of the blind shall see. The lowly will ever find joy in the Lord, and the poor rejoice in the Holy One of Israel." Isaiah, chapter 29, verses 18 to 19

But what are we watching today? Faced with so much misery in the world, did the world understand Isaiah's prophecy? We could conclude that God is not as present as we would like.

But it's the people who are turning their backs for many reasons. In reality, God is more than present, but there are people in the world who don't let him open their hearts. They block the passage between them and God. Then, they try to block the passage of those who believe. They think and try to manage the world at their convenience.

There are some who are nevertheless interested. The deaf hear the Word. The blind see God, they receive the Eucharist too. The humble ones recognize themselves in God, they rejoice. The unhappy exult immediately while they meet him and listen to his Word.

May hearts open up to the presence of the Lord and we will witness more and more small and less small miracles. There are so many people who need to hear that God is with us and that he offers us his Love, that he Loves us.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas


Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 19, 2022, 06:12:08 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 20, 2022, 06:34:38 AM

156. Faith in Jesus

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Have we discovered God's Love in our hearts? Isn't it the best way to help our neighbour to let God simply pass through our heart, to ignite it? Jesus will guide us and show us what we are called to become:
"Here comes with power the Lord God, who rules by his strong arm; here is his reward with him, his recompense before him. Like a shepherd he feeds his flock; in his arms he gathers the lambs, carrying them in his bosom, and leading the ewes with care." Isaiah, chapter 40, verses 10 to 11

How comforting! The Lord illuminates his servants. The people who enter the service of the Lord are the people who have accepted him in their hearts and in their lives.

With two blind men, Jesus makes them discover that faith in him is the solution to their discomfort:
"'Let it be done for you according to your faith.' And their eyes were opened." Matthew, chapter 9, verses 29 to 30

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 20, 2022, 06:36:13 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 21, 2022, 06:38:16 AM

157. Behold Mary

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Mary and all the saints help us to stay on the road of faith through their experience. Jesus offers us to behold Mary as our Mother. Let's recognize her as Mother of God:
"Standing by the cross of Jesus was his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, 'Woman, behold, your son.' Then he said to the disciple, 'Behold, your mother.' And from that hour the disciple took her into his home." John, chapter 19, verses 25 to 27

Jesus's message is also for us, "Woman, behold, your son". As Jesus introduces Mary to John, we are also Mary's children. John wasn't forced by Jesus to welcome Mary home.

Let's read the Catechism of the Catholic Church which is a simple and practical prayer. Let's just read the important points about Mary, what the Church believes and teaches about the Mother of Jesus in numbers 963 to 975. Let's meditate especially number 971, why we pray with Mary, why she helps us in the mission:
"'All generations will call me blessed'(Lk 1:48): 'The Church's devotion to the Blessed Virgin is intrinsic to Christian worship.' (MC 56). The Church rightly honours" the Blessed Virgin with special devotion.

From the most ancient times the Blessed Virgin has been honoured with the title of 'Mother of God,' to whose protection the faithful fly in all their dangers and needs... (...).

This very special devotion ... differs essentially from the adoration which is given to the incarnate Word and equally to the Father and the Holy Spirit, and greatly fosters this adoration.

LG 66); The liturgical feasts dedicated to the Mother of God (see SC 103) and Marian prayer, such as the rosary, an 'epitome of the whole Gospel', express this devotion to the Virgin Mary." (cf MC 42.) Catechism of the Catholic Church -

The worship given to Mary is different from that reserved to the Trinity. But it's essential. We worship the Trinity, but we pray with Mary. Mary adores and prays the Trinity with us. She is for us an example of faith and life with Jesus.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 21, 2022, 06:38:58 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 22, 2022, 06:58:53 AM

158. Mary accepted God

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Marian worship is at the service of the Trinity and for the people. The recognition of Mary's grace in our world and especially her relationship to Jesus should lead us to cry out with joy, to accept God as she did and then to do the will of the Trinity.

Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with you (Message of the Angel Gabriel),
blessed are you among women
and blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus. (Her cousin Elizabeth)
Holy Mary, mother of God,

pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death (It is our request to Mary that she helps us and pray to Jesus with us, so that we persevere in faith following her Son and that we may enter the promised eternal life, in the Heart of God).
Amen. We worship Jesus in Mary's belly.

Let's notice that all christians are asked by someone to pray for them. It's mutual help and it's a service of charity to pray for all. That's what we're asking of Mary too. Mary, pray with us. Mary prays for us. She prays that we turn to Jesus.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 22, 2022, 06:59:39 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 23, 2022, 07:23:14 AM

159. God's will

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Jesus introduces himself into our world to live his mission:
"I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me." John, chapter 6, verse 38

Jesus came to our world with the mission to make known to us the Father and the Holy Spirit. He came to do exactly what God proposed to humans in the Old Testament; to console, to heal, to recover, to save, to Love. He kept nothing for himself and offered his life for us. Jesus serves us:
"This is the will of the one who sent me, that I should not lose anything of what he gave me, but that I should raise it (on) the last day." John, chapter 6, verse 39

The Father's will is that all those who adhere to the message of Jesus Christ, become disciples of God and never be separated from the Trinity.

The mission is those who are meditating to let Jesus pass in their hearts and to consider what Jesus is transforming in them. They let themselves be taught by him to make sure they will be true disciples on the road of faith. The experience of faith is discovered in the heart.

To believe in Jesus, to know him and to resurrect with him, is the surest way. Jesus wants us to receive his teachings. He leads us to salvation and he wants to entrust in us, initiate us, then reveal his mission.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Watch with faith, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 23, 2022, 07:24:01 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 24, 2022, 05:27:28 AM

160. Peace of heart

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"Love and truth will meet; justice and peace will kiss. Truth will spring from the earth; justice will look down from heaven." Psalm 85, verses 11 to 12

The Love of God who leans toward us seeks his truth in us. God's justice brings peace to our lives. Justice is all that God offers us. May we share what we receive from God: Joy, peace, hope, mercy...

We read that Love is received in the Truth and the Justice of God leads to peace. Now, how can we get peace in our hearts if we are quick to get into conflict and slow to listen to God? How to get peace, when some groups in the world provoke war and want to control the world?

The bottom line is very simple. Everything is simple with the Trinity. When we turn away from Love, from Truth, from God's righteousness, we do not have peace, we do not live justice, love and truth. The lack of peace causes war and makes the path to peace more difficult.

Peace is a sign, a foretaste of holiness. Peace is a sign that we are a family, a people approaching God. Let's observe the peace, the truth, the justice and the love of a person, a family, a people, a nation and we will discover the quality of their openness to God. The lack of these dimensions is diminishing the ability to receive the Love of God.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Watch with faith, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 24, 2022, 05:28:52 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 25, 2022, 07:31:40 AM
161. To see clearer

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Let's pray to the Lord every day:
"Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man." Luke, chapter 21, verse 36

Let's stay awake and continually receive Jesus's message for us.

We will be able to escape some obstacles that come around on the road, because the light of God transmitted by prayer allows us to see clearly. Prayer enables us to discern what are the different objects and the people who take us away from God from those who gather us to him. Prayer illuminates what is happening in our lives and in the lives of those surrounding us. To see clearer let's stand in the Light of the Lord.

Jesus prepares us for the mission of evangelizing:
"Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master's return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks." Luke, chapter 12, verses 35 to 36

Let's stay awake and vigilant, to grasp every movement of the Holy Spirit in us. Mary, herself, had to be in a state of deep prayer to be fulfilled and to welcome what the Holy Spirit wanted to achieve miraculously in her. Her mission is to host. The evangelization that Mary realizes is to offer Jesus, God with us, the Son of God, to the world.

Since we hold fast to prayer, we hold fast to the Word, we hold fast to the Eucharist, we hold fast to the Trinity, we want to share God's Love to the people. God is with us. The Holy Spirit wants to realize his miracle of peace in us and fraternity between us.

We have a special mission, a unique mission in a precise plan, immutable, unchangeable, God's perfect plan. We don't see all that Jesus realizes in our life, by our life, but he works with us, he continues to be God for the world.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Watch with faith, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 25, 2022, 07:32:48 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 26, 2022, 05:43:41 AM

162. Let's be merciful

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Jesus divinely proposes to us:
"Be merciful, just as (also) your Father is merciful." Luke, chapter 6, verse 36

And how can we be merciful and like the Father, when we see that we have difficulty to be patient with ourselves, to be at peace? Once more the answer is the Holy Spirit.

Despite our failings and mistakes, the Holy Spirit can go through us to touch the hearts of people. Despite the little in good we think we can achieve, let's live in peace, and we will obtain more results. With a free and happy heart, may we allow the Spirit of God to pass through our life.

Let's let him transform our heart as well as the hearts of the people we meet. Goodness will increase, since we will let the Holy Spirit fulfill us.

Let's reduce the noise to find peace in hearts. May our life and our heart continue to find their source of peace in God's Heart.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Watch with faith, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 26, 2022, 05:44:38 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 27, 2022, 07:20:22 AM
163. To Pardon

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Jesus reminds us to forgive:
"Go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift." Matthew, chapter 5, verse 24

Reconciliation is realized in different ways. The most effective is to give everything to Jesus, absolutely everything at every opportunity. What we experience as negative, what stifles, what destroys us and keeps us enslaved to evil, we do not need. When we give them to Jesus, he gives us peace. He helps us improve.

Let's allow the Lord to cleanse what seems to be drying in our hearts, for lack of forgiveness. Forgiveness is an act of healing within us and for others. It may seem hard to forgive sometimes, especially when we have been deeply hurt, but it's actually and effective act of healing.

Let's entrust everything in God's hands. Let's receive his peace. Our heart will expand, it will drink the Living Water in Christ's Heart. It's a holy sharing between us and God.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Watch with faith, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 27, 2022, 07:21:32 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 28, 2022, 07:34:47 AM

164. Peace and forgiveness

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Paul's mission is a way of walking and growing in holiness:
"Let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful." Colossians, chapter 3, verse 15

The liberation of our faults allows the reign of Christ to be effective in our heart. To live in peace after forgiveness and to rejoice in thanksgiving, confirms us in our vocation to remain unified in Christ. We will find little by little our unique person, whom God has created.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Watch with faith, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 28, 2022, 07:35:44 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 29, 2022, 06:36:48 AM

165. Forgiving liberates

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Forgiveness leads to peace:
"Bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do." Colossians, chapter 3, verse 13

To reconcile with the neighbour is the condition to live a life of peace and joy. Let's continue to forgive and build lasting relationships with others, freely and smoothly on our way. Suffering itself will diminish. Even though forgiving is sometimes difficult, it's liberating.

Let's praise God continually. Whenever we have good dispositions of the heart with God and with the neighbour, each time it's the Holy Spirit who lives in our heart and he motivates our actions and our sharing. He transforms the walls into fields of wheat, into generous vines. May the Holy Spirit stimulate us with his graces:
"Hallelujah! Praise God in his holy sanctuary; give praise in the mighty dome of heaven. Give praise for his mighty deeds, praise him for his great majesty!" Psalm 150, verses 1 to 2

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Watch with faith, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 29, 2022, 06:37:17 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 30, 2022, 06:40:26 AM

166. How many times!

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How many times do we have to forgive, asks Peter? Here is Jesus's answer:
"Seventy-seven times." Matthew, chapter 18, verse 22

Jesus answers as only God can answer. Forgive all the time. Do not stop forgiving. This is another way of liberating the world and especially of converting us to God's Heart.

It's not always easy to understand, especially if we're experiencing a painful injustice. But to forgive remains the best heart remedy for us, and for the people of our time. To forgive in our heart is a mission. Teaching others to forgive is evangelization. And when we confess, we free people from our mistakes.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Watch with faith, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 30, 2022, 06:42:01 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 31, 2022, 07:55:05 AM

167. The Doctor

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Jesus declares:
"Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' I did not come to call the righteous but sinners." Matthew, chapter 9, verses 12 to 13

Ah well, it's surprising! Jesus calls "sinners" to him. He Lo-o-o-o-ves sinners! Not because he encourages us to sin, but because he knows that our request for forgiveness will heal us and grant us peace of heart. His Love will be able to go through our life.

Jesus comes not for the ones who are well, but for the sick, for those who need the Doctor. To acknowledge that we are sinners, to recognize that we need Jesus, to recognize that we need the Doctor is already a step ahead.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Watch with faith, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 31, 2022, 07:57:04 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 01, 2022, 06:39:53 AM

168. Mission school

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May we recognize that Jesus is Lord and saves us from evil and sin.
Jesus sends his disciples to learn at the mission school. He sends us there too. He tells us, "Go and learn the meaning of the words, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' I did not come to call the righteous but sinners."

It's reassuring. We are all called to him. Here and now, he asks us to be merciful. It's difficult for us to become "righteous", but it's to become righteous that we are called to be. We are sinners and yet we are asked to offer to others what God offers us.

God's justice is what he transmits to us through Love; joy, peace, mercy, hope, etc. Let's offer them too. In this way, we will always be searching, standing, walking.

The school of life and faith in Jesus is just beginning. Let's remain in the mission and stay awake to seek the Doctor. Here we're on the road to follow Jesus and we want to enter salvation, freely.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Watch with faith, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 01, 2022, 06:40:40 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 02, 2022, 07:05:53 AM

169. The church is growing

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The Holy Spirit passes in hearts and between people. The Church is moving when its members become fervent. The Church is growing and the Holy Spirit is helping to multiply its members. John writes in his first letter:
"Children, let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth." 1 John, chapter 3, verse 18

What seems most difficult in the mission is to mention what is needed at the appropriate time or for the appropriate activity, meeting. It is about being in the best disposition of ourselves and knowing the one we're talking about, in truth. Are we really talking about God?

Even though sometimes the deeds and words are not always in accord with the Gospels, since we are not perfect, let's continue to improve our relationship with people. And if we succeed, may we remember that we have done only what we could.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Fruit that lasts, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 02, 2022, 07:10:39 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 03, 2022, 07:23:05 AM
170. Balance

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"Behold, this too is vanity. Here is a man who has laboured with wisdom and knowledge and skill, and to another, who has not laboured over it, he must leave his property. This also is vanity and a great misfortune.

For what profit comes to a man from all the toil and anxiety of heart with which he has laboured under the sun?" Ecclesiastes, chapter 2, verses 1 and 21 to 22

We are invited to invest ourselves with balance. Some people try to achieve everything and they are so engaged in all kinds of activities that they don't realize that they are harming their health ... even sometimes the health of others.

What are our priorities?

Can we offer more of our services to the Church, for the world?

Do we carry out activities that will bring us closer to a relationship with Jesus and help others to know him?

Or are we just looking to put on a show, to look good, occupied?

It's always easier to participate in the life of the Church than to leave the work to one or two people. It's also necessary that those who work in the Church leave some space for others.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Fruit that lasts, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 03, 2022, 07:23:43 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 04, 2022, 06:53:10 AM

171. Talents

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Let's invest in something that resembles us, brings us together and reflects our talents, supported by the teaching of the Church. It may seem simple, but it's good to think about it properly to fit and meet our talents.

Each person has his own charisms. It's also recommended to ask the Holy Spirit what would be best for us to achieve.

There are always people in the Church who hold on despite the adversity of everything that keeps the world away from churches. They hold on and that keeps the Church fruitful. They receive courage and tenacity from Our Lord. Glory be to Jesus!
Paul tells us:
"Think of what is above, not of what is on earth." Colossians, chapter 3, verse 2

May all that we do for the people be inspired by the realities from above. The realities of the earth are good and pleasant, like picking strawberries, but the realities of heaven are superior to them, like the fruit of charity toward people.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Fruit that lasts, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 04, 2022, 06:54:40 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 05, 2022, 08:46:26 AM

172. Seeds

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Jesus invites us to think:
"Friend, who appointed me as your judge and arbitrator?" Luke, chapter 12, verse 14

Jesus is not a judge as we may think. He doesn't judge us as we often do. He lets us judge of what we achieve. He lets us decide if we want to share the goods of the kingdom of God that we carry within us. He even questions us. He wonders why we perceive him as a judge, in the sense of a referee.

Let's ask Jesus to help recognize in us what we can share of our spiritual life, so that his Heart overflows on people and between hearts.

As the fields and the valleys are full of fruits and vegetables that feed us, all our actions and words are full of divine and beneficial seeds for those around us.

Let's gather the fruits of paradise and fill our baskets with hope, faith, charity and also prudence, temperance, strength and justice; the strength and righteousness that are from the Love of God, and offer them to all, so that they too may discover the beauty and wonder of the divine fields of God.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Fruit that lasts, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 05, 2022, 08:47:51 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 06, 2022, 06:48:46 AM

173. Mutual aid

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If there are people who can help in one area or another, mechanics, caretaking, fraternal listening, helping one of the members in one of his needs, according to their talents, the help will be appreciated and they will receive a hundredfold from the Lord.

It would be easier to have about twenty people who offer their services than just a few who do everything. That doesn't prevent that the generosity is at hand when there is an important work to accomplish in the churches. Often people give themselves without counting in big events. Many people offer their services discreetly, without anyone being aware. All these people are generous.

To leave our task, when there's no one to assume it and to take over, for example, is to take risks, it's mortgaging the immediate future of the responsibilities and the activities of evangelization in the church.

Let's think of other people who could share our tasks, while we still have the capacity to do them. In this way, if something happens to us, a loss of health, an accident or a new job, a new opportunity for example, we know that the mission will continue. In addition, it allows others to walk in faith as they offer their services.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Fruit that lasts, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 06, 2022, 06:49:45 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 07, 2022, 07:39:25 AM

174. Walking

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In the book of Isaiah we read:
"The Lord called me from birth, from my mother's womb he gave me my name." Isaiah, chapter 49, verse 1

God calls all people, without exception, to a unique vocation and mission. Yet not all people respond to the invitation. Many people don't know it or ignore it or worse yet, refuse to believe it and slow themselves down. Yet it's when we're on the move that we discover the potential of faith that we receive from God.
We are called to a vocation and a mission from our conception. However, we have the freedom to answer yes or no:
"I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth." Isaiah, chapter 49, verse 6

Jesus is the Light of the nations and we need his Light to enlighten our faith and to understand the mission. Let's ask him his Light constantly to live well the mission in which he wishes to send us.

Let's walk with the Light of Christ, walk with Christ, walk for Christ, live in Christ and in his Light every day, so that the mission has meaning and fits in God's will. Not my will, but your will, Jesus. It is you, Jesus, who makes us capable of such a beautiful, exciting and wonderful mission.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Fruit that lasts, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 07, 2022, 07:41:17 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 08, 2022, 06:39:43 AM

175. The danger

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It must have been so difficult for the people who know Jesus to recognize him in his new mission. Jesus changed according to their eyes. From one day to the next, Jesus is on a mission and he must be very different before them. He says and he does what others can't do.

They perceive here and there fragments of what Jesus realizes and it's difficult to place the few pieces of the puzzle in a frame, especially when there are many missing pieces. In addition, they may receive conflicting messages of what they hear about Jesus.

Even today, the ambient message about Jesus, in general, in the world, is sometimes discordant. But it's sometimes easy to trust the fears, rather than what Jesus tells us and realizes.

The people from his home, watching him go, came to seize him because they said:
"He is out of his mind." Mark, chapter 3, verse 21

They want to protect their idea of Jesus. They can't imagine for a moment that Jesus entered another stage of his life.

It's a bit like that when a person causes problems in an environment. If people don't check the foundation of a person's mission, fear may be taking hold of some people and it may further harm the mission, instead of helping to build a more just, better world, merciful and true.

If we begin, in the immediate future, a mission in the name of Jesus, there is a good chance that our surroundings will find us different. It's also possible that some people won't recognize who we are, since we're experiencing a transformation by following Jesus. It is a sign that we're moving forward and a testimony of our faith to them.

Let's give them some time to join us and understand, in faith. Let's pray that they will also discover Jesus in their hearts. Let's give them time to adjust to this novelty.

It's then necessary to meet with other people who have faith in Jesus, to truly enter the mission that allows us to live and achieve goodness.

Let's listen, discern, then encourage and help those who evangelize honestly in the name of Christ, with Christ.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Fruit that lasts, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 08, 2022, 06:41:03 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 09, 2022, 06:35:49 AM
176. The judgment

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Paul is right:
"The kindness of God would lead you to repentance." Romans, chapter 2, verse 4

... To conversion. By and large, Paul invites us to patience, and to receive from people their kindness and generosity. We discover God's goodness in them. The goodness of God overcomes reluctance and attracts to conversion. The call that God sends us is related to his kindness.

He also talks to us about this:
"By the standard by which you judge another you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the very same things." Romans, chapter 2, verse 1

It must be said that we tend to mix judgment about others with what is a constructive judgment.

Judging others about whom they are at first sight, without really knowing them, is a judgment. But, to observe the actions of another person in order to help, even if we have the same difficulty as this person, can still help.

We must not wait to be perfect to evangelize and help others. Otherwise, nothing would be possible for the world.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Fruit that lasts, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 09, 2022, 06:37:21 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 10, 2022, 06:51:56 AM

177. Your perfect!

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And this phrase said by some people sometimes blocks us: "Ah, and you, you are perfect!" In fact, the person may not want our help. We still can pray for him.

Let's face it, nobody's perfect. It would be a shame not to be able to help the people considering that we're also imperfect. Where would charity unfold in such circumstances? It would be like telling a doctor who has cancer that because of that he cannot heal us. We would tell him to heal himself before thinking of healing us. Yet, helping helps to improve who we are. We help each other to help each other, and so on.

Jesus seems to be leading the idea further, when he says to the pharisees:
"You pay no attention to judgment and to love for God." Luke, chapter 11, verse 42

That's the basis. A testimony must encourage good deeds. And Jesus brings us back to reality, respectfully. In fact, we're not perfect, and it's clear that our actions and words are not always the best.

What Paul wants us to understand, mostly, is that we cannot evangelize if we're not connected with Jesus. Jesus abounds here, in the same sense. We are invited to deeply convert if we want to evangelize others, but let's not wait to be perfect.

It would be illusory, in spite of our difficulties, not to evangelize when we have received so much, received all from the Lord. Let's trust and evangelize,

according to our resources and abilities, according to the openness of our heart. May we remember that it isn't we who evangelize, but Jesus through us.

By improving our life of faith with Jesus, we're on the move. By helping others to improve their lives of faith, we will come closer to Jesus together. Let's destroy our illusions and let God Love us, and through us, let him Love others.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Fruit that lasts, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 10, 2022, 06:52:48 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 11, 2022, 06:04:16 AM
178. All we achieve

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All that we say, all that we achieve will be to lead us and draw people to salvation in the Lord's life.

Let's read a few times what Peter says in this little text and we will have a synthesis of the purpose of our faith:
"That the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire, may prove to be for praise, glory, and honour at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Although you have not seen him you love him; even though you do not see him now yet believe in him, you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, as you attain the goal of (your) faith, the salvation of your souls." 1 Peter, chapter 1, verses 7 to 9

All that we say, all that we realize will be to lead us and lead people to salvation in the kingdom of God. As soon as we direct our life to make it pleasing to God, we also help our neighbour to discover the purpose of life. We walk on the path of holiness.

This passage from Peter is revealing: "As you attain the goal of (your) faith, the salvation of your souls". The salvation of souls is the goal of our faith. It is the will of God and "genuineness of our faith". As soon as a few people come together in the name of Jesus Christ, there will be other people interested in discovering the reality of their faith, and in doing so fulfilling the Lord's mission.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Fruit that lasts, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 11, 2022, 06:05:36 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 12, 2022, 07:16:29 AM

179. Going beyond

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The Church is on the move. We are in the world and we're invited to share what we have received from Jesus. We already carry everything in our heart. We will pass on what we receive in abundance. Jesus, through us, will come to listen, to watch, to console, to heal people of the great lack of missing out on Love.

Going beyond our capabilities doesn't require greater effort. It requires above all living in faith, to let Jesus be Lord and to be conscientious to what others are going through.

In reality, we don't need to go beyond our capacities. We discover what is essential in us, what God has placed. It creates balance. We don't need more. We already have what's necessary.

As a guitar player retreats alone to practice his pieces of music, before making them available to the public, we'll retreat in a favorable environment and pay attention, in a place of prayer, hear and discover what lives in us, of what God gives us, bound to his Love.

Then, as the musician, we will be able to join others and create a harmony of talents that we have received, practiced and developed. We'll go to places where people recognize our style, our music, what is natural and what is of God for us and for them.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Up! Let's go!, Normand Thomas

Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 12, 2022, 07:17:26 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 13, 2022, 05:52:34 AM

180. Welcome Jesus

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The basis of evangelization begins with this:
"Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me." Matthew, chapter 10, verse 40

It would be interesting to ask ourselves these questions: "Who is the person who seems interested in knowing Jesus, but doesn't seem to dare move forward?" "Who welcomes our faith in Jesus? "Who shows signs of faith by their words, by their gestures?" "In whom do we welcome Jesus?"

We need to create a dialogue of faith with someone close to us.

Logically, in the world, there are many people who seek meaning in their lives, who wish to see more values spread, who are thirsty for a good word, who struggle for the lack of the presence of believing and convinced people.

These people may welcome us already. But did we suggest they discover the richness in their heart, which is of God, by telling them of the talents he wants to reveal in them?

It may be the glass of water we can offer:

"Whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones to drink because he is a disciple - amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward." Matthew, chapter 10, verse 42

In the smallest daily gestures, with words of encouragement, simple words that Jesus himself would say in the current context, we can reach the people around us.

Let's ask the Holy Spirit to prepare the hearts of the people we visit. May the Holy Spirit come to meet us and put a balm of Love on these people and especially in their hearts. Let's take the opportunity to make the same request for us.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Up! Let's go!, Normand Thomas


Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 13, 2022, 05:53:44 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 14, 2022, 05:53:57 AM

181. Charity

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Paul, in his first letter to the Corinthians, invites us to charity. To evangelize today, let's develop charity towards people. Here is one of his famous passages:
"If I speak in human and angelic tongues but do not have love, I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal. Love is patient, love is kind (...) rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." 1 Corinthians, chapter 13, verses 1, 4 and 6 to 7

Anchored in Jesus' Heart, we're on the move (mission) and we're joyful militants (evangelization) so that the world finds what is still current in biblical values; free the captives, feed the hungry, visit the lonely, evangelize people far from Church, from God.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Up! Let's go!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 14, 2022, 05:55:34 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 15, 2022, 04:58:52 AM

182. Fulfilled in our heart

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We're invited to say like Jesus

"Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing." Luke, chapter 4, verse 21

Today, what God offers, is fulfilled in our heart because we freely accept it. Let's meditate on what we receive. Then, about what we must offer.

May the Holy Trinity inspire us with the urgency of evangelization for our time, for today. Not the urgency to run everywhere and in all directions, but the urgency to recognize what we receive from God and to overflow with all that we receive, to be filled and to quench the thirst of love that so many are longing for.

It's also important to always adjust our dedication to what each person really needs. We're called to be charitable, watchful and just.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Up! Let's go!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 15, 2022, 05:00:23 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 16, 2022, 06:36:14 AM
183. Gently

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Paul's letter to Timothy is a teaching to revisit. He tells him :
You, man of God, avoid all this. Instead, pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness.

"Compete well for the faith. Lay hold of eternal life, to which you were called when you made the noble confession in the presence of many witnesses." 1 Timothy, chapter 6, verses 11 to 12

Are we capable of such a beautiful affirmation of faith before many witnesses? It is the foundation of evangelization: to stay in the good, the beautiful, the true, the real, in what is eternal, and to reveal it to our contemporaries. We want to reel in eternal life and stay there.

We're invited to reflect on how we can affirm our faith before many witnesses. What meaning do we want to give to our faith life from day to day? What do we want the world to discover about faith? How are we to reveal the Love of God that swells in our heart?

We see in the world the many persecutions against christians or against other religions and its progressing, in different peoples and nations. People are persecuted and defending their faith without fail and with courage that certainly surpasses us.

We're in an environment where faith in our God seems already acquired, but this false acquisition of faith left behind all sorts of complications and closed the possibilities of growing in God. What could we do while we still live in peace, to transmit, to sow signs of faith? What are the means we use for Jesus to be known to the world?

Faith in us must be in motion if we want to progress and hope for more joy and peace in the world. Let's run away from evil. It's important to be on the move before we fall below the bar of what is unreasonable, and then have to fight to keep our faith in a world that thinks no longer having reasons to believe in God.

Jesus is looking for people to announce the good news, where they are. He wants us to participate. Only if the Good News is announced will we see the gifts of the Holy Spirit at work: joy, peace, love, etc., in the hearts of others.

The good news is that we are Loved by God and are called to live free, responsible and joyful until the resurrection with Jesus.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Up! Let's go!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 16, 2022, 06:36:52 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 17, 2022, 06:48:41 AM
184. Comforting words

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The Lord tells us:
"So shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; It shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it." Isaiah, chapter 55, verse 11

We know that our words are important. When it's said, it can bring sadness or comfort, it can deeply hurt and cause pain or propose love. It's to consider.

What words do we use with others? Are they the same we would use in front of children? Are they more to hurt, to control or to love and set free? Let's have a positive message that will always allow those who listen to take a step in the faith and approach Jesus.

Nothing is trivial when we talk to someone. But we sometimes manage to create pain with slightly less charitable phrases. The pain we cause to others also causes us pain. Lack of sleep can be a factor of importance. The disease can make us more irritable and say phrases we wouldn't want to say.

If it takes more reserve before the words we use and for forgiveness towards ourselves, the person who listens to us must also become aware of our weaknesses and do his utmost to forgive us.

Each person must give chances to the person speaking to him and sometimes go over what seems less charitable. It's an opportunity to pray for the difficulty that we hear in the words, so that the Holy Spirit illuminates it and transforms the words that he uses.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Up! Let's go!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 17, 2022, 06:49:16 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 18, 2022, 05:42:14 AM

185. TO give with heart

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God wants us to live. He wants us to stay in his Love, so that we can feed and guide ourselves continually. Here's another way to share the faith we receive from God:
"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." Isaiah, chapter 58, verse 10

If we give above all simply from our presence, heartily, to those who are hungry and thirsty for an encounter with the Lord, we will be happy and we'll see the joyful people around us.

By our presence, if we fill the desires of joy of the unfortunate, we'll see an even greater light and darkness will hurry out of sight. Our light will be like that of noon in a bright summer sun.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Up! Let's go!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 18, 2022, 05:42:52 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 19, 2022, 05:49:01 AM

186. Closer to Jesus

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We are invited to conversion, to live a meaningful relationship with God and to love the world:
"Let the words of my mouth meet with your favor, keep the thoughts of my heart before you, Lord, my rock and my redeemer." Psalm 19, verse 15

And give back to my heart its freshness of youth!
Let's convert, that is to say, be closer to Jesus, our shining Sun, and we'll be ourselves in his Spirit and in his Life:
"Whenever a person turns to the Lord the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

All of us, gazing with unveiled face on the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, as from the Lord who is the Spirit." 2 Corinthians, chapter 3, verses 16 to 18

All means of conversion are good, since they unite us more to the Lord and to the neighbor. We will live a progression in faith. Jesus will be happy to tell us: "Follow me".

It's like he's saying, "Learn to let go of what's hurting you and follow me. Give up what is futile by seeking personal glory and follow me. Forget your past revolts and follow me. Share my message with everyone while you follow me. Calm down tensions, play down crisis situations while you follow me. Watch in peace and joy as you follow me."

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Up! Let's go!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 20, 2022, 04:25:14 AM

187. A firm decision

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Let's take the firm decision to follow Jesus. He never stops our march or our progress. It gives a feathered step and guides through a serene evolution.
We can say once more with the singer of the Psalm:
"All goes well for those gracious in lending, who conduct their affairs with justice. They shall never be shaken; the just shall be remembered forever. They shall not fear an ill report; their hearts are steadfast, trusting the Lord.

Their hearts are tranquil, without fear, till at last they look down on their foes. Lavishly they give to the poor; their prosperity shall endure forever; their horn shall be exalted in honor." Psalm 112, verses 5 to 9

Let's receive everything from God to transmit it around us without constraint, freely. It's very important what is written in this passage. When we share what we receive from God, we never fall! Misfortune doesn't stick to our backs. We have no reason to fear the difficulties that arise during our passage on earth.

With this attitude, we'll grow in faith, we'll rely on the Lord, we'll live the promised inheritance in his justice, his power of Love and we'll be covered with the glory of the Lord, eternally. Several saints, after their death, were discovered with an incorruptible body. God can lead us this far, in his glory, to the glory saints receive.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Up! Let's go!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 21, 2022, 05:52:53 AM

188. Going Forward

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Paul tells us that:

"Whoever is in Christ is a new creation." 2 Corinthians, chapter 5, verse 17a

This sentence challenges us. From now on, immediately, if we're in Christ, we're a "new creation". Yet we remain ourselves, as we are. But instead of leaning towards evil, we move resolutely toward the good, the beautiful, the true, the real, following the Lord.

It's good to know that our relationship with Jesus, that the efforts to come to Mass and create other spiritual activities make us new people in Christ. That is to say people who let themselves be modeled continuously by him. And if Jesus transforms us, every day we wake up as a new person, a person who lets in the light of God.

Of course, that doesn't prevent the mosquitos from stinging us, or hurting here and there, but Jesus transforms us from the inside. Those who have experienced it can testify about it.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014

Book: Up! Let's go!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 21, 2022, 05:53:39 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 22, 2022, 05:01:01 AM

189. Difficult questions

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Faith is at the heart of the human being and it's transmitted where we are.
Our existence on earth passes quickly. We are constantly on the move and often we change places. And the people we meet might be around for a short period of time.

Sometimes we have a tiny opportunity to let faith that dwells in us appear. Hence, it's the importance of finding simple but effective, true and awakening answers.

One of the big challenges is not knowing the others and coming to fear them. We tend to fear what we do not know and distance ourselves from certain people. But their difficult questions help us find answers.

We are asked to go to the lost sheep and offer what God gives us for them. The mission of evangelizing is now.

On every occasion that we are presented with a sheep who seeks alone, a sheep who doesn't know Jesus, a sheep who is thirsty to hear his Word, we are the one sent to them. All sheep, without exception, consciously or not, have the desire to find God. And God places us on their way.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 22, 2022, 05:01:52 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 23, 2022, 04:36:15 AM

190. Let's meet the sheep

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Jesus said to the twelve Apostles:
"Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'" Matthew, chapter 10, verses 6 to 7

Let's go to the people who seek God. There are some who are like children of God without a shepherd. All the baptized or not are in search to discover faith in themselves.
Let's proclaim that the Kingdom of God is near, that salvation has come, that Jesus is the Good News and that he is gathering his people for eternal joy!

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 24, 2022, 06:40:19 AM

191. Fear the unknown

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John invites us to be cautious when comes time to choose. We have the choice to follow Christ or another way. He tells us about people who were with the Apostles, but who are no longer with them:
"They went out from us, but they were not really of our number; if they had been, they would have remained with us." 1 John, chapter 2, verse 19

Sometimes, even in our churches, there may be people who are not with us, that is to say, who follow another doctrine than that of Jesus Christ.

Since we're called not to judge, only God can know whether a person lives his faith authentically or not. We can, however, propose ourselves this question: "Does the person follow the Love of God and let the Holy Spirit work in his life?"

Otherwise, here are some very good opportunities to pray. We have around us, in the church, an ideal place to practice observing and listening to the faith of others.

John knows Jesus:
"The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him." John, chapter 1, verses 9 to 10

Jesus is the true Light, but there are people who don't know him.
Now, how do we make sure that these people do not lead us in another direction, other than in the Light of Christ? Let's be as careful for ourselves as these people can drive us off the road.

May the grace of God invade us as he covered Mary and kept her totally pure and sinless. May grace, just like the Word and the Eucharist, transform us every day, to become "image of God" in the world and for the world.

Let's personally decide to live in Love, Peace, Truth, within the Life that Christ transmits to us and to move freely on the Way where he leads us.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 24, 2022, 06:41:05 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 25, 2022, 07:00:42 AM
192. To live in Love

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Offering our life to God is the answer he seeks. In this way, he can fulfill his dream in people. Then, let's invite people to let themselves be loved and open their hearts to the Presence of God. Let's invite them to give their lives to God.
Let's tell them that his Love is free and perfect.

He gave us the gift of his life and he expects from us the answer to his Love. May we offer him our life in answer to his Eternal Life for us. Let's offer love in response to his Love. Let's also observe the fruits that the Spirit transmits to people and we'll discover God present in them.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 25, 2022, 07:02:31 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 26, 2022, 07:08:34 AM

193. Be a beacon and listen

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The true disciple is in the middle of the world as a lighthouse that attracts to conversion. He is also the one who listens to the human heart. He helps the person to tell himself and share his sufferings. It helps him to find his answers.

It's necessary, however, that the listener refrain from elaborating on his own difficult experiences so as not to block the opening or the passage that is created in the one who shares his suffering.

Let's become aware of what others live. Let's be attentive and sensitive to the difficulties he has.

However, transient difficulties are nothing compared to the life that God offers us. God shares us infinitely more than anything we can hope for. The grace of God is overflowing when, despite suffering, we cling to him and make him known.

May the mission continue, as long as people do not know Jesus. Let's continue his works.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 26, 2022, 07:09:29 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 27, 2022, 05:52:54 AM
194. Seeking the sheep

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Today, Jesus tells us:
"What is your opinion? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills and go in search of the stray?" Matthew, chapter 18, verse 12

We are invited to learn each day by simply reading passages or books from the Bible. Some books in this library (Bible) contain very few pages.

We receive the Word whenever we open the Bible, go to Mass, and on many other occasions. We are studying it. Let's also develop the ability to transmit the Word to the people of our time. We can offer it and transmit it to the people, since we are here now:
"I fed you milk, not solid food, because you were unable to take it. Indeed, you are still not able, even now." 1 Corinthians, chapter 3, verse 2

Paul proposes to give milk and not solid food to new disciples. It would be important to remember this recommendation which is of prime importance. Paul's text is very good for anyone who wants to advance in faith and share it.

Because, milk is usually given to babies, if we understand the meaning that Paul wants to give it. The baby cannot take a bottle. The parent does not stop watching and listening to the baby to fully understand his immediate needs. And for steak, we'll have reached a certain age to consume it.
The missionary will always give milk and not steak to all the new people he meets because he doesn't know anything about them. This helps to verify where the person is rendered in the faith. If he practises his faith, he will want to share it.

If the person doesn't know a lot about faith, he will either let the evangelist continue if it remains simple or close up, because he doesn't join him with words too difficult or trying to stuff in all the words he knows from the dictionary.

It's a question of being attentive to these two poles of opposite reactions to place ourselves in front of this person, in order to discover the real depth of his faith. The ultimate goal of evangelization is to keep people awake in the faith by offering small steps to achieve.

For every little step that a person makes, we rejoice. Jesus will heal that which slows the people of a fulfilling life, so that these people become empowered, in faith. Every contrary movement tells us what is to be handed over to Jesus. Whenever we meet a person, whom we evangelize, we can update what is to be corrected in our approach, in general.

Let's be assured that we are never wrong when evangelization is done simply, with simple words and gestures. On the other hand, what is complicated repels people and this can affect their experience of faith.

Beef steak is eaten by the person who has gained experience. So, we're going to feed people to faith, little by little, until these people have gained experience. Our mission is to offer what Jesus gives us, a little portion at a time.

The progression of faith is similar. At first, people see themselves in a situation that requires a lot of effort. Every little achievement requires some coordination between the heart, the body, the soul and the spirit.

It's better for us to be sensitive to the reality and inner movement of the person to adjust the progress of faith in him than to want him to learn everything, too quickly and with a single stream of words.

Let's think of all the efforts that a baby will undertake to succeed in walking, all the coordination of the functions of his body that this requires, in order to succeed a single step forward. That's what we need to think about when we first meet someone, whether they're believers or not.

It's also useful for people who are believers or might believe they know everything. It brings them back to the essential, to the simplicity of faith. Let's be patient with ourselves and with others. Although simple in itself, the experience of faith is complex for the beginner or for the one who, without being aware of it, is leaving the church.

If we're listening since the beginning, we offer ourselves opportunities to discover where their faith is. If we do not see results, it's a sign that we must continue to deeply listen and be more attentive and precise in the information we're collecting. It's not time yet to talk too much. Better we pray for these people.

We are invited to do good to humans. All that we do well in God helps us to become more humble and happy.
We are the servants of God and he can only want the best for us and for the world. To offer faith in the name of God is to give ourselves the means to become saints.

Let's develop our Catholic faith and seek Jesus by reading and sink deeper into his Word. Jesus did not say many words to people, but he was precise in saying the right words at the right time.

Let's continue to receive the Eucharist so that our hearts will open more to the Love of God on us and for our neighbour.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 28, 2022, 05:29:20 AM

195. Being simple

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We are invited to let go of pride. The release that this will accomplish will allow us to use the gifts and charisms we receive from God for others.

God comforts us:
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and God of all encouragement, who encourages us in our every affliction, so that we may be able to encourage those who are in any affliction with the encouragement with which we ourselves are encouraged by God." 2 Corinthians, chapter 1, verses 3 to 4

When there's an opportunity to let Jesus take care of our distress, our fears, our sorrows, pride, God comforts us. Or rather, we discover that God comforts us, since we've surround ourselves again with his Heart.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 28, 2022, 05:29:55 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 01, 2022, 04:43:39 AM
196. Comforting

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When we are comforted, we can think of comforting others. It's a beautiful exchange that begins with God. He transforms us to be open to others and allows them to live the comfort of his Presence, thanks to the encounter we have with them.

Paul pushes even further:
"If we are afflicted, it is for your encouragement and salvation." 2 Corinthians, chapter 1, verse 6

So even in distress, if we are in the Lord, we can be people inviting our contemporaries to salvation, supported by the comfort of God.

We can say:
"I will bless the Lord at all times; praise shall be always in my mouth. My soul will glory in the Lord that the poor may hear and be glad." Psalm 34, verses 2 to 3

Blessing the Lord at all times and even through misery will be transformed for the glory of God and the salvation of the world.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 01, 2022, 04:44:20 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 02, 2022, 05:08:25 AM

197. Who are our friends?

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"If you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that?" Matthew, chapter 5, verse 47
It's not uncommon to regularly sit in a group and share continuously with the same people. Although it's less pleasant and without putting them aside, it's recommended, on occasion, not to sit with the same people all the time. This will create new relationships.

Let's try to eat with different people and by telling our friends that we are not leaving them, that we'll be back. We'll discover new interesting exchanges and we'll learn to know new people.

This allows discovering the wonders that Jesus realizes in their heart. Even if they are not naturally talking about their faith or the presence of Jesus in them, let's listen to them all the same. Let's listen to their silence. They have something to tell us. They allow us to pray for them.

Not only the priest, but everyone, we are invited to visit the people of our parish. The light of Jesus is there in their hearts. We discover charity, peace, joy? We can reveal to them how Jesus is present in their lives.

That said, it's also important to have sincere friends that we sometimes eat and share with. But, above all, we raise the danger of always going to the same homes. We risk leaving other people behind. This is of great importance for the sowing mission to continue.

Let's share the little we earned from Jesus and our faith will grow with others. Let's share our welcome with others and the sense of welcome will develop, listening and it will increase, patience and we will become wise.

Let's share with others what God puts in us and we'll discover that God is also in others. Sometimes, it may take a while, but let's not be afraid to sow what God offers us. Much delicately, because the place in which we sow is the heart.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 02, 2022, 05:09:19 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 03, 2022, 05:49:54 AM

198. Paul challenges us

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Paul took Timothy under his wing and he wants to increase his knowledge. He wants his spiritual son to have a good background for living and transmitting faith. Paul, although held captive, finds in this situation a motive for improving the faith of others. Paul says to him:
"Proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching." 2 Timothy, chapter 4, verse 2

Let's not stop proclaiming the Word, it's the basis of the salvation for all. Let's intervene with good words and with justice while respecting the people around us. This will require patience that will allow us to develop a greater and more accurate concern, to nurture and educate by relying on common sense and wisdom of Scripture.

Paul adds:
"Be self-possessed in all circumstances; put up with hardship; perform the work of an evangelist; fulfill your ministry." 2 Timothy, chapter 4, verse 5

It's grace for Paul to have a spiritual son to whom he can pass on his experience. Paul's recommendations are accurate and timely. The ministry is also very joyful when faith is realized and developed in people's hearts.

Too want to do too much, faith loses its meaning, it loses its lustre. It's important to be ourselves, live the present and let the Lord act in and through our lives.

Even if we have received a lot, let's remain simple, let's be people with heart, soul, people with a clear mind, less about appearance and engaged in the good, plunged in Jesus Christ's Good News for the world. All we are is to be faithful witnesses and serve God's cause.

Let's refocus our heart on God's. May our life become filled with Trinitarian Love, to reach all the children of God. May there be so much love around us that even the most rebellious be touched and freely transformed.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 03, 2022, 05:50:38 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 04, 2022, 06:00:21 AM

199. Let's unite

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The Lord our God is rallying. During the Old Testament period, God never stopped wanting to bring the people back into his covenant. He still has the same desire.

Even when we suffer and we live difficult passages of life, God is present with us and he supports us with Love. When we receive it daily in our lives, the much needed faith increases and helps us in the midst of the trials we experience.

Then there's the community. God keeps inviting the living communities of faith to enter into his Intelligence and Wisdom, so that we may also feed people outside the Church. The common good is that all people have the chance to walk toward their salvation in God. All people, without exception, must know that God Loves them.

Jesus needed to surround himself with people like the Apostles. It's necessary to surround ourselves with people who have faith. We read that crowds follow Jesus, want to hear him and receive his teaching. Jesus also taught Joseph and Mary how to become a holy family. The family is the basic cell for the community.

Let's meditate in our hearts on the delicacy and wisdom of God to each person.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 04, 2022, 06:05:06 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 05, 2022, 06:31:51 AM

200. God needs evangelizers

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Jesus is the Good Shepherd who gathers the sheep of Israel and the whole world. Every lost sheep, he wants to bring back to the Father. He doesn't want any of them to be lost. He continues to send prophets today. He wants to get his message of freedom and salvation to us.

Today, where we are, we're called to share the Good News of our salvation in Jesus Christ. We are the people Jesus needs for our time. His Spirit will guide us to share his message so that the world hears it.

Jesus is there for everyone, but not everyone gives himself the means to meet with Jesus. When we cannot evangelize people near us, let's look elsewhere for other sheep. May we work full time, continuously.

We often hear that in families and with their own children that it's not always easy to keep up with faith. This isn't the time to become stationary and discouraged. It opens the door for other people. If we join other people, they may join the children of the families someday. Meanwhile, our faith supports our children. Let's keep going. In any case, we know that Jesus is in their heart.

Let's not lose hope. Let's place our trust in Jesus. In this way we will have vocations everywhere, committed people who will announce the good news.

Paul does not force anyone, he leaves elsewhere:
'From now on I will go to the Gentiles.' So he left there and went to a house belonging to a man named Titus Justus, a worshiper of God; his house was next to a synagogue. Crispus, the synagogue official, came to believe in the Lord along with his entire household, and many of the Corinthians who heard believed and were baptized. Acts, chapter 18, verses 6 to 8

Jesus is with us. We want to keep his Love with us forever. May our sorrow of seeing a world seek and not find a shepherd turn into joy of being able to join them, personally, and to evangelize them.

May the world know that God is alive and that salvation has passed for every person of every generation. It's this joy that we are called to transmit to others.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 06, 2022, 05:17:11 AM

201. Help humanity

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Since the beginning of humanity, the rich want not to be poor and the poor would like to be rich or at least have what's necessary to survive. Still, investing a little in the poorest and they would be active in society.

How many poor neighborhoods around big cities, with few resources and efforts, could be helped and recover? It's a strange mystery that of the human being in front of poverty.

We still notice them today. They are begging on the street. Their budget is tight. They are easy to recognize and yet how many people are passing by them. The rulers don't seem to be able to find answers to help out. Television shows are devoted to people from the most disadvantaged countries.

But it doesn't stop there. Although it's important and disappointing, there are other kinds of poverty. There are people who cannot go into a group or in a small place. There are those who cannot write, those who are intimidated, those who are marginalized, those who don't eat (anorexic), those who cannot stop eating, sickness, sadness.

There are the disappointments of life, the bad weather, the horrors of war, and so on. Poverty then follows several slippery and often steep slopes.

There's a multitude of people who help in all dimensions of poverty. Let's encourage these people and help them to continue to invest time and resources in this mission of humanity.

Brother Andre of Mont-Royal knew how to find, by God's grace, the wound of a person and ask Saint Joseph to intercede to Jesus for healing. Saint Bernadette Soubirous, by the faith of God in her, has made Lourdes a stronghold to many cures from which bodies and hearts can be healed. And in Medjugorje, people can find peace through Mary's intercession.

Let's observe and seek in our heart the precise point that is wrong with a person and offer it to Jesus. Sometimes that's what bothers us most about this person. We may have similar poverties.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Caring for our poverties, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 07, 2022, 07:12:02 AM

202. Without hurting

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As soon as we feel angry with a person's gesture or word, it's the signal that informs us to offer it and him to Jesus. Something hurts us in what he says or does? it's also a signal to pray for him and to put his difficulty back to Jesus. It's a mission to simply find faults and sins in others, without becoming instigators and without hurting them further.

It's a mission to detect what is wrong with others and it is evangelization to hand it over to Jesus, so that he cleanses the wound and transforms their lives.
We are invited to observe what the poverty of the person is. What's stopping him from moving forward? What prevents him from being free and confident? Where is his difficulty?

How many people close to us could we help? We are on a mission where we are, with Jesus and above all with his Spirit. Let's also offer what is wrong with us to Jesus.
Caring for our poverty takes on a double meaning.

The first sense is that there is poverty among people who need help. We must help the poor recover from everything they lack of, mostly from a lack of relationship with Jesus and be aware of what's essential to their survival.

The second meaning to give to poverty is that it's practical and necessary if it leads us to be free from the bonds of this world and leads us to Jesus. Being poor, for example, or free of drugs, is poverty that leads us to freedom. Fasting teaches us to become poor of superfluous or bad habits.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Caring for our poverties, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 07, 2022, 07:13:27 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 08, 2022, 05:46:39 AM

203. Our weaknesses in God

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Let's meditate Paul's reflection:
"Consider your own calling, brothers. Not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. Rather, God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise, and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong, and God chose the lowly and despised of the world, those who count for nothing, to reduce to nothing those who are something, so that no human being might boast before God. It is due to him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, as well as righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, so that, as it is written, 'Whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord.'" 1 Corinthians, Chapter 1, verses 26 to 31

Paul seems to have understood how a person on a mission is. He doesn't elaborate much and defines it in a few words: "foolish, weak, lowly, despised". That's what Paul thinks of us. It's not very flattering. But it depends on the point of view of the person who receives it.

For the world, being foolish, weak, despised, it's the equivalent of nailing us onto a cross. In their eyes, we're poor.
But when we place our weaknesses in God, in what Paul says about us, becomes strength. For the strength doesn't come from our pride, our know-how, our wisdom, but from God. We place our pride in God.

We are foolish to believe in a Crucified Messiah. We are despised to follow Jesus, we are weak to trust only in Jesus. We mention this from the beginning to give us an idea of the different types of poverty. For some people, poverty is wealth, for others wealth is poverty. But, in reality, there is real wealth and real poverty, and all humans stand between these two realities.

As we read this book, we're invited to reflect on our different personal experiences of poverty and the different kinds of poverty we see around us. These discovered poverties we can give them to Jesus. We will be on a mission to help improve the quality of people's lives.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Caring for our poverties, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 08, 2022, 05:47:50 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 09, 2022, 04:55:44 AM

204. Life and happiness

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We could still hear today the message Moses receives from the Lord:
"I have today set before you life and prosperity, death and doom." Deuteronomy, chapter 30, verse 15

God proposes to all: "life and prosperity". What comes at the beginning is life. Life is a gift of God's Love and what's complementary is happiness. Happiness is lived in the present. Happiness is to know we're Loved. But above all, happiness comes from its source, which is God.

Happiness comes from the Lord. Nobody else has given it. Happiness is the fruit of God's Love. It is to be shared and received between people.

It's the ultimate choice of our faith. We have the choice between "life and prosperity, or death and doom". Happiness is in God. God has nothing to do with evil, death and doom. He offers us Love. It is we who can either follow the road to happiness or descend the slope into evil.

Unlike welcoming God's Love, the result is the misfortune that leads to death. Death is the gradual response that leads to refusing God. It's our responsibility to choose one or the other, life or death, good or evil, truth or lies, forgiveness or hatred, joy or despair, etc.

The choice seems easy, but according to our experience, we know that sometimes we have wandered in the wrong at the expense of good.

Under the ashes of misery we see, there is often the embers of Love that we no longer see. In this world that too often proposes a culture of death in all its forms, we struggle to find embers under the ashes.

We are created to be the bearers of embers, to ignite the world of God's Love. This ember, we carry in our heart, so that others discover "life and prosperity" which is suggested to us.

Jesus also speaks in the same sense:
"If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." Luke, chapter 9, verse 23

This cross is very light when we know about the Love we bring to humanity. For people who do not know that the cross is Love, it can seem heavy. Heaviness comes with lack of love, either from others or from us.

The cross of Love that Jesus offers us is much easier to bear than misfortune. And the more we share God's Love, the more our existence becomes meaningful. Let's give misfortune, evil, poverty to Jesus and live fully with the embers of the Love of God.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Caring for our poverties, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 09, 2022, 04:57:10 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 10, 2022, 07:09:31 AM

205. Life or death

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Jesus doesn't cut anyone from his presence. But there's nothing simpler than cutting us off from Jesus. To which source do we sink our roots? Which sun do we stay close to, during our life? The sun that gives cancer when we are too exposed to it or the Sun (Son) of God of which there's no limit of exposure, since he increases Love in us?

God is the patient master who always gives new chances. He wants us to take advantage of his Presence and to root ourselves so that we may sink deeper and deeper into his Heart.

Moses speaks to the people of Israel and offers decrees to observe in the name of the Lord. Here is a solid foundation:
"I have today set before you life and prosperity, death and doom, if you obey the commandments of the Lord, your God, which I enjoin on you today, loving him, and walking in his ways, and keeping his commandments, statutes and decrees." Deuteronomy, chapter 30, verses 15 to 16

Let's keep God's Love in us.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Caring for our poverties, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 11, 2022, 05:02:35 AM

206. Let's be vigilant

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Paul gives this recommendation:
"See to it that no one be deprived of the grace of God." Hebrews, chapter 12, verse 15

Of all the insurances that we can buy to give us a sense of security, the assurance of God's grace is the one that exceeds all others. Let's ask God for our assurance to stay with Jesus.

The assurance of God's grace costs nothing. It's true that today, we often think that what costs more is better, but it's almost never true. With God, what's necessary for life and for the road is free.

God offers his endless grace, but we can neglect it. How easy it is to get away from the exercise regime that we gave ourselves at the beginning of the year. It's even easier to get away from the grace of God and lose sense of reality. Let's be sure to be constantly under the coverage of God's grace.

Let's check if our "coverage" of the "grace of God" is still valid. God's service is always open, but are we updating it in our lives? Otherwise, let's regain confidence. Let's take time for an appointment with Jesus and take up the coverage of the Holy Spirit on us. May his assurance be renewed every day. Let's walk in faith with the complete and free coverage of God.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Caring for our poverties, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 11, 2022, 05:03:43 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 12, 2022, 06:58:40 AM

207. Follow the call

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Paul, from his prison cell, evangelizes his friends:
"I urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace." Ephesians, chapter 4, verses 1 to 3

The call we've received from the Lord is to love him and to love one another. Paul invites us to be humble because we have received a lot, we have received everything from God and we could believe that what we have, especially when the habit settles in, is our possession.

Stopping to walk is like stopping eating and drinking. It's even worse. It is necessary to renew the water and food in our body to continue living. We receive them from nature. We especially have to renew the Love we receive from God by standing near him.

Sometimes we lose a lot of spiritual vitality when we move away from the Love of God and we can't find a way to replace ourselves in the right way. So, to help others, it is necessary to find ways to keep ourselves in the path of joy, serenity and holiness, on the road with Jesus.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Caring for our poverties, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 12, 2022, 06:59:48 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 13, 2022, 04:58:18 AM
208. He moved away

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"Quiet! Be still!" Mark, chapter 4, verse 39
We wouldn't like it that much if someone said, "Quiet! Be still!" But this person would possibly serve us well. This is what we need to recognize the presence of the Trinity in our heart.

Only silence can help us hear what Jesus tells us. Only silence allows us to return to Jesus and be free. Silence also allows us to find ourselves and clean out our lives.

Let's welcome silence as a gift of the Holy Spirit. Some people have the gift of talking, why not ask for the gift of being silent? We may be experiencing the poverty of lack of silence and to speak at the right time.

Silence is not necessarily lack of noise. Silence is a state where we are well, where we develop a sense of serenity and listen to the Lord, to ourselves and others.

We can write, sitting in a restaurant, with some pretty loud music and still be in silence, internally. We can write in a library and silence could bother us. The external noise isn't the first cause of the lack of silence, but the inner noise, the noise in us. Let's give the many sounds in us to Jesus.

We would be surprised at the number of people working in the noise, and yet this doesn't stop them from praying while going along. We can be in silence and be with Jesus, even if our work is noisy.

As soon as we approach Jesus in silence, even if it's a timid approach, immediately Jesus will be able to obtain us peace. The more we are silent, the more Jesus will touch us subtly and the more we'll feel his presence.

Is Jesus really present? The question gives out the answer. Yes, he is present. When we say Jesus's name he is immediately present. We cannot live, love, breathe, sleep, hope, laugh, and so on, without Jesus in us. May we welcome him.

The Holy Spirit is the very sweetness and he displays his strength in the silence of the soul. Now, the Spirit of Jesus will fill us as a breeze in our soul.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Caring for our poverties, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 13, 2022, 04:59:46 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 14, 2022, 05:50:48 AM

209. Jesus keeps evil away

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Jesus sees a man come out of the tombs. It is someone who consciously or unconsciously allowed himself to be influenced and trapped in evil:
"Catching sight of Jesus from a distance, he ran up and prostrated himself before him, crying out in a loud voice, 'What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me!' (He had been saying to him, 'Unclean spirit, come out of the man!')" Mark, chapter 5, verses 6 to 8

With Jesus, the evil in this man doesn't resist, doesn't hide. Jesus recognizes that there's an evil spirit in this man. Even the evil spirit obeys him, it leaves and abandons the man who is now set free. We could also say that humanity is free, like this man, if we decide to let Jesus free us.

Notice when the conversion begins for this man. In spite of the evil that annihilates him, it's when he advances to join Jesus, that he's being released.

Jesus is the key, the answer. Always moving forward to reach Jesus, always adjusting our lives to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, always placing ourselves under the Light of God and letting him act in our existence, saves us.

Jesus wants us to tell him now that we want to follow him and be transformed by his graces. Ready? Let's run to him!

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Caring for our poverties, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 14, 2022, 05:51:49 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 15, 2022, 07:05:06 AM
210. Outing evil must hurt

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Often, we encounter situations, more or less painful, that we live or that people live. And sometimes, when a person gives us an easy way out, we don't think it will work or fear makes us think that we'll have more pain.

We think that to solve a problem, there must be pain. And very often, actually, it will hurt. But, getting out of harm's way is more of a healing. And it doesn't hurt in the same way.

How often, when we discover the truth of a painful situation, we say that it hurts: "You cannot imagine how it hurt when I knew the truth!" What a falser expression than this one! The truth has never hurt anyone. It's not the truth that hurts, but the discovery of the lie, of a painful situation. It's the lie that contains evil. The discovery of truth leads to freedom.

One of our greatest poverties is not knowing how to differentiate between good and bad. The line is thin when we don't understand, at the time of discovery, whether it's good or bad that hurts. Let's be certain, it's always evil that causes evil, hurt, sorrow.

Let's take the example of a person who is bitten in the leg by a venomous snake. The bite and the venom are the cause of evil. And to pluck the venom in the leg hurts even more. If the doctor has to cut the flesh around the bite of the snake, the person will certainly cringe. Ouch!

What's good? It's the person who helps extract the venom. The hurt wasn't caused by the person helping, but by the bite and the venom. Once the venom is gone, the life of the person is saved. He will have avoided death and he will continue to live.

The "evil hurt" he felt by curing from the venom is related to the bite and venom. The good that spared him from death, even though he felt the pain, is the good intention of the person who has helped heal the dying man. Let's be sure to distinguish between what's really good or bad.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Caring for our poverties, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 15, 2022, 07:07:45 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 16, 2022, 04:22:23 AM

211. Returning

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Let's return to Love, let's get away from what isn't good:
"You shall love your neighbour as yourself." Matthew, chapter 22, verse 39

To love oneself with the Love of God is to avoid violence and evil to stick to our life. When we listen to people talking to us, we don't accept that they yell at us. Why do we accept it in certain programs and music, for example?

Suffering is already in the world because of evil. But we are invited to become saints by being ourselves and spread peace, joy and hope of life in Jesus Christ for the glory of God and the salvation of the world.

We are continually doing our best not to enter into a plan of misfortune. We must also help the world around us not to embark on ideas that will cause misfortune.

Quite simply, we are responsible for bringing the good news that Jesus is to the world and for keeping us, as we can, away from evil. It's a decision: "You shall love your neighbour as yourself."

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Caring for our poverties, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 16, 2022, 04:24:34 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 17, 2022, 08:09:20 AM

212. God is patient

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God has all eternity. We only have a few years. He's totally patient with us. He is mercy. He continues to want the fig tree to produce fruit and is ready to weed it and put new soil around it. God takes care of it.

Let's imagine that this next story is forever repeated. We understand that God constantly wants to give us opportunities to come back to him. Jesus tells this parable:
"There once was a person who had a fig tree planted in his orchard, and when he came in search of fruit on it but found none, he said to the gardener, 'For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree but have found none. (So) cut it down. Why should it exhaust the soil?' He said to him in reply, 'Sir, leave it for this year also, and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it; it may bear fruit in the future. If not you can cut it down.'" Luke, chapter 13, verses 6 to 9

God, the gardener, by his great mercy, doesn't stop wanting to help us to develop roots into his Love. The tree of our existence cannot flourish and bear fruit unless it is rooted in God. He wants the tree to take root in him. It would be easy to tell ourselves that this is false, since we seem to have everything to stay alive.

We live? Indeed, we live. But we can close our lives in a well-insulated cave without the constant and beneficent source of God. The cave is all that attracts us and keeps us in front of a treasure that sparkles, unattainable, illusory, instead of rooting us in the ground that is ours, in our own heart in the centre of God's garden.

We are invited to convert every day. Every moment when we take the advantage to place ourselves in the Heart of Jesus it's always a precious moment. This moment is worth an infinite quantity of treasures.

The Trinity is always there for us, but from time to time we are in our shelter, focused on something else and not watchful to receive God in our life.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Caring for our poverties, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 17, 2022, 08:10:16 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 18, 2022, 05:44:09 AM

213. The thorn

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There may be something left in us that still need transformation. We'll always be able to move forward, even if sometimes we feel tried or we seem stationary.

In spite of the journey that Paul has gone through, remains the test that will increase his faith and lead him to the best of himself. Since he has not finished living the purification of his being to lead him in the Love of God, Paul describes to us the ordeal he bears:
A thorn in the flesh (...) Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it might leave me, but he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.' I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me. 2 Corinthians, chapter 12, verses 7 to 9

To put one's pride in one's weaknesses is not so pleasing, to let ourselves be drawn into our weaknesses, but to remind us that God Loves us no matter what our difficulties are is a blessing.

To acknowledge that we have weaknesses allows us not to pride ourselves on the strengths, qualities that God offers us, and to create false ideas about ourselves. We have received everything from the Trinity, so we must place our pride in God.

The closer we come and discover God, the more our being leaves what makes it proud, and the more we become like God by recognizing him as the "everything" of our life. Let's seek the Love of the Trinity in everything we have.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Caring for our poverties, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 18, 2022, 05:44:51 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 19, 2022, 04:39:33 AM

214. Evangelize the Apostles

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Jesus chose people of his time to send on a mission, such as Peter, John, and the other Apostles. The first to be evangelized are the Apostles. After Jesus's resurrection, they are left to themselves, but they are not alone.

Jesus has already breathed his Spirit upon them and they are sent into the world to join all nations, languages and peoples:
"Receive the Holy Spirit." John, chapter 20, verse 22

Today, where we are, every person is called to share the Good News of our salvation in Jesus Christ. Jesus sends us as we are. We're the people Jesus needs for our time and his Spirit will guide us to share what he wants the world to receive and hear. We are not alone. We: "receive the Holy Spirit," says Jesus.

The only effort is to be sure we're really listening to Jesus and his Spirit. For this we must become his disciples. We think we cannot be true disciples? We're not perfect? The important thing is to stay close to Jesus. And he will guide us. Let's accept to not be perfect. From our imperfections, the Lord will surprise us.

Jesus is there for the world, but not all people give themselves the means to meet Jesus. When we cannot evangelize people near us, let's look elsewhere for other people.

Let's not lose hope and place our trust in Jesus. In this way there will be everywhere people who have the vocation to announce the good news. A huge crowd; postmen, engineers, doctors, schoolchildren, carpenters, every person can transform the world, thanks to Jesus.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's evangelize, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 19, 2022, 04:40:14 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 20, 2022, 05:56:05 AM

215. The mission that saves

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"If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved.

For the scripture says, 'No one who believes in him will be put to shame.' For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all, enriching all who call upon him. For 'everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'

But how can they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach?

And how can people preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring (the) good news!'

But not everyone has heeded the good news; for Isaiah says, 'Lord, who has believed what was heard from us?'

Thus faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.

But I ask, did they not hear? Certainly they did; for 'Their voice has gone forth to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.'" Romans, chapter 10, verses 9 to 18

Let's stop and meditate these questions: "How can they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach?"
Christ invites us to the mission that saves.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's evangelize, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 20, 2022, 05:57:35 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 21, 2022, 05:02:52 AM

216. The only promise

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Paul tells us the way:
"He indeed died for all, so that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised." 2 Corinthians, chapter 5, verse 15

That: "those who live might no longer live for themselves".

Christ has come to show us that life has all its meaning to love one's neighbour and to live so that the hearts of people be transformed.

For that, we are invited to be free from what closes us on ourselves, to receive Jesus' teaching and to make him visible in our life, in order to become lights in this world. Let's run away from what tends to cut us off from God's will and from others.

The influences today are manifold and evil continues to be a counter-testimony, but there's only one way that leads to God. To receive his Love is the only way that leads to Jesus's Sacred Heart.

Jesus teaches us:
"You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, 'Do not take a false oath, but make good to the Lord all that you vow.'" Matthew, chapter 5, verse 33

The only promise we should remember is that God Himself is laying his Love in us, which nullifies all our oaths. From ourselves we could not take an oath before God without receiving the necessary from him.

To love and to move away from evil is the basis of what God wants as an oath. Our actions and words will adjust to this recommendation.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's evangelize, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 21, 2022, 05:03:53 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 22, 2022, 06:04:12 AM

217. We continue

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God knows his friends. God knows the people who follow him and hope to accomplish his will. The Lord says to Paul:
"Do not be afraid. Go on speaking, and do not be silent, for I am with you. No one will attack and harm you, for I have many people in this city." Acts, chapter 18, verses 9 to 10

It's as if God is telling us: "Be without fear, keep talking, don't remain silent. Stop worrying. Don't just trust what you see, what you hear and what can discourage you. Go on! Exceed your first impression of this city. Yes, you have had some difficult times, but there will be fruit. This is what the Lord seems to say to Paul."

Today, the Lord speaks to us too. We're doing it for many reasons. We don't see all the people who really follow Jesus, it's within the heart.

God knows everything that is done secretly in hearts. God knows that there are people who do his will and who are at the bedside of sick people, who extend their hand to offer money or food, who open their arms to offer health care or love for free, who are on the roads to evangelize. We don't know them all, but the Father, the Holy Spirit and Jesus see them acting and speaking. Their works will surprise many.

It's as if Jesus tells us: "Continue to be my disciple, continue to do what I ask of you. It doesn't matter if you don't see everything that's happening, because I see it. I keep you in humility and I love you. I am the one who converts, it is I who touches the hearts. I only ask you to remain in my Love."

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's evangelize, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 22, 2022, 06:04:49 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 23, 2022, 05:10:46 AM

218. You are wondering

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Jesus tells us as in John's text:
"You also are now in anguish. But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you." John, chapter 16, verse 22

Jesus seems to be saying, "Yes, maybe now you are wondering, you don't see clearly, you throw some grain in the wind and it doesn't seem to fall into a fertile land. But your heart will rejoice, you will be happy, because you will follow me and you will have done the will of my Father under the influence of the Holy Spirit. Be confident! Do not be afraid!"

Then Jesus adds:
"On that day you will not question me about anything. Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you." John chapter 16, verse 23

Questions are no longer needed when Jesus goes through our life, through our heart, when we're connected to the source.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's evangelize, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 23, 2022, 05:11:34 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 24, 2022, 05:11:10 AM

219. To find trust

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Let's ask the Father, by the name of Jesus, to help us find trust, that the Father will rejoice to see us follow Jesus for the good of souls. As Therese of Lisieux, who never went out after entering the cloister, may we believe that God works in our hearts, even if we think we have empty hands.

One night, the Lord tells Paul in a vision: "Do not be afraid. Go on speaking, and do not be silent, for I am with you."

When we come closer to the Lord, we develop the confidence to evangelize with the testimonies of faith that we give and the acts we do.

With Jesus, our mission is growing and becoming more secure. Let's pray, meditate on the Word with a regular presence at Mass, and we'll continually enter into a relationship with Jesus.

We can observe more and more the Lord acting in the hearts and lives of the people around us. Also, by becoming more patient with ourselves, we'll become more patient in front of the faults of others. Believing more in Jesus leads us on the path with him.

It's not always simple or easy, especially when we're distracted, but we know that making Jesus known is possible. Jesus tells us:
"Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy." John, chapter 16, verse 20

Sometimes we'll cry in the desert like John the Baptist, and we'll have the impression that no one will listen, but the Holy Spirit is active in the world. We only have to watch him act in people's lives and hearts.

Let's read again:
You are now in anguish. But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you. John, chapter 16, verse 22

The joy of God is so deep and intense that no one can rob it. Joy is in God and of God.

The sole purpose of the mission is to enter the heart of God and to be Loved. May the kingdom of God be established in our hearts. Then, let's continue to ask Jesus to guide us day by day and help us to embark in the touching and inspiring adventure of faith and evangelization. Let's accept to be joyous and daring, filled with hope, since we can see that the Holy Spirit continues his work in the world.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's evangelize, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 25, 2022, 05:07:10 AM

220. With Jesus

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Evangelization is realized to the extent that we are in communion with Jesus. Without Jesus, without welcoming his Love in our heart, there's no evangelization and null is the mission.

Whatever the function or mission in the Church, to achieve success, we must be on the move with Jesus. This is what the first Apostles understood. The author of the Acts of the Apostles describes it well:
"After staying there some time, he left and travelled in orderly sequence through the Galatian country and Phrygia, bringing strength to all the disciples." Acts, chapter 18, verse 23

Paul is successful and this success is indebted to Jesus. It is with Jesus that Paul succeeds in the mission.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's evangelize, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 25, 2022, 05:08:01 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 26, 2022, 04:52:26 AM

221. Our freedom

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Jesus's recommendation is clear. He addresses our freedom. He leaves us free to choose a mission with or without him. If we live our mission with Jesus, here is what he tells us:
"On that day you will not question me about anything. Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you. Until now you have not asked anything in my name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete." John, chapter 16, verses 23 to 24

While Jesus was with the Apostles, they had nothing to bother about. Jesus took care of everything. When Jesus will be back in heaven, he invites them to ask him everything, to remain united with him, to evangelize with him, to realize everything with him, in order to succeed in the mission of evangelization. Joy is linked to our demand for salvation and holiness of humanity.

Let's ask Jesus to evangelize through us. We want to be precision instruments in his service for the salvation of humans. Let's ask everything to Jesus, so that salvation is achieved in the hearts of people, and that the glory of God comes out in the open.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's evangelize, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 26, 2022, 04:53:22 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 27, 2022, 05:03:03 AM

222. Offer Jesus

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God hears what is said by some people:
"You have defied me in word, says the Lord, yet you ask, 'What have we spoken against you?' You have said, 'It is vain to serve God, and what do we profit by keeping his command, and going about in penitential dress in awe of the Lord of hosts?'" Malachi, chapter 3, verses 13 to 14

It may be difficult for us to conceive of people thinking that about the Lord, but there are people who have let down by refusing God's presence in their lives.

There's nothing simpler than to get away from the Lord and there's nothing more difficult thereafter than to return to him. Not because God would not welcome us if we come back, but because there are so many elements that get in the way of our march back. The reality should be the opposite; easy to approach Jesus and difficult to get away from him.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's evangelize, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 27, 2022, 05:03:48 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 28, 2022, 04:45:29 AM
223. A thousand and one

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There are thoughts, money, hatred, fear, lack of faith that, among other things, barricades that are difficult to overcome and even bypass. There are a thousand and one impediments, but only one way to lead us to God's Heart. When we decide to walk the road toward God, he himself removes impediments, blockages, barricades, rocks.

We have just shared the importance of taking the right path with God, but it is just as important to follow the road of fraternity with our contemporaries. Jesus tells us:
"What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish?" Luke, chapter 11, verse 11

Who among us would want to offer something other than Jesus and his message to people?

We can continually sow the Love we receive from God. And if we gave ourselves the challenge of bringing only one new person to the Church in the next year, we would contribute to that person's faith. Even by praying for him, and without his knowledge.

We will have increased the prayer in our city and in our life. Let's pray for a person who isn't going to Mass. Whatever the result, don't seek to know the result, but rest assured that Jesus will have visited him.

Every person has God in them, since God created them. Often the person is ready to hear that God is in his life. He's waiting for someone to tell him. Said in a wise, fair and simple way, often a person cannot resist the invitation to recognize the presence of God in him. It's easy to reveal to him the joy that he has from God.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's evangelize, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 28, 2022, 04:46:15 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 29, 2022, 04:53:03 AM

224. Welcome him as he is

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Let's ask ourselves, "Who would be on the point of wanting to come back or go to church?" Let's go slowly, invite him, but leave him free. Whether he says yes or no, we'll welcome his answer. We'll continue to welcome him as he is. Either we'll continue to pray for him, or we'll pray for another person, since he will have accepted.

One day a person says that he has no connection with God even though he's doing good. The answer was simple: "Yet you do what Jesus asks of you to watch every day on your two parents who are living their last passage to eternity." He understood. Children do what God asks for when they take care of their parents. Parents do what God asks for when they take care of their children too.

Then remains to celebrate what God offers us for free by living Mass, listening to the Word and receiving the Eucharist. Everything we receive from God is perfect. When we share the good, beautiful, real and true, it comes from God.

Why not thank him by confessing our faults and receiving everything from him through the Eucharist and the Word?

Announce the Good News:
"Philip came to Azotus, and went about proclaiming the good news to all the towns until he reached Caesarea." Acts, chapter 8, verse 40
He evangelizes.

A christian is someone who carries Jesus wherever he goes. All opportunities are good to witness, to know Jesus, to evangelize and to be in the mission.

Everywhere, in all places, we can pray for the people who are present, on the road, in the shops, in our meetings. The humble prayer of the heart is powerful.

Praying in our hearts for people we meet is very effective. And we leave it to Jesus to touch their hearts.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's evangelize, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 29, 2022, 04:54:06 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 30, 2022, 04:25:05 AM

225. Eat!

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The Lord said to Ezekiel:
"Son of man, eat what is before you; eat this scroll, then go, speak to the house of Israel. So I opened my mouth and he gave me the scroll to eat.

Son of man, he then said to me, feed your belly and fill your stomach with this scroll I am giving you. I ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth." Ezekiel, chapter 3, verses 1 to 3

Let's ask Jesus to increase the grace of his Word in us.

Ezekiel finds that the scroll tastes the golden honey of God. It's the light that lights the way, that instructs, the Love that enters his heart. There's all the sweetness and tenderness of God. This contrasts with the sometimes bitter taste of all that the world does wrong under the sun; sin, injustice, pride, greed, and all that leads to evil. Why is it bitter? Because the prophet now has his eyes open to the world. He now sees what's wrong and that's bitter.

It is the difficulty of evangelization: the more we walk, the more we observe that there's hatred, evil. Our eyes are opening. It twists our guts, makes our hearts bleed, but we're confident that the world can improve. We're also favored by the sweet honey of God's tenderness. We're called to give to Jesus the difficult situations that people experience, so that he may free them from the pain that makes them suffer.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's evangelize, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 30, 2022, 04:25:58 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 31, 2022, 05:11:27 AM

226. What is asked of him

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God said to Ezekiel,
"Son of man, go now to the house of Israel, and speak my words to them. Not to a people with difficult speech and barbarous language am I sending you." Ezekiel, chapter 3, verses 4 to 5

Ezekiel receives from God the Word and at the same time Love. And what is asked of him is to go and bring the Word and the Love of God to the house of Israel: "Go now!"

By accepting God's request, Ezekiel can help improve the lives of people in Israel. He can transmit the Word of God aware of the epoch in which he is and to the society to which he is sent. He will adapt to their language and their customs to pass the messages that God wants for the people.

Of course, he will not speak of Jesus, since this text is before the birth of Jesus. But in the Word that he will have to proclaim in the name of God, Jesus is there. The Word is whole, but the revealing of the revelation isn't complete for Ezekiel.

Therefore, through the evolution in which he lives and to his personal limits, he shares what he can receive from the Word. He will join to his words what he needs to reach the people of his time, especially to the people of Israel.

Ezekiel is between the people and God. He will need to understand what God is telling him and to make himself understood by the people to whom he is sent.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's evangelize, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 31, 2022, 05:12:05 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 01, 2022, 05:05:37 AM

227. Receive the Book to swallow

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Jesus is the Word. At the time Jesus lived on earth, the people also had to understand it. He says all he has to say and the Word will only be understood by the opening of people's hearts. Jesus' Word is complete. We understand it imperfectly, by the way, because of the evolution of our time and because of the evolution of our thoughts and our heart. We must go beyond what limits us, return to the foundation to understand it.

Many prophets receive the Book to swallow. Now it's John's turn:
"I went up to the angel and told him to give me the small scroll. He said to me, 'Take and swallow it. It will turn your stomach sour, but in your mouth it will taste as sweet as honey.'" Revelation, chapter 10, verse 9

A prophet is one who swallows the Word of God, it's sweet and tastes honey, but in the stomach it's bitter.

The bitterness of being unable to do anything, of feeling useless in the face of a world that is struggling and suffering. But in the mouth, the honey of the one who offered his life to Christ and the one who receives everything from him. John feels the interior sweetness of God's Love. He witnessed what Jesus did in hearts.

We observe the grace in John shared through his writing, the sweet honey of his life with Jesus and the sweet honey of the life and message of Jesus.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's evangelize, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 01, 2022, 05:06:16 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 02, 2022, 04:57:41 AM

228. It will be given to you

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When we realize that there's evil in the world, it is because we're in the grace of the prophet. Our eyes open, our stomach shudder. We're the people sent who can introduce the goodness. We must continue to carry God's Love to others. We are prophets thanks to our Baptism.

The Gospel of John allows us to know God more deeply. By his writings he enables us to become disciples of Jesus. It opens wide the doors to the mysteries that surround the life of Christ, as the other three evangelists did also.

If Father Marie-Eugene of the Infant-Jesus is able to become blessed, only by being a witness of the faith of Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross and Therese of the Infant-Jesus, meditating their lives in the light of Christ, let's imagine what the writings of John the Evangelist and the texts of the Bible can achieve in our life, through the light of Christ!

John's mission, the mission of the prophet is to open a path, so that we can meet Jesus, our Lord, the Love of the Holy Spirit and know the Father.
We have a lot to ask to the Holy Spirit. We remember this Word of Jesus:
"Ask and it will be given to you." Matthew, chapter 7, verse 7

We mostly need to be with the Spirit. May the Holy Spirit increase our faith, our life of prayer, the impulse of our heart to fully share what we receive from the Trinity, to transmit to the world that seeks, sometimes through difficult trials, the meaning of life, the meaning of love. May they know that they can only find Love in God.

May the Lord keep us close to his Heart as John rested his head on Jesus' Heart. Let's listen to the message of his Heart. May he comfort us so that we may be free to embark on the road with him for the salvation of the world, the Word of God in hand and in heart.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's evangelize, Normand Thomas

Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 02, 2022, 05:01:43 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 03, 2022, 04:41:45 AM

229. More joy

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"I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance." Luke, chapter 15, verse 7

To dare to testify is to give thanks to God for the wonders he accomplishes in our life. His wonders are always in us, but we have a tendency to be embarrassed, to stay away from them, to let ourselves go astray, to search everywhere without finding an answer or without others offering us one.

God Loves his wonder, the treasure that we are, since he creates us with his Love. He can do nothing else but Love us.
Personally, I thank those who are around me, witnesses of faith. They transmitted to me the taste of God and the desire to follow Jesus.

Many other people have been role models for me. To name one would be injustice to others. Those who read these lines and feel concerned about having participated in my life of faith, consider that you are among those who helped me to know and follow Jesus. May we be united in prayer.

And what can we say about Mary and Joseph, of all the saints who have set off with joy and enthusiasm in my pursuit to help me each day through conversion, the only path that leads to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. May the Trinity be praised!

Is it not our only mission to discover Jesus through evangelizing thoughts, words and gestures? So many graces we receive to testify! It sends us on the move with Jesus for the world. It transforms something in us and in other people.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Joy in heaven, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 03, 2022, 04:42:29 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 04, 2022, 03:46:42 AM

230. Living right

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Solomon is the son of David and he becomes king of Israel. He is at a stage in his life where he understands the need to become one of God's friends.
He wants to follow a straight path and become more anchored in the truth. He wishes to do well as a child who knows he's loved. Solomon has a special relationship with God.

King Solomon gives us a very good idea of a person who lives a conversion. He leaped faithfully. He asks God:
"Give your servant, therefore, an understanding heart to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong. For who is able to govern this vast people of yours?" 1 Kings, chapter 3, verse 9

Judgment is not a method of judging recklessly the negative experience of the lives of others. Instead, it's a way of being awake to what others are living, praying for them and guiding them to God when necessary.

We could say, "Give us a heart of judgment to love our neighbour, to discern between good and evil. To help in the good and to deliver evil to God. Who could love without you, God?"

Discerning between good and evil is an open door to conversion because it helps us, with good judgment, to better turn away from evil, move toward Love, to God and to give him a place in our lives.

King Solomon asks for something just, basic and at the same time major to God for the foundation of his faith, to watch over the people of God. Let's imagine the graces for employees when the boss asks God to govern rightfully!

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Joy in heaven, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 04, 2022, 03:47:33 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 05, 2022, 04:27:57 AM

231. God offers all

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This relationship between Solomon and God is quite unique in the Old Testament. Solomon asks neither wealth nor the death of his enemies (which God cannot give him anyway, since he is Love), but Solomon wishes to receive an "understanding heart" from God.

This request of Solomon pleases the Lord, who says to him:
"Because you have asked for this - not for a long life for yourself, nor for riches, nor for the life of your enemies, but for understanding so that you may know what is right - I do as you requested. I give you a heart so wise and understanding that there has never been anyone like you up to now, and after you there will come no one to equal you." 1 Kings, chapter 3, verses 10 to 12

We can learn from Solomon's wisdom. He doesn't seek power, nor wealth.
Solomon actually asks for what God is already offering him. His intentions are pure and his life is blessed. God gives him wisdom.

God offers us all that is best for our existence. Let's ask him for what is right. For my part (the author), my prayer for conscious awareness is: "Lord, give me the grace to receive, to accept your graces."

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Joy in heaven, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 05, 2022, 04:28:35 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 06, 2022, 04:34:50 AM

232. A gift from God

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Solomon's wisdom is a gift from God. God gives him his presence, what he needs most, a wise and intelligent, understanding heart.

God also always grants us his graces and a wise and intelligent heart, but he wants us to ask him as Solomon, just so we can be more aware of it.

Let's ask God for what's best. In any case, he cannot offer us something that isn't good, that isn't wise, that isn't Love. It isn't to please God that we must ask him, but it's to allow us a holy experience through a personal approach.

We have the desire to remain in God. In short, God already gives what's necessary, but asking him unites us to his will. Without asking him, we don't become aware of his Love for us.

On earth, as humans, we move forward when we want something. We should do this regularly with God, in order to keep us in accordance with what he proposes to us.

Solomon leads us to a good exercise to achieve. Who would've believed that someone who lived nearly three thousand years ago would be the one who would give us the idea to ask what is best from God!

When we get closer to the will of God, everything improves. The weight of past resentments, tomorrow's anxiety, the fear of the future are letting go of our lives. Adjusting to God's will allows light to enter, joy to settle in, and peace to become a constant experience.

King Solomon is at a moment in his life where he understands the need to become more of God's friend. He wants to live right and in the truth. He fears God, but as a child who wants to do better, since he knows he is Loved. Solomon lives in the grace of God.

On the other hand, if a person is looking for glory and popularity, it will most likely come to him, but it will not be a gift of God, rather a departure from God, by human pride. While not seeking the good, the beautiful, the real and the truth, people get trapped in evil.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Joy in heaven, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 07, 2022, 06:04:00 AM

233. The Holy Spirit ignites

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Jesus's wisdom is greater, higher, deeper than that of Solomon, since Jesus is Wisdom himself. Let's continue to ask Jesus for wisdom, to share what God has already bestowed on us, in all circumstances and for the good of each person:
"There is no greater freedom than that of allowing oneself to be guided by the Holy Spirit, renouncing the attempt to plan and control everything to the last detail, and instead letting him enlighten, guide and direct us, leading us wherever he wills.

The Holy Spirit knows well what is needed in every time and place. This is what it means to be mysteriously fruitful!" The joy of the gospel, number 280, Pope Francis.

The Holy Spirit helps us to live with people. We don't give ourselves charisms, it's the Holy Spirit who gives them to us. Let's ask the Holy Spirit for his graces, to transmit them to the world. Let's open the gift he offers us and receive its content.

Let's open the doors, open the windows, open our hearts to the Holy Spirit. Up and away! The more we share what the Holy Spirit offers us, the more we discover his action among us. Whenever we perceive it in a person, we also observe it in ourselves.

If we're under the governance of the Holy Spirit, his evangelical values, his fruits, his gifts and charisms will appear in our lives. The fruit that dwells in us and transforms within comes from the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit isn't limited to a single spark of a fireworks show. The Holy Spirit is the immense fireworks to which we want to pray and discover, to rejoice and dance around its many diverse lights.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Joy in heaven, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 07, 2022, 06:05:25 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 08, 2022, 05:11:45 AM

234. Can we even imagine

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Let's embark with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit and receive the fruits of the Spirit. Let's welcome everything from the Trinity.

The person who doesn't maintain the quality of their vehicle for a very long journey may discover that the destination might get longer and demand more time. The transmission chain of our life is the Holy Spirit and we need to make sure he's constantly with us. May our hearts be in order to receive the Holy Spirit, to continue on the path of salvation and for the salvation of our neighbour.

Let's not limit the Holy Spirit. We would take one reality and close ourselves to the other graces of the Holy Spirit? Let's not do that. We cannot limit the Holy Spirit without limiting ourselves.

We have not finished discovering him and he will surprise us. Let's dare to let the Holy Spirit ignite and illuminate us with all his fires.

Jesus proposes to evangelize:
"Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." Matthew, chapter 28, verses 19 to 20a

Can we even imagine all the graces we receive to go on a mission, if we listen to him?

It is the Spirit of Jesus and the Father who guides his Church, who guides us in our journey, which is our guarantee of the presence of Jesus in us. We have the special grace of being in the Catholic Church with a marked dimension of the Holy Spirit. This is the Blessing for the Church. It's a privilege for us.

The Holy Spirit is in perfect communion with the Father and the Son. When we pray to the Holy Spirit, it's impossible to be removed from the Father and the Son. Mary is present too. All the saints are united with us.

In praying the Holy Spirit, we don't exclude the Father or the Son. The three are eternally one. We don't favour. We are in God when we walk with the Holy Spirit. We don't further favour the Holy Spirit.

We know what the Holy Spirit of Jesus and the Father has done so far in our lives. We know what the Holy Spirit is doing in our lives right now. We will then discover what he will achieve by passing through our soul, our heart, our spirit, in the future. We would not believe the extent and possibilities if the Spirit told us all that he's able to do in us and through us.

Let's not block the Holy Spirit to one reality. May we not dictate to him what we want. But let him decide what he wants for every person in the Church, to give us strength, justice, temperance, prudence, theological virtues, charisms, gifts, fruits, etc.

Let's keep the courage and the determination to want the Holy Spirit in our life and to walk together, despite our differences which are so many beauties for each other.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Joy in heaven, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 08, 2022, 05:12:47 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 09, 2022, 04:37:45 AM
235. The wind is blowing

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We need different aspirations of the Holy Spirit depending on who we are. Every person is different, but totally wanted of God for a holy and continuous evangelization.

We all need different graces depending on who we are, how we are, where we are, and where we're going to while following a Holy Spirit who doesn't tell us where he's going.

"The wind blows where it wills." John, chapter 3, verse 8a

He is free, totally, sovereignly free! He isn't confined to a single expression, to a single idea.
Jesus tells Nicodemus the meaning of the movement of the Spirit:
"The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." John, chapter 3, verse 8

It is so with us, born of the breath of the Spirit. We don't know where the Spirit leads us. We must trust him, day by day, to be free, to be responsible in the mission to which he prepares us and sends us. It's the heart's mission.
Let's not limit the Holy Spirit or the evangelical values that are multiple:
""Furthermore, many elements of sanctification and of truth" (LG 8 # 2) are found outside the visible confines of the Catholic Church: "the written Word of God; the life of grace; faith, hope, and charity, with the other interior gifts of the Holy Spirit, as well as visible elements." (UR 3 # 2, see LG 15).

Christ's Spirit uses these Churches and ecclesial communities as means of salvation, whose power derives from the fullness of grace and truth that Christ has entrusted to the Catholic Church. All these blessings come from Christ and lead to him (see UR 3) and are in themselves calls to "Catholic unity."" (LG 8). Catechism of the Catholic Church number 819,
http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P29.HTM

We will have to be watchful in order to discover these graces in people. They're not only for ourselves. We can also lose them if we don't take a jealous care of them:
"'Christ, sent by the Father, is the source of the Church's whole apostolate'; thus the fruitfulness of apostolate for ordained ministers as well as for lay people clearly depends on their vital union with Christ. (AA 4; cf. ? Jn 15:5.) In keeping with their vocations, the demands of the times and the various gifts of the Holy Spirit, the apostolate assumes the most varied forms. But charity, drawn from the Eucharist above all, is always 'as it were, the soul of the whole apostolate'." (AA 3). Catechism of the Catholic Church number 864,
http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P29.HTM

We receive the different gifts and charisms of the Holy Spirit, but we don't develop them all in the same way, according to the life we lead, the blockages or openness, according to the possibilities that we obtain to share them.

Let's engage with the Holy Spirit. Let's be aware and take some time to receive all that he offers:
"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you." 2 Corinthians, chapter 13, verse 13

Union with Christ is vital: "Charity is drawn mainly from the Eucharist." The grace of God must always remain with us and bear fruit beyond the Eucharistic celebration:
The Church therefore asks the Father to send the Holy Spirit to make the lives of the faithful a living sacrifice to God by their spiritual transformation into the image of Christ, by concern for the Church's unity, and by taking part in her mission through the witness and service of charity. Catechism of the Catholic Church number 1109, http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P2X.HTM

This is not our own mission. It is the participation in Jesus's Mission, in the Shepherd's Mission.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Joy in heaven, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 09, 2022, 04:38:37 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 10, 2022, 04:23:11 AM

236. Infinite number of graces

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The mission varies depending of the epoch in which we are. "Through witnessing" in the world of what the Spirit realizes in our person, whether we're old or young, we're called to offer the way of salvation in God, to give thanks to him in this way, always and in all places. Whatever our poverty, whoever we are, we're bearing fruit in the world, but we must also let them pick them. We must not keep them for ourselves.

And "service of charity". Charity doesn't come from a single ray of the sun, but from all the rays of the sun that are multiple and varied.

It means, in all situations, all possibilities, as soon as we're in contact with a person, we can live the meeting of the resurrected, whatever the reality,

whether we like the reality of this person or not. This requires all possible graces. We must ask everything to the Holy Spirit and use them with caution, but use them with him in abundance. To be fair and just to people is an excellent charity. That is evangelizing.

We received the gift of the Holy Spirit on the day of our baptism. The gift that we still receive today, renewed, in the reality of the Holy Spirit, includes all the holiness that it implies. By holiness, it means the infinite number of graces that come to us with this unique gift:
The Most Holy Trinity gives the baptized sanctifying grace, the grace of justification:
- enabling them to believe in God, to hope in him, and to love him through the theological virtues;
- giving them the power to live and act under the prompting of the Holy Spirit through the gifts of the Holy Spirit;
- allowing them to grow in goodness through the moral virtues.

Thus the whole organism of the Christian's supernatural life has its roots in Baptism. Catechism of the Catholic Church number 1266 Catechism of the Catholic Church - IntraText

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Joy in heaven, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 10, 2022, 04:25:04 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 11, 2022, 04:33:36 AM

237. Two by two

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Jesus wants us to receive the baptism, the life and the light of God. He sends the disciples two by two to evangelize and he tells them:
"As you enter a house, wish it peace. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it." Matthew, chapter 10, verses 12 to 13a

Is our house welcoming to receive Jesus? Is our heart ready to welcome him? Let's stay awake to welcome Jesus, so that he may lead us to his home.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Joy in heaven, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 11, 2022, 04:34:38 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 12, 2022, 04:44:21 AM

238. We are lights

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Jesus tells us:
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father." Matthew, chapter 5, verses 14 to 16

Our light shines when we're good, when we live truly, we recognize what is beautiful, and we observe the reality. The light that shines in us is the Lord. With him, joy is shown.

To be responsible for the faith and the light that dwells in us, giving glory to God, we live the mission that is proposed to us. God does not ask for more than what we can achieve, but he asks us to trust him. By giving glory to God by our agreement to his will, we also glorify him in the world.

During the Pascal meal, the Wedding of the Lamb, the Eucharist, let's ask Jesus to help us to clear and polish our light, so that it shines for the glory of God and for the salvation of the world.

Let's continue to nourish ourselves with the Word of God, to come to Mass, to live the sacraments in the Light of the Holy Spirit, to shine like the baptized believing that they are saved, to radiate the light of Jesus and to forgive. Forgiveness is the key to truth and peace in God.

We know God's will well. He wishes us to share his graces. All good deeds and charisms we freely receive, we're invited to share them for free. Let's ask the Holy Spirit in abundance so that he overflows in the meetings, in the visits, on all the people we meet.

As the sun gains strength in the spring, we will see the Holy Spirit shine around us, thanks to our decision to open up.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Joy in heaven, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 13, 2022, 04:34:39 AM

239. The sign of the will

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Jesus helps people to stand up. Evil and suffering are the cause of soreness. He challenges the paralyzed and says to him:
"Come up and stand before us." Luke, chapter 6, verse 8

Getting up is the sign of the will. But let's not think that a paralytic isn't a fighter and that he has no will. On the contrary! We can associate it with someone who has cancer and decides to fight to stay alive. Often his decision to stay alive will prolong his life. He becomes a fighting and a living witness for all. The paralyzed has finished struggling as he lets Jesus lift him up.

Whatever the path, and each path is unique, we're invited to stand in the faith with a good attitude.

"Praise the Lord, my soul; I shall praise the Lord all my life, sing praise to my God while I live." Psalm 146, verse 2

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Joy in heaven, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 13, 2022, 04:35:13 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 14, 2022, 04:39:13 AM

240. The world needs to hear

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Let's ask God, it's as simple as that:
"O Lord of hosts, restore us; Let your face shine upon us, that we may be saved." Psalm 80, verse 4

The world needs to hear that. Come Jesus, deliver us! Let's believe that he saves us, that he can save our children and the multitude of people who need to experience eternal salvation.

Let's continue our journey toward Jesus, even if sometimes we think we're not progressing and we also think that the world isn't moving forward. All the reasons are good for putting one foot in front of the other. With confidence in Jesus, let's continue for the salvation of the world and for the glory of God.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Joy in heaven, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 14, 2022, 04:40:14 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 15, 2022, 04:49:09 AM

241. Peter loves Jesus

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At the beginning of the christian era, just after Jesus's death, it was very difficult to testify about faith, because it was a novelty for most of the disciples and Apostles.

Jesus verifies Peter's faith and invites him to continue the mission. Peter had denied him when he was questioned before the crucifixion. Then, during the events surrounding his resurrection, Jesus will help Peter find him in his heart by asking him the same question three times:
"Do you love me?" (See John chapter 21, verses 15 to 17)

And Peter answers him with heart:
"Lord, you, you know everything: you know that I love you." John, chapter 21, verse 17

Then Jesus said to him:
"Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." John, chapter 21, verse 18

We need to develop acceptance as Peter, to love Jesus. We also need to let ourselves be Loved by Jesus. Then, we need Peter's determination to carry out the mission. The mission of evangelizing for us will be different from him, but we will need the same determination to lead people to the faith.

To receive the Holy Spirit for our mission will enable us to see God working in the hearts of people and in life situations close to us.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd's Mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 15, 2022, 04:50:03 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 16, 2022, 03:40:18 AM

242. Promise to Abraham

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God is included in our life. He is present at 100%. We have the grace to receive God, but we aren't always well disposed. In the Bible, there are many testimonies of people who dare to let God come into contact with them. This is what we discover in Genesis when God enters into a covenant, in a relationship with Abraham.

God promises to Abraham (Abram) many descendants:
The word of the Lord came to him: 'No, that one shall not be your heir; your own issue shall be your heir.' He took him outside and said: 'Look up at the sky and count the stars, if you can. Just so,' he added, 'shall your descendants be'. Abram put his faith in the Lord, who credited it to him as an act of righteousness. Genesis, chapter 15, verses 4 to 6

God does everything perfectly. He promises many descendants to Abraham and he will do so. This offspring, at first sight, seems to be of human nature, but God sees well beyond that, since the descendants of Abraham are ultimately "the offspring" of faith in God.

God, through Abraham, gives himself an offspring that will please his heart. It is God who accomplishes the descendants of faith in the hearts of practising believers. These believers celebrate with their God. They thank him for his presence among them. This is the very meaning of the Eucharist, a thank you, a Thanksgiving.

This descent is the people who accept God in their lives, who live by faith, who thanks God and who transmit the received graces to their neighbour.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd's Mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 16, 2022, 03:41:22 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 17, 2022, 05:17:18 AM

243. The faith

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This promise of the Lord is also for us. We are the people who will see many descendants. In the Catechism, we read:
"The people descended from Abraham would be the trustee of the promise made to the patriarchs, the chosen people, called to prepare for that day when God would gather all his children into the unity of the Church. (cf Rom 11:28; ? Jn 11:52; ? 10:16.) They would be the root on to which the Gentiles would be grafted, once they came to believe." (cf Rom 11, 17-18, 24). Catechism of the Catholic Church, number 60, website:
Catechism of the Catholic Church - IntraText

This gathering is also ours. And the people who will see even more converted people to the Lord are us and our descendants. Then God will continue his work of salvation from generation to generation.

We are in the mission with Jesus, he who continues to join the world, all without exclusion. And it takes only a tiny spark to light the fire of the Holy Spirit, the fire of God's Love in the hearts. In faith, with God, we are on a mission.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd's Mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 17, 2022, 05:18:04 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 18, 2022, 05:06:41 AM

244. Fishers of men

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With the audacity and effort of a continuous conversion, every moment, Jesus will tell us:
"Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew, chapter 4, verse 19

Let's walk with Jesus, follow him ... on his way. Let's continue walking behind Jesus and just because we dare to, others will want to follow him. The important thing is that we are developing a way of walking with Jesus.

United around Jesus, united in the Spirit, let's say with faith this beautiful prayer to the Father:
Our father who is in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name,
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our bread today.
Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from Evil. Amen.

Let's slip under his grace, come under his roof and give thanks to Jesus for sending us on the roads in search of exhausted sheep that fight alone.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd's Mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 19, 2022, 04:53:21 AM

245. Thanks to God

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This is not written in all books:
"There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written." John, chapter 21, verse 25

We don't see everything we do from day to day. We don't see everything that others do with their daily mission. But as the field is full of oats, together, we are, by the presence of God, a presence of Love in and for the world.

Any story of faith is a sacred story with God and could be added to the Bible. That would not change the nature of God and it would be to give him glory.
The field lives its transformations. What is produced there is usually of quality. It's a moment for us to give thanks to God for all that we receive.

It's also time to appreciate each other's work, especially the decision to walk with Jesus and to offer others what we receive from him.

Let's give thanks to God for the trust he gives us and all that he offers us to share with others. Let's thank God for allowing us to participate and then produce, with his grace, grain and fruit a hundredfold. Let's continue with Jesus. We are following in his mission.

What Jesus asks of us is to welcome him into our vineyard and our field, to invite him with us wherever we go. May we let him convert us and convert the hearts of people. Instead of asking Jesus to help us, since he already does it without even asking, let's help Jesus in his mission:
"The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve." Matthew, chapter 20, verse 28

Note that in this last passage, Jesus doesn't ask us to serve him. He came to serve people. He invites us to serve others. Let's receive what is necessary from God and serve others as Jesus wants, as he serves.

With Therese of Lisieux, we ask:
"Oh divine Blood of Jesus, water our mission; make it bring forth chosen souls!"
- Saint Therese of the Child Jesus. Website: The Story of a Family: The Home of St. Therese of Lisieux, Rev. Fr. Stephane-Joseph Piat, O.F.M.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd's Mission, Normand Thomas

Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 19, 2022, 04:54:16 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 20, 2022, 04:28:06 AM

246. Near Jesus

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Paul is rejoicing in Thanksgiving. He's cheerful and overwhelmed by the Presence of Jesus made visible in the people who are with him. He received this news from a good companion, Epaphras. He says:
"Epaphras our beloved fellow slave, who is a trustworthy minister of Christ on your behalf and who also told us of your love in the Spirit." Colossians, chapter 1, verses 7 to 8

We see this Love of the Holy Spirit in every person who devotes himself to the salvation of his neighbour. The Pope, cardinals, priests, spouses, children, religious, sisters, brothers, deacons, pastoral workers, committed laity, people who have at heart the believers of a community, the leaders of faith groups,

mature faith in hearts of children in Jesus Christ, the children who live it fully, people awakening God in hearts, let's name them all, as soon as we carry Christ internally, we become faithful to the mission of Jesus for our contemporaries.

Let's receive the anointing of graces that feeds our spiritual life and that of others.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd's Mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 20, 2022, 04:28:39 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 21, 2022, 03:56:06 AM

247. No reason to wait

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Every day, there's no reason to wait, let's go and find Jesus. This is what is lived here. Jesus is so well known that he has trouble keeping up the pace:
"At daybreak, Jesus left and went to a deserted place. The crowds went looking for him, and when they came to him, they tried to prevent him from leaving them. But he said to them, 'To the other towns also I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God, because for this purpose I have been sent.'" Luke, chapter 4, verses 42 to 43

There are some who have evangelized, in addition to Jesus, that's why there are so many people around him. His fame spreads.

May we seek to prevent Jesus from leaving us, may we retain his presence in us, so that the world may observe and believe that Jesus is Lord of our lives. In reality, we do not need to hold him back, but to welcome him into us, since he is already here.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd's Mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 21, 2022, 03:58:22 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 22, 2022, 04:53:27 AM

248. Keep Jesus

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Paul considers himself the last, since he's aware of his smallness before the greatness of Christ, of the Spirit and of the Father. He says:
"To me, the very least of all the holy ones." Ephesians, chapter 3, verse 8

Then he confirms that he receives everything from Christ as we must also expect everything from him:
"To me, the very least of all the holy ones, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the inscrutable riches of Christ." Ephesians, chapter 3, verse 8

By the light that he receives from Christ, he can say:
"What is the plan of the mystery hidden from ages past in God who created all things." Ephesians, chapter 3, verse 9

It's impressive, striking, how God gives Paul his knowledge for the people. Paul is touched by the grace of God. It is the Lord's wish for all. If he transmits the content of the mystery of God, it is because there is no more mystery. It's unveiled!

Like Paul, we are never too small. We accept to be small though, since God is so infinite in every respect. Nothing outclasses him.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd's Mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 22, 2022, 04:54:13 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 23, 2022, 04:46:29 AM

249. How precious

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Let's continue to let ourselves be invaded by God, so that we become christians for others. May active holiness be:
"So that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church." Ephesians, chapter 3, verse 10

How confusing this passage of Paul. It is "through the Church", founded by Jesus Christ, that visible and invisible forces, "that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known".

It is to "fall off our horse" or "fall off our chair" for the more discreet. The Church is the unity between the world and the Kingdom of God, because the Word and the Eucharist lead us into the Kingdom. In reality, it is Christ, who is the Eucharist and the Word, who unites the living of the Kingdom of God and the living of the universe (the earth included), in his Church.

We receive faith from the Trinity. So:
"Our faith in Christ, in whom we have boldness of speech and confidence of access through faith," Ephesians, chapter 3, verse 12

through Jesus, celebrating Mass. How precious it is to graft ourselves on Jesus. We become little by little like Jesus, by our confidence and our acceptance to let him transform us.

Jesus invites us to watch, to watch constantly, to the light of his grace, which is transmitted to us in the Church, so that we may become vibrant and visible witnesses of his wisdom.

May Jesus come and set us on fire with his Spirit so that we may become true followers of his Love.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 23, 2022, 04:50:01 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 24, 2022, 04:31:52 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 24, 2022, 04:33:01 AM

250. Possess what we hope for

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Faith in Jesus Christ is necessary for every person to believe, to become free and to be saved. To fill the churches is salutary. The more people have faith, baptized, therefore priests, prophets and kings, in Jesus Christ, the better the mission will glide with well-oiled ball bearings.

Our Father, "your will be done". We are not alone in living the faith, it is lived worldwide. It is the faith of all the Baptized who help this world to live in a blessing of peace and hope.

Take away faith in Jesus Christ and the world is faced with massive humanitarian, scientific, social, planetary and universal crises. Because God is the only one who will always lead us to common sense, to truth.

All that is good and true in the highest understanding of these terms is from God:
"Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen." Hebrews, Chapter 11, verse 1

Let's possess what one hopes for, the Love of God. To believe is to receive forgiveness and the joy of God. And the manifestation of joy is to announce that Jesus is alive, that our life has meaning and that the world is invited to enter the eternal dance. An "'evidence' of things not seen" is still knowing them!
Faith develops when we are at Jesus's school and we enter into the joy of following Him. To believe is to offer our services to Jesus so that we can combine and bear fruit in abundance. To believe is to trust and be faithful to the one who guarantees life.

Let's ask Jesus to tell us what he wants us to do in faith and we will be ready to receive his Holy Spirit. This will lead us ever closer to the Heart of Jesus.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd's Mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 25, 2022, 04:29:33 AM

251. Driving to the Kingdom

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God's purpose is to take us all back to his Kingdom, to his resting place. But there are still people who do not realize that they are straying from this rest by all kinds of remoteness from the Presence of God.

Paul then sends us on a mission. He brings us closer to the Lord:
"Let us strive to enter into that rest, so that no one may fall after the same example of disobedience." Hebrews, Chapter 4, verse 11

We want to heal of our lack of impetus. We want our heart to regain its boundless spirit on the way to God, here and now. We want sin to be eliminated from our lives, that ball and chain that we drag day after day. And we hope that our heart will resume its enthusiasm of youth, free and fulfilled in the joy and peace of God. Jesus says:
"'So that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth' - he said to the paralytic, 'I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home.'" Mark, chapter 2, verses 10 to 11

May Jesus be the Light of our life. Christ frees the one who places his trust in him.

May we become free by a life fulfilled in God and responsible with the neighbour. Let's also teach others to become responsible for their faith. As the paralyzed man is newly freed from his stretcher, we are released from evil, and then we sail toward salvation. Let's go back to our house, to our heart and to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, of I Am.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd's Mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 25, 2022, 04:30:34 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 26, 2022, 03:38:29 AM

252. We believe

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Jesus leads us to the Father
Paul tells us:
"Jesus is always able to save those who approach God through him, since he lives forever to make intercession for them." Hebrews, Chapter 7, verse 25

The key to christian hope is there. Jesus is still alive and he intercedes for us.
We know that as we approach Jesus, he will lead us to the Father. This is why we are continually at Mass, which is why we pray regularly and demand him to be forgiven, in order to become free in him.

What we want for us, we also wish for the world. Prayer and forgiveness also opens a way for God's grace to those who need it most.

We believe that Jesus is our Saviour and that he is the one who will keep us in the Love of God until the day we see him face to face.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd's Mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 26, 2022, 03:39:17 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 27, 2022, 03:57:12 AM

253. Jesus divides

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Here are two other extreme thoughts that come out of the Bible. When we hear a person sowing division, immediately we think that there'll be a loss. Jesus tells us:
"Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division." Luke, chapter 12, verse 51

If we follow the thread of this book, we're already aware that Jesus is different, simply because of his infinite Love. In addition, Jesus' Spirit illuminates the texts of the Bible. But here, Jesus challenges us.

Jesus, who is all Love, tells us that he comes to place division in the world. Is Jesus lying in this sentence? We might ask ourselves if he speaks the same language as us.

When we read a passage from the Bible, we must always keep in mind that God is Love and only Love. This should guide our way of thinking.

Jesus is the Word that divides us, but of what? His Word is a two-edged sword. His Word, like a sword, is the wall of grace before the wall of sin. It separates in us the evil that is against God.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 27, 2022, 03:57:51 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 28, 2022, 04:35:49 AM

254. The fight

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If we see a fight, what is our first intention? Divide the two people so that the fight stops. We want to divide them. Jesus does just that.

Jesus cannot bring peace if we court sin. Now, at the request of the sinner, Jesus divides the brawler who causes the evil in the person to lead him to love. Jesus divides sin in us so that we can live in peace.

If we let Jesus enter our lives, he will create a place of fierce fighting between him and evil. Evil cannot win. These moments of tension will be for our good.
However, let's be careful, because evil derives, cuts from good and it attracts us away from Love.

The division of which Jesus speaks must be established before peace settles. Let's place our trust in Jesus, to be free from sin and remain in peace.
Jesus necessarily causes division, and we lose something. We lose our unnecessary ties, our doubts, stress, fear, etc. There is a division between what divides us from God and what unites us to Life in God.

Jesus causes a division between good and evil, to lead us into the truth. Jesus establishes a life of grace and at the same time he illuminates our days with new hope.

Let's leave it to Jesus to transform us or continue to participate carelessly in places and with tools that lead us far from grace.
Let's choose eternal life in God.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas


Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 28, 2022, 04:36:30 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 29, 2022, 04:09:07 AM

255. Paul's thorn

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Paul's body, his own body, is rebellious to him or perhaps, by his faults, he pushes his body to rebel. He asks God three times to remove the splinter that sinks into his flesh. And God answers him:
"My grace is sufficient for you." 2 Corinthians, chapter 12, verse 9

In reality, the body does not rebel. It cannot do anything without the intention, the will of the person. The person is responsible for his body and can lead it into rebellion.

God is still with this person. God supports him with his Spirit, with his presence, with his kindness and he wants to be trusted more.

There are also times when we ask God to remove a difficulty. But this inconvenience can remain there to allow us to grow in faith.

It isn't God who allows this inconvenience. The circumstances of life put us to the test. The splinter, we often keep it with us. We are invited to give it to God, to receive his grace.

To let ourselves be loved by God makes it possible to pass through difficulties like Paul, with the splinter in his flesh.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 29, 2022, 04:10:08 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 30, 2022, 04:45:10 AM

256. It's not easy

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The existence on earth isn't always easy, even for Jesus. And, if it's not easy for Jesus, we can be in trouble too:
"A prophet is not without honour except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house." Mark, chapter 6, verse 4

Whether we are believers or not, we will someday have challenges that will require patience and time to get through it. From childhood to today, the challenges were multiplied.

For Jesus, he will be continually persecuted. Not because of his mistakes because he didn't sin, but because the people around him don't understand him. It's not the thorn that he wears in the manner of Paul, but the insults, the spittle, the thorns. Then the nails and the spear will be revealed when he receives them on the Cross.

We move forward day by day with our sorrows and with our joys too. Let's ask Jesus to help us persevere in faith and continue to grow in the Love of God, with the Holy Spirit as our guide.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 30, 2022, 04:46:08 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 01, 2022, 04:07:14 AM

257. God does not punish

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Jonah also thinks that an east wind is God's intention to punish him:
"When the sun arose, God sent a burning east wind; and the sun beat upon Jonah's head till he became faint." Jonah, chapter 4, verse 8

It's impressive, how quickly Jonah deposits his trial on God's account. He even thinks God sends it against him. "God sent a burning east wind."

The east wind blows by itself and is part of terrestrial conditions. The heat of the sun is one of these conditions.

Let's discern. God is not the one who purposely sends sickness to Jonah. And Jonah, did he think of drinking a lot of water or protecting himself by standing in the shade?

God repeats that he is always with us and that he is not the one who causes our misfortunes. God did not want him harm, nor to the city:
"Should I not be concerned over Nineveh, the great city, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot distinguish their right hand from their left?" Jonah, chapter 4, verse 11

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 01, 2022, 04:08:47 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 02, 2022, 01:40:45 AM

258. Reign on us

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Let's keep this in mind, God doesn't harm anyone, or even the most subtle, the least, or the most hidden:
"Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come." Luke, chapter 11, verse 2

We are told by Jesus to pray as follows: "Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come." At this request, we want to recognize that God is the one who sanctifies us, who offers us Life and Love in abundance:
"We ask this daily, for we need sanctification daily, so that we who fail daily may cleanse away our sins by being sanctified continually... We pray that this sanctification may remain in us." (S. Cyprien, Dom. Order 12: PL 4, 526A-527A). Catechism of the Catholic Church, number 2813
Catechism of the Catholic Church - IntraText

We need it every day. Being with Jesus helps us to improve.
May holiness abide in us, in order to recognize his Love, which comes from him.
We do not yet know how much God Loves us and how distracted we are. We're not always united to him. Let's recognize that evil is caused by our distance from God and not by him.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas

Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 03, 2022, 05:35:20 AM

259. Clean up our space

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Let's prepare our heart:
"Now, put away the strange gods that are among you and turn your hearts to the Lord, the God of Israel." Joshua, chapter 24, verse 23

This is the key, in order to become free. Day by day, let's leave the illusions, the automatisms that freeze and imprison without our knowledge, the spiritual disturbances of which we become accustomed to. Let's deny these "strange gods".

Destructive thoughts, manipulations, gossiping are all closures of the heart to oneself, to others and to the Trinity.

Let's go back wholeheartedly to God. Let's sort out what prevents us from being free. Let's go to God with a child's heart, free from all confinement. Jesus invites us:
"Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew, chapter 19, verse 14

Let's love God, as the child surrenders to his parent's heart. Let's give him our fears, our ties and celebrate with joy and peace.

If we pursue negative conditioning, conditioning of fears or illusions (strange gods) we will reap the bitterness of our plantations.

It's reassuring to know that there are only two choices. It's one or the other; God or evil.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 03, 2022, 05:36:26 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 04, 2022, 03:58:33 AM

260. God cannot curse

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Jeremiah seems to say this in the name of God:
"Cursed is the man who trusts in human beings, who seeks his strength in the flesh, whose heart turns away from the Lord." Jeremiah, chapter 17, verse 5

Jeremiah, like all the prophets of his time, tries to understand what God is giving him and to share it to the people in the most appropriate way.

While giving a teaching or a rule of conduct on the part of God, the prophet sometimes includes inhuman thoughts.

Let's be certain. All the texts of the Bible are wanted from God. They allow us to discover that humanity doesn't always succeed in recognizing the Love of God.
God is Love, he does not curse. It is the person who moves away from the Love of God who curses himself.

If we move away from heat in the winter to minus thirty degrees celsius and we don't wear proper clothing, we will freeze and die. If we refuse the Love of God, we will die. This is what the word "cursed" means by Jeremiah. Cursing here takes on the meaning of death. And God doesn't want our death.

It's more of a cry from God's heart. As the parent says to the child, "Do not touch the fire, you will burn yourself!" God constantly tells us what looks like this: "Do not go away from my Love, you will curse yourself, you will die!" The rock thrown in the air will very possibly fall on our head. God wants us to live!

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas

Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 04, 2022, 04:04:03 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 05, 2022, 03:53:13 AM
261. Happiness in God

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Happiness is not always where we seek it, but when we do the will of God. Committing ourselves to God will allow us not to sink. On the contrary, it values us.

May God guide our steps. Let's leave him our plans and everything will be realized according to the Heart of God, if we really give them to him. May our projects be placed in the hands of God through prayer, heart to Heart with God and adoration of the Word (of the Verb) and the Eucharist.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 05, 2022, 03:54:08 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 06, 2022, 04:04:43 AM
262. Forgive writers

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We say that to forgive, we must be more giving, go beyond giving. To forgive, it's important to stop and take time to assess the situation and then forgive.
May we forgive all authors who, with a lack of knowledge (quite normal), have placed on God's shoulders many words contrary and harmful to his Love.

If a zebra made a painting of God, he would paint him with black and white stripes. We paint God too often as we think he is and not as he really is.

As we read the Bible, we must go ever deeper to understand God. Humans have given a representation of God who, sometimes, is vengeful, inhuman and even as unthoughtful as a tyrant.

Let's imagine a beautiful play, with the expression that it supposes on the faces of the people. This is what is placed by Jeremiah in the mouth of God for the city of Sion:
"I struck you as an enemy would strike, punished you cruelly; Why cry out over your wound? Your pain is without relief. Because of your great guilt, your numerous sins, I have done this to you." Jeremiah, chapter 30, verses 14 to 15

It's as if God hurts someone with a "cruel punishment" if they don't listen or do what is told. But it's the person who is punishing and injuring himself by his faults. God can only Love. God doesn't do any harm.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 06, 2022, 04:07:41 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 07, 2022, 04:06:10 AM

263. Total and Definitive Love

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God can only be Love. Although, even today, we still have thoughts of authors that resemble some described in the Bible.

Let's venture far beyond forgiveness to know God. Let's forgive human beings for placing too much burden on God's shoulders. Then, change our perception of God and recognize that he is Total and Definite Love. Let's acknowledge our own wrongdoings and our own path full of hesitation, clutter and falsehood confusing the image of God. It takes time to get it right.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 07, 2022, 04:07:06 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 08, 2022, 03:35:37 AM

264. Jesus cares for the sick

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In this story, some recognize who is God. Jesus came to show us who he is. God wants to heal every person. Are we ready to be healed:
"When the men of that place recognized him, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought to him all those who were sick and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak, and as many as touched it were healed." Matthew, chapter 14, verses 35 to 36

Let's recognize the Love of God and let him touch our hearts. That he transforms our distorted image of him. Let's rediscover his real image. May we let Jesus save us.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 08, 2022, 03:36:27 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 09, 2022, 04:24:01 AM

265. God does not condemn

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Sometimes God seems severe:
"The Lord, therefore, became angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel." 1 Kings, chapter 11, verse 9

God "is angry" at the impiety of Solomon. But God, in reality, doesn't need to be angry, since its Solomon who persecutes himself with his impiety. Solomon's unhealthy words and gestures irritate himself.

The inner light that God gives us allows us to judge between what is good and what is less good. God gives us everything; that we have good use of it. To misuse the graces of God is to condemn ourselves to wrongdoings, to evil.

In the following two texts, we have a summary of the importance of being enlightened to choose between bad and good:
"Contemplation is a gaze of faith, fixed on Jesus. 'I look at him and he looks at me': this is what a certain peasant of Ars used to say to his holy cure about his prayer before the tabernacle." Catechism of the Catholic Church, number 2715, Saint Jean-Marie Vianney

This focus on Jesus is a renunciation of self. His gaze purifies our heart; the light of the countenance of Jesus illumines the eyes of our heart and teaches us to see everything in the light of his truth and his compassion for all men.

Contemplation also turns its gaze on the mysteries of the life of Christ. Thus it learns the "interior knowledge of our Lord", the more to love him and follow him (see St. Ignatius of Loyola, Spiritual Exercises, 104). Catechism of the Catholic Church, ## 2715-16. Website: http: //www.vatican.va/archive/FRA0013/_P9H.HTM

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 09, 2022, 04:25:04 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 10, 2022, 03:41:44 AM

266. He is close by

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Too many people are not listening to God. Too many people take their bundle and start walking alone. They are growing away from God, as if God does not exist, as if God has let them down. Yet it is they who leave and let God and the people out. They go to idols or become idols themselves. Then, turned to these idols they want to promote them. These idols will not bring anything good to the people.

It's always the people who are disappearing from God. We know it's impossible for God to let us down, for God to be far from us. He is closer to us than we can be of ourselves. He helps us to the extent that we want good for all.

Let's pray that the rulers will always lead with human thoughtful feelings and lead to achievements that are truly inspired by God's will.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014

Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 10, 2022, 03:45:39 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 11, 2022, 03:51:14 AM

267. Be ourselves

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In the Psalm, it is written:
"Who may go up the mountain of the Lord? Who can stand in his holy place? The clean of hand and pure of heart, who are not devoted to idols, who have not sworn falsely." Psalm 24, verses 3 to 4

With this wise passage, we have a master idea to properly embark on the journey that leads to the Kingdom of God or more precisely, in the Heart of God.

We want to "go up the mountain of the Lord" and "stand in his holy place". We want to enter the true Love, Love that God offers and receive it, simply by asking him.

"Climbing the Mountain" can make us think of some climbers who are struggling and sweating in a dangerous and high-risk environment. But with God, to go up the mountain means to become more ourselves, to welcome others more, to create bonds in order to transmit his Love.

This is "the pure of heart" mentioned in the text. The person who allows himself to be transformed by God becomes a freer person. This freedom makes it possible to climb into the Heart of God and to guide people well.
The passage ends with a recommendation. Men: "who are not devoted to idols." Idols keep us away ... far from God.

Let's search in our life for what distances from God and we will find what idols we serve. They will become visible and may be dismantled by Jesus.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 11, 2022, 03:52:41 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 12, 2022, 04:57:57 AM

268. Fleeing idols

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Paul says:
"My beloved, avoid idolatry." 1 Corinthians, chapter 10, verse 14

Avoiding, fleeing idols is quite difficult in a world that constantly offers it to us. Idols are everything that keeps us focused on other people or objects rather than on Jesus. Paul tells the people who accompany him not to follow him, but to follow Jesus:
"Whenever someone says, 'I belong to Paul,' and another, 'I belong to Apollos,' are you not merely human?" 1 Corinthians, chapter 3, verse 4
We belong to no one else but to God.

Paul also speaks of worship. Worship is what a group will live together, for a common purpose to worship or adulate a person or object. There is the cult of sport, the cult of films, the cult of artists, the cult of leaders, the cult of cats, the cult of chocolate, etc.

Otherwise, we can choose some different activities to bring out some good for us and for society, for example, to improve health. It's not a bad thing to have all these activities and professions, but they must not become a cult that monopolizes our energies, our perceptions and our actions, without regards to a life of faith in God. The true worship to render is to God.
Then Paul, following this sentence, adds:
"Judge for yourself what I am saying." 1 Corinthians, chapter 10, verse 15

Paul wants people to take responsibility and to verify if they follow idols or if they are constantly turning to God. Paul suggests to "avoid idolatry".

As we deepen our relationship with Jesus, idols will fall and disappear one after the other. Jesus will enlighten our life and help us to choose reality, truth and well-being.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 12, 2022, 04:58:47 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 13, 2022, 04:23:29 AM

269. A good tree

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Jesus teaches us:
"A good tree does not bear rotten fruit, nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit." Luke, chapter 6, verse 43

Everyone hasn't God's knowledge. When a person lives a conversion, he comes equipped with the idols he carried, that he followed, those who sit in his environment. He still can follow some. These idols, these imprisonments, we cannot usually see them with the naked eye. On the other hand, other idols, we see them well. We know they're there.

With Jesus in our life we are like trees that give good fruit. Let's give our heart to Jesus. Jesus will transform our way of living, seeing, speaking, listening, because he is the Light we need so much. His light illuminates in our life the possible idols. All in all, we have the choice and the responsibility to either keep these idols or to keep away from them.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 14, 2022, 03:51:30 AM

270. Detecting idols

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It is precious to know how to listen to the people, with our ears glued to our hearts. If we hear in their language ideas (ideals) that seem to be related to idols, we can give them to Jesus. For example, the word "energy" is fashionable.

Energy is caused by movement. And the movement is caused by the Love of God. It is better to convert to the Love of God than to energy. Otherwise, we remain in a state of less importance then we stray and stay away from God.
If we hear a person talking about energy, we can silently, in our heart, hand over to Jesus what leads them to talk about it. As another example, if a person has often negative and unnecessary comments, we can offer this negativity to Jesus. He will come into his heart to add his light.

We can help many people in a day by praying for them in silence and offering their difficulties to Jesus. Detecting what is difficult in people is not a judgment if we know how to do it. Moreover, it will prevent us from judging since we are doing a good deed for them.

This will also allow us to find in ourselves what we have not thought of checking before. We too may have repeated negative comments, for example. The same practice is essential for ourselves; giving everything back to Jesus.
Jesus declares:
"Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you." Matthew, chapter 5, verse 44

Let's love, in the sense of discovering the enemies, the idols in our life, in the lives of others, and handing them over to Jesus. Let's help people get rid of the shadows they carry, that persecute them, of their idols, too often without being aware of their presence. Our prayer will become precise. We therefore ask God's purity for all.

If the difficulty of another person bothers us, destabilizes us, it's an opportunity to let Jesus take care of it. Something good will happen in our life and in the lives of others. Let's leave it to Jesus. He will take care of it.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 14, 2022, 03:52:08 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 15, 2022, 03:13:36 AM

271. Let's adore Jesus

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The only true worship to render is to Jesus Christ and to no one else.
It's liberating to think of worshiping one person (Jesus)! This solves the quest of knowing whom to worship or not:
"May God form you in all that is good to fulfill his will, that he may realize in us what is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs glory forever and ever." Hebrews, chapter 13, verse 21

"To fulfill the will of God". God alone can make such a request because what he asks of us are what in turn is best for our salvation and for the salvation of the world.

Two rather strong expressions are included in this short piece of text: "to fulfill the will of God" and to "realize in us what is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ". We can never say that for someone other than him.

Jesus invites people to worship him because he is God. He says:
"If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John, chapter 8, verses 31 to 32

Being faithful to meditate on the Word of God and to bring out what's good and true in the texts of the Bible, especially to discover all that is Love of God, is to worship God. No more worry. To fulfill the will of God is to let him be Lord in our life, let him Love, transform, sanctify us with his presence. May God: "realize in us what is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ".

By allowing God to take charge of our lives, we ensure our salvation, we lead others to salvation, since we allow ourselves to be purified for the great day of our entry into Eternity. We need to do everything with Jesus, accomplish everything with Jesus, hope totally in Jesus. (It's) Just to be with Jesus!

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 15, 2022, 03:14:04 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 16, 2022, 03:31:12 AM

272. Love

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When we look at Jesus on the Cross, we do not just look at metal, wood, plaster or plastic without any meditation or prayer. When we look at Jesus's Cross, we know that we look beyond this representation, onto God's pierced Heart, into God's Love who has gone to that extent so that we may be saved. The representation of Jesus's Cross is the summit of Love for us, because of Jesus. Our soul is quenched with the memory of our God saving us.

Let's look, understand, love who Jesus is on the Cross, letting it happen to save us. What Love led him on the Cross!

We benefit from rediscovering the Cross with Jesus nailed to it, in our churches, in our homes and elsewhere. God wants us to look at the Cross with Jesus's Body on it, so that we may be saved. It is the support of widows, oppressed, persecuted, trailed, sick, dying, etc. The Cross is the support of the poor, the left behind, the lonely, etc.

Jesus on the Cross is the one who totally understands us. He wants us to give him the toils we have, as well as the people who are caught up all over the world. Let's place their pain on Jesus's Cross.

Let's take some time, at home, to begin or continue looking at the Cross. Let's meditate on him. Let's pray and let Jesus speak to our heart. Far from being an unpleasant object for the eyes, Jesus on the Cross is the way of understanding pain, a path of healing and a reminder that evil kills the person. May Jesus on the Cross speak to our heart. His Love touches us. Let's put it under our pillow and listen to him or put it on the pillow and look at Jesus. May he also be placed between the spouses.

The Cross is for us a sign of joy, liberation, redemption. The Cross is the sign and reality of the healing victory over sickness, Love over evil, the victory of Christ over death.

Jesus says:
"That everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life." John, chapter 3, verse 16

Let's read it again:
"We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. Because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world."

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 16, 2022, 03:32:18 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 17, 2022, 05:26:47 AM

273 Pray with Mary

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Mary has only one goal. She always invites us to the same reality; to follow Jesus, our Lord and Saviour. Mary repeatedly begs us to follow Jesus.

The Catholic Church never sees in Mary a goddess or God. It is never taught by the Church. She is a simple woman with an extraordinary experience of faith, by the grace of God. And we venerate her for who she is and for her "yes".

A statue of Mary represents the grace of God in a woman. The memory of this woman becomes an example of true faith. The more we meditate on what God has done (blessed) in Mary, the more reasons for worshiping God.

When we kneel before her, we ask her to pray with us and for us. When we kneel before Mary, she carries our heart to Jesus. When we pray to Mary, she offers our prayers to Jesus. When we speak to Mary, she speaks to Jesus about us and for us. We ask Mary to show us the way to Jesus.

We like to ask another person to pray for us. And we pray for others. It isn't because we intercede in prayer for another person that we stand between the person and God and that it would prevent him from reaching the heart of that person. When we pray for others, we do not place ourselves against God. To pray for a person is to let God through our heart (for God) to Love our neighbour. God Loves us to pray him for one another.

Mary does not stand between Jesus and his children. She helps us to reach her Son. Our thinking and meditation go further than a statue as our family meal allow more human depth than mere food. The body of a person allows going further than just his body, for example. It allows him to join the creation of God, the Heart of God.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas

Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 17, 2022, 05:27:54 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 18, 2022, 02:34:25 AM

274. United in prayer

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We appreciate it when someone asks us to intercede with him in prayer. And this person trusts in prayer. We pray with him by placing our trust in God. When he asks us to pray, he does not cut off God. He seeks spiritual support, like for support between friends and family.

We then ask Mary to pray with us our Lord. Just by this request, we are approaching God, with Mary. Mary helps us, when we look at her, to constantly look to her Son, so that we may be saved by him. She is with us (our Mother) for that.

Communion through prayer between us and with all the saints living on earth and in heaven is a precious support. As soon as Jesus expires on the Cross, the life of the holy persons continues:
"Jesus cried out again in a loud voice, and gave up his spirit. And behold, the veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked,

rocks were split, tombs were opened, and the bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised. And coming forth from their tombs after his resurrection, they entered the holy city and appeared to many." Matthew, chapter 27, verses 50 to 53

The saints continue to live in God. They were sleeping, they were resurrected with Jesus. In the book of Revelation John sees a multitude of people living in heaven. It is also the case for Mary that John mentions here:
"A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars." Revelation, chapter 12, verse 1

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 18, 2022, 02:37:04 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 19, 2022, 05:31:54 AM

275. Praying before a statue

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Jesus's freedom is liberation:
"Amen, amen, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin. A slave does not remain in a household forever, but a son always remains. So if the Son makes you free, then you will truly be free." John, chapter 8, verses 34 to 36

Only the Son liberates us. When we pray in front of a statue, we give thanks to Jesus for what he did in this saint person. Our prayer goes beyond the statue and we praise the Lord in all humility for his wonders in the beings he has created and for the amazing beings that we are.

Statues and representations of Jesus are not "golden calves". The Cross with Jesus on it is more than the brazen serpent on a mast. May Jesus be the master of our life. Let's offer him all of who we are and live in the gratitude that God has deemed worthy to create us, so that we may live in his Love. May we praise God Trinity, pray to him together and with the saints give thanks and praise to him eternally.

Jesus is so precious. Let's go with him. It's important to deepen our Catholic faith, our faith through universal prayer and to understand it even more. Jesus is the Heart of the Church, the world and the universe.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 19, 2022, 05:32:29 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 20, 2022, 03:23:57 AM

276. Even God want statues

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There are two crafted cherubim shading the Ark of the Covenant. God himself asks Moses to melt metal, form cherubim and install them on the Ark of the Covenant.

The Ark of the Covenant will be carried in the desert by priests:
"Make two cherubim of beaten gold for the two ends of the propitiatory, fastening them so that one cherub springs direct from each end. The cherubim shall have their wings spread out above, covering the propitiatory with them; they shall be turned toward each other, but with their faces looking toward the propitiatory. There I will meet you and there, from above the propitiatory, between the two cherubim on the ark of the commandments, I will tell you all the commands that I wish you to give the Israelites." Exodus, chapter 25, verses 18 to 20 and 22

The statue is not bad in itself if it helps out to rise to God. We have the right to possess images of angels, people or other representations, provided that they are not perceived as gods, but help us to meditate on God's reality.

So there is an abyssal difference between God's will who wants us to worship him, even through representations that signify his presence in people or cherubim and the desire of King Nebuchadnezzar who proclaims himself greater than God and who wants "his" people to be centred on his own person ... by worshiping ... a calf, "his calf".

Now it's up to us to choose; to follow Jesus or to follow the lie that turns us away from him. Jesus offers us his life unlike King Nebuchadnezzar who concentrates everything on himself and turns the people away from God.

Jesus is the King of Love and we can be assured that he will always be with us in all our difficulties, as in a joyful life.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 20, 2022, 03:24:32 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 21, 2022, 03:24:57 AM

277. The Eucharist

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If Sidrac, Misac and Abdenago can recognize God in the midst of the flames in a fiery furnace, if we can look at a bronze serpent on a pole that represents Christ crucified, we can also recognize God and his Love in a little host of bread at the moment of the Eucharist.

Instead of consuming idols, let's consume the Body of Christ at the moment of the Eucharist, the food that keeps alive and prepares us for Eternal Life, in the Kingdom of Heaven, in God's Heart.

Let's recognize that Love occupies a piece of bread. It's an invitation to worship him in a small piece of bread, at every mass. God is in the Eucharist, God is the Eucharist. We proclaim a thanksgiving to God. We allow him to increase by his Love, the love in us, whenever we receive the Eucharist.

God wants us to make the effort to go deeper than what we seem to see, a small piece of bread, to what we seem not to see, God himself. By the representation of a little piece of bread, and by the request of the Trinity on it, at Jesus's request, we totally worship God who is totally present in it (in the host).

Gospel of Matthew:
"While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, "Take and eat; this is my body." Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins." Matthew, chapter 26, verses 26 to 28
Gospel of Luke:
"He took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me." And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you." Luke, chapter 22, verses 19 to 20

Paul tells the Corinthians, because they live the banquet of God in an unworthy manner:
"I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over, took bread, and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, "This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.""

For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes. Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will have to answer for the body and blood of the Lord. A person should examine himself, and so eat the bread and drink the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body, eats and drinks judgment on himself. 1 Corinthians, chapter 11, verses 23 to 29

Jesus is the one who is universally worshiped and leads us with his Spirit to the Father. Jesus is our King. He is the one in whom we place our trust. He will not disappoint anyone. Let's continue to come to Jesus. He calls upon us.

Let's give our lives to Jesus and let Jesus's truth take control of our lives. For our salvation and the salvation of our neighbour, let's receive the Eucharist, Body and Blood of Christ, and allow Jesus to live freely in us. Let's be in thanksgiving within the Love of God.

Jesus doesn't live in time. He lives in eternity and he is with us at this very moment. Because of that, we live in the present time the same Last Supper as Jesus with his Apostles. Every mass celebrated is lived now with our Lord and Saviour.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 21, 2022, 03:27:20 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 22, 2022, 04:01:59 AM

278. Our remoteness

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Catholics do not always realize this, but the removal of people from the Church and all the invalid reasons that result from it causes a distance from God. And getting away from God can open the door to more wickedness, more suffering, more harm, more loneliness and sadness. Our remoteness also gives reasons to others to not follow Jesus.

Often, we hear people say, "but these people believe and help others!" Certainly, they are already doing well.
But they lack a vital part of faith; the Word and the Eucharist.

A good person is a good person. A canoe is a canoe.

A good person who prays is a good person who prays. A ship is a ship.

A good person who prays and receives the Word and the Eucharist is a good person who prays and receives the Word and the Eucharist. A Church is a Church.

We live on reserves of Love when we stay away from prayer, the Word and Eucharist. A car that runs on low fuel will be driven to a total stop and stay put if we don't go to a gas station to fill the tank. The car will stop where it stops. Then, the elements of nature will cease the car and it won't roll anymore. It just might become good for scrap.

People who say they believe they do practise, but those who do not celebrate and do not revive in their Church, their reserves are emptying, their strength is dwindling. They risk freezing and no longer being able to return to Church. They are staying away from God.

The only way we can fill our reserves of Love is by receiving the Word and the Eucharist. It is also an opportunity to give the offering of our life to God and to thank him for all that he offers us with justice. All that is of God is just (justice) for us.

Let's also learn to reconcile with our neighbour. For christians, to reconcile with our neighbour is also to invite him once more to walk with us in faith.

Let's place our life on the Altar where the offerings of bread and wine become the Body and Blood of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Let's become more and more transformed in God's life, the Eucharist in us, through the Word. And ask Jesus to touch the generous hearts of people outside the walls of the Church and especially to reach them so they may rediscover the Eucharist and the Word.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's love God, Normand Thomas

Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 22, 2022, 04:02:38 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 23, 2022, 03:29:44 AM

279. God Loves us

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A prophet like Jeremiah has moments of genius and he lets himself be moved by God's truth. He writes what he receives from God in his heart:
"I Love you with an eternal Love." Jeremiah, chapter 31, verse 3

God Loves his people, he Loves Jeremiah, he still Loves us today. God Loves us "with an Eternal Love". The people are happy and ask God to save him. It's party time, joy, but for how long?

It's simple. The further we stay away from God, the more our life lacks light, lacks strength, lacks wisdom, our life becomes drained by the refusal to receive Love. So, what can we leave aside to increase our presence with Christ? What is useless and destroying our life and what could be useful to improve our faith?

John allows us to understand that there is a choice to make, either throwing ourselves toward the Love of God or moving away from him:
"Children, let no one deceive you. The person who acts in righteousness is righteous, just as he is righteous." 1 John, chapter 3, verse 7

How to be fair if not to go to Church and thank God for all that we have of good, beautiful, real and true, then to receive him again in the Eucharist, to receive his Love once more and let his joy grow in our hearts.

May we let no one steer us away from the Love of God. May we not rely on others to decide for us. We are the only ones responsible for our relationship with Christ.

Immediately after, John tells us exactly what the word "devil" means. The one who divides our relationship with God:
"Whoever sins belongs to the devil, because the devil has sinned from the beginning." 1 John, chapter 3, verse 8

"The devil is a sinner." We give the devil many titles, but what characterizes him the most is that he is the best "sinner" of all. It's not a very rewarding trophy to be the sinner, crowned with excellence.

To recognize oneself as a sinner and to follow Jesus is fine. But the devil decided not to choose the Love of God. He is "the sinner". He doesn't recognize or want to receive the Love of God. How difficult it is to understand someone who decides ... not to lean with all his being toward, then dive into God's Love.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 23, 2022, 03:31:02 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 24, 2022, 03:16:49 AM

280. With the heart

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According to John, the Apostles went to Jesus without asking too many questions about him. They followed him with their heart. Andrew says to his brother Simon:
"We found the Messiah." John, chapter 1, verse 41
Jesus looks at him and changes his name immediately:
"'You are Simon the son of John; you will be called Kephas' (which is translated Peter)." John, chapter 1, verse 42

Simon, who becomes Peter, has no idea of what Jesus has just said to him or how deeply he has entered his life. He accepts this change of name without recrimination, without saying a word.

Jesus reaches Peter while Peter reaches for Jesus. What a happy exchange! And Peter knows nothing of what will follow. He doesn't know that he will be the First Pope of human history, that the Church of Christ will extend to the most distant lands, to the universe, right up till now.

Mother Teresa of Calcutta, when she began to walk with Jesus, could not know that she would find a convent, less she knew that she would watch and pray next to the dying in Calcutta, Asia.

We surely don't know what the Lord has in store for us and the mission he will lead us into when we say "yes" to him. We may not have the same mission as Teresa. Yet we have the freedom to say "yes" to the Lord.
Like Mary and Joseph, let's say "yes" to Jesus.

During our passage in this world, until the fulfillment of our salvation, let's enter our heart and leap into the Love of God.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 24, 2022, 03:18:19 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 25, 2022, 03:15:03 AM

281. Follow or run away

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There are two groups of people who follow Jesus. Those who really follow him and those who seek to contradict, to flee what Jesus is proposing. Whoever contradicts Truth rejects Truth. We can contradict a person, but we cannot contradict, without consequences, the Love of God.

People who follow Jesus give him space and time. Jesus needs space and time in our life so that we can observe and live through him. Let's take some time with Jesus since we don't know him, take time to discover who Jesus is and we will get to know him better for when we meet in eternity.

There are people who follow Jesus and who do not have open hearts, or they do not use their human intelligence to receive the Love of God. And even the words of Jesus, they will make fun of them, they will understand them in a negative way, they will make them obsolete, without flavour, without taste, without colour, without texture.

The scribes of the group of pharisees, seeing that Jesus eats with sinners and publicans, say to his disciples:
"Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners!" Mark, chapter 2, verse 16
This affirmation casts a doubt about Jesus. Jesus eats and drinks! How can Jesus be God since he eats and drinks? We can see that he is a man! Even worse, he eats with sinners and people of the world, of the public!

They do not know Jesus. They reveal their lack of discernment. Their theology resembles the desert that bypasses the city of Jerusalem. They are going to want to drive Jesus back into the desert, and then consider him dead to their eyes.

They closed their hearts, trapped by a bricked up knowledge gained from the past. They aren't in the present. Then, to avoid following Jesus, they will also mislead people around them who could be touched by his words and gestures. While making fun of him, they refuse the advent of Jesus in their hearts and block it from the hearts of their contemporaries. Double fault.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 25, 2022, 03:17:07 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 26, 2022, 03:13:19 AM

282. Become childlike

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Jesus proclaims:
"I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike." Matthew, chapter 11, verse 25

Adults who are childlike in God know how to spot what is sin in the world from what is not. They also know how to reach people's hearts, especially through prayer to the Holy Spirit. With him we can reach people's hearts to improve the world and awaken in them the light that is already there.

The light received from God in some makes it possible to transfer the fire of joy and peace to the hearts of others. For each person who receives the light, its spreading is instantaneous.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 26, 2022, 03:13:51 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 27, 2022, 03:37:15 AM
283. We tend to be

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"Your piety [love] is like a morning cloud, like the dew that early passes away," Hosea, chapter 6, verse 4

says God to Hosea and his people ... to us too. It is true that we tend to be evasive in our thoughts, distracted in our intentions and selective in our achievements. And we become fugitives, even fearing Love.

We have hurt persons, we had pain too. And we come to believe that even negative ambient thinking has become a reality. We gradually sink into an attractive mud. And the more we are seized by this mud, the more we feel surrounded and comfortable.

It's as if the mud secures us. But it's the opposite. Our forces diminish, the tension increases, and we gradually freeze in a contentment that numbs us. We come to believe that that's life.

We go so far as to believe that God is a tyrant, that he doesn't take care of us, that he has something else more important to do.

It's necessary to recognize that we are sinners, that we often have the tendency to leave the narrow road that leads to real happiness. When we are tingling with numbness, it's not time to wait, it's the red alert that tells us to turn our face to Jesus.

God does not participate to distance us from him. God doesn't push us to our failings. God doesn't waste his time wanting to lose us in the fog or sink us in the mud. Just one look at him and we're out. He is waiting for us. He is waiting for us as the parent waits with love and open arms for his child who is walking his first steps.

Jesus invites us to look into the depths of our hearts to come to the truth about our intentions.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 27, 2022, 03:39:47 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 28, 2022, 01:27:26 AM

284. Getting confused

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God is clear. There are those who:
"obeyed not, nor did they pay heed. They walked in the hardness of their evil hearts and turned their backs, not their faces, to me." Jeremiah, chapter 7, verse 24

These people recede and move away from the clarity of God. They enter a path of darkness. Their life becomes confused, because they extinguish the Light of God. Their path is filled with congestion and obstacles until they sink and lose themselves.

It is the summit of a closing heart and the remoteness of God to the point of not recognizing him. They will then have to make indescribable efforts to simply live.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 28, 2022, 01:28:44 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 28, 2022, 06:17:12 PM

285. Jesus dispels darkness

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Jesus came to dispel the darkness within us and offer us his Light. Jesus wants to free us. God reminds people who are listening:
"Listen to my voice; then I will be your God and you shall be my people. Walk in all the ways that I command you, so that you may prosper." Jeremiah, chapter 7, verse 23

We will be happy to the extent that God is the Light of our life:
"Now, says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart." Joel, chapter 2, verse 12

It's the only solution and it's so simple. Too simple, maybe!
Let's ask Jesus to take his place in us, guide us, teach us, remove darkness and fill us with his Light, joy and peace so that we become like him, the Father and the Holy Spirit.

God created us. He creates us. He knows us and he wants us to be happy. He creates us with the freedom to choose him or even to refuse his presence. It is the summit of freedom.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 28, 2022, 06:18:14 PM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 30, 2022, 03:17:24 AM

286. Cutting us off from God

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Is there anything more distressful than someone who doesn't listen or doesn't want to listen, especially when we want goodness for that person?

Not listening to God is cutting us off from his Love. To cut ourselves off from the Love of God is to cut us off from wisdom, light, tenderness, shelter, strength, joy, peace, from the heart, etc. And to cut us off from these vital signs for our life, we build a wall and prevent ourselves from loving. As a crowning, we become deprived to the point of thinking that God isn't there for us.

The lack of attention to the Love of God leads to harden ourselves and our heart suffers due to the lack of spiritual vital signs of God in us. This brings us to revolt and close ourselves to what the Lord offers us. We live as if God isn't there anymore.

God tells us that we can go astray:
"They have always been of erring heart, and they do not know my ways. As I swore in my wrath, 'They shall not enter into my rest.'" Hebrews, chapter 3, verses 10b to 11

The most serious danger for someone who believes is to move away from God. The danger for those who do not believe is to remain with their backs turned against the presence of God.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 30, 2022, 03:17:57 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 31, 2022, 04:08:44 AM

287. God's anger

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God's wrath is not like the anger we feel in the world. God's wrath is nothing but his Love to let us know that we are moving away from him. He only wants to bring us closer to him. We could say without pretense that the "wrath of God" is his kindness for us.

The anger of God does not hurt us, it is benevolent. But it is our distance from his Love that leads us to enter into evil. We cut ourselves off from God's kindness. We cut ourselves from resting in God, from peace. Then we come to think that God is angry.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 01, 2022, 04:38:39 AM

288. Jesus heals us

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We can enter the desert of our heart, even if there is noise around us, to hear God. Let's take time to listen to him and discover, again, the joy he offers us, the kindness he has on us.

May Jesus come to heal us of our doubts, our revolts, our anger and the worst lie to think that God is not with us. Let's ask as the leper who falls on his knees and begs Jesus:
"'If you wish, you can make me clean.' Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched him, and said to him, 'I do will it. Be made clean.'" Mark, chapter 1, verses 40 to 41

Let's discover the silence, turn our heart to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and humbly ask him: "Jesus, cleanse me!"

To let Jesus cleanse us, allows us to become free and to be filled with peace. The more people understand that God is Love and that he is only Love, the more our world will become familiar and united. We will be able to taste and share his Love and live it fully.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 01, 2022, 04:39:18 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 02, 2022, 03:34:20 AM

289. God's will

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Our Father, "your will be done". Faith is lived worldwide. It is the faith of all people of good will. With the Church, some people understood that only Love can reign on the earth. It is these people who help this world to live in maximum peace and hope.

On the other hand, take away the faith of the world in Jesus and it is faced with humanitarian, social, biological, planetary and other important crisis. This crisis of faith becomes a real loss for every person who does not know God.

Because God is the only one who will always lead us to common sense. All that is good and true in the sublime understanding of these terms is from God. God can only be Love. Whatever the religion, as long as God of this religion is really Love, there will be a love evolution everywhere.

Jesus guarantees his Love to all those who open their hearts to him. We only have to welcome him:
"My home will be at home, I will be their God and they will be my people. Then the nations will know that I am the Lord, the one who sanctifies Israel, when my sanctuary will be in their midst forever." Ezekiel, chapter 37, verses 27 to 28

When God will be welcomed in our midst, in the midst of our heart.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 02, 2022, 03:37:09 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 03, 2022, 03:32:11 AM

290. To try believers

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Some intimidate people to justify that they are not upright, honest. And it's easy to prove their point because no one is perfect. They also try those who walk after Jesus as others have tried Jesus.

There will be people who will push the righteous onto the wall, rather than check their own heart:
"Let's see whether his words be true; let us find out what will happen to him." Wisdom, chapter 2, verse 17

To observe too much the defects of others, people evaluate then devalue themselves. They judge by their criteria, often unfair, about what others say and do. So there are people who will never be satisfied and they will condemn the just.

Why is there a desire to confront the faith of those who follow Jesus? Why not check their own thoughts, words, and gestures, then receive God's Love again? Perhaps because these people are not on the road and do not live a personal conversion to Jesus Christ. They claim that others convert to be in God, but they are not attentive to their own faith and the responsibility that goes with it.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 03, 2022, 03:33:11 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 04, 2022, 04:04:07 AM

291. Jealousy

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A word that is often used by people is the word "jealousy". This word is simple to say, but it is sad to count the number of people hurt by this word.

Then there is the word "judge". It is better never to say these words, because all too often we do not know the real meaning of them:
"Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every foul practice." James, chapter 3, verse 16

On the other hand, this evil goes away when we are open to the grace of God:
"The wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without inconstancy or insincerity." James, chapter 3, verse 17

Let's deepen these last wise words and recognize them in the people we meet, since God has placed them in them. Let's recognize these qualities in others, instead of camping on their faults.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 04, 2022, 04:04:48 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 05, 2022, 04:05:58 AM

292. A fulfilling life

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Who receives from God and truly lives in his heart wisdom, peace, righteousness, understanding, benevolence, mercy, and is fruitful in benefits?
Without being too deceiving, we all have a little bit of a difficult time working to achieve a fulfilling life of faith.

Let's discover the qualities that God places in others to encourage and value them.

Flagging people with what we think are their faults only make the relationship worsen between us:
"Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show his works by a good life in the humility that comes from wisdom." James, chapter 3, verse 13

James is telling us that. He knows that the grace of God, when it is received and transmitted, shows in our words and by our actions.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas

Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 05, 2022, 04:06:58 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 06, 2022, 03:42:33 AM

293. The work that pleases

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Faith accompanies the works. To love in thought, words and gestures is the work that pleases the Lord.

He continues:
"The wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without inconstancy or insincerity. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for those who cultivate peace." James, chapter 3, verses 17 to 18

Let's ask Jesus to change our lives and teach us how to live as he wants. Let's become more and more humans sharing the Word with inspired gestures as the Lord wants.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 06, 2022, 03:43:30 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 07, 2022, 03:54:14 AM
294. They just don't know

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Jesus wants to purify us. But he also asks us to enter into a movement of wisdom, words and gestures that will help to insert goodness in hearts. This way, the world will learn to live with the Trinity and move away from evil and sin. Jesus invites us to try to reach people in their hearts in a sober way. Let's be on the move:
"They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic." Mark, chapter 6, verse 9
He says:
Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there. Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them. Mark, chapter 6, verses 10 to 11
If we find hospitality in people's hearts, let's get closer to them.
But if we feel that they refuse us, let's go our way and pray that these people will find Jesus in their hearts. Let's ask Jesus to touch their hearts with his Love. These people do not refuse us personally. They just don't know what they're missing by not daring to let Jesus enter their hearts.
Let's ask Jesus to touch the hearts of the people we meet. May the Holy Spirit come before us and let the Father's Heart become their home.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas

Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 07, 2022, 03:55:01 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 08, 2022, 04:56:51 AM

295. To love with Jesus

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John is so interesting. He tells us:
"Beloved, let us love one another, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God." 1 John, chapter 4, verse 7

To love keeps us on the road with God, since God is Love. Love is from him and never from us. God Loves in us and through us our family and our friends. To discover that it is God who Loves is to recognize what we can transmit to our surroundings.

To love is the treasure, the unheard-of riches of the Heart of God. And this treasure, God offers it all to us. He wishes for us to accept and appreciate his gift (giving).

Nothing is easier for God than touching hearts, but there is nothing more difficult for us because we often block Love. Love is on everyone's lips, but often abused because many of us do not allow Love to Love. We try to love in God's place.

The degree of love passed from person to person varies. We observe that there is more or less love flowing between us. Well, it is difficult to measure it.

We need Jesus to love. May Jesus be the Love in our life and Love the world through our words, our actions, but also by our silence and our prayers. His Love is always perfect. All opportunities are good to let God Love us.

Let's find the means that allow us to let the Love of God flow. Only Jesus can Love without measure in us and overflow toward all people.

We have nothing to lose and everything to gain by welcoming Jesus into our lives. He will transform us with respect, slowly and surely.

Let's dare to receive Jesus in our life. Let's concede to Jesus his right to Love.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 08, 2022, 04:59:07 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 09, 2022, 04:47:18 AM

296. Our relationship with Christ

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Paul tells us:
"Such confidence we have through Christ toward God. Not that of ourselves we are qualified to take credit for anything as coming from us; rather, our qualification comes from God." 2 Corinthians, chapter 3, verses 4-5

In short, our trust in God comes from God.

It's nice to know that everything real and good comes from God. This is the best assurance we have, divine assurance. And it doesn't cost anything.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 09, 2022, 04:48:32 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 10, 2022, 03:27:24 AM

297. The basis of faith

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Ah! Humility:
"My son, conduct your affairs with humility, and you will be loved more than a giver of gifts." Sirach, chapter 3, verse 17

Fulfill all things in humility ... in the humility that God offers us. It is the basis of faith, from its awakening to its fulfillment. To live in humility, we are invited to develop observation.

Being attentive to one's self enables one to develop listening to the other, to others. To know how to observe Jesus in our heart, to know how to observe Jesus in each person, is to reveal Jesus in their heart.

We decentre on ourselves and turn to our heart, to humbly open it to the one who can heal it, Jesus. To reconnect us to the reality of people is an open path to holiness.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 10, 2022, 03:28:47 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 11, 2022, 06:03:58 AM

298. Through humility

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The healing of the heart is through humility. Humility before others, before ourselves and before our Creator. Ben Sirach continues:
"Humble yourself the more, the greater you are, and you will find favour with God." Sirach, chapter 3, verse 18

To humble oneself is not to fall under the others, it's not to let us fall sharply, it is to recognize that human beings are marvels of God, starting with ourselves. God is the master of these wonders.

When we approach God, we recognize that we are very tiny. Our child's heart marvels of who we are before the Creator, before the Creation and before the creatures of God. We have the grace to observe God's beauty in the human being and give the difficulties to Jesus.

All of God is beyond us. To recognize it is to place others where they are in the Heart of God. Let's become friends of God ourselves. Let's receive what God gives us.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 11, 2022, 06:04:45 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 12, 2022, 03:48:57 AM

299. Humbled and exalted

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Jesus tells us:
"For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted." Luke, chapter 14, verse 11

Whoever raises himself in the will and wisdom of God humbles himself before the splendour of God's presence in his neighbour. He enters into a relationship with God and he discovers Jesus in the life and heart of others. Jesus raises us in his Light so that we can see clearly in our life and with the wish that his Light will spring up and be lowered onto others.

To rise and to lower oneself, if it's God's will, it's exactly the same reality. To humble oneself before God is to be lifted up in God. To be lifted up in God is to lower oneself before God.

We lower ourselves before God to recognize his Kingship in our life. Jesus is Lord of our existence and we recognize him as such. Our humiliation before Jesus is a testimony of the humility received from God, a testimony of faith received from God for others. We affirm with all our being that there is no one superior to Jesus.

Then, we are raised in Jesus since his Love lifts us up and leads us into reality and truth.

To humble oneself before Jesus and to be raised in Jesus allows humility to become our sister.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas

Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 12, 2022, 03:54:12 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 13, 2022, 04:28:49 AM

300. Childlike

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There are elements of life that become grand. Life itself is a grace of which it is necessary to be aware and thankful of. We do not see life, it is discreet, but life is much more important, much more to appreciate than it seems to be.

Joy is a reality that we do not see, except when it is manifested through the emotions of a person. Joy is grace and it leaves us much more than just being there.

Peace is a favoured grace, because it leaves us with a sense of heavenly comfort.
Love is the proper of all these graces and it belongs to God. God invites us to live with his Love, to share his graces between us. We discover that there are small gestures and simple words that provoke a lot of good:
"Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Matthew, chapter 11, verse 25

Where the Body and Blood of Jesus is present in small elements of everyday life, we receive infinitely more than we can hope for. We receive everything from the Trinity. Let's receive the Eucharist and let's marvel from within.

May Mary and Joseph, who knew how to give little Jesus to the world, teach us to look at the little and humble, in order to discover God in his infinite Love.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 13, 2022, 04:29:26 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 14, 2022, 04:43:51 AM

301. God's help

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Elijah is a man of faith. He listens to God and prophesies in his name. After announcing a drought to the people of Gallad, Elijah hears out the Lord:
"So he left and did as the Lord had commanded. He went and remained by the Wadi Cherith, east of the Jordan." 1 Kings, chapter 17, verse 5

Despite the drought, Elijah does not lack food or water as it is written:
"Ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the stream." 1 Kings, chapter 17, verse 6

If Elijah knew the next passage, he would surely have recited it, since he has so much faith in God:
"I raise my eyes toward the mountains. From where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. God will not allow your foot to slip; your guardian does not sleep. Truly, the guardian of Israel never slumbers nor sleeps. The Lord is your guardian; the Lord is your shade at your right hand. By day the sun cannot harm you, nor the moon by night." Psalm 121, verses 1 to 6

The only way to be so deeply rooted in God, as Elijah is living it now, is to adjust our life to his freely given Love. Elijah listened to God.

Jesus gives us other ways, with the Beatitudes, to abide in His Love:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit," "the meek," "they who mourn," "they who hunger and thirst for righteousness," "the merciful," "the clean of heart," "the peacemakers," "the persecuted for righteousness" (See Matthew, chapter 5, verses 1-12).

Jesus adds to our good will:
"Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven." Matthew, chapter 5, verse 12

Let's enter the promised Bliss of God's Love and let ourselves be guided to his Heart. Our "reward is great" right now, with Jesus.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 15, 2022, 04:41:12 AM

302. We did some wrong

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Let's return briefly to what distances us from God and from ourselves.
Who among us could say that they do not have these defects, before God? We have a good reflection here:
"We have sinned, been wicked and done evil; we have rebelled and departed from your commandments and your laws." Daniel, chapter 9, verse 5

Sometimes we miss the opportunity to truly be children of God.
Confession of Daniel's journey:
"Ah! Lord, great and awesome God, you who keep your merciful covenant toward those who love you and observe your commandments." Daniel, chapter 9, verse 4

God Loves us even when we are at fault. He waits for our return every time with open arms. He Loves us beyond everything. It is our faults that keep us away from him. We simply stay away.

It's up to us to check if we love each other and if we want to walk forward in God's Love. Many people do not like this reality that God Loves every person, whatever sin they did. Why? Because God cannot be any other than Love!

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 15, 2022, 04:44:28 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 16, 2022, 04:39:31 AM

303. Damned? No... Loved!

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We all know this popular phrase: "Damned if I do, damned if I don't." There are moments in life when we feel that everything we try to achieve seems to be compromised without really knowing why. This is a good sign, the right time to return to our inner self and allow more precious time with God.

But this English expression is transformed with God: "We are Loved by God if we do it, Loved if we do it not." We are Loved even with our failings, mishaps, bad luck, mistakes, because God is Love.

Does this mean that God encourages the harm we do? That we can do anything wrong? Never. Does that mean to do nothing more? Not at all. And this is not the question.

God Loves us and he wants his Love to take us back to the path of life and truth. It is we who cause evil and succumb to sin. We freeze away from God. But still, God Loves us, forever! When we shy away from him, we block his Love.

Jesus tells us, as to the crowd:
"Be merciful, just as (also) your Father is merciful. Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven." Luke, chapter 6, verses 36 to 37

Whether we love God or not, he continues to Love us. Our decision to be with God or against God leads us either in Love or away from Love. We are the only ones responsible for our decision. And this is a decision we must make as soon as possible.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 16, 2022, 04:40:40 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 17, 2022, 04:48:16 AM

304. Let's dive in

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It's quite difficult to believe that one person would not want God's Love. Let's dive into his Love now:
Let's read:
"Remember your compassion and love, O Lord; for they are ages old." Psalm 25, verse 6

Why should we say, "Remember your compassion and love, O Lord; for they are ages old?"
Wouldn't it be better to say: "Lord, your compassion, your Love is always with me!"

But what is written in the Psalm is, "Remember, Lord." Does the Lord need to remember about his Love? No need for him to remind himself of it. He is Love.
It's certain that when we are suffering, it is possible to think that God has let us down. We would like him to remember, we plead him to not let us down. But it isn't so.

Even in suffering, the Lord is always with us, with the same infinite Love, with the same tenderness and compassion, the same mercy at every moment, totally and continually. We think that God will remember, but it is we who must remember that God is here, now, with us.

Shouldn't we be remembering his Love?

God's Love is priceless. God is not a mystery. Nor is he a mystery to himself. The greatest mystery is that we don't really understand God. We're still not totally convinced that he is Love. The mystery is on us. It is we who don't understand how deeply God Loves us. This is a mystery! Jesus wants us to do exactly as he does, to Love.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 17, 2022, 04:52:15 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 18, 2022, 04:38:38 AM

305. We are forgiven

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Peter doesn't seem to be aware that Jesus will answer that his Love is infinite. The answer that Jesus will give to his question on forgiveness shouldn't surprise anyone. Peter approaches Jesus and asks him:
"Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?" Matthew, chapter 18, verse 21

We might have submitted our proposition: "Once?" To forgive once is enough! Forgiving sincerely is effective. But when mistakes are repeated, we can go up to seven times, too, like Peter.

Thanks to Peter, we get an answer. Peter offers him his idea, which is already a good idea: "Up to seven times?" Jesus answers him:
"I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times." Matthew, chapter 18, verse 22

It's not easy to forgive, it takes practice. The less we practise forgiving, the more difficult it will be to forgive. All our life, we need to forgive, we need to be forgiven, we need to forgive ourselves. We need God's forgiveness to stay sane, in holiness.

Honestly, we wouldn't have known that Jesus's response would be as demanding as his Love is Mercy. Yet we cannot expect less from Jesus than the answer he gives us. He is God!

So, Jesus delivers the challenge on a silver platter and offers it to us. Forgive God 100% because God has never hurt anyone. Forgiving others to help us and also help them to improve, to become the image of God. We personally forgive ourselves to touch the Love of God in us and to become a complete child.

God doesn't have to remember his Love for us, since he is eternally Loving. There is no failure in his Love. May we discover it. We only need to believe, remember and embrace it.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 18, 2022, 04:39:30 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 19, 2022, 04:09:30 AM

306. God seduces

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Jerusalem continues to be unfaithful. The people are unfaithful to God. The inhabitants take unspecified paths, which keep them away from an authentic relationship with God.

God wants to conquer us as he does with his people, because he knows that we are beings of love, since we are beings created by Love:
"[My unfaithful wife], I will allure her; I will lead her into the desert and speak to her heart." Hosea, chapter 2, verse 16

God wants to seduce, not to force. He wants to seduce his unfaithful wife. We recognize ourselves in this unfaithful wife towards Love, when we move away from him by ways contrary to his will. God goes beyond our unfaithfulness.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 19, 2022, 04:10:04 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 20, 2022, 04:30:25 AM

307. To listen

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God knows that the strength of his Love can do anything. God wants to drag us to the desert, in the silence of our heart:
"So I will allure her; I will lead her into the desert and speak to her heart." Hosea, chapter 2, verse 13

We just need to listen. We often think that living a personal desert is painful and that there seems to be a growing void. We feel so alone.

The desert is rather the ideal place where we can enter into a relationship with God. A heart to Heart relationship is never a refusal for him. God wants to be in touch with us all.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 20, 2022, 04:31:04 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 21, 2022, 04:32:45 AM

308. More faith

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God keeps on giving:
"I will give her the vineyards she had, and the valley of Achor as a door of hope." Hosea, chapter 2, verse 14

Only God can give us hope. Today we see churches half-filled. And we see sufferings in the world. It's not necessary to describe them. We observe them, we know them, their misfortunes.

But God tells us to open the door to hope. He wants to unite us with him. God adds:
"I will allure her [unfaithful]; I will lead her into the desert and speak to her heart." Hosea, chapter 2, verse 13

God will make of what we think to be a misfortune in a "valley of Achor [tears] (v. 13)", an air of youth, faith and freedom. Whatever our age, human youth comes from inflamed faith for God and in God.

Let's ask for more faith in God so that our life reaches its inner youth, so that people around us reach it too and that our Church enters a turning point of constant faith, hope and charity, rejuvenated in the Heart of the Trinity. May everyone benefit because we are created for God and live it forever.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas

Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 21, 2022, 04:37:02 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 22, 2022, 04:41:02 AM

309. Peace

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Paul's salutation:
"To all the beloved of God in Rome, called to be holy. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." Romans, chapter 1, verse 7

It is realistic to say that holiness leads to grace and peace from God. Let's continue to place our trust in Jesus and walk with him on the road to holiness. Jesus doesn't lead us anywhere else. He is merciful and even though we are at fault, he wants us to stay with him, to improve ourselves and that he leads us to holiness.

If we see people in churches who are not perfect, let's say they're in the right place. It's in the Church that we find ways to improve ourselves with Jesus and with others. We are in the Church for this reason, because we know that we are sinners and we want to improve on a path of faith and hope. People are usually in Church for that reason.

In the beginning, when we start going to church, it's more our mistakes that make us not want to go back. We think we're not worth it. On the contrary, we are worth the joy! Let's give our sins to Jesus and walk in the Church. May we convert day after day. This is the pathway to enter eternal life.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 22, 2022, 04:41:49 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 23, 2022, 04:23:52 AM

310. Abide in Jesus

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Jesus is Love. We have no reason to pull away from him. He is our joy. Let's take the example of food. As soon as we eat better, we feel better and with more vitality. Jesus leads us to spiritual vitality.

The desert is filled with Jesus's presence. It is there that he touches our hearts with his tenderness, compassion and mercy. Coming to Jesus leads to holiness. By a sustained journey toward him, we feel the benefits and much more vigour, intensity, endurance. Even if we seem to be used to this well-being with Jesus, let's continue.

According to Paul:
"God is righteous and justify the one who has faith in Jesus." Romans, chapter 3, verse 26

We have the best example in Jesus to receive what is right for us. That's what Paul recommends. May we abide in Jesus to receive what we need most, to continue on the road.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 23, 2022, 04:24:57 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 24, 2022, 04:37:46 AM

311. We receive everything

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We need the Love of God, patience, peace, strength to go through hardships. We receive all this and more in Jesus, in the Church. It is the hope that fills the hearts of children.

All holiness and perfection of soul lies in our love for Jesus Christ our God, who is our Redeemer and our supreme good. It is part of the love of God to acquire and to nurture all the virtues which make a man perfect.

Has not God in fact won for himself a claim on all our love? From all eternity he has loved us. And it is in this vein that he speaks to us: "O man, consider carefully that I first loved you. You had not yet appeared in the light of day, nor did the world yet exist, but already I loved you. From all eternity I have loved you."

From a sermon Alphonse-Marie de Liguori on the Love of Christ, Office of readings, August 1, Tract. de praxi amandi Iesum Christum edit. latina. Romae, 1909, pp. 9-14

Sometimes we feel superb when we serve God and live in his Presence. May we never think we have succeeded though. This is a trap. We risk becoming lukewarm and let go of what we have lived for. The best way to make sure we move forward is to always deepen our faith through reading, teaching, Mass, to keep having questions and to search continually even if we think we have reached the goal.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas

Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 24, 2022, 04:39:31 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 25, 2022, 03:37:49 AM

312. Whom you will serve

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Joshua questions the people of Israel of what should be a priority, for us as well, to bring us back to basics:
"Decide today whom you will serve." Joshua, chapter 24, verse 15a

Let's choose who we want to serve. What is the god (other gods) to whom we give our life, our time, our habits, our desires? Is it to God? Where are our priorities? Is God first in our life? Joshua finishes and confirms:
"We also will serve the Lord, for he is our God." Joshua, chapter 24, verse 18b

We want to serve the Trinity. We want to follow Jesus, let ourselves be transformed by the Holy Spirit and be children (sons) of the same Father.

Are we really united to the Trinity wholeheartedly, with all our soul, with all our being? It's quite possible that we aren't. We are making efforts, but we know that we aren't succeeding alone in being captivated by the Trinity.

Let's ask God to come and surprise us with his presence and teach us how to love him, be Loved by him.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 25, 2022, 03:39:20 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 26, 2022, 03:57:34 AM

313. Our relationship with Jesus

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Jesus sent the Spirit to his Church to continue on his behalf to guide his family. The catechism is the fruit of the Holy Spirit transmitted to the authority of the Catholic Church. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (version 1999) is the christian reflection on what Jesus taught us, a Bible study, and all that the Church believes and teaches about the Testaments that complement each other, and that God has given as our heritage.

Let's ask Jesus to help us deepen our faith and our relationship to him by being firmly anchored in the Catholic Church. The Church conveys all the care we need by receiving it from God.

Jesus confers the authority of his Church to the Apostles and sends the Holy Spirit to nourish her in her roots. Let's subscribe, adhere to the Church of the Lord which continues to watch over the Body and Blood of Christ.

May Mary, our Mother of all, with Joseph, the Apostles and saints, teach us to take care of Jesus who is in our heart and to accept the teaching of the Church he has founded.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 26, 2022, 03:58:20 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 27, 2022, 04:47:26 AM

314. Let's pray with s. Joseph

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Joseph, with Jesus and Mary, you knew hunger, uncertainty, and illness.
You turned your heart to God to lift up your needs and those of your family.
In faith you accepted the Father's response as events unfolded.
Be with me today as I offer my requests to the Father.

Joseph, help me recognize God's will as I open my hands to accept what God bestows in loving kindness. With tenderness, God fills creation with life and love. Open my eyes to the wonders that God works without ceasing.

Help me learn the true intention behind my request so that I may discover
within myself the lowly one that God commends. Amen.

I lift up my needs in prayer: Website of Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal:
Prayers to Saint Joseph - Saint Joseph's Oratory of MountRoyal

Mary and Joseph, like all the saints, assist us with your prayers. Pray for us, with us!

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 28, 2022, 03:41:38 AM

315. We hope

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Through the liturgy, we celebrate the entrance to heaven. We hope for life in God and we give thanks for all the wonders he does in the world and in our lives.

Here is how it is expressed:
"On that day they will sing this song in the land of Judah: 'A strong city have we; he sets up walls and ramparts to protect us. Open up the gates to let in a nation that is just, one that keeps faith.'" Isaiah, chapter 26, verses 1 to 2

A sung canticle is part of the liturgy. Let's put our trust in God. Let's lean onto him. We will become the righteous nation, the believers who enter through the doorway to salvation.

Protection and salvation come from the Child Mary carries in her. This Child is the only one who can protect us and lead us as a nation of sheep to the enclosure of eternal joy. Generations have hoped for him. And we have the grace to know that this Child has come to Love and save us.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 29, 2022, 04:29:52 AM

316. The House, the Church

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The strong city is the Jerusalem on earth that represents the City of God, as also the Church, it is the New Jerusalem from above that nothing can destroy. To succeed:
"Trust in the Lord forever! For the Lord is an eternal Rock." Isaiah, chapter 26, verse 4

The house, the Church that is built on the rock that is Jesus, is our life that is built on the faith of the Apostles and on the promise of God for our salvation. Many will be converted because they will see us walking behind Jesus, walking on the mission road.

Jesus tells us:
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven." Matthew, chapter 7, verse 21

Let's seek Jesus, or even simpler, let's find Him. Let's become available. Let's welcome him as Mary welcomed him into her and learn from him all that is necessary for the pilgrimage here below and to present ourselves to heaven in thanksgiving.

Mary did not run after Jesus. The Holy Spirit simply offered to receive him. It's too simple to receive Jesus. Let's try it, to receive him in our heart. We don't have to beg, we only need to ask him to reveal himself in our heart. May he take off the veil we place before him.

Let's continue to deepen our relationship with Jesus just as Mary carries him in her and Joseph welcomes him into him, in his own way. Let's welcome him as we are. It is our mission, our personal base.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 29, 2022, 04:31:12 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 30, 2022, 05:01:13 AM
317. To know Jesus

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Paul offers us his thoughts:
"Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ. So be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and handed himself over for us as a sacrificial offering to God for a fragrant aroma." Ephesians, chapter 4, verse 32 to chapter 5, verse 2

To unite ourselves with God's plan, it's necessary to know Jesus. Then we will become: "kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving".

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 30, 2022, 05:01:50 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 01, 2022, 04:30:51 AM

318. God's work is our joy

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It all starts with Jesus. With him, we are walking in the right direction. The path is straighter, simpler, narrower. With Jesus, we are on the move and he leads us through the work he has established. His work will become our joy.

Definitely, we know that his work is for us. His work is already our joy! Paul invites us:
"Live as children of light." Ephesians, chapter 5, verse 8

To live as "children of light", we are invited to ask for the Light of the Holy Spirit.

May the light of God extend to those who wish to receive it in them and who dare to let it pass. May we let Jesus pass through our life.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 01, 2022, 04:32:09 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 02, 2022, 04:52:24 AM

319. Love passing through

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Philemon is an example for Paul:
I have experienced much joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the holy ones have been refreshed by you, brother. Philemon, chapter 1, verse 7

Philemon's charity is the Love and Mercy of God in action and passing through him. Paul's joy is that he's conscientious and charitable toward others. It pleases his heart.

For his part, Jesus has a way of spreading joy:
"The whole crowd rejoiced at all the splendid deeds done by him." Luke, chapter 13, verse 17

What is the vivid action Jesus is doing right now in us, on this day, simply offered to us?

Let's always trust Jesus, let's continually give him what we are living, so that he purifies our journey, the bridge that connects us to him. We will discover his presence in our life and for a better world.

We will gradually discover our talents throughout the mission. Our talents are different from those of others, but together we will bring to the world faith received from God.

The new American bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 02, 2022, 04:53:24 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 03, 2022, 04:45:50 AM

320. Grace and peace

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Our first pope Peter wishes us what we also want to wish each other:
"May grace and peace be yours in abundance through knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord." 2 Peter, chapter 1, verse 2

"May grace and peace be yours!" Grace and peace to all, but also knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ! The more we engage in Jesus's "knowledge", the more our faith rises in humility and charity for every person who meets with us on the road.

As for any realization, Peter invites us to the effort of reception, to the effort to be there. We can read it slowly:
"Make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, virtue with knowledge, knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with devotion, devotion with mutual affection, mutual affection with love." 2 Peter, chapter 1, verses 5 to 7

There is a clear progression of faith in what Peter describes to us. In short, virtue serves and leads to know God. Virtue is the door that opens to conversion and progression through sincere and lived faith.

Knowing God gives us control on our thoughts, our senses, our language, our actions, in order to live humbly and to edify our neighbour.

Self-control brings balance and perseverance, endurance.

Piety and virtue develops shoulder to shoulder with perseverance.

Fraternity is the fruit of piety. Fraternity is intimately linked to Love. It is the mission that God proposes to us.

We embark on a virtuous life to join a Loving meeting in God, Love that forms and ends the loop: virtue - knowledge of God - self-control - perseverance - piety - fraternity - love. May we commit ourselves to repeat it and live it, in a loop, in order to stretch out our heart, to bind it to Love and thus to obtain eternal life. By knowing God.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 03, 2022, 04:47:28 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 04, 2022, 05:12:22 AM

321. Summit of Hope

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This text of Paul is called the Kenosis. It is the descent of God and he passes into our human reality:
"Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped.

Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross.

"Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians, chapter 2, verses 5 to 11

He came into human nature, through the "yes" of Mary. Mary carries him in her until she gives him back to the world.

God shows us his great mercy and Love by embracing our human condition, in order to transform it for the sole purpose of gathering us together and leading us to the Father's house.

God could've stayed aloof and seem from another world, as we search for answers to our life on earth. But God wears our reality.

Jesus shows us his mercy by taking a body like ours and giving it back its nobility, its beauty. He rectifies and converts through purification our sin-prone fragile body and brings it back to its natural condition.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 04, 2022, 05:12:57 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 05, 2022, 04:29:02 AM

322. A jewel

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Jesus is the one who draws people to him. He tells us in his parable:
"Go out to the highways and hedgerows and make people come in that my home may be filled." Luke, chapter 14, verse 23

We know that freedom is a jewel for those who use it to enter the Heart of God. But freedom becomes camouflaged by a virus, when they don't use it to enter Jesus and remain in his Heart.

It is written that God wants us to enter by force: "make people come in". But in the language of God, it's easy to understand what he really wants to tell us. It might be something like this: "Bring them in with all the strength of my Love that I placed in your heart." That being said, we understand how delicately, but with what insistence God tries to find us and gather us on his Heart. We are attracted to him.

To welcome Jesus is to give him time so that he may sanctify our life. In our hearts, let's join the feast of all the saints: "that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father". Philippians, chapter 2, verses 10 and 11

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 05, 2022, 04:31:39 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 06, 2022, 05:23:00 AM

323. The wealth we need

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During Jesus's descent into the bread and wine and after communion, let's remember why we fall to our knees during Mass and adore him. Because Jesus is God, he lowers himself to our height and he saves us. We wish to thank him. He is the reason and faith of our worship.

Jesus lowered himself to us, he took flesh in the body of a Virgin named Mary. He is God and he knows us humans, since he is the Lord of creation. He knows the heart of the human. Jesus is the only wealth we need. No need to look elsewhere.

Everything that sneakily draws us in the worldly is complicit to our distance from God. We are often distracted from other activities in other places. And time flies by if we don't allow ourselves a moment for a sincere dialogue with Jesus in our heart. That unnecessarily monopolizes our interest, causes a lack of relationship with God and makes us waste precious time.

Jesus tells us that we are called to holiness. We have in us the mark of the children of God and our being is attracted by grace at every moment.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 06, 2022, 05:23:41 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 07, 2022, 04:32:05 AM
324. Let's let Jesus find us

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Ah! The book of Wisdom. Here we read:
"Love justice, you who judge the earth; think of the Lord in goodness, and seek him in integrity of heart; Because he is found by those who test him not, and he manifests himself to those who don't disbelieve him." Wisdom, chapter 1, verses 1 to 2

Let's seek Jesus with a simple heart. That is to say, may we let Jesus find us. He will drive us on his way.
"Putting him to the test" is putting us to the test. Over the years, we have developed practices that are sometimes automated. It will be important to return to Jesus and "pray with the heart" as Our Lady of Peace proposes to us in Medjugorje.

Let's repeat what the Apostles ask of Jesus:
"Increase our faith." Luke, chapter 17, verse 5

Faith increases to the extent that we want to let go of what falsely secures us and that we want to receive from Jesus everything that leads us to him, all that will help us to free ourselves from our bonds and make us free by the Loving Trinity.

May Mary accompany us, who has been freed and protected from all that can keep away from Jesus. May Mary teach us to stay with him.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 07, 2022, 04:34:07 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 08, 2022, 04:29:48 AM
325. Mission school

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May we recognize that Jesus is Lord and saves us from evil and sin.

Jesus sends his disciples to learn at the mission school. He sends us there too. He tells us, "Go and learn the meaning of the words, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' I did not come to call the righteous but sinners." Matthew chapter 9, verse 13

It's reassuring. We are all called to him. Here and now, he asks us to be merciful. It's difficult for us to become "righteous", but it's to become righteous that we are called to become. We are sinners and yet we are asked to offer to others what God offers us.

God's justice is what he transmits to us through Love; joy, peace, mercy, hope, etc. Let's offer them too. In this way, we will always be searching, standing, walking.

The school of life and faith in Jesus is just beginning. Let's remain in the mission and stay awake to seek the Doctor. Here we're on the road to follow Jesus and we want to enter salvation, freely.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Watch with faith, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 08, 2022, 04:32:02 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 09, 2022, 03:40:46 AM

326. Listening

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Publicans and sinners came to listen to Jesus. But some of them don't listen anymore:
"The Pharisees and scribes began to complain (against him)." Luke, chapter 15, verse 2

It's very unfortunate that they are bothering him, while Jesus takes care of the people who came to listen to him. Some are listening but others don't. They're wasting a lot of time, and only wanting to trap him.

Jesus tells them how joyful he is of being surrounded by people who want to hear him:
"What woman having ten coins and losing one would not light a lamp and sweep the house, searching carefully until she finds it? And when she does find it, she calls together her friends and neighbours and says to them, 'Rejoice with me because I have found the coin that I lost.'" Luke, chapter 15, verses 8 to 9

Jesus is not compared to a coin. But Jesus shares this scene to offer a teaching to those who don't realize what they are losing, since they don't fully realize what Jesus represents; our ultimate wealth.

Some scribes and pharisees lose a lot, while they search for some defect about Jesus and especially, while they seek default catching. They keep people from following God's mission. They're pushing souls away.

Jesus came to gather sheep, his family, his people and some people put him to the test. How much easier it is to offer our services, to help and encourage those who work for the glory of God and the salvation of the world, in the name of Jesus, rather than thwarting his plan of salvation.

And when we found Jesus as this woman her lost drachma, there we find the way to become free while being responsible. We enter into joy and peace, an intensely greater joy to find Jesus than a lost coin.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 09, 2022, 03:41:33 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 10, 2022, 04:26:28 AM

327. Prayer of a multitude

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The reality of life becomes clear when we allow the Trinity to settle in us. We can say that we have prayed for many years and that nothing changes, that we pray during Mass regularly and that nothing changes, that we live our faith to the best of our ability and that nothing changes. Yet there is change, even without our knowledge. There is always change!

We cannot see everything, know everything and yet the life of many is improving because of the prayer of a multitude in heaven and in the world. God offers a unique mission and, let's acknowledge it, extraordinary by its simplicity and humility, by prayer.

What does God do in us? Maybe we don't see and maybe we're not totally unaware of it, but God knows what he's doing with our prayers, our intentions, with faith. We are simply transformed from coming to Mass, listening to the Word and receiving the Eucharist. This is slowly unveiled to us year after year.

God can do wonders before our eyes, in our hearts and in the hearts of others,

without our being aware of them. Even though usually we can feel and see some change. Let's restore our trust in God and let him transform his world, his children, and our poor prayers. He is truly accomplishing Love in hearts. Prayer allows him to go from his Heart to our heart to hearts. It's all about opening up to him.

Let's rejoice in the hope and joy of knowing that God's Love reigns in the universe, for the salvation of all.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 10, 2022, 04:27:28 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 11, 2022, 03:46:17 AM

328. Talents

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In what follows, let's notice what Jesus said to him who received his five talents. He did not do anything to receive his talents, but with Jesus, they amount to more:
"The one who had received five talents came forward bringing the additional five. He said, 'Master, you gave me five talents. See, I have made five more.' His master said to him, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master's joy." Matthew 25, verses 20 to 21

He was already living in his master's joy. And the Lord confirms to him that joy will remain, since he has submitted to his joy.

Let's ask Jesus again to reveal our talents to us and enter the joy of the Master right away.

Let's pray together that the authority of the members of the Catholic Church is always united to the will of the Trinity. May there be many apostles and disciples in the world who live their relationship with God. May they be luminous witnesses for the salvation of all.

Like Mary and Joseph, let's become more and more saturated people with the Presence of God (mission) for humanity. This saturation is not pressure building on the body, but it's revealed by a spiritual well-being.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 11, 2022, 03:46:56 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 12, 2022, 04:03:02 AM

329. Let's stay with Jesus

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Our first pope understands what the scriptures say about Jesus. He is ready to lead the mission. He bears witness to Jesus Christ. After all he has seen, all he has lived, heard, touched of Jesus, Peter is on the road to proclaim the Good News.

Peter became Good News in all his being. He can only want to relay it. He knows to what extent Jesus went to teach us eternal life. He knows how Jesus offered well-being to those seeking the Doctor. He knows why Jesus healed sick people and invited them to stand up and walk. He understands that faith is supported by a sincere relationship with Jesus.

Peter knows why Jesus wanted to gather all the sheep in order to bring them to him, then to the Kingdom of Heaven. He knows why Jesus surrounded himself with sinners to become fishermen of souls.

Peter knows that all of God's Love is contained in Jesus's life and that his Love will not end:

"Everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name." Acts, chapter 10, verse 43

God's Love purifies our being from sins, when we want it, when we don't seek ways to keep Jesus away from us.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 12, 2022, 04:04:00 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 13, 2022, 03:59:07 AM

330. To seek Jesus

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"The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord has this been done, and it's wonderful in our eyes." Matthew, chapter 21, verse 42

Peter knows how people tried to reject Jesus. But he knows how much better it is to stay united to him and walk with him.

Paul, for his part, was struck down by the Luminous Presence of the Lord. He tells of what is most incomprehensible. Jesus, the one who was crucified, is risen:
"If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Think of what is above, not of what is on earth." Colossians, chapter 3, verses 1 to 2

Paul invites us to seek Jesus, otherwise we will miss out on what we need, ultimately. He invites us to follow the living saints, who follow the living one, Jesus.

We are resurrected in Christ. He invites us to continue to seek the realities from above, since Christ is seated at the right hand of the Father. The closer we come to the Love of God, the more our point of view changes, reality becomes clear, our being becomes light. We are called to the same glory as the Trinity:
"This is the day the Lord has made; let's rejoice in it and be glad." Psalm 118, verse 24

Hallelujah! Come, let's praise the Lord!

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 13, 2022, 04:00:05 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 14, 2022, 04:47:58 AM

331. Preparation

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The mission we're in is the preparation for evangelization:
"One of the seraphim flew to me, holding an ember which he had taken with tongs from the altar. He touched my mouth with it. 'See, he said, now that this has touched your lips, your wickedness is removed, your sin purged.'" Isaiah, chapter 6, verses 6 to 7

To become evangelizers, to enter the New Evangelization proposed by pope John Paul II, we must live a personal conversion to receive fully the Love of God, of Christ. We must live a continuous conversion, otherwise we do not experience it and live it.

Isaiah walks in the movement of this conversion. But he must also live the forgiveness of his faults to live well the mission that will be his. A seraph takes care of that: "Your wickedness is removed, your sin purged." This is a major step for faith and for receiving God's mission.

"Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?' 'Here I am,' I said; 'send me!'" Isaiah, chapter 6, verse 8

After experiencing the forgiveness of his sins, Isaiah is ready to listen to God. Let's think about this, it's important. God can offer us his mission, but if we do not live the forgiveness of sin, we aren't ready to be sent.

God sends on a mission the person whose fault is taken away, the sin forgiven. If not, God is waiting and he may wait a long time. The more we are purified in the grace of God, the more we walk in the mission to which God invites us, because we are more open to him. We become responsible for the mission by letting ourselves be Loved by God.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 14, 2022, 04:48:40 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 15, 2022, 05:22:38 AM


332. Our personal mission

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Paul invites us to deepen our faith, it's our personal mission:
"I remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you indeed received and in which you also stand. Through it you are also being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you, unless you believed in vain." 1 Corinthians, chapter 15, verses 1 to 2

Let's receive the Gospel, meditate on it, share it. Many of us share on the Word and faith in small groups. Whenever we pray alone or in groups, the Word enters our life and sows new small shoots of faith and hope. To remain attached to the Word and the Eucharist saves us. To move away from it, takes us away from God.

Jesus teaches his Word:
"While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God, he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret." Luke, chapter 5, verse 1

The crowd stands near Jesus to hear his teaching. When we come together to share the Word, Jesus teaches the group in particular and he also teaches us personally.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 16, 2022, 04:10:42 AM

333. In deep water

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Jesus says to Simon (Peter):
"Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch." Luke, chapter 5, verse 4

After teaching, he sends the Apostles fishing.
After we have received the teaching of Jesus, we will also be invited to become teachers (fishermen). We become evangelizers of the Good News that is Jesus. We spread his message.

The mission is to find a way to equip people who can evangelize. Let's just accept the basics of faith, to offer them. We don't have to worry, the Holy Spirit will inspire us to say what is needed to the people around us. But let's remain united to the Church's teaching.

Respect for the person, his situation, a number of factors must be taken into consideration. It's important to teach through charity and above all to be observant of people's needs.

If we set out, if we expose the sails, we will discover all that the Lord has sown in us for a joyful evangelization in and for the world. We receive more in ourselves than we can imagine. We become bearers of the presence of Christ with enhanced flavour, just as salt enhances the taste of food.

Let's learn to keep one foot in the sheepfold and the other in the world, to go to the sheep that are also waiting for the Good News of salvation. Our family and the human family are also the people who are called to holiness, to live through Jesus's presence.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 16, 2022, 04:11:15 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 17, 2022, 04:07:42 AM

334. Learn from the Spirit

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Let's be constantly on a mission to learn from the Holy Spirit, from Jesus and his Church, and the Father, and gradually become the evangelizers of the Love of God. All people are waiting on Jesus's teaching, without exception, whether they are aware of it or not.

It is written:
"They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers." Acts, chapter 2, verse 42

Together, in fraternal communion "to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers". In the early days when we were aware that Mass was important, that the teachings of the Church were necessary for our faith and that participating in prayers helped us understand salvation and then live to move toward salvation, we felt the presence of God in us, just like the first christians following the Apostles, have their hearts turned toward Jesus.

Let's ask Jesus to bring us back to the grounding of our first conversion, our first loving experience with God, the spiritual honeymoon we were naturally immersed in. If we have not experienced this first conversion of the heart, let's ask Jesus to take our life in hand and show us how to follow him. Let's be aware of his movements inside us.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 17, 2022, 04:08:30 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 18, 2022, 03:36:05 AM

327. Prayer of a multitude

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The reality of life becomes clear when we allow the Trinity to settle in us. We can say that we have prayed for many years and that nothing changes, that we pray during Mass regularly and that nothing changes, that we live our faith to the best of our ability and that nothing changes. Yet there is change, even without our knowledge. There is always change!

We cannot see everything, know everything and yet the life of many is improving because of the prayer of a multitude in heaven and in the world. God offers a unique mission and, let's acknowledge it, extraordinary by its simplicity and humility, by prayer.

What does God do in us? Maybe we don't see and maybe we're not totally unaware of it, but God knows what he's doing with our prayers, our intentions, with faith. We are simply transformed from coming to Mass, listening to the Word and receiving the Eucharist. This is slowly unveiled to us year after year.

God can do wonders before our eyes, in our hearts and in the hearts of others,

without our being aware of them. Even though usually we can feel and see some change. Let's restore our trust in God and let him transform his world, his children, and our poor prayers. He is truly accomplishing Love in hearts. Prayer allows him to go from his Heart to our heart to hearts. It's all about opening up to him.

Let's rejoice in the hope and joy of knowing that God's Love reigns in the universe, for the salvation of all.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 18, 2022, 03:36:48 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 19, 2022, 03:11:56 AM

336. Teaching is necessary

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Jesus is with the Apostles and he wants to find a better place to speak to the crowd gathered around him to listen to his Word. He gets into Simon Peter's boat and asks him to paddle from the shore so that his voice is better heard:
"Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat." Luke, chapter 5, verse 3

Simon's boat represents the craft of the Church. And Jesus wants to teach Simon Peter that teaching is a necessity to make known the will of God. The Church, in foundation, in becoming, will be invested to teach (to evangelize) the Gospel to numerous crowds.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 19, 2022, 03:12:48 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 20, 2022, 04:18:23 AM

337. Faith unites

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The fear of a responsible person is that the disciples begin to scatter when he's no longer around. We say, "When the cat leaves, the mice dance!" However, the principle that keeps a group together is not only the leader.

The faith of all members weighs in the balance against the temptation to lead away from the Lord. Each member is responsible for staying in the boat.

Moreover, the Church is well organized so that no one is left alone. Jesus wanted Apostles gathered with him to participate in the foundation of the Church and to watch over its functioning, as well as its necessary laws, supporting freedom.

The Apostles also blessed other vocations, in the name of Jesus, who participate and continue the mission. And so on, until now. We need the support of each other's faith, as in a relay race that leads humanity to the Heart of God.

Paul gives his last recommendations to the Church of Ephesus and at the same time, it's as if he puts his confidence in their hands. The Church of Ephesus must now find the strength to organize themselves:
I ask you not to lose heart over my afflictions for you; this is your glory. For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that he may grant you in accord with the riches of his glory to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner self, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the holy ones what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to accomplish far more than all we ask or imagine, by the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians, chapter 3, verses 13 to 21

Paul knows he will not always be with the parishioners of Ephesus. He relies on their faith and union to follow Christ with the Spirit, in the Church, supported by the Father's will.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas

Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 20, 2022, 04:24:33 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 21, 2022, 04:51:08 AM

338. Help people

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Let's focus on this passage:
"Refuse no one the good on which he has a claim when it is in your power to do it for him." Proverbs, chapter 3, verse 27

This sentence is surprising. Often, we think that we should never refuse our help. It's full of common sense. But there are two nuances here.

The first nuance is that we should not refuse our help to someone, "which he has a claim". Who deserves our help? Let's say that each person deserves our help and deserves to find the Lord.

It might be easier to understand it as follows: "Where it is possible for us to help a person and we're able to do so, let's help them, whether they deserve it or not."

The second nuance is wise: "when it is in your power to do it". We're not told to become needy to help or offer what is not ours, such as material, but to know how to recognize our personal resources and help as best we can, at the best of who we are. With discernment, we will know the percentage of what we can offer, if not everything. It is, however, enjoyable to share the graces that God gives us. They are always available, totally.

When we develop the service resources we have in us, we become more willing and effective in our interventions. Acknowledging our strengths and weaknesses is also a blessing within ourselves. Just thinking about it, we start helping ourselves.

We have only few resources. But together, when we form a helping group, we develop the resources and skills to better help others.

In the end, we must help our neighbour. But we must also know our strengths and limitations. Otherwise, we may be hurting more than we're helping. But this should not stop us from trying to help others in the best way we can. May we accept to learn at our own pace and be more precise of what we can offer. We do not all have the same resources, but our resources are used when they are well used and shared.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Fruit that lasts, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 21, 2022, 05:00:02 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 22, 2022, 03:20:56 AM

339. God's light shines

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Jesus illuminates our lantern:
"No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed; rather, he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light." Luke, chapter 8, verse 16

When we pray and deepen our faith through readings and teachings, the Light of Christ will go through our life to enlighten us.

The following may seem surprising:
"To anyone who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he seems to have will be taken away." Luke, chapter 8, verse 18

Let's put this sentence before the light of God. He who receives Light through his relationship with God will enlighten more, since God will come through him for the good of his people. It becomes like the stained-glass windows of a church, illuminated by the sun. He allows the Light of the Trinity to pass through him.

But the person who's not walking or even slowing down and moving away from the Light of God, he even loses the glimmer of what he thinks to hold back for himself.

Let's let God's Light shine in us so that receiving the best from him becomes light for our contemporaries. Let's find ways to keep up with Jesus. It will be a wise step into the Light, as the rays of the sun pass through the clouds.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Fruit that lasts, Normand Thomas


Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 22, 2022, 03:21:35 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 23, 2022, 03:32:35 AM

340. Humility

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Paul tells us:
"Nor, indeed, did we ever appear with flattering speech, as you know, or with a pretext for greed - God is witness - nor did we seek praise from human beings, either from you or from others." 1 Thessalonians, chapter 2, verses 5 to 6

We are christians, we never need to look for honours. This is interesting to find out if we are walking in the Lord's will. These are christian values to place in our suitcase, for the road.

It's too easy to take ourselves for someone else and not be ourselves. It's easy to get into characters that are successful, that we see on TV or that we hear singing, and stop being ourselves. But the way of another person will never be our own personal way. We will never walk in his shoes.

We must not seek to build our personal kingdom, it would be wrong. We already have everything in the Kingdom of God:
"Happy those (...) who enjoys the law of the Lord, it is their joy; God's law they study day and night. They are like a tree planted near streams of water, that yields its fruit in season." Psalm 1, verses 1 to 3

To reach wisdom that comes from God, may we let God be God in our life. Better still, may we don't rely on our own strength and let the wisdom of God pass through.

For that, let's become very good friends of God. May we recognize the difference between our thinking and that of Jesus. Let's become more and more filled with his presence. May we know when it is us or Jesus speaking through us.

By the way, we know when we're talking or the person next door is talking. It should be the same for Jesus who goes through our words. We know when our thoughts come from Jesus or from us. There's a difference.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Fruit that lasts, Normand Thomas

Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 23, 2022, 03:33:14 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 24, 2022, 04:12:07 AM

341. Peter's humility

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Our first Pope is full of humility:
"When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and, falling at his feet, paid him homage. Peter, however, raised him up, saying, 'Get up. I myself am also a human being.'" Acts, chapter 10, verses 25 to 26

Even if Peter is the Pope whom Jesus has chosen, he knows his rightful place. Already in the Church that is beginning to form, Peter is aware that Jesus continues to be Lord and God. It's amazing!

Peter knew Jesus and lived with him. He was appointed by him the head of the Church. He's also responsible for the Apostles. He would have all the reasons to "brag about", to become proud and to become someone else.

For every missionary, Peter has just realized an important teaching with a testimony worthy of a Pope. He sees Cornelius coming and throwing himself at his feet. He could say, "You're a good disciple," or "get up now and let's have a drink".

But by his words, Peter presents himself in a different way. He said to Cornelius, "Get up. I myself am also a human being."

What a beautiful grace of humility! May we ask this grace to Jesus. By his gesture and words, he helps Cornelius to understand that Jesus is Lord. Peter recognizes himself as a simple man and therefore gives full opening to Jesus. He evangelizes.

Peter cannot do anything by himself and he knows it. He's on a mission, but not for himself. He's a missionary for Jesus, for the announcement of the Good News.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Fruit that lasts, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 24, 2022, 04:13:18 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 25, 2022, 05:02:03 AM

342. We're improving

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The couple's challenge is that each person has his own rhythm and definition of love. The ideal is that each person of the couple improves in the faith. Jesus will ignite Love as it should be. It takes time for someone to realize it, but the experience will be beneficial.

Moreover, every teaching of faith is for each person in the couple, for each spouse. Marriage will be joyful and holy to the extent that each person advances in faith and improves by contact with Jesus.

Each person is responsible for improving his relationship with God, who will, in turn, give graces, a hundredfold, to the spouses. The opening of each one in the couple allows the grace of God to pass into them. This is the only way of a true journey between spouses.

If each person tries to love the other, it's lost. But if each person connects to God and asks Jesus to go through his heart to love, then there's joy that progresses every day, even without their knowledge. Each person in the relationship will have a good reason to give more to each other. Jesus transforms the relationship between them.

It's the same basis for every personal relationship to Jesus:
"As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love." John, chapter 15, verse 9

God Loves us. Let's stay in his Love. God Loves us first, we only need to welcome and accept his Love. It sounds demanding, maybe. But there's nothing simpler to achieve than to remain in God's Love. Let's love. It is demanding to stay away.

Abiding in the Love of God allows us to discover and gradually recognize the reason we live, the reason we are created. Sticking to God's Love makes us more and more like him.

We have not acquired anything by ourselves. We're not perfect, but we gradually become "love" thanks to God's "Love". When we accept to approach Jesus, we accept to let ourselves be more Loved by him. It takes us away from evil, fear, anxiety and purifies us, meeting after meeting, with him.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Fruit that lasts, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 25, 2022, 05:03:09 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 26, 2022, 04:12:10 AM

343. Only men

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To know ourselves to be Loved by God and to let him Love others through us is a miracle in itself. We allow Love to touch people. We understand more and more the will of the Trinity.

A man listens to Paul's words:
"He listened to Paul speaking, who looked intently at him, saw that he had the faith to be healed, and called out in a loud voice, 'Stand up straight on your feet.' He jumped up and began to walk about." Acts, chapter 14, verses 9 to 10

In a leap, the man walks! What faith does Paul demonstrate in his Lord and how much he listens to the man's faith that he's brought back on his feet! What seems extinguished in this man was waiting only for a thoughtful look from the Apostle, in the name of Jesus, to set his faith on fire and "give him back his legs" to walk.

Paul discovers gifts he didn't know, perhaps. Paul gives what he receives, the gift of healing, but even more, he receives the gift of perceiving faith in people. Paul saw that this man had faith in the words he said, received from Jesus.
The crowd is amazed by what Paul realizes before their eyes:
"When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they cried out in Lycaonian, 'The gods have come down to us in human form.'" Acts, chapter 14, verse 11

We can imagine that Paul didn't expect what has just been proclaimed. The danger against faith is to believe that there are gods, idols, even humans who think they take the place of God or give to humans God's place.

This is perhaps the most corrosive tendency that exists against faith, that is, placing our faith in anyone or anything but Jesus. And even worse, thinking about taking ourselves or giving them God's place.

Paul declares his faith by his enlightened reason of the divine Light. He defends himself vividly, immediately, to be a "god" at the whim, to the fantasy of humans. He seems aghast, demolished and he tells them:
"Men, why are you doing this? We are of the same nature as you, human beings." Acts, chapter 14, verse 15

Paul is a man like all men. No better, no worse. He did not heal anyone. The good news that Paul conveys is that the human is transformed by faith in Jesus Christ. It's Christ who heals this man. Jesus heals. Paul believes it for saying these words.

Let's look deeper into our hearts and we will understand that only Jesus is God. This is not a healing operated by Paul:
"We proclaim to you good news that you should turn from these idols to the living God, 'who made heaven and earth and sea and all that is in them.'" Acts, chapter 14, verse 15

With these words, many converted.

As for Paul, Jesus sends us the Holy Spirit so that we can live with contagious faith. Jesus sends us help, support:
"The Advocate, the holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name - he will teach you everything and remind you of all that (I) told you." John, chapter 14, verse 26

Jesus announces that there will be people like Paul to intercede with others:
"Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him." John, chapter 14, verse 23

Jesus dwells in Paul to proclaim the truth and the Word with tenacious faith, but with human words. Paul conveys the truth and the Word of Jesus and it is Jesus who heals.

Of all that Jesus teaches it invites us to welcome him, then to understand and live it. Paul understood it very well. We also know holy people now who work accordingly to the will of God.

Let's ask Jesus to adjust our faith to our reason and our reason to our faith, so that we may be more and more in the image of our Saviour and Lord, in the midst of the world into which he sends us.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Fruit that lasts, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 27, 2022, 04:14:54 AM

344. Peace to the people

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Jesus says to the Apostles:
"Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I say to you, many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it." Luke, chapter 10, verses 23 to 24

We're sent to our contemporaries, not to say the same words as them just to make them comfortable, but by speaking a different language. If it's possible for us to get used to their language, it's also possible for them to get used to the language of faith and reason.

We can see Jesus in our hearts and receive our mission from him. Let's ask him to help us prepare ourselves and to illuminate the mission, so that we may walk and evangelize with his words.

Let's pray that our moods and attitudes become holier, so that we may remain peaceful people for ourselves and for those we meet.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Fruit that lasts, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 27, 2022, 04:15:54 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 28, 2022, 04:07:26 AM

345. Boldness

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Paul says to the Corinthians:
"What anyone dares to boast of I also dare (I am speaking in foolishness)." 2 Corinthians, chapter 11, verse 21

Audacity, we have it all. Many situations in life require a certain amount of audacity. Starting to walk, to talk, to be a teenager, to become an adult, to work, to begin a family, each stage of life requires audacity.

We often see that the audacity of a person can become recklessness or unconsciousness when misused.

On the other hand, audacity allows us to go beyond a usual situation, in order to realize a project that's beyond us. The project of evangelization requires daring.

The audacity of the word is particularly important because it leads to sharing faith when it's credible and attentive to the need of the person. It takes daring to talk to someone:
"If anyone does not fall short in speech, he is a perfect man, able to bridle his whole body also." James, chapter 3, verse 2

James also allows us to understand that our words can carry seed of sins. These words would hurt all the best evangelistic initiatives. But the good word edifies people and reveals our good intentions.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Fruit that lasts, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 28, 2022, 04:08:21 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 29, 2022, 04:09:03 AM

346. Evangelization doesn't tire

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Isaiah thought to himself:
"I thought I had toiled in vain, and for nothing, uselessly, spent my strength." Isaiah, chapter 49, verse 4a

It would not be surprising that many faith people have this thought someday during their life: "I uselessly spent my strength."

Of course, sometimes we're exhausted, sometimes we feel like going in circles. And even sometimes we run everywhere, in all directions, and we lose time. These are opportunities to learn how to properly manage our efforts and the time we're allowed.

It's important to ask whether Jesus was evangelizing with us, or whether we were all alone. Were we thinking of getting everyone to convert to Jesus, for example, but trying too hard to convert and not enough to unite ourselves to Christ who is the only one who can convert people? Have we placed our trust in Jesus or tried to do his work?

God thinks differently. Isaiah reflects on what God says to him:
"You are my servant, he said to me, Israel, through whom I show my glory." Isaiah, chapter 49, verse 3

It's very sweet to the ears: "through whom I show my glory". God passes in us.
It would be important to give ourselves time to meditate and return to the importance of Jesus in our lives, so that Jesus has plenty of room to touch the hearts of those around us. Only Jesus converts.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Fruit that lasts, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 29, 2022, 04:13:35 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 30, 2022, 04:35:30 AM

347. Free for Jesus

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Paul seems to be proposing a wise phrase to free us from tension and its consequences and keep us in peace as much as possible. By not having too many worries, we will also be freer to walk and follow Jesus:
"The world in its present form is passing away." 1 Corinthians, chapter 7, verse 31

Time passes, our existence on earth passes. All we currently have is going to stay here. May nothing hold us back, may nothing disturb us.

Sometimes we create our difficulties searching for what we cannot get. But, let's trust in Jesus. All the relationships we have built with people will remain. The love shared and received remains. Let's be happy as we are, with the Trinity. To be happy in God keeps us in reality.

We may have been hurt during our existence, but our existence is not an injury, it's a person. A person Loved by God. A person who, in the present, adjusts to the will and joy of God. Evil and suffering last only in time, our life in God is eternal.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Fruit that lasts, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 30, 2022, 04:37:09 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 31, 2022, 03:41:24 AM

348. Return to Jesus

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We have a good example when Jesus says, "woe to you". He doesn't make a judgment saying that the person will be unhappy, he rather reveals truth. He knows what remoteness from the Love of God produces:
"But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. But woe to you who are filled now, for you will be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will grieve and weep." Luc, chapter 6, verses 24 to 25

He observes that the person who moves away from the good, the beautiful, the true, the Love of God, becomes unhappy. He becomes unhappy in evil. He's unhappy and he loses his joy. He becomes unhappy, scared. Finally, fear takes over. This fear isn't of God, but the result of a distance from him.

Let's always receive God's joy, let's return to Jesus, in order to remain happy, in spite of the pains and the temporary difficulties of existence.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Fruit that lasts, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 31, 2022, 03:42:17 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 01, 2022, 05:17:39 AM

349. Let's go !

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Jesus invites the disciples:
"Let us cross to the other side." Mark, Chapter 4, verse 35

The Apostles are on a boat and Jesus offers them to continue rowing, not to look back. This is normal, since Jesus wants to evangelize new people who will be on the other side, people whom the Apostles probably don't know.

He invites them to row once more to join the people. And he will invite them down from their boat to walk in the crowd. It's as if he's telling the Church right now, to us, to dare to go to others, to welcome them and to talk to them about values until we are comfortable talking about the faith. Let's descend from our established security and move together, in a common project of faith, to people thirsty for God's Love.

The security we have will be transformed into new means and they will help us to remain confident while we learn to evangelize. The experience gained will help to organize the foundation of the testimony we'll bring to the people.

We cannot talk about faith all of a sudden to a person we don't know, but we can listen and detect in him where he is at in faith. We can go one step further with each person we meet. A little word there, a little phrase here of peace and joy. We can help a person to improve their faith little by little.

It would be interesting, when we go to our home church and when we meet other people from our parish, to ask, "How is your faith doing?" This could involve in sharing the discoveries and learning of the faith. It would help us to get used to talking about it to each other.

Even without questioning, for people who are not in church, it would help us to dare to discover more where their faith is at, just listening to them. We can pray Jesus to join them where there is a fault, the one that prevents them from converting to Jesus. Jesus knows where the fault is. May he take care of it.

Also, we can discover in a person in church or not, that his greatest quality of faith is in his joy, the love he has for others, how he receives them. We can tell him that what he does touches us. He would discover that he has talents from God.

By recognizing and encouraging an aspect of faith in people who are far from church, we allow them to discover that they have qualities. This will bring them to be more aware.

This will replace the traditional: "I like your hair, I like your dress, or your coat and your shoes". We can change this simple habit and talk about the values we discover. By "crossing to the other bank", let's let people know that we are aware of their personal values. This will create an evolution in our parish and it will spread in neighboring parishes.

Then, when we feel the storm, the fear of speaking, we can ask Jesus to lower the wind that rattles us. Jesus will be happy to say:
"Quiet! Be still!" Mark, chapter 4, verse 39

Relax, come back to what's simple. And the wind of our bad habits will calm down. The wind of the Holy Spirit will be revealed in silence and this will allow us to reach people in a renewed way.

May the Spirit renew us in Jesus under the Father's lovingness and we'll do a lot of good to people.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Up! Let's go!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 01, 2022, 05:18:26 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 02, 2022, 04:39:23 AM

350. Values

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Nothing is simpler than what Jesus tells us:
"Of all the nations make disciples, baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." Matthew, chapter 28, verse 19

"Make disciples". It's easy to invite someone to have a drink with us. We can also simply invite people, friends who trust in us to convert and become believers in Jesus Christ. Jesus only asks us that. The attention, the gestures and the words, the listening and the living of faith with the people, it's the mission that Jesus proposes to us.

What is more difficult is to convert ourselves and find ways for people to gradually adhere to Jesus. Today is no different than when Jesus passed on the mission to the Apostles. The world we're in is not very different. People always have the same thirst, the same desire to find meaning in their lives, to discover true Love.

Love, values and the meaning of life are in God and nowhere else.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Up! Let's go!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 02, 2022, 04:41:02 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 03, 2022, 05:04:14 AM

351. God-like

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John tells us:
"Beloved, we are God's children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed. We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is." 1 John, chapter 3, verse 2

We are children of God. Our parents offered us the grace of Baptism and we became children of God.

We grow in faith every day. We come to Mass, we listen to the Word and we live the Eucharist. We are privileged: "We are God's children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed". We know at least that by abiding in God we will freely enter, through the resurrection of the Son, into his Kingdom.

We're always between two realities; God's children and at the same time, we are not yet complete in the faith. Faith allows us to hope in God and to feel his Love in our hearts, but it's not complete for us simply because we're not fully restored. We hope, however, to experience the fullness of Love in God.

We want to be totally transformed into God. Some people are quickly transformed and others are transformed gradually, according to the rhythm of each person. We are never stationary when we walk with others in the Church.

Sometimes people are already saints, but it's because they dare a conversion of each day strongly supported on the graces received at their baptism.

The more we find ways to walk with Jesus, the more our lives are transformed, often without our knowledge. We have everything in us to become saints. We have everything in ourselves to follow Jesus indefinitely. The more we are with him, the more we are connected to the essence of existence.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Up! Let's go!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 03, 2022, 05:05:40 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 04, 2022, 04:39:11 AM

352. Jesus is real food

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Jesus confirms to us that he is God:
"I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." John, chapter 10, verse 11

Jesus is the true Shepherd. We have no other shepherd than Jesus. Yes, there are people in the Church who help as shepherds, who help in conversion and keep the flock together to lead it to fresh pastures.

But Jesus alone gives real food. Jesus is also the only one who gave his life for us, who saves us and guarantees eternal life.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Up! Let's go!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 04, 2022, 04:41:06 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 05, 2022, 04:31:31 AM

353. To be released

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Jesus says that we are not the only ones to be saved:
"I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd." John, chapter 10, verse 16

People follow Jesus without knowing it and Jesus welcomes them as they are. As christians, we're invited to seek, with Jesus, the people who don't seem from his enclosure, to encourage them to follow and talk to them about his Love.

Too many people today live in fear and rejection, violence in many forms. Let's pray for these people to be released from the tormentors of violence, scorn, hatred.

Let's pray also for the violent and unhappy people to become converted and models of faith, love and peace. May their hearts be healed from the injustices they also experienced in their childhood.

Let's continue to evangelize them with values, joy, hope, peace. Because these values are worth more than gold. The presence of Jesus in a life is worth more than anything.

Happy are we to know that Jesus is in our life! Let's pray for Jesus' presence to spread in the world. Joy will grow in us each time we present to the Trinity a person interested in adhering to his Love.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Up! Let's go!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 05, 2022, 04:32:13 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 06, 2022, 04:51:22 AM

354. Hopefully

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Paul speaks of Abraham's faith:
"He believed, hoping against hope, that he would become 'the father of many nations,' according to what was said, 'Thus shall your descendants be.'" Romans, chapter 4, verse 18

We know about the mission of Abraham and the promise of God to give him many descendants. Now let's imagine that we're evangelizing and that many people are converting to Jesus Christ. We too will have many descendants.

For this, we must carry on, let ourselves be lifted up by the Spirit and set to work. We must accept to evangelize if we want God to give us strength. It's when we are in motion that we receive God's graces. Otherwise we'll not discover the missionary grace that God offers us.

We may have the grace to pray. The grace of the missionary is also to be discovered, to remove the cover of what closes and freezes us to receive all the graces of evangelization.

"Hoping against all hope," Abraham believed. Let's imagine if we believe it too, the spiritual descendants we'll have, and the grace we'll live every day! We too can, we too must hope.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Up! Let's go!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 06, 2022, 04:52:14 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 07, 2022, 03:34:40 AM

355. A happy exchange

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Jesus reminds us of what the grace of evangelization confers on us:
"Everyone who acknowledges me before others the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God." Luke, chapter 12, verse 8

We will enter into a happy exchange, between us and the Trinity, then between us and the people on the road.

We invite our families and friends to come for coffee, a meal, shop, play, practice recreation and sports, we can also invite people to a mass, to a teaching of faith, to an evening of prayer.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Up! Let's go!, Normand Thomas

Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 08, 2022, 04:51:53 AM

356. Let's sow peace

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Jesus said to the disciples and Apostles:
"As you enter a house, wish it peace. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; if not, let your peace return to you." Matthew, chapter 10, verses 12 to 13

This affirmation of Jesus, "Let your peace return to you," is twice comforting and once disappointing.

It's twice comforting because it guarantees us that the peace we offer will bring Jesus's peace to the person who receives it. It's nice to know that when we do good, it transforms people. This brings us joy and that's the second comforting.

Peace, joy, hope, love and the other goods that God offers are free and they are to share with great deployment. The world is improving day by day with those graces received from God.

What is disappointing is that it's possible that people do not want it. Hard to believe that a person would refuse God's graces. But that seems possible. We will find it painful for this person.

The grace of God will not be lost since it's already there. If what we offer comes from God and not from us, and if the person refuses the graces, we're sure not to lose peace. It's a sign that we're working with Jesus and not for our own sake to add a number of conversions to our acquisition rather than giving to the person their freedom and responsibility to choose. God leaves him his freedom and his responsibility, we must also leave it to him.

Let's pray for him and give him to Jesus. Let's continue the road with the Trinity in search of interested souls who ask for a little push, a small encouragement of sweetness and accompaniment.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Up! Let's go!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 09, 2022, 05:47:56 AM

357. Implementation of the mission

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The saints sometimes had to leave a lot, they had to deprive themselves of the "well-being" that they had acquired and they started following Jesus. They agree to let their person be formed, to change their rules of conduct. They let themselves be led by Jesus. They remain the same, but they improve inside, when they accept the Lord's presence. From the outside, we will be able to perceive the light of God, especially in their eyes.

Some will say that they let themselves be led by the ear. With God, this is never the case. When the saints follow Love, it's easy to be attracted and to adhere freely. They follow the Shepherd to the enclosure of peace. Paul states:
"I, then, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace". Ephesians, chapter 4, verses 1 to 3

Let's place our interests in something lasting, in the Heart of Jesus. Let's set ourselves the task of bringing our interest received from the Lord to as many people as possible, so that our heavenly bank-building spiritual capital increases.

The more we find people who walk and pray with us, the more we'll increase our chances of remaining firmly anchored in Christ. Let's evangelize to receive from God and receive from others and evangelize ... again.

The evangelists realized their evangelization by writing, painters by painting. And us? What will be the defect that we can transform or the quality, by the grace of God, which will be used as a springboard of holiness for us and for our neighbor?

May we offer our failings to Jesus and he will come and have a meal with us. He will then entrust us with the grace to watch over his flock.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Up! Let's go!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 09, 2022, 05:50:13 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 10, 2022, 04:50:41 AM

358. The best possible intentions

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The first condition for the evangelizer, after a sincere encounter with Christ, is to put one step in front of the other and to go forward, to place one word after the other, in the best possible intentions, and to share them is to use one's arms and legs, one's heart to reach and embrace the hearts of others.

The idea here is crystal clear. This sentence of Paul is a reminder of his meeting with the Lord and the precise moment when he decided to train for the mission and to evangelize: "The Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the proclamation might be completed and all the Gentiles might hear it".

We're invited to the same evangelization as Paul, by who we are and where we are. It takes "me", "us", with the evangelizers, with Jesus.

The Holy Spirit promises to help us, after our agreement and the decision to walk, to offer us his strength to proclaim the Gospel everywhere and "all the Gentiles might hear it". It's major. The decision to evangelize allows God's action to unfold within us and to assist us. We will observe and feel the difference.

The decision to evangelize will prepare us to receive what we need for the journey of evangelization. Let's be evangelized by God, then let him evangelize from our heart.

Let's feel what is said here:
"Lord, I am your servant, the child of your maidservant; you have loosed my bonds. I will offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people, in the courts of the house of the Lord, in your midst, O Jerusalem. Hallelujah!" Psalm 116, verses 16 to 19

In the church and in the world, I will give thanks to the Lord by telling his wonders. Let's become servants of the Word of God and let's go, and evangelize!

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Up! Let's go!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 10, 2022, 04:51:19 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 11, 2022, 05:24:30 AM

359. As sweet as lambs

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The setting in motion to evangelize will become strength and salvation of God, with God.

Jesus tells us to pray:
"The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest." Luke, chapter 10, verse 2

The two quotes are one. Let's pray to the Trinity and act. Since the following sentence is:
"Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves." Luke, chapter 10, verse 3

We seem to have nothing at first, but we have the Lord; we have everything. Let's not be afraid to challenge gently, with respect and charity and many wolves will become as sweet as lambs again.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Up! Let's go!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 11, 2022, 05:25:41 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 12, 2022, 05:04:47 AM

360. The effects of grace

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Paul informs us:
"Working together, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain." 2 Corinthians, chapter 6, verse 1

It's never a waste of time to spend time with God, especially if we know how to discover Jesus and recognize the manifestations of God's Love in the hearts of others. The grace of God is found in a contact with other people.

The most beautiful mission is the works with God. We sometimes think that spending time with God keeps us away from precious time with our family. But, we can easily unite both. This will improve the lives of everyone in the family without adding pressure. It's possible to always live with God, whatever we do.

Our journey will be filled with wisdom and meaning.

Every moment of our life can be transformed into thanksgiving when God is present in our activities, as in restful moments. Our entire life can bear witness to the presence of God.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Up! Let's go!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 12, 2022, 05:07:04 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 13, 2022, 04:41:19 AM

361. Naturally

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A testimony isn't only when we tell about our conversion, but also when we live naturally with Jesus. This is what Jesus proposes in his speech on the mountain:
"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil.'" Matthew, chapter 5, verses 38 to 39

Often, our attitude testifies to the presence of Christ in us. We try our best not to react to hatred by hate, evil by evil. By not responding to evil with evil, we will help people to walk in faith.

May the Lord, through his Word, continue to be, with our agreement, the light that guides our steps and illuminates the road.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Up! Let's go!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 13, 2022, 04:42:01 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 14, 2022, 04:35:32 AM

362. The different intersections

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Paul is familiar with us, he is also a brother in faith with Titus, so much so that he confides freely, simply. He tells him and to us too:
"He [God] revealed his word in the proclamation with which I was entrusted by the command of God our saviour." Titus, chapter 1, verse 3

Paul mentions to Titus the proclamation of the Gospel entrusted to him. The mission, lived faith, begins with the meditation of the Word and then with the Eucharist. The mission is transformed into evangelization by shared faith, by the invitation to share at the crossroad.

The crossroad is the place of the encounter of faith with another believer or not. This crossroad encounter of faith is where we meet a person and we share faith spontaneously, without waiting in return. We sow. Then we leave it up to the Lord to continue to increase faith in the person we met.

This doesn't necessarily mean the crossroad on street corners, though the idea is good, but also the crossroad of our families, our friends, at the crossroad with people in class, at work or in leisure time, in other parts of the city, everywhere and for all.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 14, 2022, 04:36:29 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 15, 2022, 04:59:35 AM

363. Let's listen with charity

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When we walk, we notice that there's always somewhere, often when we don't expect it, a person who challenges us with a disconcerting question. Our first reaction would be to turn our defences on.

If these are people we meet again and, for the moment, we have no answer to their question, we can say, "I hear your question and will come back to you about it later." It can take a week, a month, six months, but when we have the answer of a competent person, we can come back with an answer.

For example, someone tells us, "Why go to church?" Instead of highlighting defensive responses, let's take time to think about it, find an answer, and then come back with the person. His question, he will have it again. The listening and the welcome that we realize is a mission. The answer we give, if it's appropriate and can allow the person to walk, is evangelization.

May Jesus increase in us the faith to the point of becoming like trees letting themselves be rocked by the wind and let go their fruits. Let's offer the fruits of faith at the crossroad of those who gather them.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 15, 2022, 05:01:51 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 16, 2022, 04:56:08 AM

364. Encourage the effort

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Paul meets us at the crossroad:
"We give thanks to God always for all of you, remembering you in our prayers, unceasingly calling to mind your work of faith and labour of love and endurance in hope of our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father." 1 Thessalonians, chapter 1, verses 2 to 3

There's every reason to give thanks to God for those who persevere in the effort to walk in the faith. Then Paul reminds us to pray for one another. He sees that faith is growing. We could also say, "Our charity gives itself joy!" Even better.

"The charity that we receive from God and that we share, fills us and others with joy!"

Our faith is active. This movement becomes more and more contagious. May charity unfold at the crossroad where there's a meeting with each person, always in the joy of sharing the faith.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 16, 2022, 04:58:17 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 17, 2022, 04:50:53 AM

365. It could look like this

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Jesus seems to be more severe than Paul, when he speaks to some people:
"Woe to you, scribes and pharisees, you hypocrites. You lock the kingdom of heaven before human beings." Matthew, chapter 23, verse 13

Jesus doesn't say, "I will make you unhappy," but if we follow his reasoning well, it could look like this: "You will become unhappy, since you do not open your heart to the presence of God and for that reason you don't allow others to go through the door of the Kingdom of Heaven. You don't offer them an opening, you do not allow them to feed themselves. They are waiting at the door and you're not talking about Jesus, the Love of God, the importance of being united to the Trinity."

Let's continue to let Jesus enter our hearts so that he can touch the hearts of others. May Jesus pass totally into our lives, then into the heart of who seeks him.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 17, 2022, 04:52:25 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 18, 2022, 04:39:19 AM

366. My beloved

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My dear child, this is how Paul calls his disciple Timothy:
"My dear child." 2 Timothy, chapter 1, verse 2a

Paul wishes him all the best:
"To Timothy, my dear child: grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord." 2 Timothy, chapter 1, verse 2

Isn't this what the Holy Spirit tells us?

In families, there are often these tender words between a parent and his child and between a child and his parents. It's also true between friends. The words that come from the heart are a retransmission of the good received from God.

As for Timothy, after a disciple has well learned and is supported in the knowledge of the realities of heaven and lives a personal relationship with Jesus, he is sent, he becomes an evangelizer:
"Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves. Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way." Luke, chapter 10, verses 3 to 4

"Lambs among wolves" means that we must be well prepared to become true missionaries. Lambs yes, but lambs that already have some experience.

Jesus does not send anybody. They are people who are already following him, studying what he teaches, people who are aware of the reality of others living in their environment. They are people who are walking the mission long enough that they develop the desire to evangelize.

May the Lord prepare us to join the people in respect and charity, outside the walls of our church and, of course, in the parish churches.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 18, 2022, 04:40:20 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 19, 2022, 04:41:29 AM

367. Sheep < Jesus > wolves

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Jesus said to those who want to evangelize: "Behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves."

As a first impression, it doesn't seem very comforting. Why would Jesus send us among the wolves, like sheep who have no defences? Yet the image is very strong.

We must then discern of what sheep are unable to do. When sheep are in the pen, everything is fine, but a rancher would not send his animals among the wolves.

Jesus warns us and invites us to prudence and discernment. It's as if he tells us to take some time, reflect, get used to observing the world we are in for to react and respond well to people who are on the same road as us.

But beyond all the precautions that we can give ourselves to properly embark on a mission, it's vital that Jesus be first in front of us. Jesus must be the centre, the summit, and the foundation of all that we are called to do in the world. Jesus must be in the centre, between the sheep and the wolf. Us (sheep) < Jesus > wolf.

Jesus is our protection if we pray, if we evangelize with him, if we leave him room to touch hearts. Every mission begins with Jesus, is realized and continues with Jesus.

All that we can learn from Jesus and all the means that Jesus offers us are major for a mission worthy of a child of God, of a disciple who is like a sheep sent among today's wolves. Let's trust in Jesus and dare to take the path with him for the glory of God and the salvation of the world.

However, if we move away from Jesus, we give a hold to the wolves of this world; drugs, divination, possessions, etc. Moreover, all that we try to regulate, to possess, to manipulate, to destroy by ourselves, are the wolves who watch for us as soon as we leave the enclosure of the one who watches over us.

And even worse, we'll go and say that it's Jesus's fault that he isn't with us. As soon as this thought arises in us, let's take it as an important signal. It's time to turn away from evil and come back to Jesus. Let's get back quickly and let's love again. May we let go of all that holds us back and all we want to do without him. Let's let Jesus defend us. He is the only one who can protect and save us.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 19, 2022, 04:42:16 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 20, 2022, 05:01:52 AM

368. Remoteness

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Sometimes we move, we go elsewhere. Let's continue to follow Jesus and feel the need to join some new people, humbly. This is an opportunity to evangelize a new territory.

Let's be more motivated to proclaim that Jesus is Lord:
"The news about them reached the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas (to go) to Antioch. When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced and encouraged them all to remain faithful to the Lord in firmness of heart, for he was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith. And a large number of people was added to the Lord." Acts, chapter 11, verses 22 to 24
Jesus reminds us to attach ourselves to him:
"My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me." John, chapter 10, verse 27

Jesus's sheep follow him. Where we have both feet, we can follow Jesus. It's simple. The sheep who listen to Jesus's voice becomes people who transmit their voice, so that the world may know and be guided by it. It's the greatest of missions, to receive the voice of Jesus and to proclaim it. May we follow Jesus's way and send faith waves out. To know the truth of Jesus and to help others discover it.

Another reason for receiving the voice of Jesus is that it transforms us from within. Jesus's voice whom we welcome gives us peace and joy. His voice supports us in the most difficult moments of existence.

When we welcome Jesus's voice, he unites us to him. And as Barnabas rejoiced over the members of the community, Jesus rejoices with us, since he recognizes his presence in us.

Mary is the best person who received Jesus in her, Word, flesh and royalty of Jesus. Let's carry Jesus in us and share his joy.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 20, 2022, 05:02:37 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 21, 2022, 04:23:26 AM

369. Let's love the Word

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If there's a time in the history of the Church where evangelization is the most difficult and that the challenge is great, it's when Paul and the Apostles begin to evangelize. They are determined to transmit the Good News.

In the book of Acts, they feel the joy of small daily achievements:
"The word of God continued to spread and grow." Acts, chapter 12, verse 24
And:
"There were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers." Acts, chapter 13, verse 1

Two important points. When the Word of God is transmitted, it fecundates the hearts and multiplies vocations and members in the Church.

Then, what is prerequisite for the Word to be shared, people need to teach it. Today, too, it's important that people share the word and invite others to share it. The more the Word of God is known and Loved, the more it will connect from heart to heart.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 21, 2022, 04:25:41 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 22, 2022, 04:51:04 AM

370. Jesus saves

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Jesus tells us:
"If anyone hears my words and does not observe them, I do not condemn him, for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world." John, chapter 12, verse 47

It may be that a person does not adhere to the Word of Jesus. This is a pity, since the Word of Jesus is Spirit and Life. Jesus makes it clear that he did not come to judge people, but to save them.

It means that each person has to decide himself to follow Jesus or not.
Jesus does not condemn, he does not judge, it's the person who will judge of his response to God. But it's nevertheless strange that a person, knowingly, would refuse God's Love.

We are invited to pray for all people in the world who do not yet know the Lord.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 22, 2022, 04:51:52 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 23, 2022, 04:39:46 AM

371. Over the right side

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The Apostles are on a mission. They become even dizzying for Temple officials:
"They were disturbed that they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead." Acts, chapter 4, verse 2

The Apostles understood very well what Jesus asked of them. Go everywhere and announce the Good News.

Moreover, Temple officials did not like the healings that were happening. They feared that this Good News might be the cause of the increase in the Christian population.

They try to prevent the spread of Christians as one would try to prevent Love from reaching the heart. But it's impossible. They question Peter and John:
"They bring them into their presence and question them, "By what power or by what name have you done this?" Acts, chapter 4, verse 7
Peter answers:
"In the name of Jesus." Acts, chapter 4, verse 10

Once again, these questions offer enlightening answers. Jesus is dead, but he is very alive. It's normal for him to be in the heart and in the faith of the Apostles.
The Apostles may think at this moment of this spoken Word by Jesus:
"'Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something.' So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the number of fish." John, chapter 21, verse 6

Continuing to evangelize and heal hearts in the name of Jesus is the way to bring Christians together and increase their number.

Jesus invites us to the same mission. We are filled with the presence of God and Jesus encourages us to spread his good news.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 23, 2022, 04:42:12 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 24, 2022, 04:24:05 AM
372. In the world and in the Church

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We are really in two different worlds. On one hand, there's the social world by which we share our everyday reality. And on the other side, there's the world of faith in Jesus Christ. It shakes and adjusts everything we say and do.

We struggle to create a balance between these two worlds. But it's necessary to adjust to what is natural to the human being and to the reality of eternal life, in the Trinity.

Isaiah sees what God does in us:
"A nation of firm purpose you keep in peace; in peace, for its trust in you." Isaiah, chapter 26, verse 3

Placing our life in God brings us peace in the social world and trust in God in the hearts of the faithful of the Church.

When we are in the social world and keep our heart united to God, he assures us of his peace. His peace is transmitted in the invisible. If we do not feel this peace, let's ask ourselves if we bring God to the heart of our human relationships.

This peace will be felt more in the Church, since every person is looking for it. But it's also possible that in the Church, people are not at peace. Fortunately, they are in the right place to acquire some more.

A person will say, "I do not go to church, because there are people there who, coming out, talk in the backs of others, against others!" Let's think about it, it's good that they go to Mass! Imagine if they didn't go. Or rather, do not imagine, it might seem worse. They know they are not perfect. They can thus walk and progress gradually toward peace, thanks to the teachings they receive in Church.

Then Isaiah concludes by saying:
"Trust in the Lord forever! For the Lord is an eternal Rock." Isaiah, chapter 26, verse 4

Whether we are in the world or in Church, let's put our trust in God that he will transform our hearts, then of people.

Let's ask the Holy Spirit to be in all our relationships, in each of our meetings, and our city will be built on rock. Let's ask him every day:
"Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock." Matthew, chapter 7, verse 24

Let's build with Jesus. Let's ask Jesus, every day, to be active in our heart, then to the hearts of those we meet.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 24, 2022, 04:25:02 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 25, 2022, 05:50:04 AM

373. The gospel of the Lord

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Paul confirms that the gospel and salvation of Jesus Christ is unique:
"The gospel preached by me is not of human origin." Galatians, chapter 1, verse 11

Nobody thought of such a revelation. No one has been able to imagine or invent all that is proclaimed in the Gospels. Nobody except God.

Nobody can replace Jesus. We are poor of Jesus if we don't accept him, as he is, in our life. And we become poor in Jesus when we leave what is useless to embark with him on the great adventure of God and man.

That's why Paul says:
"I did not receive it from a human being, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ." Galatians, chapter 1, verse 12

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Caring for our poverties, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 25, 2022, 05:52:41 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 26, 2022, 04:12:13 AM

374. Reinforced concrete

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Everybody's own is to find God and to hold onto God as the most precious good. But other people escape the real mission to which they should hold on to. They will be very imaginative to get away from the mission by all sorts of means, for fear of being hurt, for fear of the unknown.

To speak negatively against others, to leave good habits, basic habits, to abandon prayer, the commitment in faith to serve others, even in what is simplest and here they are in a turning away from God. There are also those who cannot discern good deeds while asking for evidence from others.

Today, how often do we see truths being completely twisted by negligence or interest? They go so far as to treat truth as criminal. These people prefer to eliminate others from their lives as long as they are right, they get what they want and they do not lose their solid, concrete reputation. They only have barbed concrete left.

They abandon their good behaviour, stick to their wall filled of personal achievements, display their deceptive advertisements, their extinguished fame. Then, they come to believe that others are not on the right track, because they're different. Their perfection becomes reinforced concrete.

Each person is free to do what they want with its harmful consequences or helpful realizations. Turning to evil leads to evil. And evil leads to death. Let's lead the way back to Jesus. He's there waiting. Love leads to Love and Life.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Caring for our poverties, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 26, 2022, 04:13:13 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 27, 2022, 05:00:09 AM

375. Let's find our heart

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How difficult it is for us to find time to look at ourselves, to observe what needs to be improved to follow Jesus on the only necessary path, the way of our salvation, the way to eternal life.

Maybe others do not see it, but God sees everything. Even Jesus, people thought he was a liar, because he was following the true path, and they crucified him.

Let's return to the Rosary with all our heart, return to prayer. Let's increase our meetings with the Lord, Mass, teachings, to all that is vital and true to guarantee us not to freeze up like ice.

Let's not look at what others are doing or not, and if we see any flaws let's give them back to Jesus. Let's not make the situation worse by reacting or talking about it to others to speak ill and insult. Then let's continue our journey in faith, with Mary, for a more beautiful, truer, more real, more just and more fraternal world. Jesus is with us.

It's good to know when to stop and observe what our personal strengths are, to make them useful for the kingdom of God on earth. To take care of ourselves in the faith, to take care of others by the commitment of our faith, is to realize Jesus's will.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Caring for our poverties, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 27, 2022, 05:00:43 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 28, 2022, 04:28:01 AM

376. Let's catch the just

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The unjust ones say:
"Let us beset the just one, because he is obnoxious to us; he sets himself against our doings, reproaches us for transgressions of the law and charges us with violations of our training." Wisdom, chapter 2, verse 12

There are people who do not see how just some are. They may have difficulty discerning between good and bad and then they will have difficulty discovering the good, the real and what's true in people.

Often they are people who are afraid of being hurt again, or they think everyone resents them. Often they are people who are proud and manage the lives of others. Basically, they don't know how to find peace in their own hearts. They place their fears on people around them.

We are invited to be charitable and pray for them.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Caring for our poverties, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 28, 2022, 04:28:37 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 29, 2022, 05:05:21 AM

377. The Just is repulsed

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It's a shame to be at this point to want to surprise the just, to want to test honest people. It's known, we have some fears about new people we still don't know.

The righteous disturb them because they do not follow the easiest way. When they walk on a path, they always invite the Presence of God with them. And when there is the Presence of God, they can feel the resistances, the significant distances of the grace of God from others.

The just will be repulsed, he will be reproached, he will be despised, trapped and accused. This is also what happens with Jesus:
"Jesus cried out in the temple area as he was teaching and said, 'You know me and also know where I am from. Yet I did not come on my own, but the one who sent me, whom you do not know, is true. I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me.'" John, chapter 7, verses 28 to 29

And they do not want to get their hands on Jesus, because the world would see them. They know they are wrong with their false thoughts about him. They prefer to wait until it's dark to stop him. At night, it's hard for people to know who they are stopping. But later, it will be easy to accuse him with unfair lies.

Everything is randomly engineered to skew about Jesus.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Caring for our poverties, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 29, 2022, 05:06:05 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 30, 2022, 04:17:18 AM

378. Denounce evil

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It would seem that the Lord is asking to denounce the faults as it is written here:
"Cry out full-throated and unsparingly, lift up your voice like a trumpet blast; Tell my people their wickedness, and the house of Jacob their sins." Isaiah, chapter 58, verse 1

If we start doing this, we risk disappointments. This text is nearly three thousand years old.

In the generation we are in, it would be difficult to begin to shout sins out to everyone. In a group, we can still talk about sin in general, and let people self-observe.

On the other hand, it seems easy for many people to tell their sins in the media. It may be good for these people, but the publicly announced evil can become a trampoline where others will develop bad habits. For, the announcement of sins in the public square gives evil ideas to other ill-intentioned people.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Caring for our poverties, Normand Thomas

Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 30, 2022, 04:18:02 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 31, 2022, 04:55:04 AM

379. Why Lord?

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Far from publicly denouncing personal mistakes, it would be nice to invite people to let themselves be Loved by God. Real Love is a reality rarely recognized today. The Love of God allows the person himself to discover his faults. The light illuminates the life of the person and reveals the dens of evil.
Then the people of Israel say this:
"Why do we fast, and you do not see it? afflict ourselves, and you take no note of it?" Isaiah, chapter 58, verse 3

We could add: When we pray, why don't you hear it? Because we don't fast for God or for others, but we fast for ourselves. It's good to fast, to pray and to do penance for us, but most of all this must lead to thinking about the world in general. If people around the world improve, we are progressing.

God always hears us, but we're not always watchful to the presence of God with us.

We have thousands of distractions that keep us away from the goal, from our relationship with God. However, everything we do to bring ourselves closer to God transforms us for the better.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Caring for our poverties, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 31, 2022, 04:55:47 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 01, 2022, 04:44:44 AM

380. Slaves of the Gospel

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Paul is an artist of the good evolution. He gave a new meaning to the word "slave". Let's read:
"as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, willingly serving the Lord and not human beings." Ephesians, chapter 6, verses 6 to 7

Instead of associating the word "slave" with forced submission, Paul introduces it to a higher level of goodness.

Jesus washed the feet of his Apostles like a slave. And Paul understood it in that sense. With all our hearts, let's freely become servants (slaves) of our neighbour for the glory of God and the salvation of the world.

Let's work voluntarily for the sole purpose that souls turn from their ways of destruction and take the path of faith following Jesus Christ.

Let's take the opportunity to be with the weakest of us, in all dimensions of their poverty, to practise our relationship with Jesus. Perhaps we'll discover that we are the weakest. Let's restore the dignity that belongs to every person.

Let's ask God to open our hearts and to lay down his Love. Let's become slaves of the Love of God, in the good sense of the word. Let's be constantly generated and generous by Love.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Caring for our poverties, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 01, 2022, 04:46:24 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 02, 2022, 03:16:21 AM

381. Jesus opens the book

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When Jesus opens the book in the synagogue, he reads the passage that is the reality of God's Love for all:
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord." Luke, chapter 4, verses 18 to 19

"'Today,' says Jesus, 'it is today that it is fulfilled'". Luke, chapter 4, verse 21

Love gives freedom when our freedom is connected to God now, every morning, every day, every moment. This Word is the Love of God for all his creatures and for his creation. Let's meditate on the graces of the Trinity that we received during our life.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Caring for our poverties, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 02, 2022, 03:16:50 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 03, 2022, 03:59:16 AM

382. Poverty

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The poor have many faces. The rich are poor of something. People who are in the middle class are poor of something. The poor also lack something.

Jesus called Matthew who did not seem poor. He joined him in front of a counter of one of the riches of the country. The fishermen, Peter and Andrew, John and James, were also rich because fishing was a necessary food for families.

What was their poverty then? At the beginning of their mission with Jesus, they all lacked a real and meaningful experience with him. Now, they live the grace of being on the road and following Jesus. Jesus chose them for the mission.
We are all poor of Jesus. We need to live a personal relationship with him.

Real poverty touches every person in their deepest being. If we don't have Jesus, we are really poor. If we do not live on God's Love, we are very poor.

What is true wealth? True wealth isn't found in what we usually have. What we have isn't all we have.

True wealth is in the heart of the human being. True wealth is when we are in communion with God and his will, who is in our life. God is in our heart. It's what's necessary and we already have it. The Trinity nourishes the soul.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Caring for our poverties, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 03, 2022, 04:00:43 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 04, 2022, 04:31:08 AM

383. Who is poor?

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Who are the poor in the Church? Whom should we give to? And most importantly, what do we have to offer?

James allows us to think about it. He talks about what he sees in his time:
"You pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say, 'Sit here, please,' while you say to the poor one, 'Stand there,' or 'Sit at my feet.'" James, chapter 2, verse 3

There should always be a constant concern for the poor and the poverty of these people would be almost non-existent. It takes a little discernment and charity to help them. Helping a poor person takes a little time. Valuing it can lead to being much better in society.

But also, some poorly-minded people are causing further poverty to other poor people. They use what is sent to the poor to provide themselves with wealth. Although rarer, there are some who stockpile money, live in well-off apartments, do not work and benefit from others, who are poorer.

This may seem simple, but in practice it isn't guaranteed to be continually close to the poorest. Or we do not know how to join them or we have few human resources when we take care of them, one person at a time. The task may seem too broad.

We can take them to centres where people can really take care of them and give them some dignity. These people would do them good. That said, if we don't feel the ability to help them. We are, nevertheless, called to remain attentive to them.

If not, let's learn and lead others to Jesus who will develop the charism of charity for these particular people.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Caring for our poverties, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 04, 2022, 04:31:36 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 05, 2022, 04:35:17 AM

384. Other forms of poverty

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There are many other kinds of poverty in the world, such as the lack of true spirituality, the refusal to let God Love us, the ego, the sadness and many other issues that keep the human being subjected to thousands of closures and traps.

Jesus knows the greatest poverty that human beings can suffer; the refusal of God, to believe that God is lying and go so far as to eliminate the Loving God from their lives. The greatest poverty that exists is to not welcome God into one's life.

Let's notice that if all the people in the churches of the whole world lead charitably one person to Jesus, one day everybody would be in the service of the neighbour and that would engage them on the way reserved for them.

Let's accept to follow Jesus, let him cleanse us and transform us. Let's find ways to increase our faith and invite people to follow Jesus.

Jesus will do the work in their hearts. It will transform their hearts and these people will be freed from intoxication, from their wounds and their closures. They will be with Love, with Jesus.

To follow Jesus sincerely, allows his Love to develop as a gift in us, to be unpacked around us.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Caring for our poverties, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 05, 2022, 04:36:13 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 06, 2022, 04:10:23 AM

385. Sweet and bitter

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Why:
"Why do you let me see ruin; why must I look at misery?" Habakkuk, chapter 1, verse 3

This question is on the lips of the majority, if not all humans of all time. Well yes, Lord, why do we see all these injustices, this evil, and the innocent ones dying? Why don't you do anything?

It's quite normal to have this question, not to be satisfied with what we see, hear, of distress, fears, anxieties when there should be plenty of opportunities, chances, achievements, but these opportunities are lost and too often annihilated. We are quite normal to question this way: "Why Lord?"

It's because we become more and more prophets and christians. We become a little more like the Lord when we realize that the reality of our world isn't as he wishes.

God offers his Love, peace, joy, hope and in return we observe, day after day, what destroys these possibilities. These are all the graces received from God that are not lived because they are not welcomed or transmitted.

We're on the right path! The more God gives us the sweet honey of his truth, the more in our belly the taste becomes bitter with what is presented to us in the world. There are people who are becoming aware of the difference between the reality of God and what the world is doing.

It's not necessary to add here negative thoughts to what is wrong in the world. It's high time to bring to the world the graces we receive from God. We have a message of joy, peace, hope, love, etc., to transmit. When our eyes are opened, it is up to us to be missionaries of God and to evangelize the people with his Love.

God does not cause distress in the world, but God is patient and he hopes that the world will convert. God did not create distress. He is Love and he has created humans capable of living from his Love.

God does not drop misery in the world. It is people not listening to his will that causes this misery. God does not make us suffer. These are inhuman acts, by lack of faith, that causes evil to the people, day after day, after day, after day... God never told us to hate, to kill each other. He doesn't push us toward evil. He's not the cause of evil.

It's understandable that we don't understand that God is so good when there's so much evil in the world. It's because God is really good, but humans cover and refuse the goodness of God by turning toward evil. Moving away from God's Love automatically brings evil closer.

The people who are moving away from God's Love and doing evil give us the impression that God wants evil. But in reality and definitely, God is not in the wrong. Evil is incompatible with the reality and the will of God. We still have a lot to ask to the Holy Spirit, so that this world will change its ways and listen to the Trinity.

Fear, anguish does not come from God:
"God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control." 2 Timothy, chapter 1, verse 7

But, does the world welcome what God gives? Do people only bury somewhere in them the Love received from the Lord?

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's evangelize, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 07, 2022, 03:56:00 AM

386. Reflect the glory

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Paul tells us:
"Whenever a person turns to the Lord the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." 2 Corinthians, chapter 3, verses 16 to 17

We have a veil on that keeps us away from Jesus. Paul adds that when we accept conversion, when the veil falls:
"All of us, gazing with unveiled face on the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, as from the Lord who is the Spirit." 2 Corinthians, chapter 3, verse 18

We reflect "the glory of the Lord" more and more by being with him. To reflect the Light, let's store it in us. To reflect on the glory of the Lord, we must receive it. When this glory increases, we're transfigured, as the light covered Jesus during the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor. Carrying this light within us touches the heart of others. We then become full-time prophets.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's evangelize, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 07, 2022, 03:56:54 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 08, 2022, 04:32:40 AM

387. With or without God

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Paul reminds us of a proverb:
"Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully." 2 Corinthians, chapter 9, verse 6

How do we sow too little or how to sow widely? We see that the harvest is tied to the way we sow.

Sowing a sample means that we don't let God go through our lives. And by protecting us from the presence of God, we'll reap little. Our spiritual generosity will increase when we let the grace of God increase in our life.

That said, we could put a lot of effort, make multiple facial expressions to the point of becoming actors, without God or with little relationship with God, and not succeed, eventually.

What to sow? It's time to give God his place. Let's watch him work. Let's work with him to learn from him how to live a blooming life of faith that will yield abundant and quality crops.

If we go there with our own means, we'll build in a vacuum. God invites us to more than that. He invites us to become more converted to him, to his thought, to his action, to his Word. He will build with us and there will be results.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's evangelize, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 08, 2022, 04:33:19 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 09, 2022, 04:15:11 AM

388. Let's be with Jesus

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Jesus says:
"It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you." John, chapter 15, verse 16

Jesus speaks to the people he has chosen. At the same time, these people, just like his Apostles, must also accept Jesus, receive him, as their Lord.

Jesus gives everything to those who ask the Father in his name. When we're with Jesus, we're with the Father. Jesus unites us to his mission and he wants us to be comfortable asking the Father, in the Spirit, everything we need for his mission.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's evangelize, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 09, 2022, 04:15:45 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 10, 2022, 03:55:13 AM

389. With others

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Paul and others are choosing people who can continue the mission of evangelization. Paul met Christ on the road to Damascus and since then he wants the Church to continue what Jesus started in him and in different christian communities. He says:
"We have with one accord decided to choose representatives and to send them to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, who have dedicated their lives to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Acts, chapter 15, verse 26

By dedicating their lives to Jesus, they can ask the Father everything they need to continue the mission.

Let's also ask the Father, through Jesus, to give us the solutions to find other people who have faith and sow together. May faith increase in our parishes and in our hearts.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's evangelize, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 11, 2022, 03:59:23 AM

390. Healthy fruits

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Gamaliel is a man with his mind adjusted to the will of God. It makes one believe that there are good Pharisees, Pharisees who have faith. He's also a doctor of the law. Gamaliel managed to change the idea of the few who wanted to kill the Apostles. He's very enlightened and he says to the Temple officials, concerning them:
"'For if this endeavour or this activity is of human origin, it will destroy itself. But if it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy them; you may even find yourselves fighting against God.' They were persuaded by him." Acts, chapter 5, verses 38b to 39
Gamaliel has what it needs to be holy. And they are wise to be convinced.

Let's not go against God. Let's observe the fruits of those who announce the dead and risen Christ. Gamaliel has grasped how to discern the presence of the Holy Spirit in these missionaries. Let's look at the fruits. If the fruits are related to the will of God, they will be beneficial for all and if the fruits are bad, they will destroy themselves. It's also like this that in the world we can perceive what comes from God from what is not of him. The good is of him, evil isn't.

As Jesus allowed the Apostles and people to see, God is exuberant when it comes to giving his graces and his gifts. Are we ready to receive them?

May the Eucharist be for us our ultimate receiving of graces, then thanksgiving for all the fruits that it will produce in abundance in our life to nourish the people of God and satisfy the hungry, the thirsty.

May the joy of being united to Jesus fill our lives with blessings. May we share them without measure, as the excesses of God who gives without counting. God exceeds all measures.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's evangelize, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 11, 2022, 03:59:56 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 12, 2022, 04:02:08 AM

391. God evangelizes

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God draws our attention:
"Hear me, O coastlands, listen, O distant peoples." Isaiah, chapter 49, verse 1
We have moved away or too far away. God invites all peoples to his table, his sharing, his tenderness, his listening.

Our existence is called to flourish under the grace of the Holy Spirit. To open ourselves to God is to let ourselves be Loved and let God inhabit our existence. The more space we give to the Trinity in the world, the more we'll see God's actions in our lives, and we'll be delighted to see him act in others.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's evangelize, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 13, 2022, 03:28:50 AM

392. God's Presence

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We wish this, as Paul asks:
"We do not cease praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding." Colossians, chapter 1, verse 9b

We want the world to be filled with the holy presence of God. So, continues Paul:
"Live in a manner worthy of the Lord, so as to be fully pleasing, in every good work bearing fruit and growing in the knowledge of God." Colossians, chapter 1, verse 10

That's how we become true christians. Always receive from God, to share with the people around us, helps us to become saints.

When we're alone and we don't ask for God's help, we're fishing in the void. This is what happens when the Apostles don't invite God in their boat.
Jesus says to Peter and to us too:
"Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch." Luke, chapter 5, verse 4

They understand the difference between being alone with lost efforts and being with Jesus, he who multiplies the efforts and whose work becomes as efficient as to tear the nets with so much fish. They will need the help of other fishermen to pick up the fish. We need the faith of others to move forward together and achieve good fishing. It's also important to stop looking at the nets, to only gather around the nets, and just throw them out.

To throw out is to go forward with the Trinity, trusting Jesus. Then we'll have as a result:
"When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing." Luke, chapter 5, verse 4

Jesus shows them that with his grace, the quantity of fish is multiplied. Let's trust in Jesus, when he's in our life, for the evangelization of our environment, where our two feet are.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's evangelize, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 13, 2022, 03:29:26 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 14, 2022, 04:44:15 AM

393. We announce him!

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The mission of evangelization is the summit of what a person can bring to the world. Evangelization is taking the beauty of the Word of God, of his Eucharist and transmitting holiness to each person. John shares his testimony:
"What we have seen and heard we proclaim now to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us." 1 John, chapter 1, verse 3a

John is precise: "We proclaim now to you." To announce Jesus, to announce the message that he offers us, to announce his presence in the Word and the Eucharist, saves us. The world needs to hear it. This is the ultimate need of the world.

We're privileged people to go to Mass, to receive the word of God and the Eucharist, the Body of Christ. We cannot imagine how much we receive graces on graces in abundance. God fills us up.

We're called as John to announce the Love of God for every person, without exception. John knows what he's talking about:
"It is this disciple (John) who testifies to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true." John, chapter 21, verse 24

John had a special relationship with Jesus and he invites us to live the same relationship with the Lord. The way to remain united to Jesus is that we make him known.

The more people around the world believe, the more we'll be able to support each other in faith and stay in Jesus. It's vital for us to announce Jesus to the world. This is the true testimony: for Jesus to be known.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's evangelize, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 14, 2022, 04:46:35 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 15, 2022, 04:54:07 AM

394. The foundation is Christ

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As soon as we accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, that we are baptized, and decide to follow Jesus and allow others to discover the gospel, we progress in faith. We progress in the faith as we live a personal and progressive involvement with Jesus, for the world. Paul supports this idea:
"With Christ Jesus himself as the capstone." Ephesians, chapter 2, verse 20

Everything is built from and on the foundation of Christ:
"Through him the whole structure is held together and grows into a temple sacred in the Lord" Ephesians, chapter 2, verse 21

More clearly, it is Christ who is the real builder of his Church. But what is exceptional is that he needs us all, without exception. He needed Antony of Padua, the present Pope, Catherine of Siena, Bernard of Clairvaux, and many holy persons whom we may know. Paul confirms it to us:
"In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit." Ephesians, chapter 2, verse 22

Let's be assured that Jesus has come for us all, and that we all receive equally. The Trinity gives so much Love to every person who receives it. Let's give thanks to God, who keeps us in his Merciful Love.

We don't know how to ask Jesus to be with us and help us? Let's ask him in our heart and let's be sure he's heard us. Let's prepare to receive him well and let him transform us from the inside. Let's allow some time, before seeing the new shoots. Let's be patient, we will rejoice.

It's 100% sure, as soon as we ask Jesus to help us, to be with us, he's there, since he wasn't elsewhere. Let's welcome Jesus! He is here with us.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's evangelize, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 16, 2022, 04:15:41 AM

395. With Jesus

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In what Jesus shares with us now, there's a clear contrast between the smallness of the mustard seed and its growth:
"It is the smallest of all the seeds, yet when full-grown it is the largest of plants." Matthew, chapter 13, verse 32

To welcome Jesus in our life seems to be nothing at first. Sometimes it can take time, years to develop like mustard seed. While the Lord is preparing our heart, he invites us to patience before discovering the result. It's official that the Lord works in our life. Let's allow time and improve with good values, waiting for the results.

Let's learn to feel the presence of Jesus in us. Let's get small by inner observation. May Jesus grow in us. Then let him touch people's hearts.
We don't think we have a lot of resources in view of the scale of evangelization. Let's take one step at a time. Let's be silent in ourselves for months and years. Let's listen to Jesus. Then we'll be able to better observe and to evangelize the world. We'll only have to discover and understand the issues in the world now. We'll be gradually aware of all the challenges that it entails.

But we cannot do anything alone. On the one hand, we need the community of the Church, to learn the means to evangelize. Then, with the help of the Holy Spirit, we will develop various dimensions and goals of evangelization. Even more, for all these stages, we need the Trinity.

The Father creates the seed, the Holy Spirit sprinkles it and gives it nutrients and Jesus carries it to hearts that are hungry and thirsty for Love and all its manifestations; joy, peace, mercy, hope, etc. The seed in us, with the wisdom of God, will give fruit in its time.

We may not see the results, but God sees everything and he knows when we're walking with him for the salvation of people. With Jesus, we'll get there.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's evangelize, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 16, 2022, 04:16:16 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 17, 2022, 05:05:51 AM

396. Evangelize with Jesus

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Jesus calls for humility
"What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what can one give in exchange for his life?" Matthew, chapter 16, verse 26

This message is very important if we want to work (evangelize) with Jesus. During his visit, he showed us how difficult it is to move into a world where many people stay away from God. It's in this world that we're sent, because God Loves people, always.

Jesus would like to gather all the sheep:
"How many times I yearned to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her young under her wings, but you were unwilling!" Matthew, chapter 23, verse 37

That's what Jesus wants us to understand. It is he who saves, it is he who converts. Jesus wants us in his mission, but he doesn't want us to be living the mission alone. He's the one who guides and leads his people, his family, to eternal life.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's evangelize, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 17, 2022, 05:11:57 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 18, 2022, 04:33:34 AM

397. Succession

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Sometimes, when we have worked on a mission and we don't see a succession on the horizon, we wonder who will continue the work. Jesus has always worked, he has always found witnesses of faith. He will continue to find some.

Let's never think that it is our mission, but Jesus who sends us in a mission to evangelize.

A little push toward Jesus and it doesn't take more so that each person feels Loved and becomes transformed, respecting their own pace. Only Jesus can win the world, to the extent that people in the world turn to him:
"I myself will look after and tend my sheep." Ezekiel, chapter 34, verse 11

How difficult it is to leave him his sheep. To take charge of Jesus's sheep is to stand before him, when it's better to let him reach hearts.

Are we disappointed of people who don't seem to be converting to God? The question would be: Do we try and do too much? Do we take Jesus's place? Do we leave him his people? We then become bridges between the world and Jesus as soon as we understand that he's the Evangelizer, he'll convert.

God himself says that it is he who brings back the sheep. Let's be happy to serve as his research instruments. And let the Holy Spirit touch their hearts:
"The lost I will seek out, the strayed I will bring back, the injured I will bind up, the sick I will heal." Ezekiel, chapter 34, verse 16

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's evangelize, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 19, 2022, 04:05:44 AM

398. Listen

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"Listen to my voice; then I will be your God and you shall be my people. Walk in all the ways that I command you, so that you may prosper." Jeremiah, chapter 7, verse 23

We wish to be happy. We ardently want to be of the family of God. It's good to be told, "Listen to my voice; then, I will be your God and you shall be my people," my family. We're happy.

God invites us to follow the prescribed path. What is the prescribed path? Eliminate what makes us stumble, get away from what leads to evil, keep away from taking something for granted, stop wanting to control, let go of all that is useless, etc., trust, and live in peace and joy.

The resolve to focus on Christ is the only prescribed path. If we embark resolutely on following Jesus, we will want to convert more to him. Do we want to have Jesus as our Lord and Saviour and trust in him completely?
To trust in Jesus is essential. That too is our mission. Let's take the path he prescribes. Jesus tells us:
"I am the way, the truth and the life." John, chapter 14, verse 6

He did not say he's the obstacle, the lie and the death. Jesus said he is "the way, the truth and the life".

To get away from the way, the truth and the life in God is to harm us, then to harm others. It's important to ask God for the grace to remain in his joy. Let's ask for the grace to stay with Jesus.

We are created for Jesus, we're created for Love.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Joy in heaven!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 20, 2022, 06:22:22 AM

399. My heart is ready

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Let's say together with all saints:
"My heart is steadfast, God, my heart is steadfast. I will sing and chant praise." Psalm 57, verse 8

It's a testimony to sing, to play hymns to God. We know it, when we're helpful, when we adjust our life to that of God, our heart is in joy and it wants to "sing and play hymns".

Let's add this passage:
"I will praise you among the peoples, Lord; I will chant your praise among the nations." Psalm 57, verse 10

When we love, we want to share the joy of love that we have and especially to mention the person who gives us this love. When we love a person, his name doesn't bother us. The name of Jesus cannot displease us. Love does not displease.

With God, we want to give thanks (thank him) everywhere and at all times, since we know that Love comes from him. We want to share the joy of the Love we receive from God, because it makes us live and transforms us to the point of experiencing joy in abundance! The desire to love the neighbour of the Love of God is the sign that we understand the mission in which Jesus engages us.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Joy in heaven!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 20, 2022, 06:23:40 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 21, 2022, 04:42:41 AM

400. God Loves through us

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Here is Jesus's command:
"Love one another as I love you." John, chapter 15, verse 12

To love allows Jesus to recognize us as his:
"You are my friends if you do what I command you." John, chapter 15, verse 14
But we should also learn how to convey who Jesus is and that he Loves us forever.

Beloved, we are. We are created by Love and to live his Love between us. Receiving Jesus's love and sharing on whom he really is, allows us to become friends of the Shepherd in the Covenant. And we're fulfilling the same mission that Jesus came to live during his stay at the heart of our reality.

The mission is to receive Jesus, to be happily saturated and evangelization is to allow others to taste his presence that overflows us by thoughts, words and gestures. We're free to evangelize Love. Let's not burden ourselves with evil. Let's give the heaviness to Jesus and continue to radiate Love that circulates in our lives.

Jesus came to Love us and if we love thanks to him, we offer what he has offered us, his Love for humanity. Let's love God and God in one's neighbour so that we may learn to love ourselves too.

Let's love God? Well, it's impossible to love God, since Love comes from him. As it is written in the book Let's be Loved, Paths 34 - 40, God gives us his Love and we cannot give him back his gift. But he asks us if he can go through us so that his gift of Love passes from our heart onto and in the hearts of others.

And what great joy to let God Love through us! This is proof that we accept his Love and let him pass to heal and convert the neighbours.

The mission knocks on the door of evangelization when we're like a sponge that's saturated with the Love of God. Evangelization knocks on the door of the heart of the people when we let God Love. The evangelization of Jesus's message is completed by the reception of the message of salvation by the other person.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Joy in heaven!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 21, 2022, 04:44:12 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 22, 2022, 04:15:26 AM

401. Graces

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Paul discovers the graces, since he lives united with God:
"There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone." 1 Corinthians, chapter 12, verses 4 to 6

Gifts, services and activities are graces when they are intimately related to God and practised according to his will. The graces are revealed by the good, the beautiful, the real and true in the world. The sharing, health care workers, those who pray, and everything that can help a person is related to the graces and gifts that God gives us.

Assistance to people in poverty, attention to persecuted people, to those who don't live their lives naturally and get bogged down in drugs or lies, among others, that conflict against the deep nature of people, paying them attention is a means of encouraging them and leading them to the graces they receive, but of which, too often, they no longer believe in, since they see them less or lacking in their surroundings.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Joy in heaven!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 23, 2022, 04:09:57 AM

402. Grace for all

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Paul tells us:
"The grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age, as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of the great God and of our saviour Jesus Christ." Titus, chapter 2, verses 11 to 13

The grace of God is for all people. Grace is present, it is active, it makes us holy. It teaches us to reject sin and the passions of this world. Being passionate is good in itself. But Paul places certain passions as evil.

What are the passions and sins today that lead to evil? Indifference, rejection, judgment, gluttony, disordered passions, hatred, and so on, what in our life prevents us from fully receiving the grace of God? Let's refuse sin. By asking God to help us free ourselves from everything that hinders our life to be free, we'll discover or rediscover more and more the beauty and power of God's grace.

By doing our part to allow the grace of God to pass through our lives, we offer ourselves the chance to advance in faith and to live in an intimate and deep relationship with him.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Joy in heaven!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 23, 2022, 04:11:18 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 24, 2022, 04:54:13 AM
403. Jesus free us

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When we meet Christ, and this may be during our life, we can say to him:
"We have done what we were obliged to do." Luke, chapter 17, verse 10

Our duty, our mission is to let Jesus free us from sin and evil, and let him Love us, to allow his graces to transform our lives and the lives of many thousands of people we'll have no idea he'll be touching their hearts. The purification of our being inspires others to look for him and let themselves be transformed. Let's remain in prayer.

When we pray without waiting in return and letting Jesus choose an intention, prayer can reach people we don't know. Also, it allows us to expect nothing in return. This prayer is free.

May the Lord take our sufferings upon himself, light our way, and lead us ever deeper into his universe of holiness. May the Holy Spirit invade us with his refreshing Presence and bring us together in the Kingdom of the Trinity.

This acclaim reminds us to continue in faith and joy. Praise the Lord:
"All you peoples, clap your hands; shout to God with joyful cries. For the Lord, the Most High, inspires awe, the great king overall the earth. (...) God mounts the throne amid shouts of joy; the Lord, amid trumpet blasts. Sing praise to God, sing praise; sing praise to our king, sing praise. God is king over all the earth; sing hymns of praise. God rules over the nations; God sits upon his holy throne." Psalm 47, verses 2 to 3 and 6 to 9

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Joy in heaven!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 24, 2022, 04:56:26 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 25, 2022, 04:33:23 AM

404. The testimony of God

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John tells us:
"If we accept human testimony, the testimony of God is surely greater. Now the testimony of God is this, that he has testified on behalf of his Son." 1 John, chapter 5, verse 9

The testimonies are multiple. When a team wins in hockey, we value, in the newspapers, the effort and commitment of the players. When there is a traffic accident, the witnesses say what they saw.

When people go on a visit to a natural environment that is breathtaking, they are in front of something different. Nature raises our spirit, it isn't invented by humans. Nature is there, simply, with its beauties, its colours, its diversity of species.

Another adventure, another testimony comes to disrupt the course of history. That of the Creator to Moses, who calls himself "I am", God. Then the evangelists and many other people testified about Jesus and this continues today. Each person's testimony will reveal one aspect or another of what they have seen and heard. Our testimony of faith reminds us that God is always there, present with us and continues to Love us.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Joy in heaven!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 25, 2022, 04:34:30 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 26, 2022, 04:29:01 AM

405. They are One

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There is also God's testimony to his Son. The Father recognizes himself in his Son. They are One. Now, what the Father says of the Son is the summit as testimony. John confirms it:
"This is the testimony: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever possesses the Son has life; whoever does not possess the Son of God does not have life." 1 John, chapter 5, verses 11 to 12

The Son is one with us, taking flesh of the Virgin Mary. He pays homage to our human nature, since humanity is his jewel. He wants to bring us back to him.

It's a privilege for humanity to receive Jesus, but sometimes, because of sin, people don't do justice to God. Jesus has come to bring us back to the purity of God.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Joy in heaven!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 26, 2022, 04:30:09 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 27, 2022, 04:37:15 AM

406. John's testimony

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John shares his testimony:
"I write these things to you so that you may know that you have eternal life, you who believe in the name of the Son of God." 1 John, chapter 5, verse 13

Our testimony helps deepen our faith in Jesus. The purpose of our life is to place our faith in him. This testimony in Jesus is valid for the world. This is the testimony of testimonies. Nothing surpasses this one.

God also receives our testimony to him. It's our way of paying tribute to what we receive. We ask Jesus to purify us more so that our testimony will become through prayer, mass and fasting, the one that Jesus wants to hear.

May our testimony to communion with the Word and the Eucharist reflect our desire to make Jesus known, as the Father testifies:
"This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased." Matthew, chapter 3, verse 17

Then Jesus bears testimony to the Father and his Spirit by sending it to us:
"I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of truth, which the world cannot accept, because it neither sees nor knows it. But you know it, because it remains with you, and will be in you." John, chapter 14, verses 16 to 17

Let's communicate with the Holy Spirit, let's keep him with us. We will see the wonders that the Trinity will realize in our heart and in the world.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Joy in heaven!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 27, 2022, 04:38:32 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 28, 2022, 02:10:26 AM

407. Joy

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Many people live the poverty of not being in joy. God tells us:
"There shall always be rejoicing and happiness in what I create; for I create Jerusalem to be a joy and its people to be a delight; I will rejoice in Jerusalem and exult in my people." Isaiah, chapter 65, verses 18 to 19

God creates every second, He creates us right now. We're in the constant creation of God. Let's repeat what God says: "Rejoice, exult without end for what I create."

He creates. He offers us to be in joy, to live with his joy, here and now. We have every reason to rejoice when we think of God, when we do our best to work in his vineyard, when we place our trust and life in him.

Let's exult, because God is present with us, God feeds us and showered us with truth and graces.

The authentic journey is to place our faith in Jesus. We can already be in God's joy and exult to know that Jesus is life and he invites us to live eternally with the Trinity.

Every day we have reasons to rejoice to know that God is with us, if we place our life and the lives of our family, friends and everyone we meet in his hands.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Joy in heaven!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 28, 2022, 02:11:23 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 29, 2022, 04:56:11 AM

408. We see God

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As Jesus said in the Beatitudes:
"Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God." Matthew, chapter 5, verse 8

It's important to see God one day, if not in our time, in eternity. To see him, let's let God turn our heart into a pure heart.

To see God, let's welcome his Love into our life and accept to joyfully share our experience of faith. The more we share the Love received from God, the more it grows in us. The more the flower receives sun, water and nutrients from the soil, the more it will grow and offer the beauty it receives from God, for the eyes of passers-by.

Let's not be afraid to be so much in Jesus that he will show himself to us. And for people who have never seen Jesus, it's not a lack, it's only because Jesus is so close to their heart that he doesn't seem to be perceptible to their senses.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Joy in heaven!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 29, 2022, 04:57:19 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 30, 2022, 05:31:06 AM

409. Intense joy

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Seeing God doesn't necessarily mean seeing him with our eyes. We can see him with the eyes of the heart, in the good deeds of people, in us and in all that is realized of good, beautiful and true in the world. The pure heart is to become like a child, to shed oneself of what isn't necessary, of what keeps us captive.

To see Jesus is to see Love and to see Love is to see the Trinity. Humanly, with our eyes we do not see Love. But the Love we receive from God is what motivates us during life. We all seek love when the Love of God is offered for free. As soon as we feel the true, pure, real love, we actually receive the Love that comes from God, which comes from Jesus.

Then, there was a multitude of people who had the privilege of knowing Jesus, who had the deep and intense joy of entering into a deep relationship with him. We may have had this chance to feel Jesus's presence in our heart, to discover his person in our lives and to understand that he is the Master and Lord, then to grasp that his only judgment is his Love, that he Loves us with a total and definitive Love.

Paul gives us the purpose of faith. In Christ Jesus:
"You are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God." Ephesians, chapter 2, verse 19

Do we believe it? In Jesus, we become saints, people of his family? Let's share what we lived with the Trinity. It's a good time to testify.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Joy in heaven!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 30, 2022, 05:31:42 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 01, 2022, 04:08:43 AM

410. The nobility of work

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How much time is spent at work, how many dialogues are there between two employees on multiple topics? It can also become an opportunity to slowly and gradually implant an important topic of faith.

In Genesis, God says that we will work at the sweat of our forehead. But this reality happened after the human got scared of God.

In fact, when we walk with Jesus, it's no longer a job, much less forehead sweat, it becomes a vocation. It's works, and it is time and energy. But it's really different with Jesus.

When we are on a mission with Jesus, it's no longer a job, it's to let God be God in our life, to let Jesus be in our heart and to share his Love with others. How sweet! For the rest of the work and because of sin, yes, it's through the sweat of our forehead.

The more we achieve his will, the more we'll discover Jesus in our lives and in those of others.

By becoming workers of Jesus, we help the world to find him. It would be nice if each person had a little something to realize, simply, for evangelization in their environment. Only through prayer, we participate in evangelization.

There are also other ways. The Lord hires all the time. Let's ask him to work in his vineyard.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 01, 2022, 04:09:28 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 02, 2022, 03:08:58 AM

411. Pray for his people

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On the road:
"They went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs." Mark, chapter 16, verse 20

As soon as we think about the people around us who don't walk, who don't pray, who don't go to Mass, Jesus invites us to the mission. He offers us the Holy Spirit, so that we may be little igniters of love in all hearts.

We can pray for his people, give them to Jesus, love them from a distance. And above all, send them the Holy Spirit every day that is given to us to transform their lives and to embellish their hearts.

The Holy Spirit is the breeze of fresh air that we can send to the people we love, to our children, so that the oxygen of their faith can be cleansed and cleared.

May the Holy Spirit invade every person we love.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 03, 2022, 04:04:17 AM

412. Sowing widely

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"Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully." 2 Corinthians, chapter 9, verse 6

It's Paul who tells us that! It's true in the garden as in life. The more we sow what we have and who we are, even with smaller seeds, the more we'll harvest or others will reap the fruit of our labour. Let's check that we receive everything from Jesus:
"For you know the gracious act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that for your sake he became poor although he was rich, so that by his poverty you might become rich." 2 Corinthians, chapter 8, verse 9

Jesus confirms it to us, he knows that the Father will restore it to us a hundredfold:
"When you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you." Matthew, chapter 6, verse 17

Let's offer what is most precious for a mission that is precious to God, for the salvation of all people. God gives to us accordingly to what we offer of him.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 03, 2022, 04:05:04 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 04, 2022, 05:02:04 AM

413. Love is transmitted

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The saints give freely:
"Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life." John, chapter 12, verse 25

God's Love costs nothing. It's always transmitted in freedom and it joins the freedom of the person who receives it.

We are invited to offer 100% of what we receive from God. If we think we cannot give a lot, let's give 100% of the little we can offer. The Lord will be happy because we give the maximum of what we can:
"God loves a cheerful giver. Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work." 2 Corinthians, chapter 9, verses 7 to 8

It's quite special that we have so many graces and overabundance, because God doesn't know how to count. He gives too much, and after having given everything, we still have some superfluous to do all kinds of good.

For children, when they share their candies, candies disappear quickly. The more they share, the less they have and the little bag becomes empty. It's different for what God gives us. Even though we share God's Love, the more we share it, the more we receive. Then, we have forevermore.

Many of the holy people we met showed to us by their lives that God's Love was possible and easy to share. This is the easiest thing to offer. Their hearts were swollen with the divine sap that overflows on their surroundings.

There's no question of tests of strength or exhausting us too much wanting to convert the world, in what Jesus offers us, but to share what he himself offers us simply for the faith of people.

To love one's life is selfish, it's to take it strictly on oneself. But to offer what we receive from God, to be just, is to become more and more generous with the Love we receive from him. The more experience we have in transmitting what God gives us, the more we develop ways for him to pass through us, to the hearts of people.

We are created to offer the Love of our life, the Love of God, in abundance. Sharing the graces (evangelization), we receive (mission) from God is the summit of the mission.

The love that nourishes and water our life, when it's lived happily, gives good fruit in abundance. All people can come to feed and drink from our tree filled with fruit. Then we will tell them that these fruits are provided by God to feed them.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 04, 2022, 05:02:56 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 05, 2022, 04:23:30 AM

414. Make Christ present

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What goods received from God can we waste and lose? The first good is the Love of God. We are not always aware in us of the Love of God.

When we sleep, when we eat, work, celebrate, watch, we always have the opportunity to make Christ present in us, thinking of him.

Sometimes we keep the Love of God for us. Or we don't know how to share it. But just to realize that Jesus is with us soothes us and that can reach others. They will feel that we are not alone in life and that we are in peace.

And it's true, we are accompanied by the Presence of the Holy Spirit. He transforms us while we pay attention to him when we're aware that he's with us.

If we don't have water, we dry. We only need to drink. When we drank water, this reserve follows us everywhere. It's even simpler with Jesus. We have only to drink to his Sacred Heart and he is in us. We only have to think of him and he is Present. God is the eternal present. We drink from him, otherwise we do not drink from him.

When we receive the Eucharist, it's the presence of God who is there. Like water, we carry God with us after Mass, wherever we go. Its luminous rays coming out of us (like Jesus in Mary's womb) join the souls of the people we meet. In his rays are transported his Love and all that he offers us. Let's carry his Eucharist within us and let his rays transform the world.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 05, 2022, 04:24:20 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 06, 2022, 03:39:14 AM

415. In thanksgiving

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May we transport Jesus like in vases of great price, the price of salvation for oneself and for everyone:
"Whoever keeps his word, the love of God is truly perfected in him." 1 John, chapter 2, verse 5

He who keeps the reality of Christ in him receives the Love of God in its perfection. May the Love of God overflow us to invade all the people we meet. Let's be children of light, life, of the way and the truth.

Let's live in thanksgiving. Let's offer our heart and body to Jesus to cover them with his Love so that it may be reflected in us and on all.

Let's become skilled in fighting, without violence, for the faith. May Mary and Joseph be examples of life for us, since they have remained close to Jesus by offering the gift of their lives.

Paul says to the Romans and to us:
"I am not ashamed of the gospel. It is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: for Jew first, and then Greek." Romans, chapter 1, verse 16

The four key words in this sentence are: "To serve the gospel (French version)". To receive the service of Jesus and his Word, his Verb.

We have here the first step to begin to know Jesus Christ, and then to make him known. Paul seems to go beyond reading the gospel, since he speaks of the service of the gospel. The gospel, the good news is all about service.

When we share the gospel or prayer, even though it's in the kitchen, the Lord will pass. Even if it's sitting in the stands during a sports game, the Lord passes.

We understand that we can share the Word, live evangelizing gestures, but the summit is to live accordingly to the Word, and the Lord will pass. Jesus is simply asking us to enter into intense communion with his Word and he will do the rest. To share one's Word has the effect of increasing happiness a hundredfold. But all too often, we seek our happiness rather than receive it from Jesus. We seek to transmit our word instead of his.

If we let the Word act powerfully in our heart, it will be transmitted with power, through gentleness and respect, to other people. This is evangelization. Let's live a deeper conversion, listening to Jesus in our heart.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 06, 2022, 03:39:48 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 07, 2022, 04:12:43 AM

416. Disciples' language

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"The Lord God has given me a well-trained tongue. That I might know how to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them. Morning after morning he opens my ear that I may hear." Isaiah, chapter 50, verse 4

Let's listen to Jesus. Let's listen to others to "rouse them".
Jesus came into our world to assume our human nature and he took advantage of it to bear it on him, with him. He asks us to give him all the burdens, ours, as well as those of others.

Jesus shows us how to be a disciple so that with his Word, he supports the exhausted. Every morning Jesus gets up with us for the same Mission. To lead the human family to the Father.

Let's prepare our heart to go to the Lord's Supper, then come out from the table with Jesus and observe what he is doing for us in the world. Let's ask the Holy Spirit to allow us to live with Jesus his unique experience, his Mission, his Word in our heart, for the salvation of humanity. May the Father rejoice that we observe his will for Love.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 07, 2022, 04:13:43 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 08, 2022, 04:04:33 AM

417. Serving

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Jesus tells us:
"The greatest among you must be your servant." Matthew, chapter 23, verse 11

Since Jesus is the greatest of all and has been the servant of all, we can imagine what that means for us.

Jesus asks everyone to become servants of one another. To one is given to care for a patient, to the other to be treated, to one to teach, to the other to be taught, for one to improve the world and for all to embark in the mission.

The person who is being cared for serves the caregiver. This allows the caregiver to develop his talents, become more compassionate and loving.
So it's not just the people who need care that are receiving from God, but also the caregivers through their dedication and attention to the others.

It's similar for faith. When we share faith, the person who receives it allows us to serve and improve. We receive as much as he does. We're all winners when we share and receive faith from each other.

We are called to serve the neighbour, as our master, Jesus who's with us. Let's continue to follow Christ, to receive his Love and to share it among us.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 09, 2022, 04:11:00 AM

418. To encourage

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John the Baptist knew how to speak to the people to distract them from what they were doing and to centre them on Jesus, on the Lamb of God. He is also the main actor in the election of the first Apostles, John and Andrew.
We have the same mission. We are invited to encourage people to follow Jesus.

Every person who focuses on Jesus sees his life being transformed. Paul tells us:
"From David's descendants God, according to his promise, has brought to Israel a saviour, Jesus. John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel; and as John was completing his course, he would say, 'What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. Behold, one is coming after me; I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.'" Acts, chapter 13, verses 23 to 25

Moses took off his sandals before God:
"Come no nearer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground." Exodus, chapter 3, verse 5

John the Baptist is not worthy to remove the sandals from the feet of the Lord. And Jesus does not need to take off his sandals, he is God, he is holiness. Where he stands, the earth is holy.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 09, 2022, 04:13:30 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 10, 2022, 03:49:13 AM

419. The strength to love

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It's for us that Jesus came, but also for people who do not know him yet. They need to know that the Trinity Loves them. Let's carry them in our prayer.

Jesus invites to believe in him. Jesus answers them:
"Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled.

Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him the Father, God, has set his seal." John, chapter 6, verses 26 to 27

Jesus makes it plain that he gives eternal bread. This bread that Jesus offers is the bread of the life of God and in God.

During the reception of the Bread of Life, may Jesus grant us the grace to never depart from him or from his Church. May his Bread, his true Body, be the strength to love, health, and be the holiness of our Life.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 10, 2022, 03:50:35 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 11, 2022, 04:45:13 AM

420. God is here

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With God, everything is too simple, even wisdom is simple. But we tend to complicate it.

We only need to focus on Jesus and wisdom will simply invade us every time. At the same time, we must be willing to meditate and receive it.

With ease:
"As the rising sun is clear to all, so the glory of the Lord fills all his works." Sirach, chapter 42, verse 16

Still, we must be placed in front of his sun (Son). It's to blush with joy, as the sun likes to blush our cheeks.

May every moment of our lives be filled with the joy of God's gaze upon us, look of tenderness, peace and love ... and our existence will praise the Lord, that is, our existence will be in so much joy we'll want to share it with the Lord as a friend.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Joy in heaven!, Normand Thomas

Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 11, 2022, 04:46:44 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 12, 2022, 02:55:22 AM

1. The family

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Christians want to convert. They want to find every means to stay with God. They want his Love to take root in them, so that their faith improves.

They recognize that God's Word is important. The Word is like water turning seed into a root, then the root into a shoot, the shoot into a tree, then the tree bears fruit and gives back to humans and to the earth.

To let ourselves be profoundly transformed by the Word allows us to act as christians.

Paul confirms it by this inspiration:
"But what does it say? 'The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart' (that is, the word of faith that we preach)." Romans, chapter 10, verse 8

God lays down his Word in us. It helps us to believe more in Christ and to work with him. Jesus offers everything from his heart. He who receives it thus becomes an abundant source that transmits Love from heart to heart.

One of the purposes of the christian family is to break the chains by and with the Word of God. We are invited to avoid chains by not letting ourselves be captured by them. Then we are called to become people from whom flows a source of peace, with respect and charity, inspired by the Word, so that others are released from their chains.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd's Mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 12, 2022, 02:57:09 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 13, 2022, 03:37:32 AM

2. Jesus or darkness

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Even if it's easy to understand, the way doesn't seem that easy to reach and to find God. Maybe it's too easy? It's simple to want to follow the light, but there are shadows that draw us to the side of the road. As Augustine mentions, we have trouble focusing on light:
"The lovely things kept me far from you." A quote from Confessions

We have fear of the objects that are found in darkness and to think about them too much, to seek too much, we attach ourselves to them. We are attracted by objects, sometimes by people more than God and they distract us away from Light: "The lovely things kept me far from you," says Augustine.
Instead of seeing the person and the objects under God's reality, there's the danger of observing them according to the shadows they offer us.

Jesus invites us to return to the Light to better understand and grasp the world around us, in its reality. He stops and he talks to the blind beggar man:
"'Call him.' So they called the blind man, saying to him, 'Take courage; get up, he is calling you.'" Mark, chapter 10, verse 49

Trust, go to the Light, Jesus is here and he is waiting on you.

We may have this question: What do we want Jesus to do for us here and now? What do we want to see? We want to see the true Light. And Jesus will tell us:
"Go your way; your faith has saved you." Mark, chapter 10, verse 52

Being blind in this context is not comparable to physical blindness. To be blind is above all to let our soul slip into darkness, alienation contrary to the Light, the unpleasant and disappointing side of the cloudy and dark, of which keeps us away from God.

In reality, all that is realized in the world for God brings graces to all. We will see each other and we will see the world as it is in Truth and in the Light of God. Only then can we be transformed by Truth.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd's Mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 13, 2022, 03:38:06 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 14, 2022, 05:17:11 AM

3. In a pilgrimage place

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It's good to say:
"Lord, Lord." Matthew, chapter 7, verse 21a

It's a beginning. It's good to recognize Jesus as our Lord. Then he immediately brings us back to reason:
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven." Matthew, chapter 7, verse 21b

Works are like fruits on a tree. They are of God for others. What works can we do?

We are invited to open ourselves to the world. But it isn't enough to be satisfied with what we do, although what we do can already be very good.
A christian cannot be whole if he doesn't evangelize, if he doesn't ask Jesus to convert people around him and invite them to walk in faith, if not in our community, at least may they walk in faith.

To offer to others the graces received from God, it's important to strengthen our foundations continually and also to be patient and gentle with ourselves. Let's place our pride in God, because with Jesus, we can quickly find ourselves with new people who discover faith, in a short period of time.

Are we ready to open the doors and welcome? Do we leave priests and bishops with this initiative or do we also engage with them?

We're in a place of pilgrimage, where we are, right now. The people around us are those who seek God, sometimes even without knowing it.

We are pilgrims when we are searching for the presence of God in the hearts of people. We are pilgrims when we look for ways to pray. We are pilgrims when we go to Church and receive the Word of God and Eucharist.

We are very adept at helping a child learn, attain and grow, we can be as skilled at helping people in their faith.

Jesus is Lord and he shines on and in the world. Let's ask Jesus to touch him with his graces and rays of light. Let's help, by prayer, to discover it. Let's become pilgrims of the world around us, where we are. May people become aware that God loves them.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd's Mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 14, 2022, 05:17:46 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 15, 2022, 05:55:17 AM

4. Adjusted to God

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In God, what seems more fragile is often what's strongest. The Love of God, life, hope, mercy, joy, among others, are solid. They stay with us. All the rest will pass. Like the house built on rock, we want to put our feet on concrete. It is written:
"A nation of firm purpose you keep in peace; in peace, for its trust in you." Isaiah, chapter 26, verse 3

Let's put our trust in God. Give him all the space. Let's find support in him. May the Lord be our home to shelter us from the cold, rainy, windy or snowy weather and even in sunny weather:
"Open up the gates to let in a nation that is just, one that keeps faith." Isaiah, chapter 26, verse 2

It's precise: "let them enter, the righteous (the nation)"! The righteous is the one who is adjusted to God and not the opposite. God doesn't adjust to us, to what we wish, what we want, what enchants us.

God doesn't adjust to himself, since he is just. We are invited to focus on the Love of God and our life will have everything it needs, spiritually. God's Love is... Love is.

Jesus offers us the mission: "It is not by saying to me, 'Lord, Lord,' that we will enter the kingdom of heaven, but it's by doing the will of my Father who is in heaven."

Let's do the Father's will. His will is that we love one another, from his Love. The one who guides us in the way of loving our neighbour is Jesus.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd's Mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 15, 2022, 05:56:59 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 16, 2022, 04:08:23 AM

5. Deepening our faith

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It's important to nurture our faith in the Church and then become missionaries in our region. Paul tells us:
"I am reminding you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you indeed received and in which you also stand." 1 Corinthians, chapter 15, verse 1
We are invited to live every moment of our lives by being aware of the presence of God and also by being conscious of deepening our faith. We stand firm by keeping the Word of the Gospel close at hand and in us. We have received the Gospel, now we are good to announce it.

"Those who with God's help have welcomed Christ's call and freely responded to it are urged on by love of Christ to proclaim the Good News everywhere in the world." Catechism of the Catholic Church, number 3, website: Catechism of the Catholic Church - IntraText

The best way to know if we are truly and freely attached to the Trinity is to feel "urged on by love of Christ to proclaim the Good News everywhere in the world".

Let's bring his love to the world. Let's go into the world. Unless we have a different calling, of course, which is more related to prayer for the world as for the cloistered Carmelites, Franciscans. It's their way of being in the world.

These two ways of evangelizing are excellent. All missionaries are thus supported by prayer.

With more people in a hurry and charitably committed to proclaiming the Love of Christ, supported by the prayers of all, there will be an ocean of universal love. Then, the grace of the mission nourishes and deepens our personal faith.

Let's recognize the Love that God gives us by his Word, by his Body and his Blood, by the Eucharist for our salvation and the salvation of the world.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd's Mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 16, 2022, 04:09:26 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 17, 2022, 04:18:46 AM

6. The Lord's voice

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The Lord's envoy does not always have the simplest mission. And in Jeremiah's time it was even more difficult. Where he is sent, he risks death, since people consider his message as an obstacle:
"This man deserves death; he has prophesied against this city, as you have heard with your own ears." Jeremiah, chapter 26, verse 11

This is why the leaders and prophets want to kill him:
Jeremiah gave this answer to the princes and all the people: 'It was the Lord who sent me to prophesy against this house and city all that you have heard.

Now, therefore, reform your ways and your deeds; listen to the voice of the Lord your God, so that the Lord will repent of the evil with which he threatens you.' Jeremiah, chapter 26, verses 12 to 13

Let's review our actions, our words and listen to the Lord's voice. Misfortune never comes from the Lord, but our refusal to be on the road and the refusal of others to listen. It is quite brilliant what Jeremiah declares in the name of the Lord.

Conversion involves meditating on the people's needs and the desire to listen to those who transmit the voice of God. Then the princes and all the people said to the priests and prophets:
"This man does not deserve death; it is in the name of the Lord, our God, that he speaks to us." Jeremiah, chapter 26, verse 16

When Jeremiah professes that he is the Lord's messenger, they consider holding their hand and allow him a longer life. They are kind to him. They decide to change lanes.

They recognize in Jeremiah a prophet who wants to help the people become better, holy, thanks to God. A new time of grace begins because the people agree to be transformed by the Voice of God announced by the voice of the prophet. Joy can be replaced in the people.

We don't have to wait to change lanes. The holy way is to let God be the master of our life, immediately.

Today, however, it is difficult to accept a straight, good and solid path. And not everyone appreciates that christians invite them to change their ways. There are, for example, those who do not want to hear reproach about their unhealthy and destructive practices that can harm them.

Happy are the people who dare to listen to the message of the Lord and who agree to redirect their lives in the good that he proposes to us. The world needs people who listen to the Trinity through the voice of prophets who touch the heart with righteous and loved filled words, with messages that are adapted to them and with gentleness and respect for their journey.

Let's offer to the Lord everything that can lead us out of his message of conversion, freedom and truth in faith. May he free us from this reckless conduct and keep us with him. Then we can make him be loved by others.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd's Mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 17, 2022, 04:19:47 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 18, 2022, 04:34:15 AM

7 Seeing God's face

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We are called to a resplendent life. The Apostle John describes to us all the splendour of the Holy City that he receives in a vision. At that moment, John must be living heaven on earth. These images will remain engraved in his memory forever.

John sees the Lamb and he mentions that those who have accepted the Love of God will see his face:
Nothing accursed will be found there anymore. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will look upon his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. Night will be no more, nor will they need light from lamp or sun, for the Lord God shall give them light, and they shall reign forever and ever. Revelation, chapter 22, verses 3 to 5

Seeing the face of God is the ultimate dream from the beginning of mankind to its end, when we return in him. Whether they're aware of it or not, it will happen. But often they look elsewhere and move away from their reality as children of God.

Down here, we carry in ourselves the image of God. But we must also want to welcome the life of Christ in us as Mary made herself available to his will. We will not bear God like her, but we will carry him in the core of who we are.

The Holy Spirit can already place on our faces the light of God, in our hands the gift of God, in our eyes the vision of God on the world, and in our feet the footsteps of little pilgrims of Love who hurry on to go to the people, to lead them to Jesus.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd's Mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 18, 2022, 04:34:49 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 19, 2022, 04:07:48 AM

8. Let's remain free

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Jesus then invites us to the virtue of prudence:
"Be vigilant at all times and pray." Luke, chapter 21, verse 36

This is the secret that isn't secret. Let's keep the light of our salvation in plain sight, let's keep Jesus, our Light, close to us. His presence will help us to see the obstacles on our way to minimize, move or circumvent them.

Let's remain free, knowing that we are loved by God and may Jesus be the Lord of our life. In this way, we will see the face of God. Jesus confirms it:
"That you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man." Luke, chapter 21, verse 36

To escape all that will happen, to circumvent the obstacles, to remain on the road of holiness, is to draw water and light from Jesus, from the Well of his Sacred Heart, who keeps us in hope.

Let's also observe the other missionaries who fight with the light of peace, joy, justice and mercy. Jesus is the wisdom that allows us to properly assess the situations around us, then to teach the world, in confidence. The more our path aligns with that of Jesus, the better we will discern. The mission will become efficient and precise. Others have succeeded, why not us? It is humanly feasible.

We want to give thanks to the Lord and reiterate our "yes" to Jesus so that he may remain with us in the days of purification, in the crucible of transformation as in the days of trust with him, our host and guide.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd's Mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 19, 2022, 04:08:43 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 20, 2022, 02:34:20 AM

9. Let's listen

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We are in the core of a treasure mine that never stops twinkling. We receive everything to be happy:
Hear then, Israel, and be careful to observe them, that you may grow and prosper the more, in keeping with the promise of the Lord, the God of your fathers, to give you a land flowing with milk and honey. Deuteronomy, chapter 6, verse 3

In short, it tells us: "To watch, listen and practise what brings us happiness and fruitfulness." Joy in God is the sign that we are following Jesus and listening to him. We become fruitful and offer God's graces.

First, let's be watchful. Let's keep our hearts open and ready to reach people on the road. Let's watch what they live to know them better.

Let's receive from Jesus what we'll give back to them. Joy restores and allows us living from its fullness.

Secondly, listen. Let's listen to what people tell us. They give us points of reference as to possible evangelization with them.

Jesus gave us his Catholic Church for us to have teachings, sacraments, the Word and the Eucharist. Let's listen to what will lead us to the Holy Trinity for eternity.

Third one, let's practice. Let's practice what we learn and discover what amazes us through faith in Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit. Let's practice all that will allow us to progress in faith and that will make our surroundings holier and anchored in the divine (God).

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd's Mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 20, 2022, 02:35:18 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 21, 2022, 04:56:21 AM

10. Love reflects

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Then there is this piece of text we know well and which is to be regularly meditated. This prayer is a jewel, a beacon for the Jews:
"Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone! Therefore, you shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength." Deuteronomy, chapter 6, verses 4 to 5 (See also Mark, chapter 12 verses 29-30)

It's a whole lesson, in a few sentences. There's: "Listen." Listening means being all ears to what the Lord says to us: "The Lord is our God, the Lord alone." Our God is One. Let's listen to what God tells us and not everything that is said to be negative about him in a clumsy and inexperienced way.

Then the sweet recommendation for our conversion, through a path of holiness: "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength." Love the Lord your God with the strength of his Love that he lays down upon you. Love God, since he is Love and he wants to observe the brilliance of his pure diamond, his Love which reflects of a thousand colours, out of you.

Let's love God. Then, how do we love God if we don't love the person he has created, ourselves? God created us Love. He is still creating us right now. Let's love in ourselves the Love that God creates at every

moment. This Love will reflect on our contemporaries. We love God in return when we let him go through us to Love humanity.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd's Mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 21, 2022, 04:57:03 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 22, 2022, 05:27:45 AM

11. Easy and light


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Paul testifies:
"Although I am free in regard to all, I have made myself a slave to all so as to win over as many as possible." 1 Corinthians, chapter 9, verse 19
First, Paul says he is "free in regard to all". It's the result of being as free as possible from worries and staying on the road with Jesus.

It's not always easy to live in this way with all the distractions and illusions that surround us, with all that takes us away from Jesus, all that causes us to leave the path.

But Paul's intention is to invite us to stay on the path of holiness, to remain focused on the mission that Jesus proposes to us for the glory of God and for the salvation of the world.

We are not here to block the people around us. Every step we take is to help our neighbour. We walk with them and offer them ways to improve their lives.

Paul says that he wants to "win over as many as possible" to Jesus. Only a free person can really lead souls, lead people to Jesus. But Paul knows, like all of us, that he isn't perfect and that he depends entirely on the will of God. To be a "slave" as Paul mentions means to love the Love of God for the mission of salvation.

This way of Paul is also ours. We are walking with Jesus and we can ask each day what Jesus would do if he were us. What would Jesus say or propose to people? Each person is unique, they are not like others. How would Jesus join the hearts of people very different from each other?

The freedom of which Paul speaks is of primary importance. Jesus sets us free. He is Liberty. Where Jesus passes and where he is welcomed, he sets free. Darkness has no influence over Jesus or those who trust in him.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd's Mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 22, 2022, 05:28:59 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 23, 2022, 03:39:50 AM
12. Offer hospitality to Jesus

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How is it that Jesus is not known and loved more? Why is love so hard to spread and hatred seems to take over? How many people are not free right now?

So:
Simon and those who were with him pursued him and on finding him said, 'Everyone is looking for you.' He told them, 'Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.' Mark, chapter 1, verses 36 to 38

Simon and his companions look for Jesus, they find him and they tell him: "Everyone is looking for you."

We all seek Jesus and at the same time we only have to receive and welcome him into our hearts, sharing him with others, then discover Jesus in the hearts of others.

Let's not waste time revealing the flaws of others. Let's find instead their qualities that come from God and teach them to discover them, so that they also recognize his presence from within.

Let's offer hospitality to Jesus every moment in our heart and it will not be necessary to seek him. Let's not let ourselves be disappointed, thinking that Jesus is not with us. Jesus is always with us. How do we listen then and receive him? By listening to him, welcoming him and sharing Jesus' Love with others, we will truly be in his mission and evangelize.

Jesus answers them: "Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come."

People are looking for Jesus and that's exactly what he wants. Now he invites his Apostles to go elsewhere. It's like he's saying, "Do not just stay between you where everything seems to be going well and in a group that loves you. Go elsewhere too, find others, bring my Good News to them." To proclaim the Gospel is to evangelize.

We feel good between us. We are sometimes too happy with our friends, so Jesus invites us to cross the borderline to create encounters of faith with new people.

It will be a sign of our freedom with Jesus when we want to create friendships of faith and walk with some new people we meet. This will not keep us away from the circle of friends we already have. Rather, it will improve it.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd's Mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 23, 2022, 03:44:29 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 24, 2022, 04:01:38 AM

13. God dwells in us

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John, the Apostle sponsors us to understand the Sacred Heart of Jesus:
"No one has ever seen God. Yet, if we love one another, God remains in us, and his love is brought to perfection in us." 1 John, chapter 4, verse 12
It seems strange that John says no one has seen God since he was with him. Jesus had also told Philip, his Apostle brother:

"Whoever has seen me has seen the Father." John, chapter 14, verse 9
Surely John wants to attract us on a specific point, since he has already said that he touched the Word of Life, that he touched Jesus. The two were walking together during the mission. John especially wants to introduce us into our heart.

The best way to discover Jesus is to immerse ourselves in our heart and draw out the Love that's placed there. And, "If we love one another, God remains in us, and his love is brought to perfection in us."

John tells us nothing new, since Jesus spent his life spreading his desire that we love one another. But he adds that God's Love will reach his perfection in us. We can see that John knew him. He knows what it means to walk with Jesus.

Let's be reassured, Jesus is still in us, but we risk closing the door of our senses from tasting the Word, hearing it, from tasting the Eucharist, from touching Jesus's Heart, from feeling holiness and see Jesus. Let's continually develop a deeper meaning of God's reality.

The offered Love of God transforms us from day to day and leads us to improve until the day we are fully in him. The journey of our heart to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is the only passage that exists to reach salvation.

The more we spread the Love of Jesus's Sacred Heart, the more our life becomes like his. It's simple, but effective, though it's not easy for us to get going every day. With Jesus, we will get there, we will perfect ourselves.
John also tells us:
"This is how you can know the Spirit of God: every spirit that acknowledges Jesus Christ come in the flesh belongs to God." 1 John, chapter 4, verse 2
To announce Jesus is also to receive the Love of his Heart. And he can tell us once more:
"Come to me, all you who labour and are burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew, chapter 11, verse 28

Even if sometimes the road is rough, to dive in Jesus's Heart will make us discover that the Love he offers us smooths out the road, transforms us, helps us, guides us toward joy and eternal peace.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd's Mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 25, 2022, 03:17:53 AM

14. God does it

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This is what is said in the book of Isaiah:

"O Lord, you mete out peace to us, for it is you who have accomplished all we have done." Isaiah, chapter 26, verse 12

The works, the Lord fulfills them for us and with us. It's kind of curious to say that what we do, God does for us.

But it's the truth. Let's assume that God is the one who prepares us for the mission. We are only the instrument. When we do something human, true, peaceful, following the road with Jesus, we will succeed. God does it (in his way, by his will) through us.

If what we are undertaking is linked to a refusal to love, to a refusal to let God be the one who realizes his works, we skid to our loss. We stifle the Love of God who wants to go through us to touch hearts and who wants to realize in them the salvation he promised.

We are aware that we aren't perfect. Precisely, let's let the Lord's care pass through us even more. He will transform us while touching the hearts of our contemporaries. God will accomplish his works through us.

Let's become the passers of the faith of God, people who gently undertake to evangelize the world. God will fulfill in these people the salvation he promises.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd's Mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 25, 2022, 03:19:59 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 26, 2022, 04:51:09 AM

15. To sow peace

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Let's imagine that we sow iron balls in the garden. There will be no vegetables or iron growing. But if we sow grains of vegetables in the garden, it will give us good vegetables.

First, we need to know what we want to grow in the garden. We need a minimum of knowledge to be aware that iron doesn't grow there. Then we did not form the grain. We did not create the grain. We do not do anything for the garden to offer us vegetables. They grow alone, but not completely alone. So, we aren't even soil or nutrients that help vegetables grow. All this is offered to us, as well as the participating rain and sun.

We undertake to sow peace, justice, love in the world, but God realizes it in us and around us by the good, the beautiful, the real and the true. Let's be certain and meticulous that what we sow comes from God. When it is God who transmits his graces, the task is easy as Jesus tells us:
"My yoke is easy, and my burden light." Matthew, chapter 11, verse 30

If it's not easy and light, we don't let God carry out his work. We place ourselves between people and him. We are exhausting ourselves. But when it's easy and light, we don't get tired because we allow God to work. Even in effort and pain, the joy of God supports us.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd's Mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 26, 2022, 04:54:20 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 27, 2022, 04:11:03 AM

16. Strength from above

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Moses encourages Joshua. He conveys to him his courage and determination:
"It is the Lord who marches before you; he will be with you and will never fail you or forsake you. So do not fear or be dismayed." Deuteronomy, chapter 31, verse 8

Now, let's take Moses' words for us. They are comforting and they encourage to dare to walk with Jesus in the mission he proposes to us; to announce his Good News in a simple and respectful way with a courageous, audacious, decided and dedicated attitude.

May the force come from above to discern what is good to achieve, how to challenge people and how to transmit the fire of faith. Let's meditate on the best ways to reach people's hearts today. The strength is to welcome God's Love. May God enlighten what we must do to help in the salvation of the world.

God trust's us. Let's also trust God, for us, our children, our friends, and especially for the people to whom we think the least about.

The Lord walks with us. The Holy Spirit in our heart, Jesus on the road and the Father who watches, we have every reason to feel the confidence for evangelization of the hearts of people we meet on a daily basis.

With trust in the Trinity, with faith as a plan of salvation, with the outpouring of happy pilgrims on the road to holiness, we bring light so that others receive it in the heart of their lives.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
The Shepherd's Mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 27, 2022, 04:12:23 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 28, 2022, 03:29:22 AM

17. It's quality that leads sheep

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Jesus tells us that the Shepherd:
"Rejoices over [for the found sheep] more than over the ninety-nine that did not stray." Matthew, chapter 18, verse 13

We can think that Jesus is very happy for one sheep. However, Jesus has a bigger plan. Yes, for starters, it's good practice to discover a soul to lead to Jesus. If each person leads one person to Jesus, the world will be evangelized in a fairly short period of time.

In reality, when Jesus speaks of the "lost sheep" to be saved, he speaks of the importance of preparing to evangelize each sheep as we pass by them. Jesus thinks of all sheep.

It isn't as much the quantity of sheep to find that matters most, because we will only pull on their chains and they will not want to follow, but it's with the quality of the faith and the message that we will join the people more and that we will entrust them to the Shepherd himself, Jesus. In this case, the number of sheep will grow.

We are thus invited to attract the sheep with the good grain of faith, to nourish them with authentic faith in Jesus Christ while asking Jesus of what they need most. Because each sheep has a potential to discover and develop to become stronger and attracted to the good, the real, the beautiful and the true.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd's Mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 28, 2022, 03:32:05 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 29, 2022, 04:33:21 AM
18. Leading sheep to Jesus

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We walk, we meet, we share, we do everything in prayer and a clear relationship with Jesus so that all are saved by him. All we do in faith and following Jesus is to offer to him, person after person, so that their faith increases and they may be saved.

The mission is to always lead the sheep, the people to Jesus, so that he can touch their souls and ignite their hearts with Love. Let's begin by giving the people back to Jesus in our hearts and on every occasion.

At the same time, we observe that the more we work for others with Jesus, the more the doors of our own holiness opens. The more we work for others, the more we learn how to unite with Jesus and the more we convert ourselves. It's a good deal.

Jesus invites us to become his Love missionaries. Jesus wishes us to become contagious of his presence for the world. We who know that Jesus saves us, he wants us to participate in attracting others to salvation.

To enter into a mission with Jesus is to do the will of God. But to do our own will, our mission without reference to God, is to hide as Adam and Eve.

Sometimes there are people who think they are so "on a mission" that they take control of others just to make themselves feel like they are doing something. But on the contrary, they have to let go more and let the Lord pass.

When we let go, we can return to Jesus's mission and lead people to the Word and Eucharist. They are the food of heaven for human life.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 29, 2022, 04:37:47 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 30, 2022, 04:48:34 AM

19. God guides us

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The Lord is rallying. Humanity, God has never stopped wanting to bring him back to his Covenant. Then there's the community. God keeps inviting the living communities of faith to enter into his Intelligence and Wisdom, so that we can also feed people who aren't of these communities. The common good for all people is to lead them to their salvation in Jesus Christ.

Jesus was present in his region. Crowds followed Jesus to welcome him and hear his teaching.

Life on earth would be so much simpler if we let God guide us. We see it here, it's party time:
"On this mountain the Lord of hosts will provide for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines." Isaiah, chapter 25, verse 6

God continually invites us to a meal with him. It is the eternal banquet that begins with our yes to the feast with God, the banquet of the Word and the Eucharist.

All this is already promised to us by God, since Christ has come into our world to lead us to definite salvation.

Let's give glory to God:
"Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us! This is the Lord for whom we looked; let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!" Isaiah, chapter 25, verse 9

It is the promise, the only promise of God, our hope. We know he is saving us, now we want others to be saved by him.

Let's tell him we'll receive his gifts for him to touch the heart of each person. Let's pray for people to let themselves be touched.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd's Mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 30, 2022, 04:49:30 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 31, 2022, 03:01:38 AM

20. Tell the truth

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Jesus declares to his disciples:
"Everyone who acknowledges me before others the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God." Luke, chapter 12, verse 8

True! But what does Jesus want us to say about him? The truth. This is more delicate. To talk about a person, especially Jesus, we need to spend years with him, talk with him, share with him, share in a group and read what is written about him, then enter into a better fellowship with him, naturally.

Above all, if we are talking about Jesus, let's make sure we know ourselves well and gradually adjust to his will. However, a person who has not invested time to listen to his own life will hardly be able to put the reality of another person into perspective. It's an everyday job to discover ourselves in reality and truth.

In the Gospels, there's a lot of information about Jesus, his life is part of the history of his time. He is Jewish. And Jesus is surrounded by people who testify to his presence. However, to discern in the Gospels how Jesus really is, it is recommended to become more familiar with him:
"As proof that you are children, God sent the spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out, 'Abba, Father!'" Galatians, chapter 4, verse 6

Only the Holy Spirit really knows the Creation of the Father and the Heart of the Son. But how to grasp the Holy Spirit if we don't see him? Through the Love received from him, lived and shared. Gaining experience in this area is an asset.
To know Jesus, let's comb the Bible in order to discover all of the Trinity's reality and especially that which is particular to the Beloved Son Jesus.

May the Eucharist, the Body and the Blood of Jesus together, the living God, help us to make truth in us ... if we want to discover his Truth in us. Then, by being totally free from ourselves and from some reducing principles about God, may the Holy Spirit teach us what to say about him for the salvation of the world and the Glory of the Trinity.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd's Mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 31, 2022, 03:03:08 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 01, 2022, 05:00:21 AM

21. God passes

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God comes before us. Let's imagine God passing in front of us? Can we afford the time to receive God and let him reveal his presence to us?

God joins Elijah in front of a cave:
"A strong and heavy wind is rending the mountains and crushing rocks before the Lord - but the Lord is not in the wind. After the wind there's an earthquake - but the Lord is not in the earthquake. After the earthquake there's fire - but the Lord is not in the fire. After the fire there is a tiny whispering sound. When he heard this, Elijah hides his face in his cloak and goes and stands at the entrance of the cave. A voice says to him, "Elijah, why are you here?"" 1 Kings, chapter 19, verses 11b to 13

God does not show up in something very impressive. Elijah hears him as a delicate voice, in "a tiny whispering sound", "the sound of sheer silence". God is discreet. He stands before us and in our heart with the same discretion.

Do we want God to speak to us? God speaks to us like he does to Elijah. What is he telling us?

To hear God, we need to enter in the silence of our heart. Let's seek God's presence in us and in our environment and we'll become more aware that he's here.

God proposes to us the same question as to Elijah: "Elijah, why are you here?" Why is Elijah hidden in a cave? Why are we hiding from God and not inviting him into our life? Why are we hiding in our houses and apartments or in our "bubble" when we're in a group?

"Elijah, why are you here?" God asks. And God asks us why we are confined in our body and in our heart by preventing his Loving power to live in it, to breathe in it.

We enter the covenant with God, we enter God's Love when he can reach us. May we set free to him the space of our heart.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 02, 2022, 04:31:51 AM

22 Follow me

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Jesus loves to challenge people who are seated or lying down. Here is Matthew, a tax collector sitting at his desk, to which Jesus says:
"Follow me." Matthew, chapter 9, verse 9b
Which means: "Stand up and walk with me."

Jesus knows the heart of every person, of every individual. He chose Matthew because he's ready to be plucked like a ripe fruit:
"He got up and followed him." Matthew, chapter 9, verse 9c

Says Matthew, himself. Jesus touches Matthew at the heart of his being. Matthew gets up "immediately" and follows him.

Matthew will become Jesus' Apostle and evangelist and he'll continue, his whole life, to remain with him.

When the faith of the person enters its maturity, it becomes easier to follow Jesus. Jesus wants for Matthew to follow him. He knows that Matthew has made the necessary efforts to exercise faith. Matthew perhaps wasn't aware of the degree of faith he had and maybe few people knew also. He is ready to walk on the road that Jesus borrows.

The completion of the conversion in Matthew is to hear and respond to the call of Jesus. Matthew goes and follows Jesus, step by step, without knowing in what Jesus is getting him into. His heart is touched, then he's overturned by this unique moment with Jesus.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 02, 2022, 04:33:52 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 03, 2022, 04:43:20 AM

23. Joy settles in

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When adjusting to the will of God, we can receive the light, then joy settles in and peace becomes a constant reality. Jesus came to teach us the Good News and to free us.

Jesus invites us back to a child's dignity from God, in purity of heart. Everything is better in God. The weight of past feelings and tomorrow's worries recede from our conscience.

Paul is proposing that we visit our heart:
"It is God who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us, by putting his seal on us and giving us his Spirit in our hearts as a first instalment." 2 Corinthians, chapter 1, verses 21 and 22

The past is a shadow, the future is a mirage, but the Holy Spirit dwells in our heart right now. Living in God improves our life. Welcoming the Holy Spirit into our heart leads to joy in God's Love.

But when we drag the past on our shoulders, we fight for years and we lose energy. And when we suffer from anxiety for the future, we seek for the impossible for hours, months and years as time passes. God is found in the present.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew, chapter 5, verse 3

The poor of heart, of spirit, know they can rely on God. They receive the basic necessities. They hold the key to the Kingdom God.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 03, 2022, 04:43:55 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 04, 2022, 04:41:27 AM

24. May we convert

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This passage announces the disposition of the faith:
"Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people." Psalm, chapter 85, verse 8

Let's listen and be focused to what the Lord God will say in our heart.

When we are vigilant, we turn our faith and our heart as a receiver to the Heart of God. His Heart is similar to the satellite that launches signals. We do need to put our faith towards the right frequency to receive God. We must not turn it to channels whose waves affect the reception of our soul. The dome of the heart adjusted in the right direction to the Heart of God will receive the signals of his Love.

If we do not listen, it's possibly because we are troubled, we are elsewhere. We may be at war against our own heart. After the war, it's the distress creeping in, loss of energy then lack of peace.

May we listen to what the Lord says in the silence of our heart. We think we're not hearing anything? Still, God speaks to us all the same. Only experience will clarify our listening. Let's count five seconds and gradually increase from week to week, the time to listen to God. Let's adjust the beating of our heart to the Heart of God.

God offers us his peace, peace for his family and children. Peace is offered to us. Let's listen and cling to the one that offers us his peace and his Love.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 04, 2022, 04:43:30 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 05, 2022, 04:29:25 AM

25. It's time

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Peter tells us that God wants all of us to have time to convert:
"The Lord does not delay his promise, as some regard 'delay', but he is patient with you, not wishing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." 2 Peter, chapter 3, verse 9

God is in a hurry, because he wants all of us with him, without exception. But he respects us. He waits for us to decide. Are we going to wait until tomorrow? Do we want to convert from the depths of our heart? For God is eternal, but we're passing through a limited time. Time is the passage between our conception and eternity. The responsibility for an answer is ours.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 05, 2022, 04:33:19 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 06, 2022, 04:24:21 AM

26. Choosing Jesus

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In Matthew's Gospel, Jesus proclaims:
"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Matthew, chapter 4, verse 17b

Let's convert and we'll get a bonus by receiving the kingdom of God. Or more precisely, we receive the kingdom of God by a true conversion. Our yes to God guarantees life in the kingdom of God. God is with us. All that is ours should be to thank God. Let's discover the infinite Love of the Trinity. We are invited to a wonderful fellowship, to welcome God's Love and live it to obtain a gradual transformation of our person to wellness, a free life at last and the guarantee of a return to God.

Conversion of the heart, conversion of ourselves to the Persons of the Trinity, listening to what God's wisdom proposes, implementation of charity without expecting, in doing so we attune gradually to the will of God.

As soon as we follow Christ, we become like the Light of Christ, in the image of God. We become his Love. The offer remains ... to choose Jesus ... and this claim belongs to us. To receive as much, with such great a promise, our demand to God should be simple, fast and efficient.

How do we please God? Preferring Jesus pleases God. It's the ultimate option that improves all the others, especially our relationships with people. Dare we say "yes" to Jesus with our heart and our life.

God never ceases to invite us to conversion to a wiser life, more charitable, more beautiful, full of value, holier. God draws us to himself, here and now.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 06, 2022, 04:25:53 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 07, 2022, 04:51:58 AM

27. John lives with Jesus

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Let's imagine a moment that John has the grace to follow Jesus wherever he goes, for three years. John, the Apostle and Evangelist ate and drank with Jesus, he slept next to Jesus, he leaned his head on the Sacred Heart of Jesus. John is privileged because he decided for Jesus.

If we have ever felt the presence of Jesus, may we try to remember the exact moment when it happened. Let's meditate on it. If we experienced a conversion as the biblical persons in the first chapter of this book, let's try to remember the spark that has awakened and unsettled us to convert. Was it a person, an event, the construction of a church, a word, a gesture, joy, peace, silence, nature, "or so on"?

"What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we looked upon and touched with our hands concerns the Word of life." 1 John, chapter 1, verse 1

John agrees to follow Jesus and he spends three years on the road with him. Before meeting Jesus, John has readied his heart for his encounter with Jesus, John vibrated and after spending quality time with Jesus, John taught it. John remembers what Jesus lived and taught to the Apostles. John saw and he believed.

Although John had never known Christ, he had never touched him, we could still believe in Jesus.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 07, 2022, 04:53:20 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 08, 2022, 05:35:31 AM

28. Don't wait

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The vast majority of conversions become effective after a very unfortunate event or suffering that endures. Many people seek God when they are injured, when they hit a wall, in an accident or during a burnout. We wait often too long before considering Jesus.

It's not necessary to suffer, wait for the suffering to torture us to finally know God, be anxious to shout at him or to be trapped to request for him to free us.

Like us, the world needs to know that God is always here, constantly. In joy, we praise, in troubled times we can thank him for the past joy. Jesus becomes the first dialogue of our consciousness. This will help us move pass the wall that approaches instead of hitting it and collapse before it.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 08, 2022, 05:36:15 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 09, 2022, 05:14:50 AM

29. Conversion destabilizes

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To offer our life to Christ, by a sincere conversion, destabilizes our personal universe. Even if we are converted for years, even today, if we give our life to Christ, we must not be surprised that there are events that will incline us like the wind against the trees.

We are not accustomed to see clearly, to meet reality and feel the resistance against our faith. But to give ourselves to Jesus Christ and to be loved by him will illuminate our path on which we are engaged. Jesus will take control of our life and lead us on the right track. We lose our control by giving control to Jesus. And that's salvation!

And, let's face it, we're not fond of leaving our existence to someone or even to Jesus. We have difficulty in trusting. But that is what Jesus asks of us, to allow him to receive our life in his hand.

We are also invited to live in the present, to leave behind what is unnecessary in the past and the apprehension of the future, but it's destabilizing and undermines our bad habits. In the present, we are in God.

What grace constantly remind us that Jesus is Lord and Saviour of our life, that God created us and is the author of our life, our body, our soul, our spirit! He creates us now. May we thank Jesus for the graces received. Let's trust in Jesus!

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 09, 2022, 05:16:27 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 10, 2022, 04:49:05 AM

30. Two choices

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Two choices are offered with the surprise of the new conversion. The first choice is to sit on the novelty and think about it. It's demanding, but it also allows to regroup and to situate us in relation to sudden major interior changes.

Like a person lost in the forest of the opportunities that offers conversion, it's important to stop, to sit down, assess our position and observe that we live deeply in order to resume our journey. It's like someone who tells us wonderful news, we'd better sit down.

It's not wise to run in all directions. That's the second choice. There is a risk of going astray in the misunderstanding of people confronting us and getting to think we really have "lost our mind". And we could also lose our orientation in this forest. Rather, it's time to enjoy peace in the joy of God.

Let's think about it! In Jesus, it's impossible to lose our head since it's now safer than ever. Others will adapt to the enhanced version of our person. We are not changed, we do not become someone else, we are only improved through faith in Jesus.

For some Pharisees go beyond the idea that Jesus has only lost his head and that he is possessed, now they falsely perceive Jesus as the devil, satan. Jesus' answer is quite illuminating:
"If Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, that is the end of him." Mark, chapter 3, verse 26

Jesus speaks of the nature of evil, satan, that he manipulates to divide. Jesus recalls he's just the opposite. He came to liberate what is split apart, without love, without joy, without light. Jesus cannot be divided, because Love is not divisible. Evil cannot be joy. We know that we are close to Jesus when we are in joy, peace, real love.

Jesus came to heal the internal infirmities that distance from God, heal what divides us from our relationship to God. Jesus eliminates, eradicates and dethrones evil. Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is the one (Satan) who dares to keep people away from Love and the Covenant with God. The confusion starts from the principle of the great lie that Jesus is Satan just to prevent the conversion of people to the Love of God.

The Son Jesus keeps us in life, without division, without death, with the promise of eternity. It's eternity in God we live in this very moment with Jesus.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 10, 2022, 04:49:54 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 11, 2022, 04:10:57 AM

31. There are many discoveries

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The first conversion, a brand new one, needs a very strong push to propel it in the heights of reality. It's like the plane taking off and displays great power to rise. We feel like something interesting is happening, again and again. We're in motion.

There are many discoveries, many novelties. This can last for weeks, months. Our heart is cheering and we continually marvel at the wonders of God, one after another. We are witnessing the awakening of our senses taming faith.

As the plane takes off and settles "on" air, we possibly get the impression that our faith has stabilized. So, for the new convert to Jesus as for the disciple, eventually everything seems to normalize. The landscape does not change as fast as in the beginning. We don't have the same feeling of elevation in faith as for the time of the initial conversion.

We quickly run the risk of getting bored, thinking that nothing is moving and that we are even possibly not in God's plans anymore. Then we may find comforting thrills in anything other than faith in God.

It's time to allow us a moment to recheck the path that we have just experienced and to thank God for the evolution through the months or years since our first conversion. This will allow us to get back to the foundation of our faith, to know ourselves better and re-centre our life on Jesus.

This is the right time to strengthen our faith, to dare the periodic conversion of a continuous journey, to be with people who travel together and who want to follow Jesus more confidently.

Then, we must not forget that the people who practise faith in groups are not perfect, as we are not perfect, and that our first goal is to follow Jesus. Let's try not observing the faults of others, but seek Jesus in the heart of these people. Let's seek God's qualities in them and leave to Jesus what isn't his.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 11, 2022, 04:11:27 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 12, 2022, 05:14:45 AM

32. Day after day

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All believers are called and invited to eternal life. God says to Abraham:
"My covenant with you is this: you are to become the father of a host of nations." Genesis, chapter, 17, verse 4

Abraham believes in God's Word, but he may not know what it definitely means. Often, we get intuitions from God, but there's a mystery surrounding these intuitions, even if after a longer or shorter discernment, they're from God.

God wants us to remain with him. He wants us to trust him. Day after day, year after year and for the duration of our lives, we'll need to work the foundation of our faith and solidify it. We then become examples for others, often unknowingly. Like the conversion of Abraham, our own conversion will help lead people to God.

For this friendship (Covenant) to be feasible, God says to Abraham:
"You and your descendants after you must keep my covenant throughout the ages." Genesis, chapter 17, verse 9

To become credible believers, we need to enter into a relationship with God, in his Covenant. For how can we know someone without trying to know him? God wants to be known. As we were visited in our heart by God, he seeks to be exposed in our surroundings for everyone.

However, some will say to us: "Why do you invite us to perfection, if you are not perfect yourself?" And "why do you talk so much of Jesus, when you're not that converted to him? Why dare you even speak of Jesus?"

Let's not wait to be perfect beings before inviting to the perfection of faith to which Jesus calls us. Let's not expect to be "Jesus" ourselves, before talking about Jesus. We are all called to become like him, to abide in him. And yes, this book is written for the author, so that he may also, himself, convert.

Jesus invites us to evangelize. It's never in our own name but in Jesus' name. It's charitable to invite to the perfection of faith and it's charitable to mention Jesus's name. The soul thirsts to hear his name!

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 13, 2022, 06:21:52 AM

33. Invitation to conversion

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Paul is not perfect, but he invites us nevertheless to a conversion:
You should put away the old self of your former way of life, corrupted through deceitful desires, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self, created in God's way in righteousness and holiness of truth. Ephesians, chapter 4, verses 22 to 24

May we get rid of ways that lead us to forget God in our meetings, while we're sharing memories with our family or with our friends.
Then Paul continues in the quoted text: "put on the new self, created in God's way in righteousness and holiness of truth".

Paul offers us a beautiful journey of faith. Let's trust in Jesus. Let's find time to explore God's reality, to thank him, to let him love us. But let's not think that we have achieved our goal. Let's continue to move forward in faith, simply, with whom we already are.

Being in God allows us to become more ourselves. We want to be like him, give our lives to him, recognizing him in humanity and inviting people to follow him by charitable ways.

May we let God's Word transform us to the point of becoming like him.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 13, 2022, 06:22:31 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 14, 2022, 03:44:14 AM

34. God elevates us

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Jesus wants us as friends:
"I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father." John, chapter 15, verse 15

We become friends if we stay close to what Jesus is teaching us. God seeks to clothe us with his presence. He speaks with his Heart:
"I will be like the dew for Israel: he shall blossom like the lily; He shall strike root like the Lebanon cedar." Hosea, chapter 14, verse 6

God says: "I will be like the dew for Israel." But we don't really understand this passage. Because usually our relation with others contains conscious and unconscious blockages and we'll say: "When you'll become my friend, I'll be your friend."

Usually, we need to know the person, trust him, and then that person can enter our group of friends. This seems the norm in our way of proceeding, before welcoming and accepting friendship.

But for God, when he says: "I will be like the dew for Israel," he does not say that he will test us to see if he will love us. God isn't us. He doesn't expect to create a relationship with us. He loves us immediately. God loves us unconditionally. He loves us despite our faults and sins. He loves us eternally. God is always the dew that surrounds us, he's always present to his people, his family, he's the perpetual love that covers us.

The more we're hurt, the more people have let us down, the more we have experienced disappointments, the more we become trivial in choosing friends. God isn't such a person. God will never let us down. God lifts us and loves us without any special request from us.

So, the difficulty of entering a relation with God always comes from us, because we fear some of our past supposed friends. We confuse God with people from our past. We fear God, instead of letting him love us. We block our relationship with God in a thousand ways.

We are resourceful in finding reasons and excuses for not honestly following Jesus. We cut ourselves from his love, and we terribly suffer from the lost. We cannot count the cost of refused blessings.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 14, 2022, 03:45:36 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 15, 2022, 05:16:56 AM

35. Keeping Jesus with us

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Jesus reminds us of God's Law of Love:
"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength." The second is this: "You shall love your neighbour as yourself." There is no other commandment greater than these. Mark, chapter 12, verses 30 to 31

Then one of the scribes say:
Well said, teacher. You are right in saying, "He is One and there is no other than he." And "to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbour as yourself" is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices. Mark, chapter 12, verses 32 to 33

Jesus knows that he makes a good point then adds:
"You are not far from the kingdom of God." Mark, chapter 12, verse 34a

He's not far, but... he's not near the kingdom. He still needs to recognize Jesus as his Lord and Saviour. He will need to accept and follow Jesus.
And we have so many activities and projects underway that it will be difficult not to start the journey of faith, but to continue it. A small inconvenience could jeopardize the realization of the journey.

Turbulence under the airplane will make us doubt the craft quality. A negative distraction, especially from people in the church or even elsewhere, can lead us to believe less in Jesus and back off. May we not let distractions or negative situations end our walk with Jesus.

It demands our personal decision, not the one of others, for us to remain forever with Jesus. And it's for us now, to bring more joy, serenity, positive thoughts and prayers in our parish, then to our surroundings.

This is our mission! Let's keep Jesus with us. It is he who completes us with his presence and grants us his gifts to share.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 15, 2022, 05:18:26 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 16, 2022, 05:10:01 AM

36. United in God

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Jesus tells us:
"The Father and I are one." John, chapter 10, verse 30

And since God is one, he wants us to unite in his Kingdom. God wants us to unite in him, every one of us, without exception.

May we continue to step forward with Jesus in our lives, in our heart, even if we have the illusion that nothing is happening, and may we be transformed from day to day in Jesus's manner, with Jesus, for Jesus, for the world and for our salvation.

Let's continue to go to faith gatherings and share the Word of God in the Bible with others. Let's walk with Jesus. The small steps that we'll achieve will lead us one day, perhaps in a few years to discover the improved person we've become.

Jesus will rejoice to see each small step we're taking, like with our parents the day when, very unsettled and unsure of ourselves, we walked toward them with outstretched hands.

If our parents had not allowed us to take these steps, maybe we wouldn't walk today. They even left us fall with love, to the ground, so that we progress in walking toward them. If our parents had not taught us to speak, and it has taken time to learn, we would not be talking. And yet today we're still learning our language.

So it's necessary to rejoice being in places of worship, just to be there even if we don't seem to bring a lot to the group. Or even by thinking we're not receiving much out of the group. The important thing is to be there. Jesus is there. Let's be reassured, we are moving at high speed, like the plane stabilized "on" air at 800 kilometres or more per hour. Even if the landscape seems at a stand still.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 16, 2022, 05:11:11 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 17, 2022, 06:09:25 AM

37. Learning to love

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We're not in a relationship with God to please God, because he has everything he needs. We are in a relationship with God to improve our perception of reality, to see clearly and to learn to love like God loves us.

We are invited to feel the movements of God's grace as we feel the wind's breeze on us. God is the light breeze that surrounds us externally and internally.

We can welcome the Holy Spirit in every fibre, in every cell, in all that is infinitely small in our being. Let's ask him to fill us, complete us with his graces. God's presence accepted in our heart fulfills, transforms, and embellishes us.

Wherever we go, whatever we do, whatever sin we've done, with sincere repentance and confessing to a priest, God will be with us in the joyful struggle for peace and the wonder of new discovery of his grace, if we keep him in us.

We can live a relationship with God as important as all the people in the Bible, of all the saints, making small gestures and saying good and daily edifying words. Moreover, it's much easier to experience joy and offer the joy of living than to be in despair and collect misery.

Let's work to help those around us to recognize God's Love manifested in a multitude of ways, starting with mercy, joy, hope, peace... A small step with open arms, a good deed, a kind word every day and it will illuminate the world around us. When the world becomes joyful and peaceful, our quality of life improves.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 17, 2022, 06:10:25 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 18, 2022, 04:59:41 AM

38. Watching

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With wisdom and knowledge, he fills them; good and evil he shows them. He looks with favour upon their hearts, and shows them his glorious works, that they may describe the wonders of his deeds and praise his holy name. Sirach, chapter 17, verses 6 to 8a

This is what's written. God gives us to: "describe the wonders of his deeds and praise his holy name".

God gazes on allowing us to see his work in us and around us.
The miner has a light on his helmet, he sees the environment. It allows him to observe and choose the ore that he's seeking. The light illuminates whatever is in the dark.

God's bright light allows us, by grace, to find out what's in our heart and in the heart of the people on our way. Then we can say:
"His majestic glory their eyes beheld, his glorious voice their ears heard." Sirach, chapter 17, verse 11

To be mindful of everything from God]] helps us to spring up and eliminate fear. We have seen the wonders of God. We see the wonders of God. We will see the wonders of God. Those who awaken to the grace of God will see his wonders. Let's see with the eyes of God while he sees in us what is his.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 18, 2022, 05:01:16 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 19, 2022, 06:14:18 AM

29. Conversion destabilizes

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To offer our life to Christ, by a sincere conversion, destabilizes our personal universe. Even if we are converted for years, even today, if we give our life to Christ, we must not be surprised that there are events that will incline us like the wind against the trees.

We are not accustomed to see clearly, to meet reality and feel the resistance against our faith. But to give ourselves to Jesus Christ and to be loved by him will illuminate our path on which we are engaged. Jesus will take control of our life and lead us on the right track. We lose our control by giving control to Jesus. And that's salvation!

And, let's face it, we're not fond of leaving our existence to someone or even to Jesus. We have difficulty in trusting. But that is what Jesus asks of us, to allow him to receive our life in his hand.

We are also invited to live in the present, to leave behind what is unnecessary in the past and the apprehension of the future, but it's destabilizing and undermines our bad habits. In the present, we are in God.

What grace constantly remind us that Jesus is Lord and Saviour of our life, that God created us and is the author of our life, our body, our soul, our spirit! He creates us now. May we thank Jesus for the graces received. Let's trust in Jesus!

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 19, 2022, 06:15:13 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 20, 2022, 07:11:30 AM


40. Perseverance

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Continuous conversion is necessary if we are to remain strong in the midst of a boat being plagued by high waves, preyed upon by all the promises from the outside, all the illusions that sparkle on the water surface, proposed to us outside the Church.

May conversion be real in our heart and in the heart of our life. May we become lovers of God who loves us first. Let's love God more and more.
Let's ask Jesus's perseverance to remain in him. It's imperative, important today to rest completely, to anchor ourselves firmly in Jesus's love, in order not to be tossed on the waves of life, from one side to the other. It must become a commitment to progress and stabilize our faith, by following Jesus Christ.

Perseverance in faith keeps us glued to our loving God who seeks our "yes" every day. No need to tense up our faces to move forward and be persistent, but let down our barriers one by one and believe in the ways and means received by the Holy Spirit, because God believes in us.

Let's be vigilant. Let's live our faith. This is the first assurance we need to get. Starting the day with the sign of the Cross. Staying in Jesus's Heart. Jesus is Love. Jesus Loves us.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 20, 2022, 07:12:12 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 21, 2022, 06:05:52 AM

41. Caution

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To evolve in faith, it is important to observe from time to time, what is and what is not fine in our faith. Let's replace ourselves before Christ, to be at our best and to grow in faith.

A continued conversion allows the jewel of faith to be polished by the hand of God. People who are filled with God's Love become inflamed, they become lights in the world.

Paul invites us to persevere:
Provided that you persevere in the faith, firmly grounded, stable, and not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, am a minister, Colossians, chapter 1, verse 23

during Mass, among other means. May we remain strong and firm in the faith and strong in the grace of God. And as Paul says:
"To live in a manner worthy of the Lord, so as to be fully pleasing, in every good work bearing fruit and growing in the knowledge of God." Colossians, chapter 1, verse 10

Let's be certain that if we keep Jesus with us, in us, we will make progress "in the true knowledge of God". In Jesus, we will become bearers of God's Love. We will grow in this love and the people accompanying us during our earthly pilgrimage will benefit from it.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 21, 2022, 06:06:23 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 22, 2022, 05:45:27 AM

42. Fears


Fears, anxieties, phobias, etc., are not from God. The more we get closer to Jesus our Lord, the more our lives will turn around and we will observe decrease of the discomfort.

We can ask ourselves: "Do we let the Holy Spirit work in our lives or do we let fear take over?"

If sadness prevails over joy, if the closure of our heart trumps openness to others, if we become stagnant instead of walking behind Jesus, if fear paralyzes us instead of tasting joy and freedom, the Holy Spirit doesn't pass. He can't go where we locked him out. It may be that we spend more time retaining ourselves, locking ourselves up instead of living our faith, free, and in God's Light.

Let's enter quickly into God's delights.

To not choose, to not decide is a devious trap. Elijah speaks these words to the crowd, and they are illuminating for us too:
"How long will you straddle the issue? If the Lord is God, follow him; if Baal, follow him." 1 Kings, chapter 18, verse 21

Elijah's invitation does not require an immediate response, but further reflection that will allow an evolution in faith.

Elijah places the people that he guides in front of their choices. There are only two choices. There will always be only two choices for us. God or whatever.
It's impossible to turn straight ahead. It's just impossible. We must turn either right or left, or go straight. Either we turn or we go straight. It's one or the other. God invites us to go straight. But often we "dance" to the left and then to the right, as souls that get out of hand then we may get out of the path that leads to God.

We are constantly faced with choices more or less simple. But what is interesting in what Elijah offers us is that we're in front of the only decision that really matters. All other decisions we eventually make results from this one. All personal achievements we live will be linked to that decision alone, "Do I choose God or not?" God is God of Love, the Holy Spirit breathes life into us and Jesus came to show us the path to follow to enter Eternal Love. The decision is easy. Or, is it easy?

Nobody can answer that question for us. We have full responsibility. Let's enter our heart and take the time to verify our choices and then align our life in the direction of our choice.

This sentence is to the point:
"Happy those [...] (which) God's law they study day and night, [...] that yields its fruit in season." Psalm 2, verses 1 to 3

With multiple paths already on the subject, we possibly know the answer.

God allows us to become what's best for us, if we choose and remain focused on him.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 22, 2022, 05:46:57 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 23, 2022, 05:54:27 AM

43. The Fruits of the Spirit

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Let's observe the fruits of the Holy Spirit in the persons, which will unfold in goodness, truthfulness, in reality. If the person's words bear fruit and they are in the will of God, they'll lead to peace, joy, life, to all the gifts and charisms of the Holy Spirit, we can then follow what they live internally and be inspired by them.

If not, let's be careful with all the teachings that are given in the world. No need to deny and banish them, but let's separate the speeches that lead us to God from the ones that can separate us from him.

And why not internally compare the teachings we hear, not to discredit it at once, but to help us understand and refocus on Jesus. Let's ask Jesus to enlighten what's good in what we receive as teachings.

The same is true for gestures. Let's observe if the gestures of people lead to charity or not. As we listen and observe the others, we can achieve the same study on our ability to want to live and transmit values and if we live it well.

Let's ask Jesus to help us discern between what is from God and his Holy Spirit of what divides, separates us from him. People we meet may have good intentions, but the path they have chosen may lead away from God, then we are set astray with them. Let's be aware and careful.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 23, 2022, 05:56:26 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 24, 2022, 05:00:31 AM

44. To seek light

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To seek the light of God is a process to do every day of our lives. Let's rise:
"Rise up in splendour! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you." Isaiah, chapter 60, verse 1

What is the light that we seek? The Light is already on us. The Light of the Lord, the light of the Trinity is always on us, and it is for us to welcome it, to receive and be enlightened by it.

Jesus's light is to be demanded on us often, then we allow God to illuminate our lives and help us move forward on a quiet road, a better-defined road since we become better informed. With the light of God, we discern more in the depths of our heart what's necessarily needed for the road.

A sincere prayer of the heart is the best way to unite with God, to welcome him and be enlightened. It focuses us on God and allows him to do the cleaning of our existence.

A prayer that's already written, as the prayer of Jesus is, the Our Father, said with the heart, is an act of love. Each time we pray with an already written prayer or from within us, if it's said with the heart, it's an "I love you" to God.

We will possibly be distracted during our prayer time. These distractions are an opportunity for us to give them to God. This is part of our internal cleansing. It creates space to better accommodate God's Presence in us.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 24, 2022, 05:01:40 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 25, 2022, 05:45:50 AM
45. Freedom

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Jesus came to show us the face of God. He came to heal us and help us out of slavery and convert, of course, if we want to welcome Jesus as our Lord and Saviour. As it is written:
"Many followed him, and he cured them all." Matthew, chapter 12, verse 15

Let's continue to work on our own conversion to Jesus's Sacred Heart and he will show us he's our Lord and Saviour. Let's ask ourselves the question: "Did I become a slave to something or someone?"

Let's briefly do a parallel with the slavery of sin. As soon as we move away from God, we will reduce ourselves to more faults and sins. The remoteness from God will be caused by slavery, which will sink us into sin. Sin and evil always lead us away from God.

May we dare take the risk of following Jesus like the people of Israel out of Egypt with God's forceful hand. May we dare leave our bad habits.

Jesus heals us from our remoteness if we wish. The decision is ours, because we are free.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 25, 2022, 05:46:53 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 26, 2022, 05:11:57 AM

46. Continuous conversion and notice

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When we are living a basic conversion, there arises a deep desire to boldly explore the source, to know who God is and why his Love pierces our hearts.

Continuous conversion involves discovering and deepening the roots that lead us to know God's Love. Prospecting in the Bible, to examine the source of faith, is a human and natural process to starting to know who is God.
The teenage years are usually coloured by researching and understanding of family roots.

The teenager becomes aware of the people around him who have been present during his life. Who am I? Why am I? Who are they? Why them?
We will do the same exercise, in order to identify in several Bible texts, of which concerns God. Then we will dig into the very source of God's reality. Who is God? Why him?

But what are we looking for? As every human being one day finds himself before the question of love, we will search together, in the Bible, what's revealed about the Love of God. On the other hand, and because of this exercise, it will be necessary to dig out what is also contrary to the Love of God.

We are aware that there is a danger in carrying out such a project. It's sometimes difficult to understand why, on one hand, God is loving and the benefactor, but on the other hand, he seems to be wishing us harm, for obscure reasons.

It's false that God would want to hurt us, we know that. More precisely, evil is present in the sacred texts (Bible) because the people become lukewarm and they turn away from God; which undeniably attracts him to sin, to evil.

It should be noted that, as you will become aware in this book, the reality of God will never be eliminated (Love, peace, joy, mercy, etc.). On the other hand, what does not suit him will be underlined. This is the difficult part of the exercise. It requires an openness of mind and heart on the reader's part. After clearing through the deeper meaning of God in the Bible, Love will become visible.

It will be up to every person who reads this book, to discover that God is Love and that he never causes harm or leads his people or anyone to misfortune. We hope this makes the Bible more interesting and easy to read. We want to bring out the best of the Bible and we wish it ardently, without prejudice to the truth it contains.

Let's be reassured from the start that all that's written in the Bible is wanted from God. We repeat: All the texts of the Bible God wants. They teach us about history and human behaviour and God who's with us in history.

So we want to search together, excavate (dig out) and unpack the reality of God through what is written about him. We dare to release and reveal the Love of God by elevating, as within a hologram projection, some chosen passages from the Bible.

It's an invitation to conversion and to a sincere journey. We do believe, God is Love and he can only be Love. It's rather humans who sin, hides and disfigures the face of God.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 26, 2022, 05:12:27 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 27, 2022, 06:16:40 AM

47. God coexists with humans

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Since the beginning of humanity, mankind has been trying to understand who God is.

Events in the world make us love God. But in a strange way, they can also dissuade us, make us doubt, then move us away from the Love of God.
Writers too, in the Bible, have given intentions to God that does not seem to suit him very well. We'll try to restore briefly the reality of God, who is Love.

We'll also try to detect the reality of the human being, too often inhuman, because of his faults and his sins, who thinks that God is like him. Or, just like us sometimes, writers imagine God as an avenger, a scary being, who keeps us in fear as well as other unattractive attributes.

There are two basic aspects that influence us in the Bible. First, we discover the Love of God, purer than a perfect diamond with all its facets of mercy, joy, hope, peace, life, etc.

The second point of view that we need to remember is that God is present in the history of humanity. Despite the fact that there are saints in the Bible, very often the story recalls inhuman gestures and words that intermingle with the Love of God, unfortunately.

The image we project on God is often tarnished. We place an opaque veil between us and him. It can become confusing to the point that the "god" we invent seems to betray us, make us suffer and kills us, according to his mood (We place a small "g" to "god" here, because we want to signify, right from the outset, that this "god", like an idol, is a pure invention of our misunderstanding of the reality of God).

Moreover, we observe that since the beginning of humanity, inhuman sins contradict the Love of God. Violence and evil caused by sin distorts reality. God then becomes, through a false perception, guilty of the evils, the misery and the suffering of humanity. Even today, we blame God for evil and sin.

Now, inhuman acts and words cause harm and its horrors are found in the Bible. Evil becomes an agent of confusion that blurs the reality of God.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 27, 2022, 06:17:17 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 28, 2022, 04:26:13 AM

48. Beauty of God in the Bible

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But, thanks to God, goodness shines, forevermore, in the Bible. And it's in this goodness that the transparent Beauty of God is revealed.

The most extraordinary thing about the Bible is that humanity, with its weaknesses and sins, and God with his Love, live side by side.

God inspired writers to write the Bible. We repeat: God inspired writers to write the texts of the Bible.

The Bible could be considered as a one and only parable. What is of God and what is the misunderstanding of the human with respect to God?
It's up to us to understand the enormous difference, the chasm (gap) that too often exists between us and God. No inhuman gesture, thought or word can be given to God.

The great drama of the Bible is that God wants to convert his people and bring him back to his Love, and his children inhumanly sin and cause harm, then move away from God, pretexting it's his fault.

We will explore, with this reading guide, some texts of the Bible. We will discover how easy it is to think that God "allows" evil when he's not responsible for it.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 28, 2022, 04:26:50 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 29, 2022, 04:54:57 AM

49. Who is like God?

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Micah raises the lid on God:
"Who is there like you, the God who removes guilt and pardons sin for the remnant of his inheritance; Who does not persist in anger forever, but delights rather in clemency, and will again have compassion on us, treading underfoot our guilt? You will cast into the depths of the sea all our sins." Micah, chapter 7, verses 18 to 19

In this opening passage from Micah, we discover that God is merciful. But Micah also tells us that God can "persist in anger". These are the two aspects that we will pursue now. We know that God is merciful. But, can he be angry too? Absolutely not.

Let's get the magnifying glass out of its holster and follow in God's footsteps.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 29, 2022, 04:56:00 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 30, 2022, 08:54:40 AM

50. The Covenant

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After the flood, God makes a Covenant with Noah and his family. God guarantees that he will always be present:
See, I am now establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you and with every living creature that was with you: all the birds, and the various tames and wild animals that were with you and came out of the ark. Genesis, chapter 9, verses 9 to 10

God's Covenant is eternal. God never breaks it. We can conclude that his Covenant with humanity was already defined, already established from the creation of the world, even before he formed the universe.
God reassures the people:
"I set my bow in the clouds to serve as a sign of the covenant between me and the earth." Genesis, chapter 9, verse 13

God's Covenant is the Love he offers us without limit, all the time and in which he wants to keep us. God reminds Abraham of it:
"I will maintain my covenant with you and your descendants after you throughout the ages as an everlasting pact, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you." Genesis, chapter 17, verse 7

God is always in relation with the people, if the people want him. Him, he will never leave.

Are we, ourselves, in the Covenant of the caring Love of God?

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 30, 2022, 08:57:22 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 01, 2022, 04:14:43 AM

51. The Heart of the ship

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Theologians have seen in Noah's ark the salvation offered to us, the salvation that raises us above sin and death. God has consideration and he proposes a boat for his people, so that he may be saved from death.

The boat that is the Church is founded by Jesus on the Apostles. She teaches us his will. She administers his Sacraments, especially the Eucharist and the Word of Life for our salvation and fraternity among humans. The Church of Jesus offers us the means to move away from temptations and from evil.

God also entrusts Mary, Mother of Jesus, for to contemplate and to follow as an example of faith.

Christ is the Heart and he drives the ship, the ark. Jesus is the undeniable proof that God loves us forever. Peter understands it:
"For Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the sake of the unrighteous, that he might lead you to God. Put to death in the flesh, he was brought to life in the spirit." 1 Peter, chapter 3, verse 18

Jesus offers himself to save us. He did not condemn us to death. God does not condemn. He takes our flesh that is dying, to arise it in eternal life. He wants us alive in his Covenant. Jesus came into our history, to bring us back to the dignity of being, to the dignity of being human.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 01, 2022, 04:17:00 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 02, 2022, 04:46:10 AM

52. Jesus fights temptations

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Jesus, when tempted in the desert, teaches us how to fight evil.
Evil takes us away from the Eucharist and the Word of God. Evil brings us down to become lost kings and queens, far from the world and from our Church. We risk thinking that we are the only ones who can handle everything. Evil degrades us to the point of thinking that we own the goods and the people. Evil diminishes us, it pulls us away from others and from God.

In the midst of temptations:
"The Spirit drives Jesus out into the desert." Mark, chapter 1, verse 12

The Spirit drives Jesus to the desert. Jesus goes freely because he is eager to fulfill his mission and to lead us on the road of life to Life everlasting. He shows us how to fight temptations:
"He remained in the desert for forty days, tempted by Satan. He was among wild beasts, and the angels ministered to him." Mark, chapter 1, verse 13

Jesus is tempted by evil, but not like us. He fights temptations for us; the temptation to move away from the Life and Love of God; the temptation of evil against God; the temptation of what distracts us from God and the temptation to possess what exists by repelling God.

The worst and most subtle temptation is to think that God is not Love.
Jesus doesn't need to fight temptations for himself. Jesus is already victorious. He fights temptations for us and to show us how to be free. Every time we are tempted, Jesus fights with us, if we allow him to intervene in our life.

There are not many fruits growing in the desert, there is not much water. The desert certainly means death for a person. Let's perceive that the desert contrasts with paradise, which was promised to us before the fall, before the original sin, the sin that only Baptism can wash out.

Jesus overcame the desert of temptations that leads to death and he turns it into a fertile land. Jesus comes to tell us not to fear because he has conquered death by leading us into his life. He invites us to walk behind him, to walk on the path of real life. It's now the time of the great cleansing of our person, to empty it of all that is useless and to let it fill up with the Love of God.

May all the shady areas of our existence be purified in the Love of God. Let's enjoy it! We will then avoid running into evil.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 02, 2022, 04:47:04 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 03, 2022, 04:36:14 AM

53. God cannot curse

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Abraham has the impression that God says:
"I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you." Genesis chapter 12, verse 3
If one person despises another, will he be happy? Is it possible to be happy when he hurts a person? Let's read it again: "I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you." We know that God cannot reprove, condemn, curse: this is absolutely not in his nature. Yet it is written, some will say.

Would it be better said that the person who despises the other could go so far as to curse himself? It's possible. So, if someone curses someone, he commits to cursing himself.

Because the evil that he ventures on the other is the evil with which he's contaminated. God doesn't curse. He doesn't need God to condemn and condemn himself. He curses and then he curses himself. He's able to condemn himself alone.

This text is, therefore, in itself an affirmation that can put God at wrongdoing. The "I will curse" placed in the mouth of God is very possibly the understanding of the writer, in his living time, about God. To reprove, to exclude a person from his face for eternity is absolutely not in the way of God's action, it isn't in God's plan.

For the author of Genesis, by this biblical passage, God seems to be responsible for both good and evil in the world. The author had not yet learned to distinguish between evil that doesn't concern God and good that represents God.

The final answer would be more likely: "The person who will curse, he will condemn himself. He risks being excluded from eternity if he curses others; even worse, if he curses God." The boomerang effect.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 03, 2022, 04:37:27 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 04, 2022, 05:00:30 AM

54. God does not harden the heart

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However, the people of Israel, with Moses as guide, managed to flee Pharaoh and Egypt. God seems to say, by Moses:
"Thus will I make Pharaoh so obstinate that he will pursue them." Exodus, chapter 14, verse 4

God cannot harden the heart of anyone, even Pharaoh's, and lead him to persevere, so that he catches fugitives and takes them back into captivity. It's not realistic to portray God this way.

This passage is an example of people at the time who do not know God. God is not complicit in "Pharaoh's stubbornness", so to "harden Pharaoh's heart". It's Pharaoh who persists and hardens his heart.

It's the human being who hardens the heart and becomes inhuman through gestures and words against humanity.

We need discernment from the wisdom of God. God can only be Love. Let's remember that in the Love of God are included the following manifestations: peace, joy, prayer, wisdom, life, liberty, mercy, etc. The remains, especially the negative words about God, are nothing but a wrong and incorrect way of perceiving him.

God's Heart is filled with Love and he cannot encourage people to harden their hearts, to become obstinate. We ourselves do not encourage it, since the person would become dangerous for himself and his environment.

So, we appreciate God by placing all the writings of the Bible under the magnifying glass of his infinite and luminous Love. God saves his people, but he's no friend of the evil caused by Pharaoh.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 04, 2022, 05:01:17 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 05, 2022, 07:19:50 AM

55. Rebuke against God

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The people of Israel still rebuke against Moses:
"Why did you ever make us leave Egypt? Was it just to have us die here of thirst with our children and our livestock?" Exodus, chapter 17, verse 3

It's classic. When we do not have what we want, we often accuse others, the government, and then recriminate directly or indirectly against God. Why does God seem to cover us with misfortune?

As for families in Israel, we are used to living in an environment that can lead us to maximum security, to habits that are no longer to be dismantled. And we go around in circles, instead of bouncing our way back to God.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 05, 2022, 07:20:48 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 06, 2022, 04:23:27 AM

56.Too heavy

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After an interesting internal journey, surprisingly, Moses becomes free and lucid enough to ask God for help:
Was it I who conceived all this people? Or was it I who gave them birth, that you tell me to carry them at my bosom, like a foster father carrying an infant, to the land you have promised under oath to their fathers?

Where can I get meat to give to all this people? For they are crying to me, 'Give us meat for our food.'

I cannot carry all this people by myself, for they are too heavy for me. Numbers, chapter 11, verses 12 to 14

What Moses understands is invaluable: "Was it I who conceived all this people?" He understands that the people of Israel are the people of God: "I cannot carry all this people by myself, for they are too heavy for me."

Yes, Moses is a wanted guide of God for his people ... and his mission is to lead him to God. Moses recognizes God as the one who leads his people. He hands the people over to God, since he is responsible for this people.

We cannot do anything without God. Let's give him back all people and all groups.

Despite the weight of the moment, Moses clings to his relationship with God. He has always worked with God. But there are people who are never happy, never satisfied. They will demonstrate to Moses that they do not want freedom. Nevertheless, Moses wishes to take them out of their bad experience lived in Egypt and bring them back to freedom, in God.

Moses is in a listening attitude with God:
To the people, however, you shall say: Sanctify yourselves for tomorrow, when you shall have meat to eat. For in the hearing of the Lord you have cried, "Would that we had meat for food! Oh, how well off we were in Egypt!" Therefore the Lord will give you meat for food, and you will eat it. Numbers, chapter 11, verses 18 to 19

God is always listening. As soon as Moses is released from the complaint of the people, he gets his answer.

May the leaders of a people, a nation, a country, a church remain in God, like Moses. May they continue, in spite of everything and even in what seems impossible to comprehend, to return to God.

Moses relies on God. Let's trust Jesus. Let's receive what we need and the needs for others. It's never necessary to complain, since God is there and he hears us very well. Although, to complain is often the reaction which precedes a serious reflection.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 06, 2022, 04:24:46 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 07, 2022, 03:53:04 AM
57. No consequences for sin?

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Are there no consequences for sin? Absolutely not. Because sin is lacking, separating from the Love of God. Sin is an action and evil is its consequence.
Through sin, the person hurts himself and can destroy himself. The only decision of the person to turn to sin causes him evil.

This is being unfaithful to the Love of God. Leaving God, which will cause us evil, leads to suffering. Without the love of God, we sink into the mud of evil.
Let's continue with the next passage of the Exodus, which is not easy to understand, since it seems to contradict the message of Jesus:
"Love your enemies." Matthew, chapter 5, verse 44

Let's continue immediately with what is written in the Book of Exodus:
"I will be an enemy to your enemies." Exodus, chapter 23, verse 22

For a people who are often at war, we can assume that he did not understand the message that God is transmitting to him. How can God be an "enemy" since he is Love?

It's easy to conclude that God would hurt someone. But Jesus sets the clock back on time. He confirms that God loves even enemies.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 07, 2022, 03:54:40 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 08, 2022, 04:56:59 AM

58. God doesn't fight anyone

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God is present from generation to generation. He is now with Joshua. Joshua thinks God is fighting the people of the Amorites:
"They fought against you, but I delivered them into your power. You took possession of their land, and I destroyed them before you." Joshua, chapter 24, verse 8

Joshua assumes that God is fighting in war with them. But he does not fight Joshua's war enemies.

God has never been in their wars. God has never destroyed anyone. He has no weapons. It was the people of that time who believed that God was in their battles and gave to them victories against humans.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 08, 2022, 04:57:40 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 09, 2022, 06:04:36 AM

59. A curse from God, impossible

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Another false image of God:
"The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked, but the dwelling of the just he blesses." Proverbs, chapter 3, verse 33

This gives the impression that God can cause a person's curse. Impossible. We now know that it is the person who is causing the curse. By moving away from God, from his Love, the person turns outward toward the evil's side. He causes his evil, being away and rejecting God.

On the other hand, when a person lets himself be loved by God, he becomes more righteous, more adjusted to Love. And the justice of God becomes his discipline and his balance of life. The justice of God is to receive what we need, life, love, mercy, etc. Let's offer what we receive from God.

It's simple to understand; we are approaching or moving away from God. Becoming charitable or becoming selfish. Become a follower of Jesus, give thanks to Jesus or place the pride of popularity on us.

We are free to choose. God offers us good and we are free to choose evil.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 09, 2022, 06:05:11 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 10, 2022, 05:48:25 AM

60. John, the beloved

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John, Jesus's Apostle and evangelist lives a relationship close to perfection with Jesus.

He's not perfect, but John seems to have found the way to surrender to the Heart of God. He reveals to us the truth. John is the only one who sums up the Heart of God and the core message of the Bible, in three words:
"God is Love." 1 John, chapter 4, verse 16b

And John wrote just before:
"We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us." 1 John, chapter 4, verse 16a

John speaks to "us" in this last statement, but is he aware of what this implies: "We have come to know and to believe in the Love God has for us." However, to have written it, John must have experienced the Love of God in the depths of his being.

John is near God. It is therefore possible to believe in God and to know his Love. But are we aware of it? How do we determine that we know his Love?
Some texts in the Bible give the impression that God isn't Love. How many of our contemporaries like to rebel against God and say that with all that is happening in our world, God cannot be Love? It just keeps on going.

Let's add this excerpt:
"Whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him." 1 John, Chapter 4, verse 16b

John's powerful words remind us to remain in Love to know God.
So why do we deny God's truth? What are the reasons for being opposed to John's words? Consciously or unconsciously, in many ways and words we assume that God isn't Love. Why does attraction to evil lead us so far?

It's crucial to update our database. "God is Love" and God can only be Love. Maybe we underestimate the Love of God, but we can never overestimate the Love of God.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 10, 2022, 05:49:16 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 11, 2022, 04:28:47 AM

61. Jesus respects the people

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Jesus is very respectful of people. He cannot reach us if we don't want to welcome him. Yet he could force us to receive his Love, but patiently he prefers to wait on us.

Jesus says to them:

"A prophet is not without honour except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house." So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there, apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith. He went around to the villages in the vicinity teaching. Mark, chapter 6, verses 4 to 6

Jesus leaves, he goes to the neighbouring villages. In fact, it is us, we are leaving and keeping Jesus away. It's us who reject him because we're not interested in his message. Jesus is always with us, but we are not always with him. Jesus goes so far as to be surprised at the lack of faith.

Jesus saves us, he heals us from evil, he shows us the only way to be joyful and to embark with him if we want.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 11, 2022, 04:29:45 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 12, 2022, 06:36:33 AM

62. Conscious refusal

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The extent of a fulfilling life is to receive the Love of God and cling to him. The opposite of hosting and living God's Love is to let oneself fall into evil.

The abyss of evil is the conscious total refusal to receive God's Love.
The prophet trumpets:
"Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her service is at an end, her guilt is expiated; Indeed, she has received from the hand of the Lord double for all her sins." Isaiah, chapter 40, verses 1 to 2

The guilt of skipping away from Love is forgiven by God. But it's always tempting to move away from him, to lurk into evil, from which emerge the denials, the fears, the crimes.

The double punishment is to get away from the Love of God and slip toward evil. It is a double fault, a double distress, a double distance. That's why in the text, the person receives double from God, accepting Love after having turned away from evil.

As a person seeks to identify the name of his illness to better be treated and heal, let's dare to observe the evil that causes sin.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 12, 2022, 06:38:18 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 13, 2022, 06:19:26 AM

63. Whoever believes

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It is written in the Gospel:
"Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains upon him." John, chapter 3, verse 36

The key phrase is: "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life." We receive eternal life by believing in Jesus. Jesus enlightens the journey to the Kingdom of Heaven as soon as we allow him to.

This is more troubling: "Whoever disobeys the Son will not see life." It's honest: "Whoever disobeys (refuses to believe)". Not the one who does not believe, but the one who refuses, who will not believe.

A person may not seem to believe and walk with Jesus without noticing it. But the person who refuses to believe in Jesus sets out. He goes on without him.

The last part of the sentence is difficult to read: "Whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains upon him."

From a dehumanized point of view, God may seem angry, vengeful (wrath) but from God's point of view, he is Love. What seems to be God's anger is rather our lack of love and our rejection of Love.

To refuse God intentionally is to place ourselves before evil and let it make fun of who we are. Then, we think wrongly that God is the reflection of this evil.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 13, 2022, 06:20:07 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 14, 2022, 05:46:28 AM

64. Far from God

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Jesus comes to ease our struggles, to heal from disease:
"Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness." Matthew, chapter 9, verse 35

There are people looking for the doctor. They fight their illness, they adapt to their disability day after day. But the most destructive disease of which God wishes to heal is unquestionably the closing of our heart, of wanting to keep God's Love locked in. To imprison Love, to want to deny it and to do everything not to recognize it is the primary cause of our misfortune.

The person who is truly sick, the ultimate illness, is to shy away from the Love of God. Yet lacking his Love is impossible. Love is. Love remains.

Some people refuse love and they can give the impression that God's Love doesn't exist. But evil is always provoked either by us or by other people.

It becomes very sensitive when we experience the prolonged absence of people who care for us. We may have the impression that there's no love and that it's only for others. We think we are worthless, especially when we've been alone for too long.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 14, 2022, 05:47:11 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 15, 2022, 04:35:32 AM

65. Being with others

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We may not go and meet with others. We live with the "what will they say," "what will others say about us" and we feel that if we approach them, we will disturb them. We come to think we're a burden.

It's a shame to think that way, since loving is never a burden. Even though we are not always perfect, we can learn to be with others. Let's take steps and learn to trust others, carefully. It's all about being ourselves and being peaceful.

Paul has a deep wish:
If I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing as I observe your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ. So, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in him, rooted in him and built upon him and established in the faith as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. Colossians, chapter 2, verses 5 to 7

Paul offers a good example of faith. Although he knows he's far from his friends, he wants to reassure them that he is with them wholeheartedly. He reminds us that no one is alone. We think of others and they think of us in a special way through prayer.

Let's give thanks to God who's 100% with us. We are united by the will of Love. Jesus gives us the courage to meet people. When we are united with Jesus, then we are fully with others. May we let Jesus totally fill us with his presence.

Jesus surrounded himself with twelve Apostles so as not to be alone. And Jesus wants everyone, without exception, around him to console and bring us to happiness.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 15, 2022, 04:36:22 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 16, 2022, 06:25:33 AM

66. We do not listen to God

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Here's a confession of the people:
We did not heed the voice of the Lord, our God, in all the words of the prophets whom he sent us, but each one of us went off after the devices of our own wicked hearts, served other gods, and did evil in the sight of the Lord, our God. Baruch, chapter 1, verses 21 to 22

It's automatic, whenever people shy away from God's will, the danger is real to get lost and seek compensation elsewhere.

God created us (creates), our body, our soul and our spirit. But if our judgment is not in conformity with his, our existence doesn't always demonstrate what is of God. Even though we have received everything from God, all too often we are not conscious about it. We are then influenced by many ways and many discordant voices that have nothing similar to the will of God.
We are told:
"We have been disobedient to the Lord, our God, and only too ready to disregard his voice." Baruch, chapter 1, verse 19

We turn easily from the goal and we risk a lot by not planting our roots in God. Let's go back to our roots, back to the Heart of Jesus.
In order to discern, let's listen to the voice of the Lord.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 16, 2022, 06:26:15 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 17, 2022, 05:29:18 AM

67. Our actions

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God's invitation:
"Wash yourselves clean! Put away your misdeeds from before my eyes; cease doing evil." Isaiah, chapter 1, verse 16

The central message of the Bible is to stop doing evil and learn to radiate goodness. There are natural foundations for life and we are invited to discover them. Conversion, a return to the Love of God, is to take the narrow path and live the only journey that leads to God's Heart.

Even if past sins are heavy [with meaning], with God's forgiveness, we will gradually feel the lightness of the feather. The more feathers we have, the more we can fly to the Kingdom of God.

It's difficult to watch the snow when it reflects the sun. The same phenomenon occurs when the dry sand of the beach receives and reflects the sun's rays. Our eyes do not support it.

God's light is even more powerful than the sun's glow on snow and sand, but infinitely softer and observable. The light will be bright, but progressive and very respectful for the person who receives and enters into it.

The more we follow Jesus's recommendations, the more we will decide to follow him, the more we'll become confident disciples. We will want to gradually enter God's Heart and follow his will. Let's pray for all humans to be taught by Jesus.

This light is Jesus's testimony to all. What we need to do is to recognize that we are servants and allow Jesus to be the master of our lives. May his light spread over all humans and into them.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 17, 2022, 05:30:07 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 18, 2022, 04:33:03 AM

68. God is here

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"Cast away from you all the crimes you have committed, and make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit." Ezekiel, chapter 18, verse 31

Let's ask Jesus to clean our heart and free it from all the little undesirable teachings we collect. May Jesus become the only Master of our heart, our thoughts and of our life.

"You, Lord, give light to my lamp; my God brightens the darkness about me." Psalm 18, verse 29

Yes:
"Lord, hear my prayer; let my cry come to you. Do not hide your face from me now that I am in distress. Turn your ear to me; when I call, answer me quickly." Psalm 102, verses 2 to 3

When we are in deep distress, we often feel that there is no one who can help. We also feel our helplessness. Sometimes we meet someone and he question in this way, "How are you?" and we become more anxious. We seem confronted over and over again by the same question. And we say to ourselves: "Yet people should see it or know that we are not doing well!"

Here, in the passage of the Psalm that we have brought up, the feeling is quite the same. We believe that God is not aware of what we're going through. By saying, "Lord, hear my prayer," we hope he will hear. But the Lord hears very well. He knows. Even if the people don't see or feel our distress, God knows and he sees it. He understands and supports us already.

It's normal to seek God in times of unease. That's what we do, of course. It would be better to learn to trust God more, before discomfort occurs. Let's reserve time every day, when we are healthy and when we are sick too. We will have greater certainty that he is present with us and we will feel his consolation. We will know that he is with us.

Just thinking about God is already a wise move. Let's give him a few minutes. Then, for God to tame us, let's come back often to meet with him.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 18, 2022, 04:33:38 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 19, 2022, 06:02:16 AM

69. To manipulate

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The difficulty for people in authority who are afraid of losing their place, mostly their ideal, is to manipulate their surroundings. They will find the means to be the "ones". To remain at the top, they will provoke and bring down the person who seems to contradict them. This is happening with Jesus and also with Jeremiah. God asks Jeremiah to speak on his behalf to the crowd:
They have forsaken me and alienated this place by burning in it incense to strange gods which neither they nor their fathers knew; and the kings of Judah have filled this place with the blood of the innocent. Jeremiah, chapter 19, verse 4

After Jeremiah describes the people's attitude, he hears the murmur that threatens him:
"'Terror on every side! Denounce! let us denounce him!' All those who were my friends are on the watch for any misstep of mine. 'Perhaps he will be trapped; then we can prevail, and take our vengeance on him.'" Jeremiah, chapter 20, verse 10

Jeremiah understands and feels that his remarks shock people. They are not listening. They do not seek to understand the urgency included in his message. Jeremiah listens to the Lord and does everything to help the people, but they do not listen to the Lord. They are withdrawing from God.

These people have lost their judgment because they try to subject God to their ideas. They lack charity toward Jeremiah. They are not at peace and they think they are right to be that way. They want to trap him who seems to be disturbing.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 19, 2022, 06:03:09 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 20, 2022, 06:27:17 AM

70. The facts announce God

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Jesus is caught in the middle of a situation. He administers wellness, he warns against evil, and some want to stone him. Jesus encounters incomprehension:
"The Jews again picked up rocks to stone him. Jesus answered them, 'I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of these are you trying to stone me?'" John, chapter 10, verses 31 to 32

We know all the good works that Jesus did. He has multiplied them. We can read or reread the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, to discover or rediscover them.

People are stuck in their hearts and they don't let the light through. They fear losing control over situations, over the people and they fear Jesus. They have trouble to align themselves properly.

These people answer him:
"We are not stoning you for a good work but for blasphemy. You, a man, are making yourself God." John, chapter 10, verse 33

The reason they want to stone Jesus is that they think he thinks he is God. And yet, absolutely all the signs that Jesus did describe God, also describe the values of life. Forgiveness, justice, great love, mercy are signs and facts that Jesus is God. Jesus doesn't think he's God, he doesn't propose himself to be God, he is God.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 20, 2022, 06:27:54 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 21, 2022, 05:19:30 AM

71. The lie

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To think that God is blaspheming, to think that God is lying is the ultimate lie of too many people in Jesus's days and this is still happening now. It is written and still today people think that Jesus is not God.

The person distorts reality by slipping away from Jesus. He comes to not even recognize that Jesus is God. The remoteness from God removes the person from believing in him. He loses sense of reality and the meaning of God.

It's not surprizing that some people responsible of the Temple want to stone Jesus, with their incomprehension, their loss of meaning, to the point of thinking that Jesus blasphemes.

Let's find Jesus in our heart, in our life, let's keep him close by. This is the only way to recognize Jesus. Let's continue our walk with Jesus to the cross. Let's take advantage today to free ourselves from the evil that we carry and give it to Jesus, so that he may cleanse and save us too. May we recognize him as he is.

May Jesus guide and encourage us to discover the misunderstanding of people toward him. This will help us to hand everyone to him. He wants to heal them. Jesus came to bear the burden of the sins of the world. Let's let him take upon himself our evil and our sins. Only Jesus can bear it and give peace.

Let's get out of pride and egoism that electrify lies. And let's walk with him to the victory of Love over evil, hatred, despair, God's victory over satan, the victory of our liberation and salvation in Jesus Christ, God and Lord.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 21, 2022, 05:20:04 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 22, 2022, 06:01:39 AM

72. God's authority

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What a beautiful passage:
"Since in this way I have profited, I will give my teacher grateful praise." Sirach, chapter 51, verse 17

Let's acknowledge that everything that has been accomplished in beauty, truth, good and reality during our life has not happened by chance.

We did not create wisdom. We did not invent love. We did not think our intelligence. Let's face the facts and recognize that all talents, values, gifts, charisms and graces come exclusively from the Lord.

Let's also recognize that the wisdom of God has been given us to receive him. If God had not allowed receiving him, we would be like a cloth that has no interest, no will, no movement.

Yes, there are still people who think that they are the only kings of their lives, that they have given themselves everything and that they can even stand above Jesus. Temple officials question Jesus:
"By what authority are you doing these things? Or who gave you this authority to do them?" Mark, chapter 11, verse 28

Strange question indeed. It is still possible today to have this question: "By what authority do you do that?" It's as if we'd say, "Jesus, I do not know you, and what you do is a lie."

Jesus has just healed a person. And it is acknowledged that only God can heal in his name. Yet Jesus keeps reminding us that he's healing in his name. They only need to open their eyes. Jesus healed a person before them.

Jesus, we do not recognize your authority. Jesus, we question ourselves to know if you are really God. Yet there is a multitude of signs in the world right now that are from you.

We need to see clearly and accept that you are truly God and Lord. Without you we are lost, without you we have no real life or soul. Without you we exist not.

We need to recognize that you are God Jesus, the Lord of our life.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 22, 2022, 06:02:44 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 23, 2022, 06:07:36 AM

73. God is with us

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Jeremiah, from the beginning of his ministry, as soon as he works with God, he understands him, since he's with him:
"I knew it because the Lord informed me; at that time you, O Lord, showed me their doings." Jeremiah, chapter 11, verse 18

The Lord informs and guides us. He is with us when we are with him. From then on, the Lord teaches us, as he informs Jeremiah.

Are we listening like the prophet Jeremiah? Too often, we do not feel that Jesus is close. Too often, too, we are busy elsewhere. Jesus cannot speak to us if we aren't in a listening state.

If we are not listening to Jesus, we enter a risky zone. For Jesus alone can really teach us about himself.

We are, ourselves, a mystery when we do not understand God. The Lord is not a mystery. The greatest mystery is that we are not listening to him.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 23, 2022, 06:08:37 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 27, 2022, 06:19:16 AM

74. Jesus is the target

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Some people from the temple want to stop Jesus. They closed their hearts. They are convinced that he isn't God:
"The guards went to the chief priests and pharisees, who asked them, 'Why did you not bring him?' The guards answered, 'Never before has anyone spoken like this one.'" John, chapter 7, verses 45 to 46

The guards hear reason. They find no reason to stop Jesus, because they know that Jesus did nothing wrong.

Still, the temple officials will insist and plan Jesus's capture. Nicodemus questions them:
"Does our law condemn a person before it first hears him and finds out what he is doing?" John, chapter 7, verse 51

Nicodemus seeks to rescue Jesus, but some of them don't want to listen. When we are convinced that a person is false, even wrongly and because of false rumours and conscience manipulation, even if the person is fundamentally authentic, the door closes on the truthfulness of this person.

Then, they develop obscure ways to crucify Jesus. And that's how, in the world, so many people are crushed, disfigured, so many people are persecuted, abused, killed. It is the same sin that is constantly repeated, because some people are not listening. They do not reflect and observe, hear and understand. Collective prejudice causes death.

Our prayer can help to make a difference, so that people be spared from the deafness of others. But sometimes even our good intentions are not enough because of their heart's closure. May God be known for who he is. God is completely natural and real for humans.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 27, 2022, 06:22:12 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 28, 2022, 05:55:54 AM

75. We scream to the Lord

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To this demand:
"Graciously rescue me, God! Come quickly to help me, Lord!" Psalm 70, verse 1

Let's add:
"I waited, waited for the Lord; who bent down and heard my cry." Psalm 40, verse 2

This cry is the realization that we are sinners, since we think that God is not around. The cry helps in recognizing that we are making too much effort that leads to nothing and that we do not let ourselves be Loved by God or by others.

This cry is also about thinking that we can manage everything on our own, that we can manipulate for our popularity, that we can go so far as to hurt others.

Let's not wait. Let's accept the Lord's truth, fully. He will free us from harm, since he hears our cry. Better still, he had heard our inner complaint before our cry.

God separates within us evil from good to elevate peace anew from our baptism:
"He drew me out of the pit of destruction, out of the mud of the swamp, set my feet upon rock, steadied my steps." Psalm 40, verse 3

When we are drawn from the mud and placed on the rock, it is God who embraces and establishes us in a safe place.

With confidence (faith), may God take us in his arms as the child lets himself be embraced by his parents. May the truth of God filter our being to remove the residue of evil.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 29, 2022, 04:15:30 AM

76. The rule of Love

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God is Love and his Love contains a Law:
"Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God." 1 John, chapter 4, verse 7

A person who has a grudge or hatred is invited to do an examination of conscience. Why is he like this? Well, it's because he is like that or has he become like that? Is it because he himself did not receive love from people or did not discover the Love of God?

It's very difficult to define someone's fault. This is why we are invited to let this person observe himself before God. The person who did some harm is the only one who can figure out what led him there. This harm comes either from him or caused by another person. He did not receive this evil from God.

We are invited to perform an examination of conscience before God. Jesus invites us to receive faith by inviting him into our life. The faith that will abound in us will help better understand the more difficult situations.

The Love of God is the rule of love between people. Let's give the people back to God, even if they are unfair to us, even if we don't understand everything.

Let's put ourselves in Jesus's hands, so that his Love will lead us to a new conversion. And gradually, we will obtain lights to become better, to better understand.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 29, 2022, 04:16:10 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 30, 2022, 05:30:22 AM

77. Indispensable Love

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Love is abused and very often refused. If God is Love, why does it seem there's lack of love on earth?

Believing in God, transforming our way of life, returning to a heart to Heart with God, so that his Love flows freely within us, is indispensable.

Otherwise, we block God's Love and without a compass we drift away. The implications of misleading ourselves or not following Jesus are many. The risk is to have difficulty returning to him.

The only compass we can trust is the Love of God. Jesus invites us to welcome and follow him to truly live within his Love. We are also encouraged to humbly find our place before God.

May we be persons who are signs of Christ present among our contemporaries, to help them receive the Love of God.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's Love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 30, 2022, 05:31:05 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 31, 2022, 06:00:31 AM

78. God's Kingdom

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Paul gives us a very beautiful message:
?For we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the good works that God has prepared in advance, that we should live in them.? Ephesian, chapter 2, verse 10

?We are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus.? How powerful, just these few words!

We usually live in a house and we always come back to the house. Our real home is in Jesus Christ. We are true when we establish ourselves in him.

Mary and all the saints are also in the Kingdom of God and they watch over us helping us constantly to get closer to Jesus. Everything is there, now, freely offered, to lead us in Jesus.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let?s Love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 31, 2022, 06:01:27 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 01, 2023, 04:17:27 AM

79. Dehumanized thinking

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This is a reflection that God proposes to Job. It can also feed our thoughts. The Lord addresses Job from the midst of his personal storm:
"Who is this that obscures divine plans with words of ignorance?" Job, chapter 38, verse 2

Jesus showed us, when he passed into our world, how we disfigure God. We risk being upset when we chase God away. We expose ourselves to lose a lot when we back away from him.

We observe humans, we fall into the faults and sins of the past to such an extent that we come to think God is like us. We hear it everywhere. This one is like that, that one is like this. Why should I follow people in the Church if they are not able to be charitable, to be happy?

We believe that by observing the human being, we see God there. But it's a little simpler than that. The human being is not God. So, it's impossible for a human to be perfect either in the world or in the Church.

It will always be easy to find some fault with someone, but let's not put that fault on God's back.

We should be responsible in the faith to understand that a fault, a human who sin is contrary to the reality of God. God has created us Love, but we have trouble sharing and receiving it.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's Love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 01, 2023, 04:18:50 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 02, 2023, 06:34:55 AM

80. God's grace on us

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Job is in the middle of the storm. And he responds to God with wisdom:
"I am of little account; what can I answer you? I put my hand over my mouth. Though I have spoken once, I will not do so again; though twice, I will do so no more." Job, chapter 40, verses 4 to 5

In seeking the good in the other, we will discover goodness in us and we'll move forward together by following Jesus. Easy.

Let's become beings filled with the Presence and the Light of God, in order to become familiar with his Light. Let's ask God's grace on us to discover his light in the heart, the life and the being of the people around us.

Let's give thanks for the Presence of God in our life and welcome his Light that enlightens us on the daily path of conversion and faith.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's Love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 02, 2023, 06:36:11 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 03, 2023, 06:05:13 AM

81. To run away

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Moses responds to the people:
"Fear not! Stand your ground, and you will see the victory the Lord will win for you today. These Egyptians whom you see today you will never see again. The Lord himself will fight for you; you have only to keep still." Exodus, chapter 14, verses 13 to 14

It takes caution to clearly understand this text. The Lord fights evil among the Egyptians, although God does not fight the Egyptians. Pharaoh chooses evil by confining a nation to slavery.

Pharaoh lays his evil on the backs of his own Egyptians. He makes the Egyptians, his people, responsible for his evil and he swings his evil against the Israelites.

If the Lord fights for the people of Israel, it is simply to give them the courage of their convictions and to continue on the road of faith in God. That will set them free.

Fleeing evil leads to God. By fleeing the state of slavery in which the Israelites have been for far too long, they are giving themselves the means to take back their lives.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's Love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 03, 2023, 06:06:12 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 04, 2023, 04:51:03 AM

82. Two Choices

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The human person has two choices: to focus on God or to move away from him. The image represented by the escape of the Israelites before the Egyptians represent a return to God. To return to God is to be placed in the line of good, to want his Love, to accept the best he offers, to let ourselves be raised and then be peacefully embraced.

A nation who is in God and on the move is recovering his freedom. All peoples should be on the way, together, both feet in the Kingdom of God.
It's with the Love of God that people and the environment are transformed. They are walking with him.

Let's cling to this thought:
"Whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother." Matthew, chapter 12, verse 50

The one who loves his brother and his sister, his mother and his father and all humans, place himself in God's family.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's Love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 04, 2023, 04:52:11 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 05, 2023, 06:41:30 AM

83. Evil hates Light

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Often in the Bible, there are clear passages like this one and at the same time, precise and without appeal:
"For everyone who does wicked things, hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God." John, chapter 3, verses 20 to 21

To do evil is to hate light. To hate light is to hate God. Evil and light are not compatible. It is unthinkable to build up a bad action and declare that it's luminous.

It's also difficult to get rid of bad habits. When they don't seem too damaging, we tend to forget them. And yet the tiniest bad habit can degenerate into unhealthy or even harmful habits.

So, it's important to watch over our habits and dig out those that can cause harm. If they can harm others, they can also hurt us:
"Whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God." We move in faith only with the light of God.

To come to the truth and to get rid of our bad habits is to allow the truth to be generated in our life. God's light helps us to discern the issues of life.

Moreover, when we feel bad after an action, it's necessary to check if it really is good or bad, true or false. It would be nice to take some time to find solutions. To realize this discernment and to want to return to goodness is to let ourselves be improved by God.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's Love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 05, 2023, 06:43:09 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 06, 2023, 05:57:37 AM

84. The Lamb

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Jeremiah has a very beautiful relationship with God. We feel he's like a son talking to his father:
"The Lord informed me; at that time you, O Lord, showed me their doings." Jeremiah, chapter 11, verse 18

The closer Jeremiah is to God, the more the Spirit of God guides him through difficulties and sorrows. God helps him maneuver among people who hurt him and does not seem to listen to the Lord.

Besides, it doesn't prevent the prophet of God to be persecuted because he disturbs while transmitting the truths of God:
"I was like a gentle lamb led to slaughter." Jeremiah, chapter 11, verse 19a
This text prefigures what Christ will live: "I was like a gentle lamb led to slaughter."

The only difference is that Jesus is not "like" the Lamb, but he "is" the Lamb who will be led to slaughter, because of the evil in the world and for his sole purpose to save us.

The psalm reveals the same thought:
"Lord my God, in you I take refuge; rescue me; save me from all who pursue me, lest they maul me like lions, tear me to pieces with none to save." Psalm 7, verses 2 to 3

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's Love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 06, 2023, 05:58:48 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 07, 2023, 06:03:28 AM

85. Free Jesus!

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Nicodemus allows us to think and understand that persons can condemn other persons without knowing a lot about them. Nicodemus is touched by Jesus:
"There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. He came to Jesus at night." John, chapter 3, verses 1 and 2a

Nicodemus meets Jesus and he appreciates his quality of God. Only a person who knows Jesus and who loves him can understand what Jesus is doing in the world. He will defend Jesus after his capture:
"Nicodemus, one of their members who had come to him earlier, said to them, 'Does our law condemn a person before it first hears him and finds out what he is doing?'" John, chapter 7, verses 50 to 51

Can we judge Jesus? Can we ensnare Love? This is the impression that emerges: "I was like a gentle lamb led to slaughter."

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's Love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 07, 2023, 06:04:32 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 08, 2023, 05:57:35 AM

86. The confusion

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There is confusion around Jesus. Instead of looking in each of their hearts, the people openly question themselves and become confused. Some say Jesus is the Messiah, others say no. Another group would like to stop him.

They question the guards who come back:
"'Why did you not bring him?' The guards answered: 'Never before has anyone spoken like this one.'" John, chapter 7, verses 45 to 46

The guards come back to some priests and pharisees and say to them, "Never before has anyone spoken like this one!" Let's imagine the Romans, in the drawings of Asterix and Obelix, return to the emperor and say to him: "Ave, Caesar! These Gaul's are too strong!"

Here, the Love of Jesus is too powerful.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's Love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 08, 2023, 05:58:49 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 09, 2023, 06:13:52 AM

87. Jesus is so Holy

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This man speaks so well that he turns us upside down and inside out. He is so true that he fills us with his presence. He is so God, that we have no more doubt. He opens our eyes.

But not of all. The only way to really follow Jesus is to take our responsibility in hand and follow him.

Let's grant to Jesus, the High Priest of the Eternal Covenant, to fill us with his presence, to open our heart, to dispel our doubts. Let's live in joy and hope to see the Church filled with people renewed by grace.

May Jesus be unveiled and known by the future generations.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's Love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 09, 2023, 06:15:30 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 10, 2023, 05:47:37 AM

88. Our sins

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Peter does not accept that Jesus must die for our sins. Peter stands before the reality of his own sins, his old sins, and he cannot understand why Jesus would die for him. Peter does not understand Jesus's words and mission and he tells Jesus how he must behave. He doesn't want Jesus to leave for Jerusalem because he's going to be killed.

"Peter, takes him aside and begins to rebuke him, 'God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.'" Matthew, chapter 1, verse 22

We would also like to tell Jesus what he needs to do to make us happy, but we need to walk away from that conception. It's easier to understand how Jesus wants us to be happy. Let's not refuse Jesus anymore in our life.

God alone knows the way. And when Jesus says he will have to surrender to the elders of Jerusalem and they will kill him, he knows what he means. He shows us his way. Jesus says what he does and does what he says.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's Love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 10, 2023, 05:48:22 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 11, 2023, 06:15:34 AM

89. God allows evil?

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God never uses the strong way like giving cancer to drive a person back to him. It's impossible. He doesn't need that. This is not his way.

The body is fragile and sometimes there are complications. But God does not give sickness hoping that someone will convert. Never.

The only powerful way of God is the infinite tenderness of his Love. The test can lead a person to consider God, because it allows time for reflection.

Reality and the present moment, in pain, often leads a person to ask himself the important questions of life; sickness, evil, suffering, loss of energy. Often, he will cast a simple look toward God.

Suffering takes him inside himself, turns him toward his heart, and perhaps he will shout. However, it's always a shame when a person waits to be with his back against the wall to think and react. Perhaps he will accept to let his heart open up to let God create in him silence, then peace.

God is always present and he's waiting for that person to turn to him. He does just that, wait for him. The person who decides to let God enter into his life will receive him in his heart. And it is guaranteed that God will be there too in his heart.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's Love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 11, 2023, 06:16:17 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 12, 2023, 06:06:45 AM

90. Let's find means

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We are the only ones who can block off the Love of God. We are the only ones who can pretend to love if we block the Love of God in our heart. To the limit, it is inconceivable to block the Love of God in our heart, without dying in evil.

Let's find ingenious means to not refuse the Love of God. We'll see how simple it is. It's not demanding to think about it and to walk with God.
Let's give our heart to Jesus, so that he helps us to open the door, that his Love passes in us and that it overflows on people.

Let's imagine that we hear God say this to us today: "Everyone will know that I am a Loving God when people live in my will. The world will see me in your life."

But for us, humans, it's not so easy, because we know how far we can dwell from his love.

We are invited to encourage ourselves and remain vigilant in prayer and spiritual friendship.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's Love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 12, 2023, 06:08:01 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 13, 2023, 05:25:21 AM

91. Dried up

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These people's thoughts are interesting, in this next passage. They recognize that they are moving away from God. We feel here the heart that is ready to receive the presence of God:
"All of us have become like unclean men, all our good deeds are like polluted rags; We have all withered like leaves, and our guilt carries us away like the wind," Isaiah, chapter 64, verse 5
because we kept away from you, Lord.

Even so, the world should know that we are sinners and that we can never be perfect enough to let God perfectly pass in our lives. God is passing by, though. Let's give him his place.

Fortunately, there are people who allow us to feel the presence of God, despite their sinful state. They become examples of faith.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's Love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 13, 2023, 05:26:30 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 14, 2023, 06:12:38 AM

92. The loss of meaning

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Closing in on evil leads us to move away from Love. Then Love does not stick with us because of the limits that evil causes. Jesus conveys a strong enough image of the loss of meaning and sin:
"If the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have repented in sackcloth and ashes." Matthew, chapter 11, verse 21b

People who move away from faith in Jesus open the door to evil and lead others into it. When the Love of God does not pass, evil multiplies like a virus and contaminates those who let themselves be influenced by it.

Now, when Love passes, there is a progression in goodness, according to the pace of evolution of the person.

Jesus uses the example of these two cities to demonstrate to what extent sin can lead a person and groups of people, by a loss of meaning, a lack of good values, to their ruin. If Jesus's miracles do not come to us, we should check the quality of reception we confide into his Love.

If we move away from people, for example, let's check if the drug that we consume is not too strong and destructive. Evil and drugs acts in a similar way and destroys relationships between people.

When we reject God's Love, what we really lack is the healing of the heart and soul through the flow of Love which is unfortunately diminished because of the evil that keeps us prisoners.

As soon as we ask Jesus for healing to welcome his Love, there is automatically something good happening in us. Even though the feeling may be subtle now, with determination, later on we will appreciate the inner transformations.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 14, 2023, 06:14:09 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 15, 2023, 07:03:37 AM

93. Negative choice or Holy Spirit

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There are choices that make a difference. First, what keeps us captive and imprisoned:
"Immorality, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, rivalry, jealousy, outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness, dissensions, factions, occasions of envy, drinking bouts, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." Galatians, chapter 5, verses 19 to 21

The promised inheritance is the Love of God. But what Paul says is that these acts lead us away from the Love promised to us. Negative inclinations are those that lead us to become invalid, to become inhuman (thoughts, gestures, words), to evil and at the same time to the remoteness of God, even to the moving away from oneself. There are so many ways to refuse to let ourselves be Loved, the refusal to feed our body, our life of Love, the refusal to serve the Love of God in our neighbour.

We have the choice to let ourselves go to harmful and enemy inclinations or to collect the good with the Holy Spirit. What the Spirit offers us supports us and brings us closer to God:
"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control." Galatians, chapter 5, verses 22 to 23a

Let's be aware of these fruits in our life. Let's look at them, collect them as invited friends at our home. Let's spend our days observing them, meditating on them and recognizing their benefits.

Let's keep our thoughts on the manifestations of the Holy Spirit and we will prefer this path that instills spiritual and human well-being. We will feel our life enter a major turning point that will amaze us.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 15, 2023, 07:04:53 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 16, 2023, 06:04:09 AM

94. The need to pray

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Jesus recommends to us:
"Take care." Luke, chapter 11, verse 35

The only way we do not weigh down our lives is to live our lives like Christ, to put our trust in him and to feed ourselves with his Love.

All distractions causes wrong and move us away from the presence of God. May we remain vigilant in prayer. God does not need our prayers, but we need to pray. Prayer pulls us out of evil and leads us to a more sincere relationship with God.

We need to pray for our heart to unite with the will of God. We need to pray to better understand his will. We need to pray in order to be enlightened and inspired by God in front of multiple choices and decisions.

It's the complete opposite of living life without God, without Love. All that unites us to God distances us from temptations and evil. It's the only law that governs our lives. Either we move toward God, or we move away from him.

And everything that challenges and unites us to the Trinity keeps us in life, joy, hope, service, friendly encounters, holy with ourselves, with others and with God.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 16, 2023, 06:05:21 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 17, 2023, 06:40:41 AM

95. Watch and pray

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Jesus tells us:
"Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man." Luke, chapter 11, verse 36

Let's watch and pray to discern good from evil in our lives and in the lives of others. Jesus watches over us and Loves us until sin is erased. He wants to guide us to salvation. May Jesus come and convert us, so that we live with him.

May Mary and Joseph help us, by their example, to listen to what God asks of us personally. For this reason, we are invited to receive the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit in our hearts as Mary and Joseph knew how to welcome him.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 17, 2023, 06:41:44 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 18, 2023, 05:58:35 AM

96. The refusal

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Beyond the cause of evil on the person, there remains for us a principle that is undeniable. Even if we know that evil is mainly caused by the evil prince, it progresses when one or more people let themselves be tempted.

If, for example, someone starts bullying a student at school, he will experience the consequences of this bullying. He will "feel it deeply". And this evil will develop in him, since he is a victim.

If other people know that he is intimidated and they are joining in, they increase the harm. They place invisible bricks around this person and they slowly build his prison. The victim will live the evil in all the fibres of his being and in his heart.

Evil is pernicious. Diseases are related to evil. Evil will not come from the one who is intimidated unless he decides not to let himself be loved. He suffers the consequences of the hurt caused by people who distance themselves from God's desired Love.

The spirit of contradiction keeps us away from God. It takes a tremendous amount of energy to counter the surge of God's Love for us.

Health problems are related to the rejection of Love in our life, simply because we use stratagems and we exile ourselves away from Love. Unless this evil is caused by many. That said, the rejection of God's Love in others can also cause illness and evil that progressively destroys us.

Only the Love of God can bring back everything good, keep us from harm and give us freedom. We do not want to be around evil, but sometimes we slip into it.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 18, 2023, 05:59:27 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 19, 2023, 06:30:55 AM

97. Ask for help

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We have probably experienced this feeling where nothing seems possible for us. We are tired, exhausted. We lack energy. And suddenly, we have a "flash of genius" to turn to Jesus and ask for his help.

And what a surprise we had when we felt something deep happen in us. From that moment, our life was awakened and it was transformed delicately, joyfully, from within.

We had felt Jesus's presence. All was unclear, but we knew, from a certain intelligence and wisdom, that something gloriously had happened, something luminous in us.

It's like the intense joy of a moment that overwhelms us and that we fully live. Our life makes sense with Jesus. We want to remain in this state. We want to celebrate and pray this new momentum of life.

Let's ask God, again, to come and touch what needs to be healed in our life.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 19, 2023, 06:31:43 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 21, 2023, 06:06:57 AM

99. Leave evil

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The devil exists. He is a person, because of his movement, according to the thought of Thomas Aquinas. The devil fatally refuses the Love of God. The evil-doer refuses Love.

It is the responsibility of each person not to get caught, then to lose oneself and move away from God. The temptation for the human is to confine, then to isolate oneself in evil.

The devil totally refuses the Love of God. When we turn our backs on ourselves, on others and on God, we are moving toward division, the devil, the abyss of misfortune. He's amused and looks forward to seeing us moving toward him.

Negative habits of some lead other people into harmful attitudes. We are often in solidarity with evil because we become accustomed to it. This bad way keeps us prisoners.

If we sin, we lead others to evil. If we pray to God, we lead people to good. At the very end of our lives, the Lord will reveal to us the sum of our good deeds. Prayer is like money in the bank and the time of retirement is eternal in the Kingdom of God.

This is why prayer is so important, even if sometimes we do not see any apparent results. Let's accept to change our heart and our attitudes. A change for the better will come. As soon as we pray, God helps us because we allow him to Love us.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 21, 2023, 06:08:45 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 22, 2023, 05:47:11 AM

100. Love him or not

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John, who was very close to Jesus and received his Love, offers an important reflection that should lead us to reconsider our understanding of the judgment of God:
"God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him." John, chapter 3, verse 17

According to John, God does not judge. How did he come to such a conclusion? Surely that John has understood Love as he is. He also listened to Jesus.

If Jesus did not come to condemn the world, it means that God never judged the world. God does not judge, he Loves. If we speak of the judgment of God, his judgment can only be Love. It means that God will Love us whether we love him or not.

Let's welcome Jesus to live in joy. Let's acknowledge that we are sinners, that we are empty, that we are destitute without his Love.

Let's ask him for forgiveness, for when people place their failures and faults on his back. Let's recognize that humans cause their own misfortunes, since they succumb to temptations. They let themselves be attracted by tempters.

They become lukewarm, they neglect faith, then they move away from God.

Let's thank Jesus for reminding us that he alone saves us and may we dwell in his Love and joy.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 22, 2023, 05:48:10 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 23, 2023, 05:51:08 AM

101. God wishes our conversion

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Our faith can be affected by shadows, by interrogations, but it is raised in Jesus:

"'To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbour as yourself' is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices". Mark, chapter 12, verse 33

What matters is to love. How to love? By following Christ.
But what confirms to us that we are really following Christ? By allowing Christ to become the centre of our lives and recognizing his manifestations of Love: joy, peace, mercy...

In truth, we are incapable of loving. God Loves through us.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 23, 2023, 05:51:56 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 24, 2023, 05:36:03 AM

102. Coverage

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When we are not aware of evil, it spies on us. With the multiplicity of means to feed it, evil transforms like a blanket. This cover is cunningly transformed and becomes more and more difficult to remove. This cover of evil extends to us and onto others. The Lord of the universe reminds us of what is good to do to get away from evil:
"Consider your ways! Go up into the hill country; bring timber, and build the house that I may take pleasure in it and receive my glory, says the Lord." Haggai, chapter 1, verses 7 to 8

To get out of the trap of evil and to learn to love ourselves better, it is about serving the Lord, with the fear of doing harm. This fear is the signal to continually adjust our heart toward Jesus.

The only way to build the house of the Lord and stay there is to move away from all forms of evil that we smoulder, often in spite of ourselves and sometimes because of us. Let's rebuild and gather together with the Lord.

Let's ask Jesus to uncover where we let evil dominate us. Let's offer him our discoveries, in a process of forgiveness and reconciliation. May Jesus wash us from his side with his Precious Blood and Water.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 24, 2023, 05:36:58 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 25, 2023, 05:41:14 AM

103. Impossible to love

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Oh, love! Everyone is looking for it and thinks they have found it. In life, there is always a choice between loving or not loving. I love one thing, I do not love another. For things the choice is often easier. But for people, we often consider them, more or less, depending on our preferences.

In reality, it's impossible for us to love, since Love is from God. Without the Love of God in us, we have no love to offer.

We are created to receive Love and allow it to pass through us to love. Sometimes we do not accept everything in one person, but we are invited to open our hearts for God to pass through. All people are Loved by God, without exception.

There are also judgments about what people wear, about their ways, their way of speaking, their way of life. There are many reasons to get around people. But James tells us:
"Show no partiality as you adhere to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ." James, chapter 2, verse 1

James proposes that we see people, all people as children of God. If all relationships begin and continue this way, God's Love will cover the world. The Love of God already embraces all people of the earth, but we give the impression that God is not Love because of our resistance to him.

Let's accept that the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, that God is Love, and people will simply find out that they are Loved.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 25, 2023, 05:42:27 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 26, 2023, 06:29:05 AM

104. Persecution

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We know it, persecution is not new. We find it at home, in schools, at work and on the street. Bullying is physical and verbal abuse.

Persecutions, divisions, God does not provoke them, but inhuman foolishness covets it. Some work hard to keep the power on them. They manage everything in their heads and by pride they persecute people. The persecutors do not need anyone to collapse, to self-destruct, considering they do not need God. The persecutor hurts himself whenever he hurts another. A double hurting.

Persecution and loss of meaning are awaiting us. Whether we are practising believers and celebrants or non-believers, we will be persecuted.

The difference is great for those who follow Jesus. They receive graces to live better, avoid persecution and pass through divisions that shake the world.
Jesus recalls that persecution is real:
"They will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name. It will lead to your giving testimony. Remember, you are not to prepare your defence beforehand, for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute." Luke, chapter 21, verses 12 to 15

We are invited to receive the Love of God, to allow us a joyful transformation, to live in peace. We can, afterward, bring this joy and peace to others, even to the persecutors.

The solution Jesus offers is to always bear witness to our faith in God. If we leave God more room in our lives, we will have the strength and courage to persevere in faith, especially during trials.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 26, 2023, 06:29:58 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 27, 2023, 06:06:44 AM

105. The flowing grace

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God offers us a servant. He is Love:
"Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom I delight; I shall place my spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not contend or cry out, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets.

A bruised reed he will not break, a smouldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory." Matthew, chapter 12, verses 18 to 20

Let's be touched and moved by the unconditional Love of God. The more we distribute the Love of God, the more we receive. May we let the flowing grace of the Love of God descend on us. Let's let it flow into the crowd and we will receive plenty of it.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 27, 2023, 06:07:59 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 28, 2023, 06:17:17 AM

106. Trusting in our Saviour

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A phrase like this helps us to discover God in the Bible:
"Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God." Isaiah, chapter 40, verse 1

The people will sin against himself, the world will sin so much against God that he can no longer see God in his environment, because he believes that God is the one who disturbs him.

Yet God constantly reminds us that he watches over us: "Comfort, give comfort to my people." Whether we sin or not, he wants to join us and touch our heart. Let's continue with Isaiah:
"The grass withers, the flower wilts, when the breath of the Lord blows upon it. (So then, the people is the grass.) Though the grass withers and the flower wilts, the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah, chapter 40, verses 7b to 8

To move away from God is like a plant that dries up. It fades. So, as water raises the flower, the only one that can give strength to humans is God.

To receive the Eucharist is like the plant that is nourished with vitamins and receives what it needs. He who offers eternal life is God. The Eucharist and the Word guarantees eternal life when we receive them with heart. They awake and elevate us.

God invites us. He wants to console us of what can hurt. He wants to lead and feed us at the source, in green pastures.

Jesus makes unceasing calls to distant hearts. The Lord is the Good Shepherd who wants to gather all the sheep and lead them into the community of saints, in his Kingdom.

Let's be attracted by our Father and trusting in our Saviour, the Good Shepherd of heaven and earth, Jesus Christ. May we be led to the Altar of the Gift of God, the Altar of Love for each person, to the Word and the Eucharist.
There is joy in heaven and peace on earth, since the promised Saviour liberates and consoles the one who really seeks him, wholeheartedly.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 28, 2023, 06:18:26 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 29, 2023, 04:58:18 AM

107. Spiritual improvement

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Paul tells us:
"We know that all creation is groaning in labour pains even until now." Romans, chapter 8, verse 22

Many women can share their feelings about the pain of giving birth. They know what Paul is talking about. But this pain is much more stinging, even if it doesn't seem perceptible, when we are away from Jesus.

Sin in us is stubborn and constantly assails us. But we are invited to return to awareness and accept healing, so that we may live happily and unite in God.

When we read God's recommendations in the Bible, we find that they always lead to avoid problems. The Bible is full of examples. Yet it's necessary not to twist, to bend the good to the point of thinking that it's wrong and to not sublimate evil and think to succeed in transforming it into a good deed.

Let's face it, a person who doesn't know that he's doing wrong is getting trapped. But a person who likes to live peacefully, when evil comes, does everything possible to avoid it, circumvent it or, ideally as soon as possible ask Jesus to help him pass by it.

Let's read:
"Wash yourselves clean! Put away your misdeeds from before my eyes; cease doing evil." Isaiah, chapter 1, verse 16

We often give our faults, our sins to Jesus, and we know the good he brings us and the healing that follows. We give it to him because we trust him. God purifies then consoles us beyond our expectations.

Every time we confess, Jesus's Precious Blood washes us, cleanses us. He makes the hurting part of our confession white as snow. It provides well-being.

To this is added a way to repair, a way to become better. After the forgiven fault, these are attitudes that help us to improve:
"Learn to do good. Make justice your aim: redress the wronged, hear the orphan's plea, defend the widow." Isaiah, chapter 1, verse 17

We tend to move away from God, and that is evil, and ultimately we hurt ourselves. It requires discernment to fully understand the difference between what is really bad or good. Let's return and God will do his work in us.

Getting people to become truthful could be disastrous, if it's not well framed, with patience and gentleness. We must not make people flee as much as to pray for their spiritual improvement. We hope they'll find themselves in the grace of God. God will do his work in them.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 29, 2023, 04:59:24 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 30, 2023, 06:20:54 AM

108. The good we perceive

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Many people are alone, even in groups, because they feel misunderstood, judged, left out too. Let's defend the lonely person's cause. Offering charity helps others and helps us too. There is a clear advantage. While we are doing good, we are freeing ourselves from evil.

The Bible often offers ways to improve our faith, to reach God. This sentence is timely, while Jesus speaks of some scribes and pharisees:
"Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practise." Matthew, chapter 23, verse 3

Let's be careful not to judge people but gather their qualities, the gifts they've received from God. Thus, if we cannot trust the actions or words of some people, we can however retain their good counsel and perseverance in following Jesus. So, we shouldn't take apart what they might not be doing good, it's more about making sure we move forward and do good. We too are not perfect.

It's up to each person to discern and be empowered to become better christians and truly God's children. The good we perceive in others teaches us to become better ourselves.

But let's be careful not to mix up good and bad. Discovering the evil in others is also a great way to avoid slipping into the same evil. We learn from their failures. This teaches us and it's an opportunity to pray for them. Learning from their failures helps us and will help them eventually.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 30, 2023, 06:23:33 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 31, 2023, 05:53:19 AM

109. Love is the journey to our salvation

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God offers us his creation. We are the fruit of his creation. He offers us life, joy, peace and above all the freedom to choose. But we often live as people who stay away from God.

This freedom to choose, we often seem not to know what to do with it. The proof is that with our freedom, we could feel free to choose something other than God. Or we just stay far enough, so as not to be afraid of God, which is a totally useless fear.

We are especially afraid of being afraid of God. We believe that God is the cause of our fear. However, he cannot scare us because Love is not scary. Fear is the sign of us leaving the Lord.

God's Law is simple. Let's remain suspended to his Love and we will be saved. We're already in his Love. Jesus shares with us his law of Love. Let's love Jesus. It's an easy choice.

God's Law is related to his Perfect, True, and Real Love. The word "law" may seem to mean something strict and caging. Yes, we can say that for a badly practised law that becomes dehumanizing, but never for the law of God.

God's Law of Love is the real journey to our salvation. If it seems strict and stifling, we're not grasping it. Such an interpretation prevents us from living peacefully in God.

Let's ask Jesus for healing and purification, in order to advance in faith. May fear and suffocation stay away from us. Let's get closer to Jesus.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 31, 2023, 05:54:18 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 01, 2023, 05:56:15 AM

110. To meditate on

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Someone has this question for Jesus:
"'Lord, will only a few people be saved?' He answered them, 'Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.'" Luke, chapter 13, verses 23 to 24

We will be saved to the extent that we find the narrow door.

There are many people who wonder, in the light of this passage, whether their families, their friends will be saved if they don't find this door, if they don't open to the will of God. The question is launched. Do we want to live this passage toward, then in God's Heart? Jesus tells us how easy it is:
"It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." Matthew, chapter 19, verse 24

Jesus says that it's necessary to go through the hole of a needle to enter the Kingdom of God. The camel succeeds easily. This is a message he sends us. It invites us to go beyond the conceptions, the sense that we usually give to things and to meditate on what he proposes.

The narrow door, the hole of the needle, is to be aware of what God asks of us. We must dare to rise and walk in Jesus's steps, so that we may always find the unique pathway to truth and Love that leads to the Father's house. Anyone can find it, because that's the easiest thing to do.

Let's ask Jesus if we are on the right path. Are we on the right track, Jesus?

Are we doing what is right? Do we live in the present moment as something precious, to cherish and celebrate with good deeds and good words?

Are we watchful of the poor? Not only to throw money at him, but to help him on his way and help him walk in your footsteps, Jesus. The answer Jesus offers us is in our heart.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 01, 2023, 05:57:05 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 02, 2023, 05:43:05 AM

111. He opens our heart

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For people who cannot be involved a lot, prayer is the answer. Prayer helps us to stay focused on the Trinity for the world.

It is up to us, who have found the narrow door in our heart, to let it stay open and let God's Love pass through. We will be saved to the extent that we find the door and let Jesus open it.

The narrow door is to always move forward to God by following Jesus; it is hoping to adjust ourselves to what Christ wants us to achieve in us and around us; it's becoming so united to Christ that people see Christ in us; it's wanting to be at the service of the neighbour, because Christ invites us to love, with his Love. This is the only path that leads to the narrow gate. Many other trails lead out of Love.

Let's trust and walk with Jesus. We will evolve to the extent that we will keep him with us.

For the Love of God, everything is possible. It's too easy. The needles hole and the narrow door represent the path, the tunnel that leads to the Trinity.

If we really think about it, it is possible for Love to make us pass into eternal life, in the Heart of God. Love doesn't suffer restrictions. It goes anywhere. It opens the main door of the Kingdom of God at the same time it opens our heart.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 02, 2023, 05:44:00 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 03, 2023, 06:08:49 AM

112. Discernment is a grace

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We can observe what we do, what we say, how we live, and here we have the basis for discovering and correcting many small annoyances we're living in.

Discernment is a grace that we can ask to the Holy Spirit. Discernment allows us to fully observe all facets of our lives and stay in a fair path. Better still, it's a grace we already have, which comes with the gift of life. We only need to accept it and practice discernment. Grace will do the rest. Everything is simple when we only need to ask and receive.
James tells us:
"For one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, it is a sin." James, chapter 4, verse 17

It's clear that if we enter the good path, we move away from evil, we move away from sin.

We are faced with multiple choices every day, but we also have the possibility to sort through our memory, clean our habits. In this way, we will learn to become more ourselves by avoiding clutches and traps.

The freedom we have is to choose the right passage, the road that leads to the Heart of God and let go of the empty, illusory and useless.

If there's someone who does good in the name of Jesus:
"do not prevent him. There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me." Mark, chapter 9, verses 39 to 40

Jesus assures us that if the person does good, according to the Heart of God, he is a person who discerns, makes good choices and does Jesus's will. This is the path that leads to God's Heart.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 03, 2023, 06:09:44 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 04, 2023, 05:53:21 AM

113. True freedom

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"For to everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich." Matthew, chapter 25, verse 29

If the question of talents mentioned by Jesus, moreover, was the movement of our freedom? Because what freezes us prevents us from being free. But by receiving the Love of God in our heart, everything becomes possible.

We have the opportunity to do everything in life, but it is not everything we do that leads us to happiness. We experience suffering that is sometimes linked to choices that have not been well thought out, to desires that have not been identified or contained, to actions that are contrary to charity toward ourselves or others, or that we have suffered.

Every day we have the freedom to choose or refuse what is presented to us. We have the choice between this new TV or another one. We have the choice of different programs. We also choose our friends according to criteria that resemble us. The choice of our work depends on the skills that we possess and that have shaped us over the years:
"Freedom is the power, rooted in reason and will, to act or not to act, to do this or that, and so to perform deliberate actions on one's own responsibility." Catechism of the Catholic Church, number 1731: Catechism of the Catholic Church - IntraText

However, choosing requires thinking first. We know that when the choice we make is not well thought out, we are prone to making mistakes, hurting ourselves, hurting others. The less we understand it, the more likely it is to deceive us and cause useless mistakes. The less we know the Trinity, the more likely it is to enter a tortuous path. In the life of faith:
The more one does what is good, the freer one becomes. There is no true freedom except in the service of what is good and just. The choice to disobey and do evil is an abuse of freedom and leads to "the slavery of sin". (cf Rm 6, 17) Catechism of the Catholic Church, number 1733, website:
Catechism of the Catholic Church - IntraText

We have a choice between the tortuous or the virtuous way. One leads to evil, the other to the Heart of God. Becoming a slave to sin is so easy, but climbing the Mount of Beatitudes requires attention and consistency, no matter which street brings us there. Effort in good will makes the road much easier than slavery in evil. We only need to recover, to pray in the silence of our heart, to find the way and the Trinity.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 04, 2023, 05:54:44 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 05, 2023, 05:15:25 AM

114. Inner joy

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Obedience to the will of God is a great way to keep our intentions orderly. Obedience to God may not be the most popular virtue today, but it makes us free and responsible. Obedience to God keeps us awake. This obedience is always linked to Love, never to the evil that is opposed to it. Obedience is always keeping us in line with the narrow door, the Heart of God.

Realizing good around us gives people a pleasant feeling and helps them continue to offer a well-being around them. Then, another person will receive and share it. It's the wheel of happiness. We will become free and we will feel a deep inner joy that will indicate to us that our accomplished action is directly related to the love of the neighbour and wanted by God. This is how we reach our family and friends, as well as the people we meet. Let's stay in God.

On the contrary, sinking into evil or because of the evil of another, causes a feeling of not succeeding, a feeling of guilt and sadness that can lead to depression and distress. Evil suffocates, while goodness frees.

We have the freedom to do good or not. We understand that the freedom we possess as humans leads to the different actions we accomplish throughout our life, every moment.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 05, 2023, 05:17:47 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 06, 2023, 05:47:07 AM

115. The vital movement of Love

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It's simple to enter into a certain spiritual laziness, for example, and tell ourselves that we have freedom, without verifying the consequence of our actions and our words, without being responsible.

In the Parable of talents, we read that people have the freedom to multiply their gifts or bury them in a closed heart that will become heavier than a basket of unshared fruits. Evil freezes the heart of the person and makes it so heavy that it can become frozen like stone:
"The man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and buried his master's money." Matthew, chapter 25, verse 18

To keep the basket of fruits in hand, to keep the graces received from God for ourselves, is to remain fixed on the spot at the expense of faith. In our hands the basket becomes heavy. The unshared fruits of the trees will not serve and they will rot, like the fruits of the Holy Spirit remain in our hands.

While the fruits of the Holy Spirit are not shared, they remain in our consciousness. They're waiting to be shared. Not to share them cuts us off from the vital movement of Love. Love just won't pass through us.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 06, 2023, 05:48:09 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 07, 2023, 05:43:44 AM

116. Nourished by Love

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The heart of flesh is one who is nourished by the Love of God and shares it with his neighbour:
"To everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich." Matthew, chapter 25, verse 29

The one who has shares, the one who has and does not share, has nothing. That is to say, the one who blocks the talents that God offers him closes up and he will go so far as to believe that he has nothing to share.

This sentence can be a good indicator: "Ah, I'm never doing anything good... I'm not able. It's impossible." Do continue and you'll get there! Give yourself small goals and, with experience, you will achieve bigger ones.

Blocking God's Love prevents him from circulating in us and sharing it. This causes us personal suffering and distress.

Graces will become numerous when they are passed on to others by the one who shares the Love of God. Let's continue with the catechism:
"Freedom is the power, rooted in reason and will, to act or not to act, to do this or that, and so to perform deliberate actions on one's own responsibility. By free will one shapes one's own life. Human freedom is a force for growth and maturity in truth and goodness; it attains its perfection when directed toward God, our beatitude." Catechism of the Catholic Church, number 1731, website: Catechism of the Catholic Church - IntraText

Our freedom becomes total when our whole life is given to God for the neighbour. This attention to the other teaches us to become also charitable toward ourselves. Our freedom becomes mature when it is also engaged by the mercy of God. He seeks mercy givers.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 07, 2023, 05:45:19 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 08, 2023, 06:04:54 AM

117. Better to think a while

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We have in our hearts a natural law that is a grace of God. It helps us to discern and choose between good and bad. It is better to remain stationary in the face of evil than to be trapped in it.

It is better to think a while than to act too quickly and engulf ourselves in evil. The drug is a striking example. It is better for children to learn at length about the negative effects of drugs, so that they can get around it, i.e. alcohol, all drugs, divination that places the pride of a person between God and others, selfishness and all that leads to evil.

Let's ask the Holy Spirit to increase in us vigilance, courage, determination and constancy; to offer us his grace, as well as for the neighbour. If we want them, God gives us his graces.

May freedom always lead us to perfect goodness, with the desire to always return to the Paschal Meal that is placed upon the Altar of Love, by Christ, for us. It is the only true source that assures us a free and fulfilled life, thanks to the Life and Love of God.

May Mary and Joseph, who freely chose the will of God in them, inspire us with their total and definite "yes". May our life be offered with joy to him who gave us his life, Jesus, for our well-being and for the salvation of the world.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 08, 2023, 06:05:42 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 09, 2023, 06:06:36 AM

118. God's Love and Light

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From God's Love and Light, we can observe in ourselves and in people the shadows and the lights. Then, discern with wisdom what would be the best way to help.

If we move away from God, we close the shutters of the windows, and instead of having the full light of day, we glimpse at some rays that seek to join us. Again, it will be necessary to be aware of these rays and not worry too much for the specks of dust in it. Dust does not alter or define the purity of light.

The less we let the light in, the more we seek to protect our eyes. This phenomenon occurs during night time. When we wake up at night and open the light switch, our eyes close alone. We try to move away from the light. We even place our hands on our eyes. Even sometimes, we immediately turn off the light.

This is what happens when we move away from God. The less we seek God, the more we sink into darkness. We have trouble supporting what is clear and bright. Then we have difficulty receiving the power of his light. We may not find the door.

To flee the Light, to flee Wisdom, to flee the Love of God is already our judgment. The judgment of others is not necessary since we judge ourselves. We develop a fear of God, we close the Light ... on God. Then we dig deeper into the illusion that we are better, surrounded by our defences, going deep down and away from the Light.

This passage of wisdom has been transmitted for our greatest joy:
"If you choose you can keep the commandments; it is loyalty to do his will." Sirach, chapter 15, verse 15

That's totally God! He tells us: "If you choose." Around a buffet, we choose whatever we want. It's not for others to choose for us. They will also choose for themselves.

It's also up to each of us to remain faithful and to unite our life to Jesus or not. We are free, we are responsible for our faith. If we accept what God offers us, then we will have an overflowing buffet where everything will be good for us and for humanity.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 09, 2023, 06:07:30 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 10, 2023, 05:30:20 AM

119. Immense Love

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The author continues:
"Before man are life and death, whichever he chooses shall be given him." Sirach, chapter 15, verse 17

According to the choice of each person, life is proposed to them by God and death remains a personal choice ... "whichever he chooses". It's not God's choice. Death is not God's choice. He does not offer us this choice.

The choice for death is nothing but the rejection of God's Love, the refusal to let us love God, the refusal to welcome him and share the immense love that everyone expects. The refusal to receive Jesus' Love leads to evil and finally, to death.

Yet it is much easier to share what we receive. The buffet is not only there for us. Let's receive the Love of God and share it.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 10, 2023, 05:31:54 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 11, 2023, 02:54:57 AM

120. We want what God offers us

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This sentence, which makes us smile, allows us to meditate and deepen it:
"No man does he command to sin, to none does he give strength for lies." Sirach, chapter 15, verse 20

God commands nothing that is destructive to us and to our neighbour: "To none does he give strength for lies." He does not allow anyone to sin. Sin is not God's choice. God does not impose anything on us.

Let's say it like this: "He did not allow anyone to be stupid." Because the lack of intelligence, understanding and reflection is the sign of a closure to God and to others.

We are free as wind, free as children of God. It is up to us to discern and want what God offers us.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 11, 2023, 02:56:44 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 12, 2023, 04:47:28 AM

121. The Light of our lamp

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Paul understood:
"We do speak a wisdom to those who are mature, but not a wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age who are passing away." 1 Corinthians, chapter 2, verse 6

We are entertained ... while we are far from reality. The world, more specifically the mundane, entertains us and moves us away from good.
"The ruler of this age", mentioned by Paul, is usually the power that submits the neighbour. They entertain us while we pay or others pay the price.

The only one that can lead us to reality is Jesus:
"You, Lord, give light to my lamp; my God brightens the darkness about me." Psalm 18, verse 29

Jesus is "the Light" of our lamp if we welcome it. Night turns into day with the Lord.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 12, 2023, 04:48:17 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 13, 2023, 06:02:54 AM

122. Within His Truth

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Caution:
"You were called for freedom, brothers. But do not use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh; rather, serve one another through love." Galatians, chapter 5, verse 13

Our freedom lies in God's welcome. Our freedom lies serving "one another through love".

Jesus tells us:
"If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John, chapter 8, verses 31 to 32
Do we want to follow Jesus? Do we want to live within his truth? May we give our heart to Jesus.

Do we want to love the neighbour? Let's ask the Holy Spirit to Love with our hearts.

We want to live forever? Let's ask the Father to lead us to Jesus who is the Way, the Truth and the Life.

Jesus invites us to deeply meditate on his will. The others will not think about it for us. It is our responsibility to constantly ask Jesus to cleanse us, so we can grasp all the good that we can achieve for the world, in the world.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 13, 2023, 06:05:23 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 14, 2023, 06:14:24 AM

123. One decision in life

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May Jesus clean out our heart by his presence. The pure heart is the heart (the person) who emerges from evil and advances toward good, continually. May we let God simply Love us, like a child:
"Let the children come to me and do not prevent them." Luke, chapter 18, verse 16

We have one important decision in life. Jesus.
To welcome the Love of God or to refuse it? It is the key of our responsibility, the opening toward our freedom. If we accept the Love of God, we move toward him, if we refuse, we slip into evil.

Let's share and receive God's Love between us. It's too simple. It is the only path that leads to the pierced Heart of God. Let's go in often. May God manage our life, since he shapes us with Love.

If we really want to find ways to come back to God, we will have to be aware of what we are experiencing inside and outside of us. Jesus always chases us with his Love, he is with us with open Heart and always ready to receive us.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 14, 2023, 06:15:09 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 15, 2023, 05:40:46 AM

124. We want it, Lord

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"The Advocate, the holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name - he will teach you everything and remind you of all that (I) told you." John, chapter 14, verse 26

We want it, Lord, your Spirit of Truth. This is the first request to be made to the Trinity. We want to welcome the Spirit of Truth, the Spirit of Jesus and of the Father.

The truth is sometimes difficult to pin down. Several situations and obstacles caused by some people made us fear the truth.

And the truth that is most difficult to grasp, even to accept, is the one within us, the one that moves us from within, until it leads us to the shore of freedom.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 16, 2023, 05:07:18 AM

125. Talk about Jesus

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Jesus declares to his disciples:
"Everyone who acknowledges me before others the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God." Luke, chapter 12, verse 8
That's true! But what does Jesus want us to say about him? The truth.

But what is the truth for us? This is much more delicate. To talk about Jesus (or a person), we need to spend time with him, walk together, share together and read what is said about him, enter into communion and communicate with him. May we dare a conversion to his Heart.

Above all, if we want to talk about Jesus, let's make sure we know ourselves well enough. Because a person who has not taken some time to listen to his own life will hardly put into perspective the reality of another person, especially Jesus's life. It's a daily reflection to discover ourselves and to know ourselves in reality and truth.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 16, 2023, 05:08:01 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 17, 2023, 05:50:16 AM

126. Love on and in us

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In the Gospels, there's a lot of information about Jesus. His presence, at the heart of our history, is particularly relevant to the history of his time. He is Jewish and he is surrounded by people who testify to his presence.

There are libraries lined up with books about him. From all that we can read about Jesus and to discern how he really is, may we ask a Person who knows him well to inform us. We want the Spirit of Truth!

Only the Holy Spirit and the Father truly know Jesus. Well, Jesus knows himself too. But how do we grasp the Holy Spirit if we do not see him? Let's ask for his Love on us and in us, and we will gradually discover the truth Jesus is.

The more we develop our relationship with Jesus, the more we will know him. Lesser we approach Jesus, lesser we will know him.

Jesus gave us the Church to help us know him better. The Church will offer us the best documents to get in touch with him. Surely, our welcoming the Church and the Trinity will be necessary.

Only the Love of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit leads us to the truth about God, about us and about the people around us. It takes a daily and lifelong conversion from our heart to the Heart of God.

Let's always begin with Love to know the Trinity. If there is lack of love, it's not Jesus, it's not the Trinity.

This step of faith in the Trinity will make the road easier and we will see it develop and operate in the hearts of people.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 17, 2023, 05:52:16 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 18, 2023, 06:33:33 AM

127. Hand it over to the Lord

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Listening to ourselves will help us greatly. To offer ourselves a little time to check our interior can avoid many unpleasant situations. Taking time to watch our daily movie will be the best movie we'll see every evening and for life.

There is no more "reality" than the unfolding of our life. It will teach us a lot about our thoughts, our attitudes and our actions. Let's appreciate these moments that allow us to adjust, to know ourselves better and this practice will help to continue on the road, to live joyfully.

Before we get to bed, we can check how the day went. Who did we meet during the day? Where did we meet people? How did we welcome them? How did they greet us?

To live with the desire that God may be the only master of our life requires efforts to live in reality, in search for truth and goodness. To pray with an open heart to God is also a way of keeping us from harm.

Have we listened to ourselves and to others? We learn a lot when we are in small groups sharing on topics of faith, hope, charity, exchanges on the Word of God and pray together.

Have we handed over to the Lord what seems wrong, the negative words we've heard, for example? Did we suffer the pain and weeping of the person who confided in us? Have we handed over the distress, the anguish of some people to Jesus? Have we remained calm and have we played down difficult situations? Are we becoming instruments of peace?

These are some questions that can help us improve and clean up our thoughts and memory. Above all, we are invited to give everything to Jesus. He's the only one who can free our being from all that is negative, sadness, sorrow. Let's become friends with ourselves. May we engage in joy, hope, peace.

Let's always place ourselves under the Love of God and we will see that we still have much to achieve, little by little, while respecting our limits. Let's respect the direction of the sailing, the direction of our journey to the eternal shore.

Let's offer the joy and sorrow to Jesus and believe that he will rejoice in joy with us, and with the sorrow he will transform it, free us, so that we can move evermore freely with him, toward him. Let's prepare our heart for the Presence of Jesus. He is present. Let's talk to him, freely.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 18, 2023, 06:36:46 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 19, 2023, 05:37:57 AM

128. Ask for the graces

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God knows that, despite efforts, we are sometimes at fault and we are struggling. Nobody is perfect and Jesus doesn't necessarily demand perfection of who we are and in what we do. Let's accept to not be perfect. We will make mistakes, we will sin. He simply asks us to share his Love. His Love will do its work and triumph in our heart, and we will feel its benefits, and we will see its deployment.

He wants us to be more and more like him and work toward the perfection of our being. Let's accept to be where we are right now. We move forward with who we are and what we live with. We're doing our best.

Let's abide in Jesus who embraces our heart despite the sorrows, the sickness, the errors, the lack of interest, the forgetfulness, the mistakes.

Let's be quick to ask for the graces of the Holy Spirit in activities, really all activities, so that it illuminates, inspire our efforts and our sharing. May the Lord remain with us at work, at home and while participating in activities.
Let's pray wherever we can, and whenever possible at every moment.

Sometimes we go different ways for several reasons. But if our heart is ready, we will be redirected to the one who opens his Heart to us, Jesus.

Jesus welcomes us as soon as we return silently (humbly) every evening to him. May the Lord watch over us, let him answer us and save us from whatever tries to lead us away from eternity. May our heart find comfort in him, night and day.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 19, 2023, 05:39:29 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 20, 2023, 05:13:30 AM

129. Deeper into God's Love

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The Holy Spirit helps us in faith as Paul says:
"In the same way, the Spirit too comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit itself intercedes with inexpressible groaning. And the one who searches hearts knows what the intention of the Spirit is, because it intercedes for the holy ones according to God's will. We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose." Romans, chapter 8, verses 26 to 28

To love God is first of all to welcome him in us. Paul tells us that there is a reality that we're going to live, whether we know Christ or not:
"The world in its present form is passing away." 1 Corinthians, chapter 7, verse 31b

This world in which we live, this world visible to our eyes will not remain. Our eyes will one day see the reality and the truth, as well as our forthcoming transformation, until then more or less successful, when entering into eternal life.

We go through life to learn to love one another, from Love. God's reign is near every person. Jesus invites us to continually convert in order to be as free as possible when we appear before him.

This doesn't mean to make ulcers and headaches with our faults, since we give them to Jesus. It simply means finding all the means to enter deeper into God's Love.

Let's not live in the regrets of the past with the memory of the wounds piling up and weighing down on our hearts. We have the right to live free from everything that assails and suffocates us.

It's important not to keep our eyes fixed on our faults, but to find ways to get rid of them, in order to approach God. Let's ask the Holy Spirit to help us find solutions, then continue to develop faith received from the Lord by letting us heal through Jesus.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 20, 2023, 05:14:22 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 21, 2023, 06:10:21 AM

130. God Loves us

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Sooner or later, and we may have heard it, we hear people who seem to have taken control of their lives. They will say things that seem to place them above God. The most fragile will often follow or begin to act or live like them.
The habit of evil, the one we no longer see in ourselves, leads others to turn away from good. All that's against God leads the most vulnerable to move away from him. May we not reject God. He is the one who Loves us.

Here is a striking example of an intermission during the broadcast of a major news station in the United States. A man is promoting for atheist people, paid by his association. He speaks for them and at the same time, he makes fun of christians. He initiates and strongly invites to become an atheist (although the "atheist" does not really exist), to deny their christian faith. He adds that he is not afraid of burning in hell. These are his last words.

May we pray for him and for those who could follow his ideal.
He turns people away from christianity. He also cuts the bridge between him and God. And what he says risks driving him where he doesn't wish to go. He doesn't understand what he is saying. He doesn't perceive the consequences of his words which block his way and that of others toward God.

Nobody wants to go to hell. But still his words are said. He is convinced of this lie and he risks driving away other people from God. What a bizarre setting! He has a great need to ask God and humans for forgiveness. Let's pray that his heart will open to the Trinity and to the recognition of Love.

Let's be careful with what we ask. We do not know how far we can get away from God and away from other people too. This has the effect of increasing evil in the world.

Let's pray that people, who develop an aversive feeling against God, that their hearts be touched and live a profound conversion.

Then let's give thanks to the Lord, once again, for all those who are truly embarking on the reality of perfecting of faith. Contrary to this last testimony against faith and against God, they allow us to see the manifestation of the Lord in their life. They simply make us understand, by their gestures and their attitudes, by their words and their writings that we need to continue our journey toward holiness!

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 21, 2023, 06:10:59 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 22, 2023, 04:43:42 AM

131. Getting closer to God

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If we let ourselves be trapped by sin regularly, and often the same ones come back, let's put them in order of priority, the worst ones first. Then, let's strive to eliminate them from our life experience.

We can decrease sugar consumption, stop wasting time, for example. The efforts we make to eliminate the small mistakes help us practice to deal with the bigger sins, later on. Also, they will have less influence, because they will not be supported by the smallest sins. We must never underestimate the smallest sins! They are vigorous!

Often it's just a bad habit. Let's replace it with a healthier one. We can also play tricks on ourselves. As we go, let's change our habit and move on. If it's the sugar-filled drink, for example, let's cut the pace and the amount with another healthier drink that will eventually replace it. These are ideas. You can find ideas that suit you better.

We propose above all to be creative, in order to eliminate as much as possible what can keep us away from a conversion to Jesus, then to keep us away from other unhealthy attachments. These are ways of getting closer to God. And for faith, for love, let's replace evil with a healthier, holiest way of being.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 22, 2023, 04:44:41 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 23, 2023, 06:26:19 AM

132. Jesus in our life

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Jesus says:
"This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel." Mark, chapter 1, verse 15

If the kingdom of God is near, we are also close to God. Very often, when we make a small mistake, we think we are very far from God.

But God did not move. He did not make this mistake for us and by us. However, he is right next to us. He remains close to us. More than that, he is in us. He Loves us and he wants us to be in him too.

The best way to remain holy is to realize everything with Jesus, to keep him close to us, everywhere, to include him in our research, our thoughts, our activities. In spite of the fault, any fault, let's return constantly to God.

Jesus will convert us if we invite him to be our Lord and Saviour. We can also invite him to make himself present in the lives of all the people around us, at work, at home, at school, in the parish church, at the grocery store, in our travels.

Keeping Jesus in our life guarantees us a simpler life, with an increase of peace and joy. Others will see and benefit from it.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 24, 2023, 05:40:00 AM

133. God has transformed our life

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Whether we are with Jesus or not, the difficulties of life will arise and we will have to go through these trials. It's in fact much better to go through a trial with Jesus than without him.
How many times have we met a person in Jesus who walks freely through trials, while others who do not know him feel the weight of suffering that often seems insurmountable; suffering that is often linked to the past.

The difference is impressive. To live our trials without Jesus gives us the impression of being abandoned, alone. Then, the test becomes devastating.
To live our trials with Jesus is to grow in faith trusting in him. To trust Jesus is the sign of a healthy faith, despite the trials. So we will get better passing through the pitfalls of life.

When it's stormy and we still dare to go somewhere, when we arrive, we'll tell ourselves that we did well to go after all.

The storms of life are sometimes difficult. Of course, it's not always easy. With the decision to continue with Jesus, the road is more pleasant. Jesus opens the way.

We are getting there in faith. We are happy for every step we take. Only the decision to live the test with Jesus can free us to a great extent and at best from fear and evil.

We can say with the psalmist:
Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my saviour. For you I wait all the long day, because of your goodness, Lord. Psalm 25, verses 4 to 5a

We are passing through the trials of this world and we are worshiping more and more the Lord who keeps on being with us. The door opens in front of us and then we can share our conversion experience with others.

Let's live in joy as this world passes and savour true life in God. Let's receive and cherish the Love of God in us. May we appreciate all that God has already transformed in our life. Let's keep him with us and we will appreciate him more. He Loves us with infinite Love.

Why not try the experiment with Jesus? It will be the best decision we'll ever take, for life.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 24, 2023, 05:41:33 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 25, 2023, 05:33:34 AM

134. The tasty fruit of conversion

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Paul reveals how to recognize the grace of God in people who are experiencing hardships:
"In a severe test of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their profound poverty overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part." 2 Corinthians, chapter 8, verse 2

We note that Paul did not say that God subjected them to "a severe test of affliction", but that they were "in a severe test of affliction". This "severe test of affliction" comes from them or other people, not from God.

This affliction is "testing" them. And there are trials in life. What characterizes the grace of God in these people is that "the abundance of their joy and their profound poverty overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part".

Of course it's not easy. But, in spite of the trials and sufferings, Paul experiences God's grace simply because of the abundance of the joy, the extreme poverty which characterizes them and which overflows "in a wealth of generosity".

They knew how to ignore their trials and let God's grace pass through them. This allows these people to let their distress turn into a tasty fruit of conversion. They need grace to not put their suffering back on others or on God. Grace transforms their way of life. This last passage is to be meditated often. It is quite impressive that by the grace of God we can increase joy, even during trial and suffering.

It's now impossible not to turn to Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and see in her, who lived in the midst of a time of trial, a life filled with a joyful and Immaculate Heart. She who let radiate the grace of God in her and whose radiance she received passes through all ages. (Magnificat, Luke, chapter 1, verses 45-55)
"The Love of God was revealed to us," 1 John, chapter 4, verse 9

also by the "yes" of Mary. This is what we are also invited to do. To receive, then radiate the grace of God. God's Love is manifested in shared love, in peace, joy, hope, prayer, etc.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 25, 2023, 05:34:20 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 26, 2023, 05:00:54 AM

135. These fruits are to share

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James tells us:
"Everyone should be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath, for the wrath of a man does not accomplish the righteousness of God." James, chapter 1, verses 19 to 20

One of the practices that help us become better, through a life of faith in motion, is to slow down. Slowing down isn't necessarily laziness. Being slow to talk or get angry, for example, allows us to be more vigilant to the internal movement of our lives. Often, what is done in a hurry doesn't yield much result except in necessity and urgency.

It's an invitation to change lanes:
"Therefore, put away all filth and evil excess and humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you and is able to save your souls." James, chapter 1, verse 21

God's Word saves. Let's welcome the words of wisdom for the well-being of our body and soul:
The one who peers into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres, and is not a hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, such a one shall be blessed in what he does. James, chapter 1, verse 25

It's never a waste of time to welcome God and his Word, the Verb, into our lives. Let's practise everything God teaches us. We will reap the benefits. These fruits are to share.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 26, 2023, 05:04:26 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 27, 2023, 04:47:32 AM

136. The movement of his Love

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Paul offers us a moving sentence:
"I kneel before the Father." Ephesians, chapter 3, verse 14

We fall to our knees, we stop in our footsteps with Paul, because the Father's Love is eternal, infinite, quite simply. We fall to our knees to lower ourselves before the length, width and depth, before the movement of his Love.

We don't lower ourselves because we are oppressed or submissive by an overwhelming force, we do not lower ourselves because we are crushed by a proud person, by a selfish person.

We lower ourselves, because we recognize that the Father is all that we hope for, everything we dream of. It's all there is to it. We fall to our knees to offer ourselves to God, since we are nothing without him. We recognize it.

By going inside our heart, we have a multitude of reasons to give thanks to the Father. We are amazed in front of him.

In all humility, we also lower ourselves before Jesus who has lowered himself to come into the world and lead us to eternal life. Jesus also lowered himself to wash the Apostle's feet. And we let ourselves be Loved by the Spirit with a heart turned toward him, to receive him, to welcome him.

We lower ourselves before the Holy Spirit, we thank him because he is Love who is God and who unites humanity with him.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 27, 2023, 04:49:57 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 28, 2023, 05:45:55 AM

137. We develop healthy and holy ways

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Paul also invites us to a relationship with God:
"We have not received the spirit of the world [wordly] but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the things freely given to us by God." 1 Corinthians, chapter 2, verse 12

The Spirit we receive is God's. Paul is convinced and convincing. He's living so deep the presence of God that he recognizes and receives his action in his life.

To leave to God a place in our life supposes that we have left something out, that we're achieving some cleaning of the past of certain harmful or even destructive habits. Thus, the future will not clutter our minds.

As soon as we leave the Holy Spirit a unique place in our hearts, our habits are transformed, our attitudes become charitable, we develop healthy and holy ways of thinking, seeing, understanding the reality of the world and the heart of the person.

As soon as we ask the Trinity to help us and to enter our lives, we progress for the better, immediately. We feel a light breeze guiding us to the One God. If we do not feel it, we are not paying enough attention.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 28, 2023, 05:46:47 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 01, 2023, 06:09:26 AM

138. Love finds its source in God

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This passage is clear:
"The natural person does not accept what pertains to the Spirit of God." 1 Corinthians, chapter 2, verse 14

The person who only relies on his strengths and abilities is like a discount battery rapidly losing energy. He is not aware of what God is doing.

A person has reserves of love. But if he's not connected to the Love of God, if he's not connected to the source, he comes to believe that love comes from him. He may also believe that love comes from his family or from others, without reference to God. He is divided (disconnected) from God.

This is perhaps the most serious danger of thinking that God's Love comes only from others. We place the merit on the person and we do not think to thank the source of Love. We may become proud.

We can say of a person that he is good, but kindness comes from God. We can say that a person is beautiful, but beauty comes from God. We can say that he is strong, but strength he receives from God. Everything that makes life good, beautiful and strong is God's. Although we try to love as best we can, true Love comes exclusively from God.

It would be very risky to give another meaning to the word "love" and not recognize that true Love is from God. That's what we do in general. We try to extinguish the meaning of God's Love, try to distort it. We will not succeed. Love always finds its source in God.

Jesus's teaching surpasses us:
"All who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers." Luke, chapter 2, verse 47

Jesus's authority has no resemblance to the frowning eyebrows and the forefinger pointing to others. The authority of Jesus is discovered by his Love and his desire that we live from it.

By his Word, he leads us to the best, the real, the right, and helps us to become complete in truth. Let's get closer to him. We will live a real evolution, a normal transformation.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 01, 2023, 06:11:39 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 02, 2023, 04:49:22 AM

139. God is here, let's trust!

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Sometimes, to come back to God, we think we have to cry out, because suffering holds us and doesn't let us go. But we don't have to scream.

Shouting is a sign that we have gone too far. We have moved away from God. God is here, let's trust! God chases us with his Love! And his arrows are joy, peace, hope, mercy, life, love, etc.

We cry because we don't want to live in the negation that keeps us away from God. We shout because we forgot that God is always with us. Within the walls we have created for ourselves, we believe that God is no longer there.

We locked ourselves in and closed the windows. After our cry, the storm will calm down, the dust will fall and we will have no reason to cry if we turn our heart to God.

It's a good reflex to turn to him. Shouting is not a fault, but it's not the end result.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 03, 2023, 05:15:07 AM

140. Peace promised by Jesus

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This sentence reminds us that God is here:
"He will be gracious to you when you cry out, as soon as he hears he will answer you." Isaiah, chapter 30, verse 19b

God answers us as soon as we cry. This is the sign that he is close. When we have enough, when we stop wanting to do everything alone, when pride accepts the transition to simplicity, peace and joy, when we are saturated with being exploited with injustices, it's no longer necessary to cry out to the Lord.

We then cry for joy since we have turned away from our closures or the injustices we suffered. We turn to God. We shout for joy, because we understand the difference between the harm others are doing to us (or ourselves) and the pure, just, true, and righteous Love of God. We open ourselves again to grace, to the Love of God. Our heart becomes interested to being in his presence.

We read in the Gospel:
"Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness." Matthew, chapter 9, verse 35

May we trust, Jesus has not ceased to travel endlessly to our heart. May we trust, open our hearts to salvation, to peace promised by Jesus. Jesus, I trust in you!

Jesus is already there, simply, without noise. We can talk to him before we scream. He invites us again to open our hearts wide, for God to live in it and to work with us.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 03, 2023, 05:18:30 AM
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Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 04, 2023, 06:34:05 AM

141. Our thanksgiving to Jesus

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The light illuminates our way when we are driving. It would be very risky to venture on a road at night without headlights on. We may not get very far. And the danger of damage and injury is great.

This is what happens in our lives when we do not give God the leisure to enlighten it. We are at great risk. Instead of opening ourselves to life, we may close our hearts. Then fear becomes imminent.

When our road is lit, it becomes more visible. The only temporary errors that remain are the fact of moving away from the light again or not being cautious enough.

Let's enter happily into the light that God gives us. Let's get back to it quickly. Let's thank God for his light, enter into communion with him and our hearts will open ever more. We are also invited to go deeper into our hearts, to thank Jesus for the treasures we find there.

Let's take some time to discover these treasures and offer our thanksgiving to Jesus. The treasure that has greater value is our heart, since Jesus lives in it.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 05, 2023, 05:18:55 AM

142. The dawn of the new day

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The fire of earth [Jesus in our heart] shines in heaven. It enlightens all those who take refuge in God, welcome him and accept to live with his light. To the young people gathered in Rome in 2000, Pope John Paul II said of Jesus:
"He is the beauty to which you are so attracted; it is he who provokes you with that thirst for fullness that will not let you settle for compromise; it is he who urges you to shed the masks of a false life; it is he who reads in your hearts your most genuine choices, the choices that others try to stifle.

It is Jesus who stirs in you the desire to do something great with your lives." World Youth Day, Prayer Vigil at Tor Vergata, August 19, 2000, number 5. Vatican Site:
World Youth Day: vigil (Tor Vergata, August 19, 2000) | John Paul II

Let's put on the garment of light that leads us to the dawn of the new day. Let's have the courage, the will, the desire to transform the world through Love, with God.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 06, 2023, 06:10:17 AM
143. The Lord is with us

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Jesus Loves us, he doesn't force anyone and he sets us free. Jesus accepts what we want and he will not give more than we ask. Freely, if our request is not precise, we risk finding ourselves with very little.

Sometimes we ask, but we don't believe in it. Sometimes we want to follow Christ, but there are too many things or people who hold us back, or we aren't vigilant enough.

Sometimes the Lord will take his time, because we are not in a hurry to change lanes. Sometimes asking something from the Lord will lead us where we would not want to go. It helps us to grow in faith because we have to learn to adjust to God as true disciples. Let's check carefully whether our requests really lead us to the house of the Father, through the Son, in the Spirit.

God can do anything and everything is offered to us. But it is still necessary that we accept what comes from him. When the priest says, at the beginning of Mass: "The Lord be with you," the Lord is already with us, but he always leaves us free to answer, to want God present with us.

This does not mean: "The Lord may be with us." We know that the Lord is always with us, but do we still want him with us, again and now? That's the question. At each mass, we are free to answer.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 07, 2023, 05:58:17 AM
144. Path to holiness

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This sentence can make us think of all those who dare to recognize that God is their only possible path to holiness:
"'Come! let us go to implore the favour of the Lord'; and, 'I too will go to seek the Lord.'" Zechariah, chapter 8, verse 21

Me, whatever the case, I will seek the face of the Lord, I will look for it and I will find him. I have decided that my will, I will place it in a safe place, in God's Heart. Let's find him, together!

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 08, 2023, 05:41:35 AM

145. Jesus leads us to salvation

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We go and come from different places, but:
"Jesus is resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem." Luke, chapter 9, verse 51

Jesus could have simply followed the road to Jerusalem like many people every day. However, he embarked on the road with a mission, the only mission he had in Heart and in his Head, which is leading us to salvation, in truth.

This is what the saints like Therese of Lisieux, Francis of Assisi, Padre Pio and people we know have done. As quickly as possible they reached the highway to holiness.

What is the mission that leads us today to holiness, Love in God? The first mission is to make sure we are on the straight path to the Heart of God. If not, where are we heading, to which unknown place? Where are we heading to?

Wherever we are going to, let's go in faith and with the conviction that Jesus is with us. Jesus is with us.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 09, 2023, 06:02:57 AM

146. Delight the hearts of the people

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To begin a mission for us and for humanity, we start with Jesus. He is the cause, the reason and the purpose for the Mission.

To accomplish it, there is only one solution, that Jesus be our Lord and Saviour, our Master. If we want to help the world to improve, to find values, to become holy, Jesus will transform us, at our request and according to the trust we will entrust in him.

Mary is the perfect example of an intimate and renewed relationship of Jesus in her. Mary still evangelizes us today through the mission she accepts from God.

Holiness in the world begins with holiness within us. Without our will to live an improvement of life and faith, we reject Jesus's blessing. Then, Jesus cannot help us evolve.

Holiness solely depends on our relationship with Jesus. The improvement of our existence depends on our intention to receive everything from the Lord and to let ourselves be Loved by him.

The mission received from God is to familiarize ourselves with Jesus, to receive his teaching, to follow him. Let's become committed persons to increase our faith in his presence.

In this way and becoming more and more filled with God (our mission), his Light, his Love, and the other manifestations of his Love, at the good moment, will unfold, join and delight the hearts of the people (evangelization). These people will also be encouraged to follow the Way, the Truth and the Life, to follow Jesus.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 10, 2023, 06:25:51 AM

147. His plan of Love

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"Hear me, O coastlands, listen, O distant peoples. The Lord called me from birth, from my mother's womb he gave me my name." Isaiah, chapter 49, verse 1

At the beginning of our existence, when we are in the womb, and even before we find ourselves there, the Lord calls us to him and to his mission. It's extraordinary that the Lord already has a plan for our life, whether we are a little foetus or even when we were only a small cell.

God creates us and he is with us from the first moment of our formation until we return to him. His plan of Love, he offers it to us. He knows us perfectly, since he is the Life that gives us life.

We become aware that we exist. Then we discover that all that we are comes from the Heart of God, our Creator. God is Creator and present for all, without exception.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 11, 2023, 05:21:32 AM

148. Connected to the source

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God has a mission for us:
Now the Lord speaks, he who has fashioned me from the bosom of my mother to be his servant, that I bring Jacob back to him, that I will gather him Israel.

"I am made glorious in the sight of the Lord, and my God is now my strength!" Isaiah, chapter 49, verse 5

The service in which God inscribes us, what he wants, is that we become servants of Love. It is already inscribed in our being. He created us Love and he is waiting, all the same, for a precise answer from us. That's the responsibility we have. It is the decision of our whole life: to be servants or not of Love.

He invites us to live with his Love, to be connected to the source and he also wants us to be love for one another. Let's think of this, there's no better and beautiful life than having as foundation the infinite Love of God to live and to share. Eternity becomes familiar with this mission:
"I will place my law within them, and write it upon their hearts; I will be their God, and they shall be my people." Jeremiah, chapter 31, verse 33

God confirms it to us. His law of Love is inscribed in our heart. This law is to be received. Do we want it? But beware, in accepting the law of God's Love, we must also accept to live our life fully with him, to want to taste the joy and peace continually, to receive all that is the manifestation of his Love and to know we are Loved!

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 12, 2023, 04:43:46 AM

149. The call we receive

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Sometimes we have ups and downs. Our life is not always in a straight line. There are sometimes curved lines. And we know that we can wander far before a return to the natural base of life offered by God. In society as in the Church, it is similar, their members live ups and downs.

King Josiah has had a long journey. He repented. He moved back into his life and he adjusted. He makes a commitment and concludes that it's good to put his life in God's hands:
"Standing by the column, the king made a covenant before the Lord that they would follow him and observe his ordinances, statutes and decrees with their whole hearts and souls, thus reviving the terms of the covenant which were written in this book. And all the people stood as participants in the covenant." 2 Kings, chapter 23, verse 3

What a person can manifest by his faith and freely uniting himself to God in his covenant, when he testifies to it, enables others to dare to be in a natural union with him. As a result: "All the people stood as participants in the covenant." His testimony of faith attracts people in the same direction.

Whether we are aware of it or not, the Covenant with God is the sole searching of every person, without exception. Even if we go away with our bundle, God calls us from the depths of our being. The call follows us everywhere.

To enter into the path that leads us to the Heart of God is the definitive call we receive. But even if we are marked with Love, it implies a decision on our part, as for King Josiah.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 13, 2023, 05:21:14 AM

150. Foundation of faith

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Sometimes we think that we have to do many things and find solutions to be accepted by God. But it's much simpler. Let's just ask him to help us find him. Let's just accept him in our lives by saying, "Yes, Lord, I want it, be my Lord, my guide and my master. I want to follow you. Teach me how to stay on the road with you. Thank you Lord."

There, it's done. Then, we can remember that we told him "yes" to his will on us. Every moment, we want to let him join us. Let's pray, then watch our life improve and that of others too.

Let's not worry about what does not seem to work at the beginning of a conversion. To get out of a traffic jam, we wait for the stopped cars to advance again, then we move slowly and stay behind the others, until we can drive more freely, but always with caution.

Vigilance teaches us to return to the foundation of faith in Jesus, especially during a trial. We continue to be careful not to stray from the Lord, even after passing the test.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 14, 2023, 04:23:05 AM

151. United to him forever

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We can say to God:
"Lead me in the path of your commands, for that is my delight. Direct my heart toward your decrees and away from unjust gain." Psalm 119, verses 35 to 36

May our heart look toward the Heart of God and not on the side of lusts, illusions, the "mundane" of this passing world. May we not wait to gain to become happy. We want to remain in his Love. With God, we will have all that's necessary for our survival. We are happy now, with whom we are, in him.

Jesus wants to teach us. This is the foundation of the mission. Jesus wants to detach us from human and material goods. But, that doesn't mean to become insensitive, to shut ourselves up. Not at all.

Detachment is to be free from useless ties. It helps us to know each other and to know people better. It also helps us to use material stuff for the sole purpose of bringing us closer to Love, by sharing, for example.

Jesus surrounded himself with Apostles because it is important to be united to others. Jesus didn't want to be alone. He knows it's important to surround himself with people. And he doesn't mention to deny our family.

He proposes to live as a christian, like him, to become who we are to evangelize and to create important and significant relations with all, through his presence. He is the centre. He wants to teach us the foundations of faith. Let's allow ourselves more time to know Jesus. To trust in Jesus is part of the desire to be united to him forever.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 15, 2023, 05:12:28 AM

152. Faith in Jesus

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John the Baptist is so right in saying these words:
"He must increase; I must decrease." John, chapter 3, verse 30

Following Jesus is not diminishing. But we understand what John teaches us. To follow Jesus is to become humble before whom he is and to appreciate the gift of his person freely given to us. Even though he is God, Jesus thinks of us, wants to live with us, wants to dwell in us and pass through us to touch the hearts of people.

Even if we aren't perfect, let's remember that it isn't us that people must follow, but Jesus. May the people not follow our personal difficulties, because we are struggling to become saints, but that they absolutely follow the Honest, the Pure, the True, the Perfect, Jesus.

When we understand that Jesus is the only one we need to follow and receive his teachings, we discover even more that we aren't perfect. This is the beginning of healing, of openness to reality that leads to the path of holiness. We will develop the desire to give him more space in our lives and we will accept to make him present for our contemporaries.

Jesus must find more space in hearts. Otherwise, the evil in the world will increase. It's one or the other, the Love of God who raises us or moving back from his Love, the slip to the evil and the pain of the loss. Let's be sure to let faith in Jesus grow in us. Let's not think we have succeeded.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 16, 2023, 05:49:35 AM

153. A journey to eternal life

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John the Baptist declares the reality of who Jesus is. He is inspired:
"Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world." John, chapter 1, verse 29

If there's anything the world should remember about Jesus, it's that he cleanses us from sin. Especially the sin of wanting to take his place. To understand Jesus "the Lamb of God" let's develop a sincere relationship with him, observe him and listen to him. We will be stunned by him. May we take the place that is ours. It's a privilege!

We know how hard it is to keep a promise. It's better not to make a promise, because it's quite possible that we cannot hold it. But Jesus fulfills what he promises:
"This is the promise that he made us: eternal life." 1 John, chapter 2, verse 25

Is there a better friend than being with Jesus? To remain with Jesus and to follow him is to guarantee ourselves freedom, to offer ourselves a better life, a more confident and well-adjusted life. For if we have Jesus as a friend, we will be better equipped to face the difficulties and the more difficult moments. With him, we are already in a journey to eternal life.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 17, 2023, 05:22:33 AM

154. Jesus is here

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After choosing Jesus as a friend, we have the opportunity to welcome him as a teacher. It's difficult to trust God with everything we hear, what they suggest in the world, but it's up to us to create a relationship with him. Let's verify by ourselves and with competent people, verify who God really is. Let's not rely on half-measures, half-words, half-explanations. We want to know the true Jesus. He's always present and waiting for us to place our trust in him.

God is Love and a Master who is Love is the best Master who exists.
A prophecy:
"'Make straight the way of the Lord,' as Isaiah the prophet said". John, chapter 1, verse 23

Let's find all the means to create a bridge between us and Jesus. Let's enter our heart and constantly search for our master. He always lets himself be found, and especially in the good, the right, the beautiful, the true and the real, that we live and observe in people.

Let's find some time to find Jesus. Let's learn to be patient with ourselves, because we often block the way. Let's learn to free the surface of the bridge, to better see on the other side. Let's free the course so that we can quickly reach the shore where Jesus is standing. The sooner we find him, the more we will improve the quality of our lives. Jesus is already here. Let's find him, he's easily found.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 18, 2023, 04:03:30 AM

155. God is present
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Here's a testimony of people who have allowed the Lord to establish himself in their lives. People flourish, they enter a new life, in the eternal promise. Even the unfortunate will live in joy:
"The deaf shall hear the words of the book; And out of gloom and darkness, the eyes of the blind shall see. The lowly will ever find joy in the Lord, and the poor rejoice in the Holy One of Israel." Isaiah, chapter 29, verses 18 to 19

But what are we watching today? Faced with so much misery in the world, did the world understand Isaiah's prophecy? We could conclude that God is not as present as we would like.

But it's the people who are turning their backs for many reasons. In reality, God is more than present, but there are people in the world who don't let him open their hearts. They block the passage between them and God. Then, they try to block the passage of those who believe. They think and try to manage the world at their convenience.

There are some who are nevertheless interested. The deaf hear the Word. The blind see God, they receive the Eucharist too. The humble ones recognize themselves in God, they rejoice. The unhappy exult immediately while they meet him and listen to his Word.

May hearts open up to the presence of the Lord and we will witness more and more small and less small miracles. There are so many people who need to hear that God is with us and that he offers us his Love, that he Loves us.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 19, 2023, 05:06:49 AM

156. Faith in Jesus

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Have we discovered God's Love in our hearts? Isn't it the best way to help our neighbour to let God simply pass through our heart, to ignite it? Jesus will guide us and show us what we are called to become:
"Here comes with power the Lord God, who rules by his strong arm; here is his reward with him, his recompense before him. Like a shepherd he feeds his flock; in his arms he gathers the lambs, carrying them in his bosom, and leading the ewes with care." Isaiah, chapter 40, verses 10 to 11

How comforting! The Lord illuminates his servants. The people who enter the service of the Lord are the people who have accepted him in their hearts and in their lives.

With two blind men, Jesus makes them discover that faith in him is the solution to their discomfort:
"'Let it be done for you according to your faith.' And their eyes were opened." Matthew, chapter 9, verses 29 to 30

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 20, 2023, 05:11:06 AM

157. Behold Mary

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Mary and all the saints help us to stay on the road of faith through their experience. Jesus offers us to behold Mary as our Mother. Let's recognize her as Mother of God:
"Standing by the cross of Jesus was his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, 'Woman, behold, your son.' Then he said to the disciple, 'Behold, your mother.' And from that hour the disciple took her into his home." John, chapter 19, verses 25 to 27

Jesus's message is also for us, "Woman, behold, your son". As Jesus introduces Mary to John, we are also Mary's children. John wasn't forced by Jesus to welcome Mary home.

Let's read the Catechism of the Catholic Church which is a simple and practical prayer. Let's just read the important points about Mary, what the Church believes and teaches about the Mother of Jesus in numbers 963 to 975. Let's meditate especially number 971, why we pray with Mary, why she helps us in the mission:
"'All generations will call me blessed'(Lk 1:48): 'The Church's devotion to the Blessed Virgin is intrinsic to Christian worship.' (MC 56). The Church rightly honours" the Blessed Virgin with special devotion.

From the most ancient times the Blessed Virgin has been honoured with the title of 'Mother of God,' to whose protection the faithful fly in all their dangers and needs... (...).

This very special devotion ... differs essentially from the adoration which is given to the incarnate Word and equally to the Father and the Holy Spirit, and greatly fosters this adoration. LG 66); The liturgical feasts dedicated to the Mother of God (see SC 103) and Marian prayer, such as the rosary, an 'epitome of the whole Gospel', express this devotion to the Virgin Mary." (cf MC 42.) Catechism of the Catholic Church - IntraText

The worship given to Mary is different from that reserved to the Trinity. But it's essential. We worship the Trinity, but we pray with Mary. Mary adores and prays the Trinity with us. She is for us an example of faith and life with Jesus.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 21, 2023, 05:04:21 AM

158. Mary pray with us

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Marian worship is at the service of the Trinity and for the people. The recognition of Mary's grace in our world and especially her relationship to Jesus should lead us to cry out with joy, to accept God as she did and then to do the will of the Trinity.

Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with you (Message of the Angel Gabriel),
blessed are you among women
and blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus. (Her cousin Elizabeth)
Holy Mary, mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death (It is our request to Mary that she helps us and pray to Jesus with us, so that we persevere in faith following her Son and that we may enter the promised eternal life, in the Heart of God).
Amen. We worship Jesus in Mary's belly.

Let's notice that all christians are asked by someone to pray for them. It's mutual help and it's a service of charity to pray for all.

That's what we're asking of Mary too. Mary, pray with us. Mary prays for us. She prays that we turn to Jesus.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 22, 2023, 05:20:30 AM

159. Jesus leads us

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Jesus introduces himself into our world to live his mission:
"I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me." John, chapter 6, verse 38

Jesus came to our world with the mission to make known to us the Father and the Holy Spirit. He came to do exactly what God proposed to humans in the Old Testament; to console, to heal, to recover, to save, to Love. He kept nothing for himself and offered his life for us. Jesus serves us:
"This is the will of the one who sent me, that I should not lose anything of what he gave me, but that I should raise it (on) the last day." John, chapter 6, verse 39

The Father's will is that all those who adhere to the message of Jesus Christ, become disciples of God and never be separated from the Trinity.

The mission is those who are meditating to let Jesus pass in their hearts and to consider what Jesus is transforming in them. They let themselves be taught by him to make sure they will be true disciples on the road of faith. The experience of faith is discovered in the heart.

To believe in Jesus, to know him and to resurrect with him, is the surest way. Jesus wants us to receive his teachings. He leads us to salvation and he wants to entrust in us, initiate us, then reveal his mission.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Watch with faith, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 23, 2023, 04:30:20 AM

160. The path to peace

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"Love and truth will meet; justice and peace will kiss. Truth will spring from the earth; justice will look down from heaven." Psalm 85, verses 11 to 12

The Love of God who leans toward us seeks his truth in us. God's justice brings peace to our lives. Justice is all that God offers us. May we share what we receive from God: Joy, peace, hope, mercy...

We read that Love is received in the Truth and the Justice of God leads to peace. Now, how can we get peace in our hearts if we are quick to get into conflict and slow to listen to God? How to get peace, when some groups in the world provoke war and want to control the world?

The bottom line is very simple. Everything is simple with the Trinity. When we turn away from Love, from Truth, from God's righteousness, we do not have peace, we do not live justice, love and truth. The lack of peace causes war and makes the path to peace more difficult.

Peace is a sign, a foretaste of holiness. Peace is a sign that we are a family, a people approaching God. Let's observe the peace, the truth, the justice and the love of a person, a family, a people, a nation and we will discover the quality of their openness to God. The lack of these dimensions is diminishing the ability to receive the Love of God.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Watch with faith, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 24, 2023, 05:19:42 AM

161. God's perfect plan

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Let's pray to the Lord every day:
"Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man." Luke, chapter 21, verse 36
Let's stay awake and continually receive Jesus's message for us.

We will be able to escape some obstacles that come around on the road, because the light of God transmitted by prayer allows us to see clearly. Prayer enables us to discern what are the different objects and the people who take us away from God from those who gather us to him. Prayer illuminates what is happening in our lives and in the lives of those surrounding us. To see clearer let's stand in the Light of the Lord.

Jesus prepares us for the mission of evangelizing:
"Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master's return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks." Luke, chapter 12, verses 35 to 36

Let's stay awake and vigilant, to grasp every movement of the Holy Spirit in us. Mary, herself, had to be in a state of deep prayer to be fulfilled and to welcome what the Holy Spirit wanted to achieve miraculously in her. Her mission is to host. The evangelization that Mary realizes is to offer Jesus, God with us, the Son of God, to the world.

Since we hold fast to prayer, we hold fast to the Word, we hold fast to the Eucharist, we hold fast to the Trinity, we want to share God's Love to the people. God is with us. The Holy Spirit wants to realize his miracle of peace in us and fraternity between us.

We have a special mission, a unique mission in a precise plan, immutable, unchangeable, God's perfect plan. We don't see all that Jesus realizes in our life, by our life, but he works with us, he continues to be God for the world.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Watch with faith, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 25, 2023, 05:06:20 AM

162. Let Jesus transform our heart

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Jesus divinely proposes to us:
"Be merciful, just as (also) your Father is merciful." Luke, chapter 6, verse 36
And how can we be merciful and like the Father, when we see that we have difficulty to be patient with ourselves, to be at peace? Once more the answer is the Holy Spirit.

Despite our failings and mistakes, the Holy Spirit can go through us to touch the hearts of people. Despite the little in good we think we can achieve, let's live in peace, and we will obtain more results. With a free and happy heart, may we allow the Spirit of God to pass through our life.

Let's let him transform our heart as well as the hearts of the people we meet. Goodness will increase, since we will let the Holy Spirit fulfill us.

Let's reduce the noise to find peace in hearts. May our life and our heart continue to find their source of peace in God's Heart.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Watch with faith, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 26, 2023, 03:33:19 AM

163. Let's receive his peace


Jesus reminds us to forgive:
"Go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift." Matthew, chapter 5, verse 24

Reconciliation is realized in different ways. The most effective is to give everything to Jesus, absolutely everything at every opportunity. What we experience as negative, what stifles, what destroys us and keeps us enslaved to evil, we do not need. When we give them to Jesus, he gives us peace. He helps us improve.

Let's allow the Lord to cleanse what seems to be drying in our hearts, for lack of forgiveness. Forgiveness is an act of healing within us and for others. It may seem hard to forgive sometimes, especially when we have been deeply hurt, but it's actually and effective act of healing.

Let's entrust everything in God's hands. Let's receive his peace. Our heart will expand, it will drink the Living Water in Christ's Heart. It's a holy sharing between us and God.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Watch with faith, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 27, 2023, 05:05:22 AM

164. Peace and forgiveness

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Paul's mission is a way of walking and growing in holiness:
"Let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful." Colossians, chapter 3, verse 15

The liberation of our faults allows the reign of Christ to be effective in our heart. To live in peace after forgiveness and to rejoice in thanksgiving, confirms us in our vocation to remain unified in Christ. We will find little by little our unique person, whom God has created.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Watch with faith, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 28, 2023, 04:41:37 AM

165. Forgiveness leads to peace

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Forgiveness leads to peace:
"Bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do." Colossians, chapter 3, verse 13

To reconcile with the neighbour is the condition to live a life of peace and joy. Let's continue to forgive and build lasting relationships with others, freely and smoothly on our way. Suffering itself will diminish. Even though forgiving is sometimes difficult, it's liberating.

Let's praise God continually. Whenever we have good dispositions of the heart with God and with the neighbour, each time it's the Holy Spirit who lives in our heart and he motivates our actions and our sharing. He transforms the walls into fields of wheat, into generous vines. May the Holy Spirit stimulate us with his graces:
"Hallelujah! Praise God in his holy sanctuary; give praise in the mighty dome of heaven. Give praise for his mighty deeds, praise him for his great majesty!" Psalm 150, verses 1 to 2

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Watch with faith, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 29, 2023, 04:11:59 AM

166. 77

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How many times do we have to forgive, asks Peter? Here is Jesus's answer:
"Seventy-seven times." Matthew, chapter 18, verse 22

Jesus answers as only God can answer. Forgive all the time. Do not stop forgiving. This is another way of liberating the world and especially of converting us to God's Heart.

It's not always easy to understand, especially if we're experiencing a painful injustice. But to forgive remains the best heart remedy for us, and for the people of our time. To forgive in our heart is a mission. Teaching others to forgive is evangelization. And when we confess, we free people from our mistakes.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Watch with faith, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 30, 2023, 04:41:20 AM

167. The Doctor

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Jesus declares:
"Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' I did not come to call the righteous but sinners." Matthew, chapter 9, verses 12 to 13

Ah well, it's surprising! Jesus calls "sinners" to him. He Lo-o-o-o-ves sinners! Not because he encourages us to sin, but because he knows that our request for forgiveness will heal us and grant us peace of heart. His Love will be able to go through our life.

Jesus comes not for the ones who are well, but for the sick, for those who need the Doctor. To acknowledge that we are sinners, to recognize that we need Jesus, to recognize that we need the Doctor is already a step ahead.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Watch with faith, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 31, 2023, 05:15:52 AM

168. Life and faith in Jesus

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May we recognize that Jesus is Lord and saves us from evil and sin.

Jesus sends his disciples to learn at the mission school. He sends us there too. He tells us, "Go and learn the meaning of the words, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' I did not come to call the righteous but sinners."

It's reassuring. We are all called to him. Here and now, he asks us to be merciful. It's difficult for us to become "righteous", but it's to become righteous that we are called to be. We are sinners and yet we are asked to offer to others what God offers us.

God's justice is what he transmits to us through Love; joy, peace, mercy, hope, etc. Let's offer them too. In this way, we will always be searching, standing, walking.

The school of life and faith in Jesus is just beginning. Let's remain in the mission and stay awake to seek the Doctor. Here we're on the road to follow Jesus and we want to enter salvation, freely.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Watch with faith, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 01, 2023, 05:00:40 AM
169. The one we talk about

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The Holy Spirit passes in hearts and between people. The Church is moving when its members become fervent. The Church is growing and the Holy Spirit is helping to multiply its members. John writes in his first letter:
"Children, let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth." 1 John, chapter 3, verse 18

What seems most difficult in the mission is to mention what is needed at the appropriate time or for the appropriate activity, meeting. It is about being in the best disposition of ourselves and knowing the one we're talking about, in truth. Are we really talking about God?

Even though sometimes the deeds and words are not always in accord with the Gospels, since we are not perfect, let's continue to improve our relationship with people. And if we succeed, may we remember that we have done only what we could.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Fruit that lasts, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 02, 2023, 03:41:25 AM

170. Leave some space for others

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"Behold, this too is vanity. Here is a man who has laboured with wisdom and knowledge and skill, and to another, who has not laboured over it, he must leave his property. This also is vanity and a great misfortune.

For what profit comes to a man from all the toil and anxiety of heart with which he has laboured under the sun?" Ecclesiastes, chapter 2, verses 1 and 21 to 22

We are invited to invest ourselves with balance. Some people try to achieve everything and they are so engaged in all kinds of activities that they don't realize that they are harming their health ... even sometimes the health of others.

What are our priorities?
Can we offer more of our services to the Church, for the world?
Do we carry out activities that will bring us closer to a relationship with Jesus and help others to know him?
Or are we just looking to put on a show, to look good, occupied?

It's always easier to participate in the life of the Church than to leave the work to one or two people. It's also necessary that those who work in the Church leave some space for others.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Fruit that lasts, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 03, 2023, 04:58:53 AM

171. Talents

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Let's invest in something that resembles us, brings us together and reflects our talents, supported by the teaching of the Church. It may seem simple, but it's good to think about it properly to fit and meet our talents.

Each person has his own charisms. It's also recommended to ask the Holy Spirit what would be best for us to achieve.

There are always people in the Church who hold on despite the adversity of everything that keeps the world away from churches. They hold on and that keeps the Church fruitful. They receive courage and tenacity from Our Lord. Glory be to Jesus!

Paul tells us:
"Think of what is above, not of what is on earth." Colossians, chapter 3, verse 2

May all that we do for the people be inspired by the realities from above. The realities of the earth are good and pleasant, like picking strawberries, but the realities of heaven are superior to them, like the fruit of charity toward people.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Fruit that lasts, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 04, 2023, 04:29:56 AM

172. Fruits of paradise

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Jesus invites us to think:
"Friend, who appointed me as your judge and arbitrator?" Luke, chapter 12, verse 14

Jesus is not a judge as we may think. He doesn't judge us as we often do. He lets us judge of what we achieve. He lets us decide if we want to share the goods of the kingdom of God that we carry within us. He even questions us. He wonders why we perceive him as a judge, in the sense of a referee.

Let's ask Jesus to help recognize in us what we can share of our spiritual life, so that his Heart overflows on people and between hearts.

As the fields and the valleys are full of fruits and vegetables that feed us, all our actions and words are full of divine and beneficial seeds for those around us.

Let's gather the fruits of paradise and fill our baskets with hope, faith, charity and also prudence, temperance, strength and justice; the strength and righteousness that are from the Love of God, and offer them to all, so that they too may discover the beauty and wonder of the divine fields of God.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Fruit that lasts, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 05, 2023, 04:35:17 AM

173. To walk in faith

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If there are people who can help in one area or another, mechanics, caretaking, fraternal listening, helping one of the members in one of his needs, according to their talents, the help will be appreciated and they will receive a hundredfold from the Lord.

It would be easier to have about twenty people who offer their services than just a few who do everything. That doesn't prevent that the generosity is at hand when there is an important work to accomplish in the churches. Often people give themselves without counting in big events. Many people offer their services discreetly, without anyone being aware. All these people are generous.

To leave our task, when there's no one to assume it and to take over, for example, is to take risks, it's mortgaging the immediate future of the responsibilities and the activities of evangelization in the church.

Let's think of other people who could share our tasks, while we still have the capacity to do them. In this way, if something happens to us, a loss of health, an accident or a new job, a new opportunity for example, we know that the mission will continue. In addition, it allows others to walk in faith as they offer their services.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Fruit that lasts, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 06, 2023, 04:42:06 AM

174. In the Light of Christ

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In the book of Isaiah we read:
"The Lord called me from birth, from my mother's womb he gave me my name." Isaiah, chapter 49, verse 1

God calls all people, without exception, to a unique vocation and mission. Yet not all people respond to the invitation. Many people don't know it or ignore it or worse yet, refuse to believe it and slow themselves down. Yet it's when we're on the move that we discover the potential of faith that we receive from God.

We are called to a vocation and a mission from our conception. However, we have the freedom to answer yes or no:
"I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth." Isaiah, chapter 49, verse 6

Jesus is the Light of the nations and we need his Light to enlighten our faith and to understand the mission. Let's ask him his Light constantly to live well the mission in which he wishes to send us.

Let's walk in the Light of Christ, walk with Christ, walk for Christ, live in Christ and in his Light every day, so that the mission has meaning and fits in God's will. Not my will, but your will, Jesus. It is you, Jesus, who makes us capable of such a beautiful, exciting and wonderful mission.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Fruit that lasts, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 07, 2023, 05:19:30 AM

175. Jesus in our hearts

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It must have been so difficult for the people who know Jesus to recognize him in his new mission. Jesus changed according to their eyes. From one day to the next, Jesus is on a mission and he must be very different before them. He says and he does what others can't do.

They perceive here and there fragments of what Jesus realizes and it's difficult to place the few pieces of the puzzle in a frame, especially when there are many missing pieces. In addition, they may receive conflicting messages of what they hear about Jesus.

Even today, the ambient message about Jesus, in general, in the world, is sometimes discordant. But it's sometimes easy to trust the fears, rather than what Jesus tells us and realizes.

The people from his home, watching him go, came to seize him because they said:
"He is out of his mind." Mark, chapter 3, verse 21

They want to protect their idea of Jesus. They can't imagine for a moment that Jesus entered another stage of his life.

It's a bit like that when a person causes problems in an environment. If people don't check the foundation of a person's mission, fear may be taking hold of some people and it may further harm the mission, instead of helping to build a more just, better world, merciful and true.

If we begin, in the immediate future, a mission in the name of Jesus, there is a good chance that our surroundings will find us different. It's also possible that some people won't recognize who we are, since we're experiencing a transformation by following Jesus. It is a sign that we're moving forward and a testimony of our faith to them.

Let's give them some time to join us and understand, in faith. Let's pray that they will also discover Jesus in their hearts. Let's give them time to adjust to this novelty.

It's then necessary to meet with other people who have faith in Jesus, to truly enter the mission that allows us to live and achieve goodness.

Let's listen, discern, then encourage and help those who evangelize honestly in the name of Christ, with Christ.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Fruit that lasts, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 08, 2023, 05:23:34 AM

176. To evangelize and help others

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Paul is right:
"The kindness of God would lead you to repentance." Romans, chapter 2, verse 4

... To conversion. By and large, Paul invites us to patience, and to receive from people their kindness and generosity. We discover God's goodness in them. The goodness of God overcomes reluctance and attracts to conversion. The call that God sends us is related to his kindness.

He also talks to us about this:
"By the standard by which you judge another you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the very same things." Romans, chapter 2, verse 1
It must be said that we tend to mix judgment about others with what is a constructive judgment.

Judging others about whom they are at first sight, without really knowing them, is a judgment. But, to observe the actions of another person in order to help, even if we have the same difficulty as this person, can still help.

We must not wait to be perfect to evangelize and help others. Otherwise, nothing would be possible for the world.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Fruit that lasts, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 09, 2023, 05:04:57 AM

177. Let Jesus Love others

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And this phrase said by some people sometimes blocks us: "Ah, and you, you are perfect!" In fact, the person may not want our help. We still can pray for him.

Let's face it, nobody's perfect. It would be a shame not to be able to help the people considering that we're also imperfect. Where would charity unfold in such circumstances? It would be like telling a doctor who has cancer that because of that he cannot heal us. We would tell him to heal himself before thinking of healing us. Yet, helping helps to improve who we are. We help each other to help each other, and so on.

Jesus seems to be leading the idea further, when he says to the pharisees:
"You pay no attention to judgment and to love for God." Luke, chapter 11, verse 42

That's the basis. A testimony must encourage good deeds. And Jesus brings us back to reality, respectfully. In fact, we're not perfect, and it's clear that our actions and words are not always the best.

What Paul wants us to understand, mostly, is that we cannot evangelize if we're not connected with Jesus. Jesus abounds here, in the same sense. We are invited to deeply convert if we want to evangelize others, but let's not wait to be perfect.

It would be illusory, in spite of our difficulties, not to evangelize when we have received so much, received all from the Lord. Let's trust and evangelize, according to our resources and abilities, according to the openness of our heart. May we remember that it isn't we who evangelize, but Jesus through us.

By improving our life of faith with Jesus, we're on the move. By helping others to improve their lives of faith, we will come closer to Jesus together. Let's destroy our illusions and let God Love us, and through us, let him Love others.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Fruit that lasts, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 10, 2023, 04:54:58 AM

178. Lead people to salvation

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All that we say, all that we achieve will be to lead us and draw people to salvation in the Lord's life.

Let's read a few times what Peter says in this little text and we will have a synthesis of the purpose of our faith:
"That the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire, may prove to be for praise, glory, and honour at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Although you have not seen him you love him; even though you do not see him now yet believe in him, you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, as you attain the goal of (your) faith, the salvation of your souls." 1 Peter, chapter 1, verses 7 to 9

All that we say, all that we realize will be to lead us and lead people to salvation in the kingdom of God. As soon as we direct our life to make it pleasing to God, we also help our neighbour to discover the purpose of life. We walk on the path of holiness.

This passage from Peter is revealing: "As you attain the goal of (your) faith, the salvation of your souls". The salvation of souls is the goal of our faith. It is the will of God and "genuineness of our faith". As soon as a few people come together in the name of Jesus Christ, there will be other people interested in discovering the reality of their faith, and in doing so fulfilling the Lord's mission.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Fruit that lasts, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 11, 2023, 04:56:25 AM

179. God gives us his Love

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The Church is on the move. We are in the world and we're invited to share what we have received from Jesus. We already carry everything in our heart.

We will pass on what we receive in abundance. Jesus, through us, will come to listen, to watch, to console, to heal people of the great lack of missing out on Love.

Going beyond our capabilities doesn't require greater effort. It requires above all living in faith, to let Jesus be Lord and to be conscientious to what others are going through.

In reality, we don't need to go beyond our capacities. We discover what is essential in us, what God has placed. It creates balance. We don't need more. We already have what's necessary.

As a guitar player retreats alone to practice his pieces of music, before making them available to the public, we'll retreat in a favorable environment and pay attention, in a place of prayer, hear and discover what lives in us, of what God gives us, bound to his Love.

Then, as the musician, we will be able to join others and create a harmony of talents that we have received, practiced and developed. We'll go to places where people recognize our style, our music, what is natural and what is of God for us and for them.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Up! Let's go!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 12, 2023, 04:56:13 AM

180. The Holy Spirit prepares the hearts

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The basis of evangelization begins with this:
"Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me." Matthew, chapter 10, verse 40

It would be interesting to ask ourselves these questions: "Who is the person who seems interested in knowing Jesus, but doesn't seem to dare move forward?" "Who welcomes our faith in Jesus? "Who shows signs of faith by their words, by their gestures?" "In whom do we welcome Jesus?"
We need to create a dialogue of faith with someone close to us.

Logically, in the world, there are many people who seek meaning in their lives, who wish to see more values spread, who are thirsty for a good word, who struggle for the lack of the presence of believing and convinced people.

These people may welcome us already. But did we suggest they discover the richness in their heart, which is of God, by telling them of the talents he wants to reveal in them?

It may be the glass of water we can offer:
"Whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones to drink because he is a disciple - amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward." Matthew, chapter 10, verse 42

In the smallest daily gestures, with words of encouragement, simple words that Jesus himself would say in the current context, we can reach the people around us.

Let's ask the Holy Spirit to prepare the hearts of the people we visit. May the Holy Spirit come to meet us and put a balm of Love on these people and especially in their hearts. Let's take the opportunity to make the same request for us.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Up! Let's go!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 13, 2023, 05:01:23 AM

181. Charity

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Paul, in his first letter to the Corinthians, invites us to charity. To evangelize today, let's develop charity towards people. Here is one of his famous passages:
"If I speak in human and angelic tongues but do not have love, I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal. Love is patient, love is kind (...) rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." 1 Corinthians, chapter 13, verses 1, 4 and 6 to 7

Anchored in Jesus' Heart, we're on the move (mission) and we're joyful militants (evangelization) so that the world finds what is still current in biblical values; free the captives, feed the hungry, visit the lonely, evangelize people far from Church, from God.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Up! Let's go!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 14, 2023, 03:43:10 AM

182. Fulfilled in our heart

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We're invited to say like Jesus:
"Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing." Luke, chapter 4, verse 21

Today, what God offers, is fulfilled in our heart because we freely accept it. Let's meditate on what we receive. Then, about what we must offer.

May the Holy Trinity inspire us with the urgency of evangelization for our time, for today. Not the urgency to run everywhere and in all directions, but the urgency to recognize what we receive from God and to overflow with all that we receive, to be filled and to quench the thirst of love that so many are longing for.

It's also important to always adjust our dedication to what each person really needs. We're called to be charitable, watchful and just.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Up! Let's go!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 15, 2023, 04:14:17 AM

183. For Jesus to be known

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Paul's letter to Timothy is a teaching to revisit. He tells him :
You, man of God, avoid all this. Instead, pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness.

"Compete well for the faith. Lay hold of eternal life, to which you were called when you made the noble confession in the presence of many witnesses." 1 Timothy, chapter 6, verses 11 to 12

Are we capable of such a beautiful affirmation of faith before many witnesses? It is the foundation of evangelization: to stay in the good, the beautiful, the true, the real, in what is eternal, and to reveal it to our contemporaries. We want to reel in eternal life and stay there.

We're invited to reflect on how we can affirm our faith before many witnesses. What meaning do we want to give to our faith life from day to day? What do we want the world to discover about faith? How are we to reveal the Love of God that swells in our heart?

We see in the world the many persecutions against christians or against other religions and its progressing, in different peoples and nations. People are persecuted and defending their faith without fail and with courage that certainly surpasses us.

We're in an environment where faith in our God seems already acquired, but this false acquisition of faith left behind all sorts of complications and closed the possibilities of growing in God. What could we do while we still live in peace, to transmit, to sow signs of faith? What are the means we use for Jesus to be known to the world?

Faith in us must be in motion if we want to progress and hope for more joy and peace in the world. Let's run away from evil. It's important to be on the move before we fall below the bar of what is unreasonable, and then have to fight to keep our faith in a world that thinks no longer having reasons to believe in God.

Jesus is looking for people to announce the good news, where they are. He wants us to participate. Only if the Good News is announced will we see the gifts of the Holy Spirit at work: joy, peace, love, etc., in the hearts of others.

The good news is that we are Loved by God and are called to live free, responsible and joyful until the resurrection with Jesus.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Up! Let's go!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 16, 2023, 04:45:56 AM

184. Comforting words

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The Lord tells us:
"So shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; It shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it." Isaiah, chapter 55, verse 11

We know that our words are important. When it's said, it can bring sadness or comfort, it can deeply hurt and cause pain or propose love. It's to consider.

What words do we use with others? Are they the same we would use in front of children? Are they more to hurt, to control or to love and set free? Let's have a positive message that will always allow those who listen to take a step in the faith and approach Jesus.

Nothing is trivial when we talk to someone. But we sometimes manage to create pain with slightly less charitable phrases. The pain we cause to others also causes us pain. Lack of sleep can be a factor of importance. The disease can make us more irritable and say phrases we wouldn't want to say.

If it takes more reserve before the words we use and for forgiveness towards ourselves, the person who listens to us must also become aware of our weaknesses and do his utmost to forgive us.

Each person must give chances to the person speaking to him and sometimes go over what seems less charitable. It's an opportunity to pray for the difficulty that we hear in the words, so that the Holy Spirit illuminates it and transforms the words that he uses.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Up! Let's go!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 17, 2023, 04:24:37 AM

185. By our presence

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God wants us to live. He wants us to stay in his Love, so that we can feed and guide ourselves continually. Here's another way to share the faith we receive from God:
"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." Isaiah, chapter 58, verse 10

If we give above all simply from our presence, heartily, to those who are hungry and thirsty for an encounter with the Lord, we will be happy and we'll see the joyful people around us.

By our presence, if we fill the desires of joy of the unfortunate, we'll see an even greater light and darkness will hurry out of sight. Our light will be like that of noon in a bright summer sun.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Up! Let's go!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 18, 2023, 04:33:35 AM

186. Closer to Jesus

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We are invited to conversion, to live a meaningful relationship with God and to love the world:
"Let the words of my mouth meet with your favor, keep the thoughts of my heart before you, Lord, my rock and my redeemer." Psalm 19, verse 15
And give back to my heart its freshness of youth!

Let's convert, that is to say, be closer to Jesus, our shining Sun, and we'll be ourselves in his Spirit and in his Life:
"Whenever a person turns to the Lord the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

All of us, gazing with unveiled face on the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, as from the Lord who is the Spirit." 2 Corinthians, chapter 3, verses 16 to 18

All means of conversion are good, since they unite us more to the Lord and to the neighbor. We will live a progression in faith. Jesus will be happy to tell us: "Follow me".

It's like he's saying, "Learn to let go of what's hurting you and follow me. Give up what is futile by seeking personal glory and follow me. Forget your past revolts and follow me. Share my message with everyone while you follow me. Calm down tensions, play down crisis situations while you follow me. Watch in peace and joy as you follow me."

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Up! Let's go!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 19, 2023, 04:30:50 AM

187. A serene evolution

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Let's take the firm decision to follow Jesus. He never stops our march or our progress. It gives a feathered step and guides through a serene evolution.
We can say once more with the singer of the Psalm:
"All goes well for those gracious in lending, who conduct their affairs with justice. They shall never be shaken; the just shall be remembered forever.

They shall not fear an ill report; their hearts are steadfast, trusting the Lord.

Their hearts are tranquil, without fear, till at last they look down on their foes. Lavishly they give to the poor; their prosperity shall endure forever; their horn shall be exalted in honor." Psalm 112, verses 5 to 9

Let's receive everything from God to transmit it around us without constraint, freely. It's very important what is written in this passage. When we share what we receive from God, we never fall! Misfortune doesn't stick to our backs. We have no reason to fear the difficulties that arise during our passage on earth.

With this attitude, we'll grow in faith, we'll rely on the Lord, we'll live the promised inheritance in his justice, his power of Love and we'll be covered with the glory of the Lord, eternally. Several saints, after their death, were discovered with an incorruptible body. God can lead us this far, in his glory, to the glory saints receive.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Up! Let's go!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 20, 2023, 04:52:44 AM

188. Going Forward

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Paul tells us that:
"Whoever is in Christ is a new creation." 2 Corinthians, chapter 5, verse 17a

This sentence challenges us. From now on, immediately, if we're in Christ, we're a "new creation". Yet we remain ourselves, as we are. But instead of leaning towards evil, we move resolutely toward the good, the beautiful, the true, the real, following the Lord.
It's good to know that our relationship with Jesus, that the efforts to come to Mass and create other spiritual activities make us new people in Christ. That is to say people who let themselves be modeled continuously by him. And if Jesus transforms us, every day we wake up as a new person, a person who lets in the light of God.

Of course, that doesn't prevent the mosquitos from stinging us, or hurting here and there, but Jesus transforms us from the inside. Those who have experienced it can testify about it.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Up! Let's go!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 21, 2023, 04:26:05 AM

189. The desire to find God

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Faith is at the heart of the human being and it's transmitted where we are.
Our existence on earth passes quickly. We are constantly on the move and often we change places. And the people we meet might be around for a short period of time.

Sometimes we have a tiny opportunity to let faith that dwells in us appear. Hence, it's the importance of finding simple but effective, true and awakening answers.

One of the big challenges is not knowing the others and coming to fear them. We tend to fear what we do not know and distance ourselves from certain people. But their difficult questions help us find answers.

We are asked to go to the lost sheep and offer what God gives us for them. The mission of evangelizing is now.

On every occasion that we are presented with a sheep who seeks alone, a sheep who doesn't know Jesus, a sheep who is thirsty to hear his Word, we are the one sent to them. All sheep, without exception, consciously or not, have the desire to find God. And God places us on their way.

The New American Bible, 2011-2014

Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 22, 2023, 04:15:02 AM

190. Let's meet the sheep

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Jesus said to the twelve Apostles:
"Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'" Matthew, chapter 10, verses 6 to 7

Let's go to the people who seek God. There are some who are like children of God without a shepherd. All the baptized or not are in search to discover faith in themselves.

Let's proclaim that the Kingdom of God is near, that salvation has come, that Jesus is the Good News and that he is gathering his people for eternal joy!

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 23, 2023, 04:30:39 AM

191. Let's personally decide to live in Love

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John invites us to be cautious when comes time to choose. We have the choice to follow Christ or another way. He tells us about people who were with the Apostles, but who are no longer with them:
"They went out from us, but they were not really of our number; if they had been, they would have remained with us." 1 John, chapter 2, verse 19

Sometimes, even in our churches, there may be people who are not with us, that is to say, who follow another doctrine than that of Jesus Christ.

Since we're called not to judge, only God can know whether a person lives his faith authentically or not. We can, however, propose ourselves this question: "Does the person follow the Love of God and let the Holy Spirit work in his life?" Otherwise, here are some very good opportunities to pray. We have around us, in the church, an ideal place to practice observing and listening to the faith of others.

John knows Jesus:
"The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him." John, chapter 1, verses 9 to 10

Jesus is the true Light, but there are people who don't know him.
Now, how do we make sure that these people do not lead us in another direction, other than in the Light of Christ? Let's be as careful for ourselves as these people can drive us off the road.

May the grace of God invade us as he covered Mary and kept her totally pure and sinless. May grace, just like the Word and the Eucharist, transform us every day, to become "image of God" in the world and for the world.
Let's personally decide to live in Love, Peace, Truth, within the Life that Christ transmits to us and to move freely on the Way where he leads us.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 24, 2023, 05:03:34 AM

192. To live in Love

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Offering our life to God is the answer he seeks. In this way, he can fulfill his dream in people. Then, let's invite people to let themselves be loved and open their hearts to the Presence of God. Let's invite them to give their lives to God.
Let's tell them that his Love is free and perfect.

He gave us the gift of his life and he expects from us the answer to his Love. May we offer him our life in answer to his Eternal Life for us. Let's offer love in response to his Love. Let's also observe the fruits that the Spirit transmits to people and we'll discover God present in them.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 25, 2023, 04:07:26 AM

193. Be a beacon and listen

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The true disciple is in the middle of the world as a lighthouse that attracts to conversion. He is also the one who listens to the human heart. He helps the person to tell himself and share his sufferings. It helps him to find his answers. It's necessary, however, that the listener refrain from elaborating on his own difficult experiences so as not to block the opening or the passage that is created in the one who shares his suffering.

Let's become aware of what others live. Let's be attentive and sensitive to the difficulties he has.

However, transient difficulties are nothing compared to the life that God offers us. God shares us infinitely more than anything we can hope for. The grace of God is overflowing when, despite suffering, we cling to him and make him known.

May the mission continue, as long as people do not know Jesus. Let's continue his works.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 26, 2023, 04:50:24 AM

194. Seeking the sheep

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Today, Jesus tells us:
"What is your opinion? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills and go in search of the stray?" Matthew, chapter 18, verse 12

We are invited to learn each day by simply reading passages or books from the Bible. Some books in this library (Bible) contain very few pages.

We receive the Word whenever we open the Bible, go to Mass, and on many other occasions. We are studying it. Let's also develop the ability to transmit the Word to the people of our time. We can offer it and transmit it to the people, since we are here now:
"I fed you milk, not solid food, because you were unable to take it. Indeed, you are still not able, even now." 1 Corinthians, chapter 3, verse 2

Paul proposes to give milk and not solid food to new disciples. It would be important to remember this recommendation which is of prime importance. Paul's text is very good for anyone who wants to advance in faith and share it.
Because, milk is usually given to babies, if we understand the meaning that Paul wants to give it. The baby cannot take a bottle. The parent does not stop watching and listening to the baby to fully understand his immediate needs. And for steak, we'll have reached a certain age to consume it.

The missionary will always give milk and not steak to all the new people he meets because he doesn't know anything about them. This helps to verify where the person is rendered in the faith. If he practises his faith, he will want to share it.

If the person doesn't know a lot about faith, he will either let the evangelist continue if it remains simple or close up, because he doesn't join him with words too difficult or trying to stuff in all the words he knows from the dictionary.

It's a question of being attentive to these two poles of opposite reactions to place ourselves in front of this person, in order to discover the real depth of his faith. The ultimate goal of evangelization is to keep people awake in the faith by offering small steps to achieve.

For every little step that a person makes, we rejoice. Jesus will heal that which slows the people of a fulfilling life, so that these people become empowered, in faith. Every contrary movement tells us what is to be handed over to Jesus. Whenever we meet a person, whom we evangelize, we can update what is to be corrected in our approach, in general.

Let's be assured that we are never wrong when evangelization is done simply, with simple words and gestures. On the other hand, what is complicated repels people and this can affect their experience of faith.

Beef steak is eaten by the person who has gained experience. So, we're going to feed people to faith, little by little, until these people have gained experience. Our mission is to offer what Jesus gives us, a little portion at a time.

The progression of faith is similar. At first, people see themselves in a situation that requires a lot of effort. Every little achievement requires some coordination between the heart, the body, the soul and the spirit.
It's better for us to be sensitive to the reality and inner movement of the person to adjust the progress of faith in him than to want him to learn everything, too quickly and with a single stream of words.

Let's think of all the efforts that a baby will undertake to succeed in walking, all the coordination of the functions of his body that this requires, in order to succeed a single step forward. That's what we need to think about when we first meet someone, whether they're believers or not.

It's also useful for people who are believers or might believe they know everything. It brings them back to the essential, to the simplicity of faith. Let's be patient with ourselves and with others. Although simple in itself, the experience of faith is complex for the beginner or for the one who, without being aware of it, is leaving the church.

If we're listening since the beginning, we offer ourselves opportunities to discover where their faith is. If we do not see results, it's a sign that we must continue to deeply listen and be more attentive and precise in the information we're collecting. It's not time yet to talk too much. Better we pray for these people.

We are invited to do good to humans. All that we do well in God helps us to become more humble and happy.

We are the servants of God and he can only want the best for us and for the world. To offer faith in the name of God is to give ourselves the means to become saints.

Let's develop our Catholic faith and seek Jesus by reading and sink deeper into his Word. Jesus did not say many words to people, but he was precise in saying the right words at the right time.

Let's continue to receive the Eucharist so that our hearts will open more to the Love of God on us and for our neighbour.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 27, 2023, 04:39:57 AM

195. Being simple

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We are invited to let go of pride. The release that this will accomplish will allow us to use the gifts and charisms we receive from God for others.

God comforts us:
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and God of all encouragement, who encourages us in our every affliction, so that we may be able to encourage those who are in any affliction with the encouragement with which we ourselves are encouraged by God." 2 Corinthians, chapter 1, verses 3 to 4

When there's an opportunity to let Jesus take care of our distress, our fears, our sorrows, pride, God comforts us. Or rather, we discover that God comforts us, since we've surround ourselves again with his Heart.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 28, 2023, 04:57:55 AM

196. Comforting

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When we are comforted, we can think of comforting others. It's a beautiful exchange that begins with God. He transforms us to be open to others and allows them to live the comfort of his Presence, thanks to the encounter we have with them.

Paul pushes even further:
"If we are afflicted, it is for your encouragement and salvation." 2 Corinthians, chapter 1, verse 6

So even in distress, if we are in the Lord, we can be people inviting our contemporaries to salvation, supported by the comfort of God.
We can say:
"I will bless the Lord at all times; praise shall be always in my mouth. My soul will glory in the Lord that the poor may hear and be glad." Psalm 34, verses 2 to 3

Blessing the Lord at all times and even through misery will be transformed for the glory of God and the salvation of the world.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 29, 2023, 04:44:04 AM

197. Who are our friends?

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"If you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that?" Matthew, chapter 5, verse 47

It's not uncommon to regularly sit in a group and share continuously with the same people. Although it's less pleasant and without putting them aside, it's recommended, on occasion, not to sit with the same people all the time. This will create new relationships.

Let's try to eat with different people and by telling our friends that we are not leaving them, that we'll be back. We'll discover new interesting exchanges and we'll learn to know new people.

This allows discovering the wonders that Jesus realizes in their heart. Even if they are not naturally talking about their faith or the presence of Jesus in them, let's listen to them all the same. Let's listen to their silence. They have something to tell us. They allow us to pray for them.

Not only the priest, but everyone, we are invited to visit the people of our parish. The light of Jesus is there in their hearts. We discover charity, peace, joy? We can reveal to them how Jesus is present in their lives.

That said, it's also important to have sincere friends that we sometimes eat and share with. But, above all, we raise the danger of always going to the same homes. We risk leaving other people behind. This is of great importance for the sowing mission to continue.


Let's share the little we earned from Jesus and our faith will grow with others. Let's share our welcome with others and the sense of welcome will develop, listening and it will increase, patience and we will become wise.

Let's share with others what God puts in us and we'll discover that God is also in others. Sometimes, it may take a while, but let's not be afraid to sow what God offers us. Much delicately, because the place in which we sow is the heart.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 30, 2023, 04:01:02 AM

198. Paul challenges us

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Paul took Timothy under his wing and he wants to increase his knowledge. He wants his spiritual son to have a good background for living and transmitting faith. Paul, although held captive, finds in this situation a motive for improving the faith of others. Paul says to him:
"Proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching." 2 Timothy, chapter 4, verse 2

Let's not stop proclaiming the Word, it's the basis of the salvation for all. Let's intervene with good words and with justice while respecting the people around us. This will require patience that will allow us to develop a greater and more accurate concern, to nurture and educate by relying on common sense and wisdom of Scripture.
Paul adds:
"Be self-possessed in all circumstances; put up with hardship; perform the work of an evangelist; fulfill your ministry." 2 Timothy, chapter 4, verse 5

It's grace for Paul to have a spiritual son to whom he can pass on his experience. Paul's recommendations are accurate and timely. The ministry is also very joyful when faith is realized and developed in people's hearts.
Too want to do too much, faith loses its meaning, it loses its lustre. It's important to be ourselves, live the present and let the Lord act in and through our lives.

Even if we have received a lot, let's remain simple, let's be people with heart, soul, people with a clear mind, less about appearance and engaged in the good, plunged in Jesus Christ's Good News for the world. All we are is to be faithful witnesses and serve God's cause.

Let's refocus our heart on God's. May our life become filled with Trinitarian Love, to reach all the children of God. May there be so much love around us that even the most rebellious be touched and freely transformed.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on April 30, 2023, 09:42:56 PM

199. Let's unite

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The Lord our God is rallying. During the Old Testament period, God never stopped wanting to bring the people back into his covenant. He still has the same desire.

Even when we suffer and we live difficult passages of life, God is present with us and he supports us with Love. When we receive it daily in our lives, the much needed faith increases and helps us in the midst of the trials we experience.

Then there's the community. God keeps inviting the living communities of faith to enter into his Intelligence and Wisdom, so that we may also feed people outside the Church. The common good is that all people have the chance to walk toward their salvation in God. All people, without exception, must know that God Loves them.

Jesus needed to surround himself with people like the Apostles. It's necessary to surround ourselves with people who have faith. We read that crowds follow Jesus, want to hear him and receive his teaching. Jesus also taught Joseph and Mary how to become a holy family. The family is the basic cell for the community.

Let's meditate in our hearts on the delicacy and wisdom of God to each person.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 02, 2023, 06:24:03 AM

200. God needs evangelizers

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Jesus is the Good Shepherd who gathers the sheep of Israel and the whole world. Every lost sheep, he wants to bring back to the Father. He doesn't want any of them to be lost. He continues to send prophets today. He wants to get his message of freedom and salvation to us.

Today, where we are, we're called to share the Good News of our salvation in Jesus Christ. We are the people Jesus needs for our time. His Spirit will guide us to share his message so that the world hears it.

Jesus is there for everyone, but not everyone gives himself the means to meet with Jesus. When we cannot evangelize people near us, let's look elsewhere for other sheep. May we work full time, continuously.

We often hear that in families and with their own children that it's not always easy to keep up with faith. This isn't the time to become stationary and discouraged. It opens the door for other people. If we join other people, they may join the children of the families someday. Meanwhile, our faith supports our children. Let's keep going. In any case, we know that Jesus is in their heart.

Let's not lose hope. Let's place our trust in Jesus. In this way we will have vocations everywhere, committed people who will announce the good news. Paul does not force anyone, he leaves elsewhere:
'From now on I will go to the Gentiles.' So he left there and went to a house belonging to a man named Titus Justus, a worshiper of God; his house was next to a synagogue. Crispus, the synagogue official, came to believe in the Lord along with his entire household, and many of the Corinthians who heard believed and were baptized. Acts, chapter 18, verses 6 to 8

Jesus is with us. We want to keep his Love with us forever. May our sorrow of seeing a world seek and not find a shepherd turn into joy of being able to join them, personally, and to evangelize them.

May the world know that God is alive and that salvation has passed for every person of every generation. It's this joy that we are called to transmit to others.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 03, 2023, 04:02:37 AM

201. Help humanity

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Since the beginning of humanity, the rich want not to be poor and the poor would like to be rich or at least have what's necessary to survive. Still, investing a little in the poorest and they would be active in society.
How many poor neighborhoods around big cities, with few resources and efforts, could be helped and recover? It's a strange mystery that of the human being in front of poverty.

We still notice them today. They are begging on the street. Their budget is tight. They are easy to recognize and yet how many people are passing by them. The rulers don't seem to be able to find answers to help out. Television shows are devoted to people from the most disadvantaged countries.

But it doesn't stop there. Although it's important and disappointing, there are other kinds of poverty. There are people who cannot go into a group or in a small place. There are those who cannot write, those who are intimidated, those who are marginalized, those who don't eat (anorexic), those who cannot stop eating, sickness, sadness.

There are the disappointments of life, the bad weather, the horrors of war, and so on. Poverty then follows several slippery and often steep slopes.
There's a multitude of people who help in all dimensions of poverty. Let's encourage these people and help them to continue to invest time and resources in this mission of humanity.

Brother Andre of Mont-Royal knew how to find, by God's grace, the wound of a person and ask Saint Joseph to intercede to Jesus for healing. Saint Bernadette Soubirous, by the faith of God in her, has made Lourdes a stronghold to many cures from which bodies and hearts can be healed.

And in Medjugorje, people can find peace through Mary's intercession.
Let's observe and seek in our heart the precise point that is wrong with a person and offer it to Jesus. Sometimes that's what bothers us most about this person. We may have similar poverties.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Caring for our poverties, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 04, 2023, 04:48:46 AM

202. Poor of bad habits

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As soon as we feel angry with a person's gesture or word, it's the signal that informs us to offer it and him to Jesus. Something hurts us in what he says or does? it's also a signal to pray for him and to put his difficulty back to Jesus.

It's a mission to simply find faults and sins in others, without becoming instigators and without hurting them further.

It's a mission to detect what is wrong with others and it is evangelization to hand it over to Jesus, so that he cleanses the wound and transforms their lives.

We are invited to observe what the poverty of the person is. What's stopping him from moving forward? What prevents him from being free and confident? Where is his difficulty?

How many people close to us could we help? We are on a mission where we are, with Jesus and above all with his Spirit. Let's also offer what is wrong with us to Jesus.
Caring for our poverty takes on a double meaning.

The first sense is that there is poverty among people who need help. We must help the poor recover from everything they lack of, mostly from a lack of relationship with Jesus and be aware of what's essential to their survival.

The second meaning to give to poverty is that it's practical and necessary if it leads us to be free from the bonds of this world and leads us to Jesus. Being poor, for example, or free of drugs, is poverty that leads us to freedom. Fasting teaches us to become poor of superfluous or bad habits.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Caring for our poverties, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 05, 2023, 03:57:28 AM

203. Quality of people's lives

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Let's meditate Paul's reflection:
"Consider your own calling, brothers. Not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.

Rather, God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise, and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong, and God chose the lowly and despised of the world, those who count for nothing, to reduce to nothing those who are something, so that no human being might boast before God. It is due to him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, as well as righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, so that, as it is written, 'Whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord.'" 1 Corinthians, Chapter 1, verses 26 to 31

Paul seems to have understood how a person on a mission is. He doesn't elaborate much and defines it in a few words: "foolish, weak, lowly, despised". That's what Paul thinks of us. It's not very flattering. But it depends on the point of view of the person who receives it.

For the world, being foolish, weak, despised, it's the equivalent of nailing us onto a cross. In their eyes, we're poor.

But when we place our weaknesses in God, in what Paul says about us, becomes strength. For the strength doesn't come from our pride, our know-how, our wisdom, but from God. We place our pride in God.

We are foolish to believe in a Crucified Messiah. We are despised to follow Jesus, we are weak to trust only in Jesus. We mention this from the beginning to give us an idea of the different types of poverty. For some people, poverty is wealth, for others wealth is poverty. But, in reality, there is real wealth and real poverty, and all humans stand between these two realities.

As we read this book, we're invited to reflect on our different personal experiences of poverty and the different kinds of poverty we see around us. These discovered poverties we can give them to Jesus. We will be on a mission to help improve the quality of people's lives.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Caring for our poverties, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 06, 2023, 04:05:08 AM

204. Life and happiness

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We could still hear today the message Moses receives from the Lord:
"I have today set before you life and prosperity, death and doom." Deuteronomy, chapter 30, verse 15

God proposes to all: "life and prosperity". What comes at the beginning is life. Life is a gift of God's Love and what's complementary is happiness. Happiness is lived in the present. Happiness is to know we're Loved. But above all, happiness comes from its source, which is God.

Happiness comes from the Lord. Nobody else has given it. Happiness is the fruit of God's Love. It is to be shared and received between people.

It's the ultimate choice of our faith. We have the choice between "life and prosperity, or death and doom". Happiness is in God. God has nothing to do with evil, death and doom. He offers us Love. It is we who can either follow the road to happiness or descend the slope into evil.

Unlike welcoming God's Love, the result is the misfortune that leads to death. Death is the gradual response that leads to refusing God. It's our responsibility to choose one or the other, life or death, good or evil, truth or lies, forgiveness or hatred, joy or despair, etc.

The choice seems easy, but according to our experience, we know that sometimes we have wandered in the wrong at the expense of good.

Under the ashes of misery we see, there is often the embers of Love that we no longer see. In this world that too often proposes a culture of death in all its forms, we struggle to find embers under the ashes.

We are created to be the bearers of embers, to ignite the world of God's Love. This ember, we carry in our heart, so that others discover "life and prosperity" which is suggested to us.

Jesus also speaks in the same sense:

"If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." Luke, chapter 9, verse 23

This cross is very light when we know about the Love we bring to humanity. For people who do not know that the cross is Love, it can seem heavy. Heaviness comes with lack of love, either from others or from us.

The cross of Love that Jesus offers us is much easier to bear than misfortune. And the more we share God's Love, the more our existence becomes meaningful. Let's give misfortune, evil, poverty to Jesus and live fully with the embers of the Love of God.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Caring for our poverties, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 07, 2023, 04:41:04 AM

205. God's Love in us

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Jesus doesn't cut anyone from his presence. But there's nothing simpler than cutting us off from Jesus. To which source do we sink our roots? Which sun do we stay close to, during our life? The sun that gives cancer when we are too exposed to it or the Sun (Son) of God of which there's no limit of exposure, since he increases Love in us?

God is the patient master who always gives new chances. He wants us to take advantage of his Presence and to root ourselves so that we may sink deeper and deeper into his Heart.

Moses speaks to the people of Israel and offers decrees to observe in the name of the Lord. Here is a solid foundation:
"I have today set before you life and prosperity, death and doom, if you obey the commandments of the Lord, your God, which I enjoin on you today, loving him, and walking in his ways, and keeping his commandments, statutes and decrees." Deuteronomy, chapter 30, verses 15 to 16

Let's keep God's Love in us.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Caring for our poverties, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 08, 2023, 02:40:56 AM

206. Let's be vigilant

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Paul gives this recommendation:

"See to it that no one be deprived of the grace of God." Hebrews, chapter 12, verse 15

Of all the insurances that we can buy to give us a sense of security, the assurance of God's grace is the one that exceeds all others. Let's ask God for our assurance to stay with Jesus.

The assurance of God's grace costs nothing. It's true that today, we often think that what costs more is better, but it's almost never true. With God, what's necessary for life and for the road is free.

God offers his endless grace, but we can neglect it. How easy it is to get away from the exercise regime that we gave ourselves at the beginning of the year. It's even easier to get away from the grace of God and lose sense of reality. Let's be sure to be constantly under the coverage of God's grace.

Let's check if our "coverage" of the "grace of God" is still valid. God's service is always open, but are we updating it in our lives? Otherwise, let's regain confidence. Let's take time for an appointment with Jesus and take up the coverage of the Holy Spirit on us. May his assurance be renewed every day. Let's walk in faith with the complete and free coverage of God.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Caring for our poverties, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 09, 2023, 04:17:49 AM
207. Follow the call

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Paul, from his prison cell, evangelizes his friends:
"I urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace." Ephesians, chapter 4, verses 1 to 3

The call we've received from the Lord is to love him and to love one another. Paul invites us to be humble because we have received a lot, we have received everything from God and we could believe that what we have, especially when the habit settles in, is our possession.

Stopping to walk is like stopping eating and drinking. It's even worse. It is necessary to renew the water and food in our body to continue living. We receive them from nature. We especially have to renew the Love we receive from God by standing near him.

Sometimes we lose a lot of spiritual vitality when we move away from the Love of God and we can't find a way to replace ourselves in the right way. So, to help others, it is necessary to find ways to keep ourselves in the path of joy, serenity and holiness, on the road with Jesus.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Caring for our poverties, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 10, 2023, 03:44:41 AM

208. Welcoming Jesus

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"Quiet! Be still!" Mark, chapter 4, verse 39

We wouldn't like it that much if someone said, "Quiet! Be still!" But this person would possibly serve us well. This is what we need to recognize the presence of the Trinity in our heart.

Only silence can help us hear what Jesus tells us. Only silence allows us to return to Jesus and be free. Silence also allows us to find ourselves and clean out our lives.

Let's welcome silence as a gift of the Holy Spirit. Some people have the gift of talking, why not ask for the gift of being silent? We may be experiencing the poverty of lack of silence and to speak at the right time.

Silence is not necessarily lack of noise. Silence is a state where we are well, where we develop a sense of serenity and listen to the Lord, to ourselves and others.

We can write, sitting in a restaurant, with some pretty loud music and still be in silence, internally. We can write in a library and silence could bother us. The external noise isn't the first cause of the lack of silence, but the inner noise, the noise in us. Let's give the many sounds in us to Jesus.

We would be surprised at the number of people working in the noise, and yet this doesn't stop them from praying while going along. We can be in silence and be with Jesus, even if our work is noisy.

As soon as we approach Jesus in silence, even if it's a timid approach, immediately Jesus will be able to obtain us peace. The more we are silent, the more Jesus will touch us subtly and the more we'll feel his presence.

Is Jesus really present? The question gives out the answer. Yes, he is present. When we say Jesus's name he is immediately present. We cannot live, love, breathe, sleep, hope, laugh, and so on, without Jesus in us. May we welcome him.

The Holy Spirit is the very sweetness and he displays his strength in the silence of the soul. Now, the Spirit of Jesus will fill us as a breeze in our soul.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Caring for our poverties, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 11, 2023, 04:10:50 AM

209. Jesus keeps evil away

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Jesus sees a man come out of the tombs. It is someone who consciously or unconsciously allowed himself to be influenced and trapped in evil:
"Catching sight of Jesus from a distance, he ran up and prostrated himself before him, crying out in a loud voice, 'What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me!' (He had been saying to him, 'Unclean spirit, come out of the man!')" Mark, chapter 5, verses 6 to 8

With Jesus, the evil in this man doesn't resist, doesn't hide. Jesus recognizes that there's an evil spirit in this man. Even the evil spirit obeys him, it leaves and abandons the man who is now set free. We could also say that humanity is free, like this man, if we decide to let Jesus free us.

Notice when the conversion begins for this man. In spite of the evil that annihilates him, it's when he advances to join Jesus, that he's being released. Jesus is the key, the answer. Always moving forward to reach Jesus, always adjusting our lives to the Sacred Heart of Jesus,

always placing ourselves under the Light of God and letting him act in our existence, saves us.

Jesus wants us to tell him now that we want to follow him and be transformed by his graces. Ready? Let's run to him!

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Caring for our poverties, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 12, 2023, 03:48:27 AM

210. Outing evil must hurt

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Often, we encounter situations, more or less painful, that we live or that people live. And sometimes, when a person gives us an easy way out, we don't think it will work or fear makes us think that we'll have more pain.
We think that to solve a problem, there must be pain. And very often, actually, it will hurt. But, getting out of harm's way is more of a healing. And it doesn't hurt in the same way.

How often, when we discover the truth of a painful situation, we say that it hurts: "You cannot imagine how it hurt when I knew the truth!" What a falser expression than this one! The truth has never hurt anyone. It's not the truth that hurts, but the discovery of the lie, of a painful situation. It's the lie that contains evil. The discovery of truth leads to freedom.

One of our greatest poverties is not knowing how to differentiate between good and bad. The line is thin when we don't understand, at the time of discovery, whether it's good or bad that hurts. Let's be certain, it's always evil that causes evil, hurt, sorrow.

Let's take the example of a person who is bitten in the leg by a venomous snake. The bite and the venom are the cause of evil. And to pluck the venom in the leg hurts even more. If the doctor has to cut the flesh around the bite of the snake, the person will certainly cringe. Ouch!

What's good? It's the person who helps extract the venom. The hurt wasn't caused by the person helping, but by the bite and the venom. Once the venom is gone, the life of the person is saved. He will have avoided death and he will continue to live.

The "evil hurt" he felt by curing from the venom is related to the bite and venom. The good that spared him from death, even though he felt the pain, is the good intention of the person who has helped heal the dying man. Let's be sure to distinguish between what's really good or bad.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Caring for our poverties, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 13, 2023, 04:25:59 AM

211. The good news

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Let's return to Love, let's get away from what isn't good:

"You shall love your neighbour as yourself." Matthew, chapter 22, verse 39

To love oneself with the Love of God is to avoid violence and evil to stick to our life. When we listen to people talking to us, we don't accept that they yell at us. Why do we accept it in certain programs and music, for example?

Suffering is already in the world because of evil. But we are invited to become saints by being ourselves and spread peace, joy and hope of life in Jesus Christ for the glory of God and the salvation of the world.

We are continually doing our best not to enter into a plan of misfortune. We must also help the world around us not to embark on ideas that will cause misfortune.

Quite simply, we are responsible for bringing the good news that Jesus is to the world and for keeping us, as we can, away from evil. It's a decision: "You shall love your neighbour as yourself."

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Caring for our poverties, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 14, 2023, 04:58:54 AM

212. God is patient

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God has all eternity. We only have a few years. He's totally patient with us. He is mercy. He continues to want the fig tree to produce fruit and is ready to weed it and put new soil around it. God takes care of it.

Let's imagine that this next story is forever repeated. We understand that God constantly wants to give us opportunities to come back to him. Jesus tells this parable:
"There once was a person who had a fig tree planted in his orchard, and when he came in search of fruit on it but found none, he said to the gardener, 'For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree but have found none. (So) cut it down. Why should it exhaust the soil?' He said to him in reply, 'Sir, leave it for this year also, and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it; it may bear fruit in the future. If not you can cut it down.'" Luke, chapter 13, verses 6 to 9

God, the gardener, by his great mercy, doesn't stop wanting to help us to develop roots into his Love. The tree of our existence cannot flourish and bear fruit unless it is rooted in God. He wants the tree to take root in him. It would be easy to tell ourselves that this is false, since we seem to have everything to stay alive.

We live? Indeed, we live. But we can close our lives in a well-insulated cave without the constant and beneficent source of God. The cave is all that attracts us and keeps us in front of a treasure that sparkles, unattainable, illusory, instead of rooting us in the ground that is ours, in our own heart in the centre of God's garden.

We are invited to convert every day. Every moment when we take the advantage to place ourselves in the Heart of Jesus it's always a precious moment. This moment is worth an infinite quantity of treasures.

The Trinity is always there for us, but from time to time we are in our shelter, focused on something else and not watchful to receive God in our life.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Caring for our poverties, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 15, 2023, 04:08:12 AM

213. The thorn, the grace

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There may be something left in us that still need transformation. We'll always be able to move forward, even if sometimes we feel tried or we seem stationary.

In spite of the journey that Paul has gone through, remains the test that will increase his faith and lead him to the best of himself. Since he has not finished living the purification of his being to lead him in the Love of God, Paul describes to us the ordeal he bears:
A thorn in the flesh (...) Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it might leave me, but he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.' I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me. 2 Corinthians, chapter 12, verses 7 to 9

To put one's pride in one's weaknesses is not so pleasing, to let ourselves be drawn into our weaknesses, but to remind us that God Loves us no matter what our difficulties are is a blessing.

To acknowledge that we have weaknesses allows us not to pride ourselves on the strengths, qualities that God offers us, and to create false ideas about ourselves. We have received everything from the Trinity, so we must place our pride in God.

The closer we come and discover God, the more our being leaves what makes it proud, and the more we become like God by recognizing him as the "everything" of our life. Let's seek the Love of the Trinity in everything we have.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Caring for our poverties, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 16, 2023, 04:50:42 AM

214. Evangelize the Apostles

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Jesus chose people of his time to send on a mission, such as Peter, John, and the other Apostles. The first to be evangelized are the Apostles. After Jesus's resurrection, they are left to themselves, but they are not alone. Jesus has already breathed his Spirit upon them and they are sent into the world to join all nations, languages and peoples:
"Receive the Holy Spirit." John, chapter 20, verse 22

Today, where we are, every person is called to share the Good News of our salvation in Jesus Christ. Jesus sends us as we are. We're the people Jesus needs for our time and his Spirit will guide us to share what he wants the world to receive and hear. We are not alone. We: "receive the Holy Spirit," says Jesus.

The only effort is to be sure we're really listening to Jesus and his Spirit. For this we must become his disciples. We think we cannot be true disciples? We're not perfect? The important thing is to stay close to Jesus. And he will guide us. Let's accept to not be perfect. From our imperfections, the Lord will surprise us.

Jesus is there for the world, but not all people give themselves the means to meet Jesus. When we cannot evangelize people near us, let's look elsewhere for other people.

Let's not lose hope and place our trust in Jesus. In this way there will be everywhere people who have the vocation to announce the good news. A huge crowd; postmen, engineers, doctors, schoolchildren, carpenters, every person can transform the world, thanks to Jesus.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's evangelize, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 17, 2023, 04:58:19 AM

215. The mission that saves

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"If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved.

For the scripture says, 'No one who believes in him will be put to shame.' For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all, enriching all who call upon him. For 'everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'

But how can they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach?

And how can people preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring (the) good news!'
But not everyone has heeded the good news; for Isaiah says, 'Lord, who has believed what was heard from us?'

Thus faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.
But I ask, did they not hear? Certainly they did; for 'Their voice has gone forth to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.'" Romans, chapter 10, verses 9 to 18

Let's stop and meditate these questions: "How can they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach?"
Christ invites us to the mission that saves.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's evangelize, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 18, 2023, 04:19:00 AM

216. The only promise

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Paul tells us the way:
"He indeed died for all, so that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised." 2 Corinthians, chapter 5, verse 15

That: "those who live might no longer live for themselves".
Christ has come to show us that life has all its meaning to love one's neighbour and to live so that the hearts of people be transformed.

For that, we are invited to be free from what closes us on ourselves, to receive Jesus' teaching and to make him visible in our life, in order to become lights in this world. Let's run away from what tends to cut us off from God's will and from others.

The influences today are manifold and evil continues to be a counter-testimony, but there's only one way that leads to God. To receive his Love is the only way that leads to Jesus's Sacred Heart.
Jesus teaches us:
"You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, 'Do not take a false oath, but make good to the Lord all that you vow.'" Matthew, chapter 5, verse 33

The only promise we should remember is that God Himself is laying his Love in us, which nullifies all our oaths. From ourselves we could not take an oath before God without receiving the necessary from him.

To love and to move away from evil is the basis of what God wants as an oath. Our actions and words will adjust to this recommendation.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's evangelize, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 19, 2023, 04:10:25 AM

217. We continue

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God knows his friends. God knows the people who follow him and hope to accomplish his will. The Lord says to Paul:
"Do not be afraid. Go on speaking, and do not be silent, for I am with you. No one will attack and harm you, for I have many people in this city." Acts, chapter 18, verses 9 to 10

It's as if God is telling us: "Be without fear, keep talking, don't remain silent. Stop worrying. Don't just trust what you see, what you hear and what can discourage you. Go on! Exceed your first impression of this city. Yes, you have had some difficult times, but there will be fruit. This is what the Lord seems to say to Paul."

Today, the Lord speaks to us too. We're doing it for many reasons. We don't see all the people who really follow Jesus, it's within the heart.
God knows everything that is done secretly in hearts. God know
s that there are people who do his will and who are at the bedside of sick people, who extend their hand to offer money or food, who open their arms to offer health care or love for free, who are on the roads to evangelize. We don't know them all, but the Father, the Holy Spirit and Jesus see them acting and speaking. Their works will surprise many.

It's as if Jesus tells us: "Continue to be my disciple, continue to do what I ask of you. It doesn't matter if you don't see everything that's happening, because I see it. I keep you in humility and I love you. I am the one who converts, it is I who touches the hearts. I only ask you to remain in my Love."

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's evangelize, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 20, 2023, 04:10:34 AM

218. Through our heart

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Jesus tells us as in John's text:
"You also are now in anguish. But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you." John, chapter 16, verse 22

Jesus seems to be saying, "Yes, maybe now you are wondering, you don't see clearly, you throw some grain in the wind and it doesn't seem to fall into a fertile land. But your heart will rejoice, you will be happy, because you will follow me and you will have done the will of my Father under the influence of the Holy Spirit. Be confident! Do not be afraid!"
Then Jesus adds:
"On that day you will not question me about anything. Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you." John chapter 16, verse 23

Questions are no longer needed when Jesus goes through our life, through our heart, when we're connected to the source.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's evangelize, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 21, 2023, 05:22:45 AM

219. In people's hearts

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Let's ask the Father, by the name of Jesus, to help us find trust, that the Father will rejoice to see us follow Jesus for the good of souls.

As Therese of Lisieux, who never went out after entering the cloister, may we believe that God works in our hearts, even if we think we have empty hands.

One night, the Lord tells Paul in a vision: "Do not be afraid. Go on speaking, and do not be silent, for I am with you."

When we come closer to the Lord, we develop the confidence to evangelize with the testimonies of faith that we give and the acts we do.

With Jesus, our mission is growing and becoming more secure. Let's pray, meditate on the Word with a regular presence at Mass, and we'll continually enter into a relationship with Jesus.

We can observe more and more the Lord acting in the hearts and lives of the people around us. Also, by becoming more patient with ourselves, we'll become more patient in front of the faults of others. Believing more in Jesus leads us on the path with him.

It's not always simple or easy, especially when we're distracted, but we know that making Jesus known is possible. Jesus tells us:
"Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy." John, chapter 16, verse 20

Sometimes we'll cry in the desert like John the Baptist, and we'll have the impression that no one will listen, but the Holy Spirit is active in the world. We only have to watch him act in people's lives and hearts.

Let's read again:
You are now in anguish. But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you. John, chapter 16, verse 22

The joy of God is so deep and intense that no one can rob it. Joy is in God and of God.

The sole purpose of the mission is to enter the heart of God and to be Loved. May the kingdom of God be established in our hearts. Then, let's continue to ask Jesus to guide us day by day and help us to embark in the touching and inspiring adventure of faith and evangelization. Let's accept to be joyous and daring, filled with hope, since we can see that the Holy Spirit continues his work in the world.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's evangelize, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 22, 2023, 05:06:11 AM

220. With Jesus

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Evangelization is realized to the extent that we are in communion with Jesus. Without Jesus, without welcoming his Love in our heart, there's no evangelization and null is the mission.

Whatever the function or mission in the Church, to achieve success, we must be on the move with Jesus. This is what the first Apostles understood. The author of the Acts of the Apostles describes it well:
"After staying there some time, he left and travelled in orderly sequence through the Galatian country and Phrygia, bringing strength to all the disciples." Acts, chapter 18, verse 23

Paul is successful and this success is indebted to Jesus. It is with Jesus that Paul succeeds in the mission.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's evangelize, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 23, 2023, 04:26:57 AM

221. Our freedom

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Jesus's recommendation is clear. He addresses our freedom. He leaves us free to choose a mission with or without him. If we live our mission with Jesus, here is what he tells us:
"On that day you will not question me about anything. Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you. Until now you have not asked anything in my name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete." John, chapter 16, verses 23 to 24

While Jesus was with the Apostles, they had nothing to bother about. Jesus took care of everything. When Jesus will be back in heaven, he invites them to ask him everything, to remain united with him, to evangelize with him, to realize everything with him, in order to succeed in the mission of evangelization. Joy is linked to our demand for salvation and holiness of humanity.

Let's ask Jesus to evangelize through us. We want to be precision instruments in his service for the salvation of humans. Let's ask everything to Jesus, so that salvation is achieved in the hearts of people, and that the glory of God comes out in the open.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's evangelize, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 24, 2023, 04:21:13 AM

222. Offer Jesus

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God hears what is said by some people:
"You have defied me in word, says the Lord, yet you ask, 'What have we spoken against you?' You have said, 'It is vain to serve God, and what do we profit by keeping his command, and going about in penitential dress in awe of the Lord of hosts?'" Malachi, chapter 3, verses 13 to 14

It may be difficult for us to conceive of people thinking that about the Lord, but there are people who have let down by refusing God's presence in their lives.

There's nothing simpler than to get away from the Lord and there's nothing more difficult thereafter than to return to him. Not because God would not welcome us if we come back, but because there are so many elements that get in the way of our march back. The reality should be the opposite; easy to approach Jesus and difficult to get away from him.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's evangelize, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 25, 2023, 04:55:08 AM

223. A thousand and one

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There are thoughts, money, hatred, fear, lack of faith that, among other things, barricades that are difficult to overcome and even bypass. There are a thousand and one impediments, but only one way to lead us to God's Heart. When we decide to walk the road toward God, he himself removes impediments, blockages, barricades, rocks.

We have just shared the importance of taking the right path with God, but it is just as important to follow the road of fraternity with our contemporaries. Jesus tells us:
"What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish?" Luke, chapter 11, verse 11

Who among us would want to offer something other than Jesus and his message to people?

We can continually sow the Love we receive from God. And if we gave ourselves the challenge of bringing only one new person to the Church in the next year, we would contribute to that person's faith. Even by praying for him, and without his knowledge. We will have increased the prayer in our city and in our life. Let's pray for a person who isn't going to Mass. Whatever the result, don't seek to know the result, but rest assured that Jesus will have visited him.

Every person has God in them, since God created them. Often the person is ready to hear that God is in his life. He's waiting for someone to tell him. Said in a wise, fair and simple way, often a person cannot resist the invitation to recognize the presence of God in him. It's easy to reveal to him the joy that he has from God.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's evangelize, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 26, 2023, 03:37:52 AM

224. Welcome him as he is

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Let's ask ourselves, "Who would be on the point of wanting to come back or go to church?" Let's go slowly, invite him, but leave him free. Whether he says yes or no, we'll welcome his answer. We'll continue to welcome him as he is. Either we'll continue to pray for him, or we'll pray for another person, since he will have accepted.

One day a person says that he has no connection with God even though he's doing good. The answer was simple: "Yet you do what Jesus asks of you to watch every day on your two parents who are living their last passage to eternity." He understood. Children do what God asks for when they take care of their parents. Parents do what God asks for when they take care of their children too.

Then remains to celebrate what God offers us for free by living Mass, listening to the Word and receiving the Eucharist. Everything we receive from God is perfect. When we share the good, beautiful, real and true, it comes from God.

Why not thank him by confessing our faults and receiving everything from him through the Eucharist and the Word?

Announce the Good News:
"Philip came to Azotus, and went about proclaiming the good news to all the towns until he reached Caesarea." Acts, chapter 8, verse 40
He evangelizes.

A christian is someone who carries Jesus wherever he goes. All opportunities are good to witness, to know Jesus, to evangelize and to be in the mission.
Everywhere, in all places, we can pray for the people who are present, on the road, in the shops, in our meetings. The humble prayer of the heart is powerful.

Praying in our hearts for people we meet is very effective. And we leave it to Jesus to touch their hearts.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's evangelize, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 27, 2023, 04:12:51 AM

225. Eat!

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The Lord said to Ezekiel:
"Son of man, eat what is before you; eat this scroll, then go, speak to the house of Israel. So I opened my mouth and he gave me the scroll to eat. Son of man, he then said to me, feed your belly and fill your stomach with this scroll I am giving you. I ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth." Ezekiel, chapter 3, verses 1 to 3
Let's ask Jesus to increase the grace of his Word in us.

Ezekiel finds that the scroll tastes the golden honey of God. It's the light that lights the way, that instructs, the Love that enters his heart. There's all the sweetness and tenderness of God. This contrasts with the sometimes bitter taste of all that the world does wrong under the sun; sin, injustice, pride, greed, and all that leads to evil. Why is it bitter? Because the prophet now has his eyes open to the world. He now sees what's wrong and that's bitter.

It is the difficulty of evangelization: the more we walk, the more we observe that there's hatred, evil. Our eyes are opening. It twists our guts, makes our hearts bleed, but we're confident that the world can improve. We're also favored by the sweet honey of God's tenderness. We're called to give to Jesus the difficult situations that people experience, so that he may free them from the pain that makes them suffer.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's evangelize, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 28, 2023, 04:23:11 AM

236. Infinite number of graces

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The mission varies depending of the epoch in which we are. "Through witnessing" in the world of what the Spirit realizes in our person, whether we're old or young, we're called to offer the way of salvation in God, to give thanks to him in this way, always and in all places. Whatever our poverty, whoever we are, we're bearing fruit in the world, but we must also let them pick them. We must not keep them for ourselves.

And "service of charity". Charity doesn't come from a single ray of the sun, but from all the rays of the sun that are multiple and varied.

It means, in all situations, all possibilities, as soon as we're in contact with a person, we can live the meeting of the resurrected, whatever the reality, whether we like the reality of this person or not. This requires all possible graces. We must ask everything to the Holy Spirit and use them with caution, but use them with him in abundance. To be fair and just to people is an excellent charity. That is evangelizing.

We received the gift of the Holy Spirit on the day of our baptism. The gift that we still receive today, renewed, in the reality of the Holy Spirit, includes all the holiness that it implies. By holiness, it means the infinite number of graces that come to us with this unique gift:
The Most Holy Trinity gives the baptized sanctifying grace, the grace of justification:
- enabling them to believe in God, to hope in him, and to love him through the theological virtues;
- giving them the power to live and act under the prompting of the Holy Spirit through the gifts of the Holy Spirit;
- allowing them to grow in goodness through the moral virtues.

Thus the whole organism of the Christian's supernatural life has its roots in Baptism. Catechism of the Catholic Church number 1266 Catechism of the Catholic Church - IntraText

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Joy in heaven, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 29, 2023, 02:53:40 AM

226. What is asked of him

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God said to Ezekiel,
"Son of man, go now to the house of Israel, and speak my words to them. Not to a people with difficult speech and barbarous language am I sending you." Ezekiel, chapter 3, verses 4 to 5

Ezekiel receives from God the Word and at the same time Love. And what is asked of him is to go and bring the Word and the Love of God to the house of Israel: "Go now!"

By accepting God's request, Ezekiel can help improve the lives of people in Israel. He can transmit the Word of God aware of the epoch in which he is and to the society to which he is sent. He will adapt to their language and their customs to pass the messages that God wants for the people.

Of course, he will not speak of Jesus, since this text is before the birth of Jesus. But in the Word that he will have to proclaim in the name of God, Jesus is there. The Word is whole, but the revealing of the revelation isn't complete for Ezekiel.

Therefore, through the evolution in which he lives and to his personal limits, he shares what he can receive from the Word. He will join to his words what he needs to reach the people of his time, especially to the people of Israel.

Ezekiel is between the people and God. He will need to understand what God is telling him and to make himself understood by the people to whom he is sent.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's evangelize, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 30, 2023, 03:50:02 AM

227. Receive the Book to swallow

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Jesus is the Word. At the time Jesus lived on earth, the people also had to understand it. He says all he has to say and the Word will only be understood by the opening of people's hearts. Jesus' Word is complete. We understand it imperfectly, by the way, because of the evolution of our time and because of the evolution of our thoughts and our heart. We must go beyond what limits us, return to the foundation to understand it.

Many prophets receive the Book to swallow. Now it's John's turn:
"I went up to the angel and told him to give me the small scroll. He said to me, 'Take and swallow it. It will turn your stomach sour, but in your mouth it will taste as sweet as honey.'" Revelation, chapter 10, verse 9

A prophet is one who swallows the Word of God, it's sweet and tastes honey, but in the stomach it's bitter.

The bitterness of being unable to do anything, of feeling useless in the face of a world that is struggling and suffering. But in the mouth, the honey of the one who offered his life to Christ and the one who receives everything from him. John feels the interior sweetness of God's Love. He witnessed what Jesus did in hearts.

We observe the grace in John shared through his writing, the sweet honey of his life with Jesus and the sweet honey of the life and message of Jesus.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's evangelize, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on May 31, 2023, 04:29:26 AM

228. It will be given to you

When we realize that there's evil in the world, it is because we're in the grace of the prophet. Our eyes open, our stomach shudder. We're the people sent who can introduce the goodness. We must continue to carry God's Love to others. We are prophets thanks to our Baptism.

The Gospel of John allows us to know God more deeply. By his writings he enables us to become disciples of Jesus. It opens wide the doors to the mysteries that surround the life of Christ, as the other three evangelists did also.

If Father Marie-Eugene of the Infant-Jesus is able to become blessed, only by being a witness of the faith of Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross and Therese of the Infant-Jesus, meditating their lives in the light of Christ, let's imagine what the writings of John the Evangelist and the texts of the Bible can achieve in our life, through the light of Christ!

John's mission, the mission of the prophet is to open a path, so that we can meet Jesus, our Lord, the Love of the Holy Spirit and know the Father.
We have a lot to ask to the Holy Spirit. We remember this Word of Jesus:
"Ask and it will be given to you." Matthew, chapter 7, verse 7

We mostly need to be with the Spirit. May the Holy Spirit increase our faith, our life of prayer, the impulse of our heart to fully share what we receive from the Trinity, to transmit to the world that seeks, sometimes through difficult trials, the meaning of life, the meaning of love. May they know that they can only find Love in God.

May the Lord keep us close to his Heart as John rested his head on Jesus' Heart. Let's listen to the message of his Heart. May he comfort us so that we may be free to embark on the road with him for the salvation of the world, the Word of God in hand and in heart.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's evangelize, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 01, 2023, 04:43:34 AM

229. More joy


"I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance." Luke, chapter 15, verse 7

To dare to testify is to give thanks to God for the wonders he accomplishes in our life. His wonders are always in us, but we have a tendency to be embarrassed, to stay away from them, to let ourselves go astray, to search everywhere without finding an answer or without others offering us one.
God Loves his wonder, the treasure that we are, since he creates us with his Love. He can do nothing else but Love us.

Personally, I thank those who are around me, witnesses of faith. They transmitted to me the taste of God and the desire to follow Jesus.

Many other people have been role models for me. To name one would be injustice to others. Those who read these lines and feel concerned about having participated in my life of faith, consider that you are among those who helped me to know and follow Jesus. May we be united in prayer.

And what can we say about Mary and Joseph, of all the saints who have set off with joy and enthusiasm in my pursuit to help me each day through conversion, the only path that leads to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. May the Trinity be praised!

Is it not our only mission to discover Jesus through evangelizing thoughts, words and gestures? So many graces we receive to testify! It sends us on the move with Jesus for the world. It transforms something in us and in other people.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Joy in heaven, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 02, 2023, 03:44:42 AM

230. Living right


Solomon is the son of David and he becomes king of Israel. He is at a stage in his life where he understands the need to become one of God's friends.
He wants to follow a straight path and become more anchored in the truth. He wishes to do well as a child who knows he's loved. Solomon has a special relationship with God.

King Solomon gives us a very good idea of a person who lives a conversion. He leaped faithfully. He asks God:
"Give your servant, therefore, an understanding heart to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong. For who is able to govern this vast people of yours?" 1 Kings, chapter 3, verse 9

Judgment is not a method of judging recklessly the negative experience of the lives of others. Instead, it's a way of being awake to what others are living, praying for them and guiding them to God when necessary.

We could say, "Give us a heart of judgment to love our neighbour, to discern between good and evil. To help in the good and to deliver evil to God. Who could love without you, God?"

Discerning between good and evil is an open door to conversion because it helps us, with good judgment, to better turn away from evil, move toward Love, to God and to give him a place in our lives.

King Solomon asks for something just, basic and at the same time major to God for the foundation of his faith, to watch over the people of God. Let's imagine the graces for employees when the boss asks God to govern rightfully!

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Joy in heaven, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 03, 2023, 03:41:44 AM

231. God offers all


This relationship between Solomon and God is quite unique in the Old Testament. Solomon asks neither wealth nor the death of his enemies (which God cannot give him anyway, since he is Love), but Solomon wishes to receive an "understanding heart" from God.

This request of Solomon pleases the Lord, who says to him:
"Because you have asked for this - not for a long life for yourself, nor for riches, nor for the life of your enemies, but for understanding so that you may know what is right - I do as you requested. I give you a heart so wise and understanding that there has never been anyone like you up to now, and after you there will come no one to equal you." 1 Kings, chapter 3, verses 10 to 12

We can learn from Solomon's wisdom. He doesn't seek power, nor wealth.
Solomon actually asks for what God is already offering him. His intentions are pure and his life is blessed. God gives him wisdom.

God offers us all that is best for our existence. Let's ask him for what is right. For my part (the author), my prayer for conscious awareness is: "Lord, give me the grace to receive, to accept your graces."

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Joy in heaven, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 04, 2023, 04:42:39 AM
232. A gift from God

Solomon's wisdom is a gift from God. God gives him his presence, what he needs most, a wise and intelligent, understanding heart.

God also always grants us his graces and a wise and intelligent heart, but he wants us to ask him as Solomon, just so we can be more aware of it.

Let's ask God for what's best. In any case, he cannot offer us something that isn't good, that isn't wise, that isn't Love. It isn't to please God that we must ask him, but it's to allow us a holy experience through a personal approach. We have the desire to remain in God. In short, God already gives what's necessary, but asking him unites us to his will. Without asking him, we don't become aware of his Love for us.

On earth, as humans, we move forward when we want something. We should do this regularly with God, in order to keep us in accordance with what he proposes to us.

Solomon leads us to a good exercise to achieve. Who would've believed that someone who lived nearly three thousand years ago would be the one who would give us the idea to ask what is best from God!

When we get closer to the will of God, everything improves. The weight of past resentments, tomorrow's anxiety, the fear of the future are letting go of our lives. Adjusting to God's will allows light to enter, joy to settle in, and peace to become a constant experience.

King Solomon is at a moment in his life where he understands the need to become more of God's friend. He wants to live right and in the truth. He fears God, but as a child who wants to do better, since he knows he is Loved. Solomon lives in the grace of God.

On the other hand, if a person is looking for glory and popularity, it will most likely come to him, but it will not be a gift of God, rather a departure from God, by human pride. While not seeking the good, the beautiful, the real and the truth, people get trapped in evil.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Joy in heaven, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 05, 2023, 04:32:44 AM

233. The Holy Spirit ignites


Jesus's wisdom is greater, higher, deeper than that of Solomon, since Jesus is Wisdom himself. Let's continue to ask Jesus for wisdom, to share what God has already bestowed on us, in all circumstances and for the good of each person:
"There is no greater freedom than that of allowing oneself to be guided by the Holy Spirit, renouncing the attempt to plan and control everything to the last detail, and instead letting him enlighten, guide and direct us, leading us wherever he wills.

The Holy Spirit knows well what is needed in every time and place. This is what it means to be mysteriously fruitful!" The joy of the gospel, number 280, Pope Francis.

The Holy Spirit helps us to live with people. We don't give ourselves charisms, it's the Holy Spirit who gives them to us. Let's ask the Holy Spirit for his graces, to transmit them to the world. Let's open the gift he offers us and receive its content.

Let's open the doors, open the windows, open our hearts to the Holy Spirit. Up and away! The more we share what the Holy Spirit offers us, the more we discover his action among us. Whenever we perceive it in a person, we also observe it in ourselves.

If we're under the governance of the Holy Spirit, his evangelical values, his fruits, his gifts and charisms will appear in our lives. The fruit that dwells in us and transforms within comes from the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit isn't limited to a single spark of a fireworks show. The Holy Spirit is the immense fireworks to which we want to pray and discover, to rejoice and dance around its many diverse lights.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Joy in heaven, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 06, 2023, 03:49:31 AM

234. Can we even imagine


Let's embark with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit and receive the fruits of the Spirit. Let's welcome everything from the Trinity.

The person who doesn't maintain the quality of their vehicle for a very long journey may discover that the destination might get longer and demand more time. The transmission chain of our life is the Holy Spirit and we need to make sure he's constantly with us. May our hearts be in order to receive the Holy Spirit, to continue on the path of salvation and for the salvation of our neighbour.

Let's not limit the Holy Spirit. We would take one reality and close ourselves to the other graces of the Holy Spirit? Let's not do that. We cannot limit the Holy Spirit without limiting ourselves.

We have not finished discovering him and he will surprise us. Let's dare to let the Holy Spirit ignite and illuminate us with all his fires.
Jesus proposes to evangelize:
"Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." Matthew, chapter 28, verses 19 to 20a

Can we even imagine all the graces we receive to go on a mission, if we listen to him?

It is the Spirit of Jesus and the Father who guides his Church, who guides us in our journey, which is our guarantee of the presence of Jesus in us. We have the special grace of being in the Catholic Church with a marked dimension of the Holy Spirit. This is the Blessing for the Church. It's a privilege for us.

The Holy Spirit is in perfect communion with the Father and the Son. When we pray to the Holy Spirit, it's impossible to be removed from the Father and the Son. Mary is present too. All the saints are united with us.

In praying the Holy Spirit, we don't exclude the Father or the Son. The three are eternally one. We don't favour. We are in God when we walk with the Holy Spirit. We don't further favour the Holy Spirit.

We know what the Holy Spirit of Jesus and the Father has done so far in our lives. We know what the Holy Spirit is doing in our lives right now. We will then discover what he will achieve by passing through our soul, our heart, our spirit, in the future. We would not believe the extent and possibilities if the Spirit told us all that he's able to do in us and through us.

Let's not block the Holy Spirit to one reality. May we not dictate to him what we want. But let him decide what he wants for every person in the Church, to give us strength, justice, temperance, prudence, theological virtues, charisms, gifts, fruits, etc.

Let's keep the courage and the determination to want the Holy Spirit in our life and to walk together, despite our differences which are so many beauties for each other.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Joy in heaven, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 07, 2023, 04:10:57 AM

235. The wind is blowing


We need different aspirations of the Holy Spirit depending on who we are. Every person is different, but totally wanted of God for a holy and continuous evangelization.

We all need different graces depending on who we are, how we are, where we are, and where we're going to while following a Holy Spirit who doesn't tell us where he's going.

"The wind blows where it wills." John, chapter 3, verse 8a
He is free, totally, sovereignly free! He isn't confined to a single expression, to a single idea.
Jesus tells Nicodemus the meaning of the movement of the Spirit:
"The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." John, chapter 3, verse 8

It is so with us, born of the breath of the Spirit. We don't know where the Spirit leads us. We must trust him, day by day, to be free, to be responsible in the mission to which he prepares us and sends us. It's the heart's mission.

Let's not limit the Holy Spirit or the evangelical values that are multiple:
""Furthermore, many elements of sanctification and of truth" (LG 8 # 2) are found outside the visible confines of the Catholic Church: "the written Word of God; the life of grace; faith, hope, and charity, with the other interior gifts of the Holy Spirit, as well as visible elements." (UR 3 # 2, see LG 15).

Christ's Spirit uses these Churches and ecclesial communities as means of salvation, whose power derives from the fullness of grace and truth that Christ has entrusted to the Catholic Church. All these blessings come from Christ and lead to him (see UR 3) and are in themselves calls to "Catholic unity."" (LG 8). Catechism of the Catholic Church number 819,
Catechism of the Catholic Church - IntraText

We will have to be watchful in order to discover these graces in people. They're not only for ourselves. We can also lose them if we don't take a jealous care of them:
"'Christ, sent by the Father, is the source of the Church's whole apostolate'; thus the fruitfulness of apostolate for ordained ministers as well as for lay people clearly depends on their vital union with Christ. (AA 4; cf. ⇒ Jn 15:5.) In keeping with their vocations, the demands of the times and the various gifts of the Holy Spirit, the apostolate assumes the most varied forms. But charity, drawn from the Eucharist above all, is always 'as it were, the soul of the whole apostolate'." (AA 3). Catechism of the Catholic Church number 864,
Catechism of the Catholic Church - IntraText

We receive the different gifts and charisms of the Holy Spirit, but we don't develop them all in the same way, according to the life we lead, the blockages or openness, according to the possibilities that we obtain to share them.

Let's engage with the Holy Spirit. Let's be aware and take some time to receive all that he offers:
"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you." 2 Corinthians, chapter 13, verse 13

Union with Christ is vital: "Charity is drawn mainly from the Eucharist." The grace of God must always remain with us and bear fruit beyond the Eucharistic celebration:
The Church therefore asks the Father to send the Holy Spirit to make the lives of the faithful a living sacrifice to God by their spiritual transformation into the image of Christ, by concern for the Church's unity, and by taking part in her mission through the witness and service of charity. Catechism of the Catholic Church number 1109, Catechism of the Catholic Church - IntraText

This is not our own mission. It is the participation in Jesus's Mission, in the Shepherd's Mission.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Joy in heaven, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 08, 2023, 03:37:38 AM

237. Two by two


Jesus wants us to receive the baptism, the life and the light of God. He sends the disciples two by two to evangelize and he tells them:
"As you enter a house, wish it peace. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it." Matthew, chapter 10, verses 12 to 13a

Is our house welcoming to receive Jesus? Is our heart ready to welcome him? Let's stay awake to welcome Jesus, so that he may lead us to his home.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Joy in heaven, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 09, 2023, 03:15:14 AM

238. We are lights


Jesus tells us:
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father." Matthew, chapter 5, verses 14 to 16

Our light shines when we're good, when we live truly, we recognize what is beautiful, and we observe the reality. The light that shines in us is the Lord. With him, joy is shown.

To be responsible for the faith and the light that dwells in us, giving glory to God, we live the mission that is proposed to us. God does not ask for more than what we can achieve, but he asks us to trust him. By giving glory to God by our agreement to his will, we also glorify him in the world.

During the Pascal meal, the Wedding of the Lamb, the Eucharist, let's ask Jesus to help us to clear and polish our light, so that it shines for the glory of God and for the salvation of the world.

Let's continue to nourish ourselves with the Word of God, to come to Mass, to live the sacraments in the Light of the Holy Spirit, to shine like the baptized believing that they are saved, to radiate the light of Jesus and to forgive. Forgiveness is the key to truth and peace in God.

We know God's will well. He wishes us to share his graces. All good deeds and charisms we freely receive, we're invited to share them for free. Let's ask the Holy Spirit in abundance so that he overflows in the meetings, in the visits, on all the people we meet.

As the sun gains strength in the spring, we will see the Holy Spirit shine around us, thanks to our decision to open up.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Joy in heaven, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 10, 2023, 04:12:11 AM

239. The sign of the will


Jesus helps people to stand up. Evil and suffering are the cause of soreness. He challenges the paralyzed and says to him:
"Come up and stand before us." Luke, chapter 6, verse 8

Getting up is the sign of the will. But let's not think that a paralytic isn't a fighter and that he has no will. On the contrary! We can associate it with someone who has cancer and decides to fight to stay alive. Often his decision to stay alive will prolong his life. He becomes a fighting and a living witness for all. The paralyzed has finished struggling as he lets Jesus lift him up.

Whatever the path, and each path is unique, we're invited to stand in the faith with a good attitude.

"Praise the Lord, my soul; I shall praise the Lord all my life, sing praise to my God while I live." Psalm 146, verse 2

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Joy in heaven, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 11, 2023, 03:36:12 AM

240. The world needs to hear


Let's ask God, it's as simple as that:
"O Lord of hosts, restore us; Let your face shine upon us, that we may be saved." Psalm 80, verse 4

The world needs to hear that. Come Jesus, deliver us! Let's believe that he saves us, that he can save our children and the multitude of people who need to experience eternal salvation.

Let's continue our journey toward Jesus, even if sometimes we think we're not progressing and we also think that the world isn't moving forward. All the reasons are good for putting one foot in front of the other. With confidence in Jesus, let's continue for the salvation of the world and for the glory of God.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Joy in heaven, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 12, 2023, 04:47:29 AM

241. Peter loves Jesus


At the beginning of the christian era, just after Jesus's death, it was very difficult to testify about faith, because it was a novelty for most of the disciples and Apostles.

Jesus verifies Peter's faith and invites him to continue the mission. Peter had denied him when he was questioned before the crucifixion. Then, during the events surrounding his resurrection, Jesus will help Peter find him in his heart by asking him the same question three times:
"Do you love me?" (See John chapter 21, verses 15 to 17)

And Peter answers him with heart:
"Lord, you, you know everything: you know that I love you." John, chapter 21, verse 17

Then Jesus said to him:
"Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." John, chapter 21, verse 18

We need to develop acceptance as Peter, to love Jesus. We also need to let ourselves be Loved by Jesus. Then, we need Peter's determination to carry out the mission. The mission of evangelizing for us will be different from him, but we will need the same determination to lead people to the faith.

To receive the Holy Spirit for our mission will enable us to see God working in the hearts of people and in life situations close to us.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd's Mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 13, 2023, 05:02:23 AM

242. Promise to Abraham


God is included in our life. He is present at 100%. We have the grace to receive God, but we aren't always well disposed. In the Bible, there are many testimonies of people who dare to let God come into contact with them. This is what we discover in Genesis when God enters into a covenant, in a relationship with Abraham.

God promises to Abraham (Abram) many descendants:
The word of the Lord came to him: 'No, that one shall not be your heir; your own issue shall be your heir.' He took him outside and said: 'Look up at the sky and count the stars, if you can. Just so,' he added, 'shall your descendants be'. Abram put his faith in the Lord, who credited it to him as an act of righteousness. Genesis, chapter 15, verses 4 to 6

God does everything perfectly. He promises many descendants to Abraham and he will do so. This offspring, at first sight, seems to be of human nature, but God sees well beyond that, since the descendants of Abraham are ultimately "the offspring" of faith in God.

God, through Abraham, gives himself an offspring that will please his heart. It is God who accomplishes the descendants of faith in the hearts of practising believers. These believers celebrate with their God. They thank him for his presence among them. This is the very meaning of the Eucharist, a thank you, a Thanksgiving.

This descent is the people who accept God in their lives, who live by faith, who thanks God and who transmit the received graces to their neighbour.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd's Mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 14, 2023, 03:23:08 AM

243. The faith


This promise of the Lord is also for us. We are the people who will see many descendants. In the Catechism, we read:
"The people descended from Abraham would be the trustee of the promise made to the patriarchs, the chosen people, called to prepare for that day when God would gather all his children into the unity of the Church. (cf Rom 11:28; ⇒ Jn 11:52; ⇒ 10:16.) They would be the root on to which the Gentiles would be grafted, once they came to believe." (cf Rom 11, 17-18, 24). Catechism of the Catholic Church, number 60, website:
Catechism of the Catholic Church - IntraText

This gathering is also ours. And the people who will see even more converted people to the Lord are us and our descendants. Then God will continue his work of salvation from generation to generation.

We are in the mission with Jesus, he who continues to join the world, all without exclusion. And it takes only a tiny spark to light the fire of the Holy Spirit, the fire of God's Love in the hearts. In faith, with God, we are on a mission.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd's Mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 15, 2023, 04:50:09 AM

244. Fishers of men


With the audacity and effort of a continuous conversion, every moment, Jesus will tell us:
"Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew, chapter 4, verse 19

Let's walk with Jesus, follow him ... on his way. Let's continue walking behind Jesus and just because we dare to, others will want to follow him. The important thing is that we are developing a way of walking with Jesus.

United around Jesus, united in the Spirit, let's say with faith this beautiful prayer to the Father:
Our father who is in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name,
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our bread today.
Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from Evil. Amen.

Let's slip under his grace, come under his roof and give thanks to Jesus for sending us on the roads in search of exhausted sheep that fight alone.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd's Mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 16, 2023, 04:30:13 AM
245. Thanks to God


This is not written in all books:
"There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written." John, chapter 21, verse 25

We don't see everything we do from day to day. We don't see everything that others do with their daily mission. But as the field is full of oats, together, we are, by the presence of God, a presence of Love in and for the world.

Any story of faith is a sacred story with God and could be added to the Bible. That would not change the nature of God and it would be to give him glory.

The field lives its transformations. What is produced there is usually of quality. It's a moment for us to give thanks to God for all that we receive.
It's also time to appreciate each other's work, especially the decision to walk with Jesus and to offer others what we receive from him.

Let's give thanks to God for the trust he gives us and all that he offers us to share with others. Let's thank God for allowing us to participate and then produce, with his grace, grain and fruit a hundredfold. Let's continue with Jesus. We are following in his mission.

What Jesus asks of us is to welcome him into our vineyard and our field, to invite him with us wherever we go. May we let him convert us and convert the hearts of people. Instead of asking Jesus to help us, since he already does it without even asking, let's help Jesus in his mission:
"The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve." Matthew, chapter 20, verse 28

Note that in this last passage, Jesus doesn't ask us to serve him. He came to serve people. He invites us to serve others. Let's receive what is necessary from God and serve others as Jesus wants, as he serves.

With Therese of Lisieux, we ask:
"Oh divine Blood of Jesus, water our mission; make it bring forth chosen souls!"
- Saint Therese of the Child Jesus. Website: The Story of a Family: The Home of St. Therese of Lisieux, Rev. Fr. Stephane-Joseph Piat, O.F.M.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd's Mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 17, 2023, 04:05:18 AM

246. Near Jesus


Paul is rejoicing in Thanksgiving. He's cheerful and overwhelmed by the Presence of Jesus made visible in the people who are with him. He received this news from a good companion, Epaphras. He says:
"Epaphras our beloved fellow slave, who is a trustworthy minister of Christ on your behalf and who also told us of your love in the Spirit." Colossians, chapter 1, verses 7 to 8

We see this Love of the Holy Spirit in every person who devotes himself to the salvation of his neighbour. The Pope, cardinals, priests, spouses, children, religious, sisters, brothers, deacons, pastoral workers, committed laity, people who have at heart the believers of a community, the leaders of faith groups, mature faith in hearts of children in Jesus Christ, the children who live it fully, people awakening God in hearts, let's name them all, as soon as we carry Christ internally, we become faithful to the mission of Jesus for our contemporaries. Let's receive the anointing of graces that feeds our spiritual life and that of others.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd's Mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 18, 2023, 03:41:56 AM

247. No reason to wait


Every day, there's no reason to wait, let's go and find Jesus. This is what is lived here. Jesus is so well known that he has trouble keeping up the pace:
"At daybreak, Jesus left and went to a deserted place. The crowds went looking for him, and when they came to him, they tried to prevent him from leaving them. But he said to them, 'To the other towns also I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God, because for this purpose I have been sent.'" Luke, chapter 4, verses 42 to 43

There are some who have evangelized, in addition to Jesus, that's why there are so many people around him. His fame spreads.

May we seek to prevent Jesus from leaving us, may we retain his presence in us, so that the world may observe and believe that Jesus is Lord of our lives. In reality, we do not need to hold him back, but to welcome him into us, since he is already here.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd's Mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 19, 2023, 04:05:46 AM

248. Keep Jesus


Paul considers himself the last, since he's aware of his smallness before the greatness of Christ, of the Spirit and of the Father. He says:
"To me, the very least of all the holy ones." Ephesians, chapter 3, verse 8

Then he confirms that he receives everything from Christ as we must also expect everything from him:
"To me, the very least of all the holy ones, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the inscrutable riches of Christ." Ephesians, chapter 3, verse 8

By the light that he receives from Christ, he can say:
"What is the plan of the mystery hidden from ages past in God who created all things." Ephesians, chapter 3, verse 9

It's impressive, striking, how God gives Paul his knowledge for the people. Paul is touched by the grace of God. It is the Lord's wish for all. If he transmits the content of the mystery of God, it is because there is no more mystery. It's unveiled!

Like Paul, we are never too small. We accept to be small though, since God is so infinite in every respect. Nothing outclasses him.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd's Mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 20, 2023, 04:55:43 AM

249. How precious


Let's continue to let ourselves be invaded by God, so that we become christians for others. May active holiness be:
"So that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church." Ephesians, chapter 3, verse 10

How confusing this passage of Paul. It is "through the Church", founded by Jesus Christ, that visible and invisible forces, "that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known".

It is to "fall off our horse" or "fall off our chair" for the more discreet. The Church is the unity between the world and the Kingdom of God, because the Word and the Eucharist lead us into the Kingdom. In reality, it is Christ, who is the Eucharist and the Word, who unites the living of the Kingdom of God and the living of the universe (the earth included), in his Church.

We receive faith from the Trinity. So:
"Our faith in Christ, in whom we have boldness of speech and confidence of access through faith," Ephesians, chapter 3, verse 12

through Jesus, celebrating Mass. How precious it is to graft ourselves on Jesus. We become little by little like Jesus, by our confidence and our acceptance to let him transform us.

Jesus invites us to watch, to watch constantly, to the light of his grace, which is transmitted to us in the Church, so that we may become vibrant and visible witnesses of his wisdom.

May Jesus come and set us on fire with his Spirit so that we may become true followers of his Love.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd's Mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 21, 2023, 04:41:45 AM

250. Possess what we hope for


Faith in Jesus Christ is necessary for every person to believe, to become free and to be saved. To fill the churches is salutary. The more people have faith, baptized, therefore priests, prophets and kings, in Jesus Christ, the better the mission will glide with well-oiled ball bearings.

Our Father, "your will be done". We are not alone in living the faith, it is lived worldwide. It is the faith of all the Baptized who help this world to live in a blessing of peace and hope.

Take away faith in Jesus Christ and the world is faced with massive humanitarian, scientific, social, planetary and universal crises. Because God is the only one who will always lead us to common sense, to truth.

All that is good and true in the highest understanding of these terms is from God:
"Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen." Hebrews, Chapter 11, verse 1

Let's possess what one hopes for, the Love of God. To believe is to receive forgiveness and the joy of God. And the manifestation of joy is to announce that Jesus is alive, that our life has meaning and that the world is invited to enter the eternal dance. An "'evidence' of things not seen" is still knowing them!

Faith develops when we are at Jesus's school and we enter into the joy of following Him. To believe is to offer our services to Jesus so that we can combine and bear fruit in abundance. To believe is to trust and be faithful to the one who guarantees life.

Let's ask Jesus to tell us what he wants us to do in faith and we will be ready to receive his Holy Spirit. This will lead us ever closer to the Heart of Jesus.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd's Mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 22, 2023, 05:31:31 AM

251. Driving to the Kingdom


God's purpose is to take us all back to his Kingdom, to his resting place. But there are still people who do not realize that they are straying from this rest by all kinds of remoteness from the Presence of God.

Paul then sends us on a mission. He brings us closer to the Lord:
"Let us strive to enter into that rest, so that no one may fall after the same example of disobedience." Hebrews, Chapter 4, verse 11

We want to heal of our lack of impetus. We want our heart to regain its boundless spirit on the way to God, here and now. We want sin to be eliminated from our lives, that ball and chain that we drag day after day. And we hope that our heart will resume its enthusiasm of youth, free and fulfilled in the joy and peace of God. Jesus says:
"'So that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth' - he said to the paralytic, 'I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home.'" Mark, chapter 2, verses 10 to 11

May Jesus be the Light of our life. Christ frees the one who places his trust in him.

May we become free by a life fulfilled in God and responsible with the neighbour. Let's also teach others to become responsible for their faith. As the paralyzed man is newly freed from his stretcher, we are released from evil, and then we sail toward salvation. Let's go back to our house, to our heart and to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, of I Am.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd's Mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 23, 2023, 03:48:29 AM

252. We believe

Jesus leads us to the Father
Paul tells us:
"Jesus is always able to save those who approach God through him, since he lives forever to make intercession for them." Hebrews, Chapter 7, verse 25

The key to christian hope is there. Jesus is still alive and he intercedes for us.
We know that as we approach Jesus, he will lead us to the Father. This is why we are continually at Mass, which is why we pray regularly and demand him to be forgiven, in order to become free in him.

What we want for us, we also wish for the world. Prayer and forgiveness also opens a way for God's grace to those who need it most.

We believe that Jesus is our Saviour and that he is the one who will keep us in the Love of God until the day we see him face to face.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd's Mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 24, 2023, 04:06:11 AM

253. The wall of grace


Here are two other extreme thoughts that come out of the Bible. When we hear a person sowing division, immediately we think that there'll be a loss. Jesus tells us:
"Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division." Luke, chapter 12, verse 51

If we follow the thread of this book, we're already aware that Jesus is different, simply because of his infinite Love. In addition, Jesus' Spirit illuminates the texts of the Bible. But here, Jesus challenges us.

Jesus, who is all Love, tells us that he comes to place division in the world. Is Jesus lying in this sentence? We might ask ourselves if he speaks the same language as us.

When we read a passage from the Bible, we must always keep in mind that God is Love and only Love. This should guide our way of thinking.

Jesus is the Word that divides us, but of what? His Word is a two-edged sword. His Word, like a sword, is the wall of grace before the wall of sin. It separates in us the evil that is against God.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 25, 2023, 03:30:24 AM

254. We let Jesus enter our lives


If we see a fight, what is our first intention? Divide the two people so that the fight stops. We want to divide them. Jesus does just that.

Jesus cannot bring peace if we court sin. Now, at the request of the sinner, Jesus divides the brawler who causes the evil in the person to lead him to love. Jesus divides sin in us so that we can live in peace.

If we let Jesus enter our lives, he will create a place of fierce fighting between him and evil. Evil cannot win. These moments of tension will be for our good.
However, let's be careful, because evil derives, cuts from good and it attracts us away from Love.

The division of which Jesus speaks must be established before peace settles. Let's place our trust in Jesus, to be free from sin and remain in peace.

Jesus necessarily causes division, and we lose something. We lose our unnecessary ties, our doubts, stress, fear, etc. There is a division between what divides us from God and what unites us to Life in God.

Jesus causes a division between good and evil, to lead us into the truth. Jesus establishes a life of grace and at the same time he illuminates our days with new hope.

Let's leave it to Jesus to transform us or continue to participate carelessly in places and with tools that lead us far from grace.
Let's choose eternal life in God.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 26, 2023, 05:03:04 AM

255. Paul's thorn


Paul's body, his own body, is rebellious to him or perhaps, by his faults, he pushes his body to rebel. He asks God three times to remove the splinter that sinks into his flesh. And God answers him:
"My grace is sufficient for you." 2 Corinthians, chapter 12, verse 9

In reality, the body does not rebel. It cannot do anything without the intention, the will of the person. The person is responsible for his body and can lead it into rebellion.

God is still with this person. God supports him with his Spirit, with his presence, with his kindness and he wants to be trusted more.

There are also times when we ask God to remove a difficulty. But this inconvenience can remain there to allow us to grow in faith.

It isn't God who allows this inconvenience. The circumstances of life put us to the test. The splinter, we often keep it with us. We are invited to give it to God, to receive his grace.

To let ourselves be loved by God makes it possible to pass through difficulties like Paul, with the splinter in his flesh.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 27, 2023, 04:03:24 AM

256. The Holy Spirit, our guide


The existence on earth isn't always easy, even for Jesus. And, if it's not easy for Jesus, we can be in trouble too:
"A prophet is not without honour except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house." Mark, chapter 6, verse 4

Whether we are believers or not, we will someday have challenges that will require patience and time to get through it. From childhood to today, the challenges were multiplied.

For Jesus, he will be continually persecuted. Not because of his mistakes because he didn't sin, but because the people around him don't understand him. It's not the thorn that he wears in the manner of Paul, but the insults, the spittle, the thorns. Then the nails and the spear will be revealed when he receives them on the Cross.

We move forward day by day with our sorrows and with our joys too. Let's ask Jesus to help us persevere in faith and continue to grow in the Love of God, with the Holy Spirit as our guide.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 28, 2023, 04:05:18 AM

257. Let's discern


Jonah also thinks that an east wind is God's intention to punish him:
"When the sun arose, God sent a burning east wind; and the sun beat upon Jonah's head till he became faint." Jonah, chapter 4, verse 8

It's impressive, how quickly Jonah deposits his trial on God's account. He even thinks God sends it against him. "God sent a burning east wind."

The east wind blows by itself and is part of terrestrial conditions. The heat of the sun is one of these conditions.

Let's discern. God is not the one who purposely sends sickness to Jonah. And Jonah, did he think of drinking a lot of water or protecting himself by standing in the shade?

God repeats that he is always with us and that he is not the one who causes our misfortunes. God did not want him harm, nor to the city:
"Should I not be concerned over Nineveh, the great city, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot distinguish their right hand from their left?" Jonah, chapter 4, verse 11

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 29, 2023, 04:29:48 AM

258. Reign on us


Let's keep this in mind, God doesn't harm anyone, or even the most subtle, the least, or the most hidden:
"Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come." Luke, chapter 11, verse 2

We are told by Jesus to pray as follows: "Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come." At this request, we want to recognize that God is the one who sanctifies us, who offers us Life and Love in abundance:
"We ask this daily, for we need sanctification daily, so that we who fail daily may cleanse away our sins by being sanctified continually... We pray that this sanctification may remain in us." (S. Cyprien, Dom. Order 12: PL 4, 526A-527A). Catechism of the Catholic Church, number 2813
Catechism of the Catholic Church - IntraText

We need it every day. Being with Jesus helps us to improve.
May holiness abide in us, in order to recognize his Love, which comes from him.

We do not yet know how much God Loves us and how distracted we are. We're not always united to him. Let's recognize that evil is caused by our distance from God and not by him.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on June 30, 2023, 04:34:00 AM

259. Clean up our space


Let's prepare our heart:
"Now, put away the strange gods that are among you and turn your hearts to the Lord, the God of Israel." Joshua, chapter 24, verse 23

This is the key, in order to become free. Day by day, let's leave the illusions, the automatisms that freeze and imprison without our knowledge, the spiritual disturbances of which we become accustomed to. Let's deny these "strange gods".

Destructive thoughts, manipulations, gossiping are all closures of the heart to oneself, to others and to the Trinity.

Let's go back wholeheartedly to God. Let's sort out what prevents us from being free. Let's go to God with a child's heart, free from all confinement. Jesus invites us:
"Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew, chapter 19, verse 14

Let's love God, as the child surrenders to his parent's heart. Let's give him our fears, our ties and celebrate with joy and peace.

If we pursue negative conditioning, conditioning of fears or illusions (strange gods) we will reap the bitterness of our plantations.

It's reassuring to know that there are only two choices. It's one or the other; God or evil.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 01, 2023, 04:35:06 AM

260. God's heart


Jeremiah seems to say this in the name of God:
"Cursed is the man who trusts in human beings, who seeks his strength in the flesh, whose heart turns away from the Lord." Jeremiah, chapter 17, verse 5

Jeremiah, like all the prophets of his time, tries to understand what God is giving him and to share it to the people in the most appropriate way.

While giving a teaching or a rule of conduct on the part of God, the prophet sometimes includes inhuman thoughts.

Let's be certain. All the texts of the Bible are wanted from God. They allow us to discover that humanity doesn't always succeed in recognizing the Love of God.

God is Love, he does not curse. It is the person who moves away from the Love of God who curses himself.

If we move away from heat in the winter to minus thirty degrees celsius and we don't wear proper clothing, we will freeze and die. If we refuse the Love of God, we will die. This is what the word "cursed" means by Jeremiah. Cursing here takes on the meaning of death. And God doesn't want our death.

It's more of a cry from God's heart. As the parent says to the child, "Do not touch the fire, you will burn yourself!" God constantly tells us what looks like this: "Do not go away from my Love, you will curse yourself, you will die!" The rock thrown in the air will very possibly fall on our head. God wants us to live!

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 02, 2023, 04:34:16 AM

261. Happiness in God


Happiness is not always where we seek it, but when we do the will of God. Committing ourselves to God will allow us not to sink. On the contrary, it values us.

May God guide our steps. Let's leave him our plans and everything will be realized according to the Heart of God, if we really give them to him. May our projects be placed in the hands of God through prayer, heart to Heart with God and adoration of the Word (of the Verb) and the Eucharist.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 03, 2023, 05:07:18 AM

262. Forgive writers


We say that to forgive, we must be more giving, go beyond giving. To forgive, it's important to stop and take time to assess the situation and then forgive.

May we forgive all authors who, with a lack of knowledge (quite normal), have placed on God's shoulders many words contrary and harmful to his Love.
If a zebra made a painting of God, he would paint him with black and white stripes. We paint God too often as we think he is and not as he really is.

As we read the Bible, we must go ever deeper to understand God. Humans have given a representation of God who, sometimes, is vengeful, inhuman and even as unthoughtful as a tyrant.

Let's imagine a beautiful play, with the expression that it supposes on the faces of the people. This is what is placed by Jeremiah in the mouth of God for the city of Sion:
"I struck you as an enemy would strike, punished you cruelly; Why cry out over your wound? Your pain is without relief. Because of your great guilt, your numerous sins, I have done this to you." Jeremiah, chapter 30, verses 14 to 15

It's as if God hurts someone with a "cruel punishment" if they don't listen or do what is told. But it's the person who is punishing and injuring himself by his faults. God can only Love. God doesn't do any harm.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 04, 2023, 04:35:50 AM
263. Total and Definitive Love


God can only be Love. Although, even today, we still have thoughts of authors that resemble some described in the Bible.

Let's venture far beyond forgiveness to know God. Let's forgive human beings for placing too much burden on God's shoulders. Then, change our perception of God and recognize that he is Total and Definite Love. Let's acknowledge our own wrongdoings and our own path full of hesitation, clutter and falsehood confusing the image of God. It takes time to get it right.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 05, 2023, 04:06:45 AM

264. Jesus cares for the sick


In this story, some recognize who is God. Jesus came to show us who he is. God wants to heal every person. Are we ready to be healed:
"When the men of that place recognized him, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought to him all those who were sick and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak, and as many as touched it were healed." Matthew, chapter 14, verses 35 to 36

Let's recognize the Love of God and let him touch our hearts. That he transforms our distorted image of him. Let's rediscover his real image. May we let Jesus save us.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 06, 2023, 04:38:32 AM

265. His truth


Sometimes God seems severe:
"The Lord, therefore, became angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel." 1 Kings, chapter 11, verse 9

God "is angry" at the impiety of Solomon. But God, in reality, doesn't need to be angry, since its Solomon who persecutes himself with his impiety. Solomon's unhealthy words and gestures irritate himself.

The inner light that God gives us allows us to judge between what is good and what is less good. God gives us everything; that we have good use of it. To misuse the graces of God is to condemn ourselves to wrongdoings, to evil.
In the following two texts, we have a summary of the importance of being enlightened to choose between bad and good:
"Contemplation is a gaze of faith, fixed on Jesus. 'I look at him and he looks at me': this is what a certain peasant of Ars used to say to his holy cure about his prayer before the tabernacle." Catechism of the Catholic Church, number 2715, Saint Jean-Marie Vianney

This focus on Jesus is a renunciation of self. His gaze purifies our heart; the light of the countenance of Jesus illumines the eyes of our heart and teaches us to see everything in the light of his truth and his compassion for all men.

Contemplation also turns its gaze on the mysteries of the life of Christ. Thus it learns the "interior knowledge of our Lord", the more to love him and follow him (see St. Ignatius of Loyola, Spiritual Exercises, 104). Catechism of the Catholic Church, ## 2715-16. Website: http: //www.vatican.va/archive/FRA0013/_P9H.HTM

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 07, 2023, 05:18:12 AM

266. He is close by


Too many people are not listening to God. Too many people take their bundle and start walking alone. They are growing away from God, as if God does not exist, as if God has let them down. Yet it is they who leave and let God and the people out. They go to idols or become idols themselves. Then, turned to these idols they want to promote them. These idols will not bring anything good to the people.

It's always the people who are disappearing from God. We know it's impossible for God to let us down, for God to be far from us. He is closer to us than we can be of ourselves. He helps us to the extent that we want good for all.

Let's pray that the rulers will always lead with human thoughtful feelings and lead to achievements that are truly inspired by God's will.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 08, 2023, 04:40:52 AM

267. Be ourselves


In the Psalm, it is written:

"Who may go up the mountain of the Lord? Who can stand in his holy place? The clean of hand and pure of heart, who are not devoted to idols, who have not sworn falsely." Psalm 24, verses 3 to 4

With this wise passage, we have a master idea to properly embark on the journey that leads to the Kingdom of God or more precisely, in the Heart of God.

We want to "go up the mountain of the Lord" and "stand in his holy place". We want to enter the true Love, Love that God offers and receive it, simply by asking him.

"Climbing the Mountain" can make us think of some climbers who are struggling and sweating in a dangerous and high-risk environment. But with God, to go up the mountain means to become more ourselves, to welcome others more, to create bonds in order to transmit his Love.

This is "the pure of heart" mentioned in the text. The person who allows himself to be transformed by God becomes a freer person. This freedom makes it possible to climb into the Heart of God and to guide people well.

The passage ends with a recommendation. Men: "who are not devoted to idols." Idols keep us away ... far from God.

Let's search in our life for what distances from God and we will find what idols we serve. They will become visible and may be dismantled by Jesus.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 09, 2023, 04:09:57 AM

268. Fleeing idols

Paul says:

"My beloved, avoid idolatry." 1 Corinthians, chapter 10, verse 14

Avoiding, fleeing idols is quite difficult in a world that constantly offers it to us. Idols are everything that keeps us focused on other people or objects rather than on Jesus. Paul tells the people who accompany him not to follow him, but to follow Jesus:
"Whenever someone says, 'I belong to Paul,' and another, 'I belong to Apollos,' are you not merely human?" 1 Corinthians, chapter 3, verse 4

We belong to no one else but to God.

Paul also speaks of worship. Worship is what a group will live together, for a common purpose to worship or adulate a person or object. There is the cult of sport, the cult of films, the cult of artists, the cult of leaders, the cult of cats, the cult of chocolate, etc.

Otherwise, we can choose some different activities to bring out some good for us and for society, for example, to improve health. It's not a bad thing to have all these activities and professions, but they must not become a cult that monopolizes our energies, our perceptions and our actions, without regards to a life of faith in God. The true worship to render is to God.

Then Paul, following this sentence, adds:

"Judge for yourself what I am saying." 1 Corinthians, chapter 10, verse 15

Paul wants people to take responsibility and to verify if they follow idols or if they are constantly turning to God. Paul suggests to "avoid idolatry".
As we deepen our relationship with Jesus, idols will fall and disappear one after the other. Jesus will enlighten our life and help us to choose reality, truth and well-being.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 10, 2023, 05:14:37 AM

269. A good tree


Jesus teaches us:
"A good tree does not bear rotten fruit, nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit." Luke, chapter 6, verse 43

Everyone hasn't God's knowledge. When a person lives a conversion, he comes equipped with the idols he carried, that he followed, those who sit in his environment. He still can follow some. These idols, these imprisonments, we cannot usually see them with the naked eye. On the other hand, other idols, we see them well. We know they're there.

With Jesus in our life we are like trees that give good fruit. Let's give our heart to Jesus. Jesus will transform our way of living, seeing, speaking, listening, because he is the Light we need so much. His light illuminates in our life the possible idols. All in all, we have the choice and the responsibility to either keep these idols or to keep away from them.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 11, 2023, 04:38:56 AM

270. Detecting idols


It is precious to know how to listen to the people, with our ears glued to our hearts. If we hear in their language ideas (ideals) that seem to be related to idols, we can give them to Jesus. For example, the word "energy" is fashionable. Energy is caused by movement. And the movement is caused by the Love of God. It is better to convert to the Love of God than to energy.
Otherwise, we remain in a state of less importance then we stray and stay away from God.

If we hear a person talking about energy, we can silently, in our heart, hand over to Jesus what leads them to talk about it. As another example, if a person has often negative and unnecessary comments, we can offer this negativity to Jesus. He will come into his heart to add his light.

We can help many people in a day by praying for them in silence and offering their difficulties to Jesus. Detecting what is difficult in people is not a judgment if we know how to do it. Moreover, it will prevent us from judging since we are doing a good deed for them.

This will also allow us to find in ourselves what we have not thought of checking before. We too may have repeated negative comments, for example. The same practice is essential for ourselves; giving everything back to Jesus.

Jesus declares:
"Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you." Matthew, chapter 5, verse 44

Let's love, in the sense of discovering the enemies, the idols in our life, in the lives of others, and handing them over to Jesus. Let's help people get rid of the shadows they carry, that persecute them, of their idols, too often without being aware of their presence. Our prayer will become precise. We therefore ask God's purity for all.

If the difficulty of another person bothers us, destabilizes us, it's an opportunity to let Jesus take care of it. Something good will happen in our life and in the lives of others. Let's leave it to Jesus. He will take care of it.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 12, 2023, 04:25:02 AM

271. Let's adore Jesus


The only true worship to render is to Jesus Christ and to no one else.

It's liberating to think of worshiping one person (Jesus)! This solves the quest of knowing whom to worship or not:
"May God form you in all that is good to fulfill his will, that he may realize in us what is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs glory forever and ever." Hebrews, chapter 13, verse 21

"To fulfill the will of God". God alone can make such a request because what he asks of us are what in turn is best for our salvation and for the salvation of the world.

Two rather strong expressions are included in this short piece of text: "to fulfill the will of God" and to "realize in us what is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ". We can never say that for someone other than him.

Jesus invites people to worship him because he is God. He says:
"If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John, chapter 8, verses 31 to 32

Being faithful to meditate on the Word of God and to bring out what's good and true in the texts of the Bible, especially to discover all that is Love of God, is to worship God. No more worry. To fulfill the will of God is to let him be Lord in our life, let him Love, transform, sanctify us with his presence. May God: "realize in us what is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ".

By allowing God to take charge of our lives, we ensure our salvation, we lead others to salvation, since we allow ourselves to be purified for the great day of our entry into Eternity. We need to do everything with Jesus, accomplish everything with Jesus, hope totally in Jesus. (It's) Just to be with Jesus!

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 13, 2023, 03:38:42 AM

272. Love


When we look at Jesus on the Cross, we do not just look at metal, wood, plaster or plastic without any meditation or prayer. When we look at Jesus's Cross, we know that we look beyond this representation, onto God's pierced Heart, into God's Love who has gone to that extent so that we may be saved. The representation of Jesus's Cross is the summit of Love for us, because of Jesus. Our soul is quenched with the memory of our God saving us.

Let's look, understand, love who Jesus is on the Cross, letting it happen to save us. What Love led him on the Cross!

We benefit from rediscovering the Cross with Jesus nailed to it, in our churches, in our homes and elsewhere. God wants us to look at the Cross with Jesus's Body on it, so that we may be saved. It is the support of widows, oppressed, persecuted, trailed, sick, dying, etc. The Cross is the support of the poor, the left behind, the lonely, etc.

Jesus on the Cross is the one who totally understands us. He wants us to give him the toils we have, as well as the people who are caught up all over the world. Let's place their pain on Jesus's Cross.

Let's take some time, at home, to begin or continue looking at the Cross. Let's meditate on him. Let's pray and let Jesus speak to our heart. Far from being an unpleasant object for the eyes, Jesus on the Cross is the way of understanding pain, a path of healing and a reminder that evil kills the person. May Jesus on the Cross speak to our heart. His Love touches us. Let's put it under our pillow and listen to him or put it on the pillow and look at Jesus. May he also be placed between the spouses.

The Cross is for us a sign of joy, liberation, redemption. The Cross is the sign and reality of the healing victory over sickness, Love over evil, the victory of Christ over death.

Jesus says:
"That everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life." John, chapter 3, verse 16

Let's read it again:
"We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. Because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world."

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 14, 2023, 04:14:02 AM

273 Pray with Mary


Mary has only one goal. She always invites us to the same reality; to follow Jesus, our Lord and Saviour. Mary repeatedly begs us to follow Jesus.

The Catholic Church never sees in Mary a goddess or God. It is never taught by the Church. She is a simple woman with an extraordinary experience of faith, by the grace of God. And we venerate her for who she is and for her "yes".

A statue of Mary represents the grace of God in a woman. The memory of this woman becomes an example of true faith. The more we meditate on what God has done (blessed) in Mary, the more reasons for worshiping God.

When we kneel before her, we ask her to pray with us and for us. When we kneel before Mary, she carries our heart to Jesus. When we pray to Mary, she offers our prayers to Jesus. When we speak to Mary, she speaks to Jesus about us and for us. We ask Mary to show us the way to Jesus.

We like to ask another person to pray for us. And we pray for others. It isn't because we intercede in prayer for another person that we stand between the person and God and that it would prevent him from reaching the heart of that person. When we pray for others, we do not place ourselves against God. To pray for a person is to let God through our heart (for God) to Love our neighbour. God Loves us to pray him for one another.

Mary does not stand between Jesus and his children. She helps us to reach her Son. Our thinking and meditation go further than a statue as our family meal allow more human depth than mere food. The body of a person allows going further than just his body, for example. It allows him to join the creation of God, the Heart of God.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 15, 2023, 04:39:28 AM

274. United in prayer


We appreciate it when someone asks us to intercede with him in prayer. And this person trusts in prayer. We pray with him by placing our trust in God. When he asks us to pray, he does not cut off God. He seeks spiritual support, like for support between friends and family.

We then ask Mary to pray with us our Lord. Just by this request, we are approaching God, with Mary. Mary helps us, when we look at her, to constantly look to her Son, so that we may be saved by him. She is with us (our Mother) for that.

Communion through prayer between us and with all the saints living on earth and in heaven is a precious support. As soon as Jesus expires on the Cross, the life of the holy persons continues:
"Jesus cried out again in a loud voice, and gave up his spirit. And behold, the veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked, rocks were split, tombs were opened, and the bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised. And coming forth from their tombs after his resurrection, they entered the holy city and appeared to many." Matthew, chapter 27, verses 50 to 53

The saints continue to live in God. They were sleeping, they were resurrected with Jesus. In the book of Revelation John sees a multitude of people living in heaven. It is also the case for Mary that John mentions here:
"A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars." Revelation, chapter 12, verse 1

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 16, 2023, 04:24:50 AM

275. Let's go with Jesus


Jesus's freedom is liberation:
"Amen, amen, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin. A slave does not remain in a household forever, but a son always remains. So if the Son makes you free, then you will truly be free." John, chapter 8, verses 34 to 36

Only the Son liberates us. When we pray in front of a statue, we give thanks to Jesus for what he did in this saint person. Our prayer goes beyond the statue and we praise the Lord in all humility for his wonders in the beings he has created and for the amazing beings that we are.

Statues and representations of Jesus are not "golden calves". The Cross with Jesus on it is more than the brazen serpent on a mast. May Jesus be the master of our life. Let's offer him all of who we are and live in the gratitude that God has deemed worthy to create us, so that we may live in his Love. May we praise God Trinity, pray to him together and with the saints give thanks and praise to him eternally.

Jesus is so precious. Let's go with him. It's important to deepen our Catholic faith, our faith through universal prayer and to understand it even more. Jesus is the Heart of the Church, the world and the universe.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 17, 2023, 04:29:07 AM

276. Two cherubim


There are two crafted cherubim shading the Ark of the Covenant. God himself asks Moses to melt metal, form cherubim and install them on the Ark of the Covenant.

The Ark of the Covenant will be carried in the desert by priests:
"Make two cherubim of beaten gold for the two ends of the propitiatory, fastening them so that one cherub springs direct from each end. The cherubim shall have their wings spread out above, covering the propitiatory with them; they shall be turned toward each other, but with their faces looking toward the propitiatory. There I will meet you and there, from above the propitiatory, between the two cherubim on the ark of the commandments, I will tell you all the commands that I wish you to give the Israelites." Exodus, chapter 25, verses 18 to 20 and 22

The statue is not bad in itself if it helps out to rise to God. We have the right to possess images of angels, people or other representations, provided that they are not perceived as gods, but help us to meditate on God's reality.

So there is an abyssal difference between God's will who wants us to worship him, even through representations that signify his presence in people or cherubim and the desire of King Nebuchadnezzar who proclaims himself greater than God and who wants "his" people to be centred on his own person ... by worshiping ... a calf, "his calf".

Now it's up to us to choose; to follow Jesus or to follow the lie that turns us away from him. Jesus offers us his life unlike King Nebuchadnezzar who concentrates everything on himself and turns the people away from God.

Jesus is the King of Love and we can be assured that he will always be with us in all our difficulties, as in a joyful life.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 18, 2023, 05:21:17 AM

277. The Eucharist


If Sidrac, Misac and Abdenago can recognize God in the midst of the flames in a fiery furnace, if we can look at a bronze serpent on a pole that represents Christ crucified, we can also recognize God and his Love in a little host of bread at the moment of the Eucharist.

Instead of consuming idols, let's consume the Body of Christ at the moment of the Eucharist, the food that keeps alive and prepares us for Eternal Life, in the Kingdom of Heaven, in God's Heart.

Let's recognize that Love occupies a piece of bread. It's an invitation to worship him in a small piece of bread, at every mass. God is in the Eucharist, God is the Eucharist. We proclaim a thanksgiving to God. We allow him to increase by his Love, the love in us, whenever we receive the Eucharist.

God wants us to make the effort to go deeper than what we seem to see, a small piece of bread, to what we seem not to see, God himself. By the representation of a little piece of bread, and by the request of the Trinity on it, at Jesus's request, we totally worship God who is totally present in it (in the host).

Gospel of Matthew:
"While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, "Take and eat; this is my body." Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins." Matthew, chapter 26, verses 26 to 28

Gospel of Luke:
"He took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me." And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you." Luke, chapter 22, verses 19 to 20
Paul tells the Corinthians, because they live the banquet of God in an unworthy manner:

"I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over, took bread, and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, "This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.""

For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes. Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will have to answer for the body and blood of the Lord. A person should examine himself, and so eat the bread and drink the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body, eats and drinks judgment on himself. 1 Corinthians, chapter 11, verses 23 to 29

Jesus is the one who is universally worshiped and leads us with his Spirit to the Father. Jesus is our King. He is the one in whom we place our trust. He will not disappoint anyone. Let's continue to come to Jesus. He calls upon us.

Let's give our lives to Jesus and let Jesus's truth take control of our lives. For our salvation and the salvation of our neighbour, let's receive the Eucharist, Body and Blood of Christ, and allow Jesus to live freely in us. Let's be in thanksgiving within the Love of God.

Jesus doesn't live in time. He lives in eternity and he is with us at this very moment. Because of that, we live in the present time the same Last Supper as Jesus with his Apostles. Every mass celebrated is lived now with our Lord and Saviour.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 19, 2023, 04:48:00 AM

278. Our remoteness


Catholics do not always realize this, but the removal of people from the Church and all the invalid reasons that result from it causes a distance from God. And getting away from God can open the door to more wickedness, more suffering, more harm, more loneliness and sadness. Our remoteness also gives reasons to others to not follow Jesus.

Often, we hear people say, "but these people believe and help others!" Certainly, they are already doing well. But they lack a vital part of faith; the Word and the Eucharist.

A good person is a good person. A canoe is a canoe.
A good person who prays is a good person who prays. A ship is a ship.
A good person who prays and receives the Word and the Eucharist is a good person who prays and receives the Word and the Eucharist. A Church is a Church.

We live on reserves of Love when we stay away from prayer, the Word and Eucharist. A car that runs on low fuel will be driven to a total stop and stay put if we don't go to a gas station to fill the tank. The car will stop where it stops. Then, the elements of nature will cease the car and it won't roll anymore. It just might become good for scrap.

People who say they believe they do practise, but those who do not celebrate and do not revive in their Church, their reserves are emptying, their strength is dwindling. They risk freezing and no longer being able to return to Church. They are staying away from God.

The only way we can fill our reserves of Love is by receiving the Word and the Eucharist. It is also an opportunity to give the offering of our life to God and to thank him for all that he offers us with justice. All that is of God is just (justice) for us.

Let's also learn to reconcile with our neighbour. For christians, to reconcile with our neighbour is also to invite him once more to walk with us in faith.
Let's place our life on the Altar where the offerings of bread and wine become the Body and Blood of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Let's become more and more transformed in God's life, the Eucharist in us, through the Word. And ask Jesus to touch the generous hearts of people outside the walls of the Church and especially to reach them so they may rediscover the Eucharist and the Word.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 20, 2023, 04:27:19 AM

279. God Loves us


A prophet like Jeremiah has moments of genius and he lets himself be moved by God's truth. He writes what he receives from God in his heart:
"I Love you with an eternal Love." Jeremiah, chapter 31, verse 3

God Loves his people, he Loves Jeremiah, he still Loves us today. God Loves us "with an Eternal Love". The people are happy and ask God to save him. It's party time, joy, but for how long?

It's simple. The further we stay away from God, the more our life lacks light, lacks strength, lacks wisdom, our life becomes drained by the refusal to receive Love. So, what can we leave aside to increase our presence with Christ? What is useless and destroying our life and what could be useful to improve our faith?

John allows us to understand that there is a choice to make, either throwing ourselves toward the Love of God or moving away from him:
"Children, let no one deceive you. The person who acts in righteousness is righteous, just as he is righteous." 1 John, chapter 3, verse 7

How to be fair if not to go to Church and thank God for all that we have of good, beautiful, real and true, then to receive him again in the Eucharist, to receive his Love once more and let his joy grow in our hearts.

May we let no one steer us away from the Love of God. May we not rely on others to decide for us. We are the only ones responsible for our relationship with Christ.

Immediately after, John tells us exactly what the word "devil" means. The one who divides our relationship with God:
"Whoever sins belongs to the devil, because the devil has sinned from the beginning." 1 John, chapter 3, verse 8

"The devil is a sinner." We give the devil many titles, but what characterizes him the most is that he is the best "sinner" of all. It's not a very rewarding trophy to be the sinner, crowned with excellence.

To recognize oneself as a sinner and to follow Jesus is fine. But the devil decided not to choose the Love of God. He is "the sinner". He doesn't recognize or want to receive the Love of God. How difficult it is to understand someone who decides ... not to lean with all his being toward, then dive into God's Love.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 21, 2023, 04:36:58 AM

280. With the heart


According to John, the Apostles went to Jesus without asking too many questions about him. They followed him with their heart. Andrew says to his brother Simon:
"We found the Messiah." John, chapter 1, verse 41

Jesus looks at him and changes his name immediately:
"'You are Simon the son of John; you will be called Kephas' (which is translated Peter)." John, chapter 1, verse 42

Simon, who becomes Peter, has no idea of what Jesus has just said to him or how deeply he has entered his life. He accepts this change of name without recrimination, without saying a word.

Jesus reaches Peter while Peter reaches for Jesus. What a happy exchange! And Peter knows nothing of what will follow. He doesn't know that he will be the First Pope of human history, that the Church of Christ will extend to the most distant lands, to the universe, right up till now.

Mother Teresa of Calcutta, when she began to walk with Jesus, could not know that she would find a convent, less she knew that she would watch and pray next to the dying in Calcutta, Asia.

We surely don't know what the Lord has in store for us and the mission he will lead us into when we say "yes" to him. We may not have the same mission as Teresa. Yet we have the freedom to say "yes" to the Lord.
Like Mary and Joseph, let's say "yes" to Jesus.

During our passage in this world, until the fulfillment of our salvation, let's enter our heart and leap into the Love of God.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 22, 2023, 04:38:20 AM

281. Follow or run away


There are two groups of people who follow Jesus. Those who really follow him and those who seek to contradict, to flee what Jesus is proposing. Whoever contradicts Truth rejects Truth. We can contradict a person, but we cannot contradict, without consequences, the Love of God.

People who follow Jesus give him space and time. Jesus needs space and time in our life so that we can observe and live through him. Let's take some time with Jesus since we don't know him, take time to discover who Jesus is and we will get to know him better for when we meet in eternity.

There are people who follow Jesus and who do not have open hearts, or they do not use their human intelligence to receive the Love of God. And even the words of Jesus, they will make fun of them, they will understand them in a negative way, they will make them obsolete, without flavour, without taste, without colour, without texture.

The scribes of the group of pharisees, seeing that Jesus eats with sinners and publicans, say to his disciples:
"Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners!" Mark, chapter 2, verse 16

This affirmation casts a doubt about Jesus. Jesus eats and drinks! How can Jesus be God since he eats and drinks? We can see that he is a man! Even worse, he eats with sinners and people of the world, of the public!

They do not know Jesus. They reveal their lack of discernment. Their theology resembles the desert that bypasses the city of Jerusalem. They are going to want to drive Jesus back into the desert, and then consider him dead to their eyes.

They closed their hearts, trapped by a bricked up knowledge gained from the past. They aren't in the present. Then, to avoid following Jesus, they will also mislead people around them who could be touched by his words and gestures. While making fun of him, they refuse the advent of Jesus in their hearts and block it from the hearts of their contemporaries. Double fault.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 23, 2023, 04:54:13 AM

282. Become childlike


Jesus proclaims:
"I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike." Matthew, chapter 11, verse 25

Adults who are childlike in God know how to spot what is sin in the world from what is not. They also know how to reach people's hearts, especially through prayer to the Holy Spirit. With him we can reach people's hearts to improve the world and awaken in them the light that is already there.

The light received from God in some makes it possible to transfer the fire of joy and peace to the hearts of others. For each person who receives the light, its spreading is instantaneous.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 24, 2023, 04:55:42 AM

283. We tend to be


"Your piety [love] is like a morning cloud, like the dew that early passes away," Hosea, chapter 6, verse 4

says God to Hosea and his people ... to us too. It is true that we tend to be evasive in our thoughts, distracted in our intentions and selective in our achievements. And we become fugitives, even fearing Love.

We have hurt persons, we had pain too. And we come to believe that even negative ambient thinking has become a reality. We gradually sink into an attractive mud. And the more we are seized by this mud, the more we feel surrounded and comfortable.

It's as if the mud secures us. But it's the opposite. Our forces diminish, the tension increases, and we gradually freeze in a contentment that numbs us. We come to believe that that's life.

We go so far as to believe that God is a tyrant, that he doesn't take care of us, that he has something else more important to do.

It's necessary to recognize that we are sinners, that we often have the tendency to leave the narrow road that leads to real happiness. When we are tingling with numbness, it's not time to wait, it's the red alert that tells us to turn our face to Jesus.

God does not participate to distance us from him. God doesn't push us to our failings. God doesn't waste his time wanting to lose us in the fog or sink us in the mud. Just one look at him and we're out. He is waiting for us. He is waiting for us as the parent waits with love and open arms for his child who is walking his first steps.

Jesus invites us to look into the depths of our hearts to come to the truth about our intentions.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 25, 2023, 02:14:53 AM

284. Getting confused


God is clear. There are those who:
"obeyed not, nor did they pay heed. They walked in the hardness of their evil hearts and turned their backs, not their faces, to me." Jeremiah, chapter 7, verse 24

These people recede and move away from the clarity of God. They enter a path of darkness. Their life becomes confused, because they extinguish the Light of God. Their path is filled with congestion and obstacles until they sink and lose themselves.

It is the summit of a closing heart and the remoteness of God to the point of not recognizing him. They will then have to make indescribable efforts to simply live.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 26, 2023, 04:20:28 AM

285. Jesus dispels darkness


Jesus came to dispel the darkness within us and offer us his Light. Jesus wants to free us. God reminds people who are listening:
"Listen to my voice; then I will be your God and you shall be my people. Walk in all the ways that I command you, so that you may prosper." Jeremiah, chapter 7, verse 23

We will be happy to the extent that God is the Light of our life:
"Now, says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart." Joel, chapter 2, verse 12

It's the only solution and it's so simple. Too simple, maybe!
Let's ask Jesus to take his place in us, guide us, teach us, remove darkness and fill us with his Light, joy and peace so that we become like him, the Father and the Holy Spirit.

God created us. He creates us. He knows us and he wants us to be happy. He creates us with the freedom to choose him or even to refuse his presence. It is the summit of freedom.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 27, 2023, 04:46:48 AM

286. Cutting us off from God


Is there anything more distressful than someone who doesn't listen or doesn't want to listen, especially when we want goodness for that person?

Not listening to God is cutting us off from his Love. To cut ourselves off from the Love of God is to cut us off from wisdom, light, tenderness, shelter, strength, joy, peace, from the heart, etc. And to cut us off from these vital signs for our life, we build a wall and prevent ourselves from loving. As a crowning, we become deprived to the point of thinking that God isn't there for us.

The lack of attention to the Love of God leads to harden ourselves and our heart suffers due to the lack of spiritual vital signs of God in us. This brings us to revolt and close ourselves to what the Lord offers us. We live as if God isn't there anymore.

God tells us that we can go astray:
"They have always been of erring heart, and they do not know my ways. As I swore in my wrath, 'They shall not enter into my rest.'" Hebrews, chapter 3, verses 10b to 11

The most serious danger for someone who believes is to move away from God. The danger for those who do not believe is to remain with their backs turned against the presence of God.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 28, 2023, 05:14:05 AM

287. God's Love


God's wrath is not like the anger we feel in the world. God's wrath is nothing but his Love to let us know that we are moving away from him. He only wants to bring us closer to him. We could say without pretense that the "wrath of God" is his kindness for us.

The anger of God does not hurt us, it is benevolent. But it is our distance from his Love that leads us to enter into evil. We cut ourselves off from God's kindness. We cut ourselves from resting in God, from peace. Then we come to think that God is angry.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 29, 2023, 04:37:04 AM

288. Jesus heals us


We can enter the desert of our heart, even if there is noise around us, to hear God. Let's take time to listen to him and discover, again, the joy he offers us, the kindness he has on us.

May Jesus come to heal us of our doubts, our revolts, our anger and the worst lie to think that God is not with us. Let's ask as the leper who falls on his knees and begs Jesus:
"'If you wish, you can make me clean.' Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched him, and said to him, 'I do will it. Be made clean.'" Mark, chapter 1, verses 40 to 41

Let's discover the silence, turn our heart to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and humbly ask him: "Jesus, cleanse me!"

To let Jesus cleanse us, allows us to become free and to be filled with peace. The more people understand that God is Love and that he is only Love, the more our world will become familiar and united. We will be able to taste and share his Love and live it fully.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 30, 2023, 04:38:15 AM

289. God's will


Our Father, "your will be done". Faith is lived worldwide. It is the faith of all people of good will. With the Church, some people understood that only Love can reign on the earth. It is these people who help this world to live in maximum peace and hope.

On the other hand, take away the faith of the world in Jesus and it is faced with humanitarian, social, biological, planetary and other important crisis. This crisis of faith becomes a real loss for every person who does not know God.

Because God is the only one who will always lead us to common sense. All that is good and true in the sublime understanding of these terms is from God. God can only be Love. Whatever the religion, as long as God of this religion is really Love, there will be a love evolution everywhere.

Jesus guarantees his Love to all those who open their hearts to him. We only have to welcome him:

"My home will be at home, I will be their God and they will be my people. Then the nations will know that I am the Lord, the one who sanctifies Israel, when my sanctuary will be in their midst forever." Ezekiel, chapter 37, verses 27 to 28

When God will be welcomed in our midst, in the midst of our heart.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on July 31, 2023, 04:53:35 AM

290. To try believers


Some intimidate people to justify that they are not upright, honest. And it's easy to prove their point because no one is perfect. They also try those who walk after Jesus as others have tried Jesus.

There will be people who will push the righteous onto the wall, rather than check their own heart:
"Let's see whether his words be true; let us find out what will happen to him." Wisdom, chapter 2, verse 17

To observe too much the defects of others, people evaluate then devalue themselves. They judge by their criteria, often unfair, about what others say and do. So there are people who will never be satisfied and they will condemn the just.

Why is there a desire to confront the faith of those who follow Jesus? Why not check their own thoughts, words, and gestures, then receive God's Love again? Perhaps because these people are not on the road and do not live a personal conversion to Jesus Christ. They claim that others convert to be in God, but they are not attentive to their own faith and the responsibility that goes with it.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 01, 2023, 05:37:40 AM

291. Simple to say


A word that is often used by people is the word "jealousy". This word is simple to say, but it is sad to count the number of people hurt by this word.

Then there is the word "judge". It is better never to say these words, because all too often we do not know the real meaning of them:
"Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every foul practice." James, chapter 3, verse 16

On the other hand, this evil goes away when we are open to the grace of God:
"The wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without inconstancy or insincerity." James, chapter 3, verse 17

Let's deepen these last wise words and recognize them in the people we meet, since God has placed them in them. Let's recognize these qualities in others, instead of camping on their faults.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 02, 2023, 05:10:18 AM

292. A fulfilling life


Who receives from God and truly lives in his heart wisdom, peace, righteousness, understanding, benevolence, mercy, and is fruitful in benefits?

Without being too deceiving, we all have a little bit of a difficult time working to achieve a fulfilling life of faith.
Let's discover the qualities that God places in others to encourage and value them.

Flagging people with what we think are their faults only make the relationship worsen between us:
"Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show his works by a good life in the humility that comes from wisdom." James, chapter 3, verse 13

James is telling us that. He knows that the grace of God, when it is received and transmitted, shows in our words and by our actions.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 03, 2023, 04:41:47 AM

293. The work that pleases


Faith accompanies the works. To love in thought, words and gestures is the work that pleases the Lord.

He continues:
"The wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without inconstancy or insincerity. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for those who cultivate peace." James, chapter 3, verses 17 to 18

Let's ask Jesus to change our lives and teach us how to live as he wants. Let's become more and more humans sharing the Word with inspired gestures as the Lord wants.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 04, 2023, 05:02:38 AM

294. They just don't know


Jesus wants to purify us. But he also asks us to enter into a movement of wisdom, words and gestures that will help to insert goodness in hearts. This way, the world will learn to live with the Trinity and move away from evil and sin. Jesus invites us to try to reach people in their hearts in a sober way. Let's be on the move:
"They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic." Mark, chapter 6, verse 9

He says:
Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there. Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them. Mark, chapter 6, verses 10 to 11
If we find hospitality in people's hearts, let's get closer to them.

But if we feel that they refuse us, let's go our way and pray that these people will find Jesus in their hearts. Let's ask Jesus to touch their hearts with his Love. These people do not refuse us personally. They just don't know what they're missing by not daring to let Jesus enter their hearts.

Let's ask Jesus to touch the hearts of the people we meet. May the Holy Spirit come before us and let the Father's Heart become their home.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 05, 2023, 05:08:53 AM

295. To love with Jesus


John is so interesting. He tells us:
"Beloved, let us love one another, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God." 1 John, chapter 4, verse 7

To love keeps us on the road with God, since God is Love. Love is from him and never from us. God Loves in us and through us our family and our friends. To discover that it is God who Loves is to recognize what we can transmit to our surroundings.

To love is the treasure, the unheard-of riches of the Heart of God. And this treasure, God offers it all to us. He wishes for us to accept and appreciate his gift (giving).

Nothing is easier for God than touching hearts, but there is nothing more difficult for us because we often block Love. Love is on everyone's lips, but often abused because many of us do not allow Love to Love. We try to love in God's place.

The degree of love passed from person to person varies. We observe that there is more or less love flowing between us. Well, it is difficult to measure it.
We need Jesus to love. May Jesus be the Love in our life and Love the world through our words, our actions, but also by our silence and our prayers. His Love is always perfect. All opportunities are good to let God Love us.

Let's find the means that allow us to let the Love of God flow. Only Jesus can Love without measure in us and overflow toward all people.

We have nothing to lose and everything to gain by welcoming Jesus into our lives. He will transform us with respect, slowly and surely.
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 06, 2023, 04:27:43 AM

296. Our relationship with Christ


Paul tells us:
"Such confidence we have through Christ toward God. Not that of ourselves we are qualified to take credit for anything as coming from us; rather, our qualification comes from God." 2 Corinthians, chapter 3, verses 4-5

In short, our trust in God comes from God.

It's nice to know that everything real and good comes from God. This is the best assurance we have, divine assurance. And it doesn't cost anything.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 07, 2023, 04:32:02 AM
297. The basis of faith


Ah! Humility:
"My son, conduct your affairs with humility, and you will be loved more than a giver of gifts." Sirach, chapter 3, verse 17

Fulfill all things in humility ... in the humility that God offers us. It is the basis of faith, from its awakening to its fulfillment. To live in humility, we are invited to develop observation.

Being attentive to one's self enables one to develop listening to the other, to others. To know how to observe Jesus in our heart, to know how to observe Jesus in each person, is to reveal Jesus in their heart.

We decentre on ourselves and turn to our heart, to humbly open it to the one who can heal it, Jesus. To reconnect us to the reality of people is an open path to holiness.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 08, 2023, 05:31:05 AM

298. Through humility


The healing of the heart is through humility. Humility before others, before ourselves and before our Creator. Ben Sirach continues:
"Humble yourself the more, the greater you are, and you will find favour with God." Sirach, chapter 3, verse 18

To humble oneself is not to fall under the others, it's not to let us fall sharply, it is to recognize that human beings are marvels of God, starting with ourselves. God is the master of these wonders.

When we approach God, we recognize that we are very tiny. Our child's heart marvels of who we are before the Creator, before the Creation and before the creatures of God. We have the grace to observe God's beauty in the human being and give the difficulties to Jesus.

All of God is beyond us. To recognize it is to place others where they are in the Heart of God. Let's become friends of God ourselves. Let's receive what God gives us.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 09, 2023, 04:20:55 AM

299. Humbled and exalted


Jesus tells us:
"For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted." Luke, chapter 14, verse 11

Whoever raises himself in the will and wisdom of God humbles himself before the splendour of God's presence in his neighbour. He enters into a relationship with God and he discovers Jesus in the life and heart of others. Jesus raises us in his Light so that we can see clearly in our life and with the wish that his Light will spring up and be lowered onto others.

To rise and to lower oneself, if it's God's will, it's exactly the same reality. To humble oneself before God is to be lifted up in God. To be lifted up in God is to lower oneself before God.
We lower ourselves before God to recognize his Kingship in our life. Jesus is Lord of our existence and we recognize him as such. Our humiliation before Jesus is a testimony of the humility received from God, a testimony of faith received from God for others. We affirm with all our being that there is no one superior to Jesus.

Then, we are raised in Jesus since his Love lifts us up and leads us into reality and truth.

To humble oneself before Jesus and to be raised in Jesus allows humility to become our sister.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 10, 2023, 04:35:18 AM

300. Childlike


There are elements of life that become grand. Life itself is a grace of which it is necessary to be aware and thankful of. We do not see life, it is discreet, but life is much more important, much more to appreciate than it seems to be.

Joy is a reality that we do not see, except when it is manifested through the emotions of a person. Joy is grace and it leaves us much more than just being there.

Peace is a favoured grace, because it leaves us with a sense of heavenly comfort.

Love is the proper of all these graces and it belongs to God. God invites us to live with his Love, to share his graces between us. We discover that there are small gestures and simple words that provoke a lot of good:
"Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Matthew, chapter 11, verse 25

Where the Body and Blood of Jesus is present in small elements of everyday life, we receive infinitely more than we can hope for. We receive everything from the Trinity. Let's receive the Eucharist and let's marvel from within.

May Mary and Joseph, who knew how to give little Jesus to the world, teach us to look at the little and humble, in order to discover God in his infinite Love.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 11, 2023, 05:32:12 AM

301. God's help


Elijah is a man of faith. He listens to God and prophesies in his name. After announcing a drought to the people of Gallad, Elijah hears out the Lord:
"So he left and did as the Lord had commanded. He went and remained by the Wadi Cherith, east of the Jordan." 1 Kings, chapter 17, verse 5

Despite the drought, Elijah does not lack food or water as it is written:
"Ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the stream." 1 Kings, chapter 17, verse 6

If Elijah knew the next passage, he would surely have recited it, since he has so much faith in God:
"I raise my eyes toward the mountains. From where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. God will not allow your foot to slip; your guardian does not sleep. Truly, the guardian of Israel never slumbers nor sleeps. The Lord is your guardian; the Lord is your shade at your right hand. By day the sun cannot harm you, nor the moon by night." Psalm 121, verses 1 to 6

The only way to be so deeply rooted in God, as Elijah is living it now, is to adjust our life to his freely given Love. Elijah listened to God.

Jesus gives us other ways, with the Beatitudes, to abide in His Love:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit," "the meek," "they who mourn," "they who hunger and thirst for righteousness," "the merciful," "the clean of heart," "the peacemakers," "the persecuted for righteousness" (See Matthew, chapter 5, verses 1-12).

Jesus adds to our good will:
"Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven." Matthew, chapter 5, verse 12

Let's enter the promised Bliss of God's Love and let ourselves be guided to his Heart. Our "reward is great" right now, with Jesus.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 12, 2023, 04:31:10 AM

302. We did some wrong


Let's return briefly to what distances us from God and from ourselves.
Who among us could say that they do not have these defects, before God? We have a good reflection here:
"We have sinned, been wicked and done evil; we have rebelled and departed from your commandments and your laws." Daniel, chapter 9, verse 5
Sometimes we miss the opportunity to truly be children of God.

Confession of Daniel's journey:
"Ah! Lord, great and awesome God, you who keep your merciful covenant toward those who love you and observe your commandments." Daniel, chapter 9, verse 4

God Loves us even when we are at fault. He waits for our return every time with open arms. He Loves us beyond everything. It is our faults that keep us away from him. We simply stay away.

It's up to us to check if we love each other and if we want to walk forward in God's Love. Many people do not like this reality that God Loves every person, whatever sin they did. Why? Because God cannot be any other than Love!

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 13, 2023, 04:45:05 AM

303. Damned? No... Loved!


We all know this popular phrase: "Damned if I do, damned if I don't." There are moments in life when we feel that everything we try to achieve seems to be compromised without really knowing why. This is a good sign, the right time to return to our inner self and allow more precious time with God.

But this English expression is transformed with God: "We are Loved by God if we do it, Loved if we do it not." We are Loved even with our failings, mishaps, bad luck, mistakes, because God is Love.

Does this mean that God encourages the harm we do? That we can do anything wrong? Never. Does that mean to do nothing more? Not at all. And this is not the question.

God Loves us and he wants his Love to take us back to the path of life and truth. It is we who cause evil and succumb to sin. We freeze away from God. But still, God Loves us, forever! When we shy away from him, we block his Love.

Jesus tells us, as to the crowd:
"Be merciful, just as (also) your Father is merciful. Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven." Luke, chapter 6, verses 36 to 37

Whether we love God or not, he continues to Love us. Our decision to be with God or against God leads us either in Love or away from Love. We are the only ones responsible for our decision. And this is a decision we must make as soon as possible.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 14, 2023, 04:49:02 AM

304. Let's dive in


It's quite difficult to believe that one person would not want God's Love. Let's dive into his Love now:
Let's read:
"Remember your compassion and love, O Lord; for they are ages old." Psalm 25, verse 6

Why should we say, "Remember your compassion and love, O Lord; for they are ages old?"
Wouldn't it be better to say: "Lord, your compassion, your Love is always with me!"

But what is written in the Psalm is, "Remember, Lord." Does the Lord need to remember about his Love? No need for him to remind himself of it. He is Love.

It's certain that when we are suffering, it is possible to think that God has let us down. We would like him to remember, we plead him to not let us down. But it isn't so.

Even in suffering, the Lord is always with us, with the same infinite Love, with the same tenderness and compassion, the same mercy at every moment, totally and continually. We think that God will remember, but it is we who must remember that God is here, now, with us.
Shouldn't we be remembering his Love?

God's Love is priceless. God is not a mystery. Nor is he a mystery to himself. The greatest mystery is that we don't really understand God. We're still not totally convinced that he is Love. The mystery is on us. It is we who don't understand how deeply God Loves us. This is a mystery! Jesus wants us to do exactly as he does, to Love.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 15, 2023, 04:54:32 AM

305. We are forgiven


Peter doesn't seem to be aware that Jesus will answer that his Love is infinite. The answer that Jesus will give to his question on forgiveness shouldn't surprise anyone. Peter approaches Jesus and asks him:
"Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?" Matthew, chapter 18, verse 21

We might have submitted our proposition: "Once?" To forgive once is enough! Forgiving sincerely is effective. But when mistakes are repeated, we can go up to seven times, too, like Peter.

Thanks to Peter, we get an answer. Peter offers him his idea, which is already a good idea: "Up to seven times?" Jesus answers him:
"I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times." Matthew, chapter 18, verse 22

It's not easy to forgive, it takes practice. The less we practise forgiving, the more difficult it will be to forgive. All our life, we need to forgive, we need to be forgiven, we need to forgive ourselves. We need God's forgiveness to stay sane, in holiness.

Honestly, we wouldn't have known that Jesus's response would be as demanding as his Love is Mercy. Yet we cannot expect less from Jesus than the answer he gives us. He is God!

So, Jesus delivers the challenge on a silver platter and offers it to us. Forgive God 100% because God has never hurt anyone. Forgiving others to help us and also help them to improve, to become the image of God. We personally forgive ourselves to touch the Love of God in us and to become a complete child.

God doesn't have to remember his Love for us, since he is eternally Loving. There is no failure in his Love. May we discover it. We only need to believe, remember and embrace it.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 16, 2023, 05:33:03 AM

306. God seduces


Jerusalem continues to be unfaithful. The people are unfaithful to God. The inhabitants take unspecified paths, which keep them away from an authentic relationship with God.

God wants to conquer us as he does with his people, because he knows that we are beings of love, since we are beings created by Love:
"[My unfaithful wife], I will allure her; I will lead her into the desert and speak to her heart." Hosea, chapter 2, verse 16

God wants to seduce, not to force. He wants to seduce his unfaithful wife. We recognize ourselves in this unfaithful wife towards Love, when we move away from him by ways contrary to his will. God goes beyond our unfaithfulness.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 17, 2023, 04:09:04 AM

307. To listen


God knows that the strength of his Love can do anything. God wants to drag us to the desert, in the silence of our heart:
"So I will allure her; I will lead her into the desert and speak to her heart." Hosea, chapter 2, verse 13

We just need to listen. We often think that living a personal desert is painful and that there seems to be a growing void. We feel so alone.

The desert is rather the ideal place where we can enter into a relationship with God. A heart to Heart relationship is never a refusal for him. God wants to be in touch with us all.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 18, 2023, 04:42:53 AM

308. More faith


God keeps on giving:
"I will give her the vineyards she had, and the valley of Achor as a door of hope." Hosea, chapter 2, verse 14

Only God can give us hope. Today we see churches half-filled. And we see sufferings in the world. It's not necessary to describe them. We observe them, we know them, their misfortunes.

But God tells us to open the door to hope. He wants to unite us with him. God adds:
"I will allure her [unfaithful]; I will lead her into the desert and speak to her heart." Hosea, chapter 2, verse 13

God will make of what we think to be a misfortune in a "valley of Achor [tears] (v. 13)", an air of youth, faith and freedom. Whatever our age, human youth comes from inflamed faith for God and in God.

Let's ask for more faith in God so that our life reaches its inner youth, so that people around us reach it too and that our Church enters a turning point of constant faith, hope and charity, rejuvenated in the Heart of the Trinity. May everyone benefit because we are created for God and live it forever.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 19, 2023, 04:54:38 AM

309. Peace


Paul's salutation:
"To all the beloved of God in Rome, called to be holy. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." Romans, chapter 1, verse 7

It is realistic to say that holiness leads to grace and peace from God. Let's continue to place our trust in Jesus and walk with him on the road to holiness. Jesus doesn't lead us anywhere else. He is merciful and even though we are at fault, he wants us to stay with him, to improve ourselves and that he leads us to holiness.

If we see people in churches who are not perfect, let's say they're in the right place. It's in the Church that we find ways to improve ourselves with Jesus and with others. We are in the Church for this reason, because we know that we are sinners and we want to improve on a path of faith and hope. People are usually in Church for that reason.

In the beginning, when we start going to church, it's more our mistakes that make us not want to go back. We think we're not worth it. On the contrary, we are worth the joy! Let's give our sins to Jesus and walk in the Church. May we convert day after day. This is the pathway to enter eternal life.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 20, 2023, 04:25:41 AM

310. Abide in Jesus


Jesus is Love. We have no reason to pull away from him. He is our joy. Let's take the example of food. As soon as we eat better, we feel better and with more vitality. Jesus leads us to spiritual vitality.

The desert is filled with Jesus's presence. It is there that he touches our hearts with his tenderness, compassion and mercy. Coming to Jesus leads to holiness. By a sustained journey toward him, we feel the benefits and much more vigour, intensity, endurance. Even if we seem to be used to this well-being with Jesus, let's continue.

According to Paul:
"God is righteous and justify the one who has faith in Jesus." Romans, chapter 3, verse 26

We have the best example in Jesus to receive what is right for us. That's what Paul recommends. May we abide in Jesus to receive what we need most, to continue on the road.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 21, 2023, 04:24:24 AM

311. We receive everything


We need the Love of God, patience, peace, strength to go through hardships. We receive all this and more in Jesus, in the Church. It is the hope that fills the hearts of children.

All holiness and perfection of soul lies in our love for Jesus Christ our God, who is our Redeemer and our supreme good. It is part of the love of God to acquire and to nurture all the virtues which make a man perfect.

Has not God in fact won for himself a claim on all our love? From all eternity he has loved us. And it is in this vein that he speaks to us: "O man, consider carefully that I first loved you. You had not yet appeared in the light of day, nor did the world yet exist, but already I loved you. From all eternity I have loved you."

From a sermon Alphonse-Marie de Liguori on the Love of Christ, Office of readings, August 1, Tract. de praxi amandi Iesum Christum edit. latina. Romae, 1909, pp. 9-14

Sometimes we feel superb when we serve God and live in his Presence. May we never think we have succeeded though. This is a trap. We risk becoming lukewarm and let go of what we have lived for. The best way to make sure we move forward is to always deepen our faith through reading, teaching, Mass, to keep having questions and to search continually even if we think we have reached the goal.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 22, 2023, 04:30:59 AM

312. Whom you will serve


Joshua questions the people of Israel of what should be a priority, for us as well, to bring us back to basics:
"Decide today whom you will serve." Joshua, chapter 24, verse 15a

Let's choose who we want to serve. What is the god (other gods) to whom we give our life, our time, our habits, our desires? Is it to God? Where are our priorities? Is God first in our life? Joshua finishes and confirms:
"We also will serve the Lord, for he is our God." Joshua, chapter 24, verse 18b

We want to serve the Trinity. We want to follow Jesus, let ourselves be transformed by the Holy Spirit and be children (sons) of the same Father.

Are we really united to the Trinity wholeheartedly, with all our soul, with all our being? It's quite possible that we aren't. We are making efforts, but we know that we aren't succeeding alone in being captivated by the Trinity.

Let's ask God to come and surprise us with his presence and teach us how to love him, be Loved by him.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 23, 2023, 04:39:16 AM

313. Our relationship with Jesus


Jesus sent the Spirit to his Church to continue on his behalf to guide his family. The catechism is the fruit of the Holy Spirit transmitted to the authority of the Catholic Church. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (version 1999) is the christian reflection on what Jesus taught us, a Bible study, and all that the Church believes and teaches about the Testaments that complement each other, and that God has given as our heritage.

Let's ask Jesus to help us deepen our faith and our relationship to him by being firmly anchored in the Catholic Church. The Church conveys all the care we need by receiving it from God.

Jesus confers the authority of his Church to the Apostles and sends the Holy Spirit to nourish her in her roots. Let's subscribe, adhere to the Church of the Lord which continues to watch over the Body and Blood of Christ.

May Mary, our Mother of all, with Joseph, the Apostles and saints, teach us to take care of Jesus who is in our heart and to accept the teaching of the Church he has founded.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 24, 2023, 05:29:18 AM

314. Let's pray with s. Joseph


Joseph, with Jesus and Mary, you knew hunger, uncertainty, and illness.
You turned your heart to God to lift up your needs and those of your family.

In faith you accepted the Father's response as events unfolded.
Be with me today as I offer my requests to the Father.

Joseph, help me recognize God's will as I open my hands to accept what God bestows in loving kindness. With tenderness, God fills creation with life and love. Open my eyes to the wonders that God works without ceasing.

Help me learn the true intention behind my request so that I may discover
within myself the lowly one that God commends. Amen.

I lift up my needs in prayer: Website of Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal:
Prayers to Saint Joseph - Saint Joseph's Oratory of MountRoyal
Mary and Joseph, like all the saints, assist us with your prayers. Pray for us, with us!

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 25, 2023, 04:52:11 AM

315. We hope


Through the liturgy, we celebrate the entrance to heaven. We hope for life in God and we give thanks for all the wonders he does in the world and in our lives.
Here is how it is expressed:
"On that day they will sing this song in the land of Judah: 'A strong city have we; he sets up walls and ramparts to protect us. Open up the gates to let in a nation that is just, one that keeps faith.'" Isaiah, chapter 26, verses 1 to 2

A sung canticle is part of the liturgy. Let's put our trust in God. Let's lean onto him. We will become the righteous nation, the believers who enter through the doorway to salvation.

Protection and salvation come from the Child Mary carries in her. This Child is the only one who can protect us and lead us as a nation of sheep to the enclosure of eternal joy. Generations have hoped for him. And we have the grace to know that this Child has come to Love and save us.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 26, 2023, 04:45:55 AM

316. The House, the Church


The strong city is the Jerusalem on earth that represents the City of God, as also the Church, it is the New Jerusalem from above that nothing can destroy. To succeed:
"Trust in the Lord forever! For the Lord is an eternal Rock." Isaiah, chapter 26, verse 4

The house, the Church that is built on the rock that is Jesus, is our life that is built on the faith of the Apostles and on the promise of God for our salvation. Many will be converted because they will see us walking behind Jesus, walking on the mission road.

Jesus tells us:
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven." Matthew, chapter 7, verse 21

Let's seek Jesus, or even simpler, let's find Him. Let's become available. Let's welcome him as Mary welcomed him into her and learn from him all that is necessary for the pilgrimage here below and to present ourselves to heaven in thanksgiving.

Mary did not run after Jesus. The Holy Spirit simply offered to receive him. It's too simple to receive Jesus. Let's try it, to receive him in our heart. We don't have to beg, we only need to ask him to reveal himself in our heart. May he take off the veil we place before him.

Let's continue to deepen our relationship with Jesus just as Mary carries him in her and Joseph welcomes him into him, in his own way. Let's welcome him as we are. It is our mission, our personal base.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 27, 2023, 04:40:47 AM

317. To know Jesus


Paul offers us his thoughts:
"Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ. So be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and handed himself over for us as a sacrificial offering to God for a fragrant aroma." Ephesians, chapter 4, verse 32 to chapter 5, verse 2

To unite ourselves with God's plan, it's necessary to know Jesus. Then we will become: "kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving".

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 29, 2023, 04:49:37 AM
319. Love passing through


Philemon is an example for Paul:
I have experienced much joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the holy ones have been refreshed by you, brother. Philemon, chapter 1, verse 7

Philemon's charity is the Love and Mercy of God in action and passing through him. Paul's joy is that he's conscientious and charitable toward others. It pleases his heart.

For his part, Jesus has a way of spreading joy:
"The whole crowd rejoiced at all the splendid deeds done by him." Luke, chapter 13, verse 17

What is the vivid action Jesus is doing right now in us, on this day, simply offered to us?

Let's always trust Jesus, let's continually give him what we are living, so that he purifies our journey, the bridge that connects us to him. We will discover his presence in our life and for a better world.

We will gradually discover our talents throughout the mission. Our talents are different from those of others, but together we will bring to the world faith received from God.

The new American bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 30, 2023, 04:37:14 AM

320. Grace and peace


Our first pope Peter wishes us what we also want to wish each other:
"May grace and peace be yours in abundance through knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord." 2 Peter, chapter 1, verse 2

"May grace and peace be yours!" Grace and peace to all, but also knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ! The more we engage in Jesus's "knowledge", the more our faith rises in humility and charity for every person who meets with us on the road.

As for any realization, Peter invites us to the effort of reception, to the effort to be there. We can read it slowly:
"Make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, virtue with knowledge, knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with devotion, devotion with mutual affection, mutual affection with love." 2 Peter, chapter 1, verses 5 to 7

There is a clear progression of faith in what Peter describes to us. In short, virtue serves and leads to know God. Virtue is the door that opens to conversion and progression through sincere and lived faith.

Knowing God gives us control on our thoughts, our senses, our language, our actions, in order to live humbly and to edify our neighbour.
Self-control brings balance and perseverance, endurance.

Piety and virtue develops shoulder to shoulder with perseverance.
Fraternity is the fruit of piety. Fraternity is intimately linked to Love. It is the mission that God proposes to us.

We embark on a virtuous life to join a Loving meeting in God, Love that forms and ends the loop: virtue - knowledge of God - self-control - perseverance - piety - fraternity - love. May we commit ourselves to repeat it and live it, in a loop, in order to stretch out our heart, to bind it to Love and thus to obtain eternal life. By knowing God.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on August 31, 2023, 04:11:38 AM

321. Summit of Hope


This text of Paul is called the Kenosis. It is the descent of God and he passes into our human reality:
"Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped.

Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross.

"Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians, chapter 2, verses 5 to 11

He came into human nature, through the "yes" of Mary. Mary carries him in her until she gives him back to the world.

God shows us his great mercy and Love by embracing our human condition, in order to transform it for the sole purpose of gathering us together and leading us to the Father's house.

God could've stayed aloof and seem from another world, as we search for answers to our life on earth. But God wears our reality.

Jesus shows us his mercy by taking a body like ours and giving it back its nobility, its beauty. He rectifies and converts through purification our sin-prone fragile body and brings it back to its natural condition.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 01, 2023, 05:04:21 AM

322. A jewel


Jesus is the one who draws people to him. He tells us in his parable:
"Go out to the highways and hedgerows and make people come in that my home may be filled." Luke, chapter 14, verse 23

We know that freedom is a jewel for those who use it to enter the Heart of God. But freedom becomes camouflaged by a virus, when they don't use it to enter Jesus and remain in his Heart.

It is written that God wants us to enter by force: "make people come in". But in the language of God, it's easy to understand what he really wants to tell us. It might be something like this: "Bring them in with all the strength of my Love that I placed in your heart." That being said, we understand how delicately, but with what insistence God tries to find us and gather us on his Heart. We are attracted to him.

To welcome Jesus is to give him time so that he may sanctify our life. In our hearts, let's join the feast of all the saints: "that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father". Philippians, chapter 2, verses 10 and 11

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 02, 2023, 05:35:13 AM
323. The wealth we need


During Jesus's descent into the bread and wine and after communion, let's remember why we fall to our knees during Mass and adore him. Because Jesus is God, he lowers himself to our height and he saves us. We wish to thank him. He is the reason and faith of our worship.

Jesus lowered himself to us, he took flesh in the body of a Virgin named Mary. He is God and he knows us humans, since he is the Lord of creation. He knows the heart of the human. Jesus is the only wealth we need. No need to look elsewhere.

Everything that sneakily draws us in the worldly is complicit to our distance from God. We are often distracted from other activities in other places. And time flies by if we don't allow ourselves a moment for a sincere dialogue with Jesus in our heart. That unnecessarily monopolizes our interest, causes a lack of relationship with God and makes us waste precious time.

Jesus tells us that we are called to holiness. We have in us the mark of the children of God and our being is attracted by grace at every moment.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 03, 2023, 03:55:34 AM

324. Let's let Jesus find us


Ah! The book of Wisdom. Here we read:
"Love justice, you who judge the earth; think of the Lord in goodness, and seek him in integrity of heart; Because he is found by those who test him not, and he manifests himself to those who don't disbelieve him." Wisdom, chapter 1, verses 1 to 2

Let's seek Jesus with a simple heart. That is to say, may we let Jesus find us. He will drive us on his way.

"Putting him to the test" is putting us to the test. Over the years, we have developed practices that are sometimes automated. It will be important to return to Jesus and "pray with the heart" as Our Lady of Peace proposes to us in Medjugorje.
Let's repeat what the Apostles ask of Jesus:
"Increase our faith." Luke, chapter 17, verse 5

Faith increases to the extent that we want to let go of what falsely secures us and that we want to receive from Jesus everything that leads us to him, all that will help us to free ourselves from our bonds and make us free by the Loving Trinity.

May Mary accompany us, who has been freed and protected from all that can keep away from Jesus. May Mary teach us to stay with him.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 04, 2023, 05:34:54 AM

168. Mission school


May we recognize that Jesus is Lord and saves us from evil and sin.
Jesus sends his disciples to learn at the mission school. He sends us there too. He tells us, "Go and learn the meaning of the words, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' I did not come to call the righteous but sinners." Matthew chapter 9, verse 13

It's reassuring. We are all called to him. Here and now, he asks us to be merciful. It's difficult for us to become "righteous", but it's to become righteous that we are called to become. We are sinners and yet we are asked to offer to others what God offers us.

God's justice is what he transmits to us through Love; joy, peace, mercy, hope, etc. Let's offer them too. In this way, we will always be searching, standing, walking.

The school of life and faith in Jesus is just beginning. Let's remain in the mission and stay awake to seek the Doctor. Here we're on the road to follow Jesus and we want to enter salvation, freely.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Watch with faith, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 05, 2023, 05:20:41 AM
326. Listening


Publicans and sinners came to listen to Jesus. But some of them don't listen anymore:
"The Pharisees and scribes began to complain (against him)." Luke, chapter 15, verse 2

It's very unfortunate that they are bothering him, while Jesus takes care of the people who came to listen to him. Some are listening but others don't. They're wasting a lot of time, and only wanting to trap him.

Jesus tells them how joyful he is of being surrounded by people who want to hear him:
"What woman having ten coins and losing one would not light a lamp and sweep the house, searching carefully until she finds it? And when she does find it, she calls together her friends and neighbours and says to them, 'Rejoice with me because I have found the coin that I lost.'" Luke, chapter 15, verses 8 to 9

Jesus is not compared to a coin. But Jesus shares this scene to offer a teaching to those who don't realize what they are losing, since they don't fully realize what Jesus represents; our ultimate wealth.

Some scribes and pharisees lose a lot, while they search for some defect about Jesus and especially, while they seek default catching. They keep people from following God's mission. They're pushing souls away.

Jesus came to gather sheep, his family, his people and some people put him to the test. How much easier it is to offer our services, to help and encourage those who work for the glory of God and the salvation of the world, in the name of Jesus, rather than thwarting his plan of salvation.

And when we found Jesus as this woman her lost drachma, there we find the way to become free while being responsible. We enter into joy and peace, an intensely greater joy to find Jesus than a lost coin.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 06, 2023, 03:58:22 AM

327. Prayer of a multitude


The reality of life becomes clear when we allow the Trinity to settle in us. We can say that we have prayed for many years and that nothing changes, that we pray during Mass regularly and that nothing changes, that we live our faith to the best of our ability and that nothing changes. Yet there is change, even without our knowledge. There is always change!

We cannot see everything, know everything and yet the life of many is improving because of the prayer of a multitude in heaven and in the world. God offers a unique mission and, let's acknowledge it, extraordinary by its simplicity and humility, by prayer.

What does God do in us? Maybe we don't see and maybe we're not totally unaware of it, but God knows what he's doing with our prayers, our intentions, with faith. We are simply transformed from coming to Mass, listening to the Word and receiving the Eucharist. This is slowly unveiled to us year after year.

God can do wonders before our eyes, in our hearts and in the hearts of others, without our being aware of them. Even though usually we can feel and see some change. Let's restore our trust in God and let him transform his world, his children, and our poor prayers. He is truly accomplishing Love in hearts. Prayer allows him to go from his Heart to our heart to hearts. It's all about opening up to him.

Let's rejoice in the hope and joy of knowing that God's Love reigns in the universe, for the salvation of all.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 07, 2023, 04:43:47 AM

328. Talents


In what follows, let's notice what Jesus said to him who received his five talents. He did not do anything to receive his talents, but with Jesus, they amount to more:
"The one who had received five talents came forward bringing the additional five. He said, 'Master, you gave me five talents. See, I have made five more.' His master said to him, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master's joy." Matthew 25, verses 20 to 21

He was already living in his master's joy. And the Lord confirms to him that joy will remain, since he has submitted to his joy.

Let's ask Jesus again to reveal our talents to us and enter the joy of the Master right away.

Let's pray together that the authority of the members of the Catholic Church is always united to the will of the Trinity. May there be many apostles and disciples in the world who live their relationship with God. May they be luminous witnesses for the salvation of all.

Like Mary and Joseph, let's become more and more saturated people with the Presence of God (mission) for humanity. This saturation is not pressure building on the body, but it's revealed by a spiritual well-being.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 08, 2023, 05:01:18 AM

329. Let's stay with Jesus


Our first pope understands what the scriptures say about Jesus. He is ready to lead the mission. He bears witness to Jesus Christ. After all he has seen, all he has lived, heard, touched of Jesus, Peter is on the road to proclaim the Good News.

Peter became Good News in all his being. He can only want to relay it. He knows to what extent Jesus went to teach us eternal life. He knows how Jesus offered well-being to those seeking the Doctor. He knows why Jesus healed sick people and invited them to stand up and walk. He understands that faith is supported by a sincere relationship with Jesus.

Peter knows why Jesus wanted to gather all the sheep in order to bring them to him, then to the Kingdom of Heaven. He knows why Jesus surrounded himself with sinners to become fishermen of souls.

Peter knows that all of God's Love is contained in Jesus's life and that his Love will not end:
"Everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name." Acts, chapter 10, verse 43

God's Love purifies our being from sins, when we want it, when we don't seek ways to keep Jesus away from us.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 09, 2023, 04:39:40 AM

330. To seek Jesus


"The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord has this been done, and it's wonderful in our eyes." Matthew, chapter 21, verse 42

Peter knows how people tried to reject Jesus. But he knows how much better it is to stay united to him and walk with him.

Paul, for his part, was struck down by the Luminous Presence of the Lord. He tells of what is most incomprehensible. Jesus, the one who was crucified, is risen:
"If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Think of what is above, not of what is on earth." Colossians, chapter 3, verses 1 to 2
Paul invites us to seek Jesus, otherwise we will miss out on what we need, ultimately. He invites us to follow the living saints, who follow the living one, Jesus.

We are resurrected in Christ. He invites us to continue to seek the realities from above, since Christ is seated at the right hand of the Father. The closer we come to the Love of God, the more our point of view changes, reality becomes clear, our being becomes light. We are called to the same glory as the Trinity:
"This is the day the Lord has made; let's rejoice in it and be glad." Psalm 118, verse 24

Hallelujah! Come, let's praise the Lord!

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 10, 2023, 04:38:31 AM

331. Preparation


The mission we're in is the preparation for evangelization:
"One of the seraphim flew to me, holding an ember which he had taken with tongs from the altar. He touched my mouth with it. 'See, he said, now that this has touched your lips, your wickedness is removed, your sin purged.'" Isaiah, chapter 6, verses 6 to 7

To become evangelizers, to enter the New Evangelization proposed by pope John Paul II, we must live a personal conversion to receive fully the Love of God, of Christ. We must live a continuous conversion, otherwise we do not experience it and live it.

Isaiah walks in the movement of this conversion. But he must also live the forgiveness of his faults to live well the mission that will be his. A seraph takes care of that: "Your wickedness is removed, your sin purged." This is a major step for faith and for receiving God's mission.

"Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?' 'Here I am,' I said; 'send me!'" Isaiah, chapter 6, verse 8

After experiencing the forgiveness of his sins, Isaiah is ready to listen to God. Let's think about this, it's important. God can offer us his mission, but if we do not live the forgiveness of sin, we aren't ready to be sent.

God sends on a mission the person whose fault is taken away, the sin forgiven. If not, God is waiting and he may wait a long time. The more we are purified in the grace of God, the more we walk in the mission to which God invites us, because we are more open to him. We become responsible for the mission by letting ourselves be Loved by God.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 11, 2023, 03:56:34 AM

332. Our personal mission


Paul invites us to deepen our faith, it's our personal mission:
"I remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you indeed received and in which you also stand. Through it you are also being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you, unless you believed in vain." 1 Corinthians, chapter 15, verses 1 to 2

Let's receive the Gospel, meditate on it, share it. Many of us share on the Word and faith in small groups. Whenever we pray alone or in groups, the Word enters our life and sows new small shoots of faith and hope. To remain attached to the Word and the Eucharist saves us. To move away from it, takes us away from God.

Jesus teaches his Word:
"While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God, he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret." Luke, chapter 5, verse 1
The crowd stands near Jesus to hear his teaching. When we come together to share the Word, Jesus teaches the group in particular and he also teaches us personally.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 12, 2023, 04:33:20 AM
333. In deep water

Jesus says to Simon (Peter):
"Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch." Luke, chapter 5, verse 4
After teaching, he sends the Apostles fishing.

After we have received the teaching of Jesus, we will also be invited to become teachers (fishermen). We become evangelizers of the Good News that is Jesus. We spread his message.

The mission is to find a way to equip people who can evangelize. Let's just accept the basics of faith, to offer them. We don't have to worry, the Holy Spirit will inspire us to say what is needed to the people around us. But let's remain united to the Church's teaching.

Respect for the person, his situation, a number of factors must be taken into consideration. It's important to teach through charity and above all to be observant of people's needs.

If we set out, if we expose the sails, we will discover all that the Lord has sown in us for a joyful evangelization in and for the world. We receive more in ourselves than we can imagine. We become bearers of the presence of Christ with enhanced flavour, just as salt enhances the taste of food.

Let's learn to keep one foot in the sheepfold and the other in the world, to go to the sheep that are also waiting for the Good News of salvation. Our family and the human family are also the people who are called to holiness, to live through Jesus's presence.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 13, 2023, 04:48:28 AM
334. Learn from the Spirit

Let's be constantly on a mission to learn from the Holy Spirit, from Jesus and his Church, and the Father, and gradually become the evangelizers of the Love of God. All people are waiting on Jesus's teaching, without exception, whether they are aware of it or not.
It is written:
"They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers." Acts, chapter 2, verse 42

Together, in fraternal communion "to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers". In the early days when we were aware that Mass was important, that the teachings of the Church were necessary for our faith and that participating in prayers helped us understand salvation and then live to move toward salvation, we felt the presence of God in us, just like the first christians following the Apostles, have their hearts turned toward Jesus.

Let's ask Jesus to bring us back to the grounding of our first conversion, our first loving experience with God, the spiritual honeymoon we were naturally immersed in. If we have not experienced this first conversion of the heart, let's ask Jesus to take our life in hand and show us how to follow him. Let's be aware of his movements inside us.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 14, 2023, 04:41:33 AM

335. Our concern is to teach


Paul recommends dedication to his beloved son, Titus:
"You must say what is consistent with sound doctrine, namely." Titus, chapter 2, verse 1

Titus also receives some guidance for the homily. Paul says to him:
"Showing yourself as a model of good deeds in every respect, with integrity in your teaching, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be criticized." Titus, chapter 2, verses 7 to 8

Paul teaches (evangelizes) his best in the days that is his. What he proposes are good recommendations for everyone:
"Our saviour Jesus Christ, gave himself for us to deliver us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people as his own, eager to do what is good." Titus, chapter 2, verses 13 to 14

Jesus seeks in each person the one who will transmit his message to the world.

The Church has always had the concern to teach in the midst of customs, cultures, people of her time. Let's adjust to the people of our time. We are with them, now.

With what was raised earlier in the text, we see that there are many beautiful attitudes that we can already include in our lives with healthy, caring gestures and words.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 15, 2023, 05:11:00 AM

336. Teaching is necessary


Jesus is with the Apostles and he wants to find a better place to speak to the crowd gathered around him to listen to his Word. He gets into Simon Peter's boat and asks him to paddle from the shore so that his voice is better heard:
"Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat." Luke, chapter 5, verse 3

Simon's boat represents the craft of the Church. And Jesus wants to teach Simon Peter that teaching is a necessity to make known the will of God. The Church, in foundation, in becoming, will be invested to teach (to evangelize) the Gospel to numerous crowds.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 16, 2023, 05:13:29 AM

337. Faith unites


The fear of a responsible person is that the disciples begin to scatter when he's no longer around. We say, "When the cat leaves, the mice dance!" However, the principle that keeps a group together is not only the leader.

The faith of all members weighs in the balance against the temptation to lead away from the Lord. Each member is responsible for staying in the boat.

Moreover, the Church is well organized so that no one is left alone. Jesus wanted Apostles gathered with him to participate in the foundation of the Church and to watch over its functioning, as well as its necessary laws, supporting freedom.

The Apostles also blessed other vocations, in the name of Jesus, who participate and continue the mission. And so on, until now. We need the support of each other's faith, as in a relay race that leads humanity to the Heart of God.

Paul gives his last recommendations to the Church of Ephesus and at the same time, it's as if he puts his confidence in their hands. The Church of Ephesus must now find the strength to organize themselves:
I ask you not to lose heart over my afflictions for you; this is your glory. For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that he may grant you in accord with the riches of his glory to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner self, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the holy ones what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to accomplish far more than all we ask or imagine, by the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians, chapter 3, verses 13 to 21

Paul knows he will not always be with the parishioners of Ephesus. He relies on their faith and union to follow Christ with the Spirit, in the Church, supported by the Father's will.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 17, 2023, 05:29:03 AM

338. Help people


Let's focus on this passage:
"Refuse no one the good on which he has a claim when it is in your power to do it for him." Proverbs, chapter 3, verse 27

This sentence is surprising. Often, we think that we should never refuse our help. It's full of common sense. But there are two nuances here.
The first nuance is that we should not refuse our help to someone, "which he has a claim". Who deserves our help? Let's say that each person deserves our help and deserves to find the Lord.

It might be easier to understand it as follows: "Where it is possible for us to help a person and we're able to do so, let's help them, whether they deserve it or not."

The second nuance is wise: "when it is in your power to do it". We're not told to become needy to help or offer what is not ours, such as material, but to know how to recognize our personal resources and help as best we can, at the best of who we are. With discernment, we will know the percentage of what we can offer, if not everything. It is, however, enjoyable to share the graces that God gives us. They are always available, totally.

When we develop the service resources we have in us, we become more willing and effective in our interventions. Acknowledging our strengths and weaknesses is also a blessing within ourselves. Just thinking about it, we start helping ourselves.

We have only few resources. But together, when we form a helping group, we develop the resources and skills to better help others.

In the end, we must help our neighbour. But we must also know our strengths and limitations. Otherwise, we may be hurting more than we're helping. But this should not stop us from trying to help others in the best way we can.
May we accept to learn at our own pace and be more precise of what we can offer. We do not all have the same resources, but our resources are used when they are well used and shared.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Fruit that lasts, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 18, 2023, 04:50:02 AM

339. God's light shines


Jesus illuminates our lantern:
"No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed; rather, he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light." Luke, chapter 8, verse 16

When we pray and deepen our faith through readings and teachings, the Light of Christ will go through our life to enlighten us.
The following may seem surprising:
"To anyone who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he seems to have will be taken away." Luke, chapter 8, verse 18

Let's put this sentence before the light of God. He who receives Light through his relationship with God will enlighten more, since God will come through him for the good of his people. It becomes like the stained-glass windows of a church, illuminated by the sun. He allows the Light of the Trinity to pass through him.

But the person who's not walking or even slowing down and moving away from the Light of God, he even loses the glimmer of what he thinks to hold back for himself.

Let's let God's Light shine in us so that receiving the best from him becomes light for our contemporaries. Let's find ways to keep up with Jesus. It will be a wise step into the Light, as the rays of the sun pass through the clouds.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Fruit that lasts, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 19, 2023, 05:13:04 AM

340. Humility


Paul tells us:
"Nor, indeed, did we ever appear with flattering speech, as you know, or with a pretext for greed - God is witness - nor did we seek praise from human beings, either from you or from others." 1 Thessalonians, chapter 2, verses 5 to 6

We are christians, we never need to look for honours. This is interesting to find out if we are walking in the Lord's will. These are christian values to place in our suitcase, for the road.

It's too easy to take ourselves for someone else and not be ourselves. It's easy to get into characters that are successful, that we see on TV or that we hear singing, and stop being ourselves. But the way of another person will never be our own personal way. We will never walk in his shoes.

We must not seek to build our personal kingdom, it would be wrong. We already have everything in the Kingdom of God:
"Happy those (...) who enjoys the law of the Lord, it is their joy; God's law they study day and night. They are like a tree planted near streams of water, that yields its fruit in season." Psalm 1, verses 1 to 3

To reach wisdom that comes from God, may we let God be God in our life. Better still, may we don't rely on our own strength and let the wisdom of God pass through.

For that, let's become very good friends of God. May we recognize the difference between our thinking and that of Jesus. Let's become more and more filled with his presence. May we know when it is us or Jesus speaking through us.

By the way, we know when we're talking or the person next door is talking. It should be the same for Jesus who goes through our words. We know when our thoughts come from Jesus or from us. There's a difference.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Fruit that lasts, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 20, 2023, 05:20:31 AM

341. Peter's humility


Our first Pope is full of humility:
"When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and, falling at his feet, paid him homage. Peter, however, raised him up, saying, 'Get up. I myself am also a human being.'" Acts, chapter 10, verses 25 to 26

Even if Peter is the Pope whom Jesus has chosen, he knows his rightful place. Already in the Church that is beginning to form, Peter is aware that Jesus continues to be Lord and God. It's amazing!

Peter knew Jesus and lived with him. He was appointed by him the head of the Church. He's also responsible for the Apostles. He would have all the reasons to "brag about", to become proud and to become someone else.

For every missionary, Peter has just realized an important teaching with a testimony worthy of a Pope. He sees Cornelius coming and throwing himself at his feet. He could say, "You're a good disciple," or "get up now and let's have a drink".

But by his words, Peter presents himself in a different way. He said to Cornelius, "Get up. I myself am also a human being."

What a beautiful grace of humility! May we ask this grace to Jesus. By his gesture and words, he helps Cornelius to understand that Jesus is Lord. Peter recognizes himself as a simple man and therefore gives full opening to Jesus. He evangelizes.

Peter cannot do anything by himself and he knows it. He's on a mission, but not for himself. He's a missionary for Jesus, for the announcement of the Good News.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Fruit that lasts, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 21, 2023, 04:43:05 AM

342. We're improving


The couple's challenge is that each person has his own rhythm and definition of love. The ideal is that each person of the couple improves in the faith. Jesus will ignite Love as it should be. It takes time for someone to realize it, but the experience will be beneficial.

Moreover, every teaching of faith is for each person in the couple, for each spouse. Marriage will be joyful and holy to the extent that each person advances in faith and improves by contact with Jesus.

Each person is responsible for improving his relationship with God, who will, in turn, give graces, a hundredfold, to the spouses. The opening of each one in the couple allows the grace of God to pass into them. This is the only way of a true journey between spouses.

If each person tries to love the other, it's lost. But if each person connects to God and asks Jesus to go through his heart to love, then there's joy that progresses every day, even without their knowledge. Each person in the relationship will have a good reason to give more to each other. Jesus transforms the relationship between them.

It's the same basis for every personal relationship to Jesus:
"As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love." John, chapter 15, verse 9

God Loves us. Let's stay in his Love. God Loves us first, we only need to welcome and accept his Love. It sounds demanding, maybe. But there's nothing simpler to achieve than to remain in God's Love. Let's love. It is demanding to stay away.

Abiding in the Love of God allows us to discover and gradually recognize the reason we live, the reason we are created. Sticking to God's Love makes us more and more like him.

We have not acquired anything by ourselves. We're not perfect, but we gradually become "love" thanks to God's "Love". When we accept to approach Jesus, we accept to let ourselves be more Loved by him. It takes us away from evil, fear, anxiety and purifies us, meeting after meeting, with him.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Fruit that lasts, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 22, 2023, 05:33:38 AM

343. Only men


To know ourselves to be Loved by God and to let him Love others through us is a miracle in itself. We allow Love to touch people. We understand more and more the will of the Trinity.

A man listens to Paul's words:
"He listened to Paul speaking, who looked intently at him, saw that he had the faith to be healed, and called out in a loud voice, 'Stand up straight on your feet.' He jumped up and began to walk about." Acts, chapter 14, verses 9 to 10

In a leap, the man walks! What faith does Paul demonstrate in his Lord and how much he listens to the man's faith that he's brought back on his feet! What seems extinguished in this man was waiting only for a thoughtful look from the Apostle, in the name of Jesus, to set his faith on fire and "give him back his legs" to walk.

Paul discovers gifts he didn't know, perhaps. Paul gives what he receives, the gift of healing, but even more, he receives the gift of perceiving faith in people. Paul saw that this man had faith in the words he said, received from Jesus.

The crowd is amazed by what Paul realizes before their eyes:
"When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they cried out in Lycaonian, 'The gods have come down to us in human form.'" Acts, chapter 14, verse 11

We can imagine that Paul didn't expect what has just been proclaimed. The danger against faith is to believe that there are gods, idols, even humans who think they take the place of God or give to humans God's place.

This is perhaps the most corrosive tendency that exists against faith, that is, placing our faith in anyone or anything but Jesus. And even worse, thinking about taking ourselves or giving them God's place.

Paul declares his faith by his enlightened reason of the divine Light. He defends himself vividly, immediately, to be a "god" at the whim, to the fantasy of humans. He seems aghast, demolished and he tells them:
"Men, why are you doing this? We are of the same nature as you, human beings." Acts, chapter 14, verse 15

Paul is a man like all men. No better, no worse. He did not heal anyone. The good news that Paul conveys is that the human is transformed by faith in Jesus Christ. It's Christ who heals this man. Jesus heals. Paul believes it for saying these words.

Let's look deeper into our hearts and we will understand that only Jesus is God. This is not a healing operated by Paul:
"We proclaim to you good news that you should turn from these idols to the living God, 'who made heaven and earth and sea and all that is in them.'" Acts, chapter 14, verse 15
With these words, many converted.

As for Paul, Jesus sends us the Holy Spirit so that we can live with contagious faith. Jesus sends us help, support:
"The Advocate, the holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name - he will teach you everything and remind you of all that (I) told you." John, chapter 14, verse 26

Jesus announces that there will be people like Paul to intercede with others:
"Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him." John, chapter 14, verse 23

Jesus dwells in Paul to proclaim the truth and the Word with tenacious faith, but with human words. Paul conveys the truth and the Word of Jesus and it is Jesus who heals.

Of all that Jesus teaches it invites us to welcome him, then to understand and live it. Paul understood it very well. We also know holy people now who work accordingly to the will of God.

Let's ask Jesus to adjust our faith to our reason and our reason to our faith, so that we may be more and more in the image of our Saviour and Lord, in the midst of the world into which he sends us.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Fruit that lasts, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 23, 2023, 05:25:55 AM

344. Peace to the people


Jesus says to the Apostles:
"Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I say to you, many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it." Luke, chapter 10, verses 23 to 24

We're sent to our contemporaries, not to say the same words as them just to make them comfortable, but by speaking a different language. If it's possible for us to get used to their language, it's also possible for them to get used to the language of faith and reason.

We can see Jesus in our hearts and receive our mission from him. Let's ask him to help us prepare ourselves and to illuminate the mission, so that we may walk and evangelize with his words.

Let's pray that our moods and attitudes become holier, so that we may remain peaceful people for ourselves and for those we meet.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Fruit that lasts, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 24, 2023, 05:33:49 AM

345. Boldness


Paul says to the Corinthians:
"What anyone dares to boast of I also dare (I am speaking in foolishness)." 2 Corinthians, chapter 11, verse 21

Audacity, we have it all. Many situations in life require a certain amount of audacity. Starting to walk, to talk, to be a teenager, to become an adult, to work, to begin a family, each stage of life requires audacity.

We often see that the audacity of a person can become recklessness or unconsciousness when misused.

On the other hand, audacity allows us to go beyond a usual situation, in order to realize a project that's beyond us. The project of evangelization requires daring.

The audacity of the word is particularly important because it leads to sharing faith when it's credible and attentive to the need of the person. It takes daring to talk to someone:
"If anyone does not fall short in speech, he is a perfect man, able to bridle his whole body also." James, chapter 3, verse 2

James also allows us to understand that our words can carry seed of sins. These words would hurt all the best evangelistic initiatives. But the good word edifies people and reveals our good intentions.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Fruit that lasts, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 25, 2023, 03:39:21 AM

346. Evangelization doesn't tire


Isaiah thought to himself:
"I thought I had toiled in vain, and for nothing, uselessly, spent my strength." Isaiah, chapter 49, verse 4a

It would not be surprising that many faith people have this thought someday during their life: "I uselessly spent my strength."

Of course, sometimes we're exhausted, sometimes we feel like going in circles. And even sometimes we run everywhere, in all directions, and we lose time. These are opportunities to learn how to properly manage our efforts and the time we're allowed.

It's important to ask whether Jesus was evangelizing with us, or whether we were all alone. Were we thinking of getting everyone to convert to Jesus, for example, but trying too hard to convert and not enough to unite ourselves to Christ who is the only one who can convert people? Have we placed our trust in Jesus or tried to do his work?

God thinks differently. Isaiah reflects on what God says to him:
"You are my servant, he said to me, Israel, through whom I show my glory." Isaiah, chapter 49, verse 3

It's very sweet to the ears: "through whom I show my glory". God passes in us.
It would be important to give ourselves time to meditate and return to the importance of Jesus in our lives, so that Jesus has plenty of room to touch the hearts of those around us. Only Jesus converts.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Fruit that lasts, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 26, 2023, 05:21:18 AM

347. Free for Jesus


Paul seems to be proposing a wise phrase to free us from tension and its consequences and keep us in peace as much as possible. By not having too many worries, we will also be freer to walk and follow Jesus:
"The world in its present form is passing away." 1 Corinthians, chapter 7, verse 31

Time passes, our existence on earth passes. All we currently have is going to stay here. May nothing hold us back, may nothing disturb us.

Sometimes we create our difficulties searching for what we cannot get. But, let's trust in Jesus. All the relationships we have built with people will remain. The love shared and received remains. Let's be happy as we are, with the Trinity. To be happy in God keeps us in reality.

We may have been hurt during our existence, but our existence is not an injury, it's a person. A person Loved by God. A person who, in the present, adjusts to the will and joy of God. Evil and suffering last only in time, our life in God is eternal.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Fruit that lasts, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 27, 2023, 05:10:45 AM

348. Return to Jesus


We have a good example when Jesus says, "woe to you". He doesn't make a judgment saying that the person will be unhappy, he rather reveals truth. He knows what remoteness from the Love of God produces:
"But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. But woe to you who are filled now, for you will be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will grieve and weep." Luc, chapter 6, verses 24 to 25

He observes that the person who moves away from the good, the beautiful, the true, the Love of God, becomes unhappy. He becomes unhappy in evil.
He's unhappy and he loses his joy. He becomes unhappy, scared. Finally, fear takes over. This fear isn't of God, but the result of a distance from him.

Let's always receive God's joy, let's return to Jesus, in order to remain happy, in spite of the pains and the temporary difficulties of existence.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Fruit that lasts, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 28, 2023, 04:37:26 AM

349. Let's go !


Jesus invites the disciples:
"Let us cross to the other side." Mark, Chapter 4, verse 35
The Apostles are on a boat and Jesus offers them to continue rowing, not to look back. This is normal, since Jesus wants to evangelize new people who will be on the other side, people whom the Apostles probably don't know.

He invites them to row once more to join the people. And he will invite them down from their boat to walk in the crowd. It's as if he's telling the Church right now, to us, to dare to go to others, to welcome them and to talk to them about values until we are comfortable talking about the faith. Let's descend from our established security and move together, in a common project of faith, to people thirsty for God's Love.

The security we have will be transformed into new means and they will help us to remain confident while we learn to evangelize. The experience gained will help to organize the foundation of the testimony we'll bring to the people.

We cannot talk about faith all of a sudden to a person we don't know, but we can listen and detect in him where he is at in faith. We can go one step further with each person we meet. A little word there, a little phrase here of peace and joy. We can help a person to improve their faith little by little.

It would be interesting, when we go to our home church and when we meet other people from our parish, to ask, "How is your faith doing?" This could involve in sharing the discoveries and learning of the faith. It would help us to get used to talking about it to each other.

Even without questioning, for people who are not in church, it would help us to dare to discover more where their faith is at, just listening to them. We can pray Jesus to join them where there is a fault, the one that prevents them from converting to Jesus. Jesus knows where the fault is. May he take care of it.

Also, we can discover in a person in church or not, that his greatest quality of faith is in his joy, the love he has for others, how he receives them. We can tell him that what he does touches us. He would discover that he has talents from God.

By recognizing and encouraging an aspect of faith in people who are far from church, we allow them to discover that they have qualities. This will bring them to be more aware.

This will replace the traditional: "I like your hair, I like your dress, or your coat and your shoes". We can change this simple habit and talk about the values we discover. By "crossing to the other bank", let's let people know that we are aware of their personal values. This will create an evolution in our parish and it will spread in neighboring parishes.

Then, when we feel the storm, the fear of speaking, we can ask Jesus to lower the wind that rattles us. Jesus will be happy to say:
"Quiet! Be still!" Mark, chapter 4, verse 39

Relax, come back to what's simple. And the wind of our bad habits will calm down. The wind of the Holy Spirit will be revealed in silence and this will allow us to reach people in a renewed way.

May the Spirit renew us in Jesus under the Father's lovingness and we'll do a lot of good to people.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Up! Let's go!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 29, 2023, 05:49:49 AM

350. Values


Nothing is simpler than what Jesus tells us:
"Of all the nations make disciples, baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." Matthew, chapter 28, verse 19

"Make disciples". It's easy to invite someone to have a drink with us. We can also simply invite people, friends who trust in us to convert and become believers in Jesus Christ. Jesus only asks us that. The attention, the gestures and the words, the listening and the living of faith with the people, it's the mission that Jesus proposes to us.

What is more difficult is to convert ourselves and find ways for people to gradually adhere to Jesus. Today is no different than when Jesus passed on the mission to the Apostles. The world we're in is not very different. People always have the same thirst, the same desire to find meaning in their lives, to discover true Love.
Love, values and the meaning of life are in God and nowhere else.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Up! Let's go!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on September 30, 2023, 05:03:34 AM

351. God-like


John tells us:
"Beloved, we are God's children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed. We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is." 1 John, chapter 3, verse 2

We are children of God. Our parents offered us the grace of Baptism and we became children of God.

We grow in faith every day. We come to Mass, we listen to the Word and we live the Eucharist. We are privileged: "We are God's children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed". We know at least that by abiding in God we will freely enter, through the resurrection of the Son, into his Kingdom.

We're always between two realities; God's children and at the same time, we are not yet complete in the faith. Faith allows us to hope in God and to feel his Love in our hearts, but it's not complete for us simply because we're not fully restored. We hope, however, to experience the fullness of Love in God.

We want to be totally transformed into God. Some people are quickly transformed and others are transformed gradually, according to the rhythm of each person. We are never stationary when we walk with others in the Church.

Sometimes people are already saints, but it's because they dare a conversion of each day strongly supported on the graces received at their baptism.

The more we find ways to walk with Jesus, the more our lives are transformed, often without our knowledge. We have everything in us to become saints. We have everything in ourselves to follow Jesus indefinitely. The more we are with him, the more we are connected to the essence of existence.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Up! Let's go!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 01, 2023, 04:17:39 AM

352. Jesus is real food


Jesus confirms to us that he is God:
"I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." John, chapter 10, verse 11

Jesus is the true Shepherd. We have no other shepherd than Jesus. Yes, there are people in the Church who help as shepherds, who help in conversion and keep the flock together to lead it to fresh pastures.

But Jesus alone gives real food. Jesus is also the only one who gave his life for us, who saves us and guarantees eternal life.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Up! Let's go!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 02, 2023, 03:36:21 AM

353. To be released


Jesus says that we are not the only ones to be saved:
"I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd." John, chapter 10, verse 16

People follow Jesus without knowing it and Jesus welcomes them as they are. As christians, we're invited to seek, with Jesus, the people who don't seem from his enclosure, to encourage them to follow and talk to them about his Love.

Too many people today live in fear and rejection, violence in many forms. Let's pray for these people to be released from the tormentors of violence, scorn, hatred.

Let's pray also for the violent and unhappy people to become converted and models of faith, love and peace. May their hearts be healed from the injustices they also experienced in their childhood.

Let's continue to evangelize them with values, joy, hope, peace. Because these values are worth more than gold. The presence of Jesus in a life is worth more than anything.

Happy are we to know that Jesus is in our life! Let's pray for Jesus' presence to spread in the world. Joy will grow in us each time we present to the Trinity a person interested in adhering to his Love.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Up! Let's go!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 03, 2023, 05:00:44 AM

354. Hopefully


Paul speaks of Abraham's faith:
"He believed, hoping against hope, that he would become 'the father of many nations,' according to what was said, 'Thus shall your descendants be.'" Romans, chapter 4, verse 18

We know about the mission of Abraham and the promise of God to give him many descendants. Now let's imagine that we're evangelizing and that many people are converting to Jesus Christ. We too will have many descendants.

For this, we must carry on, let ourselves be lifted up by the Spirit and set to work. We must accept to evangelize if we want God to give us strength. It's when we are in motion that we receive God's graces. Otherwise we'll not discover the missionary grace that God offers us.

We may have the grace to pray. The grace of the missionary is also to be discovered, to remove the cover of what closes and freezes us to receive all the graces of evangelization.

"Hoping against all hope," Abraham believed. Let's imagine if we believe it too, the spiritual descendants we'll have, and the grace we'll live every day! We too can, we too must hope.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Up! Let's go!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 04, 2023, 04:08:48 AM

355. A happy exchange


Jesus reminds us of what the grace of evangelization confers on us:
"Everyone who acknowledges me before others the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God." Luke, chapter 12, verse 8

We will enter into a happy exchange, between us and the Trinity, then between us and the people on the road.

We invite our families and friends to come for coffee, a meal, shop, play, practice recreation and sports, we can also invite people to a mass, to a teaching of faith, to an evening of prayer.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Up! Let's go!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 05, 2023, 05:09:12 AM

356. Let's sow peace


Jesus said to the discipl
es and Apostles:
"As you enter a house, wish it peace. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; if not, let your peace return to you." Matthew, chapter 10, verses 12 to 13
This affirmation of Jesus, "Let your peace return to you," is twice comforting and once disappointing.

It's twice comforting because it guarantees us that the peace we offer will bring Jesus's peace to the person who receives it. It's nice to know that when we do good, it transforms people. This brings us joy and that's the second comforting.

Peace, joy, hope, love and the other goods that God offers are free and they are to share with great deployment. The world is improving day by day with those graces received from God.

What is disappointing is that it's possible that people do not want it. Hard to believe that a person would refuse God's graces. But that seems possible. We will find it painful for this person.

The grace of God will not be lost since it's already there. If what we offer comes from God and not from us, and if the person refuses the graces, we're sure not to lose peace. It's a sign that we're working with Jesus and not for our own sake to add a number of conversions to our acquisition rather than giving to the person their freedom and responsibility to choose. God leaves him his freedom and his responsibility, we must also leave it to him.

Let's pray for him and give him to Jesus. Let's continue the road with the Trinity in search of interested souls who ask for a little push, a small encouragement of sweetness and accompaniment.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Up! Let's go!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 06, 2023, 05:32:15 AM

357. Implementation of the mission


The saints sometimes had to leave a lot, they had to deprive themselves of the "well-being" that they had acquired and they started following Jesus. They agree to let their person be formed, to change their rules of conduct.
They let themselves be led by Jesus. They remain the same, but they improve inside, when they accept the Lord's presence. From the outside, we will be able to perceive the light of God, especially in their eyes.

Some will say that they let themselves be led by the ear. With God, this is never the case. When the saints follow Love, it's easy to be attracted and to adhere freely. They follow the Shepherd to the enclosure of peace. Paul states:
"I, then, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace". Ephesians, chapter 4, verses 1 to 3

Let's place our interests in something lasting, in the Heart of Jesus. Let's set ourselves the task of bringing our interest received from the Lord to as many people as possible, so that our heavenly bank-building spiritual capital increases.

The more we find people who walk and pray with us, the more we'll increase our chances of remaining firmly anchored in Christ. Let's evangelize to receive from God and receive from others and evangelize ... again.

The evangelists realized their evangelization by writing, painters by painting. And us? What will be the defect that we can transform or the quality, by the grace of God, which will be used as a springboard of holiness for us and for our neighbor?

May we offer our failings to Jesus and he will come and have a meal with us. He will then entrust us with the grace to watch over his flock.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Up! Let's go!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 07, 2023, 05:09:30 AM

358. The best possible intentions


The first condition for the evangelizer, after a sincere encounter with Christ, is to put one step in front of the other and to go forward, to place one word after the other, in the best possible intentions, and to share them is to use one's arms and legs, one's heart to reach and embrace the hearts of others.
The idea here is crystal clear. This sentence of Paul is a reminder of his meeting with the Lord and the precise moment when he decided to train for the mission and to evangelize: "The Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the proclamation might be completed and all the Gentiles might hear it".

We're invited to the same evangelization as Paul, by who we are and where we are. It takes "me", "us", with the evangelizers, with Jesus.

The Holy Spirit promises to help us, after our agreement and the decision to walk, to offer us his strength to proclaim the Gospel everywhere and "all the Gentiles might hear it". It's major. The decision to evangelize allows God's action to unfold within us and to assist us. We will observe and feel the difference.

The decision to evangelize will prepare us to receive what we need for the journey of evangelization. Let's be evangelized by God, then let him evangelize from our heart.

Let's feel what is said here:
"Lord, I am your servant, the child of your maidservant; you have loosed my bonds. I will offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people, in the courts of the house of the Lord, in your midst, O Jerusalem. Hallelujah!" Psalm 116, verses 16 to 19

In the church and in the world, I will give thanks to the Lord by telling his wonders. Let's become servants of the Word of God and let's go, and evangelize!

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Up! Let's go!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 08, 2023, 04:44:38 AM

359. As sweet as lambs


The setting in motion to evangelize will become strength and salvation of God, with God.

Jesus tells us to pray:
"The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest." Luke, chapter 10, verse 2
The two quotes are one. Let's pray to the Trinity and act. Since the following sentence is:
"Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves." Luke, chapter 10, verse 3

We seem to have nothing at first, but we have the Lord; we have everything. Let's not be afraid to challenge gently, with respect and charity and many wolves will become as sweet as lambs again.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Up! Let's go!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 09, 2023, 04:37:04 AM

360. The effects of grace


Paul informs us:
"Working together, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain." 2 Corinthians, chapter 6, verse 1

It's never a waste of time to spend time with God, especially if we know how to discover Jesus and recognize the manifestations of God's Love in the hearts of others. The grace of God is found in a contact with other people.

The most beautiful mission is the works with God. We sometimes think that spending time with God keeps us away from precious time with our family.
But, we can easily unite both. This will improve the lives of everyone in the family without adding pressure. It's possible to always live with God, whatever we do. Our journey will be filled with wisdom and meaning.

Every moment of our life can be transformed into thanksgiving when God is present in our activities, as in restful moments. Our entire life can bear witness to the presence of God.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Up! Let's go!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 10, 2023, 05:21:30 AM

361. Naturally


A testimony isn't only when we tell about our conversion, but also when we live naturally with Jesus. This is what Jesus proposes in his speech on the mountain:

"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil.'" Matthew, chapter 5, verses 38 to 39

Often, our attitude testifies to the presence of Christ in us. We try our best not to react to hatred by hate, evil by evil. By not responding to evil with evil, we will help people to walk in faith.

May the Lord, through his Word, continue to be, with our agreement, the light that guides our steps and illuminates the road.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Up! Let's go!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 11, 2023, 05:13:04 AM

362. The different intersections


Paul is familiar with us, he is also a brother in faith with Titus, so much so that he confides freely, simply. He tells him and to us too:
"He [God] revealed his word in the proclamation with which I was entrusted by the command of God our saviour." Titus, chapter 1, verse 3

Paul mentions to Titus the proclamation of the Gospel entrusted to him. The mission, lived faith, begins with the meditation of the Word and then with the Eucharist. The mission is transformed into evangelization by shared faith, by the invitation to share at the crossroad.

The crossroad is the place of the encounter of faith with another believer or not. This crossroad encounter of faith is where we meet a person and we share faith spontaneously, without waiting in return. We sow. Then we leave it up to the Lord to continue to increase faith in the person we met.

This doesn't necessarily mean the crossroad on street corners, though the idea is good, but also the crossroad of our families, our friends, at the crossroad with people in class, at work or in leisure time, in other parts of the city, everywhere and for all.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 12, 2023, 05:02:16 AM

363. Let's listen with charity


When we walk, we notice that there's always somewhere, often when we don't expect it, a person who challenges us with a disconcerting question. Our first reaction would be to turn our defences on.

If these are people we meet again and, for the moment, we have no answer to their question, we can say, "I hear your question and will come back to you about it later." It can take a week, a month, six months, but when we have the answer of a competent person, we can come back with an answer.

For example, someone tells us, "Why go to church?" Instead of highlighting defensive responses, let's take time to think about it, find an answer, and then come back with the person. His question, he will have it again. The listening and the welcome that we realize is a mission. The answer we give, if it's appropriate and can allow the person to walk, is evangelization.

May Jesus increase in us the faith to the point of becoming like trees letting themselves be rocked by the wind and let go their fruits. Let's offer the fruits of faith at the crossroad of those who gather them.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 13, 2023, 05:32:41 AM

364. Encourage the effort


Paul meets us at the crossroad:
"We give thanks to God always for all of you, remembering you in our prayers, unceasingly calling to mind your work of faith and labour of love and endurance in hope of our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father." 1 Thessalonians, chapter 1, verses 2 to 3

There's every reason to give thanks to God for those who persevere in the effort to walk in the faith. Then Paul reminds us to pray for one another. He sees that faith is growing. We could also say, "Our charity gives itself joy!" Even better. "The charity that we receive from God and that we share, fills us and others with joy!"

Our faith is active. This movement becomes more and more contagious. May charity unfold at the crossroad where there's a meeting with each person, always in the joy of sharing the faith.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 14, 2023, 05:28:34 AM
365. It could look like this


Jesus seems to be more severe than Paul, when he speaks to some people:
"Woe to you, scribes and pharisees, you hypocrites. You lock the kingdom of heaven before human beings." Matthew, chapter 23, verse 13

Jesus doesn't say, "I will make you unhappy," but if we follow his reasoning well, it could look like this: "You will become unhappy, since you do not open your heart to the presence of God and for that reason you don't allow others to go through the door of the Kingdom of Heaven. You don't offer them an opening, you do not allow them to feed themselves. They are waiting at the door and you're not talking about Jesus, the Love of God, the importance of being united to the Trinity."

Let's continue to let Jesus enter our hearts so that he can touch the hearts of others. May Jesus pass totally into our lives, then into the heart of who seeks him.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 15, 2023, 05:28:07 AM

366. My beloved


My dear child, this is how Paul calls his disciple Timothy:
"My dear child." 2 Timothy, chapter 1, verse 2a

Paul wishes him all the best:
"To Timothy, my dear child: grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord." 2 Timothy, chapter 1, verse 2
Isn't this what the Holy Spirit tells us?

In families, there are often these tender words between a parent and his child and between a child and his parents. It's also true between friends. The words that come from the heart are a retransmission of the good received from God.

As for Timothy, after a disciple has well learned and is supported in the knowledge of the realities of heaven and lives a personal relationship with Jesus, he is sent, he becomes an evangelizer:
"Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves. Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way." Luke, chapter 10, verses 3 to 4

"Lambs among wolves" means that we must be well prepared to become true missionaries. Lambs yes, but lambs that already have some experience.

Jesus does not send anybody. They are people who are already following him, studying what he teaches, people who are aware of the reality of others living in their environment. They are people who are walking the mission long enough that they develop the desire to evangelize.

May the Lord prepare us to join the people in respect and charity, outside the walls of our church and, of course, in the parish churches.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 16, 2023, 05:43:03 AM

367. Sheep < Jesus > wolves


Jesus said to those who want to evangelize: "Behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves."

As a first impression, it doesn't seem very comforting. Why would Jesus send us among the wolves, like sheep who have no defences? Yet the image is very strong.

We must then discern of what sheep are unable to do. When sheep are in the pen, everything is fine, but a rancher would not send his animals among the wolves.

Jesus warns us and invites us to prudence and discernment. It's as if he tells us to take some time, reflect, get used to observing the world we are in for to react and respond well to people who are on the same road as us.

But beyond all the precautions that we can give ourselves to properly embark on a mission, it's vital that Jesus be first in front of us. Jesus must be the centre, the summit, and the foundation of all that we are called to do in the world. Jesus must be in the centre, between the sheep and the wolf. Us (sheep) < Jesus > wolf.

Jesus is our protection if we pray, if we evangelize with him, if we leave him room to touch hearts. Every mission begins with Jesus, is realized and continues with Jesus.

All that we can learn from Jesus and all the means that Jesus offers us are major for a mission worthy of a child of God, of a disciple who is like a sheep sent among today's wolves. Let's trust in Jesus and dare to take the path with him for the glory of God and the salvation of the world.

However, if we move away from Jesus, we give a hold to the wolves of this world; drugs, divination, possessions, etc. Moreover, all that we try to regulate, to possess, to manipulate, to destroy by ourselves, are the wolves who watch for us as soon as we leave the enclosure of the one who watches over us.

And even worse, we'll go and say that it's Jesus's fault that he isn't with us. As soon as this thought arises in us, let's take it as an important signal. It's time to turn away from evil and come back to Jesus. Let's get back quickly and let's love again. May we let go of all that holds us back and all we want to do without him. Let's let Jesus defend us. He is the only one who can protect and save us.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 17, 2023, 04:23:31 AM

368. Remoteness


Sometimes we move, we go elsewhere. Let's continue to follow Jesus and feel the need to join some new people, humbly. This is an opportunity to evangelize a new territory.

Let's be more motivated to proclaim that Jesus is Lord:
"The news about them reached the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas (to go) to Antioch. When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced and encouraged them all to remain faithful to the Lord in firmness of heart, for he was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith. And a large number of people was added to the Lord." Acts, chapter 11, verses 22 to 24

Jesus reminds us to attach ourselves to him:
"My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me." John, chapter 10, verse 27

Jesus's sheep follow him. Where we have both feet, we can follow Jesus. It's simple. The sheep who listen to Jesus's voice becomes people who transmit their voice, so that the world may know and be guided by it. It's the greatest of missions, to receive the voice of Jesus and to proclaim it. May we follow Jesus's way and send faith waves out. To know the truth of Jesus and to help others discover it.

Another reason for receiving the voice of Jesus is that it transforms us from within. Jesus's voice whom we welcome gives us peace and joy. His voice supports us in the most difficult moments of existence.

When we welcome Jesus's voice, he unites us to him. And as Barnabas rejoiced over the members of the community, Jesus rejoices with us, since he recognizes his presence in us.

Mary is the best person who received Jesus in her, Word, flesh and royalty of Jesus. Let's carry Jesus in us and share his joy.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 18, 2023, 05:09:20 AM

369. Let's love the Word


If there's a time in the history of the Church where evangelization is the most difficult and that the challenge is great, it's when Paul and the Apostles begin to evangelize. They are determined to transmit the Good News.

In the book of Acts, they feel the joy of small daily achievements:
"The word of God continued to spread and grow." Acts, chapter 12, verse 24
And:
"There were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers." Acts, chapter 13, verse 1

Two important points. When the Word of God is transmitted, it fecundates the hearts and multiplies vocations and members in the Church.

Then, what is prerequisite for the Word to be shared, people need to teach it. Today, too, it's important that people share the word and invite others to share it. The more the Word of God is known and Loved, the more it will connect from heart to heart.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 19, 2023, 05:23:13 AM

370. Jesus saves


Jesus tells us:
"If anyone hears my words and does not observe them, I do not condemn him, for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world." John, chapter 12, verse 47

It may be that a person does not adhere to the Word of Jesus. This is a pity, since the Word of Jesus is Spirit and Life. Jesus makes it clear that he did not come to judge people, but to save them.

It means that each person has to decide himself to follow Jesus or not.
Jesus does not condemn, he does not judge, it's the person who will judge of his response to God. But it's nevertheless strange that a person, knowingly, would refuse God's Love.

We are invited to pray for all people in the world who do not yet know the Lord.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 20, 2023, 05:01:02 AM

371. Over the right side


The Apostles are on a mission. They become even dizzying for Temple officials:
"They were disturbed that they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead." Acts, chapter 4, verse 2

The Apostles understood very well what Jesus asked of them. Go everywhere and announce the Good News.

Moreover, Temple officials did not like the healings that were happening. They feared that this Good News might be the cause of the increase in the Christian population.

They try to prevent the spread of Christians as one would try to prevent Love from reaching the heart. But it's impossible. They question Peter and John:
"They bring them into their presence and question them, "By what power or by what name have you done this?" Acts, chapter 4, verse 7
Peter answers:
"In the name of Jesus." Acts, chapter 4, verse 10

Once again, these questions offer enlightening answers. Jesus is dead, but he is very alive. It's normal for him to be in the heart and in the faith of the Apostles.

The Apostles may think at this moment of this spoken Word by Jesus:
"'Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something.' So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the number of fish." John, chapter 21, verse 6

Continuing to evangelize and heal hearts in the name of Jesus is the way to bring Christians together and increase their number.

Jesus invites us to the same mission. We are filled with the presence of God and Jesus encourages us to spread his good news.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 21, 2023, 04:22:28 AM
372. In the world and in the Church


We are really in two different worlds. On one hand, there's the social world by which we share our everyday reality. And on the other side, there's the world of faith in Jesus Christ. It shakes and adjusts everything we say and do.

We struggle to create a balance between these two worlds. But it's necessary to adjust to what is natural to the human being and to the reality of eternal life, in the Trinity.

Isaiah sees what God does in us:

"A nation of firm purpose you keep in peace; in peace, for its trust in you." Isaiah, chapter 26, verse 3

Placing our life in God brings us peace in the social world and trust in God in the hearts of the faithful of the Church.

When we are in the social world and keep our heart united to God, he assures us of his peace. His peace is transmitted in the invisible. If we do not feel this peace, let's ask ourselves if we bring God to the heart of our human relationships.

This peace will be felt more in the Church, since every person is looking for it. But it's also possible that in the Church, people are not at peace. Fortunately, they are in the right place to acquire some more.

A person will say, "I do not go to church, because there are people there who, coming out, talk in the backs of others, against others!" Let's think about it, it's good that they go to Mass! Imagine if they didn't go. Or rather, do not imagine, it might seem worse. They know they are not perfect. They can thus walk and progress gradually toward peace, thanks to the teachings they receive in Church.

Then Isaiah concludes by saying:

"Trust in the Lord forever! For the Lord is an eternal Rock." Isaiah, chapter 26, verse 4

Whether we are in the world or in Church, let's put our trust in God that he will transform our hearts, then of people.

Let's ask the Holy Spirit to be in all our relationships, in each of our meetings, and our city will be built on rock. Let's ask him every day:

"Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock." Matthew, chapter 7, verse 24

Let's build with Jesus. Let's ask Jesus, every day, to be active in our heart, then to the hearts of those we meet.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 22, 2023, 05:42:32 AM

373. The gospel of the Lord


Paul confirms that the gospel and salvation of Jesus Christ is unique:
"The gospel preached by me is not of human origin." Galatians, chapter 1, verse 11

Nobody thought of such a revelation. No one has been able to imagine or invent all that is proclaimed in the Gospels. Nobody except God.

Nobody can replace Jesus. We are poor of Jesus if we don't accept him, as he is, in our life. And we become poor in Jesus when we leave what is useless to embark with him on the great adventure of God and man.

That's why Paul says:
"I did not receive it from a human being, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ." Galatians, chapter 1, verse 12

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Caring for our poverties, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 23, 2023, 05:54:00 AM

374. Reinforced concrete


Everybody's own is to find God and to hold onto God as the most precious good. But other people escape the real mission to which they should hold on to. They will be very imaginative to get away from the mission by all sorts of means, for fear of being hurt, for fear of the unknown.

To speak negatively against others, to leave good habits, basic habits, to abandon prayer, the commitment in faith to serve others, even in what is simplest and here they are in a turning away from God. There are also those who cannot discern good deeds while asking for evidence from others.

Today, how often do we see truths being completely twisted by negligence or interest? They go so far as to treat truth as criminal. These people prefer to eliminate others from their lives as long as they are right, they get what they want and they do not lose their solid, concrete reputation. They only have barbed concrete left.

They abandon their good behaviour, stick to their wall filled of personal achievements, display their deceptive advertisements, their extinguished fame. Then, they come to believe that others are not on the right track, because they're different. Their perfection becomes reinforced concrete.

Each person is free to do what they want with its harmful consequences or helpful realizations. Turning to evil leads to evil. And evil leads to death. Let's lead the way back to Jesus. He's there waiting. Love leads to Love and Life.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Caring for our poverties, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 24, 2023, 05:20:06 AM

375. Let's find our heart


How difficult it is for us to find time to look at ourselves, to observe what needs to be improved to follow Jesus on the only necessary path, the way of our salvation, the way to eternal life.

Maybe others do not see it, but God sees everything. Even Jesus, people thought he was a liar, because he was following the true path, and they crucified him.

Let's return to the Rosary with all our heart, return to prayer. Let's increase our meetings with the Lord, Mass, teachings, to all that is vital and true to guarantee us not to freeze up like ice.

Let's not look at what others are doing or not, and if we see any flaws let's give them back to Jesus. Let's not make the situation worse by reacting or talking about it to others to speak ill and insult. Then let's continue our journey in faith, with Mary, for a more beautiful, truer, more real, more just and more fraternal world. Jesus is with us.

It's good to know when to stop and observe what our personal strengths are, to make them useful for the kingdom of God on earth. To take care of ourselves in the faith, to take care of others by the commitment of our faith, is to realize Jesus's will.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Caring for our poverties, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 25, 2023, 03:40:43 AM

376. Let's catch the just


The unjust ones say:
"Let us beset the just one, because he is obnoxious to us; he sets himself against our doings, reproaches us for transgressions of the law and charges us with violations of our training." Wisdom, chapter 2, verse 12

There are people who do not see how just some are. They may have difficulty discerning between good and bad and then they will have difficulty discovering the good, the real and what's true in people.

Often they are people who are afraid of being hurt again, or they think everyone resents them. Often they are people who are proud and manage the lives of others. Basically, they don't know how to find peace in their own hearts. They place their fears on people around them.

We are invited to be charitable and pray for them.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Caring for our poverties, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 26, 2023, 05:57:29 AM

377. The Just is repulsed


It's a shame to be at this point to want to surprise the just, to want to test honest people. It's known, we have some fears about new people we still don't know.

The righteous disturb them because they do not follow the easiest way. When they walk on a path, they always invite the Presence of God with them. And when there is the Presence of God, they can feel the resistances, the significant distances of the grace of God from others.

The just will be repulsed, he will be reproached, he will be despised, trapped and accused. This is also what happens with Jesus:
"Jesus cried out in the temple area as he was teaching and said, 'You know me and also know where I am from. Yet I did not come on my own, but the one who sent me, whom you do not know, is true. I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me.'" John, chapter 7, verses 28 to 29

And they do not want to get their hands on Jesus, because the world would see them. They know they are wrong with their false thoughts about him.
They prefer to wait until it's dark to stop him. At night, it's hard for people to know who they are stopping. But later, it will be easy to accuse him with unfair lies. Everything is randomly engineered to skew about Jesus.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Caring for our poverties, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 27, 2023, 05:13:00 AM

378. Denounce evil


It would seem that the Lord is asking to denounce the faults as it is written here:
"Cry out full-throated and unsparingly, lift up your voice like a trumpet blast; Tell my people their wickedness, and the house of Jacob their sins." Isaiah, chapter 58, verse 1

If we start doing this, we risk disappointments. This text is nearly three thousand years old.

In the generation we are in, it would be difficult to begin to shout sins out to everyone. In a group, we can still talk about sin in general, and let people self-observe.

On the other hand, it seems easy for many people to tell their sins in the media. It may be good for these people, but the publicly announced evil can become a trampoline where others will develop bad habits. For, the announcement of sins in the public square gives evil ideas to other ill-intentioned people.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Caring for our poverties, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 28, 2023, 05:23:18 AM

379. Why Lord?


Far from publicly denouncing personal mistakes, it would be nice to invite people to let themselves be Loved by God. Real Love is a reality rarely recognized today. The Love of God allows the person himself to discover his faults. The light illuminates the life of the person and reveals the dens of evil.
Then the people of Israel say this:
"Why do we fast, and you do not see it? afflict ourselves, and you take no note of it?" Isaiah, chapter 58, verse 3

We could add: When we pray, why don't you hear it? Because we don't fast for God or for others, but we fast for ourselves. It's good to fast, to pray and to do penance for us, but most of all this must lead to thinking about the world in general. If people around the world improve, we are progressing.
God always hears us, but we're not always watchful to the presence of God with us.

We have thousands of distractions that keep us away from the goal, from our relationship with God. However, everything we do to bring ourselves closer to God transforms us for the better.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Caring for our poverties, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 29, 2023, 05:25:18 AM

380. Slaves of the Gospel


Paul is an artist of the good evolution. He gave a new meaning to the word "slave". Let's read:
"as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, willingly serving the Lord and not human beings." Ephesians, chapter 6, verses 6 to 7

Instead of associating the word "slave" with forced submission, Paul introduces it to a higher level of goodness.
Jesus washed the feet of his Apostles like a slave. And Paul understood it in that sense. With all our hearts, let's freely become servants (slaves) of our neighbour for the glory of God and the salvation of the world.

Let's work voluntarily for the sole purpose that souls turn from their ways of destruction and take the path of faith following Jesus Christ.
Let's take the opportunity to be with the weakest of us, in all dimensions of their poverty, to practise our relationship with Jesus. Perhaps we'll discover that we are the weakest. Let's restore the dignity that belongs to every person.

Let's ask God to open our hearts and to lay down his Love. Let's become slaves of the Love of God, in the good sense of the word. Let's be constantly generated and generous by Love.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Caring for our poverties, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 30, 2023, 04:39:47 AM

381. Jesus opens the book
When Jesus opens the book in the synagogue, he reads the passage that is the reality of God's Love for all:
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord." Luke, chapter 4, verses 18 to 19

"'Today,' says Jesus, 'it is today that it is fulfilled'". Luke, chapter 4, verse 21

Love gives freedom when our freedom is connected to God now, every morning, every day, every moment. This Word is the Love of God for all his creatures and for his creation. Let's meditate on the graces of the Trinity that we received during our life.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Caring for our poverties, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on October 31, 2023, 04:53:34 AM

382. Poverty


The poor have many faces. The rich are poor of something. People who are in the middle class are poor of something. The poor also lack something.

Jesus called Matthew who did not seem poor. He joined him in front of a counter of one of the riches of the country. The fishermen, Peter and Andrew, John and James, were also rich because fishing was a necessary food for families.

What was their poverty then? At the beginning of their mission with Jesus, they all lacked a real and meaningful experience with him. Now, they live the grace of being on the road and following Jesus. Jesus chose them for the mission.

We are all poor of Jesus. We need to live a personal relationship with him.
Real poverty touches every person in their deepest being. If we don't have Jesus, we are really poor. If we do not live on God's Love, we are very poor.
What is true wealth? True wealth isn't found in what we usually have. What we have isn't all we have.

True wealth is in the heart of the human being. True wealth is when we are in communion with God and his will, who is in our life. God is in our heart. It's what's necessary and we already have it. The Trinity nourishes the soul.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Caring for our poverties, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 01, 2023, 04:13:43 AM

383. Who is poor?


Who are the poor in the Church? Whom should we give to? And most importantly, what do we have to offer?

James allows us to think about it. He talks about what he sees in his time:
"You pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say, 'Sit here, please,' while you say to the poor one, 'Stand there,' or 'Sit at my feet.'" James, chapter 2, verse 3

There should always be a constant concern for the poor and the poverty of these people would be almost non-existent. It takes a little discernment and charity to help them. Helping a poor person takes a little time. Valuing it can lead to being much better in society.

But also, some poorly-minded people are causing further poverty to other poor people. They use what is sent to the poor to provide themselves with wealth. Although rarer, there are some who stockpile money, live in well-off apartments, do not work and benefit from others, who are poorer.

This may seem simple, but in practice it isn't guaranteed to be continually close to the poorest. Or we do not know how to join them or we have few human resources when we take care of them, one person at a time. The task may seem too broad.

We can take them to centres where people can really take care of them and give them some dignity. These people would do them good. That said, if we don't feel the ability to help them. We are, nevertheless, called to remain attentive to them.

If not, let's learn and lead others to Jesus who will develop the charism of charity for these particular people.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Caring for our poverties, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 02, 2023, 05:02:00 AM

384. Other forms of poverty


There are many other kinds of poverty in the world, such as the lack of true spirituality, the refusal to let God Love us, the ego, the sadness and many other issues that keep the human being subjected to thousands of closures and traps.

Jesus knows the greatest poverty that human beings can suffer; the refusal of God, to believe that God is lying and go so far as to eliminate the Loving God from their lives. The greatest poverty that exists is to not welcome God into one's life.

Let's notice that if all the people in the churches of the whole world lead charitably one person to Jesus, one day everybody would be in the service of the neighbour and that would engage them on the way reserved for them.
Let's accept to follow Jesus, let him cleanse us and transform us. Let's find ways to increase our faith and invite people to follow Jesus.

Jesus will do the work in their hearts. It will transform their hearts and these people will be freed from intoxication, from their wounds and their closures. They will be with Love, with Jesus.

To follow Jesus sincerely, allows his Love to develop as a gift in us, to be unpacked around us.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Caring for our poverties, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 03, 2023, 05:12:27 AM

385. Sweet and bitter


Why:
"Why do you let me see ruin; why must I look at misery?" Habakkuk, chapter 1, verse 3

This question is on the lips of the majority, if not all humans of all time. Well yes, Lord, why do we see all these injustices, this evil, and the innocent ones dying? Why don't you do anything?

It's quite normal to have this question, not to be satisfied with what we see, hear, of distress, fears, anxieties when there should be plenty of opportunities, chances, achievements, but these opportunities are lost and too often annihilated. We are quite normal to question this way: "Why Lord?"
It's because we become more and more prophets and christians. We become a little more like the Lord when we realize that the reality of our world isn't as he wishes.

God offers his Love, peace, joy, hope and in return we observe, day after day, what destroys these possibilities. These are all the graces received from God that are not lived because they are not welcomed or transmitted.
We're on the right path! The more God gives us the sweet honey of his truth, the more in our belly the taste becomes bitter with what is presented to us in the world. There are people who are becoming aware of the difference between the reality of God and what the world is doing.

It's not necessary to add here negative thoughts to what is wrong in the world. It's high time to bring to the world the graces we receive from God. We have a message of joy, peace, hope, love, etc., to transmit. When our eyes are opened, it is up to us to be missionaries of God and to evangelize the people with his Love.

God does not cause distress in the world, but God is patient and he hopes that the world will convert. God did not create distress. He is Love and he has created humans capable of living from his Love.

God does not drop misery in the world. It is people not listening to his will that causes this misery. God does not make us suffer. These are inhuman acts, by lack of faith, that causes evil to the people, day after day, after day, after day... God never told us to hate, to kill each other. He doesn't push us toward evil. He's not the cause of evil.

It's understandable that we don't understand that God is so good when there's so much evil in the world. It's because God is really good, but humans cover and refuse the goodness of God by turning toward evil. Moving away from God's Love automatically brings evil closer.

The people who are moving away from God's Love and doing evil give us the impression that God wants evil. But in reality and definitely, God is not in the wrong. Evil is incompatible with the reality and the will of God. We still have a lot to ask to the Holy Spirit, so that this world will change its ways and listen to the Trinity.

Fear, anguish does not come from God:
"God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control." 2 Timothy, chapter 1, verse 7

But, does the world welcome what God gives? Do people only bury somewhere in them the Love received from the Lord?

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's evangelize, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 04, 2023, 05:28:09 AM

386. Reflect the glory


Paul tells us:
"Whenever a person turns to the Lord the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." 2 Corinthians, chapter 3, verses 16 to 17

We have a veil on that keeps us away from Jesus. Paul adds that when we accept conversion, when the veil falls:
"All of us, gazing with unveiled face on the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, as from the Lord who is the Spirit." 2 Corinthians, chapter 3, verse 18

We reflect "the glory of the Lord" more and more by being with him. To reflect the Light, let's store it in us. To reflect on the glory of the Lord, we must receive it. When this glory increases, we're transfigured, as the light covered Jesus during the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor. Carrying this light within us touches the heart of others. We then become full-time prophets.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's evangelize, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 05, 2023, 05:12:28 AM

387. With or without God


Paul reminds us of a proverb:
"Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully." 2 Corinthians, chapter 9, verse 6
How do we sow too little or how to sow widely? We see that the harvest is tied to the way we sow.

Sowing a sample means that we don't let God go through our lives. And by protecting us from the presence of God, we'll reap little. Our spiritual generosity will increase when we let the grace of God increase in our life.

That said, we could put a lot of effort, make multiple facial expressions to the point of becoming actors, without God or with little relationship with God, and not succeed, eventually.

What to sow? It's time to give God his place. Let's watch him work. Let's work with him to learn from him how to live a blooming life of faith that will yield abundant and quality crops.

If we go there with our own means, we'll build in a vacuum. God invites us to more than that. He invites us to become more converted to him, to his thought, to his action, to his Word. He will build with us and there will be results.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's evangelize, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 06, 2023, 05:47:47 AM

388. Let's be with Jesus


Jesus says:
"It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you." John, chapter 15, verse 16

Jesus speaks to the people he has chosen. At the same time, these people, just like his Apostles, must also accept Jesus, receive him, as their Lord.

Jesus gives everything to those who ask the Father in his name. When we're with Jesus, we're with the Father. Jesus unites us to his mission and he wants us to be comfortable asking the Father, in the Spirit, everything we need for his mission.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's evangelize, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 07, 2023, 05:17:41 AM

389. With others


Paul and others are choosing people who can continue the mission of evangelization. Paul met Christ on the road to Damascus and since then he wants the Church to continue what Jesus started in him and in different christian communities. He says:
"We have with one accord decided to choose representatives and to send them to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, who have dedicated their lives to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Acts, chapter 15, verse 26

By dedicating their lives to Jesus, they can ask the Father everything they need to continue the mission.

Let's also ask the Father, through Jesus, to give us the solutions to find other people who have faith and sow together. May faith increase in our parishes and in our hearts.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's evangelize, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 08, 2023, 05:32:48 AM

390. Healthy fruits


Gamaliel is a man with his mind adjusted to the will of God. It makes one believe that there are good Pharisees, Pharisees who have faith. He's also a doctor of the law. Gamaliel managed to change the idea of the few who wanted to kill the Apostles. He's very enlightened and he says to the Temple officials, concerning them:
"'For if this endeavour or this activity is of human origin, it will destroy itself. But if it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy them; you may even find yourselves fighting against God.' They were persuaded by him." Acts, chapter 5, verses 38b to 39

Gamaliel has what it needs to be holy. And they are wise to be convinced.
Let's not go against God. Let's observe the fruits of those who announce the dead and risen Christ. Gamaliel has grasped how to discern the presence of the Holy Spirit in these missionaries. Let's look at the fruits. If the fruits are related to the will of God, they will be beneficial for all and if the fruits are bad, they will destroy themselves. It's also like this that in the world we can perceive what comes from God from what is not of him. The good is of him, evil isn't.

As Jesus allowed the Apostles and people to see, God is exuberant when it comes to giving his graces and his gifts. Are we ready to receive them?

May the Eucharist be for us our ultimate receiving of graces, then thanksgiving for all the fruits that it will produce in abundance in our life to nourish the people of God and satisfy the hungry, the thirsty.

May the joy of being united to Jesus fill our lives with blessings. May we share them without measure, as the excesses of God who gives without counting. God exceeds all measures.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's evangelize, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 09, 2023, 06:19:48 AM

391. God evangelizes


God draws our attention:
"Hear me, O coastlands, listen, O distant peoples." Isaiah, chapter 49, verse 1
We have moved away or too far away. God invites all peoples to his table, his sharing, his tenderness, his listening.

Our existence is called to flourish under the grace of the Holy Spirit. To open ourselves to God is to let ourselves be Loved and let God inhabit our existence. The more space we give to the Trinity in the world, the more we'll see God's actions in our lives, and we'll be delighted to see him act in others.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's evangelize, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 10, 2023, 06:04:09 AM

392. God's Presence


We wish this, as Paul asks:
"We do not cease praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding." Colossians, chapter 1, verse 9b

We want the world to be filled with the holy presence of God. So, continues Paul:
"Live in a manner worthy of the Lord, so as to be fully pleasing, in every good work bearing fruit and growing in the knowledge of God." Colossians, chapter 1, verse 10

That's how we become true christians. Always receive from God, to share with the people around us, helps us to become saints.

When we're alone and we don't ask for God's help, we're fishing in the void. This is what happens when the Apostles don't invite God in their boat.
Jesus says to Peter and to us too:
"Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch." Luke, chapter 5, verse 4

They understand the difference between being alone with lost efforts and being with Jesus, he who multiplies the efforts and whose work becomes as efficient as to tear the nets with so much fish. They will need the help of other fishermen to pick up the fish. We need the faith of others to move forward together and achieve good fishing. It's also important to stop looking at the nets, to only gather around the nets, and just throw them out.

To throw out is to go forward with the Trinity, trusting Jesus. Then we'll have as a result:
"When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing." Luke, chapter 5, verse 4

Jesus shows them that with his grace, the quantity of fish is multiplied. Let's trust in Jesus, when he's in our life, for the evangelization of our environment, where our two feet are.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's evangelize, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 11, 2023, 05:46:18 AM

393. We announce him!


The mission of evangelization is the summit of what a person can bring to the world. Evangelization is taking the beauty of the Word of God, of his Eucharist and transmitting holiness to each person. John shares his testimony:
"What we have seen and heard we proclaim now to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us." 1 John, chapter 1, verse 3a

John is precise: "We proclaim now to you." To announce Jesus, to announce the message that he offers us, to announce his presence in the Word and the Eucharist, saves us. The world needs to hear it. This is the ultimate need of the world.

We're privileged people to go to Mass, to receive the word of God and the Eucharist, the Body of Christ. We cannot imagine how much we receive graces on graces in abundance. God fills us up.

We're called as John to announce the Love of God for every person, without exception. John knows what he's talking about:
"It is this disciple (John) who testifies to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true." John, chapter 21, verse 24

John had a special relationship with Jesus and he invites us to live the same relationship with the Lord. The way to remain united to Jesus is that we make him known.

The more people around the world believe, the more we'll be able to support each other in faith and stay in Jesus. It's vital for us to announce Jesus to the world. This is the true testimony: for Jesus to be known.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's evangelize, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 12, 2023, 06:00:50 AM
394. The foundation is Christ

As soon as we accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, that we are baptized, and decide to follow Jesus and allow others to discover the gospel, we progress in faith. We progress in the faith as we live a personal and progressive involvement with Jesus, for the world. Paul supports this idea:
"With Christ Jesus himself as the capstone." Ephesians, chapter 2, verse 20

Everything is built from and on the foundation of Christ:
"Through him the whole structure is held together and grows into a temple sacred in the Lord" Ephesians, chapter 2, verse 21

More clearly, it is Christ who is the real builder of his Church. But what is exceptional is that he needs us all, without exception. He needed Antony of Padua, the present Pope, Catherine of Siena, Bernard of Clairvaux, and many holy persons whom we may know. Paul confirms it to us:
"In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit." Ephesians, chapter 2, verse 22

Let's be assured that Jesus has come for us all, and that we all receive equally. The Trinity gives so much Love to every person who receives it. Let's give thanks to God, who keeps us in his Merciful Love.

We don't know how to ask Jesus to be with us and help us? Let's ask him in our heart and let's be sure he's heard us. Let's prepare to receive him well and let him transform us from the inside. Let's allow some time, before seeing the new shoots. Let's be patient, we will rejoice.
It's 100% sure, as soon as we ask Jesus to help us, to be with us, he's there, since he wasn't elsewhere. Let's welcome Jesus! He is here with us.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's evangelize, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 13, 2023, 06:10:36 AM

395. With Jesus


In what Jesus shares with us now, there's a clear contrast between the smallness of the mustard seed and its growth:
"It is the smallest of all the seeds, yet when full-grown it is the largest of plants." Matthew, chapter 13, verse 32

To welcome Jesus in our life seems to be nothing at first. Sometimes it can take time, years to develop like mustard seed. While the Lord is preparing our heart, he invites us to patience before discovering the result. It's official that the Lord works in our life. Let's allow time and improve with good values, waiting for the results.

Let's learn to feel the presence of Jesus in us. Let's get small by inner observation. May Jesus grow in us. Then let him touch people's hearts.

We don't think we have a lot of resources in view of the scale of evangelization. Let's take one step at a time. Let's be silent in ourselves for months and years. Let's listen to Jesus. Then we'll be able to better observe and to evangelize the world. We'll only have to discover and understand the issues in the world now. We'll be gradually aware of all the challenges that it entails.

But we cannot do anything alone. On the one hand, we need the community of the Church, to learn the means to evangelize. Then, with the help of the Holy Spirit, we will develop various dimensions and goals of evangelization. Even more, for all these stages, we need the Trinity.

The Father creates the seed, the Holy Spirit sprinkles it and gives it nutrients and Jesus carries it to hearts that are hungry and thirsty for Love and all its manifestations; joy, peace, mercy, hope, etc. The seed in us, with the wisdom of God, will give fruit in its time.

We may not see the results, but God sees everything and he knows when we're walking with him for the salvation of people. With Jesus, we'll get there.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's evangelize, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 14, 2023, 05:28:23 AM

396. Evangelize with Jesus


Jesus calls for humility
"What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what can one give in exchange for his life?" Matthew, chapter 16, verse 26

This message is very important if we want to work (evangelize) with Jesus. During his visit, he showed us how difficult it is to move into a world where many people stay away from God. It's in this world that we're sent, because God Loves people, always.

Jesus would like to gather all the sheep:
"How many times I yearned to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her young under her wings, but you were unwilling!" Matthew, chapter 23, verse 37

That's what Jesus wants us to understand. It is he who saves, it is he who converts. Jesus wants us in his mission, but he doesn't want us to be living the mission alone. He's the one who guides and leads his people, his family, to eternal life.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's evangelize, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 15, 2023, 05:46:56 AM

397. Succession


Sometimes, when we have worked on a mission and we don't see a succession on the horizon, we wonder who will continue the work. Jesus has always worked, he has always found witnesses of faith. He will continue to find some. Let's never think that it is our mission, but Jesus who sends us in a mission to evangelize.

A little push toward Jesus and it doesn't take more so that each person feels Loved and becomes transformed, respecting their own pace. Only Jesus can win the world, to the extent that people in the world turn to him:
"I myself will look after and tend my sheep." Ezekiel, chapter 34, verse 11

How difficult it is to leave him his sheep. To take charge of Jesus's sheep is to stand before him, when it's better to let him reach hearts.

Are we disappointed of people who don't seem to be converting to God? The question would be: Do we try and do too much? Do we take Jesus's place? Do we leave him his people? We then become bridges between the world and Jesus as soon as we understand that he's the Evangelizer, he'll convert.

God himself says that it is he who brings back the sheep. Let's be happy to serve as his research instruments. And let the Holy Spirit touch their hearts:
"The lost I will seek out, the strayed I will bring back, the injured I will bind up, the sick I will heal." Ezekiel, chapter 34, verse 16

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's evangelize, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 16, 2023, 05:46:31 AM

398. Listen


"Listen to my voice; then I will be your God and you shall be my people. Walk in all the ways that I command you, so that you may prosper." Jeremiah, chapter 7, verse 23

We wish to be happy. We ardently want to be of the family of God. It's good to be told, "Listen to my voice; then, I will be your God and you shall be my people," my family. We're happy.

God invites us to follow the prescribed path. What is the prescribed path? Eliminate what makes us stumble, get away from what leads to evil, keep away from taking something for granted, stop wanting to control, let go of all that is useless, etc., trust, and live in peace and joy.

The resolve to focus on Christ is the only prescribed path. If we embark resolutely on following Jesus, we will want to convert more to him. Do we want to have Jesus as our Lord and Saviour and trust in him completely?

To trust in Jesus is essential. That too is our mission. Let's take the path he prescribes. Jesus tells us:
"I am the way, the truth and the life." John, chapter 14, verse 6
He did not say he's the obstacle, the lie and the death. Jesus said he is "the way, the truth and the life".

To get away from the way, the truth and the life in God is to harm us, then to harm others. It's important to ask God for the grace to remain in his joy. Let's ask for the grace to stay with Jesus.

We are created for Jesus, we're created for Love.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Joy in heaven!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 17, 2023, 06:39:54 AM

399. My heart is ready


Let's say together with all saints:
"My heart is steadfast, God, my heart is steadfast. I will sing and chant praise." Psalm 57, verse 8

It's a testimony to sing, to play hymns to God. We know it, when we're helpful, when we adjust our life to that of God, our heart is in joy and it wants to "sing and play hymns".

Let's add this passage:
"I will praise you among the peoples, Lord; I will chant your praise among the nations." Psalm 57, verse 10

When we love, we want to share the joy of love that we have and especially to mention the person who gives us this love. When we love a person, his name doesn't bother us. The name of Jesus cannot displease us. Love does not displease.

With God, we want to give thanks (thank him) everywhere and at all times, since we know that Love comes from him. We want to share the joy of the Love we receive from God, because it makes us live and transforms us to the point of experiencing joy in abundance! The desire to love the neighbour of the Love of God is the sign that we understand the mission in which Jesus engages us.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Joy in heaven!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 18, 2023, 06:21:33 AM

400. God Loves through us


Here is Jesus's command:
"Love one another as I love you." John, chapter 15, verse 12
To love allows Jesus to recognize us as his:
"You are my friends if you do what I command you." John, chapter 15, verse 14

But we should also learn how to convey who Jesus is and that he Loves us forever.

Beloved, we are. We are created by Love and to live his Love between us. Receiving Jesus's love and sharing on whom he really is, allows us to become friends of the Shepherd in the Covenant. And we're fulfilling the same mission that Jesus came to live during his stay at the heart of our reality.

The mission is to receive Jesus, to be happily saturated and evangelization is to allow others to taste his presence that overflows us by thoughts, words and gestures. We're free to evangelize Love. Let's not burden ourselves with evil. Let's give the heaviness to Jesus and continue to radiate Love that circulates in our lives.

Jesus came to Love us and if we love thanks to him, we offer what he has offered us, his Love for humanity. Let's love God and God in one's neighbour so that we may learn to love ourselves too.

Let's love God? Well, it's impossible to love God, since Love comes from him. As it is written in the book Let's be Loved, Paths 34 - 40, God gives us his Love and we cannot give him back his gift. But he asks us if he can go through us so that his gift of Love passes from our heart onto and in the hearts of others. And what great joy to let God Love through us! This is proof that we accept his Love and let him pass to heal and convert the neighbours.

The mission knocks on the door of evangelization when we're like a sponge that's saturated with the Love of God. Evangelization knocks on the door of the heart of the people when we let God Love. The evangelization of Jesus's message is completed by the reception of the message of salvation by the other person.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Joy in heaven!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 19, 2023, 05:53:18 AM

401. Graces


Paul discovers the graces, since he lives united with God:
"There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone." 1 Corinthians, chapter 12, verses 4 to 6

Gifts, services and activities are graces when they are intimately related to God and practised according to his will. The graces are revealed by the good, the beautiful, the real and true in the world. The sharing, health care workers, those who pray, and everything that can help a person is related to the graces and gifts that God gives us.

Assistance to people in poverty, attention to persecuted people, to those who don't live their lives naturally and get bogged down in drugs or lies, among others, that conflict against the deep nature of people, paying them attention is a means of encouraging them and leading them to the graces they receive, but of which, too often, they no longer believe in, since they see them less or lacking in their surroundings.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Joy in heaven!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 20, 2023, 06:27:22 AM

402. Grace for all


Paul tells us:
"The grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age, as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of the great God and of our saviour Jesus Christ." Titus, chapter 2, verses 11 to 13

The grace of God is for all people. Grace is present, it is active, it makes us holy. It teaches us to reject sin and the passions of this world. Being passionate is good in itself. But Paul places certain passions as evil.

What are the passions and sins today that lead to evil? Indifference, rejection, judgment, gluttony, disordered passions, hatred, and so on, what in our life prevents us from fully receiving the grace of God? Let's refuse sin. By asking God to help us free ourselves from everything that hinders our life to be free, we'll discover or rediscover more and more the beauty and power of God's grace.

By doing our part to allow the grace of God to pass through our lives, we offer ourselves the chance to advance in faith and to live in an intimate and deep relationship with him.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Joy in heaven!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 21, 2023, 05:38:35 AM

403. Jesus free's us


When we meet Christ, and this may be during our life, we can say to him:
"We have done what we were obliged to do." Luke, chapter 17, verse 10

Our duty, our mission is to let Jesus free us from sin and evil, and let him Love us, to allow his graces to transform our lives and the lives of many thousands of people we'll have no idea he'll be touching their hearts. The purification of our being inspires others to look for him and let themselves be transformed. Let's remain in prayer.

When we pray without waiting in return and letting Jesus choose an intention, prayer can reach people we don't know. Also, it allows us to expect nothing in return. This prayer is free.

May the Lord take our sufferings upon himself, light our way, and lead us ever deeper into his universe of holiness. May the Holy Spirit invade us with his refreshing Presence and bring us together in the Kingdom of the Trinity.
This acclaim reminds us to continue in faith and joy. Praise the Lord:
"All you peoples, clap your hands; shout to God with joyful cries. For the Lord, the Most High, inspires awe, the great king overall the earth. (...) God mounts the throne amid shouts of joy; the Lord, amid trumpet blasts. Sing praise to God, sing praise; sing praise to our king, sing praise. God is king over all the earth; sing hymns of praise. God rules over the nations; God sits upon his holy throne." Psalm 47, verses 2 to 3 and 6 to 9

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Joy in heaven!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 22, 2023, 06:36:19 AM

404. The testimony of God


John tells us:
"If we accept human testimony, the testimony of God is surely greater. Now the testimony of God is this, that he has testified on behalf of his Son." 1 John, chapter 5, verse 9

The testimonies are multiple. When a team wins in hockey, we value, in the newspapers, the effort and commitment of the players. When there is a traffic accident, the witnesses say what they saw.

When people go on a visit to a natural environment that is breathtaking, they are in front of something different. Nature raises our spirit, it isn't invented by humans. Nature is there, simply, with its beauties, its colours, its diversity of species.

Another adventure, another testimony comes to disrupt the course of history. That of the Creator to Moses, who calls himself "I am", God. Then the evangelists and many other people testified about Jesus and this continues today. Each person's testimony will reveal one aspect or another of what they have seen and heard. Our testimony of faith reminds us that God is always there, present with us and continues to Love us.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Joy in heaven!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 23, 2023, 05:57:07 AM

405. They are One


There is also God's testimony to his Son. The Father recognizes himself in his Son. They are One. Now, what the Father says of the Son is the summit as testimony. John confirms it:
"This is the testimony: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever possesses the Son has life; whoever does not possess the Son of God does not have life." 1 John, chapter 5, verses 11 to 12

The Son is one with us, taking flesh of the Virgin Mary. He pays homage to our human nature, since humanity is his jewel. He wants to bring us back to him.

It's a privilege for humanity to receive Jesus, but sometimes, because of sin, people don't do justice to God. Jesus has come to bring us back to the purity of God.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Joy in heaven!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 24, 2023, 05:58:41 AM

406. John's testimony


John shares his testimony:
"I write these things to you so that you may know that you have eternal life, you who believe in the name of the Son of God." 1 John, chapter 5, verse 13

Our testimony helps deepen our faith in Jesus. The purpose of our life is to place our faith in him. This testimony in Jesus is valid for the world. This is the testimony of testimonies. Nothing surpasses this one.

God also receives our testimony to him. It's our way of paying tribute to what we receive. We ask Jesus to purify us more so that our testimony will become through prayer, mass and fasting, the one that Jesus wants to hear.

May our testimony to communion with the Word and the Eucharist reflect our desire to make Jesus known, as the Father testifies:
"This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased." Matthew, chapter 3, verse 17

Then Jesus bears testimony to the Father and his Spirit by sending it to us:
"I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of truth, which the world cannot accept, because it neither sees nor knows it. But you know it, because it remains with you, and will be in you." John, chapter 14, verses 16 to 17

Let's communicate with the Holy Spirit, let's keep him with us. We will see the wonders that the Trinity will realize in our heart and in the world.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Joy in heaven!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 25, 2023, 05:43:13 AM

407. Joy


Many people live the poverty of not being in joy. God tells us:
"There shall always be rejoicing and happiness in what I create; for I create Jerusalem to be a joy and its people to be a delight; I will rejoice in Jerusalem and exult in my people." Isaiah, chapter 65, verses 18 to 19

God creates every second, He creates us right now. We're in the constant creation of God. Let's repeat what God says: "Rejoice, exult without end for what I create."

He creates. He offers us to be in joy, to live with his joy, here and now. We have every reason to rejoice when we think of God, when we do our best to work in his vineyard, when we place our trust and life in him.

Let's exult, because God is present with us, God feeds us and showered us with truth and graces.

The authentic journey is to place our faith in Jesus. We can already be in God's joy and exult to know that Jesus is life and he invites us to live eternally with the Trinity.

Every day we have reasons to rejoice to know that God is with us, if we place our life and the lives of our family, friends and everyone we meet in his hands.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Joy in heaven!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 26, 2023, 05:31:45 AM

408. We see God


As Jesus said in the Beatitudes:
"Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God." Matthew, chapter 5, verse 8

It's important to see God one day, if not in our time, in eternity. To see him, let's let God turn our heart into a pure heart.

To see God, let's welcome his Love into our life and accept to joyfully share our experience of faith. The more we share the Love received from God, the more it grows in us. The more the flower receives sun, water and nutrients from the soil, the more it will grow and offer the beauty it receives from God, for the eyes of passers-by.

Let's not be afraid to be so much in Jesus that he will show himself to us. And for people who have never seen Jesus, it's not a lack, it's only because Jesus is so close to their heart that he doesn't seem to be perceptible to their senses.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Joy in heaven!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 27, 2023, 05:24:11 AM

409. Intense joy


Seeing God doesn't necessarily mean seeing him with our eyes. We can see him with the eyes of the heart, in the good deeds of people, in us and in all that is realized of good, beautiful and true in the world. The pure heart is to become like a child, to shed oneself of what isn't necessary, of what keeps us captive.

To see Jesus is to see Love and to see Love is to see the Trinity. Humanly, with our eyes we do not see Love. But the Love we receive from God is what motivates us during life. We all seek love when the Love of God is offered for free. As soon as we feel the true, pure, real love, we actually receive the Love that comes from God, which comes from Jesus.

Then, there was a multitude of people who had the privilege of knowing Jesus, who had the deep and intense joy of entering into a deep relationship with him. We may have had this chance to feel Jesus's presence in our heart, to discover his person in our lives and to understand that he is the Master and Lord, then to grasp that his only judgment is his Love, that he Loves us with a total and definitive Love.

Paul gives us the purpose of faith. In Christ Jesus:
"You are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God." Ephesians, chapter 2, verse 19

Do we believe it? In Jesus, we become saints, people of his family? Let's share what we lived with the Trinity. It's a good time to testify.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Joy in heaven!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 28, 2023, 06:54:06 AM

410. The nobility of works


How much time is spent at work, how many dialogues are there between two employees on multiple topics? It can also become an opportunity to slowly and gradually implant an important topic of faith.

In Genesis, God says that we will work at the sweat of our forehead. But this reality happened after the human got scared of God.

In fact, when we walk with Jesus, it's no longer a job, much less forehead sweat, it becomes a vocation. It's works, and it is time and energy. But it's really different with Jesus.

When we are on a mission with Jesus, it's no longer a job, it's to let God be God in our life, to let Jesus be in our heart and to share his Love with others. How sweet! For the rest of the work and because of sin, yes, it's through the sweat of our forehead.

The more we achieve his will, the more we'll discover Jesus in our lives and in those of others.

By becoming workers of Jesus, we help the world to find him. It would be nice if each person had a little something to realize, simply, for evangelization in their environment. Only through prayer, we participate in evangelization. There are also other ways. The Lord hires all the time. Let's ask him to work in his vineyard.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 29, 2023, 05:39:58 AM

411. Pray for his people


On the road:
"They went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs." Mark, chapter 16, verse 20

As soon as we think about the people around us who don't walk, who don't pray, who don't go to Mass, Jesus invites us to the mission. He offers us the Holy Spirit, so that we may be little igniters of love in all hearts.

We can pray for his people, give them to Jesus, love them from a distance. And above all, send them the Holy Spirit every day that is given to us to transform their lives and to embellish their hearts.

The Holy Spirit is the breeze of fresh air that we can send to the people we love, to our children, so that the oxygen of their faith can be cleansed and cleared.

May the Holy Spirit invade every person we love.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on November 30, 2023, 06:55:11 AM

412. Sowing widely


"Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully." 2 Corinthians, chapter 9, verse 6

It's Paul who tells us that! It's true in the garden as in life. The more we sow what we have and who we are, even with smaller seeds, the more we'll harvest or others will reap the fruit of our labour. Let's check that we receive everything from Jesus:
"For you know the gracious act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that for your sake he became poor although he was rich, so that by his poverty you might become rich." 2 Corinthians, chapter 8, verse 9

Jesus confirms it to us, he knows that the Father will restore it to us a hundredfold:
"When you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you." Matthew, chapter 6, verse 17

Let's offer what is most precious for a mission that is precious to God, for the salvation of all people. God gives to us accordingly to what we offer of him.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 01, 2023, 06:06:51 AM
413. Love is transmitted


The saints give freely:
"Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life." John, chapter 12, verse 25

God's Love costs nothing. It's always transmitted in freedom and it joins the freedom of the person who receives it.

We are invited to offer 100% of what we receive from God. If we think we cannot give a lot, let's give 100% of the little we can offer. The Lord will be happy because we give the maximum of what we can:
"God loves a cheerful giver. Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work." 2 Corinthians, chapter 9, verses 7 to 8

It's quite special that we have so many graces and overabundance, because God doesn't know how to count. He gives too much, and after having given everything, we still have some superfluous to do all kinds of good.

For children, when they share their candies, candies disappear quickly. The more they share, the less they have and the little bag becomes empty. It's different for what God gives us. Even though we share God's Love, the more we share it, the more we receive. Then, we have forevermore.

Many of the holy people we met showed to us by their lives that God's Love was possible and easy to share. This is the easiest thing to offer. Their hearts were swollen with the divine sap that overflows on their surroundings.

There's no question of tests of strength or exhausting us too much wanting to convert the world, in what Jesus offers us, but to share what he himself offers us simply for the faith of people.

To love one's life is selfish, it's to take it strictly on oneself. But to offer what we receive from God, to be just, is to become more and more generous with the Love we receive from him. The more experience we have in transmitting what God gives us, the more we develop ways for him to pass through us, to the hearts of people.

We are created to offer the Love of our life, the Love of God, in abundance. Sharing the graces (evangelization), we receive (mission) from God is the summit of the mission.

The love that nourishes and water our life, when it's lived happily, gives good fruit in abundance. All people can come to feed and drink from our tree filled with fruit. Then we will tell them that these fruits are provided by God to feed them.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 02, 2023, 06:14:52 AM

414. Make Christ present


What goods received from God can we waste and lose? The first good is the Love of God. We are not always aware in us of the Love of God.

When we sleep, when we eat, work, celebrate, watch, we always have the opportunity to make Christ present in us, thinking of him.

Sometimes we keep the Love of God for us. Or we don't know how to share it. But just to realize that Jesus is with us soothes us and that can reach others. They will feel that we are not alone in life and that we are in peace.
And it's true, we are accompanied by the Presence of the Holy Spirit. He transforms us while we pay attention to him when we're aware that he's with us.

If we don't have water, we dry. We only need to drink. When we drank water, this reserve follows us everywhere. It's even simpler with Jesus. We have only to drink to his Sacred Heart and he is in us. We only have to think of him and he is Present. God is the eternal present. We drink from him, otherwise we do not drink from him.

When we receive the Eucharist, it's the presence of God who is there. Like water, we carry God with us after Mass, wherever we go. Its luminous rays coming out of us (like Jesus in Mary's womb) join the souls of the people we meet. In his rays are transported his Love and all that he offers us. Let's carry his Eucharist within us and let his rays transform the world.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 03, 2023, 05:38:14 AM

415. In thanksgiving


May we transport Jesus like in vases of great price, the price of salvation for oneself and for everyone
"Whoever keeps his word, the love of God is truly perfected in him." 1 John, chapter 2, verse 5

He who keeps the reality of Christ in him receives the Love of God in its perfection. May the Love of God overflow us to invade all the people we meet. Let's be children of light, life, of the way and the truth.

Let's live in thanksgiving. Let's offer our heart and body to Jesus to cover them with his Love so that it may be reflected in us and on all.

Let's become skilled in fighting, without violence, for the faith. May Mary and Joseph be examples of life for us, since they have remained close to Jesus by offering the gift of their lives.

Paul says to the Romans and to us:
"I am not ashamed of the gospel. It is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: for Jew first, and then Greek." Romans, chapter 1, verse 16

The four key words in this sentence are: "To serve the gospel (French version)". To receive the service of Jesus and his Word, his Verb.

We have here the first step to begin to know Jesus Christ, and then to make him known. Paul seems to go beyond reading the gospel, since he speaks of the service of the gospel. The gospel, the good news is all about service.
When we share the gospel or prayer, even though it's in the kitchen, the Lord will pass. Even if it's sitting in the stands during a sports game, the Lord passes.

We understand that we can share the Word, live evangelizing gestures, but the summit is to live accordingly to the Word, and the Lord will pass. Jesus is simply asking us to enter into intense communion with his Word and he will do the rest. To share one's Word has the effect of increasing happiness a hundredfold. But all too often, we seek our happiness rather than receive it from Jesus. We seek to transmit our word instead of his.

If we let the Word act powerfully in our heart, it will be transmitted with power, through gentleness and respect, to other people. This is evangelization. Let's live a deeper conversion, listening to Jesus in our heart.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 04, 2023, 06:04:14 AM

416. Disciples' language


"The Lord God has given me a well-trained tongue. That I might know how to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them. Morning after morning he opens my ear that I may hear." Isaiah, chapter 50, verse 4

Let's listen to Jesus. Let's listen to others to "rouse them".

Jesus came into our world to assume our human nature and he took advantage of it to bear it on him, with him. He asks us to give him all the burdens, ours, as well as those of others.

Jesus shows us how to be a disciple so that with his Word, he supports the exhausted. Every morning Jesus gets up with us for the same Mission. To lead the human family to the Father.

Let's prepare our heart to go to the Lord's Supper, then come out from the table with Jesus and observe what he is doing for us in the world. Let's ask the Holy Spirit to allow us to live with Jesus his unique experience, his Mission, his Word in our heart, for the salvation of humanity. May the Father rejoice that we observe his will for Love.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 05, 2023, 06:46:59 AM

417. Serving


Jesus tells us:

"The greatest among you must be your servant." Matthew, chapter 23, verse 11

Since Jesus is the greatest of all and has been the servant of all, we can imagine what that means for us.

Jesus asks everyone to become servants of one another. To one is given to care for a patient, to the other to be treated, to one to teach, to the other to be taught, for one to improve the world and for all to embark in the mission.

The person who is being cared for serves the caregiver. This allows the caregiver to develop his talents, become more compassionate and loving.

So it's not just the people who need care that are receiving from God, but also the caregivers through their dedication and attention to the others.

It's similar for faith. When we share faith, the person who receives it allows us to serve and improve. We receive as much as he does. We're all winners when we share and receive faith from each other.

We are called to serve the neighbour, as our master, Jesus who's with us. Let's continue to follow Christ, to receive his Love and to share it among us.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 06, 2023, 05:54:10 AM
418. To encourage


John the Baptist knew how to speak to the people to distract them from what they were doing and to centre them on Jesus, on the Lamb of God. He is also the main actor in the election of the first Apostles, John and Andrew.

We have the same mission. We are invited to encourage people to follow Jesus.

Every person who focuses on Jesus sees his life being transformed. Paul tells us:
"From David's descendants God, according to his promise, has brought to Israel a saviour, Jesus. John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel; and as John was completing his course, he would say, 'What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. Behold, one is coming after me; I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.'" Acts, chapter 13, verses 23 to 25

Moses took off his sandals before God:
"Come no nearer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground." Exodus, chapter 3, verse 5

John the Baptist is not worthy to remove the sandals from the feet of the Lord. And Jesus does not need to take off his sandals, he is God, he is holiness. Where he stands, the earth is holy.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 07, 2023, 05:50:36 AM

419. The strength to love


It's for us that Jesus came, but also for people who do not know him yet. They need to know that the Trinity Loves them. Let's carry them in our prayer.
Jesus invites to believe in him. Jesus answers them:
"Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled.

Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him the Father, God, has set his seal." John, chapter 6, verses 26 to 27

Jesus makes it plain that he gives eternal bread. This bread that Jesus offers is the bread of the life of God and in God.

During the reception of the Bread of Life, may Jesus grant us the grace to never depart from him or from his Church. May his Bread, his true Body, be the strength to love, health, and be the holiness of our Life.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 08, 2023, 05:48:12 AM

420. God is here


With God, everything is too simple, even wisdom is simple. But we tend to complicate it.

We only need to focus on Jesus and wisdom will simply invade us every time. At the same time, we must be willing to meditate and receive it.
With ease:
"As the rising sun is clear to all, so the glory of the Lord fills all his works." Sirach, chapter 42, verse 16

Still, we must be placed in front of his sun (Son). It's to blush with joy, as the sun likes to blush our cheeks.

May every moment of our lives be filled with the joy of God's gaze upon us, look of tenderness, peace and love ... and our existence will praise the Lord, that is, our existence will be in so much joy we'll want to share it with the Lord as a friend.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Joy in heaven!, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 09, 2023, 06:06:20 AM

1. The family


Christians want to convert. They want to find every means to stay with God. They want his Love to take root in them, so that their faith improves.

They recognize that God's Word is important. The Word is like water turning seed into a root, then the root into a shoot, the shoot into a tree, then the tree bears fruit and gives back to humans and to the earth.

To let ourselves be profoundly transformed by the Word allows us to act as christians.

Paul confirms it by this inspiration:
"But what does it say? 'The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart' (that is, the word of faith that we preach)." Romans, chapter 10, verse 8

God lays down his Word in us. It helps us to believe more in Christ and to work with him. Jesus offers everything from his heart. He who receives it thus becomes an abundant source that transmits Love from heart to heart.

One of the purposes of the christian family is to break the chains by and with the Word of God. We are invited to avoid chains by not letting ourselves be captured by them. Then we are called to become people from whom flows a source of peace, with respect and charity, inspired by the Word, so that others are released from their chains.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd's Mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 10, 2023, 05:39:14 AM

2. Jesus or darkness


Even if it's easy to understand, the way doesn't seem that easy to reach and to find God. Maybe it's too easy? It's simple to want to follow the light, but there are shadows that draw us to the side of the road. As Augustine mentions, we have trouble focusing on light:
"The lovely things kept me far from you." A quote from Confessions

We have fear of the objects that are found in darkness and to think about them too much, to seek too much, we attach ourselves to them. We are attracted by objects, sometimes by people more than God and they distract us away from Light: "The lovely things kept me far from you," says Augustine.

Instead of seeing the person and the objects under God's reality, there's the danger of observing them according to the shadows they offer us.

Jesus invites us to return to the Light to better understand and grasp the world around us, in its reality. He stops and he talks to the blind beggar man:
"'Call him.' So they called the blind man, saying to him, 'Take courage; get up, he is calling you.'" Mark, chapter 10, verse 49

Trust, go to the Light, Jesus is here and he is waiting on you.

We may have this question: What do we want Jesus to do for us here and now? What do we want to see? We want to see the true Light. And Jesus will tell us:
"Go your way; your faith has saved you." Mark, chapter 10, verse 52

Being blind in this context is not comparable to physical blindness. To be blind is above all to let our soul slip into darkness, alienation contrary to the Light, the unpleasant and disappointing side of the cloudy and dark, of which keeps us away from God.

In reality, all that is realized in the world for God brings graces to all. We will see each other and we will see the world as it is in Truth and in the Light of God. Only then can we be transformed by Truth.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd's Mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 11, 2023, 05:19:09 AM

3. In a pilgrimage place


It's good to say:
"Lord, Lord." Matthew, chapter 7, verse 21a

It's a beginning. It's good to recognize Jesus as our Lord. Then he immediately brings us back to reason:
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven." Matthew, chapter 7, verse 21b

Works are like fruits on a tree. They are of God for others. What works can we do?

We are invited to open ourselves to the world. But it isn't enough to be satisfied with what we do, although what we do can already be very good.
A christian cannot be whole if he doesn't evangelize, if he doesn't ask Jesus to convert people around him and invite them to walk in faith, if not in our community, at least may they walk in faith.

To offer to others the graces received from God, it's important to strengthen our foundations continually and also to be patient and gentle with ourselves. Let's place our pride in God, because with Jesus, we can quickly find ourselves with new people who discover faith, in a short period of time.

Are we ready to open the doors and welcome? Do we leave priests and bishops with this initiative or do we also engage with them?

We're in a place of pilgrimage, where we are, right now. The people around us are those who seek God, sometimes even without knowing it.

We are pilgrims when we are searching for the presence of God in the hearts of people. We are pilgrims when we look for ways to pray. We are pilgrims when we go to Church and receive the Word of God and Eucharist.

We are very adept at helping a child learn, attain and grow, we can be as skilled at helping people in their faith.

Jesus is Lord and he shines on and in the world. Let's ask Jesus to touch him with his graces and rays of light. Let's help, by prayer, to discover it. Let's become pilgrims of the world around us, where we are. May people become aware that God loves them.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd's Mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 12, 2023, 05:37:52 AM

4. Adjusted to God


In God, what seems more fragile is often what's strongest. The Love of God, life, hope, mercy, joy, among others, are solid. They stay with us. All the rest will pass. Like the house built on rock, we want to put our feet on concrete. It is written:
"A nation of firm purpose you keep in peace; in peace, for its trust in you." Isaiah, chapter 26, verse 3

Let's put our trust in God. Give him all the space. Let's find support in him. May the Lord be our home to shelter us from the cold, rainy, windy or snowy weather and even in sunny weather:
"Open up the gates to let in a nation that is just, one that keeps faith." Isaiah, chapter 26, verse 2

It's precise: "let them enter, the righteous (the nation)"! The righteous is the one who is adjusted to God and not the opposite. God doesn't adjust to us, to what we wish, what we want, what enchants us.

God doesn't adjust to himself, since he is just. We are invited to focus on the Love of God and our life will have everything it needs, spiritually. God's Love is... Love is.

Jesus offers us the mission: "It is not by saying to me, 'Lord, Lord,' that we will enter the kingdom of heaven, but it's by doing the will of my Father who is in heaven."

Let's do the Father's will. His will is that we love one another, from his Love. The one who guides us in the way of loving our neighbour is Jesus.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd's Mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 13, 2023, 06:19:37 AM

5. Deepening our faith


It's important to nurture our faith in the Church and then become missionaries in our region. Paul tells us:
"I am reminding you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you indeed received and in which you also stand." 1 Corinthians, chapter 15, verse 1

We are invited to live every moment of our lives by being aware of the presence of God and also by being conscious of deepening our faith. We stand firm by keeping the Word of the Gospel close at hand and in us. We have received the Gospel, now we are good to announce it.

"Those who with God's help have welcomed Christ's call and freely responded to it are urged on by love of Christ to proclaim the Good News everywhere in the world." Catechism of the Catholic Church, number 3, website: https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P2.HTM

The best way to know if we are truly and freely attached to the Trinity is to feel "urged on by love of Christ to proclaim the Good News everywhere in the world".

Let's bring his love to the world. Let's go into the world. Unless we have a different calling, of course, which is more related to prayer for the world as for the cloistered Carmelites, Franciscans. It's their way of being in the world. These two ways of evangelizing are excellent. All missionaries are thus supported by prayer.

With more people in a hurry and charitably committed to proclaiming the Love of Christ, supported by the prayers of all, there will be an ocean of universal love. Then, the grace of the mission nourishes and deepens our personal faith.

Let's recognize the Love that God gives us by his Word, by his Body and his Blood, by the Eucharist for our salvation and the salvation of the world.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd's Mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 14, 2023, 05:56:32 AM

6. The Lord's voice


The Lord's envoy does not always have the simplest mission. And in Jeremiah's time it was even more difficult. Where he is sent, he risks death, since people consider his message as an obstacle:
"This man deserves death; he has prophesied against this city, as you have heard with your own ears." Jeremiah, chapter 26, verse 11

This is why the leaders and prophets want to kill him:
Jeremiah gave this answer to the princes and all the people: 'It was the Lord who sent me to prophesy against this house and city all that you have heard. Now, therefore, reform your ways and your deeds; listen to the voice of the Lord your God, so that the Lord will repent of the evil with which he threatens you.' Jeremiah, chapter 26, verses 12 to 13

Let's review our actions, our words and listen to the Lord's voice. Misfortune never comes from the Lord, but our refusal to be on the road and the refusal of others to listen. It is quite brilliant what Jeremiah declares in the name of the Lord.

Conversion involves meditating on the people's needs and the desire to listen to those who transmit the voice of God. Then the princes and all the people said to the priests and prophets:
"This man does not deserve death; it is in the name of the Lord, our God, that he speaks to us." Jeremiah, chapter 26, verse 16

When Jeremiah professes that he is the Lord's messenger, they consider holding their hand and allow him a longer life. They are kind to him. They decide to change lanes.

They recognize in Jeremiah a prophet who wants to help the people become better, holy, thanks to God. A new time of grace begins because the people agree to be transformed by the Voice of God announced by the voice of the prophet. Joy can be replaced in the people.

We don't have to wait to change lanes. The holy way is to let God be the master of our life, immediately.

Today, however, it is difficult to accept a straight, good and solid path. And not everyone appreciates that christians invite them to change their ways. There are, for example, those who do not want to hear reproach about their unhealthy and destructive practices that can harm them.

Happy are the people who dare to listen to the message of the Lord and who agree to redirect their lives in the good that he proposes to us. The world needs people who listen to the Trinity through the voice of prophets who touch the heart with righteous and loved filled words, with messages that are adapted to them and with gentleness and respect for their journey.

Let's offer to the Lord everything that can lead us out of his message of conversion, freedom and truth in faith. May he free us from this reckless conduct and keep us with him. Then we can make him be loved by others.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd's Mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 15, 2023, 05:51:36 AM

7 Seeing God's face


We are called to a resplendent life. The Apostle John describes to us all the splendour of the Holy City that he receives in a vision. At that moment, John must be living heaven on earth. These images will remain engraved in his memory forever.

John sees the Lamb and he mentions that those who have accepted the Love of God will see his face:
Nothing accursed will be found there anymore. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will look upon his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. Night will be no more, nor will they need light from lamp or sun, for the Lord God shall give them light, and they shall reign forever and ever. Revelation, chapter 22, verses 3 to 5

Seeing the face of God is the ultimate dream from the beginning of mankind to its end, when we return in him. Whether they're aware of it or not, it will happen. But often they look elsewhere and move away from their reality as children of God.

Down here, we carry in ourselves the image of God. But we must also want to welcome the life of Christ in us as Mary made herself available to his will. We will not bear God like her, but we will carry him in the core of who we are.

The Holy Spirit can already place on our faces the light of God, in our hands the gift of God, in our eyes the vision of God on the world, and in our feet the footsteps of little pilgrims of Love who hurry on to go to the people, to lead them to Jesus.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd's Mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 16, 2023, 05:45:48 AM

8. Let's remain free


Jesus then invites us to the virtue of prudence:
"Be vigilant at all times and pray." Luke, chapter 21, verse 36

This is the secret that isn't secret. Let's keep the light of our salvation in plain sight, let's keep Jesus, our Light, close to us. His presence will help us to see the obstacles on our way to minimize, move or circumvent them.

Let's remain free, knowing that we are loved by God and may Jesus be the Lord of our life. In this way, we will see the face of God. Jesus confirms it:
"That you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man." Luke, chapter 21, verse 36

To escape all that will happen, to circumvent the obstacles, to remain on the road of holiness, is to draw water and light from Jesus, from the Well of his Sacred Heart, who keeps us in hope.

Let's also observe the other missionaries who fight with the light of peace, joy, justice and mercy. Jesus is the wisdom that allows us to properly assess the situations around us, then to teach the world, in confidence. The more our path aligns with that of Jesus, the better we will discern. The mission will become efficient and precise. Others have succeeded, why not us? It is humanly feasible.

We want to give thanks to the Lord and reiterate our "yes" to Jesus so that he may remain with us in the days of purification, in the crucible of transformation as in the days of trust with him, our host and guide.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd's Mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 17, 2023, 07:54:52 AM

9. Let's listen


We are in the core of a treasure mine that never stops twinkling. We receive everything to be happy:
Hear then, Israel, and be careful to observe them, that you may grow and prosper the more, in keeping with the promise of the Lord, the God of your fathers, to give you a land flowing with milk and honey. Deuteronomy, chapter 6, verse 3

In short, it tells us: "To watch, listen and practise what brings us happiness and fruitfulness." Joy in God is the sign that we are following Jesus and listening to him. We become fruitful and offer God's graces.

First, let's be watchful. Let's keep our hearts open and ready to reach people on the road. Let's watch what they live to know them better. Let's receive from Jesus what we'll give back to them. Joy restores and allows us living from its fullness.

Secondly, listen. Let's listen to what people tell us. They give us points of reference as to possible evangelization with them.

Jesus gave us his Catholic Church for us to have teachings, sacraments, the Word and the Eucharist. Let's listen to what will lead us to the Holy Trinity for eternity.

Third one, let's practice. Let's practice what we learn and discover what amazes us through faith in Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit. Let's practice all that will allow us to progress in faith and that will make our surroundings holier and anchored in the divine (God).

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd's Mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 18, 2023, 05:52:49 AM

10. Love reflects


Then there is this piece of text we know well and which is to be regularly meditated. This prayer is a jewel, a beacon for the Jews:
"Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone! Therefore, you shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength." Deuteronomy, chapter 6, verses 4 to 5 (See also Mark, chapter 12 verses 29-30)

It's a whole lesson, in a few sentences. There's: "Listen." Listening means being all ears to what the Lord says to us: "The Lord is our God, the Lord alone." Our God is One. Let's listen to what God tells us and not everything that is said to be negative about him in a clumsy and inexperienced way.

Then the sweet recommendation for our conversion, through a path of holiness: "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength." Love the Lord your God with the strength of his Love that he lays down upon you. Love God, since he is Love and he wants to observe the brilliance of his pure diamond, his Love which reflects of a thousand colours, out of you.

Let's love God. Then, how do we love God if we don't love the person he has created, ourselves? God created us Love. He is still creating us right now. Let's love in ourselves the Love that God creates at every moment. This Love will reflect on our contemporaries. We love God in return when we let him go through us to Love humanity.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd's Mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 19, 2023, 05:44:02 AM

11. Easy and light


Paul testifies:
"Although I am free in regard to all, I have made myself a slave to all so as to win over as many as possible." 1 Corinthians, chapter 9, verse 19
First, Paul says he is "free in regard to all". It's the result of being as free as possible from worries and staying on the road with Jesus.

It's not always easy to live in this way with all the distractions and illusions that surround us, with all that takes us away from Jesus, all that causes us to leave the path.

But Paul's intention is to invite us to stay on the path of holiness, to remain focused on the mission that Jesus proposes to us for the glory of God and for the salvation of the world.

We are not here to block the people around us. Every step we take is to help our neighbour. We walk with them and offer them ways to improve their lives.

Paul says that he wants to "win over as many as possible" to Jesus. Only a free person can really lead souls, lead people to Jesus. But Paul knows, like all of us, that he isn't perfect and that he depends entirely on the will of God. To be a "slave" as Paul mentions means to love the Love of God for the mission of salvation.

This way of Paul is also ours. We are walking with Jesus and we can ask each day what Jesus would do if he were us. What would Jesus say or propose to people? Each person is unique, they are not like others. How would Jesus join the hearts of people very different from each other?

The freedom of which Paul speaks is of primary importance. Jesus sets us free. He is Liberty. Where Jesus passes and where he is welcomed, he sets free.
Darkness has no influence over Jesus or those who trust in him.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd's Mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 20, 2023, 05:30:41 AM

12. Offer hospitality to Jesus


How is it that Jesus is not known and loved more? Why is love so hard to spread and hatred seems to take over? How many people are not free right now?

So:
Simon and those who were with him pursued him and on finding him said, 'Everyone is looking for you.' He told them, 'Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.' Mark, chapter 1, verses 36 to 38

Simon and his companions look for Jesus, they find him and they tell him: "Everyone is looking for you."

We all seek Jesus and at the same time we only have to receive and welcome him into our hearts, sharing him with others, then discover Jesus in the hearts of others.

Let's not waste time revealing the flaws of others. Let's find instead their qualities that come from God and teach them to discover them, so that they also recognize his presence from within.

Let's offer hospitality to Jesus every moment in our heart and it will not be necessary to seek him. Let's not let ourselves be disappointed, thinking that Jesus is not with us. Jesus is always with us. How do we listen then and receive him? By listening to him, welcoming him and sharing Jesus' Love with others, we will truly be in his mission and evangelize.

Jesus answers them: "Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come."

People are looking for Jesus and that's exactly what he wants. Now he invites his Apostles to go elsewhere. It's like he's saying, "Do not just stay between you where everything seems to be going well and in a group that loves you. Go elsewhere too, find others, bring my Good News to them." To proclaim the Gospel is to evangelize.
We feel good between us. We are sometimes too happy
with our friends, so Jesus invites us to cross the borderline to create encounters of faith with new people.

It will be a sign of our freedom with Jesus when we want to create friendships of faith and walk with some new people we meet. This will not keep us away from the circle of friends we already have. Rather, it will improve it.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd's Mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 21, 2023, 05:45:21 AM
13. God dwells in us


John, the Apostle sponsors us to understand the Sacred Heart of Jesus:
"No one has ever seen God. Yet, if we love one another, God remains in us, and his love is brought to perfection in us." 1 John, chapter 4, verse 12

It seems strange that John says no one has seen God since he was with him. Jesus had also told Philip, his Apostle brother:
"Whoever has seen me has seen the Father." John, chapter 14, verse 9

Surely John wants to attract us on a specific point, since he has already said that he touched the Word of Life, that he touched Jesus. The two were walking together during the mission. John especially wants to introduce us into our heart.
The best way to discover Jesus is to immerse ourselves in our heart and draw out the Love that's placed there. And, "If we love one another, God remains in us, and his love is brought to perfection in us."
John tells us nothing new, since Jesus spent his life spreading his desire that we love one another. But he adds that God's Love will reach his perfection in us. We can see that John knew him. He knows what it means to walk with Jesus.

Let's be reassured, Jesus is still in us, but we risk closing the door of our senses from tasting the Word, hearing it, from tasting the Eucharist, from touching Jesus's Heart, from feeling holiness and see Jesus. Let's continually develop a deeper meaning of God's reality.

The offered Love of God transforms us from day to day and leads us to improve until the day we are fully in him. The journey of our heart to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is the only passage that exists to reach salvation.
The more we spread the Love of Jesus's Sacred Heart, the more our life becomes like his. It's simple, but effective, though it's not easy for us to get going every day. With Jesus, we will get there, we will perfect ourselves.
John also tells us:
"This is how you can know the Spirit of God: every spirit that acknowledges Jesus Christ come in the flesh belongs to God." 1 John, chapter 4, verse 2

To announce Jesus is also to receive the Love of his Heart. And he can tell us once more:
"Come to me, all you who labour and are burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew, chapter 11, verse 28

Even if sometimes the road is rough, to dive in Jesus's Heart will make us discover that the Love he offers us smooths out the road, transforms us, helps us, guides us toward joy and eternal peace.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd's Mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 22, 2023, 05:38:12 AM
14. God does it


This is what is said in the book of Isaiah:
"O Lord, you mete out peace to us, for it is you who have accomplished all we have done." Isaiah, chapter 26, verse 12

The works, the Lord fulfills them for us and with us. It's kind of curious to say that what we do, God does for us.

But it's the truth. Let's assume that God is the one who prepares us for the mission. We are only the instrument. When we do something human, true, peaceful, following the road with Jesus, we will succeed. God does it (in his way, by his will) through us.

If what we are undertaking is linked to a refusal to love, to a refusal to let God be the one who realizes his works, we skid to our loss. We stifle the Love of God who wants to go through us to touch hearts and who wants to realize in them the salvation he promised.

We are aware that we aren't perfect. Precisely, let's let the Lord's care pass through us even more. He will transform us while touching the hearts of our contemporaries. God will accomplish his works through us.

Let's become the passers of the faith of God, people who gently undertake to evangelize the world. God will fulfill in these people the salvation he promises.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd's Mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 23, 2023, 07:12:47 AM
15. To sow peace


Let's imagine that we sow iron balls in the garden. There will be no vegetables or iron growing. But if we sow grains of vegetables in the garden, it will give us good vegetables.

First, we need to know what we want to grow in the garden. We need a minimum of knowledge to be aware that iron doesn't grow there. Then we did not form the grain. We did not create the grain. We do not do anything for the garden to offer us vegetables. They grow alone, but not completely
alone. So, we aren't even soil or nutrients that help vegetables grow. All this is offered to us, as well as the participating rain and sun.

We undertake to sow peace, justice, love in the world, but God realizes it in us and around us by the good, the beautiful, the real and the true. Let's be certain and meticulous that what we sow comes from God. When it is God who transmits his graces, the task is easy as Jesus tells us:
"My yoke is easy, and my burden light." Matthew, chapter 11, verse 30

If it's not easy and light, we don't let God carry out his work. We place ourselves between people and him. We are exhausting ourselves. But when it's easy and light, we don't get tired because we allow God to work. Even in effort and pain, the joy of God supports us.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd's Mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 27, 2023, 06:25:22 AM
16. Strength from above


Moses encourages Joshua. He conveys to him his courage and determination:
"It is the Lord who marches before you; he will be with you and will never fail you or forsake you. So do not fear or be dismayed." Deuteronomy, chapter 31, verse 8

Now, let's take Moses' words for us. They are comforting and they encourage to dare to walk with Jesus in the mission he proposes to us; to announce his Good News in a simple and respectful way with a courageous, audacious, decided and dedicated attitude.

May the force come from above to discern what is good to achieve, how to challenge people and how to transmit the fire of faith. Let's meditate on the best ways to reach people's hearts today. The strength is to welcome God's Love. May God enlighten what we must do to help in the salvation of the world.

God trust's us. Let's also trust God, for us, our children, our friends, and especially for the people to whom we think the least about.

The Lord walks with us. The Holy Spirit in our heart, Jesus on the road and the Father who watches, we have every reason to feel the confidence for evangelization of the hearts of people we meet on a daily basis.

With trust in the Trinity, with faith as a plan of salvation, with the outpouring of happy pilgrims on the road to holiness, we bring light so that others receive it in the heart of their lives.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
The Shepherd's Mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 28, 2023, 07:03:32 AM
17. It's quality that leads sheep


Jesus tells us that the Shepherd:
"Rejoices over [for the found sheep] more than over the ninety-nine that did not stray." Matthew, chapter 18, verse 13

We can think that Jesus is very happy for one sheep. However, Jesus has a bigger plan. Yes, for starters, it's good practice to discover a soul to lead to Jesus. If each person leads one person to Jesus, the world will be evangelized in a fairly short period of time.

In reality, when Jesus speaks of the "lost sheep" to be saved, he speaks of the importance of preparing to evangelize each sheep as we pass by them. Jesus thinks of all sheep.

It isn't as much the quantity of sheep to find that matters most, because we will only pull on their chains and they will not want to follow, but it's with the quality of the faith and the message that we will join the people more and that we will entrust them to the Shepherd himself, Jesus. In this case, the number of sheep will grow.

We are thus invited to attract the sheep with the good grain of faith, to nourish them with authentic faith in Jesus Christ while asking Jesus of what they need most. Because each sheep has a potential to discover and develop to become stronger and attracted to the good, the real, the beautiful and the true.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd's Mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 29, 2023, 07:05:40 AM
18. Leading sheep to Jesus


We walk, we meet, we share, we do everything in prayer and a clear relationship with Jesus so that all are saved by him. All we do in faith and following Jesus is to offer to him, person after person, so that their faith increases and they may be saved.

The mission is to always lead the sheep, the people to Jesus, so that he can touch their souls and ignite their hearts with Love. Let's begin by giving the people back to Jesus in our hearts and on every occasion.

At the same time, we observe that the more we work for others with Jesus, the more the doors of our own holiness opens. The more we work for others, the more we learn how to unite with Jesus and the more we convert ourselves. It's a good deal.

Jesus invites us to become his Love missionaries. Jesus wishes us to become contagious of his presence for the world. We who know that Jesus saves us, he wants us to participate in attracting others to salvation.

To enter into a mission with Jesus is to do the will of God. But to do our own will, our mission without reference to God, is to hide as Adam and Eve.

Sometimes there are people who think they are so "on a mission" that they take control of others just to make themselves feel like they are doing something. But on the contrary, they have to let go more and let the Lord pass.

When we let go, we can return to Jesus's mission and lead people to the Word and Eucharist. They are the food of heaven for human life.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd's Mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 30, 2023, 06:30:07 AM
19. God guides us


The Lord is rallying. Humanity, God has never stopped wanting to bring him back to his Covenant. Then there's the community. God keeps inviting the living communities of faith to enter into his Intelligence and Wisdom, so that we can also feed people who aren't of these communities. The common good for all people is to lead them to their salvation in Jesus Christ.

Jesus was present in his region. Crowds followed Jesus to welcome him and hear his teaching.

Life on earth would be so much simpler if we let God guide us. We see it here, it's party time:
"On this mountain the Lord of hosts will provide for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines." Isaiah, chapter 25, verse 6

God continually invites us to a meal with him. It is the eternal banquet that begins with our yes to the feast with God, the banquet of the Word and the Eucharist.

All this is already promised to us by God, since Christ has come into our world to lead us to definite salvation.

Let's give glory to God:
"Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us! This is the Lord for whom we looked; let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!" Isaiah, chapter 25, verse 9

It is the promise, the only promise of God, our hope. We know he is saving us, now we want others to be saved by him.

Let's tell him we'll receive his gifts for him to touch the heart of each person. Let's pray for people to let themselves be touched.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd's Mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on December 31, 2023, 06:28:32 AM
20. Tell the truth


Jesus declares to his disciples:
"Everyone who acknowledges me before others the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God." Luke, chapter 12, verse 8

True! But what does Jesus want us to say about him? The truth. This is more delicate. To talk about a person, especially Jesus, we need to spend years with him, talk with him, share with him, share in a group and read what is written about him, then enter into a better fellowship with him, naturally.

Above all, if we are talking about Jesus, let's make sure we know ourselves well and gradually adjust to his will. However, a person who has not invested time to listen to his own life will hardly be able to put the reality of another person into perspective. It's an everyday job to discover ourselves in reality and truth.

In the Gospels, there's a lot of information about Jesus, his life is part of the history of his time. He is Jewish. And Jesus is surrounded by people who testify to his presence. However, to discern in the Gospels how Jesus really is, it is recommended to become more familiar with him:
"As proof that you are children, God sent the spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out, 'Abba, Father!'" Galatians, chapter 4, verse 6

Only the Holy Spirit really knows the Creation of the Father and the Heart of the Son. But how to grasp the Holy Spirit if we don't see him? Through the Love received from him, lived and shared. Gaining experience in this area is an asset.

To know Jesus, let's comb the Bible in order to discover all of the Trinity's reality and especially that which is particular to the Beloved Son Jesus.

May the Eucharist, the Body and the Blood of Jesus together, the living God, help us to make truth in us ... if we want to discover his Truth in us. Then, by being totally free from ourselves and from some reducing principles about God, may the Holy Spirit teach us what to say about him for the salvation of the world and the Glory of the Trinity.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Shepherd's Mission, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 01, 2024, 06:42:48 AM
21. God passes


God comes before us. Let's imagine God passing in front of us? Can we afford the time to receive God and let him reveal his presence to us?
God joins Elijah in front of a cave:
"A strong and heavy wind is rending the mountains and crushing rocks before the Lord - but the Lord is not in the wind. After the wind there's an earthquake - but the Lord is not in the earthquake. After the earthquake there's fire - but the Lord is not in the fire. After the fire there is a tiny whispering sound. When he heard this, Elijah hides his face in his cloak and goes and stands at the entrance of the cave. A voice says to him, "Elijah, why are you here?"" 1 Kings, chapter 19, verses 11b to 13

God does not show up in something very impressive. Elijah hears him as a delicate voice, in "a tiny whispering sound", "the sound of sheer silence". God is discreet. He stands before us and in our heart with the same discretion.

Do we want God to speak to us? God speaks to us like he does to Elijah. What is he telling us?

To hear God, we need to enter in the silence of our heart. Let's seek God's presence in us and in our environment and we'll become more aware that he's here.

God proposes to us the same question as to Elijah: "Elijah, why are you here?" Why is Elijah hidden in a cave? Why are we hiding from God and not inviting him into our life? Why are we hiding in our houses and apartments or in our "bubble" when we're in a group?

"Elijah, why are you here?" God asks. And God asks us why we are confined in our body and in our heart by preventing his Loving power to live in it, to breathe in it.

We enter the covenant with God, we enter God's Love when he can reach us. May we set free to him the space of our heart.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 02, 2024, 05:54:23 AM
22 Follow me


Jesus loves to challenge people who are seated or lying down. Here is Matthew, a tax collector sitting at his desk, to which Jesus says:
"Follow me." Matthew, chapter 9, verse 9b

Which means: "Stand up and walk with me."

Jesus knows the heart of every person, of every individual. He chose Matthew because he's ready to be plucked like a ripe fruit:
"He got up and followed him." Matthew, chapter 9, verse 9c

Says Matthew, himself. Jesus touches Matthew at the heart of his being. Matthew gets up "immediately" and follows him.

Matthew will become Jesus' Apostle and evangelist and he'll continue, his whole life, to remain with him.

When the faith of the person enters its maturity, it becomes easier to follow Jesus. Jesus wants for Matthew to follow him. He knows that Matthew has made the necessary efforts to exercise faith. Matthew perhaps wasn't aware of the degree of faith he had and maybe few people knew also. He is ready to walk on the road that Jesus borrows.

The completion of the conversion in Matthew is to hear and respond to the call of Jesus. Matthew goes and follows Jesus, step by step, without knowing in what Jesus is getting him into. His heart is touched, then he's overturned by this unique moment with Jesus.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 03, 2024, 06:15:31 AM
23. Joy settles in


When adjusting to the will of God, we can receive the light, then joy settles in and peace becomes a constant reality. Jesus came to teach us the Good News and to free us.

Jesus invites us back to a child's dignity from God, in purity of heart. Everything is better in God. The weight of past feelings and tomorrow's worries recede from our conscience.

Paul is proposing that we visit our heart:
"It is God who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us, by putting his seal on us and giving us his Spirit in our hearts as a first instalment." 2 Corinthians, chapter 1, verses 21 and 22

The past is a shadow, the future is a mirage, but the Holy Spirit dwells in our heart right now. Living in God improves our life. Welcoming the Holy Spirit into our heart leads to joy in God's Love.

But when we drag the past on our shoulders, we fight for years and we lose energy. And when we suffer from anxiety for the future, we seek for the impossible for hours, months and years as time passes. God is found in the present.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew, chapter 5, verse 3

The poor of heart, of spirit, know they can rely on God. They receive the basic necessities. They hold the key to the Kingdom God.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 04, 2024, 05:26:56 AM
24. May we convert


This passage announces the disposition of the faith:
"Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people." Psalm, chapter 85, verse 8

Let's listen and be focused to what the Lord God will say in our heart. When we are vigilant, we turn our faith and our heart as a receiver to the Heart of God. His Heart is similar to the satellite that launches signals. We do need to put our faith towards the right frequency to receive God. We must not turn it to channels whose waves affect the reception of our soul. The dome of the heart adjusted in the right direction to the Heart of God will receive the signals of his Love.

If we do not listen, it's possibly because we are troubled, we are elsewhere. We may be at war against our own heart. After the war, it's the distress creeping in, loss of energy then lack of peace.

May we listen to what the Lord says in the silence of our heart. We think we're not hearing anything? Still, God speaks to us all the same. Only experience will clarify our listening. Let's count five seconds and gradually increase from week to week, the time to listen to God. Let's adjust the beating of our heart to the Heart of God.

God offers us his peace, peace for his family and children. Peace is offered to us. Let's listen and cling to the one that offers us his peace and his Love.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 05, 2024, 06:17:42 AM
25. It's time


Peter tells us that God wants all of us to have time to convert:
"The Lord does not delay his promise, as some regard 'delay', but he is patient with you, not wishing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." 2 Peter, chapter 3, verse 9

God is in a hurry, because he wants all of us with him, without exception. But he respects us. He waits for us to decide. Are we going to wait until tomorrow? Do we want to convert from the depths of our heart? For God is eternal, but we're passing through a limited time. Time is the passage between our conception and eternity. The responsibility for an answer is ours.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 06, 2024, 06:10:39 AM
26. Choosing Jesus


In Matthew's Gospel, Jesus proclaims:
"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Matthew, chapter 4, verse 17b

Let's convert and we'll get a bonus by receiving the kingdom of God. Or more precisely, we receive the kingdom of God by a true conversion. Our yes to God guarantees life in the kingdom of God. God is with us. All that is ours should be to thank God. Let's discover the infinite Love of the Trinity. We are invited to a wonderful fellowship, to welcome God's Love and live it to obtain a gradual transformation of our person to wellness, a free life at last and the guarantee of a return to God.

Conversion of the heart, conversion of ourselves to the Persons of the Trinity, listening to what God's wisdom proposes, implementation of charity without expecting, in doing so we attune gradually to the will of God.

As soon as we follow Christ, we become like the Light of Christ, in the image of God. We become his Love. The offer remains ... to choose Jesus ... and this claim belongs to us. To receive as much, with such great a promise, our demand to God should be simple, fast and efficient.

How do we please God? Preferring Jesus pleases God. It's the ultimate option that improves all the others, especially our relationships with people. Dare we say "yes" to Jesus with our heart and our life.

God never ceases to invite us to conversion to a wiser life, more charitable, more beautiful, full of value, holier. God draws us to himself, here and now.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 07, 2024, 05:56:03 AM
27. John lives with Jesus


Let's imagine a moment that John has the grace to follow Jesus wherever he goes, for three years. John, the Apostle and Evangelist ate and drank with Jesus, he slept next to Jesus, he leaned his head on the Sacred Heart of Jesus. John is privileged because he decided for Jesus.

If we have ever felt the presence of Jesus, may we try to remember the exact moment when it happened. Let's meditate on it. If we experienced a conversion as the biblical persons in the first chapter of this book, let's try to remember the spark that has awakened and unsettled us to convert. Was it a person, an event, the construction of a church, a word, a gesture, joy, peace, silence, nature, "or so on"?

"What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we looked upon and touched with our hands concerns the Word of life." 1 John, chapter 1, verse 1

John agrees to follow Jesus and he spends three years on the road with him. Before meeting Jesus, John has readied his heart for his encounter with Jesus, John vibrated and after spending quality time with Jesus, John taught it. John remembers what Jesus lived and taught to the Apostles. John saw and he believed.

Although John had never known Christ, he had never touched him, we could still believe in Jesus.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 08, 2024, 05:31:17 AM
28. Don't wait


The vast majority of conversions become effective after a very unfortunate event or suffering that endures. Many people seek God when they are injured, when they hit a wall, in an accident or during a burnout. We wait often too long before considering Jesus.

It's not necessary to suffer, wait for the suffering to torture us to finally know God, be anxious to shout at him or to be trapped to request for him to free us.

Like us, the world needs to know that God is always here, constantly. In joy, we praise, in troubled times we can thank him for the past joy. Jesus becomes the first dialogue of our consciousness. This will help us move pass the wall that approaches instead of hitting it and collapse before it.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 09, 2024, 05:56:16 AM
29. Conversion destabilizes


To offer our life to Christ, by a sincere conversion, destabilizes our personal universe. Even if we are converted for years, even today, if we give our life to Christ, we must not be surprised that there are events that will incline us like the wind against the trees.

We are not accustomed to see clearly, to meet reality and feel the resistance against our faith. But to give ourselves to Jesus Christ and to be loved by him will illuminate our path on which we are engaged. Jesus will take control of our life and lead us on the right track. We lose our control by giving control to Jesus. And that's salvation!

And, let's face it, we're not fond of leaving our existence to someone or even to Jesus. We have difficulty in trusting. But that is what Jesus asks of us, to allow him to receive our life in his hand.

We are also invited to live in the present, to leave behind what is unnecessary in the past and the apprehension of the future, but it's destabilizing and undermines our bad habits. In the present, we are in God.

What grace constantly remind us that Jesus is Lord and Saviour of our life, that God created us and is the author of our life, our body, our soul, our spirit! He creates us now. May we thank Jesus for the graces received. Let's trust in Jesus!

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 10, 2024, 06:00:02 AM
30. Two choices


Two choices are offered with the surprise of the new conversion. The first choice is to sit on the novelty and think about it. It's demanding, but it also allows to regroup and to situate us in relation to sudden major interior changes.

Like a person lost in the forest of the opportunities that offers conversion, it's important to stop, to sit down, assess our position and observe that we live deeply in order to resume our journey. It's like someone who tells us wonderful news, we'd better sit down.

It's not wise to run in all directions. That's the second choice. There is a risk of going astray in the misunderstanding of people confronting us and getting to think we really have "lost our mind". And we could also lose our orientation in this forest. Rather, it's time to enjoy peace in the joy of God.

Let's think about it! In Jesus, it's impossible to lose our head since it's now safer than ever. Others will adapt to the enhanced version of our person. We are not changed, we do not become someone else, we are only improved through faith in Jesus.

For some Pharisees go beyond the idea that Jesus has only lost his head and that he is possessed, now they falsely perceive Jesus as the devil, satan. Jesus' answer is quite illuminating:
"If Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, that is the end of him." Mark, chapter 3, verse 26

Jesus speaks of the nature of evil, satan, that he manipulates to divide. Jesus recalls he's just the opposite. He came to liberate what is split apart, without love, without joy, without light. Jesus cannot be divided, because Love is not divisible. Evil cannot be joy. We know that we are close to Jesus when we are in joy, peace, real love.

Jesus came to heal the internal infirmities that distance from God, heal what divides us from our relationship to God. Jesus eliminates, eradicates and dethrones evil. Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is the one (Satan) who dares to keep people away from Love and the Covenant with God. The confusion starts from the principle of the great lie that Jesus is Satan just to prevent the conversion of people to the Love of God.

The Son Jesus keeps us in life, without division, without death, with the promise of eternity. It's eternity in God we live in this very moment with Jesus.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 11, 2024, 06:12:01 AM
31. There are many discoveries


The first conversion, a brand new one, needs a very strong push to propel it in the heights of reality. It's like the plane taking off and displays great power to rise. We feel like something interesting is happening, again and again. We're in motion.

There are many discoveries, many novelties. This can last for weeks, months. Our heart is cheering and we continually marvel at the wonders of God, one after another. We are witnessing the awakening of our senses taming faith.

As the plane takes off and settles "on" air, we possibly get the impression that our faith has stabilized. So, for the new convert to Jesus as for the disciple, eventually everything seems to normalize. The landscape does not change as fast as in the beginning. We don't have the same feeling of elevation in faith as for the time of the initial conversion.

We quickly run the risk of getting bored, thinking that nothing is moving and that we are even possibly not in God's plans anymore. Then we may find comforting thrills in anything other than faith in God.

It's time to allow us a moment to recheck the path that we have just experienced and to thank God for the evolution through the months or years since our first conversion. This will allow us to get back to the foundation of our faith, to know ourselves better and re-centre our life on Jesus.

This is the right time to strengthen our faith, to dare the periodic conversion of a continuous journey, to be with people who travel together and who want to follow Jesus more confidently.

Then, we must not forget that the people who practise faith in groups are not perfect, as we are not perfect, and that our first goal is to follow Jesus. Let's try not observing the faults of others, but seek Jesus in the heart of these people. Let's seek God's qualities in them and leave to Jesus what isn't his.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 12, 2024, 06:50:32 AM
32. Day after day


All believers are called and invited to eternal life. God says to Abraham:
"My covenant with you is this: you are to become the father of a host of nations." Genesis, chapter, 17, verse 4

Abraham believes in God's Word, but he may not know what it definitely means. Often, we get intuitions from God, but there's a mystery surrounding these intuitions, even if after a longer or shorter discernment, they're from God.

God wants us to remain with him. He wants us to trust him. Day after day, year after year and for the duration of our lives, we'll need to work the foundation of our faith and solidify it. We then become examples for others, often unknowingly. Like the conversion of Abraham, our own conversion will help lead people to God.

For this friendship (Covenant) to be feasible, God says to Abraham:
"You and your descendants after you must keep my covenant throughout the ages." Genesis, chapter 17, verse 9

To become credible believers, we need to enter into a relationship with God, in his Covenant. For how can we know someone without trying to know him? God wants to be known. As we were visited in our heart by God, he seeks to be exposed in our surroundings for everyone.

However, some will say to us: "Why do you invite us to perfection, if you are not perfect yourself?" And "why do you talk so much of Jesus, when you're not that converted to him? Why dare you even speak of Jesus?"

Let's not wait to be perfect beings before inviting to the perfection of faith to which Jesus calls us. Let's not expect to be "Jesus" ourselves, before talking about Jesus. We are all called to become like him, to abide in him. And yes, this book is written for the author, so that he may also, himself, convert.

Jesus invites us to evangelize. It's never in our own name but in Jesus' name. It's charitable to invite to the perfection of faith and it's charitable to mention Jesus's name. The soul thirsts to hear his name!

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 13, 2024, 05:59:50 AM
33. Invitation to conversion


Paul is not perfect, but he invites us nevertheless to a conversion:
You should put away the old self of your former way of life, corrupted through deceitful desires, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self, created in God's way in righteousness and holiness of truth. Ephesians, chapter 4, verses 22 to 24

May we get rid of ways that lead us to forget God in our meetings, while we're sharing memories with our family or with our friends.
Then Paul continues in the quoted text: "put on the new self, created in God's way in righteousness and holiness of truth".

Paul offers us a beautiful journey of faith. Let's trust in Jesus. Let's find time to explore God's reality, to thank him, to let him love us. But let's not think that we have achieved our goal. Let's continue to move forward in faith, simply, with whom we already are.

Being in God allows us to become more ourselves. We want to be like him, give our lives to him, recognizing him in humanity and inviting people to follow him by charitable ways.

May we let God's Word transform us to the point of becoming like him.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 14, 2024, 06:12:44 AM
34. God elevates us


Jesus wants us as friends:
"I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father." John, chapter 15, verse 15

We become friends if we stay close to what Jesus is teaching us. God seeks to clothe us with his presence. He speaks with his Heart:
"I will be like the dew for Israel: he shall blossom like the lily; He shall strike root like the Lebanon cedar." Hosea, chapter 14, verse 6

God says: "I will be like the dew for Israel." But we don't really understand this passage. Because usually our relation with others contains conscious and unconscious blockages and we'll say: "When you'll become my friend, I'll be your friend."

Usually, we need to know the person, trust him, and then that person can enter our group of friends. This seems the norm in our way of proceeding, before welcoming and accepting friendship.

But for God, when he says: "I will be like the dew for Israel," he does not say that he will test us to see if he will love us. God isn't us. He doesn't expect to create a relationship with us. He loves us immediately. God loves us unconditionally. He loves us despite our faults and sins. He loves us eternally. God is always the dew that surrounds us, he's always present to his people, his family, he's the perpetual love that covers us.

The more we're hurt, the more people have let us down, the more we have experienced disappointments, the more we become trivial in choosing friends. God isn't such a person. God will never let us down. God lifts us and loves us without any special request from us.

So, the difficulty of entering a relation with God always comes from us, because we fear some of our past supposed friends. We confuse God with people from our past. We fear God, instead of letting him love us. We block our relationship with God in a thousand ways.

We are resourceful in finding reasons and excuses for not honestly following Jesus. We cut ourselves from his love, and we terribly suffer from the lost. We cannot count the cost of refused blessings.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 15, 2024, 05:41:55 AM
35. Keeping Jesus with us


Jesus reminds us of God's Law of Love:
"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength." The second is this: "You shall love your neighbour as yourself." There is no other commandment greater than these. Mark, chapter 12, verses 30 to 31

Then one of the scribes say:
Well said, teacher. You are right in saying, "He is One and there is no other than he." And "to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbour as yourself" is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices. Mark, chapter 12, verses 32 to 33

Jesus knows that he makes a good point then adds:
"You are not far from the kingdom of God." Mark, chapter 12, verse 34a

He's not far, but... he's not near the kingdom. He still needs to recognize Jesus as his Lord and Saviour. He will need to accept and follow Jesus.
And we have so many activities and projects underway that it will be difficult not to start the journey of faith, but to continue it. A small inconvenience could jeopardize the realization of the journey.

Turbulence under the airplane will make us doubt the craft quality. A negative distraction, especially from people in the church or even elsewhere, can lead us to believe less in Jesus and back off. May we not let distractions or negative situations end our walk with Jesus.

It demands our personal decision, not the one of others, for us to remain forever with Jesus. And it's for us now, to bring more joy, serenity, positive thoughts and prayers in our parish, then to our surroundings. This is our mission! Let's keep Jesus with us. It is he who completes us with his presence and grants us his gifts to share.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 16, 2024, 05:57:38 AM
36. United in God


Jesus tells us:
"The Father and I are one." John, chapter 10, verse 30

And since God is one, he wants us to unite in his Kingdom. God wants us to unite in him, every one of us, without exception.
May we continue to step forward with Jesus in our lives, in our heart, even if we have the illusion that nothing is happening, and may we be transformed from day to day in Jesus's manner, with Jesus, for Jesus, for the world and for our salvation.

Let's continue to go to faith gatherings and share the Word of God in the Bible with others. Let's walk with Jesus. The small steps that we'll achieve will lead us one day, perhaps in a few years to discover the improved person we've become.

Jesus will rejoice to see each small step we're taking, like with our parents the day when, very unsettled and unsure of ourselves, we walked toward them with outstretched hands.

If our parents had not allowed us to take these steps, maybe we wouldn't walk today. They even left us fall with love, to the ground, so that we progress in walking toward them. If our parents had not taught us to speak, and it has taken time to learn, we would not be talking. And yet today we're still learning our language.

So it's necessary to rejoice being in places of worship, just to be there even if we don't seem to bring a lot to the group. Or even by thinking we're not receiving much out of the group. The important thing is to be there. Jesus is there. Let's be reassured, we are moving at high speed, like the plane stabilized "on" air at 800 kilometres or more per hour. Even if the landscape seems at a stand still.
The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 17, 2024, 06:00:45 AM
37. Learning to love


We're not in a relationship with God to please God, because he has everything he needs. We are in a relationship with God to improve our perception of reality, to see clearly and to learn to love like God loves us.

We are invited to feel the movements of God's grace as we feel the wind's breeze on us. God is the light breeze that surrounds us externally and internally.

We can welcome the Holy Spirit in every fibre, in every cell, in all that is infinitely small in our being. Let's ask him to fill us, complete us with his graces. God's presence accepted in our heart fulfills, transforms, and embellishes us.

Wherever we go, whatever we do, whatever sin we've done, with sincere repentance and confessing to a priest, God will be with us in the joyful struggle for peace and the wonder of new discovery of his grace, if we keep him in us.

We can live a relationship with God as important as all the people in the Bible, of all the saints, making small gestures and saying good and daily edifying words. Moreover, it's much easier to experience joy and offer the joy of living than to be in despair and collect misery.

Let's work to help those around us to recognize God's Love manifested in a multitude of ways, starting with mercy, joy, hope, peace... A small step with open arms, a good deed, a kind word every day and it will illuminate the world around us. When the world becomes joyful and peaceful, our quality of life improves.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 18, 2024, 06:29:16 AM
38. Watching


With wisdom and knowledge, he fills them; good and evil he shows them. He looks with favour upon their hearts, and shows them his glorious works, that they may describe the wonders of his deeds and praise his holy name. Sirach, chapter 17, verses 6 to 8a

This is what's written. God gives us to: "describe the wonders of his deeds and praise his holy name".

God gazes on allowing us to see his work in us and around us.
The miner has a light on his helmet, he sees the environment. It allows him to observe and choose the ore that he's seeking. The light illuminates whatever is in the dark.

God's bright light allows us, by grace, to find out what's in our heart and in the heart of the people on our way. Then we can say:
"His majestic glory their eyes beheld, his glorious voice their ears heard." Sirach, chapter 17, verse 11

To be mindful of everything from God]] helps us to spring up and eliminate fear. We have seen the wonders of God. We see the wonders of God. We will see the wonders of God. Those who awaken to the grace of God will see his wonders. Let's see with the eyes of God while he sees in us what is his.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 19, 2024, 06:26:26 AM
31. There are many discoveries


The first conversion, a brand new one, needs a very strong push to propel it in the heights of reality. It's like the plane taking off and displays great power to rise. We feel like something interesting is happening, again and again. We're in motion.

There are many discoveries, many novelties. This can last for weeks, months. Our heart is cheering and we continually marvel at the wonders of God, one after another. We are witnessing the awakening of our senses taming faith.

As the plane takes off and settles "on" air, we possibly get the impression that our faith has stabilized. So, for the new convert to Jesus as for the disciple, eventually everything seems to normalize. The landscape does not change as fast as in the beginning. We don't have the same feeling of elevation in faith as for the time of the initial conversion.

We quickly run the risk of getting bored, thinking that nothing is moving and that we are even possibly not in God's plans anymore. Then we may find comforting thrills in anything other than faith in God.

It's time to allow us a moment to recheck the path that we have just experienced and to thank God for the evolution through the months or years since our first conversion. This will allow us to get back to the foundation of our faith, to know ourselves better and re-centre our life on Jesus.

This is the right time to strengthen our faith, to dare the periodic conversion of a continuous journey, to be with people who travel together and who want to follow Jesus more confidently.

Then, we must not forget that the people who practise faith in groups are not perfect, as we are not perfect, and that our first goal is to follow Jesus. Let's try not observing the faults of others, but seek Jesus in the heart of these people. Let's seek God's qualities in them and leave to Jesus what isn't his.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 20, 2024, 06:00:38 AM
40. Perseverance


Continuous conversion is necessary if we are to remain strong in the midst of a boat being plagued by high waves, preyed upon by all the promises from the outside, all the illusions that sparkle on the water surface, proposed to us outside the Church.

May conversion be real in our heart and in the heart of our life. May we become lovers of God who loves us first. Let's love God more and more.

Let's ask Jesus's perseverance to remain in him. It's imperative, important today to rest completely, to anchor ourselves firmly in Jesus's love, in order not to be tossed on the waves of life, from one side to the other. It must become a commitment to progress and stabilize our faith, by following Jesus Christ.

Perseverance in faith keeps us glued to our loving God who seeks our "yes" every day. No need to tense up our faces to move forward and be persistent, but let down our barriers one by one and believe in the ways and means received by the Holy Spirit, because God believes in us.

Let's be vigilant. Let's live our faith. This is the first assurance we need to get. Starting the day with the sign of the Cross. Staying in Jesus's Heart. Jesus is Love. Jesus Loves us.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 21, 2024, 06:22:15 AM
41. Caution


To evolve in faith, it is important to observe from time to time, what is and what is not fine in our faith. Let's replace ourselves before Christ, to be at our best and to grow in faith.

A continued conversion allows the jewel of faith to be polished by the hand of God. People who are filled with God's Love become inflamed, they become lights in the world.

Paul invites us to persevere:
Provided that you persevere in the faith, firmly grounded, stable, and not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, am a minister, Colossians, chapter 1, verse 23

during Mass, among other means. May we remain strong and firm in the faith and strong in the grace of God. And as Paul says:
"To live in a manner worthy of the Lord, so as to be fully pleasing, in every good work bearing fruit and growing in the knowledge of God." Colossians, chapter 1, verse 10

Let's be certain that if we keep Jesus with us, in us, we will make progress "in the true knowledge of God". In Jesus, we will become bearers of God's Love. We will grow in this love and the people accompanying us during our earthly pilgrimage will benefit from it.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 22, 2024, 06:24:30 AM
42. Fears


Fears, anxieties, phobias, etc., are not from God. The more we get closer to Jesus our Lord, the more our lives will turn around and we will observe decrease of the discomfort.

We can ask ourselves: "Do we let the Holy Spirit work in our lives or do we let fear take over?"

If sadness prevails over joy, if the closure of our heart trumps openness to others, if we become stagnant instead of walking behind Jesus, if fear paralyzes us instead of tasting joy and freedom, the Holy Spirit doesn't pass. He can't go where we locked him out. It may be that we spend more time retaining ourselves, locking ourselves up instead of living our faith, free, and in God's Light.
Let's enter quickly into God's delights.

To not choose, to not decide is a devious trap. Elijah speaks these words to the crowd, and they are illuminating for us too:
"How long will you straddle the issue? If the Lord is God, follow him; if Baal, follow him." 1 Kings, chapter 18, verse 21

Elijah's invitation does not require an immediate response, but further reflection that will allow an evolution in faith.

Elijah places the people that he guides in front of their choices. There are only two choices. There will always be only two choices for us. God or whatever.
It's impossible to turn straight ahead. It's just impossible. We must turn either right or left, or go straight. Either we turn or we go straight. It's one or the other. God invites us to go straight. But often we "dance" to the left and then to the right, as souls that get out of hand then we may get out of the path that leads to God.

We are constantly faced with choices more or less simple. But what is interesting in what Elijah offers us is that we're in front of the only decision that really matters. All other decisions we eventually make results from this one. All personal achievements we live will be linked to that decision alone, "Do I choose God or not?" God is God of Love, the Holy Spirit breathes life into us and Jesus came to show us the path to follow to enter Eternal Love. The decision is easy. Or, is it easy?

Nobody can answer that question for us. We have full responsibility. Let's enter our heart and take the time to verify our choices and then align our life in the direction of our choice.

This sentence is to the point:
"Happy those [...] (which) God's law they study day and night, [...] that yields its fruit in season." Psalm 2, verses 1 to 3

With multiple paths already on the subject, we possibly know the answer. God allows us to become what's best for us, if we choose and remain focused on him.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 23, 2024, 05:58:50 AM
43. The Fruits of the Spirit


Let's observe the fruits of the Holy Spirit in the persons, which will unfold in goodness, truthfulness, in reality. If the person's words bear fruit and they are in the will of God, they'll lead to peace, joy, life, to all the gifts and charisms of the Holy Spirit, we can then follow what they live internally and be inspired by them.

If not, let's be careful with all the teachings that are given in the world. No need to deny and banish them, but let's separate the speeches that lead us to God from the ones that can separate us from him.

And why not internally compare the teachings we hear, not to discredit it at once, but to help us understand and refocus on Jesus. Let's ask Jesus to enlighten what's good in what we receive as teachings.

The same is true for gestures. Let's observe if the gestures of people lead to charity or not. As we listen and observe the others, we can achieve the same study on our ability to want to live and transmit values and if we live it well.

Let's ask Jesus to help us discern between what is from God and his Holy Spirit of what divides, separates us from him. People we meet may have good intentions, but the path they have chosen may lead away from God, then we are set astray with them. Let's be aware and careful.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 24, 2024, 05:29:57 AM
44. To seek light


To seek the light of God is a process to do every day of our lives. Let's rise:
"Rise up in splendour! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you." Isaiah, chapter 60, verse 1

What is the light that we seek? The Light is already on us. The Light of the Lord, the light of the Trinity is always on us, and it is for us to welcome it, to receive and be enlightened by it.

Jesus's light is to be demanded on us often, then we allow God to illuminate our lives and help us move forward on a quiet road, a better-defined road since we become better informed. With the light of God, we discern more in the depths of our heart what's necessarily needed for the road.

A sincere prayer of the heart is the best way to unite with God, to welcome him and be enlightened. It focuses us on God and allows him to do the cleaning of our existence.

A prayer that's already written, as the prayer of Jesus is, the Our Father, said with the heart, is an act of love. Each time we pray with an already written prayer or from within us, if it's said with the heart, it's an "I love you" to God.

We will possibly be distracted during our prayer time. These distractions are an opportunity for us to give them to God. This is part of our internal cleansing. It creates space to better accommodate God's Presence in us.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 25, 2024, 05:16:48 AM
45. Freedom


Jesus came to show us the face of God. He came to heal us and help us out of slavery and convert, of course, if we want to welcome Jesus as our Lord and Saviour. As it is written:
"Many followed him, and he cured them all." Matthew, chapter 12, verse 15

Let's continue to work on our own conversion to Jesus's Sacred Heart and he will show us he's our Lord and Saviour. Let's ask ourselves the question: "Did I become a slave to something or someone?"

Let's briefly do a parallel with the slavery of sin. As soon as we move away from God, we will reduce ourselves to more faults and sins. The remoteness from God will be caused by slavery, which will sink us into sin. Sin and evil always lead us away from God.

May we dare take the risk of following Jesus like the people of Israel out of Egypt with God's forceful hand. May we dare leave our bad habits.

Jesus heals us from our remoteness if we wish. The decision is ours, because we are free.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: A path to conversion, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 26, 2024, 05:29:09 AM
46. Continuous conversion and notice


When we are living a basic conversion, there arises a deep desire to boldly explore the source, to know who God is and why his Love pierces our hearts.
Continuous conversion involves discovering and deepening the roots that lead us to know God's Love. Prospecting in the Bible, to examine the source of faith, is a human and natural process to starting to know who is God.

The teenage years are usually coloured by researching and understanding of family roots.

The teenager becomes aware of the people around him who have been present during his life. Who am I? Why am I? Who are they? Why them?
We will do the same exercise, in order to identify in several Bible texts, of which concerns God. Then we will dig into the very source of God's reality. Who is God? Why him?

But what are we looking for? As every human being one day finds himself before the question of love, we will search together, in the Bible, what's revealed about the Love of God. On the other hand, and because of this exercise, it will be necessary to dig out what is also contrary to the Love of God.

We are aware that there is a danger in carrying out such a project. It's sometimes difficult to understand why, on one hand, God is loving and the benefactor, but on the other hand, he seems to be wishing us harm, for obscure reasons.

It's false that God would want to hurt us, we know that. More precisely, evil is present in the sacred texts (Bible) because the people become lukewarm and they turn away from God; which undeniably attracts him to sin, to evil.

It should be noted that, as you will become aware in this book, the reality of God will never be eliminated (Love, peace, joy, mercy, etc.). On the other hand, what does not suit him will be underlined. This is the difficult part of the exercise. It requires an openness of mind and heart on the reader's part. After clearing through the deeper meaning of God in the Bible, Love will become visible.

It will be up to every person who reads this book, to discover that God is Love and that he never causes harm or leads his people or anyone to misfortune. We hope this makes the Bible more interesting and easy to read. We want to bring out the best of the Bible and we wish it ardently, without prejudice to the truth it contains.

Let's be reassured from the start that all that's written in the Bible is wanted from God. We repeat: All the texts of the Bible God wants. They teach us about history and human behaviour and God who's with us in history.

So we want to search together, excavate (dig out) and unpack the reality of God through what is written about him. We dare to release and reveal the Love of God by elevating, as within a hologram projection, some chosen passages from the Bible.

It's an invitation to conversion and to a sincere journey. We do believe, God is Love and he can only be Love. It's rather humans who sin, hides and disfigures the face of God.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 27, 2024, 08:59:42 AM
47. God coexists with humans


Since the beginning of humanity, mankind has been trying to understand who God is.

Events in the world make us love God. But in a strange way, they can also dissuade us, make us doubt, then move us away from the Love of God.
Writers too, in the Bible, have given intentions to God that does not seem to suit him very well. We'll try to restore briefly the reality of God, who is Love.
We'll also try to detect the reality of the human being, too often inhuman, because of his faults and his sins, who thinks that God is like him. Or, just like us sometimes, writers imagine God as an avenger, a scary being, who keeps us in fear as well as other unattractive attributes.

There are two basic aspects that influence us in the Bible. First, we discover the Love of God, purer than a perfect diamond with all its facets of mercy, joy, hope, peace, life, etc.

The second point of view that we need to remember is that God is present in the history of humanity. Despite the fact that there are saints in the Bible, very often the story recalls inhuman gestures and words that intermingle with the Love of God, unfortunately.

The image we project on God is often tarnished. We place an opaque veil between us and him. It can become confusing to the point that the "god" we invent seems to betray us, make us suffer and kills us, according to his mood (We place a small "g" to "god" here, because we want to signify, right from the outset, that this "god", like an idol, is a pure invention of our misunderstanding of the reality of God).

Moreover, we observe that since the beginning of humanity, inhuman sins contradict the Love of God. Violence and evil caused by sin distorts reality.
God then becomes, through a false perception, guilty of the evils, the misery and the suffering of humanity. Even today, we blame God for evil and sin.
Now, inhuman acts and words cause harm and its horrors are found in the Bible. Evil becomes an agent of confusion that blurs the reality of God.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 28, 2024, 05:25:47 AM
48. Beauty of God in the Bible


But, thanks to God, goodness shines, forevermore, in the Bible. And it's in this goodness that the transparent Beauty of God is revealed.

The most extraordinary thing about the Bible is that humanity, with its weaknesses and sins, and God with his Love, live side by side.

God inspired writers to write the Bible. We repeat: God inspired writers to write the texts of the Bible.

The Bible could be considered as a one and only parable. What is of God and what is the misunderstanding of the human with respect to God?
It's up to us to understand the enormous difference, the chasm (gap) that too often exists between us and God. No inhuman gesture, thought or word can be given to God.

The great drama of the Bible is that God wants to convert his people and bring him back to his Love, and his children inhumanly sin and cause harm, then move away from God, pretexting it's his fault.

We will explore, with this reading guide, some texts of the Bible. We will discover how easy it is to think that God "allows" evil when he's not responsible for it.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 29, 2024, 06:31:11 AM
49. Who is like God?


Micah raises the lid on God:
"Who is there like you, the God who removes guilt and pardons sin for the remnant of his inheritance; Who does not persist in anger forever, but delights rather in clemency, and will again have compassion on us, treading underfoot our guilt? You will cast into the depths of the sea all our sins." Micah, chapter 7, verses 18 to 19

In this opening passage from Micah, we discover that God is merciful. But Micah also tells us that God can "persist in anger". These are the two aspects that we will pursue now. We know that God is merciful. But, can he be angry too? Absolutely not.

Let's get the magnifying glass out of its holster and follow in God's footsteps.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 30, 2024, 04:50:21 AM
50. The Covenant


After the flood, God makes a Covenant with Noah and his family. God guarantees that he will always be present:
See, I am now establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you and with every living creature that was with you: all the birds, and the various tames and wild animals that were with you and came out of the ark. Genesis, chapter 9, verses 9 to 10

God's Covenant is eternal. God never breaks it. We can conclude that his Covenant with humanity was already defined, already established from the creation of the world, even before he formed the universe.
God reassures the people:
"I set my bow in the clouds to serve as a sign of the covenant between me and the earth." Genesis, chapter 9, verse 13

God's Covenant is the Love he offers us without limit, all the time and in which he wants to keep us. God reminds Abraham of it:
"I will maintain my covenant with you and your descendants after you throughout the ages as an everlasting pact, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you." Genesis, chapter 17, verse 7

God is always in relation with the people, if the people want him. Him, he will never leave.

Are we, ourselves, in the Covenant of the caring Love of God?

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on January 31, 2024, 05:20:53 AM
51. The Heart of the ship


Theologians have seen in Noah's ark the salvation offered to us, the salvation that raises us above sin and death. God has consideration and he proposes a boat for his people, so that he may be saved from death.

The boat that is the Church is founded by Jesus on the Apostles. She teaches us his will. She administers his Sacraments, especially the Eucharist and the Word of Life for our salvation and fraternity among humans. The Church of Jesus offers us the means to move away from temptations and from evil.

God also entrusts Mary, Mother of Jesus, for to contemplate and to follow as an example of faith.

Christ is the Heart and he drives the ship, the ark. Jesus is the undeniable proof that God loves us forever. Peter understands it:
"For Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the sake of the unrighteous, that he might lead you to God. Put to death in the flesh, he was brought to life in the spirit." 1 Peter, chapter 3, verse 18

Jesus offers himself to save us. He did not condemn us to death. God does not condemn. He takes our flesh that is dying, to arise it in eternal life. He wants us alive in his Covenant. Jesus came into our history, to bring us back to the dignity of being, to the dignity of being human.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 01, 2024, 05:27:06 AM
Today's text

52. Jesus fights temptations


Jesus, when tempted in the desert, teaches us how to fight evil.

Evil takes us away from the Eucharist and the Word of God. Evil brings us down to become lost kings and queens, far from the world and from our Church. We risk thinking that we are the only ones who can handle everything. Evil degrades us to the point of thinking that we own the goods and the people. Evil diminishes us, it pulls us away from others and from God.
In the midst of temptations:
"The Spirit drives Jesus out into the desert." Mark, chapter 1, verse 12

The Spirit drives Jesus to the desert. Jesus goes freely because he is eager to fulfill his mission and to lead us on the road of life to Life everlasting. He shows us how to fight temptations:
"He remained in the desert for forty days, tempted by Satan. He was among wild beasts, and the angels ministered to him." Mark, chapter 1, verse 13

Jesus is tempted by evil, but not like us. He fights temptations for us; the temptation to move away from the Life and Love of God; the temptation of evil against God; the temptation of what distracts us from God and the temptation to possess what exists by repelling God.

The worst and most subtle temptation is to think that God is not Love.
Jesus doesn't need to fight temptations for himself. Jesus is already victorious. He fights temptations for us and to show us how to be free. Every time we are tempted, Jesus fights with us, if we allow him to intervene in our life.

There are not many fruits growing in the desert, there is not much water. The desert certainly means death for a person. Let's perceive that the desert contrasts with paradise, which was promised to us before the fall, before the original sin, the sin that only Baptism can wash out.

Jesus overcame the desert of temptations that leads to death and he turns it into a fertile land. Jesus comes to tell us not to fear because he has conquered death by leading us into his life. He invites us to walk behind him, to walk on the path of real life. It's now the time of the great cleansing of our person, to empty it of all that is useless and to let it fill up with the Love of God.

May all the shady areas of our existence be purified in the Love of God. Let's enjoy it! We will then avoid running into evil.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 02, 2024, 06:27:46 AM
53. God cannot curse


Abraham has the impression that God says:
"I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you." Genesis chapter 12, verse 3

If one person despises another, will he be happy? Is it possible to be happy when he hurts a person? Let's read it again: "I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you." We know that God cannot reprove, condemn, curse: this is absolutely not in his nature. Yet it is written, some will say.

Would it be better said that the person who despises the other could go so far as to curse himself? It's possible. So, if someone curses someone, he commits to cursing himself.

Because the evil that he ventures on the other is the evil with which he's contaminated. God doesn't curse. He doesn't need God to condemn and condemn himself. He curses and then he curses himself. He's able to condemn himself alone.

This text is, therefore, in itself an affirmation that can put God at wrongdoing. The "I will curse" placed in the mouth of God is very possibly the understanding of the writer, in his living time, about God. To reprove, to exclude a person from his face for eternity is absolutely not in the way of God's action, it isn't in God's plan.

For the author of Genesis, by this biblical passage, God seems to be responsible for both good and evil in the world. The author had not yet learned to distinguish between evil that doesn't concern God and good that represents God.

The final answer would be more likely: "The person who will curse, he will condemn himself. He risks being excluded from eternity if he curses others; even worse, if he curses God." The boomerang effect.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 03, 2024, 06:01:46 AM
54. God does not harden the heart


However, the people of Israel, with Moses as guide, managed to flee Pharaoh and Egypt. God seems to say, by Moses:
"Thus will I make Pharaoh so obstinate that he will pursue them." Exodus, chapter 14, verse 4

God cannot harden the heart of anyone, even Pharaoh's, and lead him to persevere, so that he catches fugitives and takes them back into captivity. It's not realistic to portray God this way.

This passage is an example of people at the time who do not know God. God is not complicit in "Pharaoh's stubbornness", so to "harden Pharaoh's heart". It's Pharaoh who persists and hardens his heart.

It's the human being who hardens the heart and becomes inhuman through gestures and words against humanity.

We need discernment from the wisdom of God. God can only be Love. Let's remember that in the Love of God are included the following manifestations: peace, joy, prayer, wisdom, life, liberty, mercy, etc. The remains, especially the negative words about God, are nothing but a wrong and incorrect way of perceiving him.

God's Heart is filled with Love and he cannot encourage people to harden their hearts, to become obstinate. We ourselves do not encourage it, since the person would become dangerous for himself and his environment.

So, we appreciate God by placing all the writings of the Bible under the magnifying glass of his infinite and luminous Love. God saves his people, but he's no friend of the evil caused by Pharaoh.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 04, 2024, 05:31:59 AM
55. Rebuke against God


The people of Israel still rebuke against Moses:
"Why did you ever make us leave Egypt? Was it just to have us die here of thirst with our children and our livestock?" Exodus, chapter 17, verse 3

It's classic. When we do not have what we want, we often accuse others, the government, and then recriminate directly or indirectly against God. Why does God seem to cover us with misfortune?

As for families in Israel, we are used to living in an environment that can lead us to maximum security, to habits that are no longer to be dismantled. And we go around in circles, instead of bouncing our way back to God.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 05, 2024, 05:52:22 AM
56.Too heavy


After an interesting internal journey, surprisingly, Moses becomes free and lucid enough to ask God for help:
Was it I who conceived all this people? Or was it I who gave them birth, that you tell me to carry them at my bosom, like a foster father carrying an infant, to the land you have promised under oath to their fathers?

Where can I get meat to give to all this people? For they are crying to me, 'Give us meat for our food.'
I cannot carry all this people by myself, for they are too heavy for me. Numbers, chapter 11, verses 12 to 14

What Moses understands is invaluable: "Was it I who conceived all this people?" He understands that the people of Israel are the people of God: "I cannot carry all this people by myself, for they are too heavy for me."

Yes, Moses is a wanted guide of God for his people ... and his mission is to lead him to God. Moses recognizes God as the one who leads his people. He hands the people over to God, since he is responsible for this people.
We cannot do anything without God. Let's give him back all people and all groups.

Despite the weight of the moment, Moses clings to his relationship with God. He has always worked with God. But there are people who are never happy, never satisfied. They will demonstrate to Moses that they do not want freedom. Nevertheless, Moses wishes to take them out of their bad experience lived in Egypt and bring them back to freedom, in God.

Moses is in a listening attitude with God:
To the people, however, you shall say: Sanctify yourselves for tomorrow, when you shall have meat to eat. For in the hearing of the Lord you have cried, "Would that we had meat for food! Oh, how well off we were in Egypt!" Therefore the Lord will give you meat for food, and you will eat it. Numbers, chapter 11, verses 18 to 19

God is always listening. As soon as Moses is released from the complaint of the people, he gets his answer.

May the leaders of a people, a nation, a country, a church remain in God, like Moses. May they continue, in spite of everything and even in what seems impossible to comprehend, to return to God.

Moses relies on God. Let's trust Jesus. Let's receive what we need and the needs for others. It's never necessary to complain, since God is there and he hears us very well. Although, to complain is often the reaction which precedes a serious reflection.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 06, 2024, 06:38:03 AM
57. No consequences for sin?


Are there no consequences for sin? Absolutely not. Because sin is lacking, separating from the Love of God. Sin is an action and evil is its consequence.

Through sin, the person hurts himself and can destroy himself. The only decision of the person to turn to sin causes him evil.

This is being unfaithful to the Love of God. Leaving God, which will cause us evil, leads to suffering. Without the love of God, we sink into the mud of evil.

Let's continue with the next passage of the Exodus, which is not easy to understand, since it seems to contradict the message of Jesus:
"Love your enemies." Matthew, chapter 5, verse 44

Let's continue immediately with what is written in the Book of Exodus:
"I will be an enemy to your enemies." Exodus, chapter 23, verse 22

For a people who are often at war, we can assume that he did not understand the message that God is transmitting to him. How can God be an "enemy" since he is Love?

It's easy to conclude that God would hurt someone. But Jesus sets the clock back on time. He confirms that God loves even enemies.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 07, 2024, 06:07:53 AM
60. John, the beloved


John, Jesus's Apostle and evangelist lives a relationship close to perfection with Jesus.

He's not perfect, but John seems to have found the way to surrender to the Heart of God. He reveals to us the truth. John is the only one who sums up the Heart of God and the core message of the Bible, in three words:
"God is Love." 1 John, chapter 4, verse 16b

And John wrote just before:
"We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us." 1 John, chapter 4, verse 16a

John speaks to "us" in this last statement, but is he aware of what this implies: "We have come to know and to believe in the Love God has for us." However, to have written it, John must have experienced the Love of God in the depths of his being.

John is near God. It is therefore possible to believe in God and to know his Love. But are we aware of it? How do we determine that we know his Love?

Some texts in the Bible give the impression that God isn't Love. How many of our contemporaries like to rebel against God and say that with all that is happening in our world, God cannot be Love? It just keeps on going.
Let's add this excerpt:
"Whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him." 1 John, Chapter 4, verse 16b
John's powerful words remind us to remain in Love to know God.

So why do we deny God's truth? What are the reasons for being opposed to John's words? Consciously or unconsciously, in many ways and words we assume that God isn't Love. Why does attraction to evil lead us so far?

It's crucial to update our database. "God is Love" and God can only be Love. Maybe we underestimate the Love of God, but we can never overestimate the Love of God.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 08, 2024, 05:49:08 AM
61. Jesus respects the people


Jesus is very respectful of people. He cannot reach us if we don't want to welcome him. Yet he could force us to receive his Love, but patiently he prefers to wait on us.

Jesus says to them:
"A prophet is not without honour except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house." So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there, apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.
He went around to the villages in the vicinity teaching. Mark, chapter 6, verses 4 to 6

Jesus leaves, he goes to the neighbouring villages. In fact, it is us, we are leaving and keeping Jesus away. It's us who reject him because we're not interested in his message. Jesus is always with us, but we are not always with him. Jesus goes so far as to be surprised at the lack of faith.

Jesus saves us, he heals us from evil, he shows us the only way to be joyful and to embark with him if we want.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's reveal God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 09, 2024, 06:18:49 AM
62. Conscious refusal


The extent of a fulfilling life is to receive the Love of God and cling to him. The opposite of hosting and living God's Love is to let oneself fall into evil.

The abyss of evil is the conscious total refusal to receive God's Love.
The prophet trumpets:
"Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her service is at an end, her guilt is expiated; Indeed, she has received from the hand of the Lord double for all her sins." Isaiah, chapter 40, verses 1 to 2

The guilt of skipping away from Love is forgiven by God. But it's always tempting to move away from him, to lurk into evil, from which emerge the denials, the fears, the crimes.

The double punishment is to get away from the Love of God and slip toward evil. It is a double fault, a double distress, a double distance. That's why in the text, the person receives double from God, accepting Love after having turned away from evil.

As a person seeks to identify the name of his illness to better be treated and heal, let's dare to observe the evil that causes sin.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 10, 2024, 06:47:20 AM
63. Whoever believes


It is written in the Gospel:
"Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains upon him." John, chapter 3, verse 36

The key phrase is: "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life." We receive eternal life by believing in Jesus. Jesus enlightens the journey to the Kingdom of Heaven as soon as we allow him to.

This is more troubling: "Whoever disobeys the Son will not see life." It's honest: "Whoever disobeys (refuses to believe)". Not the one who does not believe, but the one who refuses, who will not believe.

A person may not seem to believe and walk with Jesus without noticing it. But the person who refuses to believe in Jesus sets out. He goes on without him.
The last part of the sentence is difficult to read: "Whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains upon him."

From a dehumanized point of view, God may seem angry, vengeful (wrath) but from God's point of view, he is Love. What seems to be God's anger is rather our lack of love and our rejection of Love.

To refuse God intentionally is to place ourselves before evil and let it make fun of who we are. Then, we think wrongly that God is the reflection of this evil.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 11, 2024, 05:36:23 AM
64. Far from God


Jesus comes to ease our struggles, to heal from disease:
"Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness." Matthew, chapter 9, verse 35

There are people looking for the doctor. They fight their illness, they adapt to their disability day after day. But the most destructive disease of which God wishes to heal is unquestionably the closing of our heart, of wanting to keep God's Love locked in. To imprison Love, to want to deny it and to do everything not to recognize it is the primary cause of our misfortune.

The person who is truly sick, the ultimate illness, is to shy away from the Love of God. Yet lacking his Love is impossible. Love is. Love remains.

Some people refuse love and they can give the impression that God's Love doesn't exist. But evil is always provoked either by us or by other people.

It becomes very sensitive when we experience the prolonged absence of people who care for us. We may have the impression that there's no love and that it's only for others. We think we are worthless, especially when we've been alone for too long.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 12, 2024, 06:35:47 AM
65. Being with others


We may not go and meet with others. We live with the "what will they say," "what will others say about us" and we feel that if we approach them, we will disturb them. We come to think we're a burden.

It's a shame to think that way, since loving is never a burden. Even though we are not always perfect, we can learn to be with others. Let's take steps and learn to trust others, carefully. It's all about being ourselves and being peaceful.

Paul has a deep wish:
If I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing as I observe your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ. So, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in him, rooted in him and built upon him and established in the faith as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. Colossians, chapter 2, verses 5 to 7

Paul offers a good example of faith. Although he knows he's far from his friends, he wants to reassure them that he is with them wholeheartedly. He reminds us that no one is alone. We think of others and they think of us in a special way through prayer.

Let's give thanks to God who's 100% with us. We are united by the will of Love. Jesus gives us the courage to meet people. When we are united with Jesus, then we are fully with others. May we let Jesus totally fill us with his presence.

Jesus surrounded himself with twelve Apostles so as not to be alone. And Jesus wants everyone, without exception, around him to console and bring us to happiness.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 13, 2024, 06:00:40 AM
66. We do not listen to God


Here's a confession of the people:
We did not heed the voice of the Lord, our God, in all the words of the prophets whom he sent us, but each one of us went off after the devices of our own wicked hearts, served other gods, and did evil in the sight of the Lord, our God. Baruch, chapter 1, verses 21 to 22

It's automatic, whenever people shy away from God's will, the danger is real to get lost and seek compensation elsewhere.

God created us (creates), our body, our soul and our spirit. But if our judgment is not in conformity with his, our existence doesn't always demonstrate what is of God. Even though we have received everything from God, all too often we are not conscious about it. We are then influenced by many ways and many discordant voices that have nothing similar to the will of God.

We are told:
"We have been disobedient to the Lord, our God, and only too ready to disregard his voice." Baruch, chapter 1, verse 19

We turn easily from the goal and we risk a lot by not planting our roots in God. Let's go back to our roots, back to the Heart of Jesus.
In order to discern, let's listen to the voice of the Lord.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 14, 2024, 06:01:39 AM
67. Our actions

God's invitation:
"Wash yourselves clean! Put away your misdeeds from before my eyes; cease doing evil." Isaiah, chapter 1, verse 16

The central message of the Bible is to stop doing evil and learn to radiate goodness. There are natural foundations for life and we are invited to discover them. Conversion, a return to the Love of God, is to take the narrow path and live the only journey that leads to God's Heart.

Even if past sins are heavy [with meaning], with God's forgiveness, we will gradually feel the lightness of the feather. The more feathers we have, the more we can fly to the Kingdom of God.

It's difficult to watch the snow when it reflects the sun. The same phenomenon occurs when the dry sand of the beach receives and reflects the sun's rays. Our eyes do not support it.

God's light is even more powerful than the sun's glow on snow and sand, but infinitely softer and observable. The light will be bright, but progressive and very respectful for the person who receives and enters into it.

The more we follow Jesus's recommendations, the more we will decide to follow him, the more we'll become confident disciples. We will want to gradually enter God's Heart and follow his will. Let's pray for all humans to be taught by Jesus.

This light is Jesus's testimony to all. What we need to do is to recognize that we are servants and allow Jesus to be the master of our lives. May his light spread over all humans and into them.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 15, 2024, 06:05:48 AM
68. God is here


"Cast away from you all the crimes you have committed, and make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit." Ezekiel, chapter 18, verse 31

Let's ask Jesus to clean our heart and free it from all the little undesirable teachings we collect. May Jesus become the only Master of our heart, our thoughts and of our life.

"You, Lord, give light to my lamp; my God brightens the darkness about me." Psalm 18, verse 29

Yes:
"Lord, hear my prayer; let my cry come to you. Do not hide your face from me now that I am in distress. Turn your ear to me; when I call, answer me quickly." Psalm 102, verses 2 to 3

When we are in deep distress, we often feel that there is no one who can help. We also feel our helplessness. Sometimes we meet someone and he question in this way, "How are you?" and we become more anxious. We seem confronted over and over again by the same question. And we say to ourselves: "Yet people should see it or know that we are not doing well!"

Here, in the passage of the Psalm that we have brought up, the feeling is quite the same. We believe that God is not aware of what we're going through. By saying, "Lord, hear my prayer," we hope he will hear. But the Lord hears very well. He knows. Even if the people don't see or feel our distress, God knows and he sees it. He understands and supports us already.

It's normal to seek God in times of unease. That's what we do, of course. It would be better to learn to trust God more, before discomfort occurs. Let's reserve time every day, when we are healthy and when we are sick too. We will have greater certainty that he is present with us and we will feel his consolation. We will know that he is with us.

Just thinking about God is already a wise move. Let's give him a few minutes. Then, for God to tame us, let's come back often to meet with him.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 16, 2024, 06:49:37 AM
69. To manipulate


The difficulty for people in authority who are afraid of losing their place, mostly their ideal, is to manipulate their surroundings. They will find the means to be the "ones". To remain at the top, they will provoke and bring down the person who seems to contradict them. This is happening with Jesus and also with Jeremiah. God asks Jeremiah to speak on his behalf to the crowd:
They have forsaken me and alienated this place by burning in it incense to strange gods which neither they nor their fathers knew; and the kings of Judah have filled this place with the blood of the innocent. Jeremiah, chapter 19, verse 4

After Jeremiah describes the people's attitude, he hears the murmur that threatens him:
"'Terror on every side! Denounce! let us denounce him!' All those who were my friends are on the watch for any misstep of mine. 'Perhaps he will be trapped; then we can prevail, and take our vengeance on him.'" Jeremiah, chapter 20, verse 10

Jeremiah understands and feels that his remarks shock people. They are not listening. They do not seek to understand the urgency included in his message. Jeremiah listens to the Lord and does everything to help the people, but they do not listen to the Lord. They are withdrawing from God.

These people have lost their judgment because they try to subject God to their ideas. They lack charity toward Jeremiah. They are not at peace and they think they are right to be that way. They want to trap him who seems to be disturbing.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 17, 2024, 05:45:24 AM
70. The facts announce God


Jesus is caught in the middle of a situation. He administers wellness, he warns against evil, and some want to stone him. Jesus encounters incomprehension:
"The Jews again picked up rocks to stone him. Jesus answered them, 'I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of these are you trying to stone me?'" John, chapter 10, verses 31 to 32

We know all the good works that Jesus did. He has multiplied them. We can read or reread the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, to discover or rediscover them.

People are stuck in their hearts and they don't let the light through. They fear losing control over situations, over the people and they fear Jesus. They have trouble to align themselves properly.

These people answer him:
"We are not stoning you for a good work but for blasphemy. You, a man, are making yourself God." John, chapter 10, verse 33

The reason they want to stone Jesus is that they think he thinks he is God. And yet, absolutely all the signs that Jesus did describe God, also describe the values of life. Forgiveness, justice, great love, mercy are signs and facts that Jesus is God. Jesus doesn't think he's God, he doesn't propose himself to be God, he is God.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 18, 2024, 04:59:52 AM
71. The lie


To think that God is blaspheming, to think that God is lying is the ultimate lie of too many people in Jesus's days and this is still happening now. It is written and still today people think that Jesus is not God.

The person distorts reality by slipping away from Jesus. He comes to not even recognize that Jesus is God. The remoteness from God removes the person from believing in him. He loses sense of reality and the meaning of God.
It's not surprizing that some people responsible of the Temple want to stone Jesus, with their incomprehension, their loss of meaning, to the point of thinking that Jesus blasphemes.

Let's find Jesus in our heart, in our life, let's keep him close by. This is the only way to recognize Jesus. Let's continue our walk with Jesus to the cross. Let's take advantage today to free ourselves from the evil that we carry and give it to Jesus, so that he may cleanse and save us too. May we recognize him as he is.

May Jesus guide and encourage us to discover the misunderstanding of people toward him. This will help us to hand everyone to him. He wants to heal them. Jesus came to bear the burden of the sins of the world. Let's let him take upon himself our evil and our sins. Only Jesus can bear it and give peace.

Let's get out of pride and egoism that electrify lies. And let's walk with him to the victory of Love over evil, hatred, despair, God's victory over satan, the victory of our liberation and salvation in Jesus Christ, God and Lord.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 19, 2024, 05:52:43 AM
72. God's authority


What a beautiful passage:

"Since in this way I have profited, I will give my teacher grateful praise." Sirach, chapter 51, verse 17

Let's acknowledge that everything that has been accomplished in beauty, truth, good and reality during our life has not happened by chance.

We did not create wisdom. We did not invent love. We did not think our intelligence. Let's face the facts and recognize that all talents, values, gifts, charisms and graces come exclusively from the Lord.

Let's also recognize that the wisdom of God has been given us to receive him. If God had not allowed receiving him, we would be like a cloth that has no interest, no will, no movement.

Yes, there are still people who think that they are the only kings of their lives, that they have given themselves everything and that they can even stand above Jesus. Temple officials question Jesus:

"By what authority are you doing these things? Or who gave you this authority to do them?" Mark, chapter 11, verse 28

Strange question indeed. It is still possible today to have this question: "By what authority do you do that?" It's as if we'd say, "Jesus, I do not know you, and what you do is a lie."

Jesus has just healed a person. And it is acknowledged that only God can heal in his name. Yet Jesus keeps reminding us that he's healing in his name. They only need to open their eyes. Jesus healed a person before them.

Jesus, we do not recognize your authority. Jesus, we question ourselves to know if you are really God. Yet there is a multitude of signs in the world right now that are from you.

We need to see clearly and accept that you are truly God and Lord. Without you we are lost, without you we have no real life or soul. Without you we exist not.

We need to recognize that you are God Jesus, the Lord of our life.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 20, 2024, 06:29:34 AM
73. God is with us


Jeremiah, from the beginning of his ministry, as soon as he works with God, he understands him, since he's with him:
"I knew it because the Lord informed me; at that time you, O Lord, showed me their doings." Jeremiah, chapter 11, verse 18

The Lord informs and guides us. He is with us when we are with him. From then on, the Lord teaches us, as he informs Jeremiah.

Are we listening like the prophet Jeremiah? Too often, we do not feel that Jesus is close. Too often, too, we are busy elsewhere. Jesus cannot speak to us if we aren't in a listening state.

If we are not listening to Jesus, we enter a risky zone. For Jesus alone can really teach us about himself.

We are, ourselves, a mystery when we do not understand God. The Lord is not a mystery. The greatest mystery is that we are not listening to him.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 21, 2024, 05:54:48 AM
74. Jesus is the target


Some people from the temple want to stop Jesus. They closed their hearts. They are convinced that he isn't God:
"The guards went to the chief priests and pharisees, who asked them, 'Why did you not bring him?' The guards answered, 'Never before has anyone spoken like this one.'" John, chapter 7, verses 45 to 46

The guards hear reason. They find no reason to stop Jesus, because they know that Jesus did nothing wrong.

Still, the temple officials will insist and plan Jesus's capture. Nicodemus questions them:
"Does our law condemn a person before it first hears him and finds out what he is doing?" John, chapter 7, verse 51

Nicodemus seeks to rescue Jesus, but some of them don't want to listen. When we are convinced that a person is false, even wrongly and because of false rumours and conscience manipulation, even if the person is fundamentally authentic, the door closes on the truthfulness of this person.
Then, they develop obscure ways to crucify Jesus. And that's how, in the world, so many people are crushed, disfigured, so many people are persecuted, abused, killed. It is the same sin that is constantly repeated, because some people are not listening. They do not reflect and observe, hear and understand. Collective prejudice causes death.

Our prayer can help to make a difference, so that people be spared from the deafness of others. But sometimes even our good intentions are not enough because of their heart's closure. May God be known for who he is. God is completely natural and real for humans.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 22, 2024, 06:02:33 AM
75. We scream to the Lord


To this demand:
"Graciously rescue me, God! Come quickly to help me, Lord!" Psalm 70, verse 1

Let's add:
"I waited, waited for the Lord; who bent down and heard my cry." Psalm 40, verse 2

This cry is the realization that we are sinners, since we think that God is not around. The cry helps in recognizing that we are making too much effort that leads to nothing and that we do not let ourselves be Loved by God or by others.

This cry is also about thinking that we can manage everything on our own, that we can manipulate for our popularity, that we can go so far as to hurt others.

Let's not wait. Let's accept the Lord's truth, fully. He will free us from harm, since he hears our cry. Better still, he had heard our inner complaint before our cry.

God separates within us evil from good to elevate peace anew from our baptism:
"He drew me out of the pit of destruction, out of the mud of the swamp, set my feet upon rock, steadied my steps." Psalm 40, verse 3

When we are drawn from the mud and placed on the rock, it is God who embraces and establishes us in a safe place.
à

With confidence (faith), may God take us in his arms as the child lets himself be embraced by his parents. May the truth of God filter our being to remove the residue of evil.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 23, 2024, 06:25:57 AM
76. The rule of Love


God is Love and his Love contains a Law:
"Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God." 1 John, chapter 4, verse 7

A person who has a grudge or hatred is invited to do an examination of conscience. Why is he like this? Well, it's because he is like that or has he become like that? Is it because he himself did not receive love from people or did not discover the Love of God?

It's very difficult to define someone's fault. This is why we are invited to let this person observe himself before God. The person who did some harm is the only one who can figure out what led him there. This harm comes either from him or caused by another person. He did not receive this evil from God.

We are invited to perform an examination of conscience before God. Jesus invites us to receive faith by inviting him into our life. The faith that will abound in us will help better understand the more difficult situations.

The Love of God is the rule of love between people. Let's give the people back to God, even if they are unfair to us, even if we don't understand everything.

Let's put ourselves in Jesus's hands, so that his Love will lead us to a new conversion. And gradually, we will obtain lights to become better, to better understand.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Refusing sin, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 24, 2024, 06:17:32 AM
77. Indispensable Love


Love is abused and very often refused. If God is Love, why does it seem there's lack of love on earth?

Believing in God, transforming our way of life, returning to a heart to Heart with God, so that his Love flows freely within us, is indispensable.

Otherwise, we block God's Love and without a compass we drift away. The implications of misleading ourselves or not following Jesus are many. The risk is to have difficulty returning to him.

The only compass we can trust is the Love of God. Jesus invites us to welcome and follow him to truly live within his Love. We are also encouraged to humbly find our place before God.

May we be persons who are signs of Christ present among our contemporaries, to help them receive the Love of God.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's Love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 25, 2024, 06:02:20 AM
78. God's Kingdom


Paul gives us a very beautiful message:
"For we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the good works that God has prepared in advance, that we should live in them." Ephesian, chapter 2, verse 10

"We are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus." How powerful, just these few words!

We usually live in a house and we always come back to the house. Our real home is in Jesus Christ. We are true when we establish ourselves in him.

Mary and all the saints are also in the Kingdom of God and they watch over us helping us constantly to get closer to Jesus. Everything is there, now, freely offered, to lead us in Jesus.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's Love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 25, 2024, 05:35:00 PM
79. Dehumanized thinking


This is a reflection that God proposes to Job. It can also feed our thoughts. The Lord addresses Job from the midst of his personal storm:
"Who is this that obscures divine plans with words of ignorance?" Job, chapter 38, verse 2

Jesus showed us, when he passed into our world, how we disfigure God. We risk being upset when we chase God away. We expose ourselves to lose a lot when we back away from him.

We observe humans, we fall into the faults and sins of the past to such an extent that we come to think God is like us. We hear it everywhere. This one is like that, that one is like this. Why should I follow people in the Church if they are not able to be charitable, to be happy?

We believe that by observing the human being, we see God there. But it's a little simpler than that. The human being is not God. So, it's impossible for a human to be perfect either in the world or in the Church.

It will always be easy to find some fault with someone, but let's not put that fault on God's back.

We should be responsible in the faith to understand that a fault, a human who sin is contrary to the reality of God. God has created us Love, but we have trouble sharing and receiving it.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's Love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 26, 2024, 06:20:10 AM
80. God's grace on us


Job is in the middle of the storm. And he responds to God with wisdom:
"I am of little account; what can I answer you? I put my hand over my mouth. Though I have spoken once, I will not do so again; though twice, I will do so no more." Job, chapter 40, verses 4 to 5

In seeking the good in the other, we will discover goodness in us and we'll move forward together by following Jesus. Easy.

Let's become beings filled with the Presence and the Light of God, in order to become familiar with his Light. Let's ask God's grace on us to discover his light in the heart, the life and the being of the people around us.

Let's give thanks for the Presence of God in our life and welcome his Light that enlightens us on the daily path of conversion and faith.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's Love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 27, 2024, 06:13:17 AM
81. To run away


Moses responds to the people:
"Fear not! Stand your ground, and you will see the victory the Lord will win for you today. These Egyptians whom you see today you will never see again. The Lord himself will fight for you; you have only to keep still." Exodus, chapter 14, verses 13 to 14

It takes caution to clearly understand this text. The Lord fights evil among the Egyptians, although God does not fight the Egyptians. Pharaoh chooses evil by confining a nation to slavery.

Pharaoh lays his evil on the backs of his own Egyptians. He makes the Egyptians, his people, responsible for his evil and he swings his evil against the Israelites.

If the Lord fights for the people of Israel, it is simply to give them the courage of their convictions and to continue on the road of faith in God. That will set them free.

Fleeing evil leads to God. By fleeing the state of slavery in which the Israelites have been for far too long, they are giving themselves the means to take back their lives.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's Love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 28, 2024, 06:05:02 AM
80. God's grace on us


Job is in the middle of the storm. And he responds to God with wisdom:
"I am of little account; what can I answer you? I put my hand over my mouth. Though I have spoken once, I will not do so again; though twice, I will do so no more." Job, chapter 40, verses 4 to 5

In seeking the good in the other, we will discover goodness in us and we'll move forward together by following Jesus. Easy.

Let's become beings filled with the Presence and the Light of God, in order to become familiar with his Light. Let's ask God's grace on us to discover his light in the heart, the life and the being of the people around us.

Let's give thanks for the Presence of God in our life and welcome his Light that enlightens us on the daily path of conversion and faith.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's Love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on February 29, 2024, 06:06:32 AM
83. Evil hates Light


Often in the Bible, there are clear passages like this one and at the same time, precise and without appeal:
"For everyone who does wicked things, hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God." John, chapter 3, verses 20 to 21

To do evil is to hate light. To hate light is to hate God. Evil and light are not compatible. It is unthinkable to build up a bad action and declare that it's luminous.

It's also difficult to get rid of bad habits. When they don't seem too damaging, we tend to forget them. And yet the tiniest bad habit can degenerate into unhealthy or even harmful habits.

So, it's important to watch over our habits and dig out those that can cause harm. If they can harm others, they can also hurt us:
"Whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God." We move in faith only with the light of God.

To come to the truth and to get rid of our bad habits is to allow the truth to be generated in our life. God's light helps us to discern the issues of life.

Moreover, when we feel bad after an action, it's necessary to check if it really is good or bad, true or false. It would be nice to take some time to find solutions. To realize this discernment and to want to return to goodness is to let ourselves be improved by God.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's Love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 01, 2024, 05:55:29 AM
84. The Lamb


Jeremiah has a very beautiful relationship with God. We feel he's like a son talking to his father:
"The Lord informed me; at that time you, O Lord, showed me their doings." Jeremiah, chapter 11, verse 18

The closer Jeremiah is to God, the more the Spirit of God guides him through difficulties and sorrows. God helps him maneuver among people who hurt him and does not seem to listen to the Lord.
Besides, it doesn't prevent the prophet of God to be persecuted because he disturbs while transmitting the truths of God:
"I was like a gentle lamb led to slaughter." Jeremiah, chapter 11, verse 19a

This text prefigures what Christ will live: "I was like a gentle lamb led to slaughter."
The only difference is that Jesus is not "like" the Lamb, but he "is" the Lamb who will be led to slaughter, because of the evil in the world and for his sole purpose to save us.

The psalm reveals the same thought:
"Lord my God, in you I take refuge; rescue me; save me from all who pursue me, lest they maul me like lions, tear me to pieces with none to save." Psalm 7, verses 2 to 3

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's Love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 02, 2024, 06:07:51 AM
85. Free Jesus!


Nicodemus allows us to think and understand that persons can condemn other persons without knowing a lot about them. Nicodemus is touched by Jesus:
"There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. He came to Jesus at night." John, chapter 3, verses 1 and 2a

Nicodemus meets Jesus and he appreciates his quality of God. Only a person who knows Jesus and who loves him can understand what Jesus is doing in the world. He will defend Jesus after his capture:
"Nicodemus, one of their members who had come to him earlier, said to them, 'Does our law condemn a person before it first hears him and finds out what he is doing?'" John, chapter 7, verses 50 to 51

Can we judge Jesus? Can we ensnare Love? This is the impression that emerges: "I was like a gentle lamb led to slaughter."

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's Love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 03, 2024, 05:57:40 AM
85. Free Jesus!


Nicodemus allows us to think and understand that persons can condemn other persons without knowing a lot about them. Nicodemus is touched by Jesus:
"There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. He came to Jesus at night." John, chapter 3, verses 1 and 2a

Nicodemus meets Jesus and he appreciates his quality of God. Only a person who knows Jesus and who loves him can understand what Jesus is doing in the world. He will defend Jesus after his capture:
"Nicodemus, one of their members who had come to him earlier, said to them, 'Does our law condemn a person before it first hears him and finds out what he is doing?'" John, chapter 7, verses 50 to 51

Can we judge Jesus? Can we ensnare Love? This is the impression that emerges: "I was like a gentle lamb led to slaughter."

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's Love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 04, 2024, 06:32:11 AM
87. Jesus is so Holy


This man speaks so well that he turns us upside down and inside out. He is so true that he fills us with his presence. He is so God, that we have no more doubt. He opens our eyes.

But not of all. The only way to really follow Jesus is to take our responsibility in hand and follow him.

Let's grant to Jesus, the High Priest of the Eternal Covenant, to fill us with his presence, to open our heart, to dispel our doubts. Let's live in joy and hope to see the Church filled with people renewed by grace.

May Jesus be unveiled and known by the future generations.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's Love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 05, 2024, 06:09:37 AM
88. Our sins


Peter does not accept that Jesus must die for our sins. Peter stands before the reality of his own sins, his old sins, and he cannot understand why Jesus would die for him. Peter does not understand Jesus's words and mission and he tells Jesus how he must behave. He doesn't want Jesus to leave for Jerusalem because he's going to be killed.

"Peter, takes him aside and begins to rebuke him, 'God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.'" Matthew, chapter 1, verse 22

We would also like to tell Jesus what he needs to do to make us happy, but we need to walk away from that conception. It's easier to understand how Jesus wants us to be happy. Let's not refuse Jesus anymore in our life.

God alone knows the way. And when Jesus says he will have to surrender to the elders of Jerusalem and they will kill him, he knows what he means. He shows us his way. Jesus says what he does and does what he says.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's Love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 06, 2024, 05:39:54 AM
89. God allows evil?


God never uses the strong way like giving cancer to drive a person back to him. It's impossible. He doesn't need that. This is not his way.

The body is fragile and sometimes there are complications. But God does not give sickness hoping that someone will convert. Never.

The only powerful way of God is the infinite tenderness of his Love. The test can lead a person to consider God, because it allows time for reflection.
Reality and the present moment, in pain, often leads a person to ask himself the important questions of life; sickness, evil, suffering, loss of energy. Often, he will cast a simple look toward God.

Suffering takes him inside himself, turns him toward his heart, and perhaps he will shout. However, it's always a shame when a person waits to be with his back against the wall to think and react. Perhaps he will accept to let his heart open up to let God create in him silence, then peace.

God is always present and he's waiting for that person to turn to him. He does just that, wait for him. The person who decides to let God enter into his life will receive him in his heart. And it is guaranteed that God will be there too in his heart.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's Love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 07, 2024, 06:09:37 AM
90. Let's find means


We are the only ones who can block off the Love of God. We are the only ones who can pretend to love if we block the Love of God in our heart. To the limit, it is inconceivable to block the Love of God in our heart, without dying in evil.

Let's find ingenious means to not refuse the Love of God. We'll see how simple it is. It's not demanding to think about it and to walk with God.
Let's give our heart to Jesus, so that he helps us to open the door, that his Love passes in us and that it overflows on people.

Let's imagine that we hear God say this to us today: "Everyone will know that I am a Loving God when people live in my will. The world will see me in your life."

But for us, humans, it's not so easy, because we know how far we can dwell from his love.

We are invited to encourage ourselves and remain vigilant in prayer and spiritual friendship.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's Love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 08, 2024, 06:08:00 AM
91. Dried up


These people's thoughts are interesting, in this next passage. They recognize that they are moving away from God. We feel here the heart that is ready to receive the presence of God:
"All of us have become like unclean men, all our good deeds are like polluted rags; We have all withered like leaves, and our guilt carries us away like the wind," Isaiah, chapter 64, verse 5
because we kept away from you, Lord.

Even so, the world should know that we are sinners and that we can never be perfect enough to let God perfectly pass in our lives. God is passing by, though. Let's give him his place.

Fortunately, there are people who allow us to feel the presence of God, despite their sinful state. They become examples of faith.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's Love God, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 09, 2024, 06:03:22 AM
92. The loss of meaning


Closing in on evil leads us to move away from Love. Then Love does not stick with us because of the limits that evil causes. Jesus conveys a strong enough image of the loss of meaning and sin:
"If the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have repented in sackcloth and ashes." Matthew, chapter 11, verse 21b

People who move away from faith in Jesus open the door to evil and lead others into it. When the Love of God does not pass, evil multiplies like a virus and contaminates those who let themselves be influenced by it.
Now, when Love passes, there is a progression in goodness, according to the pace of evolution of the person.

Jesus uses the example of these two cities to demonstrate to what extent sin can lead a person and groups of people, by a loss of meaning, a lack of good values, to their ruin. If Jesus's miracles do not come to us, we should check the quality of reception we confide into his Love.

If we move away from people, for example, let's check if the drug that we consume is not too strong and destructive. Evil and drugs acts in a similar way and destroys relationships between people.

When we reject God's Love, what we really lack is the healing of the heart and soul through the flow of Love which is unfortunately diminished because of the evil that keeps us prisoners.

As soon as we ask Jesus for healing to welcome his Love, there is automatically something good happening in us. Even though the feeling may be subtle now, with determination, later on we will appreciate the inner transformations.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 10, 2024, 06:31:56 AM
93. Negative choice or Holy Spirit


There are choices that make a difference. First, what keeps us captive and imprisoned:
"Immorality, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, rivalry, jealousy, outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness, dissensions, factions, occasions of envy, drinking bouts, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." Galatians, chapter 5, verses 19 to 21

The promised inheritance is the Love of God. But what Paul says is that these acts lead us away from the Love promised to us. Negative inclinations are those that lead us to become invalid, to become inhuman (thoughts, gestures, words), to evil and at the same time to the remoteness of God, even to the moving away from oneself. There are so many ways to refuse to let ourselves be Loved, the refusal to feed our body, our life of Love, the refusal to serve the Love of God in our neighbour.

We have the choice to let ourselves go to harmful and enemy inclinations or to collect the good with the Holy Spirit. What the Spirit offers us supports us and brings us closer to God:
"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control." Galatians, chapter 5, verses 22 to 23a
Let's be aware of these fruits in our life. Let's look at them, collect them as invited friends at our home. Let's spend our days observing them, meditating on them and recognizing their benefits.

Let's keep our thoughts on the manifestations of the Holy Spirit and we will prefer this path that instills spiritual and human well-being. We will feel our life enter a major turning point that will amaze us.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 11, 2024, 05:12:03 AM
94. The need to pray


Jesus recommends to us:
"Take care." Luke, chapter 11, verse 35

The only way we do not weigh down our lives is to live our lives like Christ, to put our trust in him and to feed ourselves with his Love.

All distractions causes wrong and move us away from the presence of God. May we remain vigilant in prayer. God does not need our prayers, but we need to pray. Prayer pulls us out of evil and leads us to a more sincere relationship with God.

We need to pray for our heart to unite with the will of God. We need to pray to better understand his will. We need to pray in order to be enlightened and inspired by God in front of multiple choices and decisions.

It's the complete opposite of living life without God, without Love. All that unites us to God distances us from temptations and evil. It's the only law that governs our lives. Either we move toward God, or we move away from him.
And everything that challenges and unites us to the Trinity keeps us in life,
joy, hope, service, friendly encounters, holy with ourselves, with others and with God.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 12, 2024, 04:51:35 AM
95. Watch and pray


Jesus tells us:
"Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man." Luke, chapter 11, verse 36

Let's watch and pray to discern good from evil in our lives and in the lives of others. Jesus watches over us and Loves us until sin is erased. He wants to guide us to salvation. May Jesus come and convert us, so that we live with him.

May Mary and Joseph help us, by their example, to listen to what God asks of us personally. For this reason, we are invited to receive the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit in our hearts as Mary and Joseph knew how to welcome him.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 13, 2024, 04:17:12 AM
96. The refusal


Beyond the cause of evil on the person, there remains for us a principle that is undeniable. Even if we know that evil is mainly caused by the evil prince, it progresses when one or more people let themselves be tempted.

If, for example, someone starts bullying a student at school, he will experience the consequences of this bullying. He will "feel it deeply". And this evil will develop in him, since he is a victim.

If other people know that he is intimidated and they are joining in, they increase the harm. They place invisible bricks around this person and they slowly build his prison. The victim will live the evil in all the fibres of his being and in his heart.

Evil is pernicious. Diseases are related to evil. Evil will not come from the one who is intimidated unless he decides not to let himself be loved. He suffers the consequences of the hurt caused by people who distance themselves from God's desired Love.

The spirit of contradiction keeps us away from God. It takes a tremendous amount of energy to counter the surge of God's Love for us.

Health problems are related to the rejection of Love in our life, simply because we use stratagems and we exile ourselves away from Love. Unless this evil is caused by many. That said, the rejection of God's Love in others can also cause illness and evil that progressively destroys us.

Only the Love of God can bring back everything good, keep us from harm and give us freedom. We do not want to be around evil, but sometimes we slip into it.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 14, 2024, 05:12:01 AM
97. Ask for help


We have probably experienced this feeling where nothing seems possible for us. We are tired, exhausted. We lack energy. And suddenly, we have a "flash of genius" to turn to Jesus and ask for his help.

And what a surprise we had when we felt something deep happen in us. From that moment, our life was awakened and it was transformed delicately, joyfully, from within.

We had felt Jesus's presence. All was unclear, but we knew, from a certain intelligence and wisdom, that something gloriously had happened, something luminous in us.

It's like the intense joy of a moment that overwhelms us and that we fully live. Our life makes sense with Jesus. We want to remain in this state. We want to celebrate and pray this new momentum of life.

Let's ask God, again, to come and touch what needs to be healed in our life.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 15, 2024, 04:22:04 AM
98. Pride is near


The impasse is on the watch:
"Because you have thought yourself to have the mind of a god." Ezekiel, chapter 28, verse 6

The king of Tire is in a proud phase of his life, since he believes he has everything necessary. He judges himself superior to others. He lends himself superior thoughts to others. He convinces himself to be a "god".

Sometimes things accumulate, but we forget to deepen what we need most, the Presence of God in our life and in the world.

This is a calling not to let ourselves go to pride. When all is well, we feel light. Every day becomes an enchantment. Do be careful, because pride is looking at us through the optical hole of the door, by the "Judas".

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 16, 2024, 05:54:20 AM
99. Leave evil


The devil exists. He is a person, because of his movement, according to the thought of Thomas Aquinas. The devil fatally refuses the Love of God. The evil-doer refuses Love.

It is the responsibility of each person not to get caught, then to lose oneself and move away from God. The temptation for the human is to confine, then to isolate oneself in evil.

The devil totally refuses the Love of God. When we turn our backs on ourselves, on others and on God, we are moving toward division, the devil, the abyss of misfortune. He's amused and looks forward to seeing us moving toward him.

Negative habits of some lead other people into harmful attitudes. We are often in solidarity with evil because we become accustomed to it. This bad way keeps us prisoners.

If we sin, we lead others to evil. If we pray to God, we lead people to good. At the very end of our lives, the Lord will reveal to us the sum of our good deeds. Prayer is like money in the bank and the time of retirement is eternal in the Kingdom of God.

This is why prayer is so important, even if sometimes we do not see any apparent results. Let's accept to change our heart and our attitudes. A change for the better will come. As soon as we pray, God helps us because we allow him to Love us.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 17, 2024, 05:38:55 AM
100. Love him or not


John, who was very close to Jesus and received his Love, offers an important reflection that should lead us to reconsider our understanding of the judgment of God:
"God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him." John, chapter 3, verse 17

According to John, God does not judge. How did he come to such a conclusion? Surely that John has understood Love as he is. He also listened to Jesus.

If Jesus did not come to condemn the world, it means that God never judged the world. God does not judge, he Loves. If we speak of the judgment of God, his judgment can only be Love. It means that God will Love us whether we love him or not.

Let's welcome Jesus to live in joy. Let's acknowledge that we are sinners, that we are empty, that we are destitute without his Love.

Let's ask him for forgiveness, for when people place their failures and faults on his back. Let's recognize that humans cause their own misfortunes, since they succumb to temptations. They let themselves be attracted by tempters. They become lukewarm, they neglect faith, then they move away from God.
Let's thank Jesus for reminding us that he alone saves us and may we dwell in his Love and joy.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 18, 2024, 05:04:23 AM
101. God Loves through us


Our faith can be affected by shadows, by interrogations, but it is raised in Jesus:
"'To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbour as yourself' is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices". Mark, chapter 12, verse 33

What matters is to love. How to love? By following Christ.
But what confirms to us that we are really following Christ? By allowing Christ to become the centre of our lives and recognizing his manifestations of Love: joy, peace, mercy...

In truth, we are incapable of loving. God Loves through us.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 19, 2024, 05:20:39 AM
102. May Jesus wash us


When we are not aware of evil, it spies on us. With the multiplicity of means to feed it, evil transforms like a blanket. This cover is cunningly transformed and becomes more and more difficult to remove. This cover of evil extends to us and onto others. The Lord of the universe reminds us of what is good to do to get away from evil:
"Consider your ways! Go up into the hill country; bring timber, and build the house that I may take pleasure in it and receive my glory, says the Lord." Haggai, chapter 1, verses 7 to 8

To get out of the trap of evil and to learn to love ourselves better, it is about serving the Lord, with the fear of doing harm. This fear is the signal to continually adjust our heart toward Jesus.

The only way to build the house of the Lord and stay there is to move away from all forms of evil that we smoulder, often in spite of ourselves and sometimes because of us. Let's rebuild and gather together with the Lord.

Let's ask Jesus to uncover where we let evil dominate us. Let's offer him our discoveries, in a process of forgiveness and reconciliation. May Jesus wash us from his side with his Precious Blood and Water.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 20, 2024, 04:38:46 AM
103. Oh, love!


Oh, love! Everyone is looking for it and thinks they have found it. In life, there is always a choice between loving or not loving. I love one thing, I do not love another. For things the choice is often easier. But for people, we often consider them, more or less, depending on our preferences.

In reality, it's impossible for us to love, since Love is from God. Without the Love of God in us, we have no love to offer.

We are created to receive Love and allow it to pass through us to love. Sometimes we do not accept everything in one person, but we are invited to open our hearts for God to pass through. All people are Loved by God, without exception.

There are also judgments about what people wear, about their ways, their way of speaking, their way of life. There are many reasons to get around people. But James tells us:
"Show no partiality as you adhere to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ." James, chapter 2, verse 1

James proposes that we see people, all people as children of God. If all relationships begin and continue this way, God's Love will cover the world.
The Love of God already embraces all people of the earth, but we give the impression that God is not Love because of our resistance to him.

Let's accept that the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, that God is Love, and people will simply find out that they are Loved.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 21, 2024, 04:15:51 AM
104. A joyful transformation


We know it, persecution is not new. We find it at home, in schools, at work and on the street. Bullying is physical and verbal abuse.

Persecutions, divisions, God does not provoke them, but inhuman foolishness covets it. Some work hard to keep the power on them. They manage everything in their heads and by pride they persecute people. The persecutors do not need anyone to collapse, to self-destruct, considering they do not need God. The persecutor hurts himself whenever he hurts another. A double hurting.

Persecution and loss of meaning are awaiting us. Whether we are practising believers and celebrants or non-believers, we will be persecuted.
The difference is great for those who follow Jesus. They receive graces to live better, avoid persecution and pass through divisions that shake the world.
Jesus recalls that persecution is real:
"They will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name. It will lead to your giving testimony. Remember, you are not to prepare your defence beforehand, for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute." Luke, chapter 21, verses 12 to 15

We are invited to receive the Love of God, to allow us a joyful transformation, to live in peace. We can, afterward, bring this joy and peace to others, even to the persecutors.

The solution Jesus offers is to always bear witness to our faith in God. If we leave God more room in our lives, we will have the strength and courage to persevere in faith, especially during trials.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 22, 2024, 04:42:15 AM
105. The flowing grace


God offers us a servant. He is Love:
"Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom I delight; I shall place my spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not contend or cry out, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets.

A bruised reed he will not break, a smouldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory." Matthew, chapter 12, verses 18 to 20

Let's be touched and moved by the unconditional Love of God. The more we distribute the Love of God, the more we receive. May we let the flowing grace of the Love of God descend on us. Let's let it flow into the crowd and we will receive plenty of it.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 23, 2024, 04:53:44 AM
106. Trusting in our Saviour


A phrase like this helps us to discover God in the Bible:
"Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God." Isaiah, chapter 40, verse 1

The people will sin against himself, the world will sin so much against God that he can no longer see God in his environment, because he believes that God is the one who disturbs him.

Yet God constantly reminds us that he watches over us: "Comfort, give comfort to my people." Whether we sin or not, he wants to join us and touch our heart. Let's continue with Isaiah:
"The grass withers, the flower wilts, when the breath of the Lord blows upon it. (So then, the people is the grass.) Though the grass withers and the flower wilts, the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah, chapter 40, verses 7b to 8

To move away from God is like a plant that dries up. It fades. So, as water raises the flower, the only one that can give strength to humans is God.

To receive the Eucharist is like the plant that is nourished with vitamins and receives what it needs. He who offers eternal life is God. The Eucharist and the Word guarantees eternal life when we receive them with heart. They awake and elevate us.

God invites us. He wants to console us of what can hurt. He wants to lead and feed us at the source, in green pastures.

Jesus makes unceasing calls to distant hearts. The Lord is the Good Shepherd who wants to gather all the sheep and lead them into the community of saints, in his Kingdom.

Let's be attracted by our Father and trusting in our Saviour, the Good Shepherd of heaven and earth, Jesus Christ. May we be led to the Altar of the Gift of God, the Altar of Love for each person, to the Word and the Eucharist.

There is joy in heaven and peace on earth, since the promised Saviour liberates and consoles the one who really seeks him, wholeheartedly.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 24, 2024, 04:16:40 AM
107. Spiritual improvement


Paul tells us:
"We know that all creation is groaning in labour pains even until now." Romans, chapter 8, verse 22

Many women can share their feelings about the pain of giving birth. They know what Paul is talking about. But this pain is much more stinging, even if it doesn't seem perceptible, when we are away from Jesus.

Sin in us is stubborn and constantly assails us. But we are invited to return to awareness and accept healing, so that we may live happily and unite in God.

When we read God's recommendations in the Bible, we find that they always lead to avoid problems. The Bible is full of examples. Yet it's necessary not to twist, to bend the good to the point of thinking that it's wrong and to not sublimate evil and think to succeed in transforming it into a good deed.

Let's face it, a person who doesn't know that he's doing wrong is getting trapped. But a person who likes to live peacefully, when evil comes, does everything possible to avoid it, circumvent it or, ideally as soon as possible ask Jesus to help him pass by it.

Let's read:
"Wash yourselves clean! Put away your misdeeds from before my eyes; cease doing evil." Isaiah, chapter 1, verse 16

We often give our faults, our sins to Jesus, and we know the good he brings us and the healing that follows. We give it to him because we trust him. God purifies then consoles us beyond our expectations.

Every time we confess, Jesus's Precious Blood washes us, cleanses us. He makes the hurting part of our confession white as snow. It provides well-being.

To this is added a way to repair, a way to become better. After the forgiven fault, these are attitudes that help us to improve:
"Learn to do good. Make justice your aim: redress the wronged, hear the orphan's plea, defend the widow." Isaiah, chapter 1, verse 17

We tend to move away from God, and that is evil, and ultimately we hurt ourselves. It requires discernment to fully understand the difference between what is really bad or good. Let's return and God will do his work in us.

Getting people to become truthful could be disastrous, if it's not well framed, with patience and gentleness. We must not make people flee as much as to pray for their spiritual improvement. We hope they'll find themselves in the grace of God. God will do his work in them.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 25, 2024, 05:40:51 AM
108. The good we perceive


Many people are alone, even in groups, because they feel misunderstood, judged, left out too. Let's defend the lonely person's cause. Offering charity helps others and helps us too. There is a clear advantage. While we are doing good, we are freeing ourselves from evil.

The Bible often offers ways to improve our faith, to reach God. This sentence is timely, while Jesus speaks of some scribes and pharisees:
"Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practise." Matthew, chapter 23, verse 3

Let's be careful not to judge people but gather their qualities, the gifts they've received from God. Thus, if we cannot trust the actions or words of some people, we can however retain their good counsel and perseverance in following Jesus. So, we shouldn't take apart what they might not be doing good, it's more about making sure we move forward and do good. We too are not perfect.

It's up to each person to discern and be empowered to become better christians and truly God's children. The good we perceive in others teaches us to become better ourselves.

But let's be careful not to mix up good and bad. Discovering the evil in others is also a great way to avoid slipping into the same evil. We learn from their failures. This teaches us and it's an opportunity to pray for them. Learning from their failures helps us and will help them eventually.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 26, 2024, 04:31:47 AM
109. Love is the journey to our salvation


God offers us his creation. We are the fruit of his creation. He offers us life, joy, peace and above all the freedom to choose. But we often live as people who stay away from God.
This freedom to choose, we often seem not to know what to do with it. The proof is that with our freedom, we could feel free to choose something other than God. Or we just stay far enough, so as not to be afraid of God, which is a totally useless fear.
We are especially afraid of being afraid of God. We believe that God is the cause of our fear. However, he cannot scare us because Love is not scary. Fear is the sign of us leaving the Lord.
God's Law is simple. Let's remain suspended to his Love and we will be saved. We're already in his Love. Jesus shares with us his law of Love. Let's love Jesus. It's an easy choice.
God's Law is related to his Perfect, True, and Real Love. The word "law" may seem to mean something strict and caging. Yes, we can say that for a badly practised law that becomes dehumanizing, but never for the law of God.
God's Law of Love is the real journey to our salvation. If it seems strict and stifling, we're not grasping it. Such an interpretation prevents us from living peacefully in God.
Let's ask Jesus for healing and purification, in order to advance in faith. May fear and suffocation stay away from us. Let's get closer to Jesus.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas
Title: Re: Normandt' Catholic Meditations
Post by: Normandt on March 27, 2024, 03:49:02 AM
110. To meditate on


Someone has this question for Jesus:
"'Lord, will only a few people be saved?' He answered them, 'Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.'" Luke, chapter 13, verses 23 to 24

We will be saved to the extent that we find the narrow door.
There are many people who wonder, in the light of this passage, whether their families, their friends will be saved if they don't find this door, if they don't open to the will of God. The question is launched. Do we want to live this passage toward, then in God's Heart? Jesus tells us how easy it is:
"It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." Matthew, chapter 19, verse 24

Jesus says that it's necessary to go through the hole of a needle to enter the Kingdom of God. The camel succeeds easily. This is a message he sends us. It invites us to go beyond the conceptions, the sense that we usually give to things and to meditate on what he proposes.

The narrow door, the hole of the needle, is to be aware of what God asks of us. We must dare to rise and walk in Jesus's steps, so that we may always find the unique pathway to truth and Love that leads to the Father's house. Anyone can find it, because that's the easiest thing to do.

Let's ask Jesus if we are on the right path. Are we on the right track, Jesus?
Are we doing what is right? Do we live in the present moment as something precious, to cherish and celebrate with good deeds and good words?

Are we watchful of the poor? Not only to throw money at him, but to help him on his way and help him walk in your footsteps, Jesus. The answer Jesus offers us is in our heart.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: ... for Love, Normand Thomas