Normandt' Catholic Meditations

[Normandt]

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.

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

[Normandt]

185. By our presence


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

[Normandt]

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.

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

[Normandt]

187. A serene evolution


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

[Normandt]

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.

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

[Normandt]

189. The desire to find God


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

[Normandt]

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

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

[Normandt]

191. Let's personally decide to live in Love


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

[Normandt]

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.

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

[Normandt]

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.

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

[Normandt]

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.

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

[Normandt]

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

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

[Normandt]

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

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

[Normandt]

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.

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

[Normandt]

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.

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