Normandt' Catholic Meditations

[Normandt]

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.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's evangelize, Normand Thomas

[Normandt]

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?

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.'"

[Normandt]

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.

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

[Normandt]

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."

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

[Normandt]

218. Through our heart


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

[Normandt]

219. In people's hearts


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

[Normandt]

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

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

[Normandt]

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.

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

[Normandt]

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

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

[Normandt]

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?

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

[Normandt]

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.

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

[Normandt]

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.
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

[Normandt]

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.

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

[Normandt]

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

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

[Normandt]

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