A large earthquake struck in Haiti 47 days ago, and an even larger one exploded in Chile yesterday. Many people have died, or are now homeless and hurt physically and/or mentally. Let us pray that here spirit has not been shaken as well. They, and all of us, need the divine intervention of God at this time of trial. Please remember that all happens for a purpose. We may not ever know the purpose, while on this earth; there is still one, and it will be revealed to us when God chooses.
Our citizenship in heaven, and the ticket on how to get there, is the subject of my reflection today.
Quote or Joke of the Day:
Truths that little children have learned:
You can’t hide a piece of broccoli in a glass of milk!
Don’t wear polka-dot underwear under white shorts!
The best place to be when you’re sad is Grandma’s lap!
Today’s Meditation:
But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will change our lowly body to conform with his glorified body by the power that enables him also to bring all things into subjection to himself. Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, beloved. NAB Phil 3:20-4:1)
Citizenship for the Christians of Philippi was the colony of heaven, just as Philippi was a colony of Rome. Christians are already enrolled as citizens of heaven, through the grace of God. Jesus said, “Give to Caesar what is Caesars, and to God what is God’s.” We have to live as Jesus showed us how to live in this world, in order to attain our entrance to His world of heaven.
Our mortal bodies cannot enter the final glory without a transformation. Most of us will need to go through the heavenly divine “carwash” of purgatory. Many non-Catholics (and sadly some Catholics) do not believe in purgatory, because the word itself is not written in the bible. To them, I say show me the word “Armageddon.” What all of us can agree on, is that the risen Christ is our example for how to live a true Christian life.
The hope Paul expresses in these few but powerful sentences from this letter, involves the final coming of Christ, and NOT what was already attained. Our future with Him in heaven, is what we live for today. It is never to late to say yes to God, and to start living a “perfect” life.
“Lord, I will keep this short. Please help me to perfection through you. Amen.”
Pax et Bonum
Dan Halley, SFO
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Catholic Saint of the Day: St. Hilary, Pope
Pope from 461-468; and guardian of Church unity. He was born in Sardinia, Italy, and was a papal legate to the Robber Council of Ephesus in 449, barely escaping with his life from this affair. Hilary was used by Pope St. Leo I the Great on many assignments. When Leo died, Hilary was elected pope and consecrated on November 19, 461. He worked diligently to strengthen the Church in France and Spain, calling councils in 462 and 465. Hilary also rebuilt many Roman churches and erected the chapel of St. John Lateran. He also publicly rebuked Emperor Anthemius in St. Peter’s for supporting the Macedonian heresy and sent a decree to the Eastern bishops validating the decisions of the General Councils of Nicaea, Ephesus, and Chalcedon. Hilary consolidated the Church in Sandi, Africa, and Gaul. He died in Rome on February 28
(From http://www.catholic.org/saints/ website)
Prologue to Secular Franciscan Order (SFO) Rule, Chapter 1:
… Oh, how glorious it is to have a great and Holy Father in heaven! Oh, how glorious it is to have such a beautiful and admirable Spouse, the Holy Paraclete.
Oh, how glorious it is to have such a Brother and such a Son, loved, beloved, humble, peaceful, sweet, lovable, and desirable above all: Our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave up his life for his sheep (cf. Jn 10:15) and prayed to the Father saying: …
"Dan's Blunders & Wonders of Thought!" 