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
Normandt' Bible reflexions
Re: Normandt' Bible reflexions
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
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
Re: Normandt' Bible reflexions
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
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
Re: Normandt' Bible reflexions
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
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
Re: Normandt' Bible reflexions
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
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
Re: Normandt' Bible reflexions
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
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
Re: Normandt' Bible reflexions
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
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
Re: Normandt' Bible reflexions
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
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
Re: Normandt' Bible reflexions
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
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
Re: Normandt' Bible reflexions
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
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
Re: Normandt' Bible reflexions
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
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
Re: Normandt' Bible reflexions
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
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
Re: Normandt' Bible reflexions
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
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
Re: Normandt' Bible reflexions
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
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
Re: Normandt' Bible reflexions
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
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
Re: Normandt' Bible reflexions
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
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
Re: Normandt' Bible reflexions
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
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
Re: Normandt' Bible reflexions
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
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
Re: Normandt' Bible reflexions
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
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
Re: Normandt' Bible reflexions
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
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