The Catholic Message Board

141. Our thanksgiving to Jesus


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

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

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

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

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

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: … for Love, Normand Thomas

142. The dawn of the new day


The fire of earth [Jesus in our heart] shines in heaven. It enlightens all those who take refuge in God, welcome him and accept to live with his light. To the young people gathered in Rome in 2000, Pope John Paul II said of Jesus:
“He is the beauty to which you are so attracted; it is he who provokes you with that thirst for fullness that will not let you settle for compromise; it is he who urges you to shed the masks of a false life; it is he who reads in your hearts your most genuine choices, the choices that others try to stifle. It is Jesus who stirs in you the desire to do something great with your lives.”
World Youth Day, Prayer Vigil at Tor Vergata, August 19, 2000, number 5. Vatican Site:
World Youth Day: vigil (Tor Vergata, August 19, 2000) | John Paul II

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

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: … for Love, Normand Thomas

143. The Lord is with us


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

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

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

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

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

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: … for Love, Normand Thomas

144. Path to holiness


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

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

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: … for Love, Normand Thomas

145. Jesus leads us to salvation


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

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

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

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

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

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: … for Love, Normand Thomas

146. Delight the hearts of the people


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

To accomplish it, there is only one solution, that Jesus be our Lord and Saviour, our Master. If we want to help the world to improve, to find values, to become holy, Jesus will transform us, at our request and according to the trust we will entrust in him.

Mary is the perfect example of an intimate and renewed relationship of Jesus in her. Mary still evangelizes us today through the mission she accepts from God.

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

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

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

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

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas

147. His plan of Love


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

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

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

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

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas

148. Connected to the source


God has a mission for us:
Now the Lord speaks, he who has fashioned me from the bosom of my mother to be his servant, that I bring Jacob back to him, that I will gather him Israel.
“I am made glorious in the sight of the Lord, and my God is now my strength!” Isaiah, chapter 49, verse 5

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

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

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

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas

149. The call we receive


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

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

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

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

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

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas

150. Foundation of faith


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

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

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

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

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas

151. United to him forever


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

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

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

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

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

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

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas

152. Faith in Jesus


John the Baptist is so right in saying these words:
“He must increase; I must decrease.” John, chapter 3, verse 30

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

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

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

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

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas

153. A journey to eternal life


John the Baptist declares the reality of who Jesus is. He is inspired:
“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” John, chapter 1, verse 29

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

We know how hard it is to keep a promise. It’s better not to make a promise, because it’s quite possible that we cannot hold it. But Jesus fulfills what he promises:
“This is the promise that he made us: eternal life.” 1 John, chapter 2, verse 25

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

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas

154. Jesus is here


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

God is Love and a Master who is Love is the best Master who exists.
A prophecy:
“‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as Isaiah the prophet said”. John, chapter 1, verse 23

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

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

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas

155. God is present


Here’s a testimony of people who have allowed the Lord to establish himself in their lives. People flourish, they enter a new life, in the eternal promise. Even the unfortunate will live in joy:
“The deaf shall hear the words of the book; And out of gloom and darkness, the eyes of the blind shall see. The lowly will ever find joy in the Lord, and the poor rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.” Isaiah, chapter 29, verses 18 to 19

But what are we watching today? Faced with so much misery in the world, did the world understand Isaiah’s prophecy? We could conclude that God is not as present as we would like.

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

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

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

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas

156. Faith in Jesus


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

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

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

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas

157. Behold Mary


Mary and all the saints help us to stay on the road of faith through their experience. Jesus offers us to behold Mary as our Mother. Let’s recognize her as Mother of God:
“Standing by the cross of Jesus was his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, behold, your son.’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Behold, your mother.’ And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.” John, chapter 19, verses 25 to 27

Jesus’s message is also for us, “Woman, behold, your son”. As Jesus introduces Mary to John, we are also Mary’s children. John wasn’t forced by Jesus to welcome Mary home.

Let’s read the Catechism of the Catholic Church which is a simple and practical prayer. Let’s just read the important points about Mary, what the Church believes and teaches about the Mother of Jesus in numbers 963 to 975. Let’s meditate especially number 971, why we pray with Mary, why she helps us in the mission:
“‘All generations will call me blessed’(Lk 1:48): ‘The Church’s devotion to the Blessed Virgin is intrinsic to Christian worship.’ (MC 56). The Church rightly honours” the Blessed Virgin with special devotion.

From the most ancient times the Blessed Virgin has been honoured with the title of ‘Mother of God,’ to whose protection the faithful fly in all their dangers and needs... (...).

This very special devotion ... differs essentially from the adoration which is given to the incarnate Word and equally to the Father and the Holy Spirit, and greatly fosters this adoration. LG 66); The liturgical feasts dedicated to the Mother of God (see SC 103) and Marian prayer, such as the rosary, an ‘epitome of the whole Gospel’, express this devotion to the Virgin Mary.” (cf MC 42.) Catechism of the Catholic Church - IntraText

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

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas

158. Mary pray with us


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

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

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

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart's mission, Normand Thomas

159. Jesus leads us


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

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

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

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

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

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Watch with faith, Normand Thomas

160. The path to peace


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

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

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

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

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

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Watch with faith, Normand Thomas