I finally ordered Praying with Saint Paul: Daily Reflections on the Letter of the Apostle Paul, Edited by Father Peter John Cameron, O.P. It is printed by Magnificat. I don't know why I put it off, but it is here none-the-less. Please let me share with you tomorrow's reflection...It is really wonderfully thought provoking.
The Purpose Driven Life"In (Christ) we were also chosen, destined in accord with the purpose of the One who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will, so that we might exist for the praise of his glory, we who first hoped in Christ."
Monsignor James Turro
(Ephesians 2:11-12)"In Christ we were also chosen...so that we might exist for the praise of his glory." How many times are people left wondering at the meaning of it all. What is the point of our existence? How bleak and gross even is the answer the world gives back to that question. It maintains that we have no particular role to play at all in the world. We are simply pointless--we just are, period. If that be so , is there any wonder that some people under severe pressure from grave illness or from the sheer routine of day-to-day living decide to end it all? The purposeless life is not worth living.
But as God first chose the Hebrews to spread the good news about him and to praise him, so God expects no less of us--that we do just that--"that we might exist for the praise of his glory." What an exalted goal to have in life: the glorification of God in all we say and do and are. A backward look at our live--and examination of conscience--may sadly reveal that we have been quite negligent in this regard, that is, in making Christ better known within our family , our circle of friends, our co-workers. One's life cannot have more exalted thrust than that--to first understand and then to proclaim to all and sundry that God made us to know, to love, and to serve him is this life and to be happy with him for ever in the next."God give me the sharpness of mind and the force and clarity of speech to witness to you in every venue in which I may find myself.
~~~^j^~~~
"...God made us to know, to love, and o serve him
in this life and to be happy with him for ever in the next."
I am in first grade religion class at St. Mary's School and I remember hearing and learning this for the first time. I feel like a kid again!!
I have a reason for being here. I have value and that's because God made me. And to realize that value I will make every effort to "know, love and serve Him."
I have a reason for being here. I have value and that's because God made me. And to realize that value I will make every effort to "know, love and serve Him."
~~~
Thanks be to God!
Thanks be to God!
I've been meaning to order that book. Looks like there will be lots of good meditations for this Year of St. Paul.
ReplyDeletewell, I for one am glad I did...Just one more source for growth and spiritual development. Good Day to you!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post. Thank you for sharing, "...God made us to know, to love, and to serve him
ReplyDeletein this life and to be happy with him for ever in the next."
It is worded in way that is simple enough for a child to understand (obviously --- as you learned it in 1st grade) yet poignant and complete.
I like visiting your blog very much!
Blessings.
Cathy, I haven't ordered mine yet because I have been ordering other Catholic books. So, it's worth getting right?
ReplyDeleteOver the next while perhaps you will share more of these excerpts, Cathy.
ReplyDeleteIt's strange how sometimes the material written with children in mind and learned by us as children still appeals to us adults in its simplicity.
I suppose God's love can be as simple or as complex as our minds make it - either way it's wonderful and lasting!
Good morning! Paul is also my favorite of the apostles - simply like his 'all out' spirit. I can see why you are glad to have the book in hand. :)
ReplyDeletePaul is so enthusiastic in his writing that you get the feeling he's just bursting at the seams with excitement, and in personal reading you can savor this and re-read.. But it takes a good lector to read some of the passages from his letters at Mass. At our evening mass, frequented mostly by the elderly, who will make their valiant attempts to read at mass...I actually cheer them on under my breath, hoping they get all the nuances of the reading and convey them. They usually do a good job, so I say "good for them"!
ReplyDeleteThis made me think right away of Elizabeth of the Trinity, who recognized and used another name given to her by God: "laudem gloriae" - Praise of Glory!
ReplyDelete