It Came...

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
Monsignor James Turro

"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."

(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."

~~~
Thanks be to God!