Sometimes healing and relationship seem forever out of our reach. Whether short term or lifelong, if I can’t develop a meaningful relationship with another person—my neighbor, my coworker, my family member—how could I possibly develop one with a ginormous God?
George Floyd’s tragic death has unleashed insanity throughout the country. We have had civil unrest before, even civil war. But we had a different society then. People were presumed to have intrinsic value given to them by God. The ‘spirit of the law’ intended to bring prudence into decision making. There was a common definition of the word ‘civil’ in ‘civil society’ and of ‘good’ as in ‘good citizen’, ‘for the common good’. Virtues provided the benchmarks. Now, 60 years of social engineering in the US has redefined the meaning of life and personhood.
The only true solidarity is in the Triune God, and the Christian life is color-blind. The non-Christian world does not understand this, but they should be able to see and experience it in action through us. God gives us the ‘formula”.
Once in mass, I looked several pews ahead and saw the quintessential 21st century dad. Armed with weapons for every challenge, his burp rag hung out his back pocket and pacifier was in reach! Projectile vomiting has met its match!
The prayers of the faithful warm God’s ears. The prayers of the saints warm God’s heart. Pure and unclouded prayers will touch His heart. Ask for the Holy Spirit to cleanse our hearts.
If God kept His covenant with David (Psalm 132:11), in spite of his behavior, and left Solomon with a tribe to rule in spite of his behavior (1Kings 11:34), how much will He do for us and those for whom we pray?
Growing up in the confused American church, my family didn’t practice devotions (my mother secretly said her rosary 3x daily) but I recall there was a little room with a small sign “adoration chapel”. I never was taken inside although I tried (as I was one to sneak into “secret” places) but the door was always locked. We were taught the visible rituals of the mass but were not led to find the invisible Jesus therein.
Then, as an adult, came the “aha” moment…