"The truth is, of course, that the curtness of the Ten Commandments is an evidence, not of the gloom and narrowness of a religion, but, on the contrary, of its liberality and humanity. It is shorter to state the things forbidden than the things permitted: precisely because most things are permitted, and only a few things are forbidden." - G.K. Chesterton
Rules, laws, and certain traditions.. Religion in general happens to be such a turn-off for a lot of people. It seems to bind or chain. But I've learned to embrace the rules and religion because in it and through it, I've found freedom. Because of rules, I am safe to explore the boundaries of right and wrong. I know what I CAN do, because I know what I can't do. Because of rules, I am being freed from the bondage of irreverence. I know when I must kneel, bow, genuflect, and constantly practice humility BECAUSE I am before the presence of God. I know when I can talk, joke, or be loud because Jesus knows how to have a good time too! Obeying laws is an expression of faith, simply because we're trusting that God has given us the guidelines that will bring us closer to Him.
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Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Friday, March 11, 2011
Day 2: Blessing vs Curse
Or perhaps it comes down to something much more serious. Choose death, or choose LIFE. I realize that it's more serious than God just punishing us or rewarding us for doing anything, but God is actually giving us (in every situation) an opportunity to choose life or death. If I sin against God, I choose death. If I resist temptation and choose Christ, I choose life. And I'm not talking about physical life. Choosing the life that Jesus offers means carrying the cross.
Dt 30:15-20
It's funny. I listened to the same message at least four times today. The first time, on Word Among Us, then 5:30 Mass, then Mass with Core, then Tiny's teaching at Bible Study. Of course, the first three may not have been a coincidence because they were the readings for today. But all four readings of Deuteronomy 30:15-20 and/or Luke 9:22-25 were directed to me!
Father Juan encouraged us at Mass and said: "Do not be afraid of the crosses in our life. If we accept them, they are just growing pains toward His resurrection."
And that really spoke to my heart. As we experience the mystery of Christ's death AND rising every Mass or before the Blessed Sacrament, we learn to share Christ's glory in both His Crucifixion and Resurrection when we try and become "little Christs" outside of the Sacraments.
When we had Mass with Core Team, I learned that we usually give up "big" things for Lent, when we should really focus on the small things we need to correct. I won't be able to explain how Fr. did, but he told us that it is usually the smallest things that irritate us. Like sand in our eye, a pebble in our shoe, or a papercut. So for Lent, it is the little things that we should be giving up that are irritations to many people. For me, it would be my attitude towards my family...or being self-centered.
Tonight, I also found out that an 8.4 earthquake hit Japan. Please pray for all the people in Japan, especially my older brother who's stationed there right now.
Pray for our teens and our team also! As we go on retreat this weekend!
Dt 30:15-20
It's funny. I listened to the same message at least four times today. The first time, on Word Among Us, then 5:30 Mass, then Mass with Core, then Tiny's teaching at Bible Study. Of course, the first three may not have been a coincidence because they were the readings for today. But all four readings of Deuteronomy 30:15-20 and/or Luke 9:22-25 were directed to me!
Father Juan encouraged us at Mass and said: "Do not be afraid of the crosses in our life. If we accept them, they are just growing pains toward His resurrection."
And that really spoke to my heart. As we experience the mystery of Christ's death AND rising every Mass or before the Blessed Sacrament, we learn to share Christ's glory in both His Crucifixion and Resurrection when we try and become "little Christs" outside of the Sacraments.
When we had Mass with Core Team, I learned that we usually give up "big" things for Lent, when we should really focus on the small things we need to correct. I won't be able to explain how Fr. did, but he told us that it is usually the smallest things that irritate us. Like sand in our eye, a pebble in our shoe, or a papercut. So for Lent, it is the little things that we should be giving up that are irritations to many people. For me, it would be my attitude towards my family...or being self-centered.
Tonight, I also found out that an 8.4 earthquake hit Japan. Please pray for all the people in Japan, especially my older brother who's stationed there right now.
Pray for our teens and our team also! As we go on retreat this weekend!
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Lent
It's just around the corner, and I figured I might as well start blogging again. Rather than thinking thoughts, and burying them in the back of my mind, I think I should put them on "paper" so I can delve deeper into God's mysteries.
Might be exciting (:
God bless, and I'm praying for YOU. Yes, you.
Might be exciting (:
God bless, and I'm praying for YOU. Yes, you.
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