During this first week of Lent, our parish has had the privilege of hosting four priests from the Franciscan Friars of renewal. One of the brothers celebrated today's mass and really opened my eyes to a few habits that need my attention.
He told us of a man he once met at a hospital who shared his near-death experience. The man said that, after being stabbed multiple times, he died on the table in surgery. He arrived at the Pearly Gates outside of heaven, where he could hear an overwhelming shout from the other side of the Gates, saying, "Let him in, Father! Let him in!" He said that when he saw Jesus, "everything was in His face."
Jesus is the face of the mercy of God, the perfect gentleman. He woos us, draws us close, but only voluntarily. He seeks out the lost sheep. He catches us when we fall to sin. If we follow Jesus, we lead lives of friendship and community.
But there is a catch.
Everyone is welcome to join our Christian community.
EVERYONE.
This man was so caught off guard by the cries of the holy ones gone before us shouting "Let him in!" He had lead a life of drugs, gang wars, and sin up to this point, yet they still called to him. Those on the other side of the Gates, the community of saints wants every person, regardless of their past sins or their background, to live in heaven.
Satan, though, despises us and wants us to suffer. Revelations call Satan "the accuser". His mere presence causes sin, and then he places all blame on us. Satan wants to bring division into our Christian community.
The Church shares with us ways that we can show our brothers and sisters God's mercy through spiritual works of mercy, about which you can read more here. There are seven works of mercy, but the priest spoke specifically about "bearing wrongs patiently." When you become irritated by someone, don't give in to Satan's plan to divide humanity! Instead pray that God shows that person mercy through you.
It feels natural to be annoyed or frustrated by others. We often tell ourselves that it's just a part of life, that it's okay to dislike or avoid others. But that separation is from Satan. It may seem normal, we are not called to be normal! God knows that we need each other to feel complete in Him. Yes, we will disagree at times. Yes, personalities may clash at times. But we can share God's mercy with one another and bear our wrongs with patience.
This Lent, let's practice these works of mercy with each other, because God knows we need it!
P. S. - For more information on the Franciscan Friars for Renewal, visit franciscanfriars.com
He told us of a man he once met at a hospital who shared his near-death experience. The man said that, after being stabbed multiple times, he died on the table in surgery. He arrived at the Pearly Gates outside of heaven, where he could hear an overwhelming shout from the other side of the Gates, saying, "Let him in, Father! Let him in!" He said that when he saw Jesus, "everything was in His face."
Jesus is the face of the mercy of God, the perfect gentleman. He woos us, draws us close, but only voluntarily. He seeks out the lost sheep. He catches us when we fall to sin. If we follow Jesus, we lead lives of friendship and community.
But there is a catch.
Everyone is welcome to join our Christian community.
EVERYONE.
This man was so caught off guard by the cries of the holy ones gone before us shouting "Let him in!" He had lead a life of drugs, gang wars, and sin up to this point, yet they still called to him. Those on the other side of the Gates, the community of saints wants every person, regardless of their past sins or their background, to live in heaven.
Satan, though, despises us and wants us to suffer. Revelations call Satan "the accuser". His mere presence causes sin, and then he places all blame on us. Satan wants to bring division into our Christian community.
The Church shares with us ways that we can show our brothers and sisters God's mercy through spiritual works of mercy, about which you can read more here. There are seven works of mercy, but the priest spoke specifically about "bearing wrongs patiently." When you become irritated by someone, don't give in to Satan's plan to divide humanity! Instead pray that God shows that person mercy through you.
It feels natural to be annoyed or frustrated by others. We often tell ourselves that it's just a part of life, that it's okay to dislike or avoid others. But that separation is from Satan. It may seem normal, we are not called to be normal! God knows that we need each other to feel complete in Him. Yes, we will disagree at times. Yes, personalities may clash at times. But we can share God's mercy with one another and bear our wrongs with patience.
This Lent, let's practice these works of mercy with each other, because God knows we need it!
P. S. - For more information on the Franciscan Friars for Renewal, visit franciscanfriars.com