As the Year Passes

I began this blog one year ago today. I'm not sure how much longer I will be able to keep it up. The upcoming year will pose many new challenges for me. Since I started this blog, the economy has gotten much worse and for a self-employed small business weathering this storm has been very trying. This past year, like for many of you, has been full of changes, both good and bad. We've lost friends and family members, experienced new horizons, shared memorable times, got up every day and tried to live as close to Christ as possible. I learned that a blog really mirrors those things that are going on in your life. When I am busy it is difficult to focus on something to write about. I try most mornings to write something before I start my day. It has been my goal to mix in my own spiritual journey with the thoughts and writings of great saints, spiritual writers, along with the Catechism and Sacred Scripture. There are times when I feel the Holy Spirit truly working through me. I am passionate about Catholicism. I believe G K Chesterton when he wrote "The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and left untried." The Gospel message is not something that is external to yourself. It is not another selection, in an endless choice of revolving philosophies. God's plan was to make us all believers, united in charity and love. That struggle is what life is about. The goal in the long run, no matter who you are, and where you are, and what you do, and how you think, or believe is the fulfillment of Christ promise of eternal life. That is why we seek God as He seeks us. God needs to become more relevant in the world, not as some kind of vending machine we put coins in for favors when we need them. We need to bring Him closer. He needs to become centered inside all of us. That is the position He desires and deserves. My spiritual director who passed away a week ago today told me that none of us are in control. Life is very fragile and becomes tragic when we are not anchored in the Rock, when the outcomes of daily living do not meet our expectations. God does love you, every moment and always. He knows all about you, now it is time to get to know Him. It is my prayer that each and everyone strive daily to walk closer to God, through prayer, the Sacraments, Sacred Scripture, Contemplation, Spiritual direction and writings, and by making ourselves less important. It is in a humble heart where God can rest and in turn give you rest. Make this your motto, "your life is not about you." All things originate from God, even you and I, we are his beautiful creation, not created for the purpose of making ourselves important or rich or powerful, or to seek carnal pleasures, or to dominate, take advantage or abuse another human being. We were created out of love and it is that love we in turn must give back. God Bless Everyone.