All human beings consist of three parts: body, spirit and soul. However, only one part is eternal and it is this part that will live for all eternity with God – our soul. During our lifetime we are presented with seemly endless opportunities to grow closer to God, opportunities that serve to more fully unite our soul with God and his Love. The opportunities are sometimes painful and may appear impossible – yet with God nothing is impossible.
So what are these opportunities and where can they be found? To begin, they are the struggles and joys we experience in our lives. They are found within the experiences in our lives that facilitate the emotions we hold towards other human beings. We find them in our struggles and our hardships with one another. We also find them in the joy and love we share with others. You see, the goal is to experience the internal joy and love that God has for each and every one of us – the internal joy that Jesus came to give us. When love and joy are experienced our soul moves closer to God – like the souls of the great Saints. Remember, we are all called to be great Saints my friends.
“I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.” – John 15:11 (NRSVCE)
Finding Joy
However, before we can experience the divine joy of Jesus we must overcome the struggles within our relationships with other human beings. Struggles that separate our hearts from love and from the One who is Love itself – God. These struggles can fill our hearts with anger, resentment, self-loathing, self-hate, judgement, fear, heartache, and pain if we allow them to. The world will promise to present us with a plethora of relationships to experience such emotions – emotions not congruent with love and joy. Each time we experience such an emotion our soul is presented with an opportunity to more fully know God and his love. Yet, will our human nature chose love?
In the end it is up to us to choose love and this is accomplished when we invite forgiveness and acceptance in our hearts. With each step taken towards love our soul receives a beautiful imprint that it will carry for all eternity. The journey will be hard at times because there is much sin and evil in the world. However, we must always remember that the ruler of this world is powerless in the presence of the One who dwells within the hearts of God’s children. It is up to us to embark on the healing journey God offers so that we can arrive at the space of God’s truth. The space where everyone is included and everyone is loved. Remember, God is a God of inclusion.
I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over me;” – John 14:30 (NRSVCE)
Endurance is Found in God
In our first reading today Paul spoke of these struggles – those who “endured a great contest of suffering.” He also told us that we will “need endurance to do the will of God and receive what he has promised.” You see, life will present challenge after challenge. We will experience adversity and trials. Yet, we must resist the temptation of victimhood, exclusion and hate because they do not serve our soul. Rather, remember, it is the victor who enjoys the spoils! And the spoils God offers those who battle through this world are the spoils of joy and love. Love and joy enrich our soul and move it deeper into God’s Kingdom.
Mustard Tree
God, the unmovable mover, is the one who carries us and provides the road-map towards eternal love. He also holds the entire space, the entire world, together. The joyful and the painful emotions we all experience are found within this space. And it is in this space, the body of Jesus Christ, that all mankind grows and heals together.
For ‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we too are his offspring.’ – Acts 17:28 (NRSVCE)
Like the mustard tree we start off very small at the moment of our conception. Only when we allow God to be our gardener, pruning and fertilizing us as he desires with his love (including tough love), will we become what he created us to be. He created each and every one of his children to unite their hearts with his. Once united, our soul reaches joy beyond all comprehension because it becomes more unified with love.
Breath of Christ
Sometimes we will become “stuck”, not knowing how to escape from pain and heartache. Yes, it is not easy being human. I have created a little meditation that I invite you to use during the moments you feel stuck, unable to move into love and joy. Here is the link if you would like to learn more: Breath of Christ
I hope you find your way home towards the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ – the one who is love himself. May you speak and think words of love, forgiveness and mercy as you sing and praise of God’s glory! – Carolyn
Sacred Heart of Jesus – have mercy on us.
Mother Mary – pray for us.
Saint Paul – pray for us
Saint Angela Merici pray for us
Today’s Readings: Hebrews 10:32-39; Psalm 37:3-4, 5-6, 23-24, 39-40; Alleluia – Matthew 11:25; Gospel – Mark 4:26-34
My Book
I have created a pdf version for those who seek to read my book, Understanding The Jesus Code, yet have found it is not available via Amazon in their country, or those who are financially unable to obtain a copy. If you are experiencing either issue please email us so we can help.
