Lost sheep looking at city map cartoon illustration
Brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to another. Amen, I say to you, you will not finish the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
I know everyone doesn’t like me. I am tolerated by some, and others have nothing to do with me. Then there are others who just love being around me. Sometimes I say the wrong thing. Sometimes I am silent when I should be speaking up. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say. For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
I really believe this is true. Even when “I” think that I have said the wrong thing, it maybe the exact thing that the Holy Spirit wants me to say. It may not be realized by the recipient at that moment or by me. Nevertheless, never deny God or the Holy Spirit. Being shrewd as serpents and simple as doves, means to listen to the Holy Spirit and follow the Good Shepperd.
Life I believe is very much like the table soccer game called “Foosball”. It has 4 bars on each side that have stationary players attached. The object is to get the ball into your opponent’s goal. It can be played with two people or four. It is a fun game for players of equal skills. Success is sometimes by player skill or luck. My philosophy of life is that “the more times you try to hit the goal the better chance you have of winning.” The same is true for our efforts of evangelization, repentance from sin, being a Christian to others, or our relationship with others and Jesus.
Saint Kateri Tekakwitha who was a Native American and our saint today, is an example of trying each day to live a Christian life. Her parents died when she was very young. Smallpox left her with facial scars. She was talented with cooking and native weaving. She was very devout and told her priest that Jesus was her husband, and she consecrated her life to him. When she died, her facial scars miraculously disappeared.
We often do not see the fruits of our good deeds. All we can do is everyday try for the goal. Saint Mother Teresa says that we can do no great things, but only small things with great love.
God Love You Always
Bob Burford
PS: Please Pray for Cancer victims and their caregivers. Pray for the conversion of Russia and the salvation of the Ukrainian and Russian people and their soldiers. Pray for peace!
