SPIRITUAL STONES

SPIRITUAL STONES

 “You yourselves, like living stones,

 are being built up as a spiritual house”

(1 Peter 2:4)

It’s not surprising that St. Peter used this analogy when talking to the believers.

It must have weighed heavy on his mind sometimes when he thought about the day Jesus changed his name from Simon to Peter, the rock.  The Rock meant that He would be responsible for spreading the Good News, caring for and educating those who sought to know Christ.

So he turns to them and reminds them that Jesus fulfilled the prophecy,

The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.

A stumbling block and a stone of offense.

He tells them and us that we, too, are the spiritual stones that are meant build the faith.  We have been called into the light by Jesus and thus must do our part in the building.. 

Rocks and stones that are piled on one another and cemented together don’t do anything after that but just stand there.  They serve their purpose but they are mute.

This cannot be true for us.  To be spiritual stones, as Peter phrases it, we must know that we are chosen to be His own possession, that we may proclaim the glories of Christ and call others to Him. 

To worship God, to do good deeds, to contribute to the poor are noble things, but we are called to do more.  We are called to speak the Good News; to seek out those who are lost and offer them the joy we know as Jesus’ people.  We are not the kind of rocks that simply sit in the pews every week.  We are spiritual stones on which others can depend for the truth. 

Blessings

Carol Lemelin OPA

THE IMMEASURABLE

THE IMMEASURABLE

On a recent weekend in upper New York State, a forester and a few interested parties attempted to measure the size of an ancient Sycamore Tree estimated to be about 200 years old.  Unfortunately the only way to get an accurate measure is to cut the tree down and count its rings, which would be ridiculous.  Finally, after hours climbing the immense branches and measuring their girth and width, they still didn’t have what could be called a true measure. They then began to realize that there might be some things that are immeasurable such as the depth of a mother’s love for example, or the depth of grief.  

Imagine then the depth of the love of God, which is immeasurable, unfathomable and undeniable.  It seems sometimes that our prayers reflect what seems to be doubt that God hears us.  We are so wrapped up in our own little worlds, worrying about everything, questioning everything, and doubting the future, that we fail to understand how truly wonderful it is to recognize the presence of God in our lives.  

We were meant to join our lives to God, to take heart and as the bible reminds us:   

“Be still, and know that I am God.’  (Psalm 46:10)

I once heard a man say, “I know that God directs my life, but I am not sure He understands I hate mysteries”. 

We have to know and believe that God understands us completely. We have no secrets from God.  That may sound daunting, but think of how wonderful it is to have someone in your life with whom you can be perfectly honest.   Jesus consistently greeted his disciples with, “Peace be with you.” Where else could that peace come from except from absolute trust that God is with us.

At the end of the film, The Mortal Storm (1940), there is a long shot of an open door with light spilling out on the snow but all around it is darkness.  The voice-over says,

“I came to the gate and asked the gatekeeper, “Give me a light, that I may see.” The gatekeeper replied, “Go out in the dark and take the hand of God.  It is better than a light and safer than the known way.” (From a poem by Minnie Haskins)

Whenever anxiety, fear or doubt creeps in, reminding myself of this quotation, I confidently take the hand of God and I am strengthened. Try it. You’ll like it.

Blessings,

Carol Lemelin OPA

God Makes the Call

GOD MAKES THE CALL

Stephen was a young man who had fallen in love with Jesus’ teachings.  He was convinced that Jesus was truly the Messiah whom his people had been waiting for.  Because he was young and possibly a little naïve, he took to the streets trying to convince everyone of the truth of his words.  Naturally, he caught the attention of the authorities that, by this time, were thoroughly fed up with the disciples of Jesus.  They tried him in their court using bribed people to bear false witness against Stephen and they summarily had him stoned to death as a heretic and danger to the faith.

“We must unmask the violence that masquerades as piety.”

(Pope Francis in Egypt April 29, 2017)

At the execution site was a man, a Jew and citizen of Rome, who stood and watched.  Saul of Tarsus must have seen a similarity between himself and this young man, though their philosophies differed.  Both were outspoken and absolutely positive of the rightness of their cause. They were willing to brave any opposition no matter how violent.  How ironic is it that this man was chosen by God to continue the work of Stephen?  Some of the things that grieved Paul, as he became Jesus follower, must have included his role, however passive, in the death of Stephen.

We have to be so careful as true believers in Jesus, not to become so sure of ourselves that we forget the message of Christ. The example of Christ is patience, compassion, understanding and love.  Religion is not meant to be a weapon. St. Paul had to change, not just his opinion of Jesus, but the way he went about preaching.  He had to learn patience and understanding and respect for the views of others before he could affect change in them.

Jesus said, “No one comes to me unless the Father calls them.”   Think of that. Jesus is reminding us that evangelization is not a solo but a duet.  No one should be pulled kicking and screaming into the fold.  Jesus is clear.  No one can influence another without the cooperation of God himself.  We must remember that as we speak of Jesus to others and try to follow His example and we pray for the right words.  At that point, we must step back and let God take over. 

Blessings,

Carol Lemelin OPA

Stephen, Paul and US

STEPHEN, PAUL AND US

Stephen was a young man who had fallen in love with Jesus’ teachings.  He was convinced that Jesus was truly the Messiah whom his people had been waiting for.  Because he was young and possibly a little naïve, he took to the streets trying to convince everyone of the truth of his words.  Naturally, he caught the attention of the authorities that, by this time, were thoroughly fed up with the disciples of Jesus.  They tried him in their court using bribed people to bear false witness against Stephen and they summarily had him stoned to death as a heretic and danger to the faith.

“We must unmask the violence that masquerades as piety.”

(Pope Francis in Egypt April 29, 2017)

At the execution site was a man, a Jew and citizen of Rome, who stood and watched.  Saul of Tarsus must have seen a similarity between himself and this young man, though their philosophies differed.  Both were outspoken and absolutely positive of the rightness of their cause. They were willing to brave any opposition no matter how violent.  How ironic is it that this man was chosen by God to continue the work of Stephen?  Some of the things that grieved Paul, as he became Jesus follower, must have included his role, however passive, in the death of Stephen.

We have to be so careful as true believers in Jesus, not to become so sure of ourselves that we forget the message of Christ. The example of Christ is patience, compassion, understanding and love.  Religion is not meant to be a weapon. St. Paul had to change, not just his opinion of Jesus, but the way he went about preaching.  He had to learn patience and understanding and respect for the views of others before he could affect change in them.

Jesus said, “No one comes to me unless the Father calls them.”   Think of that. Jesus is reminding us that evangelization is not a solo but a duet.  No one should be pulled kicking and screaming into the fold.  Jesus is clear.  No one can influence another without the cooperation of God himself.  We must remember that as we speak of Jesus to others and try to follow His example and we pray for the right words.  At that point, we must step back and let God take over. 

Blessings,

Carol Lemelin OPA