EASTER! PROMISE OF EVERLASTING LIFE FULFILLED!

Easter, especially the Triduum, is a continuous historical and spiritual reminder to Christian believers of the greatest love story that ever happened in our reality nearly 2000 years ago.  Without it, a massive amount of those would have no connection with God except at creation and at the end of one’s life for judgment.  The years in between would be aimless based on one’s free-will decisions that may or may not lead to a relationship with God.  The Blessed Trinity in their infinite wisdom provides a plan for each of us that circumvent what could have been a tragedy for all: A world without a Christian God who created us out of and for love.   

Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord gives us messages of praise (Hosanna) and of hate (Crucify Him). Our response is a cry of understanding and acceptance when we shout: GOD IS GOOD! ALL THE TIME!

 In St. John’s Gospel at the procession of Jesus into Jerusalem, we hear a great crowd of followers crying out: “Hosanna!  Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, the King of Israel.”

Dear Subscribers

Dear Subscribers -

Due to technical difficulties, I was not able to send my blog for last weekend (March 16 - 17, 2024).  Please accept my apologies.  I am in the process of having technicians look at the reasons for this situation and ask that you bear with me while it is being fixed.

Thank you for your consideration in this matter,

Deacon Jim Merle

TRUST IN GOD’S PLAN TO GIVE YOU THE LIGHT OF EVERLASTING LIFE

 

Nicodemus, a Pharisee, leader and teacher among the Jews, is confused by an itinerant preacher from the province of Gallilee named Jesus.  Instead of confirming the covenant God made with Moses some 1,513 years prior as the only way to have salvation, Jesus talks about a new covenant in which He will suffer, die and rise from the dead to provide the chosen people with everlasting life.

THE MEANING OF “THE FEAR OF THE LORD.”

 

Every writer, worth his or her salt, comes to the conclusion that other writers are better at explaining certain aspects of life.  I was reminded of that 23 years ago during Lent when I was reading my morning prayers from Volume II of the Liturgy of the Hours.

REPENT AND BELIEVE IN THE GOSPEL

 

“All have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God.”          Rom. 3:23

I, an ordained deacon in the Roman Catholic Church, am a sinner.  I write this not as a boast, but out of humility for regrettable personal decisions I have made in denying God’s love.  In essence, I have at times placed myself first and God second because of my need or want for instant gratification.

Communicating with God in Prayer

 

It is interesting to me that those who say they believe in answered prayer, also complain how difficult it is to pray at times.  They seem to be caught up in making sure their phrasing is so correct that whatever they are praying for or about will convince God that not only is it important but that He will not be confused by what is being said.  Below is a Scripture passage from St. Paul’s Epistle to the Philippians from the New Testament of the New American Bible which I believe answers their trepidation.

‘Bless me father, for I have sinned.’

 

For those of us who frequent the Sacrament of Reconciliation, it is how we begin to ask God for forgiveness for those times we have offended Him in sin through our thoughts, words and/or deeds or by omission.  It is our hope through our sincerity in going to Confession that God, through the priest, will give us absolution if we are truly repentant.

TRUST IN GOD ALWAYS

 

‘Trust me, I’ve got your back.’  How many times have you heard someone in good faith tell you that?  A dozen, two dozen, more?  How many times have you agreed to do just that?  And, how many times did the promise of protecting you work?  How many times did it not work?

JESUS IS OUR TRUTH

 

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father but through me.”                                                                               John 14:6

 

In seeking a relationship of love with God through wisdom and faith, we begin to look for the truth of what all this means to us now and for the future.  As we search, we are provided with numerous paths that take us in multiple directions; many away from God and His ways.  Often, this will confuse us because what we are learning is that there are many truths that can provide us with positive outcomes with or without God.  It is then that we need to focus on the path which directly connects us with God, avoiding any and all distractions which can lead us toward a life of purpose and meaning.