Do you glorify God in your work?

I have been praying this at times when I am in need of help because my client has a significant number of decisions to make that it can lead to mental gridlock.  I try to rely on grace and whispers from the Holy Spirit to guide me, rather than pretending I can do everything myself.  It creates in my an emotional freedom that is a gift and a blessing.

My vocation as disciple, husband, and father means that I am called to work to provide for my family.  As I have written, work often became a means to feed my unchecked ego.  It was often about getting more (responsibility, budget, authority, people) to “prove” to others that I am important.  It was an unpleasant and unhealthy way to live and led to a lot of sorrow and regret.

In these times, I glorified myself.  I did not recognize that the love I receive from God will satisfy my spirit beyond anything generated by my ego.

In today’s scripture reading, we begin part one of The Prayer of Jesus.  It is a beautiful intercessory prayer by Jesus directly to God – as Jesus prepares to ascend to heaven and he said:

“I glorified you on earth
by accomplishing the work that you gave me to do.”

As I go through my day now as a consultant, I am keenly aware of the clock because I bill the client for each hour I work.  This shift from a salaried employee at my old company to an hourly one has been magnificent because the focus it creates in me is wonderful.

I end my day satisfied because I have glorified God by accomplishing the work he gave me to do today.  I can leave the client site and then turn my full attention to my family and enjoy their love and our precious time together.

The key for me is to keep it simple, focus on what is happening right now, and ask for God’s help often.

Today, as you go through the work God called you to do, think of the example from Jesus to glorify God.  Also, please remember to send me a prayer request from here or to my twitter account and I will pray for your intentions.

†

Enjoy these related articles:

• The Prayer of Jesus (tvaraj2inspirations.wordpress.com)
• “This is eternal life, that they know the Father the only true God” (worryisuseless.wordpress.com)
• Do We Glorify God? (lifereference.wordpress.com)
• Prayer at Work (maddmedic.wordpress.com)
• An Effective Quiet Time With God (organizationalchangesolutions.wordpress.com)

Listen to Fr. Robert Barron’s Sermon 593 : Seated at the Right Hand of the Father : The Ascension of the Lord.

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This week’s summary:

The keys to handling the truth

POSTED BY CINHOSA ⋅ MAY 16, 2012 ⋅ 1 COMMENT

Bearing the truth of my sinfulness is a life-long endeavor.  Between my own ego-driven decisions and the risks of temptation, it can be easy for me to fall into the trap of self-deception.  I remind myself of my attempts at goodness and forget our Original Sin. In today’s Gospel reading:  Jesus said to his disciples: … Continue reading »

Multiplying Jesus

POSTED BY CINHOSA ⋅ MAY 15, 2012 ⋅ 6 COMMENTS

The past month has been an interesting challenge to my daily devotions.  A confluence of changes – the end of Lent and my scheduled weekly discussions with my brother-in-Christ Charlie, the end of a long tenure with my old employer, the beginning of a new and interesting role as a consultant, and the continued health … Continue reading »

What are your hardships as a Christian?

POSTED BY CINHOSA ⋅ MAY 8, 2012 ⋅ 1 COMMENT

As I read the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles (14:19-29) this morning, I thought about Saint Paul: “In those days, some Jews from Antioch and Iconium arrived and won over the crowds. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. But when the disciples gathered … Continue reading »

Here’s why we give the sign of peace

POSTED BY CINHOSA ⋅ MAY 7, 2012 ⋅ 2 COMMENTS

Prior to RCIA, I did not understand the Mass and considered it to be a “bunch of rituals.”  It requires effort to understand the 5 major sections of the Mass (Introductory Rites, Liturgy of the Word, Liturgy of the Eucharist, Communion Rite and Concluding Rite). After I actually  learned the details of the Mass and the meaning … Continue reading »

Forgiveness lesson from flowers (Photo credit: juliejordanscott via flickr)

Bearing the truth of my sinfulness is a life-long endeavor.  Between my own ego-driven decisions and the risks of temptation, it can be easy for me to fall into the trap of self-deception.  I remind myself of my attempts at goodness and forget our Original Sin.

In today’s Gospel reading:  Jesus said to his disciples:

“I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now.”

Prior to and even after my conversion to Catholicism, I carried an overburden of guilt and shame of my sins.  The gift of morality is that I feel bad when I have wronged someone.  Unfortunately, I would not let that bad feeling go and it could grow into its own monster of negative emotions.  It becomes unhealthy for me.

When I look back I think my overburden of guilt developed because I did not specifically ask to be forgiven by the person I wronged.

I accept that I will continue to make mistakes, poor choices, and commit sins.  I also must accept and practice asking for forgiveness.  From this, I experience the gift of freedom I receive when I ask for forgiveness.  It is the freedom that I can let go of my guilt for my sin.

The key for me is to listen to the Holy Spirit because as Jesus described in today’s reading:

But when he comes, the Spirit of truth,
he will guide you to all truth.
He will not speak on his own,
but he will speak what he hears

What I described above as the gift of morality surely is the Spirit of truth.  I may try to ignore him as he guides me in all truth, but he is there in my thoughts – gently reminding me that I need to ask to be forgiven.

Is there someone you wronged and have not asked them to forgive you?  Maybe it is time to hear the Spirit of truth within you and take action.

†

Enjoy these related articles:

• “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth” (worryisuseless.wordpress.com)
• You Can’t Handle The Truth! (ptl2010.com)

A monk sits in contemplation

The past month has been an interesting challenge to my daily devotions.  A confluence of changes – the end of Lent and my scheduled weekly discussions with my brother-in-Christ Charlie, the end of a long tenure with my old employer, the beginning of a new and interesting role as a consultant, and the continued health challenges faced by my wife.

All of these simultaneous changes affected my focus on God and although I have been praying and often signing Matthew West’s song Strong Enough to myself, it occurred to me last night that I have been getting sleepy in my faith during this transition period.    I began to turn to my lifelong habit of self-reliance, instead of placing my faith in God.

This morning, I awoke to read a lesson about the Holy Spirit from John 16:5-11;

“But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go.
For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you.
But if I go, I will send him to you.”

I think about the time prior to the descent of the Holy Spirit when Jesus was in one physical place.  When people needed the healing power of Jesus, they needed to be with him physically and they needed to believe in him.

In today’s reading, the disciples were filled with grief when Jesus told them that he is leaving.  They did not yet understand that the Holy Spirit (the Advocate) will be with each of them all of the time.  The Holy Spirit becomes their source of their courage as they continue their lives without Jesus Christ and risk death and imprisonment to preach his Gospel.

We are fortunate as Christians that the Holy Spirit is also with each of us, all of the time. We may stop noticing him in our spiritual slumber.  We may allow the din of noise in our world to drown out his voice.  But, he is with us.  Thanks be to God for the strength and support I feel from him.

Have a blessed day!

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Enjoy these related articles:

• Here’s why we give the sign of peace (cinhosa.wordpress.com)
• The tipping point between fear and faith (cinhosa.wordpress.com)
• “When the Counselor comes, he will convince the world concerning sin and righteousness” (worryisuseless.wordpress.com)

“In those days, some Jews from Antioch and Iconium
arrived and won over the crowds.
They stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city,
supposing that he was dead.
But when the disciples gathered around him,
he got up and entered the city.”

A few verses later, the apostles

“strengthened the spirits of the disciples
and exhorted them to persevere in the faith, saying,
“It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships
to enter the Kingdom of God.”

I reflected on my own life as a Christian and the lesson by Jesus (Mark 16:15):

He said to them, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature.”

Missionaries continue to face danger as they preach the Gospel; however, in my comfortable world I do not face hardships that are likely to threaten my life.  For example, I probably will not be stoned to near-death like Paul.

I wonder if this is because I am called as a husband and father to proclaim the gospel first to my family?  Surely this is a an exercise in monumental patience, generous love and compassion that will continue until I pass from this earth.

There are easy days and hard days in my vocation; however, to borrow a lyric from singer Matthew West:

What if there’s a bigger picture?
What if I’m missing out?
What if there’s a greater purpose
I could be living right now?

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Enjoy these related articles:

• Seven Obstacles to Sharing Your Faith, Part 3 (richwendling.wordpress.com)
• Why Christians risk death (cinhosa.wordpress.com)

After I actually  learned the details of the Mass and the meaning behind each word, I understand why we celebrate the Mass.

I love going to Mass.

In the Communion Rite, we prepare to accept the Holy Eucharist.  Prior to this we pray together the Lord’s Prayer and then make the sign of peace.  The priest says, “Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles: I leave you peace, my peace I give you.”  Then we offer one another a sign of peace.

In the reading today from the Gospel of John, I tripped over an interesting passage.  We read the next portion of Chapter 14, just after the Last Supper Discourses (last week’s readings).  Jesus reminded his disciples that:

“Whoever loves me will keep my word,
and my Father will love him,
and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him.

Note that Jesus taught that “we will come to him” – meaning that we must put forth effort to build a relationship with our Father.   There are times when I have been unwilling or unable to put forth that effort – it is something I think most Christians will experience in their lives.

One of the most beautiful things about Christianity is that God gave us a safety net – not only for those times of joy but in those times of sorrow – when it can be hard to love God and “make our dwelling with him.”  The safety net is the Holy Spirit, as explained by Jesus in the next verse:

“I have told you this while I am with you.
The Advocate, the Holy Spirit
whom the Father will send in my name–
he will teach you everything
and remind you of all that I told you.”

So we do not have to fear the physical absence of Jesus from our lives for God sent for us the Holy Spirit.  God sent the Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus Christ.  He is here, right now, to help us learn everything taught by Jesus.

I know when I am moved by the Holy Spirit because I feel compelled to do something.  It is for me an internal voice – gently suggesting that I need to take action.  Sometimes that action is to apologize for something I did to harm a loved one.  Other times, that action is to simply smile, hug my family and tell my family that I love them.

It is difficult sometimes for me to both hear the Holy Spirit and listen to his teachings because I allow Him to be drowned out by my own ego.  The practice of my faith, such as attending the Mass are so crucial.  After today’s reading, it is particularly special to remember that when the priest says that Jesus said, “I leave you peace” it will reminds me that the Holy Spirit is present.

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Enjoy these related articles:

• The Catholic Mass (Catholicism.about.com)
• Order of Mass: Basic Texts for Catholics (catholic-resources.org)
• Liturgy of the Mass – Catholic Encyclopedia (newadvent.org)
• Edging God Out (EGO) (catholic.org)
• The Catholic RCIA stages (beginningcatholic.com)
• “If a man loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him” (worryisuseless.wordpress.com)

Section of topographical map of Nablus area (West Bank) with contour lines at 100-meter intervals) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I think it was in Boy Scouts where I learned the importance of planning.  When we prepared for camping trips, we created checklists for the gear and meal plans for the food.  I learned how to read a map and orient with a compass it so that I could use it to find my way.  I was comforted by these plans because I felt prepared and safe on camping trips.

Over the years, I relied too much on the plans inside my head to attempt to generate security for my life.  When I felt lost, rather than turning toward God, I would create a plan.  So, I can relate to the concern expressed by Thomas to Jesus in today’s reading from the Gospel of Saint John:

Thomas said to him,
“Master, we do not know where you are going;
how can we know the way?”

The verses today is the first part of the discourse from the Last Supper where Jesus provided comfort:

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Do not let your hearts be troubled.
You have faith in God; have faith also in me.
…
Where I am going you know the way.”

As I have learned to trust God and discern his plan for me, I no longer feel necessary to create elaborate plans for my life.  I learned the importance of living in this moment, rather than for tomorrow.  Much to my chagrin, I have embraced the concept that “life is a journey” – an expression that I used to find trite and annoying.

Through my faith that Jesus Christ is the son of God, I know that I am not alone on my journey and that my own map is useless because I do know the way:

Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me.”

The sense of wonder and freedom I feel in my trust of Jesus is a miracle.  Thanks be to God!

†

Enjoy these related articles:

• Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life.” (tvaraj2inspirations.wordpress.com)
• Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life.” (catholicglasses.com)
• Free Topographic Maps and How To Read a Topographic Map (highballblog.com)

Philip said to him,
“Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.”

In his reply, Jesus sounds exasperated:

Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time
and you still do not know me, Philip?
Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.
How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?

This discourse happened at the Last Supper, before the risen Jesus and before his ascension to heaven at Pentecost.  We know from scripture that the apostles doubted or questioned that Jesus was the son of God – famously illustrated by “doubting Thomas” and “denying Peter.”  So until the descent of the Holy Spirit, the apostles relied only on their physical perception of Jesus.  He was there, in front of them.  They could speak with him, eat with him, and witness his works of miracles.  The presence of Jesus provided safety.

And yet, all of this was not enough for Philip.  In this moment, he was afraid and so he questioned.

I am like Philip because despite the mountain of blessings God has given me, I remain susceptible to fear.

When I am afraid, I am more likely to lose faith.  It is in moments of fear that I question or I doubt.  It takes courage to look at my fear and examine it.  To hold it up to the light and see that I (usually) enhance it.  I give my fear extra strength when I feed into it.

There is for me a tipping point between fear and faith.  Without faith, I am unable to tip away from fear and yet I feel it takes courage to turn away from fear.  Fear can also be exciting and stimulates my senses.  The chemical release used to entice me.

Paradoxically, when I have faith, I lose my fear.  It vanishes from me.

Here’s the good news for today:  I do not have to rely on my own courage to overcome fear.  I can rely on the Holy Spirit to give to me the same courage given to the Apostles.  I can ask God for help.  I can ask my fellow Christians to pray for me.  I do not have to face my fears alone.  Thanks be to God!

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Enjoy these related posts from cinhosa:

Why Christians risk death

He is sitting right here

Today you can be without fear

Biting off more than you can chew

Enjoy these related articles:

Related articles

• Overcoming Fear (samgray2011.wordpress.com)
• Thursday (May 3): “If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it.” (shechina.wordpress.com)
• Blessing of an Icon – The Protection of Philip (interruptingthesilence.com)

For years, I have marveled at the ability for us Christians to be judgmental of not only one another but particularly non-Christians.  Is it a wonder that some people cite the hypocrisy of Christians as a reason why they refuse to join us?

I think one reason why Christians feel it is necessary to judge the actions of others is because in the ministry of Christ Jesus, he appears to judge the actions of the Pharisees and scribes.  His corrective teachings can be read as judgement.  However, judgement of their actions is not the final judgement written about by Saint Paul in the Gospel reading today in which Jesus said:

“I came into the world as light,
so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness.
And if anyone hears my words and does not observe them,
I do not condemn him,
for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world.”

The reason Saint Paul uses such beautiful language (even translated) is so that we will understand the reason why God sent his son to die for us – not to condemn us, but to draw us closer to God so that the world can be saved (from our selfish interests that lead us to turn away from God in sin).

Jesus does not condemn us and so we cannot condemn one other.

The next versus, Jesus said:

“Whoever rejects me and does not accept my words
has something to judge him: the word that I spoke,
it will condemn him on the last day,
because I did not speak on my own,
but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and speak.

When I judge others, I break the First Commandment because I take over for God as I condemn the person I judged.  I get things mixed up.  In these moments, I literally forget that I condemn myself because I reject the word that Jesus spoke in the Gospels.

Test yourself today:  how many minutes can you go until you judge someone (whether you speak it or think it)?

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Enjoy these related posts from cinhosa:

Warning: avoid these mistakes when you preach the Gospel

Why we are failing to convert others to Christianity

Dear Christians, please stop your exuberance

Sharing an intimacy of faith

Enjoy these related articles:

• “I have come as light into the world, that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness” (worryisuseless.wordpress.com)
• Wednesday (May 2): “I came into the world as light.” (shechina.wordpress.com)
• All who reject Jesus message will be judged. (gottasavetheworld.wordpress.com)
• Jesus said, “I came into the world as light…” (http://tvaraj2inspirations.wordpress.com)
• Love the Sinner; Forgive the Sin (http://whosoever.org)

Antioch (Antakya), Turkey

Missionaries were successful in Antioch:

“The hand of the Lord was with them
and a great number who believed turned to the Lord.”

News of this reached the Church in Jerusalem who sent Barnabas to Antioch:

“When he arrived and saw the grace of God,
he rejoiced and encouraged them all
to remain faithful to the Lord in firmness of heart,
for he was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith.”

The hand of the Lord was with the people of Antioch because they were “faithful to the Lord in firmness of heart.”

I find it comforting that God reminds me today to be firm in my heart for my faith.  This firmness has three characteristics for me:

Open - I am open to the Word of God.  Prior to reading scripture, I prepare myself in prayer.  This opens my heart and mind to the messages God wants me to hear today.

Dedicated – That Man Is You reinforced the lesson to dedicate my firstfruits to God each day.  So, I wake early and spend time daily with God in prayer and reading scripture.  Lately, I have been fortunate to go to daily mass as well.  The key for me is the daily practice of Christianity.

Patience - Thanks be to God that my dad recognized my natural impatience and reminded me (often) to “have patience.”  When I am open to the Holy Spirit, I can trust his guidance in my life.  I can pray before I make an important choice in my life.  I do not have to force a decision because I am impatient, fearful, or worried.  Patience is not only a virtue, it is a gift.

What do you do to be firm in your faith?

Write me below in the comments section.
†

Enjoy these related posts from cinhosa:

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Favorite books of faith

Do this and understand scripture

38 years is a long time to be sick

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• The Church at Antioch – Where Believers Were First Called Christians (brakeman1.com)