Discussion/Devitional Thought of the Day:

I used to have big dreams of doing great things.  When I was my sons age,I dreamt of being a president like Abraham Lincoln, just a few years later – a priest whose sermons would change the world, like some of those I read about in school.  Time and distance changes some of those dreams, and some of us have left dreams behind.  I do not think today I could be a politician, never mind a president – the public is far too mean – and doesn’t respect the office, or the burden it carries – and being a priest – well,…..

But does that mean we have to give up trying to accomplish great things?

Or do we realize how great the normal things God calls us to do are?  Like loving our neighbor, like helping those who find themselves without the ability, even for the moment – to help themselves.  It is my opinion, that visiting someone who is a shut in, or sitting by a stranger at church is worth more than 10,000 facebook forwards, or eating at a restaurant whose owners are undersiege.

Even greater, forgiving that adversary, working to reconcile a couple of friends, telling someone of God’s grace.  These are the great things… things that take sacrifice, things that may actually cost us.  And that gets to the point of this entry, the thing I would have us discuss- how do we accomplish the greatest things in life?

One author put it this way:

” The means? They’re the same as those of Peter and Paul, of Dominic and Francis, of Ignatius and Xavier: the cross and the Gospel. Do they seem little to you, perhaps?”    Escriva, Josemaria (2010-11-02). The Way (Kindle Locations 1151-1152). Scepter Publishers. Kindle Edition.

The Cross and the Gospel – the Sacrifice of Christ on the cross – that is where our sins our forgiven.  The cross which we are linked to in our baptism – where we were united to Christ’s suffering and death, that we would be untied to His resurrected life.  And of course in the Feast where we know that sacrifice  In this cross – where God comes to us and transforms us – they are the means by which God enables us to do the great things He has planned for us to do.

And the Gospel is that same “means”.  The incredible news of God’s love, of His mercy, of His grace. The news that He has come – and dwelt among us, and we behold His glory, even as we will one day share in it.

Comprehending that through the cross, through the gospel, Jesus comes to us, bonds us to Himself and changes us – it is in this that we find our strenghth, our life, our hope…. and the power and means to accomplish the greatest things, the very things God has planned from long ago to do… because He has sent you to do them.

One last thought from St. Josemarie, a prayer:

“Lord, we are glad to find ourselves in your wounded palm. Grasp us tight, squeeze us hard, make us love all our earthly wretchedness, purify us, set us on fire, make us feel drenched in your Blood – and then cast us far, far away, hungry for the harvest, to sow the seed more fruitfully each day, for the Love of You.  Amen!  ( Escriva  – The forge)