I look forward to reading scripture each day and reflecting on the daily readings. It is something I feel called to do. I think it is helping me to grow as a person and deeper in love with God but I have no idea if it helps others or for what purpose God would be using it for. All I know is that I am asked to put out in writing what I think and believe.
A nobody am I. I have no credentials as a Theologian, Apologist or Teacher of the Faith. My opinions are formed by the teachings of the Catholic Church through Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition and the Magisterium of the Church. So, a sinful nobody am I. I am made in the image and likeness of God like you, I am an adopted child of God like you and I believe fully in one God in 3 persons, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
What I have learned is that our God is a God of love, mercy and justice. To follow him, I must be loving and merciful. I am no better than you, in fact, I am less than you because I am to place you ahead of me. Sometimes I really screw up and think too highly of myself and learn the tough lesson of being humbled. It’s ok, I am blessed and love the Lord with all my heart, soul, mind and strength and accept whatever he permits to happen to me.
Three times in today’s Gospel from Matthew 6:1-18, the paragraphs end with … “And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.” I have to be very careful with how I write, how I speak and how I act in your presence. I am supposed to reflect Christ in who I am. If things I say or do draw others away from Christ, that is a problem. My wife once commented to me about the way I walk and pray in church that I basically appeared to be “holier than thou.” I never even had thought about it as I was just being reverent to God as I thought I should be.
I know I cannot control what anyone thinks about me and truthfully I am not here to please you but to please God by serving you. My whole point is that I am a nobody who loves the Lord. Please keep that in mind when you agree or disagree with me. I don’t have all the answers, in fact, I have very few but I have great faith in our loving, merciful and just God and in his church. May the glory of God shine through each of us. Amen.
Seeking To Reflect Jesus 
You are incredibly hard on yourself, Mike. One of my favorite quotes (and I have lots of favorites!) is, “What other people think of you is none of your business.” Keep on. I love your posts and your perspective on each and everyone of them. That is why I follow you–not to agree or disagree (we all have our own opinions of everything!), but to read and be enlightened as to how you see the Word. You are doing just fine; be kind to yourself.
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Thank you Lois for your very kind comment. I think it might be the way I write as I really try to look at myself honestly with all my flaws. I try not to condemn myself but to be patient with myself. I think I might be hard at times but probably deservedly so but with love for my humanity. Anyway, I hope you are feeling better. I still cannot imagine what you are going through what you have been through. You are truly an inspiration. God bless you.
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Dearest, apparently there are people in my new church who have asked the priest, “Who does she think she is, speaking as if she is speaking for God?” This is what I would tell them if they were to ask me…Most of what I say is given to me to say. When I speak for myself, it is usually to defend things like climate data…which I have a personal knowledge of, or to elaborate on how I have survived life with bipolar disorder. The things of faith and spiritual wisdom are revealed to me as I write. The Holy Spirit moves me to say these things. He nudges me when I read other people’s words or hear sermons and homilies that should be repeated or amplified. And enough people…people that I trust to know… have concurred when I do.
I believe the same is true of you. You are not being “Holier than Thou.” You are being an ambassador for our Lord. Jesus has no other way to speak except by using our tongues and fingers. We are obeying His wishes when we do. It is a good thing. Do not despair; there is no way to be holier than God. Have faith. Check in with God. He will let you know if you are out-of-line. But make sure that you pray in the Name of Jesus and ask in His Name because the evil one can put doubts and reluctance in our hearts. That’s how he does it.
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Thank you for your wisdom Kitsy. I appreciate all of what you share here and on your posts. God bless you!
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