Jesus's presence is like...

 

Jesus's presence is like the ladder in Jacob's dream.  

God is very near to us and yet, we cannot feel the proximity of HIS loving presence.

Jesus's presence is like the burning bush that the Prophet Moses experienced.

God gives us the warmth of HIS love and in HIS faithful love HE relents(1) from consuming us— for our sins.

Jesus's presence is like the soft murmur of wind that the Prophet Elijah experienced.

God is always with us, in every little moments; in little Joy; in little satisfaction; in little calm; in little peace— and yet, we often fail to notice(2) HIS presence.

Jesus's presence is like the 'burning hearts' of the two disciples, on the road to Emmaus.

In quiet and silence, God instructs and enlightens our hearts, our minds with HIS wisdom and gives a burning zeal to proclaim HIS word.

1. For God is a God of tenderness and compassion; slow to anger, rich in faithful love.

2. Because we are searching for God's presence in greater things, and expecting God to give greater moments of happiness; satisfaction and peace— in truth, we miss the presence of God in abundance of little moments, which God gives us every day.

Holiness is for all

 

Holiness is about our constant ongoing faithful relationship with God, despite our difficulties; sufferings; weaknesses and sins.

 

Holiness count for much about our faithful relationship(1) with God than our virtuous and charitable deeds— how much we love and honour God despite our weaknesses and sins; how much we strive to be at peace with God.

 

Holiness is concerned with a life that is simple, and outstanding in a way that leaves a fragrance of our God relationship, in everything that we do.

 

Holiness calls for being a living witness of God— at all times, in all places.

 

On the path of Holiness, repentance is the first step that brings us closer to God. The commandment of love helps to strengthen and perfect us in our God relationship— making us Holy.

 

 

 

1. An act of honour to God— doing our best in our daily chores and assignments; an act of faith— through prayer and scripture reading; an act of thanksgiving— throughout the day; an act of humble submission, in the reverence of God— especially during difficult moments; an act of forgiveness; an act of sincerity, in the honour of God— strengthens our personal relationship with God. From this wellspring of our love relationship with God, will flow virtuous and charitable deeds— for the welfare of the world.

We need God— we need HIS love

 

A temperament that is dominated by natural inclinations(1) has less patience; less understanding; is impetuous; is impulsive; is arrogant; is unforgiving; is stubborn and is filled with hatefulness.

 

In day-to-day life, many a times we commit errors; we misbehave and we do wrong things. Sometimes, through our conversation and deeds wrong messages are conveyed deliberately, unknowingly and inadvertently.

 

We live in a world where many a times things(2) are misunderstood, misconceived and misjudged— this gives rise to confusion; discord and division.

 

To live in this world, we need God. We need HIS love— to understand(3) others and to forgive others.

 

Without love(4), forgiveness and mercy, every relationship and everything else will fall apart. Only in the love of God, we'll have the strength of endurance and persistence, to persevere in our faith and live in peace with God— in this unbelieving world.

1] bad temper; anger; shouting; abusive language and malice.

 

2] Our words; behaviour and deeds.

 

3] God's love grants us the grace to be calm; to be patient and to be understanding (rather than reacting with anger and abusive words). Most importantly, God's love grants us the grace to forgive and reconcile with all those who have hurt us. God's love helps to bring unity and peace in the family; in the community and in the world.

 

4] A person who lives without the love of God is vulnerable to the schismatic fire of evil—the fire that divides and devours everything.

Less in God— more in sin

 

Everyday a man is becoming less(1) a Man created in the image of God— as he is growing less in God and more in sin.

We are called to be witnesses of God's Love(2) and mercy, in the world— not to get inebriated and drowned(3) in the vanity of the world.

 

1] The more we become 'of the world' — we'll become less familiar with God and more alienated in our relationship with God and people— and more vulnerable to sin.

2] To love, as Jesus Christ has loved us, and to forgive, as Jesus Christ has forgiven us.

3] Vain satisfactions and pleasures of the world seduces our heart to move away from God. It gradually depletes our spiritual strengths— our love for God; mutual understanding; patience; forgiveness; mercy.

Be a wise-fool for God

 

Living and growing in Love, mutual understanding and fellowship(1) is more important than all the knowledge, manners and etiquettes of the world that makes us look more polished and elegant in the eyes of the world— but still unworthy, in the eyes of God.

1] as people of God— as God's universal family.

 

Be a wise-fool rather than Beauty-fool.

 

Wise in the eyes of God, but a fool (for Christ), in the eyes of the world— the world underestimates people of God.

Beauty-fool are those who live according to the standards of the world— the world esteems them as beautiful— but are unworthy fools, in the eyes of God.

 

Those who live according to the word of God, live wisely, and look pleasingly beautiful in the eyes of God.

 

Alluring world

 

A heart that loves the world— dissipates(1).

The satisfaction that the world brings to our heart, induces ever more dissatisfaction(2)— leaving us bereft of inner peace.

1] Dissipation is the curse of the evil, who rules the vanity of the world.

A heart that loves the world dissipates— because it eagerly and anxiously seeks earthly satisfactions.

2] It dissipates and remains dissatisfied because it desires and seeks everything worldly; everything vain— except God.

Love and suffering

 

Suffering is an inevitable and a gracious(1) companion on the path of Love.

Through suffering, God perfects us in HIS Love, and brings us closer(2) to HIM.

The way of Jesus Christ is Love.

Love willingly suffers(3), for the honour of God.

Love obediently(4) suffers, for love always does God's will.

Love joyfully suffers, that Christ, our joy, may live(5) with us.

Where there is love, there is suffering.

Where there is suffering(6), there is Christ.

Where there is Christ, there is Love, Joy and Peace(7).

[1]God bestows HIS favour on those who love HIM and suffer for HIM.

[2]God makes us HIS children.

 

[3]Love willingly and patiently suffers, to unite people with God— to bring unbelievers and sinners to good faith in God— by their exemplary life in Christ.

 

[4]Obedient to God— obedient to HIS commandment of love.

 

[5]Christ, our joy, may live within us to heal us; strengthen us and perfect us.

 

[6]Christ suffered for us and is still suffering with us.

 

[7]In the cauldron of sufferings, God's Peace comes to console us, as it came to console Shadrach; Meshach and Abed-Nego, in the burning fiery furnace.