AUTHOR OF LIFE

       Last blog, I was talking about a book by Fr. Mike Scanlan called Titles of Jesus. Here is a  continuation of a few more. The name is given then the scripture verse then a key thought followed by my thoughts.

 

        AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH: Scripture Hebrews 12:2  Let us look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith Who for the joy set before Him endured the Cross, despising the shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Key Thought: We would never be Christians with Christian faith but for Jesus Who first lived as the Father calls us to live. He showed us how to start and how to finish our life with God. My Thought: I mentioned in my book Small White Hearts, page 131, how I often feel Jesus holding my left hand - often during the Our Father during mass - and someone else holding my right hand.

 

         AUTHOR OF LIFE: Scripture Acts 3:15 You killed the Author of Life but God raised Him from the dead. To this we are witnesses. Key Thought: An author brings something into existence. Jesus, as Author of Life, brings into existence for us eternal life with God. He frees us from the sentence of death and offers us life. My Thought: Did I as an author bring Jesus as a living being to my readers inside their hearts?

 

          THE BEGINNING AND THE END (The Alpha and the Omega/The First and the Last): Scripture Revelations 22:13 I AM the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. Key Thought: All good begins and ends with Jesus. "In the beginning was the Word" (John 1:1). The final action in the history of the world will be Jesus handing the Kingdom over to the Father. In the history of our personal lives, salvation begins with Jesus and ends with our standing before Him Who is our judge. My Thought: Fr. Joe Rodrigues in a retreat he gave in Globe, Arizona, said that the word history means His Story, how true. 

REST OF GLOBE, ARIZONA, STORY

      Two posts ago I said I would finish telling you about the spiritually powerful  retreat in Globe, Arizona.  Bishop Gerald Kicanas gave the Homily and talked mostly on the First Reading which was taken from the Book of Ecclesiates: A Time for Everything. He said we needed to experience a healing from past hurts and not tear down what was already built up. We needed to seek our life's purposes. Longing for love is a necessity. A time of peace should be within our lives.

      Bishop Kicanas told us that he had a very pious Lebanese grandmother who all day long would say, "Thanks be to God." His mother who turned 100 in June, became a Catholic when he was in eighth grade. They were originally from Chicago. Ramona Ortiz, who coordinated the event, mentioned several times that the Bishop has a tender, compassionate spot in his ministry for women.

      Fr. Joe Rodrigues who was the main speaker, shared some insight on the Temptations of Christ. He told us we are tempted the same as Jesus and have to confront the problems that face us. A woman saw a dirty lot, cleaned it, and planted. A man commented that she and God were partners. We have a temptation to judge and ask why bad stuff happens to good people. Jesus had to go through the same stuff to show how much He would do for us. We listen with our hearts, speak with love, then let go of the results. In the end the angels ministered to Jesus, and we need to know He and they will minister to us.

     Fr. Joe told a wonderful story about a Teapot that was always so sad when it looked at its reflection in the mirror. From all stages of its development, it did not like itself. Finally, one day the Teapot saw its reflection after having been painted, colored, and refined. It was so pleased with its result. We, too, need to look at that finished product which God is working on, and love what He has created.

      I wrote a poem and asked Fr. Joe if he would like to share it at the Retreat. He agreed and so I read it over the mike and gave copies to those who attended. It is called, "Beautify Yourselves". I will post it here in a few days. Look for it. Can't you already hear the connection to the Teapot story?