Salvation through the Birth of Our Lord

 

 

My husband Ernie shared with me some beautiful words and thoughts from The Year of Faith: A bible study for Catholics. For Saint Paul, this love ushers us into a new life: "We were buried...with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life": (Rom 6;4). Pope Benedict XVI says further that "Through faith, this new life shapes the whole of human existence according to the radical new reality of the Resurrection, To the extent that he freely cooperates man's thoughts and affections, mentality and conduct are slowly purified and transformed, on a journey that is never completely finished in this life." 

 

It's almost Christmas. This year it just crept up on me. It has been a difficult time for my family these last few weeks. My brother Jimmy continues to battle stage four cancer and my beloved brother-in law Jeff passed away unexpectedly almost two weeks ago.

 

As I reflect on Jeff's life I am blown away by the depth of love his family had for him. I marvel at my in-laws, they have such strength and faith. My mother-in-law in particular has unshakable faith. She continues to be a wonderful teacher to her children and grandchildren. I remember the first time I met her, I was taken aback because I had never met such a strong woman. This lovely woman who loves her children fiercely laid her son to rest, something no parent wants to do. She did it with such grace and faith I am in complete admiration of her.

 

We will always remember those that have left us to be in the kingdom with Our Lord. We will remember their character and all of the things that we found so unique and special about them. For my brother Jeff, I will remember how happy and loving he was. He gave the tightest hugs and cared so deeply for all those he loved. Even though his journey on earth is over, it continues in the next life. As Saint Paul and Pope Benedict  XVI stated:  He has been purified and transformed and is walking in the newness of life.

 

So, getting back to Christmas....Life doesn't stop as we await the celebration of the birth of our Lord. Remember our Savior and how he came into the world as a most innocent and helpless baby. We humans have many difficulties to face in life, but reflecting on the birth of Jesus reminds us of his coming to bring us salvation. Jesus suffered, conquered death, and gave us hope for eternal life with Him. There is no greater gift than that.

 

I am praying for love and joy for everyone as we celebrate the birth of Our Glorious Lord Jesus Christ!

An Obligation to be Happy

"The Lord saved me from death; He stopped my tears and kept me from defeat.  So, I walked in the presence of the Lord in the world of the living.  I kept on believing, even when I said, "I am completely afflicted." ... How can I repay the Lord for all the great good done for me?  I will raise the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord. "             - Psalms 116: 8-13

Intro by Ernie:

As most of you know, Father Mark Link S.J. is one of our favorite authors of spiritual daily meditation books.  GG and I often reflect on these messages to assist us and guide us through each day, and use what we read and learn to find God in every experience we share.  Father Link tells a story of the Faith Dynamic through the example of Abraham, in the Old Testament.  God tested Abraham and his test was highlighted in three separate but equal points.

First, you need to have a loving trust in God.  Abraham struggled that God asked him to sacrifice his son he loved deeply, his son to whom he will have all of his descendants;

Second, faith involves constant struggle.  As in Abraham's mind, when he thinks his faith is solid, its shaken to the core when he reflects on God's command to sacrifice his son.   Abraham does discover through this process that there is no such thing as "getting the faith," and never having difficulties, no guarantee;

Third, faith involves dark times.  Faith is like the sun - sometimes it shines brightly in the sky, sometimes it vanishes behind a cloud, although temporarily.  The "agony" of such a faith "blackout" is illustrated in the story called "The Devils Advocate" by Morris West.  One of the story's characters says of Gods disappearance:

I groped for God and could not find him.  I prayed to God unknown and God did not answer.  I wept at night for the loss of God...then one day God was there again...I had never understood till this moment the meaning of the words 'gift of faith.'

When faith seems to 'black out' and God becomes silent, it helps to remember the following words that were found after World War II on a cellar wall in a bombed-out house in Germany:

I believe in the sun

even when its not shining;

I believe in love

even when I feel it not;

I believe in God

even when he is silent.

Message from GG:

I'm thinking back to this time last year; I was feeling pretty sick and had no energy. I remember right after Christmas being in Breckenridge with my family and walking down the street. I could barely walk a block without feeling totally winded. I was frustrated with my doctors for not being able to solve my mystery illness. I had been back and forth to two doctors for almost three months with no definitive answer as to why I couldn't get better. After returning to Denver from Breckenridge, my son and husband took me to the emergency room where I was admitted and diagnosed with leukemia.

I remember how exhausted I was during Advent last year. Trying to finish out the semester at school and preparing for Christmas was quite challenging. The Lord blessed me with the grace to do all I had to do.

I put on a smile and forced myself to be my best, even though I would collapse into bed each night so tired and concerned over what was wrong with me. While finding out that I had leukemia was not anything I wanted to hear, I at least felt relieved that I finally had a diagnoses.

I have looked forward to celebrating the Advent season so much this year. Although being in the mountains last year was so difficult, I am also looking forward to getting up there this year with my family to celebrate my new life.

I have learned that life doesn't stop bringing changes and challenges, and that this year like every year, will not bring a perfect joyful Christmas. I am praying extra prayers for those that are going through difficulties and facing suffering. I am especially holding up in prayer my brother Jimmy and brother-in-law Jeff, as they  are battling life threatening conditions.

I guess it's time to search deeply for the true meaning of the Christmas season and to pray that Our Lord bring peace to our hearts. I am feeling so thankful to be alive and to be so blessed. I will continue to smile even when I don't quite feel like it and I know that it will help me to be joyful with others. As Dennis Prager, a radio personality with wonderful Judeo-Christian values proclaims every week "We have an obligation to those in our lives to be happy." I truly believe that.