I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will strike your head, and you will strike his heel. Genesis 3:15 ____________ Mary The above passage is known as the Protoevangelium, the first gospel, the original good news. It is God’s promise that Satan, represented by the serpent, … Continue reading Mary
Sacrifice
But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. How much more then, since we are now justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath. Indeed, if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his … Continue reading Sacrifice
Love One Another
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love [agapas] me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love [philo] you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He then said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do … Continue reading Love One Another
Sorrow and Sadness
In Tolkien’s Silmarilion, he describes one of the Valar, Nienna: [S]he dwells alone. She is acquainted with grief, and mourns for every wound that Arda has suffered in the marring of Melkor. So great was her sorrow, as the Music unfolded, that her song turned to lamentation long before its end, and the sound of … Continue reading Sorrow and Sadness
Self-Pity
In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 ____________ Self-Pity Caveat mirator I recently read an examination of conscience especially written for single people. It focused on the vice of self-pity. Singles feel they don’t have that special someone to share everything with. … Continue reading Self-Pity
The Call
“Speak, for your servant is listening.” 1 Samuel 3:10 ____________ The Call Ears to hear “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” Matthew 11:15 Ever since I was little, I have been fascinated by the idea that God calls each of us to do His Will in a particular way. I believed it … Continue reading The Call
Correction vs. Condemnation
The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery; and making her stand before all of them, they said to him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” They … Continue reading Correction vs. Condemnation
Loneliness
Emptiness Loneliness is hard. Loneliness is like being trapped in a room. Your mind is stuck so deep inside you, it doesn’t understand itself anymore. This is when you most need a friend, but instead of helping, it can make it worse. You don’t know how you got here. How on earth can you ask … Continue reading Loneliness
Childlike
Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3-4 ____________ Childlike To break pride Pride is hard to break. It rejects unconditional love. It so easily moves us to … Continue reading Childlike
Peace on Earth
How hard it is to know the language of another person! To understand perfectly and to speak yourself! Each of us had his own language, his own way of understanding world around him. This language of his soul is as unique to the world as he is. Just as we can trace the languages of … Continue reading Peace on Earth
A Grain of Salt 