Meditation is an ideal way to pray. Using God's word (Lectio Divina) allows me to hear, listen and reflect on what the Lord wants to say to me - to one of his disciples - just like He did two thousand years ago.
The best time to reflect is at the beginning of the day and for at least 15 to 30 minutes.
Prior to going to sleep, read the Mass readings for the next day and then, in the morning, reflect on the Meditation offered on this website.
I hope these daily meditations allow you to know, love and imitate the Lord in a more meaningful way.
God bless you!


Saturday, April 21, 2012

Jn 6:16-21 It is I

Jn 6:16-21  It is I
When it was evening, the disciples of Jesus went down to the sea, embarked in a boat, and went across the sea to Capernaum.  When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they began to be afraid.  But he said to them, “It is I.  Do not be afraid.” 
Instead of being relieved, the disciples of the Lord were afraid.  Why?  Was it because He could walk on water; do something they could not do?  Or was it the reality that He was unlike them.
This morning I read an article regarding the LEGO Company.  It turns out that even they have their enemies.  Yes, Lego has enemies.  A feminist organization, SPARK, has decided to wage war on the company after it released a female Lego that loves to sit in the hot tube, have her hair and finger nails done in a beauty salon, etc.  A spokeswoman (of course) for SPARK is calling for a boycott.  She is concerned that little girls will think that this is all they can do.  After all, the feminist movement has worked for years in advancing the careers of women across America.  Unfortunately, during the same time period, women have been degraded as never before. 
I am sure SPARK would not agree with me, but I believe this organization is promoting that little girls grow up in the shadow of men!  Yes.  They define successful women as successful men.  They say that if a man can do it, then a woman should too.  That is, women living in the shadow of men.  They say, “If a man can wear pants, so can a woman!”  Again… women are to follow the example of men.  Is this a good strategy?  It is if you want to ensure your continual existence.  So SPARK will always exist as long as there are men…but in their shadow.
But if you are interested in promoting women strictly, then stop comparing women to men. In fact, let women be women and men be men.  And maybe, just maybe, men will take notice and wash their clothes.  Maybe, just maybe, men will decide to finally wash their hair and groom themselves.  It’s not impossible.  We already have men that wear earrings and put on make-up.
The founder of SPARK is concerned that women only represent less than 10% of the highest positions in corporate America.  She is concerned about POWER.  But she doesn’t seem to be concerned that more and more women are leaving the workforce at home because their husbands can’t or won’t find a job!  She doesn’t seem concerned that women’s influence, among future leaders, is diminishing at an astonishing rate.
I have never heard of SPARK before, and I am guessing that many women have not heard of them either.  Why does SPARK have so little influence on women today?  Because their concerns do not concern women.  Women can do whatever they want today.  And if there are few women as CEO’s than it is because there are not many women that want to be CEO’s.  There are plenty of women (as with men) that believe that these activities are scandalous, useless, a waste of time and insignificant compared to relaxing and enjoying life.  SPARK does not realize that if a woman is getting her nails done then it may very well mean that she is in a financial position to do so.  After all, we are not talking about a career here; we are talking about an activity!  Who knows, LEGO may very well be supporting the very real statistic that more women go to college then men; that women are better educated than men, and therefore have earned the right to such relaxing and enjoyable activities such as getting men to do their nails and hair.  After all, they too deserve to relax and be pampered after a hard day at home or in the office.
I am here to say that women can be women; unlike men.  They deserve to be women; to get out of the shadow of men.  They deserve to do what is best for them: to be themselves. 
The Lord said to his disciples, “It is I.  Do not be afraid.”  He walked on water.  They did not.  He is God.  They are not.  Were they offended?  Did they constantly compare themselves to God?  Yes, but the Lord set them straight many times.  He said, “If you want to be great, then serve!”  He said, “With me, all things are possible.”  The women movements that mimic men have been a colossal failure for women.  Women should not try to be men.  Men should not try to be women.  Men and women should be what they were created to be: an image and likeness of God. 
The quest for POWER is an illusion when compared to the life of the Saints.
The quest for POSITION is degrading when compared to the life of Jesus Christ.

5 comments:

  1. this is My Favorite Meditation Father Alfonse.But tell me father ? Why do men become so jealous and not have the ability to love a women that is successful in life.Well that is what I see in my little world. My so called husband (we were never married,just been living together for about 6 years). took his belongings and walked out of the house.I was not hurt. But I was relieved and I felt I was used.But I was crying and hurt for my baby's ( my children)I will learn from this father and move on :) I think this will make me a stronger person

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  2. this is My Favorite Meditation Father Alfonse.But tell me father ? Why do men become so jealous and not have the ability to love a women that is successful in life.Well that is what I see in my little world. My so called husband (we were never married,just been living together for about 6 years). took his belongings and walked out of the house.I was not hurt. But I was relieved and I felt I was used.But I was crying and hurt for my baby's ( my children)I will learn from this father and move on :) I think this will make me a stronger person

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  3. Wow! This is the first time I've heard of SPARK and the LEGO controversy. Absolutely ridiculous!!! I must admit that aggrevates the h*** out of me. These feminist orgs will gripe about stupid stuff just to get attention. I don't see anything wrong about a girl getting beautified at a salon and LEGO wanting to show that! Makes me wonder how many women and men executives work at the LEGO company and never considered the design of the toy to demean women or make them inferior to men???

    I feel blessed to be a woman!!! I thank the Lord every day for creating me and giving me the feminine genius to serve my community to the best of my ability.
    I love being independent and not having to rely on a man for my financial security or personal happiness. I so agree women should stop comparing themselves to men. Compare ourselves to Jesus Christ !

    Thank-you for posting such a pro-woman message!


    ++ Blessings,

    -Jennifer

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  4. Cristina...I can't speak for all men but I do know that a lot of men have a hard time accepting an intelligent or successful women due to pride (or a lack of humility). :-)

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  5. It does sadden me how so many 'professional' women cheat themselves and their children out of a healthy Christian family life model in order to not be alone or out of fear of comitment or out of fear of rejection or out of a sense of needing to be independent.

    Yes men need to be secure in their own abilities and value but I can see how women have imasculated men by trying to act like men or by trying to irradicate the need for men.

    I dont believe women are the victims they once were but they are still acting like they are. Not all but a large many of the culturally accepted feminists.

    I say culturally because true feminism is not about trying to be equal or the same as men but instead what God created them to be, women.

    A woman in her 40's

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