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!


Sunday, August 26, 2012

Jn 6:60-69 Turning the World Upright

Jn 6:60-69  Turning the World Upright
Many of Jesus’ disciples who were listening said, “This saying is hard; who can accept it?” 
An atheist believes the world is what it is.  A Christian, on the other hand, knows the world isn’t what it is; it’s upside down.  I think this helps explain why the world finds Christ’s sayings so hard to accept.  After all, when you are upside down, it’s hard to follow someone so upright!
You would think it would be easier to believe someone who loves you than someone who wants to love you.  Think again.  Most parents of teenagers know just how hard it is for their teens to believe them.  Although teens may have a hard time listening to and obeying their parents, they don’t seem to have a hard time listening to their friends, especially their boyfriend or girlfriend.  When a high school boy tells a high school girl that he loves her and wants her, she has a tendency to believe him.  But when her mother tells her that this boy’s hormones are out of control and that he is a smooth talker, well, she has a tendency to dismiss her mother.  You would think by now this lesson would have been learned.  Think again.
You would think that if we sell diamonds for millions of dollars and cars for thousands of dollars, that no one would ever sell their body for twenty dollars or their soul for ten.  Think again… 
Of course the atheist is correct in saying this world “is what it is”, but it is not the same as saying it is what it was always meant to be. 
Sin has turned everything, especially us, upside down.  And since God is love and sin is inversely proportional to love (the more we sin, the less we love), it's no wonder we have a difficulty understanding God.  It's no wonder God’s sayings seem to be difficult sayings that are hard to accept.
I find it amazing how I can believe every word someone says to me, but I cannot believe in God’s word.  Or how I can repeatedly place all my trust in another human being, and repeatedly be disappointed, but I can’t seem to place my trust in God who unconditionally loves me. 
Wives should be subordinate to their husbands.  Today’s first reading is not easy to accept.  I happen to love it and for a shocking reason:  it's very pro-wife!  St. Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, tells the community, “Brother and sisters:  Be subordinate to one another out of reverence for Christ.  Wives should be subordinate to their husbands as to the Lord.  For the husband is head of his wife just as Christ is head of the church…Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the church and handed himself over for her…”  (Eph 5:21-32)
This is a hard saying…what wife can accept this?  Answer:  Only those who have been unconditionally loved (served) by their husbands. 
Men often tell me, “Father, my wife ignores me.  She never does anything for me.”  If that is your case, then maybe the problem is not so much with your wife as it is with you!  What does it take for a wife to do whatever her husband asks her to do?  St. Paul tells them:  Men, if you wish to be the head of the household, then you must be the first to love; the best in loving; and the foremost teacher in love.  Remember:  the husband is head of his wife just as Christ is head of the church.
Why would I ever do anything for Christ?  Because I know He would do anything for me.  [Actually, he already did everything for me].  I would gladly be a slave for Christ because I know he would serve me before I had the slightest chance to serve Him.
Would I ever be a slave for someone?  Only if I knew they loved me.  Only if I knew they would die for me.  Christ is the head of his bride, the Church, because He earned it.  He died for her.  Here lies the true inspiration for Romeo and Juliet.
The same holds true for Christ’s body and blood.  Why did Simon Peter believe Christ?  Because Simon Peter knew he was loved by Christ.  That’s all it took. 
I’m a simple fisherman, Lord.  I don’t understand a thing you said today.  But I do know something.  I know that you love me.  And if you love me, then that’s all I need to know.  That’s all I need to know to believe in you. 
It is Christ’s love that turns our world upright.

4 comments:

  1. Oh Father, how this reading spoke to me today and how timely for my husband and I. We are not in a good place. I have no problem respecting and honoring my husband, but it's one sided. For two years I have referred to this scripture passage and to no avail. I know it is pro-wife, I completely understand it, but my problem is communicating it to my husband. I am sending this meditation his way and hoping your take on it opens his heart. I have a deep sense of loyalty and commitment, but the past few years I have actually seen my husband speak one way to strangers, his parents, colleagues, friends, strangers and have a completely different tone with me. He likes to say "I should be able to show you this side and not feel like I have to fake it". But, it hurts and it has come to a breaking point. Yesterday I actually thought "this is it". What are my children learning...to treat a wife less than others? I hope and pray that this meditation and maybe some Holy Spirit, will open his heart to understanding WHY honoring me only leads to a better life for him. Keep me in your prayers. I trust the Lord and I have hope, but this trial is becoming unbearable for a lowly soul like me. Thank you Father.

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  2. Would I ever be a slave for someone? Only if I knew they loved me. Only if I knew they would die for me. Christ is the head of his bride, the Church, because He earned it. He died for her. Here lies the true inspiration for Romeo and Juliet.- WOW! very inspiring and a beautiful way to put it Father Alfonse.

    Good Night My Father;)

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  3. Dear anonymous, your in my prayers.

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  4. how I can repeatedly place all my trust in another human being and repeatedly be disappointed, but I can’t seem to place my trust in God who unconditionally loves me-That is what I'm going through now in life.My trust toward another human being and then I find after trusting that other human being.I felt betrayed and deeply hurt,crushed,and "I ask myself did I deserve this" ??

    Now on I will place my trust in Gods hands because he will unconditionally loves me as I will unconditionally love God.

    sorry Father just venting out;)

    PS:wow Father!I saw u out there this pass weekend at the St Monica scrimmage.So brave of u being out there in that muggy heat! I was dying and very exhausted when I got back home LOL!! I HOPE to see u on upcoming sporting events or games through out the year:)

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