tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-439331035718369167.post8067199331964131081..comments2024-02-09T02:48:13.776-06:00Comments on Daily Meditations with Fr. Alfonse: Luke 9:7-9 Herod Looked PerplexedFr. Alfonsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02557206560119402976noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-439331035718369167.post-82966872824435479952014-09-25T23:20:12.813-05:002014-09-25T23:20:12.813-05:00“ He no longer looked perplexed. In fact, he looke...“ He no longer looked perplexed. In fact, he looked kind of envious.”<br /><br />I love this insight! In my second half of life I can only envy what I have not lived yet in this life!!! Since I am married with kids, I look to what I have missed as a single, consecrated person… it’s only natural!! “What did I miss?” I am wanting more experiences of life (so as to understand myself and God more) and the only thing I’m lacking is the vision of what I have not yet lived! It’s why men and women have mid-life crisis’ – they experience a “lack” of life! And it is real to them only because they have not lived an conscious life of “what the other is living”. If I put myself in someone else’s place, and try to live ‘that’ life, I can empathize with them and live ‘that’ life. But if I do not consciously put myself in their place, try to “live” there, I will not be able to experience ‘that’ life.<br /><br />God is utterly magnificent! He tells us that if we live for the ‘other’, we ourselves will be fulfilled. I believe this is what He’s talking about: “whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto Me.” We become totally fulfilled by loving our neighbor. We think we are doing them a favor, but God knows we are truly fulfilling ourselves in that same breathe. <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-439331035718369167.post-59056719261622382672010-09-24T01:26:21.953-05:002010-09-24T01:26:21.953-05:00“He kept trying to see him. But how? There were to...“He kept trying to see him. But how? There were too many masks on his face.”<br /><br />What an interesting reflection. Herod couldn’t see Christ because of all his masks.<br /><br />I have never thought about how the masks we wear, effect our vision. Yes it keeps others from seeing us, but they also skew our perception, hinder our view, and block our peripheral vision. It makes perfect sense when you think about it.<br /><br />Jesus has always been right there waiting for me to see Him, to come to Him, but my vision was hindered by my own insecurity, vanity, pride and mistrust. I couldn’t see Him standing right in front of me because I had blocked my view of Him with all the barriers that I had put in font of myself for protection from the world. How ironic, they kept me from the ONE who could protect me. Jesus! What a fool I’ve been!<br /><br />Now the masks are off. I am emotionally & spiritually naked inviting Jesus to clothe me with His peace, joy and love.<br /><br />Yes, there is a risk, but one I’m willing to take. What else is there? More lies, more pretenses, more time wasted that could be spent in His arms?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-439331035718369167.post-23028545275000137762010-09-23T21:44:29.642-05:002010-09-23T21:44:29.642-05:00Father - I loved your response to the man on the b...Father - I loved your response to the man on the beach - what a beautifully powerful, insightful and simple response....and so true.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-439331035718369167.post-48507303202840209672010-09-23T12:02:03.493-05:002010-09-23T12:02:03.493-05:00Father, another great one! Keep them coming! :)Father, another great one! Keep them coming! :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com