From the Massachusetts Library Association
- SUMMARY SHEET -
Meeting: Massachusetts Library Association Annual Meeting and Exhibit
Date/Location: April 27 - 28, 2011 / Crowne Plaza Hotel, Danvers, MA
Traffic/Overall Interest Level: Steady. There were browsers in our booth much of the time; increasing during session breaks. A lot of interest was shown in the titles we had on display. Most
of our promotional materials and catalogs were taken.
Popular Publishers in Our Exhibit: ABC-Clio; Aliform Publishing; Bezalel Books; Blue Moon Press; Bridgeross Communications; Cambridge University Press; Change For Good Press; CSWE; Crossroad Publishing Co.; David E. Fetherston; Dr. Earl E. Paul, LLC; Flourish Leadership Group LLC; Future Horizons; The Johns Hopkins University Press; Joseph Karl Publishing; Lincoln Institute of Land Policy; Pamela Kelly Communications; Prometheus Books; Rethinking Schools: Rutgers University Press; Sky Oaks Productions, Inc.; SUNY Press: and UPNE.
It is safe to say each publisher found an audience.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Joseph Karl Publishing Attends The 2011 Catholic Press Association Conference in Beautiful Pittsburgh
A very moving visit to St. Anthony Chapel in Pittsburghon our way to the convention.
Outside the Chapel.
Andre & Nick Bottesi with Paul A. Ray
Author, Speaker, and JKP Creative Director Paul A. Ray
Outside the Chapel.
Andre & Nick Bottesi with Paul A. Ray
Author, Speaker, and JKP Creative Director Paul A. Raybeing interviewed by Bonnie Rodgers and filmed by Dave Williams
at CatholicTV.
at CatholicTV.
Nick, Alyssa, & Andre Bottesibeing interviewed by Bonnie Rodgers for CatholicTV.
Publisher, author Michele Bondi Bottesibeing interviewed by Bonnie Rodgers for CatholicTV.
Holy Mass followed the master camps.
A walk downtown at sunset.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
God Is At Work In Fr. John Corapi
"God love you, God bless you, and good-bye."
Live in imitation of Christ.
The court is very sympathetic to accusers because they are well compensated, and because accusers bring others into the system who must also pay. Often people are forced to return because the system makes a conscious effort to decide nothing. When nothing is decided, people must return and when they return they must pay more. For the most part in my case, no judges, lawyers, counselors, mediators, and others brought in by the system were ever interested in finding out the truth. Truth was of no consequence, but winning at all costs was everything. As the means to this end, the rules of engagement are either not made clear or keep changing, and/or the language used is difficult to understand. It is very difficult for the truth to win against lies when evidence is of no consequence. The system also makes use of the intermittent reinforcement system so effective in modifying behavior. Once in a while one is allowed a small win, so perhaps one will take a chance in the future and initiate a case of one's own.
Eventually good people learn the reality of the situation and do all they can to stay away from such an evil, destructive place that consumes so much precious time and emotional and material resources.
In my nine years of experience with the justice system, I did not encounter one person I would trust with my wallet, let alone with my own personal welfare or the welfare of my family.
Many, many Americans have been and are being battered right now in this country by the evil one working through very troubled people who use the justice system as a weapon. Families and priests are favorite targets of our adversary's wrath and he uses the court system to divide, conquer, and destroy what is holy and good. Our beloved priests are very vulnerable to attack in this way, the assault is very simple to initiate, and the damage to the accused is brutal.
Having lived through it myself as a lay person, my heart goes out to the priests that have been falsely accused of misconduct. False allegations against anyone in any profession always come from the same source, satan, and when the goal is to destroy the accused, that is a clear indicator that the motives of the accuser(s) are not honorary. Even when persons are guilty of misconduct, the goal should never be to destroy people.
"He know your name, and He loves you." ~ Fr. John Corapi
I believe that God is using this very public situation to shed light on not only the grave injustice of falsely accusing people, but on all crimes against humanity, and to encourage us to pray unceasingly for the conversion of sinners. I am so very sorry Fr. Corapi is being persecuted so terribly in this way, but it shows his work has led and is leading many souls to Christ. Rest assured that there is no situation in which God is absent. May we keep our eternal focus on Him, the Just Judge.
I look forward to continuing growing closer to God with the help of his vital work. Thank you, John Corapi, for living, loving, and suffering in imitation of Christ. You are a priest forever. +
A statement from Fr. John Corapi
and a link to his new site:
http://theblacksheepdog.us/
My children and I have also been victimized, for many years, in the United States court system. Through this injustice, I was astounded to learn how easy it is for anyone to use the justice system to harm innocent people. In fact, many people are skillfully manipulating the system and using it as a weapon. It is shocking how simple it is to convince the system that lies are facts, with absolutely no evidence to support one's claims. A huge problem for the innocent is the fact that the court system is seriously corrupted by greed, an unhealthy desire for notoriety at the expense of others, and the unbridled quest for power and control. I have spoken throughout the years to countless good people who have been persecuted this way. Many times the abuse continues for years, and there is no way to stop it as long as others find they profit from the situation.and a link to his new site:
http://theblacksheepdog.us/
This situation is another huge wake-up call for Americans to have a serious examination of conscience, and is a summons to return to morality on an individual and collective level. May we pray unceasingly for the conversion of sinners.
Live in imitation of Christ.The court is very sympathetic to accusers because they are well compensated, and because accusers bring others into the system who must also pay. Often people are forced to return because the system makes a conscious effort to decide nothing. When nothing is decided, people must return and when they return they must pay more. For the most part in my case, no judges, lawyers, counselors, mediators, and others brought in by the system were ever interested in finding out the truth. Truth was of no consequence, but winning at all costs was everything. As the means to this end, the rules of engagement are either not made clear or keep changing, and/or the language used is difficult to understand. It is very difficult for the truth to win against lies when evidence is of no consequence. The system also makes use of the intermittent reinforcement system so effective in modifying behavior. Once in a while one is allowed a small win, so perhaps one will take a chance in the future and initiate a case of one's own.
Eventually good people learn the reality of the situation and do all they can to stay away from such an evil, destructive place that consumes so much precious time and emotional and material resources.
In my nine years of experience with the justice system, I did not encounter one person I would trust with my wallet, let alone with my own personal welfare or the welfare of my family.
Many, many Americans have been and are being battered right now in this country by the evil one working through very troubled people who use the justice system as a weapon. Families and priests are favorite targets of our adversary's wrath and he uses the court system to divide, conquer, and destroy what is holy and good. Our beloved priests are very vulnerable to attack in this way, the assault is very simple to initiate, and the damage to the accused is brutal.
Having lived through it myself as a lay person, my heart goes out to the priests that have been falsely accused of misconduct. False allegations against anyone in any profession always come from the same source, satan, and when the goal is to destroy the accused, that is a clear indicator that the motives of the accuser(s) are not honorary. Even when persons are guilty of misconduct, the goal should never be to destroy people.
"He know your name, and He loves you." ~ Fr. John CorapiI believe that God is using this very public situation to shed light on not only the grave injustice of falsely accusing people, but on all crimes against humanity, and to encourage us to pray unceasingly for the conversion of sinners. I am so very sorry Fr. Corapi is being persecuted so terribly in this way, but it shows his work has led and is leading many souls to Christ. Rest assured that there is no situation in which God is absent. May we keep our eternal focus on Him, the Just Judge.
I look forward to continuing growing closer to God with the help of his vital work. Thank you, John Corapi, for living, loving, and suffering in imitation of Christ. You are a priest forever. +
Friday, June 17, 2011
Your Personal Apostolate: Chapter Six
A series of blogs presenting you the contents of the book, an award-winning love story for every soul.
Matthew 27: 27-31
At various times in life we suffer physical, emotional, and spiritual pain. Suffering is part of the human condition, and is commonly viewed as unpleasant and to be avoided. However, suffering plays a crucial part in our formation. Suffering is of immeasurable value to our Christian walk. That is because suffering plays an integral part in loving!
While the experience of love can be very pleasurable, love can also cause us great pain. For example, when someone we cherish dies, we experience profound sorrow. When we acknowledge the suffering of another person, empathize with them, and serve them, we share their pain. When we decide to have relationships, we put ourselves at risk of experiencing pain in many different ways. Love can cost us much. Love cost Jesus everything.
Examining how we view and respond to suffering provides us the opportunity to evaluate and redefine our approach to suffering. Consider your responses to the following questions. Do you regard suffering as worthless, or as a reality of life which can result in great good? Do you reject suffering or embrace difficulties patiently, relying on God’s strength to get you through trials? Under what circumstances are you most willing to remain faithful to God’s Will? Certainly those caring for the sick, the young, the frail, the lonely, the abandoned, and those in need exemplify the sacrificial love Christ extended to each of us. Conversely, when we allow ourselves to be the ones ministered to, we cooperate with the Christ-like service of other people. Let us take
care not to block the actions of God working through others!
Experiencing physical, emotional, or spiritual pain may cause us to withdraw ourselves from the source or perceived source of the pain. When we suffer, we may also withdraw ourselves from God. However, suffering has tremendous personal and social benefit. Just as a sculptor carves his masterpiece to perfection over time and with much effort and attention, so too are we sculpted and refined as people through joyful and painful experiences. “My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2-4).
By examining our responses to frustration, disappointment, delays, detours, losses, or pain, we gather important insight about how we view suffering. Do we lament when events jolt us out of our comfort zone or when we experience discomfort? Do we ask God that we and others obtain exactly what we want? Or, do we pray for the strength to persevere and remain faithful to God and His Plans? Do we see our plans as being better than God’s plans?
Some of the obstacles we may face include illness, loss of income or security, separation, death, divorce, disillusionment, accidents, relocation, job loss, career change, despair, abuse, neglect, and lack of cooperation from ourselves or others. Sometimes our circumstances may be dire and catastrophic. The goal is to trust God in good times as well as during trials and to look to Him for guidance and direction when we are suffering physically, emotionally, or spiritually. May we see all circumstances as opportunities to bring us closer to God and to each other.
If we are unwilling to embrace the discomfort and pain of trials, neither we nor our Christian discipleship can ever mature to become extraordinary. We increase our sanctity when we patiently cooperate with God through all circumstances. How often we have the misconception that God is very close during prosperity and is very distant during trials! Actually, God is never so close to us as when we accept difficulties with great love. Why? When we bear our trials patiently and lovingly, we resemble Jesus. Great things are accomplished when we persevere through trials and allow God to work in us and through us.
Just as Jesus’ Crucifixion led to our redemption and was followed by His glorious Resurrection, so too can our suffering be followed by our own resurrection of sorts: intimacy with God, personal growth, increased sanctity, greater faith, and an increased capacity to serve others. The outcome is love! Something very critical happens during times of difficulty: we find ourselves more willing to turn to God. Certainly it is during trials that God gets my best attention! Whenever we suffer, we should ask God “What are You trying to tell/show/teach me?”
Moreover, we must be willing to accept His response! Suffering provides us the opportunity to reevaluate, learn, and grow in virtue and love. Suffering is essential to our life’s work. Many times we are able to serve others better and become more compassionate as a result of our trials. How important it is to be open to God’s plan during such pivotal times, and maintain our trust in Him.
Certainly the suffering Jesus endured throughout His lifetime and at the time of His death had great purpose. As discussed in Chapter 2, Jesus suffered a great deal during His mortal life. He embraced a life of poverty and service, living and dying for our sake. God chose to do this because of His great love for us. What would have happened if Jesus decided not to suffer for us, His creatures? What happens when we resist during times of trial instead of being open to God’s plans?
Jesus’ personal ministry was one of sacrificial love. “Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end” (John 13:1). Let us boldly define trials as events having tremendous value, resonating beyond ourselves to benefit countless others. Let us examine the essential role of suffering in our personal apostolate by looking to Jesus as our model to imitate. “Every pain patiently borne, every blow to self, shapes the real eternal self. It was the Crucifixion of Our Lord that prepared the way for His Resurrection and Glory” (Fulton J. Sheen, Our Grounds For Hope) 9.
In previous chapters we discussed acknowledging God’s presence in our lives, accepting His love, loving Him in return, and allowing Him to use us as instruments of His love. This process can be refined and can come to fruition through suffering. Consider this beautiful description by Fulton J. Sheen (Our Grounds For Hope): “Every tear, disappointment and grieved heart is a blank check. If we write our name on it, it is worthless. If we sign it with Christ’s Name, it is infinite in its value. In prosperity, Christ gives you His gifts; in suffering with faith, He gives you Himself” 10.
Sharing Jesus’ Passion: A Personal Reflection
Several years ago my family and I visited the tomb of Venerable Fr. Solanus Casey at St. Bonaventure in Detroit. During our initial visit there, my sister suggested that we touch our scapulars to Fr. Solanus’ tomb, and so we did. We returned two weeks later and while in the gift shop I suddenly felt instructed to purchase a “woman’s” scapular. While continuing to browse I was unable to think of anyone I knew who needed one, so I did not purchase the scapular. Once again, I looked to my own limited knowledge instead of trusting in God, who knows everything!
A few weeks later on my way home after Mass, I was at the scene of a terrible accident. A young man on a motorcycle was struck by a sport utility vehicle on a five lane, fifty miles per hour stretch of well traveled road. The force of the impact hurled the man horizontally across four lanes of the road and he landed in front of the car ahead of me. Traffic stopped abruptly. The fact that the man was not hit again by another vehicle was in itself a miracle. I was very afraid to see the condition of the man who was most certainly injured, so I decided to remain in my van. Competing with that decision was a strong prompting to leave my vehicle and go to him.
I resisted, certain that there was nothing I could do to help. I remained in my van, again relying on my own knowledge instead of trusting in God. However, God had something very important for me to give him. Once again, I felt strongly compelled to get out of my van and go to him. God’s Will was very clear and He provided me with the courage I needed to leave my vehicle and approach the injured man.
The scene was as horrifying as I had feared. The man’s injuries were severe and his broken body convulsed violently on the road. Crowds of people stood frozen on the sides of the road, weeping. As I wept, I had an understanding of this man as a brother to us all. While approaching the man, I understood that I was to remove my scapular and place it on him! In that instant I knew that the woman’s scapular I was instructed to buy at St. Bonaventure was meant for me, to replace the one I was wearing.
Weeks before the accident, God had already planned that my scapular, touched to the tomb of Fr. Solanus, would be given to the injured man as his life hung in the balance. A firefighter on the scene placed the scapular on the man for me. I was filled with an overwhelming desire to pray to The Virgin Mary and knew that she was there interceding for him, as a most loving mother would. I was astounded to witness how the young man was given this pivotal intervention by God, along with Our Lady and Father Solanus. What love, what mercy!
I remained at the scene until the paramedics arrived. They were instructed that the scapular was to remain with the injured man. Once that was accomplished, I felt Divine permission to leave. At that very moment a police officer approached me and showed me a way to depart the area. On the way home, I knew that God’s Most Perfect Will had been accomplished in all that had just taken place.
A feeling of total consolation superseded any worry for the man despite his horrific condition. I experienced incredible peace and understood that we should trust in God always. The profound peace, consolation, and joy I felt remained with me for two months. The remarkable events of that day left me with absolutely no doubt that we must unite ourselves to God’s Divine Will and trust Him, no matter how tragic events appear to our human perception.
Sharing Jesus’ Passion: For the Reader
How have trials led to change in your life? Have you asked for God’s help and guidance and for patience during suffering? Do you ask for the grace to see events from His Perspective? How has He manifested Himself to you during or after trials? How have your trials helped you to grow closer to God and to others? Do you feel greater love for God knowing He chose to suffer for your sake? How has suffering helped develop and refine your personal apostolate?
Not sure what God has in store for you?
His plans are wondrous, loving and beautiful.
Accept Him, seek Him, love Him,
and return His love to those around you.
Prepare to be amazed, for
God is at work in you!
Accept Him, seek Him, love Him,
and return His love to those around you.
Prepare to be amazed, for
God is at work in you!
Chapter 6 ~ Sharing Jesus’ Passion
Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s headquarters, and they gathered the whole cohort around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on his head. They put a reed in his right hand and knelt before him and mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” They spat on him, and took the reed and struck him on the head. After mocking him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.Matthew 27: 27-31
At various times in life we suffer physical, emotional, and spiritual pain. Suffering is part of the human condition, and is commonly viewed as unpleasant and to be avoided. However, suffering plays a crucial part in our formation. Suffering is of immeasurable value to our Christian walk. That is because suffering plays an integral part in loving!
While the experience of love can be very pleasurable, love can also cause us great pain. For example, when someone we cherish dies, we experience profound sorrow. When we acknowledge the suffering of another person, empathize with them, and serve them, we share their pain. When we decide to have relationships, we put ourselves at risk of experiencing pain in many different ways. Love can cost us much. Love cost Jesus everything.
Examining how we view and respond to suffering provides us the opportunity to evaluate and redefine our approach to suffering. Consider your responses to the following questions. Do you regard suffering as worthless, or as a reality of life which can result in great good? Do you reject suffering or embrace difficulties patiently, relying on God’s strength to get you through trials? Under what circumstances are you most willing to remain faithful to God’s Will? Certainly those caring for the sick, the young, the frail, the lonely, the abandoned, and those in need exemplify the sacrificial love Christ extended to each of us. Conversely, when we allow ourselves to be the ones ministered to, we cooperate with the Christ-like service of other people. Let us take
care not to block the actions of God working through others!
Experiencing physical, emotional, or spiritual pain may cause us to withdraw ourselves from the source or perceived source of the pain. When we suffer, we may also withdraw ourselves from God. However, suffering has tremendous personal and social benefit. Just as a sculptor carves his masterpiece to perfection over time and with much effort and attention, so too are we sculpted and refined as people through joyful and painful experiences. “My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2-4).
By examining our responses to frustration, disappointment, delays, detours, losses, or pain, we gather important insight about how we view suffering. Do we lament when events jolt us out of our comfort zone or when we experience discomfort? Do we ask God that we and others obtain exactly what we want? Or, do we pray for the strength to persevere and remain faithful to God and His Plans? Do we see our plans as being better than God’s plans?
Some of the obstacles we may face include illness, loss of income or security, separation, death, divorce, disillusionment, accidents, relocation, job loss, career change, despair, abuse, neglect, and lack of cooperation from ourselves or others. Sometimes our circumstances may be dire and catastrophic. The goal is to trust God in good times as well as during trials and to look to Him for guidance and direction when we are suffering physically, emotionally, or spiritually. May we see all circumstances as opportunities to bring us closer to God and to each other.
If we are unwilling to embrace the discomfort and pain of trials, neither we nor our Christian discipleship can ever mature to become extraordinary. We increase our sanctity when we patiently cooperate with God through all circumstances. How often we have the misconception that God is very close during prosperity and is very distant during trials! Actually, God is never so close to us as when we accept difficulties with great love. Why? When we bear our trials patiently and lovingly, we resemble Jesus. Great things are accomplished when we persevere through trials and allow God to work in us and through us.
Just as Jesus’ Crucifixion led to our redemption and was followed by His glorious Resurrection, so too can our suffering be followed by our own resurrection of sorts: intimacy with God, personal growth, increased sanctity, greater faith, and an increased capacity to serve others. The outcome is love! Something very critical happens during times of difficulty: we find ourselves more willing to turn to God. Certainly it is during trials that God gets my best attention! Whenever we suffer, we should ask God “What are You trying to tell/show/teach me?”
Moreover, we must be willing to accept His response! Suffering provides us the opportunity to reevaluate, learn, and grow in virtue and love. Suffering is essential to our life’s work. Many times we are able to serve others better and become more compassionate as a result of our trials. How important it is to be open to God’s plan during such pivotal times, and maintain our trust in Him.
Certainly the suffering Jesus endured throughout His lifetime and at the time of His death had great purpose. As discussed in Chapter 2, Jesus suffered a great deal during His mortal life. He embraced a life of poverty and service, living and dying for our sake. God chose to do this because of His great love for us. What would have happened if Jesus decided not to suffer for us, His creatures? What happens when we resist during times of trial instead of being open to God’s plans?
Jesus’ personal ministry was one of sacrificial love. “Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end” (John 13:1). Let us boldly define trials as events having tremendous value, resonating beyond ourselves to benefit countless others. Let us examine the essential role of suffering in our personal apostolate by looking to Jesus as our model to imitate. “Every pain patiently borne, every blow to self, shapes the real eternal self. It was the Crucifixion of Our Lord that prepared the way for His Resurrection and Glory” (Fulton J. Sheen, Our Grounds For Hope) 9.
In previous chapters we discussed acknowledging God’s presence in our lives, accepting His love, loving Him in return, and allowing Him to use us as instruments of His love. This process can be refined and can come to fruition through suffering. Consider this beautiful description by Fulton J. Sheen (Our Grounds For Hope): “Every tear, disappointment and grieved heart is a blank check. If we write our name on it, it is worthless. If we sign it with Christ’s Name, it is infinite in its value. In prosperity, Christ gives you His gifts; in suffering with faith, He gives you Himself” 10.
Sharing Jesus’ Passion: A Personal Reflection
Several years ago my family and I visited the tomb of Venerable Fr. Solanus Casey at St. Bonaventure in Detroit. During our initial visit there, my sister suggested that we touch our scapulars to Fr. Solanus’ tomb, and so we did. We returned two weeks later and while in the gift shop I suddenly felt instructed to purchase a “woman’s” scapular. While continuing to browse I was unable to think of anyone I knew who needed one, so I did not purchase the scapular. Once again, I looked to my own limited knowledge instead of trusting in God, who knows everything!
A few weeks later on my way home after Mass, I was at the scene of a terrible accident. A young man on a motorcycle was struck by a sport utility vehicle on a five lane, fifty miles per hour stretch of well traveled road. The force of the impact hurled the man horizontally across four lanes of the road and he landed in front of the car ahead of me. Traffic stopped abruptly. The fact that the man was not hit again by another vehicle was in itself a miracle. I was very afraid to see the condition of the man who was most certainly injured, so I decided to remain in my van. Competing with that decision was a strong prompting to leave my vehicle and go to him.
I resisted, certain that there was nothing I could do to help. I remained in my van, again relying on my own knowledge instead of trusting in God. However, God had something very important for me to give him. Once again, I felt strongly compelled to get out of my van and go to him. God’s Will was very clear and He provided me with the courage I needed to leave my vehicle and approach the injured man.
The scene was as horrifying as I had feared. The man’s injuries were severe and his broken body convulsed violently on the road. Crowds of people stood frozen on the sides of the road, weeping. As I wept, I had an understanding of this man as a brother to us all. While approaching the man, I understood that I was to remove my scapular and place it on him! In that instant I knew that the woman’s scapular I was instructed to buy at St. Bonaventure was meant for me, to replace the one I was wearing.
Weeks before the accident, God had already planned that my scapular, touched to the tomb of Fr. Solanus, would be given to the injured man as his life hung in the balance. A firefighter on the scene placed the scapular on the man for me. I was filled with an overwhelming desire to pray to The Virgin Mary and knew that she was there interceding for him, as a most loving mother would. I was astounded to witness how the young man was given this pivotal intervention by God, along with Our Lady and Father Solanus. What love, what mercy!
I remained at the scene until the paramedics arrived. They were instructed that the scapular was to remain with the injured man. Once that was accomplished, I felt Divine permission to leave. At that very moment a police officer approached me and showed me a way to depart the area. On the way home, I knew that God’s Most Perfect Will had been accomplished in all that had just taken place.
A feeling of total consolation superseded any worry for the man despite his horrific condition. I experienced incredible peace and understood that we should trust in God always. The profound peace, consolation, and joy I felt remained with me for two months. The remarkable events of that day left me with absolutely no doubt that we must unite ourselves to God’s Divine Will and trust Him, no matter how tragic events appear to our human perception.
Sharing Jesus’ Passion: For the Reader
How have trials led to change in your life? Have you asked for God’s help and guidance and for patience during suffering? Do you ask for the grace to see events from His Perspective? How has He manifested Himself to you during or after trials? How have your trials helped you to grow closer to God and to others? Do you feel greater love for God knowing He chose to suffer for your sake? How has suffering helped develop and refine your personal apostolate?
Dear Lord,
Please grant us the grace
to trust in You always,
and to view trials as opportunities
to grow closer to You and to others.
Guide us
as we open our hearts
and allow ourselves
to develop
and be transformed
into the likeness
of Your Son Jesus.
Amen.
Please grant us the grace
to trust in You always,
and to view trials as opportunities
to grow closer to You and to others.
Guide us
as we open our hearts
and allow ourselves
to develop
and be transformed
into the likeness
of Your Son Jesus.
Amen.
Next:
Chapter Seven ~ His Resurrection and Our Journey
Chapter Seven ~ His Resurrection and Our Journey
Joseph Karl Publishing Welcomes New Creative Director Paul A. Ray
Catholic publishing company "absolutely delighted" to be collaborating with Paul, an exceptionally inspired and inspiring author, speaker, and filmmaker.
Paul formerly served as a writer and editor at Joseph Karl Publishing. His life-changing book, A New Voice For a Broken Soul, will be published in late 2011. Paul teaches high school Catechism at his parish, and is a member of the board of the pro-life cause True Love Leads to Life.
Visit his blog, "Tongues as of Fire!" at: http://www.tonguesasoffire.blogspot.com.
God is at work in you, Paulus!
Paul formerly served as a writer and editor at Joseph Karl Publishing. His life-changing book, A New Voice For a Broken Soul, will be published in late 2011. Paul teaches high school Catechism at his parish, and is a member of the board of the pro-life cause True Love Leads to Life.
Visit his blog, "Tongues as of Fire!" at: http://www.tonguesasoffire.blogspot.com.
God is at work in you, Paulus!
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Lord, Take All My Liberty
A moment of mercy in a snowy alley.
Enjoy this very moving story by Susan Schoenstein, Marian Catechist, from the book God Moments II: Recognizing the Fruits of the Holy Spirit coming September, 2011.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Your Personal Apostolate: Chapter Five
A series of blogs presenting you the contents of the book, an award-winning love story for every soul.
The topics discussed in the first four chapters of this book have provided us with important considerations as we seek to fulfill our Christian discipleship. We acknowledged the fact that God loves us always. We studied events from the lives of the Holy Family to guide us as we carry out our life’s work. We contemplated some of the many ways we are called to faith each day and saw ourselves as instruments of God enticing others to faith. We discussed how accepting God’s love leads us into closer relationship with Him and with others.
This chapter takes us another step closer to God as we consider returning to God the unconditional love that He gives to us. By responding to the challenging questions posed to you at the end of the first four chapters, you have already grown closer to the Love of your life. Already your efforts have led toward accepting God’s love as you allow yourself to be attracted to faith. Now we move on to our responsibility to love God back, for “…love is repaid by love alone…” (St. Therese of Lisieux, Story of a Soul) 6. Before we can love in return, we must first be willing to accept love, so let us dedicate a moment to examine our individual responses to being loved.
Consider the following questions. How do you respond to love in general? Are you comfortable with being loved and with loving in return? Do you feel worthy of being loved? How many reasons we come up with for not being worthy of love! Many times we reject love and are not even aware that we are doing it. An awareness of how we respond when we are loved and the reasons behind those responses are crucial. In order to be loved, our permission is essential. There is no doubt God wants us to accept His love in its many diverse expressions. Let us delve inwardly a bit further.
When someone pays you a compliment, do you fully accept the compliment with humble gratitude, do you hesitate to accept the gesture, or do you reject the compliment outright? How do you respond when someone offers to help you? Do you accept a helping hand, recognizing the love of God in the offer? Do you accept help only if you are in dire need? Or, do you reject assistance, perhaps not wanting to inconvenience others?
So often we get into the habit of rejecting subtle and not so subtle acts of love in our lives. We may do this with the best of intentions. However, we reject God’s love when we act this way. Rejecting the love of God through the actions of other people stifles God’s working through them. Recognizing whether we accept or reject love and being aware of when and why we reject love helps us to see our responses to love in a different light. God never rejects our love, so let us fully accept the love that God sends to us, directly and indirectly. Let us joyfully return this love to God, directly and by sharing it with other people. ”Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me” (Matthew 25:40).
Consider the story of the Samaritan woman at the well presented at the start of this chapter. A travel weary Jesus approached the well and asked the woman for a drink. In her autobiography Story of a Soul, St. Therese offered this striking commentary on the conversation between Jesus and the woman. “See, then, all that Jesus lays claim to from us; He has no need of our works but only of our love, for the same God who declares He has no need to tell us when He is hungry did not fear to beg for a little water from the Samaritan woman. He was thirsty. But when He said: ‘Give me to drink,’ it was the love of His poor creature the Creator of the universe was seeking. He was thirsty for love “ 7.
Let us accept God’s love in its many delightful manifestations and love God in return. We can accomplish this directly and through the work we do in our imitation of Christ. During the final moments of His mortal life Jesus stated from the cross, “I am thirsty” (John 19:28). God thirsts for our love! “If Jesus Christ thirsted for souls, must not a Christian also thirst?...Has He not called us to be His Apostles and His Ambassadors, in order that His Incarnation might be prolonged through the continued dispensation of the divine through the human?” (Fulton J. Sheen, The Rainbow of Sorrow) 8. We can quench God’s great thirst by loving Him back.
Loving God Back: A Personal Reflection
I tell you with a grateful smile on my face that God has had to work very hard with me. Thankfully He has persevered patiently, gently, and lovingly. God has been a constant presence through the joys and sorrows of my life. At times I have clearly perceived that He was close, while other times His Presence was not obvious. Nevertheless, He was always there.
Perhaps God was closest to me during times when He seemed absent. Most certainly He was there, teaching and guiding me. God was without a doubt very close to me during my greatest trial, the seven years before, during, and after the end of my marriage. During the first years of that trial, God summoned me to greater intimacy with Him by gently and lovingly inviting me to attend daily Mass. Certainly He knew that it was during that time of great suffering, personal loss, and dramatic change that I would be most ready and willing to accept such an attractive invitation!
God’s timing is always perfect. He knows what He is doing. A life saving ring is not remarkable when hanging unneeded by a pool, but becomes the most important object in the universe while in trouble in the water. I was most willing to accept God’s invitation into greater relationship when I was in most need of a Savior. Thus my trials were of tremendous value. In addition, suffering helped me to discern what is of true worth.
My intentions have always been to be a devoted Catholic and faithful servant of God. However, there was a time when my plans were not leading to a closer relationship with God like I had hoped, and I did not know what to do differently. As it happened, the tremendous spiritual growth that I had yearned for took place during my trials. God repeatedly encouraged me to patiently accept His Divine Will in all circumstances.
One day before picking my children up from school, I entered the daily Mass chapel and began to pray. Then, something very significant and very extraordinary happened. While kneeling before the beautiful life-sized sculpture of Jesus hanging on the cross, I handed my life over to God with no restrictions. I was ready to venture beyond having acknowledged and accepted Him by giving myself back to Him completely. Once I completely surrendered my life, God could work in me and through me on His most perfect terms.
How often we talk about being “born again” and accepting Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior, but we must take care not to stop there! Accepting Jesus as our Lord and God is vital, but we remain in control until we give ourselves back to Him and place ourselves at His service unconditionally. Only then is He able to carry on as He sees fit. Handing one’s life over to God completely is not always easy or comfortable. In fact, it can be downright frightening. However, it is crucial to our relationship with Him, to our sanctification, and to our life’s work.
I remember thinking that it took a whole lot of suffering to get me to the point of allowing God to be in charge. Our most loving God persevered and continued working with me. What great love! I was precisely where God wanted me, and happily, I was right where I wanted me. My suffering had become a tremendous ally in my quest for greater Divine Intimacy. I continue to visit the chapel and from time to time renew my promise. The day God received back from me that which He had given first was a very, very beautiful day.
Loving God Back: For the Reader
Do you see yourself as worthy of God’s love? How do you respond when loved by others? Is it easier for you to accept love from people when realizing that all love comes from God? As you recognize yourself as worthy of love and understand that God wants to love you, is it easier to accept the many ways God loves you each day? Is it easier then to love God, yourself, and others in return?
Not sure what God has in store for you?
His plans are wondrous, loving and beautiful.
Accept Him, seek Him, love Him,
and return His love to those around you.
Prepare to be amazed, for
God is at work in you!
Accept Him, seek Him, love Him,
and return His love to those around you.
Prepare to be amazed, for
God is at work in you!
Chapter 5 ~ Loving God Back
So he came to a Samaritan city called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired out by his journey, was sitting by the well. It was about noon. A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” (His disciples had gone to the city to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?” (Jews do not share things in common with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” The woman said to him, “Sir, you have no bucket, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us the well, and with his sons and his flocks drank from it?” Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.” The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I may never be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water.” ~John 4:5-15The topics discussed in the first four chapters of this book have provided us with important considerations as we seek to fulfill our Christian discipleship. We acknowledged the fact that God loves us always. We studied events from the lives of the Holy Family to guide us as we carry out our life’s work. We contemplated some of the many ways we are called to faith each day and saw ourselves as instruments of God enticing others to faith. We discussed how accepting God’s love leads us into closer relationship with Him and with others.
This chapter takes us another step closer to God as we consider returning to God the unconditional love that He gives to us. By responding to the challenging questions posed to you at the end of the first four chapters, you have already grown closer to the Love of your life. Already your efforts have led toward accepting God’s love as you allow yourself to be attracted to faith. Now we move on to our responsibility to love God back, for “…love is repaid by love alone…” (St. Therese of Lisieux, Story of a Soul) 6. Before we can love in return, we must first be willing to accept love, so let us dedicate a moment to examine our individual responses to being loved.
Consider the following questions. How do you respond to love in general? Are you comfortable with being loved and with loving in return? Do you feel worthy of being loved? How many reasons we come up with for not being worthy of love! Many times we reject love and are not even aware that we are doing it. An awareness of how we respond when we are loved and the reasons behind those responses are crucial. In order to be loved, our permission is essential. There is no doubt God wants us to accept His love in its many diverse expressions. Let us delve inwardly a bit further.
When someone pays you a compliment, do you fully accept the compliment with humble gratitude, do you hesitate to accept the gesture, or do you reject the compliment outright? How do you respond when someone offers to help you? Do you accept a helping hand, recognizing the love of God in the offer? Do you accept help only if you are in dire need? Or, do you reject assistance, perhaps not wanting to inconvenience others?
So often we get into the habit of rejecting subtle and not so subtle acts of love in our lives. We may do this with the best of intentions. However, we reject God’s love when we act this way. Rejecting the love of God through the actions of other people stifles God’s working through them. Recognizing whether we accept or reject love and being aware of when and why we reject love helps us to see our responses to love in a different light. God never rejects our love, so let us fully accept the love that God sends to us, directly and indirectly. Let us joyfully return this love to God, directly and by sharing it with other people. ”Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me” (Matthew 25:40).
Consider the story of the Samaritan woman at the well presented at the start of this chapter. A travel weary Jesus approached the well and asked the woman for a drink. In her autobiography Story of a Soul, St. Therese offered this striking commentary on the conversation between Jesus and the woman. “See, then, all that Jesus lays claim to from us; He has no need of our works but only of our love, for the same God who declares He has no need to tell us when He is hungry did not fear to beg for a little water from the Samaritan woman. He was thirsty. But when He said: ‘Give me to drink,’ it was the love of His poor creature the Creator of the universe was seeking. He was thirsty for love “ 7.
Let us accept God’s love in its many delightful manifestations and love God in return. We can accomplish this directly and through the work we do in our imitation of Christ. During the final moments of His mortal life Jesus stated from the cross, “I am thirsty” (John 19:28). God thirsts for our love! “If Jesus Christ thirsted for souls, must not a Christian also thirst?...Has He not called us to be His Apostles and His Ambassadors, in order that His Incarnation might be prolonged through the continued dispensation of the divine through the human?” (Fulton J. Sheen, The Rainbow of Sorrow) 8. We can quench God’s great thirst by loving Him back.
Loving God Back: A Personal Reflection
I tell you with a grateful smile on my face that God has had to work very hard with me. Thankfully He has persevered patiently, gently, and lovingly. God has been a constant presence through the joys and sorrows of my life. At times I have clearly perceived that He was close, while other times His Presence was not obvious. Nevertheless, He was always there.
Perhaps God was closest to me during times when He seemed absent. Most certainly He was there, teaching and guiding me. God was without a doubt very close to me during my greatest trial, the seven years before, during, and after the end of my marriage. During the first years of that trial, God summoned me to greater intimacy with Him by gently and lovingly inviting me to attend daily Mass. Certainly He knew that it was during that time of great suffering, personal loss, and dramatic change that I would be most ready and willing to accept such an attractive invitation!
God’s timing is always perfect. He knows what He is doing. A life saving ring is not remarkable when hanging unneeded by a pool, but becomes the most important object in the universe while in trouble in the water. I was most willing to accept God’s invitation into greater relationship when I was in most need of a Savior. Thus my trials were of tremendous value. In addition, suffering helped me to discern what is of true worth.
My intentions have always been to be a devoted Catholic and faithful servant of God. However, there was a time when my plans were not leading to a closer relationship with God like I had hoped, and I did not know what to do differently. As it happened, the tremendous spiritual growth that I had yearned for took place during my trials. God repeatedly encouraged me to patiently accept His Divine Will in all circumstances.
One day before picking my children up from school, I entered the daily Mass chapel and began to pray. Then, something very significant and very extraordinary happened. While kneeling before the beautiful life-sized sculpture of Jesus hanging on the cross, I handed my life over to God with no restrictions. I was ready to venture beyond having acknowledged and accepted Him by giving myself back to Him completely. Once I completely surrendered my life, God could work in me and through me on His most perfect terms.
How often we talk about being “born again” and accepting Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior, but we must take care not to stop there! Accepting Jesus as our Lord and God is vital, but we remain in control until we give ourselves back to Him and place ourselves at His service unconditionally. Only then is He able to carry on as He sees fit. Handing one’s life over to God completely is not always easy or comfortable. In fact, it can be downright frightening. However, it is crucial to our relationship with Him, to our sanctification, and to our life’s work.
I remember thinking that it took a whole lot of suffering to get me to the point of allowing God to be in charge. Our most loving God persevered and continued working with me. What great love! I was precisely where God wanted me, and happily, I was right where I wanted me. My suffering had become a tremendous ally in my quest for greater Divine Intimacy. I continue to visit the chapel and from time to time renew my promise. The day God received back from me that which He had given first was a very, very beautiful day.
Loving God Back: For the Reader
Do you see yourself as worthy of God’s love? How do you respond when loved by others? Is it easier for you to accept love from people when realizing that all love comes from God? As you recognize yourself as worthy of love and understand that God wants to love you, is it easier to accept the many ways God loves you each day? Is it easier then to love God, yourself, and others in return?
Dear Lord,
You love us
so gently and persistently
through all the moments
of our lives.
May we make
our relationship with you
complete
by choosing to
love You back.
Amen.
You love us
so gently and persistently
through all the moments
of our lives.
May we make
our relationship with you
complete
by choosing to
love You back.
Amen.
Next:
Chapter Six ~ Sharing Jesus' Passion
Chapter Six ~ Sharing Jesus' Passion
God Is So In Love With Us
Discover or rediscover The One, Holy, Catholic,
&
Apostolic Church.
God is so in love with you!
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Our Treasure Honored With Five 2011 Purple Dragonfly Book Awards For Excellence in Children's Literature
Catholic children's book about the Eucharist, our Treasure, has been honored with nine 2011 awards overall.
Children learn during story time that there is priceless Treasure waiting for them, whenever they want to become very rich. Do you know where "Our Treasure" can be found?
Most loving Jesus,
You are our Treasure!
Our Treasure
is available at:
Joseph Karl Publishing,
Amazon.com, Baker & Taylor, and Quality Books, Inc.
Our Treasure
Written by Michele Elena Bondi
Illustrated by Kristina Marie Pope
Joseph Karl Publishing, Rochester, Michigan, U.S.A.
Published December, 2010
Hardcover, 30 pages
Manufactured in the United States of America
using exceptional quality material.
www.josephkarlpublishing.com
Our Treasure was honored in the following categories:
Educational/Instructional
Religion/Spirituality
Children's Picture Book 6 +
Cover Design
Illustrations
Educational/Instructional
Religion/Spirituality
Children's Picture Book 6 +
Cover Design
Illustrations
My sincere thanks to the exceptionally dedicated and talented team
that brought this special book for children
honoring Jesus truly present in the Eucharist
to fruition:
Illustrator Kristina Marie Pope
Content and copy editor Nancy Carabio Belanger
Cover design and storyline consultant Alice Mercado
Editor and Marian Catechist Susan Schoenstein
Content editor Belinda Bondi
Technology consultant Brian Dittmer
Book Packager Erin Howarth
and
Graphic designer Roseann Nieman.
Special thanks to my heroic children,
Andre, Nick, and Alyssa Bottesi,
who worked for many hours revising the story
until we got it just right.
My heartfelt thanks to
Fr. Benjamin Kosnáč
and
the Parish of Ss. Cyril & Methodius Slovak Catholic Church
Sterling Heights, Michigan, U.S.A.
where the exquisite photographs of the Eucharist
were reverently taken.
God is at work in you!
Our Treasure, winner of nine 2011 book awards
including four Royal Dragonfly Book Awards,
has also been awarded the Catholic Writer's Guild Seal of Approval.
that brought this special book for children
honoring Jesus truly present in the Eucharist
to fruition:
Illustrator Kristina Marie Pope
Content and copy editor Nancy Carabio Belanger
Cover design and storyline consultant Alice Mercado
Editor and Marian Catechist Susan Schoenstein
Content editor Belinda Bondi
Technology consultant Brian Dittmer
Book Packager Erin Howarth
and
Graphic designer Roseann Nieman.
Special thanks to my heroic children,
Andre, Nick, and Alyssa Bottesi,
who worked for many hours revising the story
until we got it just right.
My heartfelt thanks to
Fr. Benjamin Kosnáč
and
the Parish of Ss. Cyril & Methodius Slovak Catholic Church
Sterling Heights, Michigan, U.S.A.
where the exquisite photographs of the Eucharist
were reverently taken.
God is at work in you!
Our Treasure, winner of nine 2011 book awardsincluding four Royal Dragonfly Book Awards,
has also been awarded the Catholic Writer's Guild Seal of Approval.
The Making of Our Treasure:
http://josephkarlpublishing.blogspot.com/2010/11/making-of-our-treasure.html
Official book trailer.
Press release:
http://www.catholic.org/prwire/headline.php?ID=9965
Looking for exceptional,
life-changing reading worthy of our great dignity?
You will find it here.
http://josephkarlpublishing.blogspot.com/2010/11/making-of-our-treasure.html
Official book trailer.
Press release:
http://www.catholic.org/prwire/headline.php?ID=9965
Looking for exceptional,
life-changing reading worthy of our great dignity?
You will find it here.
Most loving Jesus,You are our Treasure!
Our Treasure
is available at:
Joseph Karl Publishing,
Amazon.com, Baker & Taylor, and Quality Books, Inc.
Our TreasureWritten by Michele Elena Bondi
Illustrated by Kristina Marie Pope
Joseph Karl Publishing, Rochester, Michigan, U.S.A.
Published December, 2010
Hardcover, 30 pages
Manufactured in the United States of America
using exceptional quality material.
www.josephkarlpublishing.com
Monday, June 13, 2011
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Your Personal Apostolate: Chapter Four
A series of blogs presenting you the contents of the book, an award-winning love story for every soul.
Not sure what God has in store for you?
Not sure what God has in store for you?
His plans are wondrous, loving and beautiful.
Accept Him, seek Him, love Him,
and return His love to those around you.
Prepare to be amazed, for
God is at work in you!
Accept Him, seek Him, love Him,
and return His love to those around you.
Prepare to be amazed, for
God is at work in you!
CHAPTER FOUR ~ ACCEPTING GOD'S LOVE
Help us to recognize
Your many invitations
to have a closer relationship
with You.
Grant us the grace to
meet you halfway,
and accept
Your loving offer of
salvation and sanctification.
Amen.
One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
Luke 23:39-43
Think of just one mutually rewarding relationship you have had during your life and the positive impact that relationship has had on you. Now go a step farther, and imagine for a moment the impact an intimate relationship with God can have on you! If we aspire to have close relationships with people, it makes sense to aspire to a close relationship with the God who created us, loves us, and awaits our love in return. Have you ever heard the expression “To have a friend one must be a friend”? This expression begs the question, do we welcome God's presence and His goodness in our lives, or do we reject Him?
Do we even recognize God’s presence? If so, how often do we acknowledge Him? Only when times are good? Only when times are bad? Monthly? Just on Sundays, Christmas, and/or Easter? Daily? Hourly? Moment to moment? How many times we say to ourselves, “Not now, later, because…” How often we create and nurture relationships on our terms, not giving any consideration to what others want or need. How often we treat God the same way!
The first step to beginning any relationship requires making the decision to have a relationship. To have a relationship with God, we must respond to our longing by deciding that we want to have a relationship with Him. Just like relationships with people require effort, so too does our relationship with God. Decision first, effort second! Healthy relationships require love, respect, effort, nurturing, time, good communication, patience, trust, understanding, forgiveness, and sacrifice from both parties.
God is our ultimate relationship role model. In His relationship with us, God always gives us love, respect, attention, nurturing, and time. He communicates openly with us and is patient as we learn, make mistakes along the way, and make progress. We can always trust Him, and He is always very respectful. God never forces us to do anything, and allows us to make decisions for ourselves.
In His relationship with us, God is infinitely and unconditionally loving and understanding. He is not distant but is always close. He is forgiving, having died for us sinners. God is also sacrificial, having dwelt among us as Jesus our Brother, and secured our redemption when He took on our sins and paid the debt we owed through His passion and death. “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:12-13).
Evaluating the time and effort we put into relationships yields very useful information about ourselves and about the quality of our relationships. Such self examination can stimulate personal growth, improve our relationships, and most certainly can be put to good use as we carry out our life’s work. Relationships suffer when they are neglected. Regardless of the current quality of our relationship with God, He always loves us, always pursues us, always welcomes us, and is always willing to take up where we left off. No matter what effort we put forth, God always does His share. Let us eagerly meet our most loving God halfway.
Think of how many times you have been rebuked, blamed, rejected, neglected, or condemned by another person for something that you have or have not said or done. Think of how many times you acted this way toward others. How many relationships end because of a lack of forgiveness. What pain we feel when we are rebuked, blamed, rejected, neglected, condemned, or not forgiven. Imagine how God feels when we rebuke, blame, reject, neglect, condemn, or hold a grudge towards Him. How many times we unjustly reject God! Yet He eagerly awaits our return and always welcomes us back.
The Gospel of Luke shows Jesus continually exercising His ministry of pardon (The Jerome Biblical Commentary) 5 . In Luke 23:39-43 we read that the Good Thief crucified on the cross next to Jesus recognized and acknowledged that his own punishment was just. In his deplorable condition, the guilty man accepted responsibility for his actions. At a time which could have been one of utmost despair, the condemned criminal allowed himself to be enticed to faith. He asked for forgiveness and accepted salvation.
Why would the actions of a condemned criminal merit mention in the Bible, and secure a place for the Good Thief in history? The Good Thief voiced compassion for the battered and dying Jesus. At the moment Jesus redeemed the entire human race, one whom Jesus came to save recognized his Savior. He acknowledged Jesus as severely and unjustly punished, offering no resistance while forgiving and redeeming the guilty. Imagine the joy the Good Thief’s decision must have given our suffering Lord! May we also give Jesus the joy of accepting all He offers us.
The Good Thief acknowledged his Savior and was remorseful for his sins. “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” The story of the Good Thief is significant because he acknowledged Jesus’ personal ministry of sacrificial love and forgiveness, and accepted Jesus’ entire offer in one sentence. “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”
Jesus’ final words spoken to anyone on earth were directed to the Good Thief: “Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” For his trust, the Good Thief gained redemption and was rewarded with the privilege of being among the first of men to enter into heaven, right on the heels of his Savior! May we respond to the lesson taught to us through the personal apostolate of the Good Thief by accepting the redemption offered to us by our Savior, by accounting for our actions, and by treating everyone with the mercy shown to us by Jesus.
Each of us has the opportunity to have a relationship with someone who knows us better than anyone. God knows us even better than we know ourselves. Imagine having a relationship with someone who is always available to us, is always patient, kind, and merciful. God never rejects us, always hears us, and is always willing to reconcile with us. Envision having a close relationship with the One who loves you so immensely that He gave His life so that you could spend an eternity filled with joy in His most loving Presence.
Once we choose to begin a relationship with God or improve the relationship we have with Him, and truly work at it, the quality of our relationships with other people also improve. Peace and joy abound. We are better able to carry out our apostolate and are more fulfilled in them. Let us model all our relationships on God’s relationship with us. We can begin like the Good Thief did, by welcoming Him into our lives and accepting His love, for He comes where He is welcomed.
A few years ago on a hot summer day I was curling my hair for a special occasion with a combination curling iron and hair dryer. Roughly half way through the process I rolled an uncurled section of hair to the crown of my head. My tresses were coiled in the bristled curling iron right to my scalp. Much to my surprise and frustration, the curling iron became stuck right there on top of my head. Naturally, I resisted the inconvenience and began struggling to free my hair.
No matter what I tried, the curling iron would not loosen its grip. I became very frustrated and overheated during what became a bitter struggle to free my hair. In time my arm pained with fatigue from holding the enmeshed curling iron over my head. All efforts to free my hair were futile. Finally, at a loss for what to do next, I balanced the curling iron on the crown of my head, put my arm down for a rest, stopped doing anything, and waited.
After I resigned the struggle, it happened. God provided me with the answer to freeing my hair. He told me to ask for His help whenever it was needed. No problem is too small or too impossible for God! How often we make things complicated, when with God things are so simple! How often we struggle alone, instead of asking for and accepting His help. God is always available and willing to help.
I immediately followed through and asked God to help me. On my very next attempt, the curling iron that was stuck at the top of my head slipped free. I learned a very important lesson about God’s desire to help us and the power of asking for His assistance. This very effective life strategy has helped me many times since. God is such a great teacher!
How much effort do you put into the relationships that matter to you? What is the quality of those relationships? How much effort are you putting into your relationship with God? What is the quality of your relationship to Him? What have you done to welcome His presence in your life and meet Him halfway? How has your relationship with God affected your discipleship?
Dear Lord,Luke 23:39-43
Think of just one mutually rewarding relationship you have had during your life and the positive impact that relationship has had on you. Now go a step farther, and imagine for a moment the impact an intimate relationship with God can have on you! If we aspire to have close relationships with people, it makes sense to aspire to a close relationship with the God who created us, loves us, and awaits our love in return. Have you ever heard the expression “To have a friend one must be a friend”? This expression begs the question, do we welcome God's presence and His goodness in our lives, or do we reject Him?
Do we even recognize God’s presence? If so, how often do we acknowledge Him? Only when times are good? Only when times are bad? Monthly? Just on Sundays, Christmas, and/or Easter? Daily? Hourly? Moment to moment? How many times we say to ourselves, “Not now, later, because…” How often we create and nurture relationships on our terms, not giving any consideration to what others want or need. How often we treat God the same way!
The first step to beginning any relationship requires making the decision to have a relationship. To have a relationship with God, we must respond to our longing by deciding that we want to have a relationship with Him. Just like relationships with people require effort, so too does our relationship with God. Decision first, effort second! Healthy relationships require love, respect, effort, nurturing, time, good communication, patience, trust, understanding, forgiveness, and sacrifice from both parties.
God is our ultimate relationship role model. In His relationship with us, God always gives us love, respect, attention, nurturing, and time. He communicates openly with us and is patient as we learn, make mistakes along the way, and make progress. We can always trust Him, and He is always very respectful. God never forces us to do anything, and allows us to make decisions for ourselves.
In His relationship with us, God is infinitely and unconditionally loving and understanding. He is not distant but is always close. He is forgiving, having died for us sinners. God is also sacrificial, having dwelt among us as Jesus our Brother, and secured our redemption when He took on our sins and paid the debt we owed through His passion and death. “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:12-13).
Evaluating the time and effort we put into relationships yields very useful information about ourselves and about the quality of our relationships. Such self examination can stimulate personal growth, improve our relationships, and most certainly can be put to good use as we carry out our life’s work. Relationships suffer when they are neglected. Regardless of the current quality of our relationship with God, He always loves us, always pursues us, always welcomes us, and is always willing to take up where we left off. No matter what effort we put forth, God always does His share. Let us eagerly meet our most loving God halfway.
Think of how many times you have been rebuked, blamed, rejected, neglected, or condemned by another person for something that you have or have not said or done. Think of how many times you acted this way toward others. How many relationships end because of a lack of forgiveness. What pain we feel when we are rebuked, blamed, rejected, neglected, condemned, or not forgiven. Imagine how God feels when we rebuke, blame, reject, neglect, condemn, or hold a grudge towards Him. How many times we unjustly reject God! Yet He eagerly awaits our return and always welcomes us back.
The Gospel of Luke shows Jesus continually exercising His ministry of pardon (The Jerome Biblical Commentary) 5 . In Luke 23:39-43 we read that the Good Thief crucified on the cross next to Jesus recognized and acknowledged that his own punishment was just. In his deplorable condition, the guilty man accepted responsibility for his actions. At a time which could have been one of utmost despair, the condemned criminal allowed himself to be enticed to faith. He asked for forgiveness and accepted salvation.
Why would the actions of a condemned criminal merit mention in the Bible, and secure a place for the Good Thief in history? The Good Thief voiced compassion for the battered and dying Jesus. At the moment Jesus redeemed the entire human race, one whom Jesus came to save recognized his Savior. He acknowledged Jesus as severely and unjustly punished, offering no resistance while forgiving and redeeming the guilty. Imagine the joy the Good Thief’s decision must have given our suffering Lord! May we also give Jesus the joy of accepting all He offers us.
The Good Thief acknowledged his Savior and was remorseful for his sins. “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” The story of the Good Thief is significant because he acknowledged Jesus’ personal ministry of sacrificial love and forgiveness, and accepted Jesus’ entire offer in one sentence. “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”
Jesus’ final words spoken to anyone on earth were directed to the Good Thief: “Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” For his trust, the Good Thief gained redemption and was rewarded with the privilege of being among the first of men to enter into heaven, right on the heels of his Savior! May we respond to the lesson taught to us through the personal apostolate of the Good Thief by accepting the redemption offered to us by our Savior, by accounting for our actions, and by treating everyone with the mercy shown to us by Jesus.
Each of us has the opportunity to have a relationship with someone who knows us better than anyone. God knows us even better than we know ourselves. Imagine having a relationship with someone who is always available to us, is always patient, kind, and merciful. God never rejects us, always hears us, and is always willing to reconcile with us. Envision having a close relationship with the One who loves you so immensely that He gave His life so that you could spend an eternity filled with joy in His most loving Presence.
Once we choose to begin a relationship with God or improve the relationship we have with Him, and truly work at it, the quality of our relationships with other people also improve. Peace and joy abound. We are better able to carry out our apostolate and are more fulfilled in them. Let us model all our relationships on God’s relationship with us. We can begin like the Good Thief did, by welcoming Him into our lives and accepting His love, for He comes where He is welcomed.
Accepting God’s Love: A Personal Reflection
A few years ago on a hot summer day I was curling my hair for a special occasion with a combination curling iron and hair dryer. Roughly half way through the process I rolled an uncurled section of hair to the crown of my head. My tresses were coiled in the bristled curling iron right to my scalp. Much to my surprise and frustration, the curling iron became stuck right there on top of my head. Naturally, I resisted the inconvenience and began struggling to free my hair.
No matter what I tried, the curling iron would not loosen its grip. I became very frustrated and overheated during what became a bitter struggle to free my hair. In time my arm pained with fatigue from holding the enmeshed curling iron over my head. All efforts to free my hair were futile. Finally, at a loss for what to do next, I balanced the curling iron on the crown of my head, put my arm down for a rest, stopped doing anything, and waited.
After I resigned the struggle, it happened. God provided me with the answer to freeing my hair. He told me to ask for His help whenever it was needed. No problem is too small or too impossible for God! How often we make things complicated, when with God things are so simple! How often we struggle alone, instead of asking for and accepting His help. God is always available and willing to help.
I immediately followed through and asked God to help me. On my very next attempt, the curling iron that was stuck at the top of my head slipped free. I learned a very important lesson about God’s desire to help us and the power of asking for His assistance. This very effective life strategy has helped me many times since. God is such a great teacher!
Accepting God’s Love: For the Reader
How much effort do you put into the relationships that matter to you? What is the quality of those relationships? How much effort are you putting into your relationship with God? What is the quality of your relationship to Him? What have you done to welcome His presence in your life and meet Him halfway? How has your relationship with God affected your discipleship?
Help us to recognize
Your many invitations
to have a closer relationship
with You.
Grant us the grace to
meet you halfway,
and accept
Your loving offer of
salvation and sanctification.
Amen.
Next:
Chapter Five ~ Loving God Back
Chapter Five ~ Loving God Back
From JKP's New Picture Series on Vocations to the Priesthood, "The Call"
Is our Lord calling you?
Please pray for vocations
to the priesthood, diaconate, and consecrated life.
Please pray for seminarians, novices, and all those in discernment.
God is at work in you!
Please pray for vocationsto the priesthood, diaconate, and consecrated life.
Please pray for seminarians, novices, and all those in discernment.
God is at work in you!
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