The Kingdom of God

I have always been drawn to the following passage from Luke's Gospel (17:20)...
Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, he[Jesus] answered them, ‘The kingdom of God is not coming with signs that can be observed; nor will they say, “Lo, here it is!” or “There!” for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you."

The kingdom of God is right here, right now! What is "the kingdom of God" Jesus is referring to?
When I read this, I can't help but think that Jesus was referring to Himself. Jesus was in the midst of them. Just one take I have.

What was Jesus referring to?

What matters?

What matters is that you know and love God. How do you know and love God? By living the commandments, practicing the virtues, celebrating in the Sacraments. By knowing and loving your neighbor. Rooted in prayer, service to others.

If you are living a moral life, then the natural progression is Heaven when you die. Heaven will be an extension of your life here on earth. From the Catechism..."having matured in grace, the moral life blossoms into eternal life in the glory of Heaven." The imagery used is beautiful, the message hopeful. What matters is being who God calls you to be.

One Hour

"So, could you not watch with Me one hour?"

----Matthew 26:40b

"I have an ardent thirst to be honored and loved by men in the Most Blessed Sacrament, and I find hardly anyone who endeavers according to My wish to quench this thirst by making Me some return of love."

----Jesus to St. Margaret Mary

Perspective

Today our team's in the Superbowl. This is an exciting game! Will we win or lose? Well, I've got hope, so you bet I plan on us winning the game. But that's all it is...a game. A toss up between winning and losing a game.

My sister is pregnant. Now that is exciting! But things aren't looking as good as her midwife would want. Her HcG numbers aren't doubling like the midwife wants them to. So will this baby live or die. This is life; it's not a game. A human soul was created out of a husband and wife's love and Love itself. Will they meet their child, son or daughter? The verbs nurse, hold, cuddle, play, teach are all up in the air. I've got hope, so you bet I plan on meeting this little guy (okay, so I already think it's a boy). But I know God's plans are perfect, so I pray "Please let this little baby live. My sister and brother-in-law love this baby so much. But God, I trust You. Your will be done. May they have the grace to accept and handle a miscarriage should you want this child sooner. May they have the grace to have two children under two years of age should you bless them with meeting this person." Won't you pray with me? Oh and by the way, that image is of a 7 week baby in utero...about how far along my sister is, too.

"God Sees You"

St. John Bosco, whose Feast Day we celebrate today, is a great Saint for educators and parents. After reading "Stories of Don Bosco" by Peter Lappin and "The Educational Philosophy of St. John Bosco" by John A. Morrison, I came to know and love this Saint. The book of his stories is a good read for anyone wanting to have an idea of what life was really life for this man. But be prepared...the holier you are, the more Satan tries to get in your path...just think about Padre Pio or the Little Flower. But the cool thing about Bosco and the other Saints who have been tempted or encountered a demon...they are not phased by the evil...God is real, He is alive and He is powerful. Their love for Love itself overshadows the evil...they truly have no fear.

The book of his educational philosophy is great for any catechist or teacher, but even for us parents. Being present to our kids in and of itself is a discourager for sin. Also, educating our kids about Christ's omnipresence is huge to help kids realize nothing is done in 'secret' for He always knows. On the dormitory walls Bosco had the inscription "God sees you"...this was the guideline for the boys in his care...no formal rules, just this. Oh, and remember that at least one of his boys, Dominic Salvo was canonized a Saint...so I'd say he was on to something.

Abortion Stats

It is when I started to develop a very short video about the number of abortions did I realize how many abortions happen each day, each year. I couldn't believe it. I still can't. It is horrific! It is sad.

I did an Internet search and was led to the government's Center for Disease Control (CDC). On the CDC website, there is a table that contains each year from 1970 to 2004. Based on the numbers in that table, for the past 24 years since 1973 when Roe v. Wade was decided, there are 100,000 unborn babies, human lives that are killed each month! Yes...I wrote each month, not each year! These statitistics are only for the U.S.

I have to do something to stop the killing of innocent life. How can I not? How can we not? I can't go back to the same old same old. Some action needs to take place. I cannot sit idly by while this holocaust takes place.

Wasting Your Life

Do you have the winter blues? Are you tired? Want a nap? Need some coffee? Watch this 10 minute video from the late Archbishop Fulton Sheen.