Thoughts on fear

What's inside a black hole?

Scientists have discovered that in photographing a black hole, which we can now do, it is possible to glimpse the entire universe bent into bands around it. Here on our tiny little planet earth, a black hole of despair has gripped our hearts in the form of a novel virus that is breaking out all over the world, and no one has any immunity against it. Yet around this black hole are bands of hope and glimpses of the kingdom of God that is greater than death and disease.  There is plenty of doom and gloom in the prognosis each day as cases and deaths mount. How long will this last? We don't know. How bad will it get? We don't know that either, except that it's already pretty bad. So the big question is, "What do we do with the fear?" Fear is not necessarily a bad thing. Fear performs a useful function. If you have a fear of heights, it should make you step away from the edge of the Grand Canyon if you should get too close. It would also keep you from doing something foolish like climbing over the protective railing just to see how close to the edge you could get.  In the same way, fear of contracting the coronavirus should keep us all following the suggested guidelines like social distancing and staying home except for absolutely essential trips outside the house. Maintaining safe practices is a way of not only protecting ourselves, but of caring for others so that we don't become an unknowing carrier. So when is fear not a good thing? When it rules you. When it overwhelms your ability to think rationally. When it freezes you. Fear is not good when it replaces our faith. Guard your heart so that fear is never bigger than faith. Peter says to not be frightened, "but in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord." (1 Peter 3:15) As long as Jesus fills our hearts, we will not be overcome with fear. Fear and Christ cannot fill the same heart because, "Perfect love casts out all fear." (1 John 4:18) So fear is good in its proper place as a means of being safe and caring for others. Just don't let it rule your heart. And when it threatens to, turn your thoughts to Jesus. Worship Him. Set Him apart in your heart so there is no one and nothing greater than Him. Let Him fill your all in all and quiet your heart. He is your Lord and King. He will never leave you or forsake you. You are with Him now, and you will be with Him forever - never to be separated. So what is the worst that could happen to you or me in this pandemic? We could get sick and die. So? Paul said, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." (Philippians 1:21) Sounds like it's Christ either way.  The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1) John Fischer

Thoughts on purity

Thoughts on Lent

Thoughts on sin

JOHN 7:40-53

Friends, we see in today’s Gospel how Jesus’ preaching caused  division. Some hearers believed him, but others wanted to arrest  him. The life, preaching, and mission of Jesus are predicated upon the assumption that all is not well with us, that we stand in need of a renovation of vision, attitude, and behavior. A few decades ago  the book I’m OK—You’re OK appeared. Its title, and the attitude  that it embodies, are inimical to Christianity. The fact of sin is so often overlooked today. Look, no one has ever savored being accused of sin, but especially in our culture now  there is an allergy to admitting personal fault. A salvation religion makes no sense if all is basically fine with us,  if all we need is a little sprucing up around the edges. Christian  saints are those who can bear the awful revelation that sin is not  simply an abstraction or something that other people wrestle with,  but a power that lurks and works in them. When we lose sight of sin, we lose sight of Christianity, which is a salvation religion. Reflect: Is all basically fine with you, or do you personally need a Savior? Bishop Robert Barron

Thoughts on angels

Thoughts from Padre Pio

Thoughts on spring

You Are a Spring of Eternal Life

In the midst of Lent I am made aware that Easter is coming again: the days are becoming longer, the snow is withdrawing, the sun is bringing new warmth, and a bird is singing. Yesterday, during the night prayers, a cat was crying! Indeed, spring announces itself. And tonight, O Lord, I heard you speak to the Samaritan woman. You said: “Anyone who drinks the water that I shall give you will never be thirsty again; the water that I shall give you will turn into a spring inside him, welling up to eternal life.” What words! They are worth many hours, days, and weeks of reflection. I will carry them with me in my preparation for Easter. The water that you give turns into a spring. Therefore, I do not have to be stingy with your gift, O Lord. I can freely let the water spring from my center and let anyone who desires drink from it. Perhaps I will even see this spring myself when others come to it to quench their thirst. Henri Nouwen