Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart (Luke 10:27)

Jesus Christ brought good news about God's love for us, mere mortals! We are obliged to respond to this love with childlike trust. Is that easy to find trust like this? Some people serve God with their strong reason and intelligence and for them religion is like scientific system of study and investigation. Others, employ their will to find God and for them religion resembles law system of rules. They go from one conflict of conscience to another and cannot find inner peace. There are also people who want to serve their God with their sense of beauty. They look for Him in the beauty of Catholic liturgy. None of these people ever satisfied their thirst for God. Therefore, we can ask what is the real essence of religion? Someone said it is a deep and sincere conviction that God is Our Father and we are His children. This is simple and childlike attitude but most effective in understanding even the most lofty mysteries of faith. This is why Christ was praying for us to the Father: I confess to thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them to the little ones. (Matt 11:25). God, like every father, loves the best childlike simplicity in us, which means we should listen to and simply accept even in the most sublime truth with trust. This trust will bring peace and joy, whereas proud person full of doubts, questions, searches will never find peace. If we ask experienced scientist why Christ redeemed the world, he would have difficulty finding the answer, but simple soul would answer immediately: Christ revealed to us God the Father Who: himself loveth you (John 16:27). Christ Way of the Cross was on top of that statement to prove this love. Jesus gives us also the advice: Amen I say to you, unless you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven (Mt 18, 3).

This series of meditations is very old and written in typical for old sermons stern, admonishing style. However, I decided posting them for they could be edifying in our lukewarm times. But please, do not feel intimidated - it is not my intention. God bless all visitors and readers of this blog.
The picture today is by Antonio da Correggio.