just thinking

[Pontifex]

In todays Gospel Jesus says, "If you then know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him." No matter where one is on the spiritual journey this is good news. Even for those whose lives are rooted in temporal things this is good news. But when it is played out in life is it always an easy thing to accept? For us who are broken and struggle to see the presence of Christ in our lives, can we always see the events of our lives as good gifts? I know that I struggle with this.

I want God to give me good gifts according to my definition, and when I struggle and suffer, although I know as priest this is a strong part of my life, I find myself looking to God for answers. Why am I going through this right now? Is the answer, this is the good gift that you need? Much like the parent who takes his young child to the doctor for shots. Although painful, this is a good gift, yet out of the comprehension of a four year old. All they know is that there is pain, why did you allow pain Father? But the parent knows the needs, he knows the sickness and he knows the remedy.

Our good gifts do look like this sometimes. It is a hard prayer to pray but the one that leads us to freedom, "God give me what I need, not what I want." (Thy Kingdom come Thy will be done.)

I am finding that as I submit to this path of wisdom I discover freedom and new joy that cannot be taken away by circumstances. I try to always be aware of the Love of my Father, and this gives me the strength to accept all God's gifts with open arms. It is a drama, one that is understood through trial and error.

Have a blessed day.

Edited February 17, 2005 by Pontifex

[Pontifex]

New Email Address: fatherburns@gmail.com


Peace

[littleflower+JMJ]

Fr. Pontifex!! :heart: we love you very much! :group:

thank you so much for such beautiful posts

[Thy Geekdom Come]

Thank you for that reflection, Father.

[karin]

thank you!

[shelly_freak]

Wow. That's so powerful. Something I think I needed to hear, thank you so much father! :wub:

[Seven77]

Thanks Father for your post! i needed that too. wow... good gifts from our Heavenly Father!

[phatcatholic]

how cool are priests!!!!!!!!! i mean, for real, its almost ridiculous how cool they are. i'm dyin over here.....i appreciate them so much for just being alive!!!!!!!!!

(my twin bro may be a priest one day. everyone pray for him)

[MMMARY]

father..thanks for the post..sometimes im just getting so impatient with the things that has been happening with my life. but my prayers and prayersof other people for me are the ones that keep me going. and so many people are suffering, my problems are nothing compared to them.

father continue posting especially uplifting ones..

and to nick, im praying for ur brother..

God bless to all the priests around the world..

my prayers,
mary

[Pontifex]

[quote]so many people are suffering, my problems are nothing compared to them.[/quote]

This is a good line of thinking to keep one from having a pity party, but do not minimalize your struggle either. Your suffering and pain is accounted for by our merciful God. He knows it and he longs for you to be whole. In prayer, be sure to relate this pain to God and then receive his love arouns your pain. Like a child that has a cut, they hide it from the parent. The parent struggles to see the wound, to see the damage and bring remedy. We need to do the same thing with our pain. God this hurts, I turn it over to you.


Just a thought.

Thanks guys for all the wonderful comments. Glad it is helpful.

[MMMARY]

thanks father..

and a question.. is it ok to be angry at God? I consider Jesus as my bestfriend..in the confines of my room, alone at night, He is the only one whom I can talk to..whom i can be myself..He just knows me inside and out..and there were times when i felt so down..so alone..so broken..so empty.. i was praying..crying so hard..shouting at Him..why He allowed these things to happen.. if He loves me..He cant afford to see me get hurt..
is it ok do to that father?

have a blessed weekend to all..

my prayers are with u..

pls. continue to pray for ASIA, that Jesus Christ who was born in ASIA will continue to protect His people..

[Pontifex]

I would say that it is part of the human drama to be angry with God or to voice frustration. This vibe resounds in many of the psalms. I think it is okay to relate to God these emotions, but then allow God to bring you healing. His shoulders are broad and can handle our frustrations. But also remember that his love for you is intense, deep and unique. Our anger really shouldn't be projected on God, for He is pure love.

[jmjtina]

prayers for you Father.

as always! :wub:

[MMMARY]

thanks a lot father

my prayers,
mary rosary

[Pontifex]

Jmjtina,

Thanks for all your support. You are a gem.

MM, my prayers are with you.

[MMMARY]

father..

pls include in your prayers..the church in Northern Thailand and Laos whose now under so much persecution. by the way im Mary Rosary.im A filipina but im currently in Thailand. though thailand is basically a buddhist country..im so blessed since in the school where im taking my masters, the catholic community is so active. so we get to celebrate the mass here every sunday..thanks to father joe, an american priest who comes here regularly.

i just want to share this one story fr. joe told us a few weeks after the tsunami tradegy. He was on his way to the beach in Phuket that time (the place in thailand which was washed away and during that time so many unclaimed dead bodies are still lying on the shore)..when he saw this two Thai young girls working as volunteers for the red cross. he noticed they were wearing crucifix neclace..so he asked if their catholics..then they replied.."no we're not, we're buddhist. but we know that your Christ is much more powerful than our Buddha and he will protect us from the bad spirits (what they meant was protecting them frm bacterial contamination due to decomposition of the dead bodies..)..so fr. joe just smiled

before coming here having brought up in a catholic home.surrounded by catholic friends in the philippines..i was really worried that i will not be able to freely practice my religion here..but im really blessed..surrounded by my buddhists, hindu, muslim classmates, i can still pray and do sign of the cross before i eat..in the cafeteria of the school. we even have novenas, station of the cross, rosaries and other catholic traditions here.. and though i may not be able to convert them into catholicism..but at least one way or another..they saw Christ in me..on the way i treat them, on the way i act..

ohh i bubbled a lot..hehe..

prayers,
mary

[Pontifex]

Thank you for sharing your experience. I am so happy that you are able to practice your faith, and that you are presenting a strong witness to those around you.

I will pray for you in your situation. Anytime I can help, just email me.

fatherburns@gmail.com

[Sammy Blaze]

Father Pontifex!

Godbless you!

~S.

[Chorusgirl]

[quote name='Pontifex' date='Feb 17 2005, 09:59 AM'] Why am I going through this right now? Is the answer, this is the good gift that you need? Much like the parent who takes his young child to the doctor for shots. Although painful, this is a good gift, yet out of the comprehension of a four year old. All they know is that there is pain, why did you allow pain Father? But the parent knows the needs, he knows the sickness and he knows the remedy. [/quote]
Hello!! Wow, thank you so much for sharing your reflection, it is quite beautiful and helpful!!

I think often people question "God, why am I going through this?" "Lord, why me?"

Life can be really difficult at times, and I don't think it is supposed to be easy either, but God is with us through it all. Through the times of struggle though we must continue to follow God faithfully, from these trials to grow even closer to God, looking up at our Lord like a child does to her father. Ready to be picked up and be held in our Lords arms.

I know personally there seems to be a lot going on in my life right now and I am just offering it up to God. Things could be worse, others have it worse and Jesus gave the ultimate sacrifice of unconditional love when he died for us. I find if comforting to pray the sorrowful mysteries of the rosary and reflect upon the Fruits of the Mysteries...

Sorrow for sin, purity, courage, patience and perseverance.

As well, at times it's hard to understand why we do go through struggles. But Gods knows us completely, far more than we know ourselves. And God knows what our future beholds and what is best for us, for Gods will is right. So although in times of confusion and lacking in understanding I find it helpful to just pray for the Lords will to be done, not mine or anyone elses. To place trust in Gods will and the struggles of the times, for God doesn't give us anything we cannot handle, and later we will hopefully come to realize the blessings from the good and bad in life. I believe from everything something positive can come from it.

Alrighty, sorry, that is long. I don't know if I am really on topic but that's what I got from your reflection. Thank you so much and God bless!!

[Pontifex]

I am glad this could be helpful. Praise God.

Blessings,

Fr. Ponitfex