The Day the Paint Box fell from Heaven

The Day the Paint Box fell from Heaven'.

(This is a real place outside Bakersfield, California)

When God Paints...

We live in an awesome world.
Make it an awesome day.
Peace To All and May God Bless You
Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.
Leave the rest to God.

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Thanks, Joe

Forgiveness

“Father forgive them, (for) they knew not what they do.” Luke 23:34

Jesus said these words during his final agony on the Cross. The officials, the soldiers, the people who screamed to crucify Him maybe had some sense that they were killing an innocent man, but they had no idea of just what their actions involved. Neither can we. Our minds just cannot comprehend what is God or His workings. In a like manner, though, Jesus’ words apply to all of us. Can any of us fully understand the effects of our actions on another person? Ignoring someone may seem to be a trivial slight on our part, but may result in deeply wounding the other person’s sense of self-worth. We know not what we do. Likewise, in the times that we have been hurt by other people, they may be totally unaware of what they did. Closeness to God gives us sensitivity in our relations with other people. It helps us to recognize when we are not acting out of love. Since we cannot be the other person, though, we cannot know the full impact of our words or action; but God knows, and we will be held accountable. Ann Landers or Abbie suggested that Good Friday should be a day of forgiveness. Whether the person has asked for forgiveness or not, we need to have an attitude of forgiveness for that person. Jesus asked the Father to forgive those who put Him up on the Cross (including all of us). Can we not be expected to do likewise? In the Our Father we say “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” It does not say “those who ask our forgiveness.” To forgive frees our souls from the anger, bitterness, regret, all of the negative responses we have to being hurt.

Anchors

Throughout our lives, as we encounter many joys and sorrows, because we are as humans social creatures, we turn to out anchors, family, friends, co-workers. We too often neglect our relationship with the ultimate anchor, God. We change jobs so we lose the anchor of co-workers. Friends may not be there for you because of time or distance. Family may be experiencing the same trouble so cannot be an anchor for you. The only one who can always be counted on is God. But, how can we turn to God if we largely ignore Him in our lives? He is always there ready to enfold us in His love. However, on our part, we may find it difficult to lean on Him if we do not usually include Him in our lives. Imagine calling a friend with whom you haven’t spoken or written to in many years and telling them of a great trial you are going through. It would be awkward at the very least. So it would be with God, on our part. If we wait to be with Him only in times of great need, we will have trouble leaning on Him, listening to Him, accepting His peace and graces. The Church, in its wisdom from being part of the Body of Christ, has required us to maintain a minimal contact with God by saying that is a serious sin if we neglect to worship God once a week through Mass on Sundays. The Mass-where we are compelled to be social, unlike private prayer, to be a member of the communion of saints. The Mass-where we are nourished with the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, compared to a meal with family or friends. The Mass-where we can lay our petitions and thanks before God in union with all in heaven and on earth. The Mass-where we off to God the ultimate form of worship, Jesus on the Cross. The Mass-heaven on earth.