Normand Thomas's Blog: Father Normand' , page 2
April 9, 2021
Peter’s humility / Book: The Fruit that lasts (11)
Amazon:
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B08M...
Our first Pope is full of humility:
“When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and, falling at his feet, paid him homage. Peter, however, raised him up, saying, ‘Get up. I myself am also a human being.’” Acts, chapter 10, verses 25 to 26
Even if Peter is the Pope whom Jesus has chosen, he knows his rightful place. Already in the Church that is beginning to form, Peter is aware that Jesus continues to be Lord and God. It’s amazing!
Peter knew Jesus and lived with him. He was appointed by him the head of the Church. He’s also responsible for the Apostles. He would have all the reasons to “brag about”, to become proud and to become someone else.
For every missionary, Peter has just realized an important teaching with a testimony worthy of a Pope.
He sees Cornelius coming and throwing himself at his feet. He could say, “You’re a good disciple,” or “get up now and let’s have a drink”.
But by his words, Peter presents himself in a different way. He said to Cornelius, “Get up. I myself am also a human being.”
What a beautiful grace of humility! May we ask this grace to Jesus. By his gesture and words, he helps Cornelius to understand that Jesus is Lord. Peter recognizes himself as a simple man and therefore gives full opening to Jesus. He evangelizes.
Peter cannot do anything by himself and he knows it. He’s on a mission, but not for himself. He’s a missionary for Jesus, for the announcement of the Good News.
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B08M...
Our first Pope is full of humility:
“When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and, falling at his feet, paid him homage. Peter, however, raised him up, saying, ‘Get up. I myself am also a human being.’” Acts, chapter 10, verses 25 to 26
Even if Peter is the Pope whom Jesus has chosen, he knows his rightful place. Already in the Church that is beginning to form, Peter is aware that Jesus continues to be Lord and God. It’s amazing!
Peter knew Jesus and lived with him. He was appointed by him the head of the Church. He’s also responsible for the Apostles. He would have all the reasons to “brag about”, to become proud and to become someone else.
For every missionary, Peter has just realized an important teaching with a testimony worthy of a Pope.
He sees Cornelius coming and throwing himself at his feet. He could say, “You’re a good disciple,” or “get up now and let’s have a drink”.
But by his words, Peter presents himself in a different way. He said to Cornelius, “Get up. I myself am also a human being.”
What a beautiful grace of humility! May we ask this grace to Jesus. By his gesture and words, he helps Cornelius to understand that Jesus is Lord. Peter recognizes himself as a simple man and therefore gives full opening to Jesus. He evangelizes.
Peter cannot do anything by himself and he knows it. He’s on a mission, but not for himself. He’s a missionary for Jesus, for the announcement of the Good News.
The effects of grace / Book: Up! Let's go! (12)
Amazon:
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B08M...
Paul informs us:
“Working together, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.” 2 Corinthians, chapter 6, verse 1
It’s never a waste of time to spend time with God, especially if we know how to discover Jesus and recognize the manifestations of God's Love in the hearts of others. The grace of God is found in a contact with other people.
The most beautiful mission is the works with God. We sometimes think that spending time with God keeps us away from precious time with our family. But, we can easily unite both. This will improve the lives of everyone in the family without adding pressure. It’s possible to always live with God, whatever we do. Our journey will be filled with wisdom and meaning.
Every moment of our life can be transformed into thanksgiving when God is present in our activities, as in restful moments. Our entire life can bear witness to the presence of God.
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B08M...
Paul informs us:
“Working together, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.” 2 Corinthians, chapter 6, verse 1
It’s never a waste of time to spend time with God, especially if we know how to discover Jesus and recognize the manifestations of God's Love in the hearts of others. The grace of God is found in a contact with other people.
The most beautiful mission is the works with God. We sometimes think that spending time with God keeps us away from precious time with our family. But, we can easily unite both. This will improve the lives of everyone in the family without adding pressure. It’s possible to always live with God, whatever we do. Our journey will be filled with wisdom and meaning.
Every moment of our life can be transformed into thanksgiving when God is present in our activities, as in restful moments. Our entire life can bear witness to the presence of God.
Encourage the effort / Book: Here, where we are (13)
Amazon:
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B08M...
Paul meets us at the crossroad:
We give thanks to God always for all of you, remembering you in our prayers, unceasingly calling to mind your work of faith and labour of love and endurance in hope of our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father. 1 Thessalonians, chapter 1, verses 2 to 3
There’s every reason to give thanks to God for those who persevere in the effort to walk in the faith. Then Paul reminds us to pray for one another. He sees that faith is growing. We could also say, “Our charity gives itself joy!” Even better. “The charity that we receive from God and that we share, fills us and others with joy!”
Our faith is active. This movement becomes more and more contagious. May charity unfold at the crossroad where there’s a meeting with each person, always in the joy of sharing the faith.
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B08M...
Paul meets us at the crossroad:
We give thanks to God always for all of you, remembering you in our prayers, unceasingly calling to mind your work of faith and labour of love and endurance in hope of our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father. 1 Thessalonians, chapter 1, verses 2 to 3
There’s every reason to give thanks to God for those who persevere in the effort to walk in the faith. Then Paul reminds us to pray for one another. He sees that faith is growing. We could also say, “Our charity gives itself joy!” Even better. “The charity that we receive from God and that we share, fills us and others with joy!”
Our faith is active. This movement becomes more and more contagious. May charity unfold at the crossroad where there’s a meeting with each person, always in the joy of sharing the faith.
The Gospel of the Lord / Book : Caring for our poverties (14)
Amazon:
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B08M...
Paul confirms that the gospel and salvation of Jesus Christ is unique:
“The gospel preached by me is not of human origin.” Galatians, chapter 1, verse 11
Nobody thought of such a revelation. No one has been able to imagine or invent all that is proclaimed in the Gospels. Nobody except God.
Nobody can replace Jesus. We are poor of Jesus if we don’t accept him, as he is, in our life. And we become poor in Jesus when we leave what is useless to embark with him on the great adventure of God and man.
That’s why Paul says:
“I did not receive it from a human being, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ.” Galatians, chapter 1, verse 12
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B08M...
Paul confirms that the gospel and salvation of Jesus Christ is unique:
“The gospel preached by me is not of human origin.” Galatians, chapter 1, verse 11
Nobody thought of such a revelation. No one has been able to imagine or invent all that is proclaimed in the Gospels. Nobody except God.
Nobody can replace Jesus. We are poor of Jesus if we don’t accept him, as he is, in our life. And we become poor in Jesus when we leave what is useless to embark with him on the great adventure of God and man.
That’s why Paul says:
“I did not receive it from a human being, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ.” Galatians, chapter 1, verse 12
Reflect the glory / Book : Let's Evangelize (15)
Amazon:
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B08M...
Paul tells us:
“Whenever a person turns to the Lord the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” 2 Corinthians, chapter 3, verses 16 to 17
We have a veil on that keeps us away from Jesus. Paul adds that when we accept conversion, when the veil falls:
“All of us, gazing with unveiled face on the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, as from the Lord who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians, chapter 3, verse 18
We reflect “the glory of the Lord” more and more by being with him. To reflect the Light, let’s store it in us. To reflect on the glory of the Lord, we must receive it.
When this glory increases, we’re transfigured, as the light covered Jesus during the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor. Carrying this light within us touches the heart of others. We then become full-time prophets.
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B08M...
Paul tells us:
“Whenever a person turns to the Lord the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” 2 Corinthians, chapter 3, verses 16 to 17
We have a veil on that keeps us away from Jesus. Paul adds that when we accept conversion, when the veil falls:
“All of us, gazing with unveiled face on the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, as from the Lord who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians, chapter 3, verse 18
We reflect “the glory of the Lord” more and more by being with him. To reflect the Light, let’s store it in us. To reflect on the glory of the Lord, we must receive it.
When this glory increases, we’re transfigured, as the light covered Jesus during the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor. Carrying this light within us touches the heart of others. We then become full-time prophets.
God is here / Book: Joy in heaven! (16)
Amazon:
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B08M...
With God, everything is too simple, even wisdom is simple. But we tend to complicate it.
We only have to focus on Jesus and wisdom will simply invade us every time. At the same time, we must be willing to meditate and receive it.
With ease:
“As the rising sun is clear to all, so the glory of the Lord fills all his works.” Sirach, chapter 42, verse 16
Still, we must be placed in front of his sun (Son). It’s to blush with joy, as the sun likes to blush our cheeks.
May every moment of our lives be filled with the joy of God’s gaze upon us, look of tenderness, peace and love … and our existence will praise the Lord, that is, our existence will be in so much joy we’ll want to share it with the Lord as a friend.
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B08M...
With God, everything is too simple, even wisdom is simple. But we tend to complicate it.
We only have to focus on Jesus and wisdom will simply invade us every time. At the same time, we must be willing to meditate and receive it.
With ease:
“As the rising sun is clear to all, so the glory of the Lord fills all his works.” Sirach, chapter 42, verse 16
Still, we must be placed in front of his sun (Son). It’s to blush with joy, as the sun likes to blush our cheeks.
May every moment of our lives be filled with the joy of God’s gaze upon us, look of tenderness, peace and love … and our existence will praise the Lord, that is, our existence will be in so much joy we’ll want to share it with the Lord as a friend.
