278. Our remoteness
Catholics do not always realize this, but the removal of people from the Church and all the invalid reasons that result from it causes a distance from God. And getting away from God can open the door to more wickedness, more suffering, more harm, more loneliness and sadness. Our remoteness also gives reasons to others to not follow Jesus.
Often, we hear people say, “but these people believe and help others!” Certainly, they are already doing well. But they lack a vital part of faith; the Word and the Eucharist.
A good person is a good person. A canoe is a canoe.
A good person who prays is a good person who prays. A ship is a ship.
A good person who prays and receives the Word and the Eucharist is a good person who prays and receives the Word and the Eucharist. A Church is a Church.
We live on reserves of Love when we stay away from prayer, the Word and Eucharist. A car that runs on low fuel will be driven to a total stop and stay put if we don’t go to a gas station to fill the tank. The car will stop where it stops. Then, the elements of nature will cease the car and it won’t roll anymore. It just might become good for scrap.
People who say they believe they do practise, but those who do not celebrate and do not revive in their Church, their reserves are emptying, their strength is dwindling. They risk freezing and no longer being able to return to Church. They are staying away from God.
The only way we can fill our reserves of Love is by receiving the Word and the Eucharist. It is also an opportunity to give the offering of our life to God and to thank him for all that he offers us with justice. All that is of God is just (justice) for us.
Let’s also learn to reconcile with our neighbour. For christians, to reconcile with our neighbour is also to invite him once more to walk with us in faith.
Let’s place our life on the Altar where the offerings of bread and wine become the Body and Blood of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Let’s become more and more transformed in God’s life, the Eucharist in us, through the Word. And ask Jesus to touch the generous hearts of people outside the walls of the Church and especially to reach them so they may rediscover the Eucharist and the Word.
The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let’s love God, Normand Thomas
Normandt' Bible reflexions
Re: Normandt' Bible reflexions
279. God Loves us
A prophet like Jeremiah has moments of genius and he lets himself be moved by God’s truth. He writes what he receives from God in his heart:
“I Love you with an eternal Love.” Jeremiah, chapter 31, verse 3
God Loves his people, he Loves Jeremiah, he still Loves us today. God Loves us “with an Eternal Love”. The people are happy and ask God to save him. It’s party time, joy, but for how long?
It’s simple. The further we stay away from God, the more our life lacks light, lacks strength, lacks wisdom, our life becomes drained by the refusal to receive Love. So, what can we leave aside to increase our presence with Christ? What is useless and destroying our life and what could be useful to improve our faith?
John allows us to understand that there is a choice to make, either throwing ourselves toward the Love of God or moving away from him:
“Children, let no one deceive you. The person who acts in righteousness is righteous, just as he is righteous.” 1 John, chapter 3, verse 7
How to be fair if not to go to Church and thank God for all that we have of good, beautiful, real and true, then to receive him again in the Eucharist, to receive his Love once more and let his joy grow in our hearts.
May we let no one steer us away from the Love of God. May we not rely on others to decide for us. We are the only ones responsible for our relationship with Christ.
Immediately after, John tells us exactly what the word “devil” means. The one who divides our relationship with God:
“Whoever sins belongs to the devil, because the devil has sinned from the beginning.” 1 John, chapter 3, verse 8
“The devil is a sinner.” We give the devil many titles, but what characterizes him the most is that he is the best “sinner” of all. It’s not a very rewarding trophy to be the sinner, crowned with excellence.
To recognize oneself as a sinner and to follow Jesus is fine. But the devil decided not to choose the Love of God. He is “the sinner”. He doesn’t recognize or want to receive the Love of God. How difficult it is to understand someone who decides … not to lean with all his being toward, then dive into God’s Love.
The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let’s love God, Normand Thomas
A prophet like Jeremiah has moments of genius and he lets himself be moved by God’s truth. He writes what he receives from God in his heart:
“I Love you with an eternal Love.” Jeremiah, chapter 31, verse 3
God Loves his people, he Loves Jeremiah, he still Loves us today. God Loves us “with an Eternal Love”. The people are happy and ask God to save him. It’s party time, joy, but for how long?
It’s simple. The further we stay away from God, the more our life lacks light, lacks strength, lacks wisdom, our life becomes drained by the refusal to receive Love. So, what can we leave aside to increase our presence with Christ? What is useless and destroying our life and what could be useful to improve our faith?
John allows us to understand that there is a choice to make, either throwing ourselves toward the Love of God or moving away from him:
“Children, let no one deceive you. The person who acts in righteousness is righteous, just as he is righteous.” 1 John, chapter 3, verse 7
How to be fair if not to go to Church and thank God for all that we have of good, beautiful, real and true, then to receive him again in the Eucharist, to receive his Love once more and let his joy grow in our hearts.
May we let no one steer us away from the Love of God. May we not rely on others to decide for us. We are the only ones responsible for our relationship with Christ.
Immediately after, John tells us exactly what the word “devil” means. The one who divides our relationship with God:
“Whoever sins belongs to the devil, because the devil has sinned from the beginning.” 1 John, chapter 3, verse 8
“The devil is a sinner.” We give the devil many titles, but what characterizes him the most is that he is the best “sinner” of all. It’s not a very rewarding trophy to be the sinner, crowned with excellence.
To recognize oneself as a sinner and to follow Jesus is fine. But the devil decided not to choose the Love of God. He is “the sinner”. He doesn’t recognize or want to receive the Love of God. How difficult it is to understand someone who decides … not to lean with all his being toward, then dive into God’s Love.
The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let’s love God, Normand Thomas
Re: Normandt' Bible reflexions
280. With the heart
According to John, the Apostles went to Jesus without asking too many questions about him. They followed him with their heart. Andrew says to his brother Simon:
“We found the Messiah.” John, chapter 1, verse 41
Jesus looks at him and changes his name immediately:
“‘You are Simon the son of John; you will be called Kephas’ (which is translated Peter).” John, chapter 1, verse 42
Simon, who becomes Peter, has no idea of what Jesus has just said to him or how deeply he has entered his life. He accepts this change of name without recrimination, without saying a word.
Jesus reaches Peter while Peter reaches for Jesus. What a happy exchange! And Peter knows nothing of what will follow. He doesn’t know that he will be the First Pope of human history, that the Church of Christ will extend to the most distant lands, to the universe, right up till now.
Mother Teresa of Calcutta, when she began to walk with Jesus, could not know that she would find a convent, less she knew that she would watch and pray next to the dying in Calcutta, Asia.
We surely don’t know what the Lord has in store for us and the mission he will lead us into when we say “yes” to him. We may not have the same mission as Teresa. Yet we have the freedom to say “yes” to the Lord.
Like Mary and Joseph, let’s say “yes” to Jesus.
During our passage in this world, until the fulfillment of our salvation, let’s enter our heart and leap into the Love of God.
The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let’s love God, Normand Thomas
According to John, the Apostles went to Jesus without asking too many questions about him. They followed him with their heart. Andrew says to his brother Simon:
“We found the Messiah.” John, chapter 1, verse 41
Jesus looks at him and changes his name immediately:
“‘You are Simon the son of John; you will be called Kephas’ (which is translated Peter).” John, chapter 1, verse 42
Simon, who becomes Peter, has no idea of what Jesus has just said to him or how deeply he has entered his life. He accepts this change of name without recrimination, without saying a word.
Jesus reaches Peter while Peter reaches for Jesus. What a happy exchange! And Peter knows nothing of what will follow. He doesn’t know that he will be the First Pope of human history, that the Church of Christ will extend to the most distant lands, to the universe, right up till now.
Mother Teresa of Calcutta, when she began to walk with Jesus, could not know that she would find a convent, less she knew that she would watch and pray next to the dying in Calcutta, Asia.
We surely don’t know what the Lord has in store for us and the mission he will lead us into when we say “yes” to him. We may not have the same mission as Teresa. Yet we have the freedom to say “yes” to the Lord.
Like Mary and Joseph, let’s say “yes” to Jesus.
During our passage in this world, until the fulfillment of our salvation, let’s enter our heart and leap into the Love of God.
The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let’s love God, Normand Thomas
Re: Normandt' Bible reflexions
281. Follow or run away
There are two groups of people who follow Jesus. Those who really follow him and those who seek to contradict, to flee what Jesus is proposing. Whoever contradicts Truth rejects Truth. We can contradict a person, but we cannot contradict, without consequences, the Love of God.
People who follow Jesus give him space and time. Jesus needs space and time in our life so that we can observe and live through him. Let’s take some time with Jesus since we don’t know him, take time to discover who Jesus is and we will get to know him better for when we meet in eternity.
There are people who follow Jesus and who do not have open hearts, or they do not use their human intelligence to receive the Love of God. And even the words of Jesus, they will make fun of them, they will understand them in a negative way, they will make them obsolete, without flavour, without taste, without colour, without texture.
The scribes of the group of pharisees, seeing that Jesus eats with sinners and publicans, say to his disciples:
“Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners!” Mark, chapter 2, verse 16
This affirmation casts a doubt about Jesus. Jesus eats and drinks! How can Jesus be God since he eats and drinks? We can see that he is a man! Even worse, he eats with sinners and people of the world, of the public!
They do not know Jesus. They reveal their lack of discernment. Their theology resembles the desert that bypasses the city of Jerusalem. They are going to want to drive Jesus back into the desert, and then consider him dead to their eyes.
They closed their hearts, trapped by a bricked up knowledge gained from the past. They aren’t in the present. Then, to avoid following Jesus, they will also mislead people around them who could be touched by his words and gestures. While making fun of him, they refuse the advent of Jesus in their hearts and block it from the hearts of their contemporaries. Double fault.
The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let’s love God, Normand Thomas
There are two groups of people who follow Jesus. Those who really follow him and those who seek to contradict, to flee what Jesus is proposing. Whoever contradicts Truth rejects Truth. We can contradict a person, but we cannot contradict, without consequences, the Love of God.
People who follow Jesus give him space and time. Jesus needs space and time in our life so that we can observe and live through him. Let’s take some time with Jesus since we don’t know him, take time to discover who Jesus is and we will get to know him better for when we meet in eternity.
There are people who follow Jesus and who do not have open hearts, or they do not use their human intelligence to receive the Love of God. And even the words of Jesus, they will make fun of them, they will understand them in a negative way, they will make them obsolete, without flavour, without taste, without colour, without texture.
The scribes of the group of pharisees, seeing that Jesus eats with sinners and publicans, say to his disciples:
“Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners!” Mark, chapter 2, verse 16
This affirmation casts a doubt about Jesus. Jesus eats and drinks! How can Jesus be God since he eats and drinks? We can see that he is a man! Even worse, he eats with sinners and people of the world, of the public!
They do not know Jesus. They reveal their lack of discernment. Their theology resembles the desert that bypasses the city of Jerusalem. They are going to want to drive Jesus back into the desert, and then consider him dead to their eyes.
They closed their hearts, trapped by a bricked up knowledge gained from the past. They aren’t in the present. Then, to avoid following Jesus, they will also mislead people around them who could be touched by his words and gestures. While making fun of him, they refuse the advent of Jesus in their hearts and block it from the hearts of their contemporaries. Double fault.
The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let’s love God, Normand Thomas
Re: Normandt' Bible reflexions
282. Become childlike
Jesus proclaims:
“I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike.” Matthew, chapter 11, verse 25
Adults who are childlike in God know how to spot what is sin in the world from what is not. They also know how to reach people’s hearts, especially through prayer to the Holy Spirit. With him we can reach people’s hearts to improve the world and awaken in them the light that is already there.
The light received from God in some makes it possible to transfer the fire of joy and peace to the hearts of others. For each person who receives the light, its spreading is instantaneous.
The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let’s love God, Normand Thomas
Jesus proclaims:
“I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike.” Matthew, chapter 11, verse 25
Adults who are childlike in God know how to spot what is sin in the world from what is not. They also know how to reach people’s hearts, especially through prayer to the Holy Spirit. With him we can reach people’s hearts to improve the world and awaken in them the light that is already there.
The light received from God in some makes it possible to transfer the fire of joy and peace to the hearts of others. For each person who receives the light, its spreading is instantaneous.
The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let’s love God, Normand Thomas
Re: Normandt' Bible reflexions
283. We tend to be
“Your piety [love] is like a morning cloud, like the dew that early passes away,” Hosea, chapter 6, verse 4
says God to Hosea and his people … to us too. It is true that we tend to be evasive in our thoughts, distracted in our intentions and selective in our achievements. And we become fugitives, even fearing Love.
We have hurt persons, we had pain too. And we come to believe that even negative ambient thinking has become a reality. We gradually sink into an attractive mud. And the more we are seized by this mud, the more we feel surrounded and comfortable.
It’s as if the mud secures us. But it’s the opposite. Our forces diminish, the tension increases, and we gradually freeze in a contentment that numbs us. We come to believe that that’s life.
We go so far as to believe that God is a tyrant, that he doesn’t take care of us, that he has something else more important to do.
It’s necessary to recognize that we are sinners, that we often have the tendency to leave the narrow road that leads to real happiness. When we are tingling with numbness, it’s not time to wait, it’s the red alert that tells us to turn our face to Jesus.
God does not participate to distance us from him. God doesn’t push us to our failings. God doesn’t waste his time wanting to lose us in the fog or sink us in the mud. Just one look at him and we’re out. He is waiting for us. He is waiting for us as the parent waits with love and open arms for his child who is walking his first steps.
Jesus invites us to look into the depths of our hearts to come to the truth about our intentions.
The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let’s love God, Normand Thomas
“Your piety [love] is like a morning cloud, like the dew that early passes away,” Hosea, chapter 6, verse 4
says God to Hosea and his people … to us too. It is true that we tend to be evasive in our thoughts, distracted in our intentions and selective in our achievements. And we become fugitives, even fearing Love.
We have hurt persons, we had pain too. And we come to believe that even negative ambient thinking has become a reality. We gradually sink into an attractive mud. And the more we are seized by this mud, the more we feel surrounded and comfortable.
It’s as if the mud secures us. But it’s the opposite. Our forces diminish, the tension increases, and we gradually freeze in a contentment that numbs us. We come to believe that that’s life.
We go so far as to believe that God is a tyrant, that he doesn’t take care of us, that he has something else more important to do.
It’s necessary to recognize that we are sinners, that we often have the tendency to leave the narrow road that leads to real happiness. When we are tingling with numbness, it’s not time to wait, it’s the red alert that tells us to turn our face to Jesus.
God does not participate to distance us from him. God doesn’t push us to our failings. God doesn’t waste his time wanting to lose us in the fog or sink us in the mud. Just one look at him and we’re out. He is waiting for us. He is waiting for us as the parent waits with love and open arms for his child who is walking his first steps.
Jesus invites us to look into the depths of our hearts to come to the truth about our intentions.
The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let’s love God, Normand Thomas
Re: Normandt' Bible reflexions
284. Getting confused
God is clear. There are those who:
“obeyed not, nor did they pay heed. They walked in the hardness of their evil hearts and turned their backs, not their faces, to me.” Jeremiah, chapter 7, verse 24
These people recede and move away from the clarity of God. They enter a path of darkness. Their life becomes confused, because they extinguish the Light of God. Their path is filled with congestion and obstacles until they sink and lose themselves.
It is the summit of a closing heart and the remoteness of God to the point of not recognizing him. They will then have to make indescribable efforts to simply live.
The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let’s love God, Normand Thomas
God is clear. There are those who:
“obeyed not, nor did they pay heed. They walked in the hardness of their evil hearts and turned their backs, not their faces, to me.” Jeremiah, chapter 7, verse 24
These people recede and move away from the clarity of God. They enter a path of darkness. Their life becomes confused, because they extinguish the Light of God. Their path is filled with congestion and obstacles until they sink and lose themselves.
It is the summit of a closing heart and the remoteness of God to the point of not recognizing him. They will then have to make indescribable efforts to simply live.
The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let’s love God, Normand Thomas
Re: Normandt' Bible reflexions
285. Jesus dispels darkness
Jesus came to dispel the darkness within us and offer us his Light. Jesus wants to free us. God reminds people who are listening:
“Listen to my voice; then I will be your God and you shall be my people. Walk in all the ways that I command you, so that you may prosper.” Jeremiah, chapter 7, verse 23
We will be happy to the extent that God is the Light of our life:
“Now, says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart.” Joel, chapter 2, verse 12
It’s the only solution and it’s so simple. Too simple, maybe!
Let’s ask Jesus to take his place in us, guide us, teach us, remove darkness and fill us with his Light, joy and peace so that we become like him, the Father and the Holy Spirit.
God created us. He creates us. He knows us and he wants us to be happy. He creates us with the freedom to choose him or even to refuse his presence. It is the summit of freedom.
The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let’s love God, Normand Thomas
Jesus came to dispel the darkness within us and offer us his Light. Jesus wants to free us. God reminds people who are listening:
“Listen to my voice; then I will be your God and you shall be my people. Walk in all the ways that I command you, so that you may prosper.” Jeremiah, chapter 7, verse 23
We will be happy to the extent that God is the Light of our life:
“Now, says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart.” Joel, chapter 2, verse 12
It’s the only solution and it’s so simple. Too simple, maybe!
Let’s ask Jesus to take his place in us, guide us, teach us, remove darkness and fill us with his Light, joy and peace so that we become like him, the Father and the Holy Spirit.
God created us. He creates us. He knows us and he wants us to be happy. He creates us with the freedom to choose him or even to refuse his presence. It is the summit of freedom.
The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let’s love God, Normand Thomas
Re: Normandt' Bible reflexions
286. Cutting us off from God
Is there anything more distressful than someone who doesn’t listen or doesn’t want to listen, especially when we want goodness for that person?
Not listening to God is cutting us off from his Love. To cut ourselves off from the Love of God is to cut us off from wisdom, light, tenderness, shelter, strength, joy, peace, from the heart, etc. And to cut us off from these vital signs for our life, we build a wall and prevent ourselves from loving. As a crowning, we become deprived to the point of thinking that God isn’t there for us.
The lack of attention to the Love of God leads to harden ourselves and our heart suffers due to the lack of spiritual vital signs of God in us. This brings us to revolt and close ourselves to what the Lord offers us. We live as if God isn’t there anymore.
God tells us that we can go astray:
“They have always been of erring heart, and they do not know my ways. As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter into my rest.’” Hebrews, chapter 3, verses 10b to 11
The most serious danger for someone who believes is to move away from God. The danger for those who do not believe is to remain with their backs turned against the presence of God.
The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let’s love God, Normand Thomas
Is there anything more distressful than someone who doesn’t listen or doesn’t want to listen, especially when we want goodness for that person?
Not listening to God is cutting us off from his Love. To cut ourselves off from the Love of God is to cut us off from wisdom, light, tenderness, shelter, strength, joy, peace, from the heart, etc. And to cut us off from these vital signs for our life, we build a wall and prevent ourselves from loving. As a crowning, we become deprived to the point of thinking that God isn’t there for us.
The lack of attention to the Love of God leads to harden ourselves and our heart suffers due to the lack of spiritual vital signs of God in us. This brings us to revolt and close ourselves to what the Lord offers us. We live as if God isn’t there anymore.
God tells us that we can go astray:
“They have always been of erring heart, and they do not know my ways. As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter into my rest.’” Hebrews, chapter 3, verses 10b to 11
The most serious danger for someone who believes is to move away from God. The danger for those who do not believe is to remain with their backs turned against the presence of God.
The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let’s love God, Normand Thomas
Re: Normandt' Bible reflexions
287. God’s Love
God’s wrath is not like the anger we feel in the world. God’s wrath is nothing but his Love to let us know that we are moving away from him. He only wants to bring us closer to him. We could say without pretense that the “wrath of God” is his kindness for us.
The anger of God does not hurt us, it is benevolent. But it is our distance from his Love that leads us to enter into evil. We cut ourselves off from God’s kindness. We cut ourselves from resting in God, from peace. Then we come to think that God is angry.
The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let’s love God, Normand Thomas
God’s wrath is not like the anger we feel in the world. God’s wrath is nothing but his Love to let us know that we are moving away from him. He only wants to bring us closer to him. We could say without pretense that the “wrath of God” is his kindness for us.
The anger of God does not hurt us, it is benevolent. But it is our distance from his Love that leads us to enter into evil. We cut ourselves off from God’s kindness. We cut ourselves from resting in God, from peace. Then we come to think that God is angry.
The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let’s love God, Normand Thomas
Re: Normandt' Bible reflexions
288. Jesus heals us
We can enter the desert of our heart, even if there is noise around us, to hear God. Let’s take time to listen to him and discover, again, the joy he offers us, the kindness he has on us.
May Jesus come to heal us of our doubts, our revolts, our anger and the worst lie to think that God is not with us. Let’s ask as the leper who falls on his knees and begs Jesus:
“‘If you wish, you can make me clean.’ Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched him, and said to him, ‘I do will it. Be made clean.’” Mark, chapter 1, verses 40 to 41
Let’s discover the silence, turn our heart to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and humbly ask him: “Jesus, cleanse me!”
To let Jesus cleanse us, allows us to become free and to be filled with peace. The more people understand that God is Love and that he is only Love, the more our world will become familiar and united. We will be able to taste and share his Love and live it fully.
The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let’s love God, Normand Thomas
We can enter the desert of our heart, even if there is noise around us, to hear God. Let’s take time to listen to him and discover, again, the joy he offers us, the kindness he has on us.
May Jesus come to heal us of our doubts, our revolts, our anger and the worst lie to think that God is not with us. Let’s ask as the leper who falls on his knees and begs Jesus:
“‘If you wish, you can make me clean.’ Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched him, and said to him, ‘I do will it. Be made clean.’” Mark, chapter 1, verses 40 to 41
Let’s discover the silence, turn our heart to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and humbly ask him: “Jesus, cleanse me!”
To let Jesus cleanse us, allows us to become free and to be filled with peace. The more people understand that God is Love and that he is only Love, the more our world will become familiar and united. We will be able to taste and share his Love and live it fully.
The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let’s love God, Normand Thomas
Re: Normandt' Bible reflexions
289. God’s will
Our Father, “your will be done”. Faith is lived worldwide. It is the faith of all people of good will. With the Church, some people understood that only Love can reign on the earth. It is these people who help this world to live in maximum peace and hope.
On the other hand, take away the faith of the world in Jesus and it is faced with humanitarian, social, biological, planetary and other important crisis. This crisis of faith becomes a real loss for every person who does not know God.
Because God is the only one who will always lead us to common sense. All that is good and true in the sublime understanding of these terms is from God. God can only be Love. Whatever the religion, as long as God of this religion is really Love, there will be a love evolution everywhere.
Jesus guarantees his Love to all those who open their hearts to him. We only have to welcome him:
“My home will be at home, I will be their God and they will be my people. Then the nations will know that I am the Lord, the one who sanctifies Israel, when my sanctuary will be in their midst forever.” Ezekiel, chapter 37, verses 27 to 28
When God will be welcomed in our midst, in the midst of our heart.
The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let’s love God, Normand Thomas
Our Father, “your will be done”. Faith is lived worldwide. It is the faith of all people of good will. With the Church, some people understood that only Love can reign on the earth. It is these people who help this world to live in maximum peace and hope.
On the other hand, take away the faith of the world in Jesus and it is faced with humanitarian, social, biological, planetary and other important crisis. This crisis of faith becomes a real loss for every person who does not know God.
Because God is the only one who will always lead us to common sense. All that is good and true in the sublime understanding of these terms is from God. God can only be Love. Whatever the religion, as long as God of this religion is really Love, there will be a love evolution everywhere.
Jesus guarantees his Love to all those who open their hearts to him. We only have to welcome him:
“My home will be at home, I will be their God and they will be my people. Then the nations will know that I am the Lord, the one who sanctifies Israel, when my sanctuary will be in their midst forever.” Ezekiel, chapter 37, verses 27 to 28
When God will be welcomed in our midst, in the midst of our heart.
The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let’s love God, Normand Thomas
Re: Normandt' Bible reflexions
290. To try believers
Some intimidate people to justify that they are not upright, honest. And it’s easy to prove their point because no one is perfect. They also try those who walk after Jesus as others have tried Jesus.
There will be people who will push the righteous onto the wall, rather than check their own heart:
“Let’s see whether his words be true; let us find out what will happen to him.” Wisdom, chapter 2, verse 17
To observe too much the defects of others, people evaluate then devalue themselves. They judge by their criteria, often unfair, about what others say and do. So there are people who will never be satisfied and they will condemn the just.
Why is there a desire to confront the faith of those who follow Jesus? Why not check their own thoughts, words, and gestures, then receive God’s Love again? Perhaps because these people are not on the road and do not live a personal conversion to Jesus Christ. They claim that others convert to be in God, but they are not attentive to their own faith and the responsibility that goes with it.
The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Some intimidate people to justify that they are not upright, honest. And it’s easy to prove their point because no one is perfect. They also try those who walk after Jesus as others have tried Jesus.
There will be people who will push the righteous onto the wall, rather than check their own heart:
“Let’s see whether his words be true; let us find out what will happen to him.” Wisdom, chapter 2, verse 17
To observe too much the defects of others, people evaluate then devalue themselves. They judge by their criteria, often unfair, about what others say and do. So there are people who will never be satisfied and they will condemn the just.
Why is there a desire to confront the faith of those who follow Jesus? Why not check their own thoughts, words, and gestures, then receive God’s Love again? Perhaps because these people are not on the road and do not live a personal conversion to Jesus Christ. They claim that others convert to be in God, but they are not attentive to their own faith and the responsibility that goes with it.
The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Re: Normandt' Bible reflexions
291. Simple to say
A word that is often used by people is the word “jealousy”. This word is simple to say, but it is sad to count the number of people hurt by this word.
Then there is the word “judge”. It is better never to say these words, because all too often we do not know the real meaning of them:
“Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every foul practice.” James, chapter 3, verse 16
On the other hand, this evil goes away when we are open to the grace of God:
“The wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without inconstancy or insincerity.” James, chapter 3, verse 17
Let’s deepen these last wise words and recognize them in the people we meet, since God has placed them in them. Let’s recognize these qualities in others, instead of camping on their faults.
The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
A word that is often used by people is the word “jealousy”. This word is simple to say, but it is sad to count the number of people hurt by this word.
Then there is the word “judge”. It is better never to say these words, because all too often we do not know the real meaning of them:
“Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every foul practice.” James, chapter 3, verse 16
On the other hand, this evil goes away when we are open to the grace of God:
“The wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without inconstancy or insincerity.” James, chapter 3, verse 17
Let’s deepen these last wise words and recognize them in the people we meet, since God has placed them in them. Let’s recognize these qualities in others, instead of camping on their faults.
The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Re: Normandt' Bible reflexions
292. A fulfilling life
Who receives from God and truly lives in his heart wisdom, peace, righteousness, understanding, benevolence, mercy, and is fruitful in benefits?
Without being too deceiving, we all have a little bit of a difficult time working to achieve a fulfilling life of faith.
Let’s discover the qualities that God places in others to encourage and value them.
Flagging people with what we think are their faults only make the relationship worsen between us:
“Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show his works by a good life in the humility that comes from wisdom.” James, chapter 3, verse 13
James is telling us that. He knows that the grace of God, when it is received and transmitted, shows in our words and by our actions.
The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Who receives from God and truly lives in his heart wisdom, peace, righteousness, understanding, benevolence, mercy, and is fruitful in benefits?
Without being too deceiving, we all have a little bit of a difficult time working to achieve a fulfilling life of faith.
Let’s discover the qualities that God places in others to encourage and value them.
Flagging people with what we think are their faults only make the relationship worsen between us:
“Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show his works by a good life in the humility that comes from wisdom.” James, chapter 3, verse 13
James is telling us that. He knows that the grace of God, when it is received and transmitted, shows in our words and by our actions.
The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Re: Normandt' Bible reflexions
293. The work that pleases
Faith accompanies the works. To love in thought, words and gestures is the work that pleases the Lord.
He continues:
“The wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without inconstancy or insincerity. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for those who cultivate peace." James, chapter 3, verses 17 to 18
Let’s ask Jesus to change our lives and teach us how to live as he wants. Let’s become more and more humans sharing the Word with inspired gestures as the Lord wants.
The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Faith accompanies the works. To love in thought, words and gestures is the work that pleases the Lord.
He continues:
“The wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without inconstancy or insincerity. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for those who cultivate peace." James, chapter 3, verses 17 to 18
Let’s ask Jesus to change our lives and teach us how to live as he wants. Let’s become more and more humans sharing the Word with inspired gestures as the Lord wants.
The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Re: Normandt' Bible reflexions
294. They just don’t know
Jesus wants to purify us. But he also asks us to enter into a movement of wisdom, words and gestures that will help to insert goodness in hearts. This way, the world will learn to live with the Trinity and move away from evil and sin. Jesus invites us to try to reach people in their hearts in a sober way. Let’s be on the move:
“They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic.” Mark, chapter 6, verse 9
He says:
Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there. Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them. Mark, chapter 6, verses 10 to 11
If we find hospitality in people’s hearts, let’s get closer to them.
But if we feel that they refuse us, let’s go our way and pray that these people will find Jesus in their hearts. Let’s ask Jesus to touch their hearts with his Love. These people do not refuse us personally. They just don’t know what they’re missing by not daring to let Jesus enter their hearts.
Let’s ask Jesus to touch the hearts of the people we meet. May the Holy Spirit come before us and let the Father’s Heart become their home.
The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Jesus wants to purify us. But he also asks us to enter into a movement of wisdom, words and gestures that will help to insert goodness in hearts. This way, the world will learn to live with the Trinity and move away from evil and sin. Jesus invites us to try to reach people in their hearts in a sober way. Let’s be on the move:
“They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic.” Mark, chapter 6, verse 9
He says:
Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there. Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them. Mark, chapter 6, verses 10 to 11
If we find hospitality in people’s hearts, let’s get closer to them.
But if we feel that they refuse us, let’s go our way and pray that these people will find Jesus in their hearts. Let’s ask Jesus to touch their hearts with his Love. These people do not refuse us personally. They just don’t know what they’re missing by not daring to let Jesus enter their hearts.
Let’s ask Jesus to touch the hearts of the people we meet. May the Holy Spirit come before us and let the Father’s Heart become their home.
The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Re: Normandt' Bible reflexions
295. To love with Jesus
John is so interesting. He tells us:
“Beloved, let us love one another, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God.” 1 John, chapter 4, verse 7
To love keeps us on the road with God, since God is Love. Love is from him and never from us. God Loves in us and through us our family and our friends. To discover that it is God who Loves is to recognize what we can transmit to our surroundings.
To love is the treasure, the unheard-of riches of the Heart of God. And this treasure, God offers it all to us. He wishes for us to accept and appreciate his gift (giving).
Nothing is easier for God than touching hearts, but there is nothing more difficult for us because we often block Love. Love is on everyone’s lips, but often abused because many of us do not allow Love to Love. We try to love in God’s place.
The degree of love passed from person to person varies. We observe that there is more or less love flowing between us. Well, it is difficult to measure it.
We need Jesus to love. May Jesus be the Love in our life and Love the world through our words, our actions, but also by our silence and our prayers. His Love is always perfect. All opportunities are good to let God Love us.
Let’s find the means that allow us to let the Love of God flow. Only Jesus can Love without measure in us and overflow toward all people.
We have nothing to lose and everything to gain by welcoming Jesus into our lives. He will transform us with respect, slowly and surely.
John is so interesting. He tells us:
“Beloved, let us love one another, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God.” 1 John, chapter 4, verse 7
To love keeps us on the road with God, since God is Love. Love is from him and never from us. God Loves in us and through us our family and our friends. To discover that it is God who Loves is to recognize what we can transmit to our surroundings.
To love is the treasure, the unheard-of riches of the Heart of God. And this treasure, God offers it all to us. He wishes for us to accept and appreciate his gift (giving).
Nothing is easier for God than touching hearts, but there is nothing more difficult for us because we often block Love. Love is on everyone’s lips, but often abused because many of us do not allow Love to Love. We try to love in God’s place.
The degree of love passed from person to person varies. We observe that there is more or less love flowing between us. Well, it is difficult to measure it.
We need Jesus to love. May Jesus be the Love in our life and Love the world through our words, our actions, but also by our silence and our prayers. His Love is always perfect. All opportunities are good to let God Love us.
Let’s find the means that allow us to let the Love of God flow. Only Jesus can Love without measure in us and overflow toward all people.
We have nothing to lose and everything to gain by welcoming Jesus into our lives. He will transform us with respect, slowly and surely.
Re: Normandt' Bible reflexions
296. Our relationship with Christ
Paul tells us:
“Such confidence we have through Christ toward God. Not that of ourselves we are qualified to take credit for anything as coming from us; rather, our qualification comes from God.” 2 Corinthians, chapter 3, verses 4-5
In short, our trust in God comes from God.
It’s nice to know that everything real and good comes from God. This is the best assurance we have, divine assurance. And it doesn’t cost anything.
The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Paul tells us:
“Such confidence we have through Christ toward God. Not that of ourselves we are qualified to take credit for anything as coming from us; rather, our qualification comes from God.” 2 Corinthians, chapter 3, verses 4-5
In short, our trust in God comes from God.
It’s nice to know that everything real and good comes from God. This is the best assurance we have, divine assurance. And it doesn’t cost anything.
The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Re: Normandt' Bible reflexions
297. The basis of faith
Ah! Humility:
“My son, conduct your affairs with humility, and you will be loved more than a giver of gifts.” Sirach, chapter 3, verse 17
Fulfill all things in humility ... in the humility that God offers us. It is the basis of faith, from its awakening to its fulfillment. To live in humility, we are invited to develop observation.
Being attentive to one’s self enables one to develop listening to the other, to others. To know how to observe Jesus in our heart, to know how to observe Jesus in each person, is to reveal Jesus in their heart.
We decentre on ourselves and turn to our heart, to humbly open it to the one who can heal it, Jesus. To reconnect us to the reality of people is an open path to holiness.
The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas
Ah! Humility:
“My son, conduct your affairs with humility, and you will be loved more than a giver of gifts.” Sirach, chapter 3, verse 17
Fulfill all things in humility ... in the humility that God offers us. It is the basis of faith, from its awakening to its fulfillment. To live in humility, we are invited to develop observation.
Being attentive to one’s self enables one to develop listening to the other, to others. To know how to observe Jesus in our heart, to know how to observe Jesus in each person, is to reveal Jesus in their heart.
We decentre on ourselves and turn to our heart, to humbly open it to the one who can heal it, Jesus. To reconnect us to the reality of people is an open path to holiness.
The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Let's be Loved, Normand Thomas