Standing secure

     I shared these thoughts today at liturgy.

     Through the great love of God we were created and made in the image and likeness of God.  Earthly creatures, we were given a share in the Divine.  Even with one foot in each dimension, we were able to keep our balance, hold on to our equilibrium because we walked with God. 

     Then came the tempter ... then came sin ... then came the fall.  We were thrown off balance.  Without our undivided focus upon the Creator, we struggled to stand upright.  We would often stumble and fall, be unsure of our footing, and it became more and more difficult to focus, to stand with God, to live a holy and righteous life - not impossible, but a heck of a lot harder.

     Then came the ultimate manifestation of God's love in the gift of his Son as the God-man, one like us in all things but sin.  He came to invite us to repentance and renewal, to renew the call to holiness and uprightness of life, to show us a way back to the Divine.  The readings of today remind us of that fact.  We are in the world but not of the world.  We are called to approach Mt. Zion, the holy city, the angelic hosts, the heavenly vision.  With one foot in this world to which we have been called to be stewards, we find our other foot in the mystical dimension of God's grace.  And we are called to focus upon what is most important, namely our relationship with the Lord.

     I am reminded of the passage a few weeks ago about Jesus visiting Martha and Mary and Martha complaining because Mary sat at the feet of Jesus and listened.  Jesus tells Martha that, good and necessary as hospitality is, that Mary has chosen the better portion - being one with the Lord.  We are invited to humbly embrace the love of God found in Christ Jesus and to allow the grace of that love guide and direct every aspect, every moment of our existence.  If we do, there will be no lack of balance, not floundering, no struggle, but rather the joy of the Lord.  A good message.

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     Speaking of good messages, I would like to draw your attention to a new blog initiated by the Office of Evangelization of the Diocese of Greensburg and presented by the director, Greg Petrucci.  It is entitled "OMG" and can be viewed by going to the web page of the Diocese - www.dioceseofgreensburg.org - and on the bottom of the home page going to the "Let's Communicate" section.  Give Greg a read, and mark it as a favorite.  Evangelization is vitally important to the Church.  Congratulations, Greg.