“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:44-45a)

That’s a very difficult challenge. Difficult and inconvenient. When we think of it the human way – almost impossible.

Fortunately, as christians, we don’t have to do anything on our own, using our own powers. Jesus teaches us every day to love “despite” and not “because of something”. He’s loved us endlessly – us, the sinners, the enemies. On no condition and with no merits on our part: “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you” (John 15:9)

And He, who has loved us limitlessly, teaches us how to pray for the enemies when He is brought to die on the cross: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).

And He knows it’s not easy, and that it will cost us a lot, so in the time of hardship He will be with us: “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of time” (Matthew 28:20).

Dosia

The words of today’s Gospel send shivers up and down my spine. It’s because I often tend to consider myself “a decent person”, sometimes even better than the others. But God knows my heart inside out and He knows how often it stores resent or prejudice, especially towards those who did something wrong to me.

Whenever I think I’m left to my own devices, I can’t achieve much. God doesn’t care about the “rat race” (on the way to sainthood as well!) – all that matters to Him is a humble heart. If I admit my weakness and ask Him for help – He’ll come and help.

And He loves us not because we are “good”, but because we’re His children.

Dosia

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of Godmay be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

God knows us very well, he knows we give up easily while facing failure or hardship. Aware of our weaknesses, He doesn’t expect us to become perfect right away – so that we instantly accomplish the ideal of sainthood.

He wants us to be saint and He gives time to go the way. And in His Word He equips us on that way with specific hints, advice and inspiration!

It’s only up to us – whether we use them or waste them.

I wish you all a good day 😉

Dosia

“But you … keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life … Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear.” (Jude 1:20-23)

Wonderful are those moments in which our spiritual batteries have just been recharged and we’re coming back from a family retreat, where we could experience again the actual presence of God and loads of warm welcome from the other people. Where everyone was nice, kind and kept their hearts open wide. Then we just miss those moments gone by, regretting the idyl is over. In course of time, when everyday floods us with drawbacks and setbacks, we also lose the ability to be nice and kind, and, instead, filled with resent – we rebel against the idea that “it is me who should concede, stop insisting, resign”.  Our peace is taken away from us.

So we’re left with this question: what to do to “keep ourselves in God’s love”?

We go back in mind to the memories of the past, but memory may easily fail us, or get littered with other stuff. Sometimes the help comes with the photos and meetings with firends who experience God in a similar way. Some people go through the retreat materials again – and that helps a lot, too.

And there is one more way. It consists in looking for similar moments during each day – the moments that used to be so helpful, so supportive, which made us stronger. Those tiny events of every day, when – in the kind word from the husband, in the grip of the small preschool child’s hand, or in by preventing a quarrel with a teenager – you notice the smile of God, who is present in the other person. Those moments are worth memorizing.

For example – through blogging. 😉

Dosia

“The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17)

“At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb.” (Luke 1:39-41)

Yes, every new human being, though as small as a poppy seed, deserves singing with joy over them. Even if the baby is a surprise for its parents, even if it finds its mum not ready – being accepted expresses his or her deepest and primary need. When that need isn’t satisfied, as the experience of many people shows, they are left with a painful crack for the rest of their lives.

You can say: sometimes it’s too difficult, greeting new life within oneself. Because it seems to be coming in the worst possible moment in a woman’s life, when she has no support – or even is suffering violence – from the near ones. And yet the little person is desperately begging for love. For not being rejected. Because he or she feels deeply the pain of rejection; it fills them with horror.

And so much depends on the fathers: to give a woman, who is just becoming the mother of their children, a sense of safety. When she feels loved and protected, she will announce to the whole world that a new human being has just started happening!

And even if deserted by everyone, she can always remember that God himself, “the Mighty Warrior”, takes her under His protection – the first one to feel the pain of her isolation, the first – to admire her motherhood. And He will take care of everything.

Małgosia i Dosia

“You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. ” (John 16:20)

The whole world is running, putting a huge effort and resources in looking for entertainment, adrenaline, joke – but in fact, it does not cease to be sad.

Jesus knows this and grants us joy. The joy of which He is the source. The closer we stay to Him, the easier it is to survive the sorrows of everyday life and find the strength to overcome new ones. The closer we get to Him, the easier it is to show this joy to the others, for example by a sincere smile.

So: smile! 🙂

Dosia

“I no longer call you servants … Instead, I have called you friends.”

He knows you, He knows you by your name (John 10:3). He’s found you worthy of His friendship and trust, and He gives you His time and attention – as once He gave His life away for you.

You’ll get to know Him by sharing your life with Him. As it happens in true friendship – you’ll get to know Him in need.

Dosia

“He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”  (John 15:2)

Jesus won’t give up on us so easily, we cost Him too much.* He wants us to grow, to develop, to transform our thinking. That’s why He demands from us. Every “cutting” and “pruning” hurts (as when you visit your dentist). After such treatment, however, we are more beautiful and mature.

^* Padre Pio used to say that.

Dosia

“The church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace” (Acts 9:31)

We’re packing up and are going to leave soon for the Czech Republic, to do a bit of sightseeing. We’ll meet our friends there – our brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ.

As Peter in todays reading from the Acts. But wherever he showed up, there was a miracle. And before there was a miracle – he stayed alone in the room and prayed. He wanted to recognize God’s will.

I wouldn’t like not to have time for the Lord during this long weekend. If I do – maybe He will make Me the tool of His love.

Hugs,

Dosia