28 February 2007

Food Sacrificed to Idols

[Wednesday, 2/28] 1 Corinthians Ch 8

We hear today a discourse on whether or not it is appropriate to eat food sacrificed to idols. Here is an excerpt from www.rationalchristianity.net on this-

"Paul's teaching, which he explains in Romans 14:14-23 and 1 Corinthians 8:4-13, is that eating food sacrificed to idols is not wrong in and of itself, but is better avoided for the sake of Christians who think it is wrong and would consequently be led into sin (Rom 14:23).

While eating food that has been sacrificed to idols is not wrong, participating in idol worship is. Part of the idol worship of the time may have involved sacrificing meat to an idol and then feasting on the meat in celebration of the idol. In this case, participating in the feast would be participating in the worship of the idol, just as partaking of Communion is an act of worshipping Christ - a parallel Paul draws in 1 Corinthians 10:15-18. Therefore vv. 20-21 refer to eating sacrificed meat at an idol feast and thus practicing idolatry (as opposed to buying sacrificed meat in the market, or eating sacrificed meat at an ordinary meal in someone's home)."

This passage always strikes me as a perfect example of Christ-centered living. Paul indicates that there is nothing objectively wrong with eating meat sacrificed to idols- but that if what he eats "causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall."

If Christ is at the center of our lives, we will consider in each situation how our actions GLORIFY HIM, and how we can build up the faith of our brothers and sisters.

27 February 2007

Houses on the Rock

[Tuesday, 2/27]
1 Corinthians 7 v.29 "What I mean brothers, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none; those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away."

The time is short. The Lord could return at any time. Any given moment could be our last, and if we are not careful- everything we have worked for may waste away. As we heard a few days ago, "Each one should be careful how he builds...everyone's work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light."

When Jesus comes back, it will no longer matter what your SAT score was. No one will remember if you dressed well, or knew the finishing scores of every SuperBowl. The only thing that will matter is what you have built your life upon.

Have you built your life on the Rock- on God? Is this reflected in the nuts and bolts of your life- do you give Him the best hours of your day, do you consider how He would want you to live?

To truly live life to the fullest, we must acknowledge that HE is our source, the wellspring of all that we do. In the silent moments of your day, ACKNOWLEDGE Him, THANK Him, and ASK Him for courage to live your life for Him.

26 February 2007

1 Cor 5 + 6

[Monday 2/26]
Ch 6 v19 "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body."

--> You are not your own. How often we consider our future, and how rarely do we consider what God would want for our future. Again, so many enormous life decisions- we just float through, deciding on our own, without consulting OUR MAKER. In the same way, in our relationships with one another in the world, are we honoring God with our bodies? The way we dress, move, act, speak- all that we do emanates from our body. Are we honoring HIM with our bodies?

Pope John Paul II thought the body was so important that he wrote an entire Theology of the Body, saying that the body was the most significant piece of evidence that God left for us about HIS purposes for the human person. Male and female bodies are complimentary, and from this we can see that we are created for relationship. Are we honoring HIM in our relationships?

[1st Sunday of Lent]
Ch 5 v7+8- Yesterday's reading, "For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with bread without yeast, the bread of sincerity and truth."

--> What is the Therefore, there for? We are called to "Keep the Festival" of the Passover-- in which the Jewish peoples ate bread without yeast, signifying their readyness to follow God anywhere, without waiting for the yeast to rise. We are called to be ready in sincerity and truth: BECAUSE HE has been sacrificed.

25 February 2007

The Life

Saturday, 2/24

"The glory of God is man fully alive" - St Irenaeus

We've heard this quote many times, and we imagine a life akin to those described by Oprah- fulfilling, joyful, reaching our full potential, and lots of laughter. And yes, this is often a part of the Christian life.

In today's reading, 1 Corinthians Ch 4, we hear "God has put us apostles on show right at the end, like men condemned to death: we have been exhibited as a spectacle to the whole universe, both angelic and human. Here we are, fools for Christ's sake...To this day we go short of food and drink and clothes, we are beaten up and we have no homes; we earn our living by labouring with our own hands...when we are insulted, we give a courteous answer."

The Christian life is to lead a life that would not make sense if God did not exist. That everything would hinge on that- on HIM. Living our lives generously for HIM, realizing that we are a spectacle for the whole world-- we are the main advertisement that God uses to draw all men to Himself.

The Church, and it's members, we are called to be holy, because as John Paul II said, "Holy people alone can renew humanity." Today let us consider how we can more fully resolve to BE HOLY, more fully resolve to REMEMBER our brothers and sisters throughout the world who suffer.

23 February 2007

Friday 2/23

v. 7 "Neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor."

---In the Christian life, we are called to minister to others through service. In the world, many who serve become puffed up with pride, yet here we see the heart of Christian service: to plant and to water while recognizing it is God who makes all things grow.. that we are not responsible for the outcome, and that it is ultimately HIM and HIM ALONE who will reward us. We need not seek any recognition or earthly reward, nor feel self-righteous-- all that we do is THROUGH HIM and FOR HIM, and we will be rewarded BY HIM.

22 February 2007

Thursday, 2/22

Day 2, 1 Corinthians Chapter 2.

Ch2 v6: "We do however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing."

Wisdom is one of the 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit, received in Confirmation. According to Wikipedia, "Wisdom- Wisdom is the ability, developed through experience, insight and reflection, to discern truth and exercise good judgment. Most psychologists regard wisdom as distinct from the cognitive abilities measured by standardized intelligence tests. Wisdom is often considered to be a trait that can be developed by experience, but not taught."

Do you see the gift of wisdom in your life? How can we discern truth and exercise good judgement (practice wisdom) more fully in our lives?

What are some ways we can surrender our lives more fully to Jesus this Lenten season?

21 February 2007

Ash Wednesday!

"Turn away from sin, and be faithful to the Gospel."

Lord Jesus- be with us this Lent, open our eyes, hearts, and minds to the Gospel. Teach us to Put Out into the Deep this Lenten season.

We begin Lent this year with ashes, a distinct sign to the world that our lives stem from the Cross, contrite hearts, and a longing for God.

Our first reading this season is from 1 Corinthians: Chapter 1:

Do Not Be Afraid! v. 8+9: "He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful."

Questions, Team?

20 February 2007

the Day before...

Villagers I wish you all a happy Mardi Gras, or what is left of it! Tomorrow we enter the desert :) and the glory of these forty days. God Bless!

17 February 2007

Lent

Hiya Villagers!
I hope your weekend is going well. Can't wait to see all you tomorrow at the VILLAGE!!! I want to say congrats to our very own theatrical star Maria Lams for her amazing performance in the Community production of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Great Job Maria!!!
On to a liturgical topic... Lent is just a few days away. This Lenten season our very own Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI has chosen the theme: "They will look upon him whom they have pierced." As we are preparing for Lent, we should all spend time in prayer looking upon Him whom we have pierced, and listen to what he is asking us to do for him. Through his mercy and unending love, Christ gives us the opportunity to lessen his suffering by doing the will of God. Listen to Jesus speak to your heart from the cross, he will draw you to himself and fill you with life giving water. In the last few days before Lent, I encourage you to think and pray about what Jesus may be asking you to do this Lent. God Bless!!!
Soon the Glory of these Forty days will be upon us!

12 February 2007

Lent

Hey Villagers!
Lent is almost upon us!!!! We mentioned yesterday that the three focuses in lent are:
Prayer, fasting and alms giving. I want to challenge you all to think about these three things and through prayer discover how Jesus is urging you to grow in holiness this Lent. It might be a good start to think about doing something for your Mind, body and spirit. For example, mind pick a spiritual book and read part of it each day. Body fast from something or choose to do something good for your body, like getting more sleep, drinking milk or eating more brussel sprouts. Then for your spirit give more time to Jesus in prayer and in helping others. The best way to increase your charity or divine love for others is to pray for an increase in charity.
More to Come!!

02 February 2007

The Presentation of Jesus

HAPPY FEAST DAY!!!!
Today, 40 days after Jesus was born, we celebrate the day Mary and Joseph present their new baby boy, the Savior of the world and the Word Incarnate to the Lord in the temple. "They took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord" Luke 2:22. Like Mary and Joseph, let us acknowledge what Christ has given to us, and in turn present everything back to him. Our Father in heaven wants us to recognize that He is the giver of all gifts and to give thanks to Him by offering Him those gifts for his service. Jesus wants everything, your joys, your sorrows, your accomplishments, your burdens, presnt them to the Lord, and then like Simeon we can say, "My eyes have seen your salvation" Luke 2:30.

God Bless Villagers!