Normandt' meditations

[Normandt]

335. Our concern is to teach


Paul recommends dedication to his beloved son, Titus:
“You must say what is consistent with sound doctrine, namely.” Titus, chapter 2, verse 1

Titus also receives some guidance for the homily. Paul says to him:
“Showing yourself as a model of good deeds in every respect, with integrity in your teaching, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be criticized.” Titus, chapter 2, verses 7 to 8

Paul teaches (evangelizes) his best in the days that is his. What he proposes are good recommendations for everyone:
“Our saviour Jesus Christ, gave himself for us to deliver us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people as his own, eager to do what is good.” Titus, chapter 2, verses 13 to 14

Jesus seeks in each person the one who will transmit his message to the world.

The Church has always had the concern to teach in the midst of customs, cultures, people of her time. Let’s adjust to the people of our time. We are with them, now.

With what was raised earlier in the text, we see that there are many beautiful attitudes that we can already include in our lives with healthy, caring gestures and words.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart’s mission, Normand Thomas

 

[Normandt]

336. Teaching is necessary


Jesus is with the Apostles and he wants to find a better place to speak to the crowd gathered around him to listen to his Word. He gets into Simon Peter’s boat and asks him to paddle from the shore so that his voice is better heard:
“Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.” Luke, chapter 5, verse 3

Simon’s boat represents the craft of the Church. And Jesus wants to teach Simon Peter that teaching is a necessity to make known the will of God. The Church, in foundation, in becoming, will be invested to teach (to evangelize) the Gospel to numerous crowds.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart’s mission, Normand Thomas

 

[Normandt]

337. Faith unites


The fear of a responsible person is that the disciples begin to scatter when he’s no longer around. We say, “When the cat leaves, the mice dance!” However, the principle that keeps a group together is not only the leader.

The faith of all members weighs in the balance against the temptation to lead away from the Lord. Each member is responsible for staying in the boat.

Moreover, the Church is well organized so that no one is left alone. Jesus wanted Apostles gathered with him to participate in the foundation of the Church and to watch over its functioning, as well as its necessary laws, supporting freedom.

The Apostles also blessed other vocations, in the name of Jesus, who participate and continue the mission. And so on, until now. We need the support of each other’s faith, as in a relay race that leads humanity to the Heart of God.

Paul gives his last recommendations to the Church of Ephesus and at the same time, it’s as if he puts his confidence in their hands. The Church of Ephesus must now find the strength to organize themselves:
I ask you not to lose heart over my afflictions for you; this is your glory. For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that he may grant you in accord with the riches of his glory to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner self, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the holy ones what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to accomplish far more than all we ask or imagine, by the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians, chapter 3, verses 13 to 21

Paul knows he will not always be with the parishioners of Ephesus. He relies on their faith and union to follow Christ with the Spirit, in the Church, supported by the Father’s will.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The heart’s mission, Normand Thomas

 

[Normandt]

338. Help people


Let’s focus on this passage:
“Refuse no one the good on which he has a claim when it is in your power to do it for him.” Proverbs, chapter 3, verse 27

This sentence is surprising. Often, we think that we should never refuse our help. It’s full of common sense. But there are two nuances here.

The first nuance is that we should not refuse our help to someone, “which he has a claim”. Who deserves our help? Let’s say that each person deserves our help and deserves to find the Lord.

It might be easier to understand it as follows: “Where it is possible for us to help a person and we’re able to do so, let’s help them, whether they deserve it or not.”

The second nuance is wise: “when it is in your power to do it”. We’re not told to become needy to help or offer what is not ours, such as material, but to know how to recognize our personal resources and help as best we can, at the best of who we are. With discernment, we will know the percentage of what we can offer, if not everything. It is, however, enjoyable to share the graces that God gives us. They are always available, totally.

When we develop the service resources we have in us, we become more willing and effective in our interventions. Acknowledging our strengths and weaknesses is also a blessing within ourselves. Just thinking about it, we start helping ourselves.

We have only few resources. But together, when we form a helping group, we develop the resources and skills to better help others.

In the end, we must help our neighbour. But we must also know our strengths and limitations. Otherwise, we may be hurting more than we’re helping. But this should not stop us from trying to help others in the best way we can.
May we accept to learn at our own pace and be more precise of what we can offer. We do not all have the same resources, but our resources are used when they are well used and shared.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Fruit that lasts, Normand Thomas

 

[Normandt]

339. God’s light shines


Jesus illuminates our lantern:
“No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed; rather, he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light.” Luke, chapter 8, verse 16

When we pray and deepen our faith through readings and teachings, the Light of Christ will go through our life to enlighten us.
The following may seem surprising:
“To anyone who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he seems to have will be taken away.” Luke, chapter 8, verse 18

Let’s put this sentence before the light of God. He who receives Light through his relationship with God will enlighten more, since God will come through him for the good of his people. It becomes like the stained-glass windows of a church, illuminated by the sun. He allows the Light of the Trinity to pass through him.

But the person who’s not walking or even slowing down and moving away from the Light of God, he even loses the glimmer of what he thinks to hold back for himself.

Let’s let God’s Light shine in us so that receiving the best from him becomes light for our contemporaries. Let’s find ways to keep up with Jesus. It will be a wise step into the Light, as the rays of the sun pass through the clouds.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Fruit that lasts, Normand Thomas

 

[Normandt]

340. Humility


Paul tells us:
“Nor, indeed, did we ever appear with flattering speech, as you know, or with a pretext for greed - God is witness - nor did we seek praise from human beings, either from you or from others.” 1 Thessalonians, chapter 2, verses 5 to 6

We are christians, we never need to look for honours. This is interesting to find out if we are walking in the Lord’s will. These are christian values to place in our suitcase, for the road.

It’s too easy to take ourselves for someone else and not be ourselves. It’s easy to get into characters that are successful, that we see on TV or that we hear singing, and stop being ourselves. But the way of another person will never be our own personal way. We will never walk in his shoes.

We must not seek to build our personal kingdom, it would be wrong. We already have everything in the Kingdom of God:
“Happy those (…) who enjoys the law of the Lord, it is their joy; God’s law they study day and night. They are like a tree planted near streams of water, that yields its fruit in season.” Psalm 1, verses 1 to 3

To reach wisdom that comes from God, may we let God be God in our life. Better still, may we don’t rely on our own strength and let the wisdom of God pass through.

For that, let’s become very good friends of God. May we recognize the difference between our thinking and that of Jesus. Let’s become more and more filled with his presence. May we know when it is us or Jesus speaking through us.

By the way, we know when we’re talking or the person next door is talking. It should be the same for Jesus who goes through our words. We know when our thoughts come from Jesus or from us. There’s a difference.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Fruit that lasts, Normand Thomas

 

[Normandt]

341. Peter’s humility


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 new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: The Fruit that lasts, Normand Thomas