Monday, March 10, 2014

Seek and See!


 Jesus saw a tax collector 
named Levi sitting at the customs post. 
He said to him, "Follow me." Luke 5:27

When Pope Francis was asked in an interview,
 “Who is Jorge Mario Bergoglio?” , 
he answered, "I am a sinner."


“When I had to come to Rome," he continued, 
"I always stayed in [the neighborhood of] Via della Scrofa. 
From there I often visited the Church of St. Louis of France, 
and I went there to contemplate the painting of 
‘The Calling of St. Matthew,’ by Caravaggio.” 
“That finger of Jesus, pointing at Matthew. That’s me.
 I feel like him. Like Matthew.” 

Here the pope becomes determined, 
as if he had finally found the image he was looking for: 
“It is the gesture of Matthew that strikes me: 
he holds on to his money as if to say, 
‘No, not me! No, this money is mine.’ 
Here, this is me, a sinner 
on whom the Lord has turned his gaze. 
And this is what I said when they asked me 
if I would accept my election as pontiff.” 
Then the pope whispers in Latin:
 “I am a sinner, but I trust in the 
infinite mercy and patience of 
our Lord Jesus Christ, and 
I accept in a spirit of penance.”

During this season of Lent, of renewal, 
God is also calling us to turn away 
from some things, and come follow Him. 
We can say, just like Pope Francis, 
"I am a sinner, but I trust in the 
infinite mercy and patience 
of our Lord Jesus Christ, and 
I accept Your will in a spirit of penance.”

 "Whatever you did to
the least of these brothers of mine, 
you did for me."
Mt.25:40

When a man named Bill visited a prison,
 the chaplain reminded him, 
"If Matthew 25 is correct, 
you didn't come to bring Jesus to these guys,
you came to find Him!"

 Sometimes when we give
to the poor, donate during calamities, 
visit the prisoners,we do it 
from a mindset of being "Jesus" to them. 
But Mt.25:40 
asks us to SEEK and SEE Jesus in them!

 Jesus said in reply,
 "It is written: Man does not live by bread alone, 
but on EVERY WORD that comes forth from the mouth of God."
 Mt.4:4. 
Jesus is quoting from the Book of Deuteronomy, 
showing us what we should do 
when the enemy attacks us 
with his many deceptions. 
"If you are the son of God," he actually taunts Jesus! 
So he taunts us too! 

He hits us where it hurts 
because he knows insecure people 
hurt others, can become arrogant, and mean. 
So next time the devil whispers in your ear, 
"God does not love you!" , "You are unimportant!", 
"You are a failure!", 
we should do as Jesus did! 
Use the ammunition God gave us- 
His Word! 
Feed on the truth!


 
I find a lot of inspiration

visiting here:

So many WONDERFUL blogfriends

to discover!



Because I love blog parties,
I decided to host one of my own!
And if I find a post that I feel
is really a work of HeART,
I'll enter it here myself!
I decided to use this
as a way to keep favorite posts! 
Haven't made a button yet,
but I will soon!

4 comments:

  1. Thanks for the inspirational sharing Sister!
    Yes, thanks to Jesus who cleansed us for all sins and now we are God's children. Purified to do God's will:)
    Have a nice week:)

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  2. A picture that is worth a thousand words. Thank you for sharing this wonderful art with us at Word Art Wednesday today. Blessings, Carole DT

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  3. Another wonderful post, and more beautiful art. I always greatly enjoy stopping by your blog, Patsy. You remain in my prayers.
    Karen
    Word Art Wednesday

    ReplyDelete
  4. I am always so inspired when I stop by here, Patsy. I love your beautiful heat.

    ReplyDelete

I am so glad you dropped by! You are a blessing!
:^) Patsy