The Kingdom of God is an experience of liberation, peace, and justice; we were made for this flourishing along with all Creation. So, we are challenged to consider what gets in the way of such goodness. What holds us back? Most would admit it’s easy for us to become slaves to our attachments: pride, possessions, a sense of control. We may prefer to maintain our comfort zones than surrender to God’s mystery.
Personally, a lot of the time, I know I’d rather stay stuck in my bad habits than to try to make a change. But Jesus calls us to be humble, to unite with him, to be open to the metanoia he offers. We are free to let go.
Amen. :)
If the Son has set you free, you are free indeed! Lord help us to embrace the freedom that you so lavishly grant us, Amen.
Continue with the same topic on the relationship of the law and my faith... *** The slave under the law (my way) and the freedom under my faith (His way) in Galatians 4:21-23, "Tell me, you who want to live under the law, do you know what the law actually says? The Scriptures say that Abraham had two sons, one from his slave wife and one from his freeborn wife. The son of the slave wife was born in a human attempt to bring about the fulfillment of God’s promise. But the son of the freeborn wife was born as God’s own fulfillment of His promise!" *** You can choose whether to be slave or free in Galatians 4:24-26, "These two women serve as an illustration of God’s two covenants. The first woman, Hagar, represents Mount Sinai where people received the law (the ten commandments) that enslaved them. And now Jerusalem is just like Mount Sinai in Arabia, because she and her children live in slavery to the law. But the other woman, Sarah, represents the heavenly Jerusalem. She is the free woman, and she is our mother!" *** Choose freedom (in Christ) in Galatians 4:30-31, "But what do the Scriptures say about that? “Get rid of the slave and her son, for the son of the slave woman will not share the inheritance with the free woman’s son.” So, dear brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman; we are children of the free woman." ******* Doesn't it sound like God has no mercy on Hagar and Ishmael from an earthly and human perspectives? If you know God and His character (merciful), then you know the answer to that question! Then why did God get rid of Hagar and Ishmael? *** God knew this human happening will create the conflicts in the middle east for a long long long time even today until Jesus comes back again!!! Genesis 16:9-12, "The angel of the Lord said to her (Hagar), “Return to your mistress (Sarai), and submit to her authority.” Then He added, “I will give you more descendants than you can count.” And the angel also said, “You are now pregnant and will give birth to a son. You are to name him Ishmael (which means ‘God hears’), for the Lord has heard your cry of distress. This son of yours will be a wild man, as untamed as a wild donkey! He will raise his fist against everyone, and everyone will be against him. Yes, he will live in open hostility against all his relatives.” *** God always does the right thing (righteous) even when the right thing doesn't seem right to the human perspectives in Genesis 21:12-14, "But God told Abraham, “Do not be upset over the boy (Ishmael) and your servant (Hagar). Do whatever Sarah tells you, for Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted. But I will also make a nation of the descendants of Hagar’s son because he is your son, too.” So Abraham got up early the next morning, prepared food and a container of water, and strapped them on Hagar’s shoulders. Then he sent her away with their son, and she wandered aimlessly in the wilderness of Beersheba." *** Just because Hagar and Ishmael were not legitimate (illegal), they have to go away? Seriously? No compassion? What kind of God is He? *** Here is what happened in Genesis 21:15-21, "When the water was gone, she (Hagar) put the boy (Ishmael) in the shade of a bush. Then she went and sat down by herself about a hundred yards away. “I don’t want to watch the boy die,” she said, as she burst into tears. But God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, “Hagar, what’s wrong? Do not be afraid! God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. Go to him and comfort him, for I will make a great nation from his descendants.” Then God opened Hagar’s eyes, and she saw a well full of water. She quickly filled her water container and gave the boy a drink. And God was with the boy as he grew up in the wilderness. He became a skillful archer, and he settled in the wilderness of Paran. His mother arranged for him to marry a woman from the land of Egypt!" ******* My questions, "Are we going to be a slave (my way) helping God out and expediting on His promises? Or Ae we going to be free (His way) waiting on the Lord to fulfill His promises?"
Thank you, Sr. Julia for a thought provoking reflection. "I only seek in my old age to perfect that which I had not before thoroughly learned in my youth, because my sins were a hindrance to me." St. Patrick
Thank you Irene, I will keep that prayer close to my heart.
AMEN!
Amen!
Amen.☮️
Sr. Julia, I loved your finish of: We are free to let go! I frequently ask myself…why not try it, what’s the worst that can happen here? Thank you for sharing this with us. May we all experience our own metanoia today. Amen.
Lord please hear our prayers and bring your light to all those experiencing natural disasters, as well as those in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur, the Sudan, in addition to all those suffering around the world - also for their strength, courage and resilience to continue walking in faith. Send them your light. Father in Heaven, have mercy on us and on the whole world! You sent Your Son, the Prince of Peace, for the salvation of the world. We pray that the Peace of Christ will reign in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur and Sudan. Please protect and send aid to those in need and all who are at-risk. We pray for peace and rebuilding– we who are working towards it and for all those who are suffering or in danger from conflicts. We pray for an end to violence and war – we pray for wisdom for all leaders who have a hand in this. Lord God please help those in most need of thy mercy. Amen.
Amen :)
Thank you Sr. Julia, your reflection got me off to a flying start this morning. I am on my freedom journey and it’s been accelerating over the last few years. I have two scriptures that I hold close to my heart, John 8:31-32, To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” & John 14:5-6, Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. This morning I added Galatians 5:1. But it was when I checked a dictionary for the meaning of metanoia I was blown away (change in one's way of life resulting from penitence or spiritual conversion. "what he demanded of people was metanoia, repentance, a complete change of heart") I can’t wait to continue my journey of transformation today. The first truth I have learned is self truth, who I am, how I behave, think, manipulate. My closet fears, objectives, anxieties. Being true to myself and having complete faith in Gods guidance and support I have no fear on my adventurous journey, not anymore. Like any off the grid adventure I hit bumps on the road, I face crossroads without sign posts. The answer! Be still, wait on the Lord and He will show the way.
PeggyR Your comment mirrors my current situation with grand children. I have prayed daily that things will improve. We must be patient. It will in God's time not ours. Please pray for mine as I will pray for yours.
Thank you Patrick. Lord knows I need to repent to the Lord and prostrate myself to Him. My heart yearns for that freedom to allow my mind to focus on Him alone. What would Jesus ask me to do about my Autistic grandson who is now refusing to go to school and his 9 year old brother who is so self centered and consumed with material things that it literally keeps me awake at night. Lord, do I just “free” myself and let the cards fall as they may? Am I not faithful enough to You? There’s lots more to the story that it would take 3 pages of writing to let you know what’s going on. Jesus my Brother, your words are a comfort, but then reality hits and I begin to ruminate and my heart breaks for them. Why don’t I feel heartened by the Scriptures? I must be an unfaithful child of God.
Thanks Sr. Julia for sharing the metanoia of what our Lord offers... so wonderful of you to share with us Patrick...you gave me inspiration on this my young spiritual path
Thank you, Patrick. Love those scriptures!
Thank you Patrick! Taken to heart!
Excellent sharing, Patrick! Reminds me of Psalm 139:23-24, “God, see what is in my heart. Know what is there. Test me. Know what I’m thinking. See if there’s anything in my life you don’t like. Help me live in the way that is always right!” Amen ✝️
Patrick, what a wonderful post! Those are two of my favorite scriptures as well. Keep Jesus close on your life adventure.
Patrick! I loved your post and had just been saying a Transformation prayer this a.m. Hoping God will work His transformation through me and show me the way. Amen.
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Thank you Salina for Psalm 139. It’s perfect, that is what I have been praying for (not in the exact same words) over the years. The removal team from Heaven was busy for a while, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. Alleluia