“Most men will proclaim each his own goodness,
But who can find a faithful man?”
Proverbs 20: 6.
Uncategorized
Words of Wisdom
Dealing with Fights
“Better is a dry morsel with quietness, than a house full of feasting with strife.”
Proverbs 17: 1.
What You Get is not What You See
“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.”
Proverbs 14: 12
The Blessings of the Righteous
“Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.”
Proverbs 10: 6.
Divine Wisdom
“The Lord possessed me
at the beginning of His way,
Before His works of old.”
Proverbs 8: 22
A Matter of Life and Death
“For the commandment is a lamp,
And the law a light;
Reproofs of instruction
are the way of life.”
Proverbs 6: 23. NKJV
From Ears to Feet
“Ponder the path of your feet,
Andlet all your ways be established. Do not turn to the right or the left; Removeyour foot from evil.”
Proverbs 4: 26 -27. NKJV
The Call of Wisdom
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
But fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
(Proverbs 1: 7, NKJV)
Our Certitudes
Augustine, the church father of the fifth century, was very close in his youth to the groups inspired by the Manichaeism, a major Gnostic religion of his time, founded by Mani, an Iranian prophet. It is interesting to note why he didn’t finally accept to follow their teachings. He found that they are not always pertinent regarding their own identity. They were able to contradict the positions of others and not necessarily capable to explain their own philosophy with conviction. Here is the quotation from his book “De Utilitate Credendi: “But what reason, on the other hand, recalled me, not to be altogether joined to them, so that I continued in that rank which they call of Hearers, so that I resigned not the hope and business of this world; save that I noticed that they also are rather eloquent and full in refutation of others, than abide firm and sure in proof of what is their own.” (p. 2.)
We can also have the same attitude. As we hear the position of others, we are very talented to discover the errors in their reasoning. However, we don’t spend enough of time to clarify our own position, to be familiar with what we strongly believe, and to determine what the important values in our life are. Thus, we are easily shaken in our convictions and the result is that almost insignificant things can change the directions of our entire life.
The apostle Paul said it eloquently: “I’m not ashamed [of my faith] for I know whom I have believed.” (2 Timothy 1:12)
Therefore, take time to understand who you are, what you believe, and what is the essence of your identity. And when you discover your certitudes, don’t spend too much time in fighting the positions of others. May all your focus be on the truth that you have discovered. Fight for the truth you know and be kind with those who don’t know what you know. May through this standpoint you become more tolerant of others and less confused about yourself. And this is really worthy of all your efforts.
SANCTO SUBITO IN CHRISTO
“We decl
are and define as saints the blessed John XXII and John Paul II.” The Pope Francis, on behalf of the Catholic Church, canonized the two predecessors during an important ceremony with more than one million people in attendance.
The current Pope presented the John XXIII in the following terms: ‘I like to think of him as the pope of openness to the Holy Spirit.” Probably, this is the allusion to the courage of John XXIII to call for the council Vatican II, while nobody expected it, and to stay open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit during his short ministry. The words of Francis regarding the pope John-Paul II were interesting: “In his own service to the People of God, Saint John Paul II was the pope of the family. He himself once said that he wanted to be remembered as the pope of the family.”
From the beginning of the Christian church two thousand years ago we can mention 265 popes. 80 of them were canonized and 11 came to the level of beatification.
We fully agree that the guidance of the Holy Spirit is essential in Christian life. Also, more and more, the family is under attack, and it is important to use all means to defend it and to promote the quality of life in this basic, essential unit of the social life. If families are strong, the society will be strong. Destroy the families, and you will destroy the society.
However, thinking biblically, the question of promoting people to become saints is totally different. Only God is qualified to judge our level of spiritual growth. And the apostle Paul says: “But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God – and righteousness and sanctification and redemption.” (1 Corinthians 1: 30). Thus, we are considered as saints, because of Jesus who became our sanctification.
So, don’t worry. If you are really interested to become a saint, in the right, biblical way, the procedure is much easier to follow than a long procedure of becoming a venerable, blessed, and finally saint. You need to accept Jesus as your personal Saviour, to surrender your heart to Him, and to follow Him through the power of the Holy Spirit.
In addition, I prefer the idea of Nelson Mandela. He said, “I’m not a saint, unless you think of a saint as a sinner who keeps on trying.” And we need to include to his concept another essential thought. Not only to try, but to act, not by our power, but through the power of Jesus Christ. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4: 13).
This is also the meaning of our title: ‘Sancto Subito in Christo’: to become a saint immediately in Christ.