Normandt' meditations

117. Better to think a while


We have in our hearts a natural law that is a grace of God. It helps us to discern and choose between good and bad. It is better to remain stationary in the face of evil than to be trapped in it.

It is better to think a while than to act too quickly and engulf ourselves in evil. The drug is a striking example. It is better for children to learn at length about the negative effects of drugs, so that they can get around it, i.e. alcohol, all drugs, divination that places the pride of a person between God and others, selfishness and all that leads to evil.

Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to increase in us vigilance, courage, determination and constancy; to offer us his grace, as well as for the neighbour. If we want them, God gives us his graces.

May freedom always lead us to perfect goodness, with the desire to always return to the Paschal Meal that is placed upon the Altar of Love, by Christ, for us. It is the only true source that assures us a free and fulfilled life, thanks to the Life and Love of God.

May Mary and Joseph, who freely chose the will of God in them, inspire us with their total and definite “yes”. May our life be offered with joy to him who gave us his life, Jesus, for our well-being and for the salvation of the world.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: … for Love, Normand Thomas

118. God’s Love and Light


From God’s Love and Light, we can observe in ourselves and in people the shadows and the lights. Then, discern with wisdom what would be the best way to help.

If we move away from God, we close the shutters of the windows, and instead of having the full light of day, we glimpse at some rays that seek to join us. Again, it will be necessary to be aware of these rays and not worry too much for the specks of dust in it. Dust does not alter or define the purity of light.

The less we let the light in, the more we seek to protect our eyes. This phenomenon occurs during night time. When we wake up at night and open the light switch, our eyes close alone. We try to move away from the light. We even place our hands on our eyes. Even sometimes, we immediately turn off the light.

This is what happens when we move away from God. The less we seek God, the more we sink into darkness. We have trouble supporting what is clear and bright. Then we have difficulty receiving the power of his light. We may not find the door.

To flee the Light, to flee Wisdom, to flee the Love of God is already our judgment. The judgment of others is not necessary since we judge ourselves. We develop a fear of God, we close the Light … on God. Then we dig deeper into the illusion that we are better, surrounded by our defences, going deep down and away from the Light.

This passage of wisdom has been transmitted for our greatest joy:
“If you choose you can keep the commandments; it is loyalty to do his will.” Sirach, chapter 15, verse 15

That’s totally God! He tells us: “If you choose.” Around a buffet, we choose whatever we want. It’s not for others to choose for us. They will also choose for themselves.

It’s also up to each of us to remain faithful and to unite our life to Jesus or not. We are free, we are responsible for our faith. If we accept what God offers us, then we will have an overflowing buffet where everything will be good for us and for humanity.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: … for Love, Normand Thomas

119. Immense Love


The author continues:
“Before man are life and death, whichever he chooses shall be given him.” Sirach, chapter 15, verse 17

According to the choice of each person, life is proposed to them by God and death remains a personal choice … “whichever he chooses”. It’s not God’s choice. Death is not God’s choice. He does not offer us this choice.

The choice for death is nothing but the rejection of God’s Love, the refusal to let us love God, the refusal to welcome him and share the immense love that everyone expects. The refusal to receive Jesus’ Love leads to evil and finally, to death.

Yet it is much easier to share what we receive. The buffet is not only there for us. Let’s receive the Love of God and share it.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: … for Love, Normand Thomas

120. We want what God offers us​

This sentence, which makes us smile, allows us to meditate and deepen it:
“No man does he command to sin, to none does he give strength for lies.” Sirach, chapter 15, verse 20

God commands nothing that is destructive to us and to our neighbour: “To none does he give strength for lies.” He does not allow anyone to sin. Sin is not God’s choice. God does not impose anything on us.

Let’s say it like this: “He did not allow anyone to be stupid.” Because the lack of intelligence, understanding and reflection is the sign of a closure to God and to others.

We are free as wind, free as children of God. It is up to us to discern and want what God offers us.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: … for Love, Normand Thomas

121. The Light of our lamp


Paul understood:
“We do speak a wisdom to those who are mature, but not a wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age who are passing away.” 1 Corinthians, chapter 2, verse 6

We are entertained … while we are far from reality. The world, more specifically the mundane, entertains us and moves us away from good.

“The ruler of this age”, mentioned by Paul, is usually the power that submits the neighbour. They entertain us while we pay or others pay the price.
The only one that can lead us to reality is Jesus:
“You, Lord, give light to my lamp; my God brightens the darkness about me.” Psalm 18, verse 29

Jesus is “the Light” of our lamp if we welcome it. Night turns into day with the Lord.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: … for Love, Normand Thomas

122. Within His Truth


Caution:
“You were called for freedom, brothers. But do not use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh; rather, serve one another through love.” Galatians, chapter 5, verse 13

Our freedom lies in God’s welcome. Our freedom lies serving “one another through love”.

Jesus tells us:
“If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John, chapter 8, verses 31 to 32
Do we want to follow Jesus? Do we want to live within his truth? May we give our heart to Jesus.

Do we want to love the neighbour? Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to Love with our hearts.

We want to live forever? Let’s ask the Father to lead us to Jesus who is the Way, the Truth and the Life.

Jesus invites us to deeply meditate on his will. The others will not think about it for us. It is our responsibility to constantly ask Jesus to cleanse us, so we can grasp all the good that we can achieve for the world, in the world.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: … for Love, Normand Thomas

123. One decision in life


May Jesus clean out our heart by his presence. The pure heart is the heart (the person) who emerges from evil and advances toward good, continually. May we let God simply Love us, like a child:
“Let the children come to me and do not prevent them.” Luke, chapter 18, verse 16

We have one important decision in life. Jesus.

To welcome the Love of God or to refuse it? It is the key of our responsibility, the opening toward our freedom. If we accept the Love of God, we move toward him, if we refuse, we slip into evil.

Let’s share and receive God’s Love between us. It’s too simple. It is the only path that leads to the pierced Heart of God. Let’s go in often. May God manage our life, since he shapes us with Love.

If we really want to find ways to come back to God, we will have to be aware of what we are experiencing inside and outside of us. Jesus always chases us with his Love, he is with us with open Heart and always ready to receive us.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: … for Love, Normand Thomas

124. We want it, Lord


“The Advocate, the holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name - he will teach you everything and remind you of all that (I) told you.” John, chapter 14, verse 26

We want it, Lord, your Spirit of Truth. This is the first request to be made to the Trinity. We want to welcome the Spirit of Truth, the Spirit of Jesus and of the Father.

The truth is sometimes difficult to pin down. Several situations and obstacles caused by some people made us fear the truth.

And the truth that is most difficult to grasp, even to accept, is the one within us, the one that moves us from within, until it leads us to the shore of freedom.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: … for Love, Normand Thomas

125. Talk about Jesus


Jesus declares to his disciples:
“Everyone who acknowledges me before others the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God.” Luke, chapter 12, verse 8
That’s true! But what does Jesus want us to say about him? The truth.

But what is the truth for us? This is much more delicate. To talk about Jesus (or a person), we need to spend time with him, walk together, share together and read what is said about him, enter into communion and communicate with him. May we dare a conversion to his Heart.

Above all, if we want to talk about Jesus, let’s make sure we know ourselves well enough. Because a person who has not taken some time to listen to his own life will hardly put into perspective the reality of another person, especially Jesus’s life. It’s a daily reflection to discover ourselves and to know ourselves in reality and truth.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: … for Love, Normand Thomas

126. Love on and in us


In the Gospels, there’s a lot of information about Jesus. His presence, at the heart of our history, is particularly relevant to the history of his time. He is Jewish and he is surrounded by people who testify to his presence.

There are libraries lined up with books about him. From all that we can read about Jesus and to discern how he really is, may we ask a Person who knows him well to inform us. We want the Spirit of Truth!

Only the Holy Spirit and the Father truly know Jesus. Well, Jesus knows himself too. But how do we grasp the Holy Spirit if we do not see him? Let’s ask for his Love on us and in us, and we will gradually discover the truth Jesus is.

The more we develop our relationship with Jesus, the more we will know him. Lesser we approach Jesus, lesser we will know him.

Jesus gave us the Church to help us know him better. The Church will offer us the best documents to get in touch with him. Surely, our welcoming the Church and the Trinity will be necessary.

Only the Love of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit leads us to the truth about God, about us and about the people around us. It takes a daily and lifelong conversion from our heart to the Heart of God.

Let’s always begin with Love to know the Trinity. If there is lack of love, it’s not Jesus, it’s not the Trinity.

This step of faith in the Trinity will make the road easier and we will see it develop and operate in the hearts of people.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: … for Love, Normand Thomas

127. Hand it over to the Lord


Listening to ourselves will help us greatly. To offer ourselves a little time to check our interior can avoid many unpleasant situations. Taking time to watch our daily movie will be the best movie we’ll see every evening and for life.

There is no more “reality” than the unfolding of our life. It will teach us a lot about our thoughts, our attitudes and our actions. Let’s appreciate these moments that allow us to adjust, to know ourselves better and this practice will help to continue on the road, to live joyfully.

Before we get to bed, we can check how the day went. Who did we meet during the day? Where did we meet people? How did we welcome them? How did they greet us?

To live with the desire that God may be the only master of our life requires efforts to live in reality, in search for truth and goodness. To pray with an open heart to God is also a way of keeping us from harm.

Have we listened to ourselves and to others? We learn a lot when we are in small groups sharing on topics of faith, hope, charity, exchanges on the Word of God and pray together.

Have we handed over to the Lord what seems wrong, the negative words we’ve heard, for example? Did we suffer the pain and weeping of the person who confided in us? Have we handed over the distress, the anguish of some people to Jesus? Have we remained calm and have we played down difficult situations? Are we becoming instruments of peace?

These are some questions that can help us improve and clean up our thoughts and memory. Above all, we are invited to give everything to Jesus. He’s the only one who can free our being from all that is negative, sadness, sorrow. Let’s become friends with ourselves. May we engage in joy, hope, peace.

Let’s always place ourselves under the Love of God and we will see that we still have much to achieve, little by little, while respecting our limits. Let’s respect the direction of the sailing, the direction of our journey to the eternal shore.

Let’s offer the joy and sorrow to Jesus and believe that he will rejoice in joy with us, and with the sorrow he will transform it, free us, so that we can move evermore freely with him, toward him. Let’s prepare our heart for the Presence of Jesus. He is present. Let’s talk to him, freely.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: … for Love, Normand Thomas

128. Ask for the graces


God knows that, despite efforts, we are sometimes at fault and we are struggling. Nobody is perfect and Jesus doesn’t necessarily demand perfection of who we are and in what we do. Let’s accept to not be perfect. We will make mistakes, we will sin. He simply asks us to share his Love. His Love will do its work and triumph in our heart, and we will feel its benefits, and we will see its deployment.

He wants us to be more and more like him and work toward the perfection of our being. Let’s accept to be where we are right now. We move forward with who we are and what we live with. We’re doing our best.

Let’s abide in Jesus who embraces our heart despite the sorrows, the sickness, the errors, the lack of interest, the forgetfulness, the mistakes.
Let’s be quick to ask for the graces of the Holy Spirit in activities, really all activities, so that it illuminates, inspire our efforts and our sharing. May the Lord remain with us at work, at home and while participating in activities.

Let’s pray wherever we can, and whenever possible at every moment.
Sometimes we go different ways for several reasons. But if our heart is ready, we will be redirected to the one who opens his Heart to us, Jesus.

Jesus welcomes us as soon as we return silently (humbly) every evening to him. May the Lord watch over us, let him answer us and save us from whatever tries to lead us away from eternity. May our heart find comfort in him, night and day.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: … for Love, Normand Thomas

to that Citizen of the kingdom

129. Deeper into God’s Love


The Holy Spirit helps us in faith as Paul says:
“In the same way, the Spirit too comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit itself intercedes with inexpressible groaning. And the one who searches hearts knows what the intention of the Spirit is, because it intercedes for the holy ones according to God’s will. We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” Romans, chapter 8, verses 26 to 28

To love God is first of all to welcome him in us. Paul tells us that there is a reality that we’re going to live, whether we know Christ or not:
“The world in its present form is passing away.” 1 Corinthians, chapter 7, verse 31b

This world in which we live, this world visible to our eyes will not remain. Our eyes will one day see the reality and the truth, as well as our forthcoming transformation, until then more or less successful, when entering into eternal life.

We go through life to learn to love one another, from Love. God’s reign is near every person. Jesus invites us to continually convert in order to be as free as possible when we appear before him.

This doesn’t mean to make ulcers and headaches with our faults, since we give them to Jesus. It simply means finding all the means to enter deeper into God’s Love.

Let’s not live in the regrets of the past with the memory of the wounds piling up and weighing down on our hearts. We have the right to live free from everything that assails and suffocates us.

It’s important not to keep our eyes fixed on our faults, but to find ways to get rid of them, in order to approach God. Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to help us find solutions, then continue to develop faith received from the Lord by letting us heal through Jesus.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: … for Love, Normand Thomas

130. God Loves us


Sooner or later, and we may have heard it, we hear people who seem to have taken control of their lives. They will say things that seem to place them above God. The most fragile will often follow or begin to act or live like them.

The habit of evil, the one we no longer see in ourselves, leads others to turn away from good. All that’s against God leads the most vulnerable to move away from him. May we not reject God. He is the one who Loves us.

Here is a striking example of an intermission during the broadcast of a major news station in the United States. A man is promoting for atheist people, paid by his association. He speaks for them and at the same time, he makes fun of christians. He initiates and strongly invites to become an atheist (although the “atheist” does not really exist), to deny their christian faith. He adds that he is not afraid of burning in hell. These are his last words.

May we pray for him and for those who could follow his ideal.
He turns people away from christianity. He also cuts the bridge between him and God. And what he says risks driving him where he doesn’t wish to go. He doesn’t understand what he is saying. He doesn’t perceive the consequences of his words which block his way and that of others toward God.

Nobody wants to go to hell. But still his words are said. He is convinced of this lie and he risks driving away other people from God. What a bizarre setting! He has a great need to ask God and humans for forgiveness. Let’s pray that his heart will open to the Trinity and to the recognition of Love.
Let’s be careful with what we ask. We do not know how far we can get away from God and away from other people too. This has the effect of increasing evil in the world.

Let’s pray that people, who develop an aversive feeling against God, that their hearts be touched and live a profound conversion.

Then let’s give thanks to the Lord, once again, for all those who are truly embarking on the reality of perfecting of faith. Contrary to this last testimony against faith and against God, they allow us to see the manifestation of the Lord in their life. They simply make us understand, by their gestures and their attitudes, by their words and their writings that we need to continue our journey toward holiness!

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: … for Love, Normand Thomas

131. Getting closer to God


If we let ourselves be trapped by sin regularly, and often the same ones come back, let’s put them in order of priority, the worst ones first. Then, let’s strive to eliminate them from our life experience.

We can decrease sugar consumption, stop wasting time, for example. The efforts we make to eliminate the small mistakes help us practice to deal with the bigger sins, later on. Also, they will have less influence, because they will not be supported by the smallest sins. We must never underestimate the smallest sins! They are vigorous!

Often it’s just a bad habit. Let’s replace it with a healthier one. We can also play tricks on ourselves. As we go, let’s change our habit and move on. If it’s the sugar-filled drink, for example, let’s cut the pace and the amount with another healthier drink that will eventually replace it. These are ideas. You can find ideas that suit you better.

We propose above all to be creative, in order to eliminate as much as possible what can keep us away from a conversion to Jesus, then to keep us away from other unhealthy attachments. These are ways of getting closer to God. And for faith, for love, let’s replace evil with a healthier, holiest way of being.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: … for Love, Normand Thomas

132. Jesus in our life


Jesus says:
“This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” Mark, chapter 1, verse 15

If the kingdom of God is near, we are also close to God. Very often, when we make a small mistake, we think we are very far from God.

But God did not move. He did not make this mistake for us and by us. However, he is right next to us. He remains close to us. More than that, he is in us. He Loves us and he wants us to be in him too.

The best way to remain holy is to realize everything with Jesus, to keep him close to us, everywhere, to include him in our research, our thoughts, our activities. In spite of the fault, any fault, let’s return constantly to God.

Jesus will convert us if we invite him to be our Lord and Saviour. We can also invite him to make himself present in the lives of all the people around us, at work, at home, at school, in the parish church, at the grocery store, in our travels.

Keeping Jesus in our life guarantees us a simpler life, with an increase of peace and joy. Others will see and benefit from it.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: … for Love, Normand Thomas

133. God has transformed our life


Whether we are with Jesus or not, the difficulties of life will arise and we will have to go through these trials. It’s in fact much better to go through a trial with Jesus than without him.

How many times have we met a person in Jesus who walks freely through trials, while others who do not know him feel the weight of suffering that often seems insurmountable; suffering that is often linked to the past.

The difference is impressive. To live our trials without Jesus gives us the impression of being abandoned, alone. Then, the test becomes devastating.
To live our trials with Jesus is to grow in faith trusting in him. To trust Jesus is the sign of a healthy faith, despite the trials. So we will get better passing through the pitfalls of life.

When it’s stormy and we still dare to go somewhere, when we arrive, we’ll tell ourselves that we did well to go after all.

The storms of life are sometimes difficult. Of course, it’s not always easy. With the decision to continue with Jesus, the road is more pleasant. Jesus opens the way.

We are getting there in faith. We are happy for every step we take. Only the decision to live the test with Jesus can free us to a great extent and at best from fear and evil.

We can say with the psalmist:
Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my saviour. For you I wait all the long day, because of your goodness, Lord. Psalm 25, verses 4 to 5a

We are passing through the trials of this world and we are worshiping more and more the Lord who keeps on being with us. The door opens in front of us and then we can share our conversion experience with others.

Let’s live in joy as this world passes and savour true life in God. Let’s receive and cherish the Love of God in us. May we appreciate all that God has already transformed in our life. Let’s keep him with us and we will appreciate him more. He Loves us with infinite Love.

Why not try the experiment with Jesus? It will be the best decision we’ll ever take, for life.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: … for Love, Normand Thomas

134. The tasty fruit of conversion


Paul reveals how to recognize the grace of God in people who are experiencing hardships:
“In a severe test of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their profound poverty overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.” 2 Corinthians, chapter 8, verse 2

We note that Paul did not say that God subjected them to “a severe test of affliction”, but that they were “in a severe test of affliction”. This “severe test of affliction” comes from them or other people, not from God.

This affliction is “testing” them. And there are trials in life. What characterizes the grace of God in these people is that “the abundance of their joy and their profound poverty overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part”.

Of course it’s not easy. But, in spite of the trials and sufferings, Paul experiences God’s grace simply because of the abundance of the joy, the extreme poverty which characterizes them and which overflows “in a wealth of generosity”.

They knew how to ignore their trials and let God’s grace pass through them. This allows these people to let their distress turn into a tasty fruit of conversion. They need grace to not put their suffering back on others or on God. Grace transforms their way of life. This last passage is to be meditated often. It is quite impressive that by the grace of God we can increase joy, even during trial and suffering.

It’s now impossible not to turn to Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and see in her, who lived in the midst of a time of trial, a life filled with a joyful and Immaculate Heart. She who let radiate the grace of God in her and whose radiance she received passes through all ages. (Magnificat, Luke, chapter 1, verses 45-55)

“The Love of God was revealed to us,” 1 John, chapter 4, verse 9

also by the “yes” of Mary. This is what we are also invited to do. To receive, then radiate the grace of God. God’s Love is manifested in shared love, in peace, joy, hope, prayer, etc.

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: … for Love, Normand Thomas