Normandt' meditations

188. Going Forward





Paul tells us that:

“Whoever is in Christ is a new creation.” 2 Corinthians, chapter 5, verse 17a

This sentence challenges us. From now on, immediately, if we’re in Christ, we’re a “new creation”. Yet we remain ourselves, as we are. But instead of leaning towards evil, we move resolutely toward the good, the beautiful, the true, the real, following the Lord.



It’s good to know that our relationship with Jesus, that the efforts to come to Mass and create other spiritual activities make us new people in Christ. That is to say people who let themselves be modeled continuously by him. And if Jesus transforms us, every day we wake up as a new person, a person who lets in the light of God.



Of course, that doesn’t prevent the mosquitos from stinging us, or hurting here and there, but Jesus transforms us from the inside. Those who have experienced it can testify about it.



The new American Bible, 2011-2014

Book: Up! Let's go!, Normand Thomas

189. The desire to find God





Faith is at the heart of the human being and it’s transmitted where we are.

Our existence on earth passes quickly. We are constantly on the move and often we change places. And the people we meet might be around for a short period of time.



Sometimes we have a tiny opportunity to let faith that dwells in us appear. Hence, it’s the importance of finding simple but effective, true and awakening answers.



One of the big challenges is not knowing the others and coming to fear them. We tend to fear what we do not know and distance ourselves from certain people. But their difficult questions help us find answers.

We are asked to go to the lost sheep and offer what God gives us for them. The mission of evangelizing is now.



On every occasion that we are presented with a sheep who seeks alone, a sheep who doesn’t know Jesus, a sheep who is thirsty to hear his Word, we are the one sent to them. All sheep, without exception, consciously or not, have the desire to find God. And God places us on their way.



The new American Bible, 2011-2014

Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas

190. Let’s meet the sheep​

Jesus said to the twelve Apostles:
“Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’” Matthew, chapter 10, verses 6 to 7

Let’s go to the people who seek God. There are some who are like children of God without a shepherd. All the baptized or not are in search to discover faith in themselves.

Let’s proclaim that the Kingdom of God is near, that salvation has come, that Jesus is the Good News and that he is gathering his people for eternal joy!

The new American Bible, 2011-2014
Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas

191. Let’s personally decide to live in Love





John invites us to be cautious when comes time to choose. We have the choice to follow Christ or another way. He tells us about people who were with the Apostles, but who are no longer with them:

“They went out from us, but they were not really of our number; if they had been, they would have remained with us.” 1 John, chapter 2, verse 19



Sometimes, even in our churches, there may be people who are not with us, that is to say, who follow another doctrine than that of Jesus Christ.

Since we’re called not to judge, only God can know whether a person lives his faith authentically or not. We can, however, propose ourselves this question: “Does the person follow the Love of God and let the Holy Spirit work in his life?” Otherwise, here are some very good opportunities to pray. We have around us, in the church, an ideal place to practice observing and listening to the faith of others.



John knows Jesus:

“The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him.” John, chapter 1, verses 9 to 10



Jesus is the true Light, but there are people who don’t know him.

Now, how do we make sure that these people do not lead us in another direction, other than in the Light of Christ? Let’s be as careful for ourselves as these people can drive us off the road.



May the grace of God invade us as he covered Mary and kept her totally pure and sinless. May grace, just like the Word and the Eucharist, transform us every day, to become “image of God” in the world and for the world.

Let’s personally decide to live in Love, Peace, Truth, within the Life that Christ transmits to us and to move freely on the Way where he leads us.



The new American Bible, 2011-2014

Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas

192. To live in Love





Offering our life to God is the answer he seeks. In this way, he can fulfill his dream in people. Then, let’s invite people to let themselves be loved and open their hearts to the Presence of God. Let’s invite them to give their lives to God.



Let’s tell them that his Love is free and perfect.

He gave us the gift of his life and he expects from us the answer to his Love. May we offer him our life in answer to his Eternal Life for us. Let’s offer love in response to his Love. Let’s also observe the fruits that the Spirit transmits to people and we’ll discover God present in them.



The new American Bible, 2011-2014

Book: Here, where we are, Normand Thomas