Normandt' meditations

[Normandt]

414. Make Christ present


What goods received from God can we waste and lose? The first good is the Love of God. We are not always aware in us of the Love of God.
When we sleep, when we eat, work, celebrate, watch, we always have the opportunity to make Christ present in us, thinking of him.

Sometimes we keep the Love of God for us. Or we don’t know how to share it. But just to realize that Jesus is with us soothes us and that can reach others. They will feel that we are not alone in life and that we are in peace. And it’s true, we are accompanied by the Presence of the Holy Spirit. He transforms us while we pay attention to him when we’re aware that he’s with us.

If we don’t have water, we dry. We only need to drink. When we drank water, this reserve follows us everywhere. It’s even simpler with Jesus. We have only to drink to his Sacred Heart and he is in us. We only have to think of him and he is Present. God is the eternal present. We drink from him, otherwise we do not drink from him.

When we receive the Eucharist, it’s the presence of God who is there. Like water, we carry God with us after Mass, wherever we go. Its luminous rays coming out of us (like Jesus in Mary’s womb) join the souls of the people we meet. In his rays are transported his Love and all that he offers us. Let’s carry his Eucharist within us and let his rays transform the world.

Book: Here, where we are
Normand Thomas

 

[Normandt]

415. In thanksgiving



May we transport Jesus like in vases of great price, the price of salvation for oneself and for everyone
“Whoever keeps his word, the love of God is truly perfected in him.” 1 John, chapter 2, verse 5

He who keeps the reality of Christ in him receives the Love of God in its perfection. May the Love of God overflow us to invade all the people we meet. Let’s be children of light, life, of the way and the truth.

Let’s live in thanksgiving. Let’s offer our heart and body to Jesus to cover them with his Love so that it may be reflected in us and on all.

Let’s become skilled in fighting, without violence, for the faith. May Mary and Joseph be examples of life for us, since they have remained close to Jesus by offering the gift of their lives.

Paul says to the Romans and to us:
“I am not ashamed of the gospel. It is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: for Jew first, and then Greek.” Romans, chapter 1, verse 16

The four key words in this sentence are: “To serve the gospel (French version)”. To receive the service of Jesus and his Word, his Verb.

We have here the first step to begin to know Jesus Christ, and then to make him known. Paul seems to go beyond reading the gospel, since he speaks of the service of the gospel. The gospel, the good news is all about service.

When we share the gospel or prayer, even though it’s in the kitchen, the Lord will pass. Even if it’s sitting in the stands during a sports game, the Lord passes.

We understand that we can share the Word, live evangelizing gestures, but the summit is to live accordingly to the Word, and the Lord will pass. Jesus is simply asking us to enter into intense communion with his Word and he will do the rest. To share one’s Word has the effect of increasing happiness a hundredfold.

But all too often, we seek our happiness rather than receive it from Jesus. We seek to transmit our word instead of his.

If we let the Word act powerfully in our heart, it will be transmitted with power, through gentleness and respect, to other people. This is evangelization. Let’s live a deeper conversion, listening to Jesus in our heart.

Book: Here, where we are
Normand Thomas

 

[Normandt]

416. Disciples’ language


“The Lord God has given me a well-trained tongue. That I might know how to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them. Morning after morning he opens my ear that I may hear.” Isaiah, chapter 50, verse 4

Let’s listen to Jesus. Let’s listen to others to “rouse them”.
Jesus came into our world to assume our human nature and he took advantage of it to bear it on him, with him. He asks us to give him all the burdens, ours, as well as those of others.

Jesus shows us how to be a disciple so that with his Word, he supports the exhausted. Every morning Jesus gets up with us for the same Mission. To lead the human family to the Father.

Let’s prepare our heart to go to the Lord’s Supper, then come out from the table with Jesus and observe what he is doing for us in the world. Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to allow us to live with Jesus his unique experience, his Mission, his Word in our heart, for the salvation of humanity. May the Father rejoice that we observe his will for Love.

Book: Here, where we are
Normand Thomas

 

[Normandt]

417. Serving


Jesus tells us:
“The greatest among you must be your servant.” Matthew, chapter 23, verse 11
Since Jesus is the greatest of all and has been the servant of all, we can imagine what that means for us.

Jesus asks everyone to become servants of one another. To one is given to care for a patient, to the other to be treated, to one to teach, to the other to be taught, for one to improve the world and for all to embark in the mission.

The person who is being cared for serves the caregiver. This allows the caregiver to develop his talents, become more compassionate and loving.

So it’s not just the people who need care that are receiving from God, but also the caregivers through their dedication and attention to the others.

It’s similar for faith. When we share faith, the person who receives it allows us to serve and improve. We receive as much as he does. We’re all winners when we share and receive faith from each other.

We are called to serve the neighbour, as our master, Jesus who’s with us. Let’s continue to follow Christ, to receive his Love and to share it among us.

Book: Here, where we are
Normand Thomas

 

[Normandt]

418. To encourage


John the Baptist knew how to speak to the people to distract them from what they were doing and to centre them on Jesus, on the Lamb of God. He is also the main actor in the election of the first Apostles, John and Andrew.

We have the same mission. We are invited to encourage people to follow Jesus.
Every person who focuses on Jesus sees his life being transformed. Paul tells us:
“From David’s descendants God, according to his promise, has brought to Israel a saviour, Jesus. John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel; and as John was completing his course, he would say, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. Behold, one is coming after me; I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.’” Acts, chapter 13, verses 23 to 25

Moses took off his sandals before God:
“Come no nearer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.” Exodus, chapter 3, verse 5

John the Baptist is not worthy to remove the sandals from the feet of the Lord. And Jesus does not need to take off his sandals, he is God, he is holiness. Where he stands, the earth is holy.

Book: Here, where we are
Normand Thomas

 

[Normandt]

419. The strength to love


It’s for us that Jesus came, but also for people who do not know him yet. They need to know that the Trinity Loves them. Let’s carry them in our prayer.
Jesus invites to believe in him. Jesus answers them:
Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled.

Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him the Father, God, has set his seal. John, chapter 6, verses 26 to 27

Jesus makes it plain that he gives eternal bread. This bread that Jesus offers is the bread of the life of God and in God.

During the reception of the Bread of Life, may Jesus grant us the grace to never depart from him or from his Church. May his Bread, his true Body, be the strength to love, health, and be the holiness of our Life.

Book: Here, where we are
Normand Thomas

 

[Normandt]

420. God is here


With God, everything is too simple, even wisdom is simple. But we tend to complicate it.

We only have to focus on Jesus and wisdom will simply invade us every time. At the same time, we must be willing to meditate and receive it.
With ease:
“As the rising sun is clear to all, so the glory of the Lord fills all his works.” Sirach, chapter 42, verse 16

Still, we must be placed in front of his sun (Son). It’s to blush with joy, as the sun likes to blush our cheeks.

May every moment of our lives be filled with the joy of God’s gaze upon us, look of tenderness, peace and love … and our existence will praise the Lord, that is, our existence will be in so much joy we’ll want to share it with the Lord as a friend.

Book: Joy in heaven!
Normand Thomas

 

[Normandt]

1. The family


Christians want to convert. They want to find every means to stay with God. They want his Love to take root in them, so that their faith improves.

They recognize that God’s Word is important. The Word is like water turning seed into a root, then the root into a shoot, the shoot into a tree, then the tree bears fruit and gives back to humans and to the earth.

To let ourselves be profoundly transformed by the Word allows us to act as christians.

Paul confirms it by this inspiration:
“But what does it say? ‘The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart’ (that is, the word of faith that we preach).” Romans, chapter 10, verse 8

God lays down his Word in us. It helps us to believe more in Christ and to work with him. Jesus offers everything from his heart. He who receives it thus becomes an abundant source that transmits Love from heart to heart.

One of the purposes of the christian family is to break the chains by and with the Word of God. We are invited to avoid chains by not letting ourselves be captured by them. Then we are called to become people from whom flows a source of peace, with respect and charity, inspired by the Word, so that others are released from their chains.

Normand Thomas

 

[Normandt]

2. Jesus or darkness


Even if it’s easy to understand, the way doesn’t seem that easy to reach and to find God. Maybe it’s too easy? It’s simple to want to follow the light, but there are shadows that draw us to the side of the road. As Augustine mentions, we have trouble focusing on light:
“The lovely things kept me far from you.” goodreads.com/…/520812-late-have-i-loved-you-beauty-so-old-and-so

We have fear of the objects that are found in darkness and to think about them too much, to seek too much, we attach ourselves to them. We are attracted by objects, sometimes by people more than God and they distract us away from Light: “The lovely things kept me far from you,” says Augustine.

Instead of seeing the person and the objects under God’s reality, there’s the danger of observing them according to the shadows they offer us.

Jesus invites us to return to the Light to better understand and grasp the world around us, in its reality. He stops and he talks to the blind beggar man:
“‘Call him.’ So they called the blind man, saying to him, ‘Take courage; get up, he is calling you.’” Mark, chapter 10, verse 49

Trust, go to the Light, Jesus is here and he is waiting on you.
We may have this question: What do we want Jesus to do for us here and now? What do we want to see? We want to see the true Light. And Jesus will tell us:
“Go your way; your faith has saved you.” Mark, chapter 10, verse 52

Being blind in this context is not comparable to physical blindness. To be blind is above all to let our soul slip into darkness, alienation contrary to the Light, the unpleasant and disappointing side of the cloudy and dark, of which keeps us away from God.

In reality, all that is realized in the world for God brings graces to all. We will see each other and we will see the world as it is in Truth and in the Light of God. Only then can we be transformed by Truth.

The Shepherd’s Mission
Normand Thomas

 

[Normandt]

3. In a pilgrimage place


It’s good to say:
“Lord, Lord.” Matthew, chapter 7, verse 21a

It’s a beginning. It’s good to recognize Jesus as our Lord. Then he immediately brings us back to reason:
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.” Matthew, chapter 7, verse 21b

Works are like fruits on a tree. They are of God for others. What works can we do?

We are invited to open ourselves to the world. But it isn’t enough to be satisfied with what we do, although what we do can already be very good.
A christian cannot be whole if he doesn’t evangelize, if he doesn’t ask Jesus to convert people around him and invite them to walk in faith, if not in our community, at least may they walk in faith.

To offer to others the graces received from God, it’s important to strengthen our foundations continually and also to be patient and gentle with ourselves. Let’s place our pride in God, because with Jesus, we can quickly find ourselves with new people who discover faith, in a short period of time.

Are we ready to open the doors and welcome? Do we leave priests and bishops with this initiative or do we also engage with them?

We’re in a place of pilgrimage, where we are, right now. The people around us are those who seek God, sometimes even without knowing it.

We are pilgrims when we are searching for the presence of God in the hearts of people. We are pilgrims when we look for ways to pray. We are pilgrims when we go to Church and receive the Word of God and Eucharist.

We are very adept at helping a child learn, attain and grow, we can be as skilled at helping people in their faith.

Jesus is Lord and he shines on and in the world. Let’s ask Jesus to touch him with his graces and rays of light. Let’s help, by prayer, to discover it. Let’s become pilgrims of the world around us, where we are. May people become aware that God loves them.

The Shepherd’s Mission
Normand Thomas

 

[Normandt]

4. Adjusted to God


In God, what seems more fragile is often what’s strongest. The Love of God, life, hope, mercy, joy, among others, are solid. They stay with us. All the rest will pass. Like the house built on rock, we want to put our feet on concrete. It is written:
“A nation of firm purpose you keep in peace; in peace, for its trust in you.” Isaiah, chapter 26, verse 3

Let’s put our trust in God. Give him all the space. Let’s find support in him. May the Lord be our home to shelter us from the cold, rainy, windy or snowy weather and even in sunny weather:
“Open up the gates to let in a nation that is just, one that keeps faith.” Isaiah, chapter 26, verse 2

It’s precise: “let them enter, the righteous (the nation)”! The righteous is the one who is adjusted to God and not the opposite. God doesn’t adjust to us, to what we wish, what we want, what enchants us.

God doesn’t adjust to himself, since he is just. We are invited to focus on the Love of God and our life will have everything it needs, spiritually. God’s Love is… Love is.

Jesus offers us the mission: “It is not by saying to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ that we will enter the kingdom of heaven, but it’s by doing the will of my Father who is in heaven.”

Let’s do the Father’s will. His will is that we love one another, from his Love. The one who guides us in the way of loving our neighbour is Jesus.

The Shepherd’s Mission

Normand Thomas

 

[Normandt]

5. Deepening our faith


It’s important to nurture our faith in the Church and then become missionaries in our region. Paul tells us:
“I am reminding you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you indeed received and in which you also stand.” 1 Corinthians, chapter 15, verse 1

We are invited to live every moment of our lives by being aware of the presence of God and also by being conscious of deepening our faith. We stand firm by keeping the Word of the Gospel close at hand and in us. We have received the Gospel, now we are good to announce it.

“Those who with God's help have welcomed Christ's call and freely responded to it are urged on by love of Christ to proclaim the Good News everywhere in the world.” Catechism of the Catholic Church, number 3, website: vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P2.HTM

The best way to know if we are truly and freely attached to the Trinity is to feel “urged on by love of Christ to proclaim the Good News everywhere in the world”.

Let’s bring his love to the world. Let’s go into the world. Unless we have a different calling, of course, which is more related to prayer for the world as for the cloistered Carmelites, Franciscans. It’s their way of being in the world. These two ways of evangelizing are excellent. All missionaries are thus supported by prayer.

With more people in a hurry and charitably committed to proclaiming the Love of Christ, supported by the prayers of all, there will be an ocean of universal love. Then, the grace of the mission nourishes and deepens our personal faith.
Let’s recognize the Love that God gives us by his Word, by his Body and his Blood, by the Eucharist for our salvation and the salvation of the world.

The Shepherd’s Mission
Normand Thomas

 

[Normandt]

6. The Lord’s voice


The Lord’s envoy does not always have the simplest mission. And in Jeremiah’s time it was even more difficult. Where he is sent, he risks death, since people consider his message as an obstacle:
“This man deserves death; he has prophesied against this city, as you have heard with your own ears.” Jeremiah, chapter 26, verse 11

This is why the leaders and prophets want to kill him:
Jeremiah gave this answer to the princes and all the people: ‘It was the Lord who sent me to prophesy against this house and city all that you have heard. Now, therefore, reform your ways and your deeds; listen to the voice of the Lord your God, so that the Lord will repent of the evil with which he threatens you.’ Jeremiah, chapter 26, verses 12 to 13

Let’s review our actions, our words and listen to the Lord’s voice. Misfortune never comes from the Lord, but our refusal to be on the road and the refusal of others to listen. It is quite brilliant what Jeremiah declares in the name of the Lord.

Conversion involves meditating on the people’s needs and the desire to listen to those who transmit the voice of God. Then the princes and all the people said to the priests and prophets:
“This man does not deserve death; it is in the name of the Lord, our God, that he speaks to us.” Jeremiah, chapter 26, verse 16

When Jeremiah professes that he is the Lord’s messenger, they consider holding their hand and allow him a longer life. They are kind to him. They decide to change lanes.

They recognize in Jeremiah a prophet who wants to help the people become better, holy, thanks to God. A new time of grace begins because the people agree to be transformed by the Voice of God announced by the voice of the prophet. Joy can be replaced in the people.

We don’t have to wait to change lanes. The holy way is to let God be the master of our life, immediately.

Today, however, it is difficult to accept a straight, good and solid path. And not everyone appreciates that christians invite them to change their ways. There are, for example, those who do not want to hear reproach about their unhealthy and destructive practices that can harm them.

Happy are the people who dare to listen to the message of the Lord and who agree to redirect their lives in the good that he proposes to us. The world needs people who listen to the Trinity through the voice of prophets who touch the heart with righteous and loved filled words, with messages that are adapted to them and with gentleness and respect for their journey.

Let’s offer to the Lord everything that can lead us out of his message of conversion, freedom and truth in faith. May he free us from this reckless conduct and keep us with him. Then we can make him be loved by others.

The Shepherd’s Mission
Normand Thomas

 

[Normandt]

7 Seeing God’s face


We are called to a resplendent life. The Apostle John describes to us all the splendour of the Holy City that he receives in a vision. At that moment, John must be living heaven on earth. These images will remain engraved in his memory forever.

John sees the Lamb and he mentions that those who have accepted the Love of God will see his face:
Nothing accursed will be found there anymore. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will look upon his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. Night will be no more, nor will they need light from lamp or sun, for the Lord God shall give them light, and they shall reign forever and ever. Revelation, chapter 22, verses 3 to 5

Seeing the face of God is the ultimate dream from the beginning of mankind to its end, when we return in him. Whether they’re aware of it or not, it will happen. But often they look elsewhere and move away from their reality as children of God.

Down here, we carry in ourselves the image of God. But we must also want to welcome the life of Christ in us as Mary made herself available to his will. We will not bear God like her, but we will carry him in the core of who we are.

The Holy Spirit can already place on our faces the light of God, in our hands the gift of God, in our eyes the vision of God on the world, and in our feet the footsteps of little pilgrims of Love who hurry on to go to the people, to lead them to Jesus.

The Shepherd’s Mission
Normand Thomas

 

[Normandt]

8. Let’s remain free


Jesus then invites us to the virtue of prudence:
“Be vigilant at all times and pray.” Luke, chapter 21, verse 36
This is the secret that isn’t secret. Let’s keep the light of our sal
vation in plain sight, let’s keep Jesus, our Light, close to us. His presence will help us to see the obstacles on our way to minimize, move or circumvent them.

Let’s remain free, knowing that we are loved by God and may Jesus be the Lord of our life. In this way, we will see the face of God. Jesus confirms it:
“That you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.” Luke, chapter 21, verse 36

To escape all that will happen, to circumvent the obstacles, to remain on the road of holiness, is to draw water and light from Jesus, from the Well of his Sacred Heart, who keeps us in hope.

Let’s also observe the other missionaries who fight with the light of peace, joy, justice and mercy. Jesus is the wisdom that allows us to properly assess the situations around us, then to teach the world, in confidence. The more our path aligns with that of Jesus, the better we will discern. The mission will become efficient and precise. Others have succeeded, why not us? It is humanly feasible.

We want to give thanks to the Lord and reiterate our “yes” to Jesus so that he may remain with us in the days of purification, in the crucible of transformation as in the days of trust with him, our host and guide.

The Shepherd’s Mission
Normand Thomas

 

[Normandt]

9. Let’s listen


We are in the core of a treasure mine that never stops twinkling. We receive everything to be happy:
Hear then, Israel, and be careful to observe them, that you may grow and prosper the more, in keeping with the promise of the Lord, the God of your fathers, to give you a land flowing with milk and honey. Deuteronomy, chapter 6, verse 3

In short, it tells us: “To watch, listen and practise what brings us happiness and fruitfulness.” Joy in God is the sign that we are following Jesus and listening to him. We become fruitful and offer God’s graces.

First, let’s be watchful. Let’s keep our hearts open and ready to reach people on the road. Let’s watch what they live to know them better. Let’s receive from Jesus what we’ll give back to them. Joy restores and allows us living from its fullness.

Secondly, listen. Let’s listen to what people tell us. They give us points of reference as to possible evangelization with them.

Jesus gave us his Catholic Church for us to have teachings, sacraments, the Word and the Eucharist. Let’s listen to what will lead us to the Holy Trinity for eternity.

Third one, let’s practice. Let’s practice what we learn and discover what amazes us through faith in Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit. Let’s practice all that will allow us to progress in faith and that will make our surroundings holier and anchored in the divine (God).

The Shepherd’s Mission
Normand Thomas

 

[Normandt]

10. Love reflects


Then there is this piece of text we know well and which is to be regularly meditated. This prayer is a jewel, a beacon for the Jews:
“Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone! Therefore, you shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength.” Deuteronomy, chapter 6, verses 4 to 5 (See also Mark, chapter 12 verses 29-30)

It’s a whole lesson, in a few sentences. There’s: “Listen.” Listening means being all ears to what the Lord says to us: “The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.” Our God is One. Let’s listen to what God tells us and not everything that is said to be negative about him in a clumsy and inexperienced way.

Then the sweet recommendation for our conversion, through a path of holiness: “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength.” Love the Lord your God with the strength of his Love that he lays down upon you. Love God, since he is Love and he wants to observe the brilliance of his pure diamond, his Love which reflects of a thousand colours, out of you.

Let’s love God. Then, how do we love God if we don’t love the person he has created, ourselves? God created us Love. He is still creating us right now. Let’s love in ourselves the Love that God creates at every moment. This Love will reflect on our contemporaries. We love God in return when we let him go through us to Love humanity.

The Shepherd’s Mission
Normand Thomas

 

[Normandt]

11. Easy and light


Paul testifies:
“Although I am free in regard to all, I have made myself a slave to all so as to win over as many as possible.” 1 Corinthians, chapter 9, verse 19

First, Paul says he is “free in regard to all”. It’s the result of being as free as possible from worries and staying on the road with Jesus.

It’s not always easy to live in this way with all the distractions and illusions that surround us, with all that takes us away from Jesus, all that causes us to leave the path.

But Paul’s intention is to invite us to stay on the path of holiness, to remain focused on the mission that Jesus proposes to us for the glory of God and for the salvation of the world.

We are not here to block the people around us. Every step we take is to help our neighbour. We walk with them and offer them ways to improve their lives.

Paul says that he wants to “win over as many as possible” to Jesus. Only a free person can really lead souls, lead people to Jesus. But Paul knows, like all of us, that he isn’t perfect and that he depends entirely on the will of God. To be a “slave” as Paul mentions means to love the Love of God for the mission of salvation.

This way of Paul is also ours. We are walking with Jesus and we can ask each day what Jesus would do if he were us. What would Jesus say or propose to people? Each person is unique, they are not like others. How would Jesus join the hearts of people very different from each other?

The freedom of which Paul speaks is of primary importance. Jesus sets us free. He is Liberty. Where Jesus passes and where he is welcomed, he sets free. Darkness has no influence over Jesus or those who trust in him.

The Shepherd’s Mission
Normand Thomas

 

[Normandt]

12. Offer hospitality to Jesus


How is it that Jesus is not known and loved more? Why is love so hard to spread and hatred seems to take over? How many people are not free right now?

So:
Simon and those who were with him pursued him and on finding him said, ‘Everyone is looking for you.’ He told them, ‘Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.’ Mark, chapter 1, verses 36 to 38

Simon and his companions look for Jesus, they find him and they tell him: “Everyone is looking for you.”

We all seek Jesus and at the same time we only have to receive and welcome him into our hearts, sharing him with others, then discover Jesus in the hearts of others.

Let’s not waste time revealing the flaws of others. Let’s find instead their qualities that come from God and teach them to discover them, so that they also recognize his presence from within.

Let’s offer hospitality to Jesus every moment in our heart and it will not be necessary to seek him. Let’s not let ourselves be disappointed, thinking that Jesus is not with us. Jesus is always with us. How do we listen then and receive him? By listening to him, welcoming him and sharing Jesus’ Love with others, we will truly be in his mission and evangelize.

Jesus answers them: “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.”

People are looking for Jesus and that’s exactly what he wants. Now he invites his Apostles to go elsewhere. It’s like he’s saying, “Do not just stay between you where everything seems to be going well and in a group that loves you. Go elsewhere too, find others, bring my Good News to them.” To proclaim the Gospel is to evangelize.

We feel good between us. We are sometimes too happy with our friends, so Jesus invites us to cross the borderline to create encounters of faith with new people.

It will be a sign of our freedom with Jesus when we want to create friendships of faith and walk with some new people we meet. This will not keep us away from the circle of friends we already have. Rather, it will improve it.

The Shepherd’s Mission
Normand Thomas

 

[Normandt]

13. God dwells in us


John, the Apostle sponsors us to understand the Sacred Heart of Jesus:
“No one has ever seen God. Yet, if we love one another, God remains in us, and his love is brought to perfection in us.” 1 John, chapter 4, verse 12

It seems strange that John says no one has seen God since he was with him. Jesus had also told Philip, his Apostle brother:
“Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.” John, chapter 14, verse 9

Surely John wants to attract us on a specific point, since he has already said that he touched the Word of Life, that he touched Jesus. The two were walking together during the mission. John especially wants to introduce us into our heart.

The best way to discover Jesus is to immerse ourselves in our heart and draw out the Love that’s placed there. And, “If we love one another, God remains in us, and his love is brought to perfection in us.”

John tells us nothing new, since Jesus spent his life spreading his desire that we love one another. But he adds that God’s Love will reach his perfection in us. We can see that John knew him. He knows what it means to walk with Jesus.

Let’s be reassured, Jesus is still in us, but we risk closing the door of our senses from tasting the Word, hearing it, from tasting the Eucharist, from touching Jesus’s Heart, from feeling holiness and see Jesus. Let’s continually develop a deeper meaning of God’s reality.

The offered Love of God transforms us from day to day and leads us to improve until the day we are fully in him. The journey of our heart to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is the only passage that exists to reach salvation.

The more we spread the Love of Jesus’s Sacred Heart, the more our life becomes like his. It’s simple, but effective, though it’s not easy for us to get going every day. With Jesus, we will get there, we will perfect ourselves.
John also tells us:
“This is how you can know the Spirit of God: every spirit that acknowledges Jesus Christ come in the flesh belongs to God.” 1 John, chapter 4, verse 2

To announce Jesus is also to receive the Love of his Heart. And he can tell us once more:
“Come to me, all you who labour and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew, chapter 11, verse 28

Even if sometimes the road is rough, to dive in Jesus’s Heart will make us discover that the Love he offers us smooths out the road, transforms us, helps us, guides us toward joy and eternal peace.

The Shepherd’s Mission
Normand Thomas