Podcasts

Peace be With You

Published on: by Joe Galloway Comment

Luke 24:36   Peace be with you.

Peace. Isn’t that what we all want, what we all long for? How do we obtain it?

In American culture, it seems the way to peace and happiness is to be able to buy what we want on Amazon. We need a bigger TV, the latest iteration of smart phone, more shoes, another driver in the golf bag. Having these things will make us happy. And they might for a while. But that kind of happiness is fleeting. And it costs money – often a bit more than we should spend, causing credit card debt to increase, leading to more stress in our lives. No peace in that!

St. John tells us that if we obey the commandments and keep His word, the love of God is perfected in us (1 John 2:4-5). We gain the Peace of Christ by obeying the commandments – even when it is hard, by knowing Scripture, and being doers of the word, giving alms to help the poor. We gain the Peace of Christ by obedience to His word, by giving and being a part of something bigger than ourselves. These are what bring us happiness. Do these things and begin to experience the peace you seek. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                Photo Credit: Robert Davis

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Acts 4: One Heart and Mind

Published on: by Joe Galloway Comment

Acts 4:32-35   The community of believers was of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common. With great power the apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great favor was accorded them all. There was no needy person among them, for those who owned property or houses would sell them, bring the proceeds of the sale, and put them at the feet of the apostles, and they were distributed to each according to need.

Oh My Goodness! Look at the example of the disciples. They heard the good news of Jesus’s resurrection. They believed and trusted. When they encountered the promises of the resurrection, they willingly sold assets and gave for the common good of all. What a great demonstration of detachment from material goods. They gave and trusted that God would provide for them. What a wonderful show of care for others more than for oneself. They were not coerced. In their joy of the good news of the resurrection, they couldn’t help it. They were more concerned with providing for the needs of the community than in their own financial comfort. That is a radical departure from common economic practice then and now. What might our community be, what would our world look like if we all lived by such radical faith?!

                                      

As stewards, we embrace the truth that It’s Not Mine. Everything is a gift from God. Every moment of time, every ounce of talent, and every dime of treasure we have is because God gives them to us. We are to receive them gratefully, develop and manage them well, and use them for the good of all. We are to return them with increase to the Lord.

How do you decide how much to give, and to whom? Look for charities that serve the poor and most vulnerable amongst us by feeding, clothing, housing, educating, and helping them.

           Give because It’s Not Your Money.

           Give in service to those most in need.

           Give because it is who you are as a Catholic Christian. 

 

Photo Credit: Robert Davis

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He Saw and Believed

Published on: by Joe Galloway Comment

We read in John 20:8 how he ran to the tomb and looked in. What did he see? What he didn’t see was Jesus’s body. He saw an empty tomb. He saw and believed. 

Jesus is risen – Alleluia! He is risen for you. He overcomes sin and death for you. He opens heaven for you. This is why we deny ourselves and pick up our cross daily and follow Him (Mk 8:34-35). What are your crosses? Job? Relationships? Health? Anxiety about the future? Offer them up every day, every moment. 

See and believe. Trust in His promises. He promises the gifts and fruits of His Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, fear of the Lord, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, self-control, goodness, gentleness, and faithfulness. He promises His presence with us, now and forever. 

How can you give witness to the resurrection by the way you live? By believing and accepting these truths in faith – that He suffered, died, rose on the third day. By embracing the truth and receiving the gifts of the Holy Spirit, incorporating them into your everyday life. By living them joyfully, cultivating your Time and Talents, and courageously sharing your Treasure. 

The peace and joy of Jesus Christ be with you now and always. 

                                                                                                                     Photo credit: Robert Davis

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The Paradox of Holy Week

Published on: by Joe Galloway Comment

Palm Sunday kicks off the great paradox of Holy Week. Can you imagine God, the omniscient, omnipotent Creator of the universe, the source of all we are and all we have  – you know, God! – humbling himself in front of you? But that’s what He did: 

  • He rode into Jerusalem on a donkey instead of a stallion, the gallant horse of a king.
  • Crowds were shouting acclimations of “Hosanna” when in just a few days that same crowd would cry out “Crucify Him.”
  • He could have called on legions of angels to fight for Him. Yet, He allowed soldiers to take him to court. He remained silent in front of Pilate. He endured spitting and lashes. He took on a crown of thorns, and carried His cross.
  • People thought He would take His seat on a throne. Instead, He wound up in a tomb.

Jesus knew who He was. But though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross (Phil 2:6-8). He did this for you. He did this because He loves you.

Stewardship, like Holy Week, is also a paradox. It is striving to be like Jesus, living counter-culturally, living courageously, giving sacrificially. It is regarding others as more important, looking out for their interests ahead of your own (3-4),  It is humbly submitting to God’s will, and being obedient to His word.  

Stewardship is going deeper in our relationship with Jesus. What would your life look like if you ran to Him and tried to live as He would wish: humble, other-centered, self-sacrificing, and generous?

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Suffering Through Lent

Published on: by Joe Galloway Comment

Hebrews 5:8  Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered.

The Lenten practices of fasting and almsgiving can sometimes be thought forms of suffering. Giving up sweets and social media are hard enough. Fasting from worry and gossip are certainly difficult. Fasting detaches us from our comforts and ourselves. Giving as the first expense item in our budget helps us prioritize our spending. Giving sacrificially, as we are called to do, may require giving up certain activities or luxuries. 

By fasting and almsgiving, we intentionally acknowledge God’s authority in our lives. This small-scale suffering helps us learn obedience to His will.

We admit that God is God and we are not. He is in control and we do well to be obedient to His commandments. Whatever suffering comes from these practices we offer up for the good of others and for the benefit of His kingdom. 

So – put God first in your life, including in your finances. Pray, fast, and give alms first in your budget. It is in this obedience that we begin to realize the peace, contentment, and joy that we truly seek. 

Photo credit: Bob Davis

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