Podcasts

Persevere in Prayer

Published on: by Joe Galloway Comment

St. Luke shares how Jesus tells us how generous God is to those who persevere in prayer, “He will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his persistence.” (Lk 11:8) I know it can seem sometimes as if God does not hear our prayer, or if He does, He doesn’t answer–at least now how and when we want. But how many times have I looked back and, with hindsight, seen how He did, in fact, answer my prayer. And how often was His answer and timing way better than anything I could have imagined, or known to ask for? I am truly blessed! How wonderful are the blessings He gives. 

What do blessings look like? My “a-ha” realization of what a blessing looks like came when I finally ceded control of my budget to God. That made it easier to simplify my life. I prioritized spending and made God the first category of expense, which allowed us to redirect money to go to support charities that do Works of Mercy. That brings me joy. This obedience to God’s commands to gives us more freedom on how we spend the rest of our budget. This reduces stress and worry in our financial life. These are the blessings I receive, and more.

The more is – the truth that we can trust that God always hears our prayers. We can trust that He has our best interests at heart. He provides abundantly. We can trust that when we sincerely repent, He always forgives our sins. He lavishes us with His love and mercy. With these gifts of love, mercy, and forgiveness, confident in their availability to us for the asking in faith, we get His peace, His joy, kindness, gentleness, self-control, and grace – God persistently giving Himself to us. In other words –  Blessings! 

Receiving God’s blessings is not a tit-for-tat proposition whereby we give and pray and so are rewarded with earthly, material benefits. God may choose to provide those to us, or He may not. He is in control. We are to pray and trust.

St. Padre Pio said it this way, “Pray, hope, don’t worry. Worry is useless. God is merciful and will hear your prayers.” Persevere in prayer and receive the best of God’s blessings. Pray, give, trust, hope, and find the peace of mind you truly seek. 

Photo Credit: Robert Davis

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What are you Steward Of?

Published on: by Joe Galloway Comment

We know how St Paul traveled all around the Middle East, Greece and Italy, preaching Jesus Christ. He described his work to the Colossians simply as being a minister in accordance with the stewardship God gave to him. God gave him the knowledge, wisdom, boldness, and fortitude to do that. Paul took ownership of the gifts God gave him. He stewarded those gifts using them to transform the world. What are you steward of?

God gives us gifts, too. He gives each of us unique talents and abilities, strengths and weaknesses, likes, drives, desires – everything. Everything we have is because God blesses us with His gifts. Like St. Paul, as stewards, we are accountable to God to receive these gifts gratefully, develop them as best we can, and use them in ways that build His kingdom. 

What gifts and blessings does God give to you? How do you steward them? How do you use them and return them with increase to the Lord?  One of the best ways is by engaging in the Works of Mercy. We read about those in Mt. 25:35-39 – feeding, clothing, and serving the poor. Using our talents and gifts this way is how we show our love for God and for our neighbor. This is how we give Him thanks and praise for all the blessings He gives to us. This is how we transform our world.

                                                                                                                                                                                     Photo Credit: Robert Davis

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Bible Sayings You Know by Heart

Published on: by Joe Galloway Comment

Here are some Bible sayings you know by heart:

  • Do unto others
  • Turn the other cheek
  • Better to give than receive
  • By the grace of God – which we find in 1 Cor. 15:10

We know these phrases from the Bible. They are in our minds, etched in our memory, and in our hearts, a part of us (Dt 30:14). As are the ten commandments, especially, the greatest commandments – to love God above all else, and to love our neighbors as ourselves – which we read in Sunday’s Gospel passage in Luke 10:27. These instructions are very near to us, in our mouths and in our hearts. How do we put them into practice?

We show mercy as the Father has shown us mercy in His forgiveness. We live lives of generosity in response to all the blessings God gives to us. We love and give and serve, even when it is costly or inconvenient as it was for the good Samaritan – the parable of the rest of our Gospel reading (Luke 10:30-37). And we obey God’s commands to put Him first in every area of our life, to give our first fruits to Him. We read these commands in:

Ex 34:26  The choicest first fruits of your soil you shall bring to the house of the LORD, your God.

Dt 18:4  The first fruits of your grain, your wine, and your oil, as well as the first shearing of your flock, you shall also give him.

Dt 26:2  You shall take some first fruits of the various products of the soil which you harvest from the land the LORD, your God, is giving you; put them in a basket and go to the place which the LORD, your God, will choose as the dwelling place for his name.

Pv 3:9  Honor the LORD with your wealth, with first fruits of all your produce.

Just as we know in our hearts to be obedient to God, we know intuitively that we need philanthropy. Generosity is good for our spiritual wellbeing. Obedience to God’s commands is how we gain true peace and enjoy happiness in our lives.

                                                                                                                                                                                   Photo Credit: Robert Davis

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Lambs Among Wolves

Published on: by Joe Galloway Comment

It takes courage to be a disciple. Encountering Jesus causes you to live differently. It is counter-cultural, like being lambs among wolves. We see in the Gospel of Luke 10:1-12 Jesus sending out the seventy-two. He gave them instructions, and then He sent them out with nothing. No money bag. No sandals – lambs among wolves. And yet, they trusted Him. They were resolved and committed to the cause. And they came back triumphant. They were full of joy. 

What brings you joy? Think about if for a minute. How do you feel when you go out and serve others in need? If you experience anxiety or even depression, what does getting out to do something for someone else do for you? Don’t you find a bit of satisfaction about your life? Don’t you feel a sense of joy when you commit your life to a larger cause? 

This is one of the many blessings of living stewardship. When we trust God to provide, and so spend ourselves on the work of building God’s kingdom, we get that sense of joy and peace that only comes from God. Our culture of materialism, of buying and having more stuff for me and doing more for my own pleasure does not–can not give us this peace. 

Embrace a life of stewardship. Put God first in every area of your life. Use your Time, Talents, and Treasure to build God’s kingdom and have joy in your life that comes from loving and serving others.

                                                                                                                                                                       Photo Credit: Robert Davis

 

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God Provides

Published on: by Joe Galloway Comment

God provides!  On the Feast of Corpus Christi, we read in Gen.14:19-20 how God provided Abram with the ability to rescue his nephew Lot and recover all of his possessions. The High Priest Melchizedek shared with Abram how God had blessed him. In response, our of humble gratitude, Abram gave ten percent of everything back to God. 

We also read Luke’s version of how God provided amply and fed thousands with just 5 loaves and 2 fish. Jesus could have called down filet mignon from heaven and everyone would have eaten just fine. But instead, He told the disciples to feed the people themselves. He took what little they had to offer and performed a miracle.  

Isn’t that how it should go with us? God blesses us. He gives us Himself in His body and blood in the Eucharist. He provides – everything we have is from God. In humble gratitude, we trust in His power to provide, and give back. He takes our offerings, as meager as they may be, and multiplies them for good. That is how we participate in the grand mission of the church – we give. How does your giving reflect how grateful you are for God’s blessings? Can you think of a time when your giving brought joy and nourishment to others? Give and trust that God will provide.

Here’s a fun quote from Saint Mary MacKillop: 

        “Trust in God’s Providence – interfering–as it always does–for our own good.” 

                                                                                                                                                          Photo Credit: Robert Davis

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