Doers and Not Just Hearers

I can't believe today is already September 1st. What happened to June, July, and August? Living in New England all my life, I've always noticed a distinct change in the air once Labor Day passes. I think it's God's way of turning our attention from the lazy days of summer and getting back into the more on-task routines of autumn. 

The Church gives us a great reminder this weekend to get more on-task with how we live our faith as well. In the Second Reading, St. James reminds us that as the "firstfruits" of God's creation, we've been given a divine gift and have an obligation to care for the temporal and spiritual needs of others. 

Dearest brothers and sisters: All good giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights,with whom there is no alteration or shadow caused by change. He willed to give us birth by the word of truth that we may be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
Humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you and is able to save your souls.
Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves.
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this:to care for orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained by the world.   James 1: 17-18, 21b-22, 27

As St. James tells us later on: Faith of itself, without works is dead,  (2:17) we must do more than hear God's word, we have to put it into action as well. Many church ministries are starting back up this time of year so you might consider getting involved in one of them (I suggest choir) or go back to volunteering in a youth program or soup kitchen. How we choose to glorify God is up to us. The key thing is that we do something and become doers, not just hearers. 

Many of us will take a break from our work tomorrow to celebrate Labor Day. Let's not forget to give thanks to God for our livelihoods and remember our brothers and sisters who are desperately looking for work in these difficult economic times. Maybe that will help us think twice about cursing at the alarm clock when Tuesday morning rolls around. Let us give thanks to the Lord of our work and continue to do the Work of the Lord.

Have a blessed Labor Day Weekend. 

If the Pope Can Have an iPad...

Thank you American Papist

Saying Yes to God

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I dedicated you.

-Jeremiah 1:5

   I've been sadly reading the multitude of tributes and biographies written about Apple founder, Steve Jobs, who passed away yesterday. Now I am going to sheepishly admit that until fairly recently, I was not an Apple fan (sad but true), so I never really learned much him with the exception of the occasional news clip about a new product or program on The History Channel. Amidst the articles I've been reading (on my iPad of course), I came across an editorial in the Washington Times which highlights how important each and every human life created by God actually is.

Abortion, Adoption, and Steve Jobs

   Try, if you can, to imagine a world without the likes of Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Albert Einstein, Alexander Flemming, Blessed John Paul II, or St. Paul. How different would the world be today if they never existed? Think about if your great, great, great, grandmother was never born, you wouldn't exist either, now would your children's children.. Every choice has a consequence just as every action has an equal and opposite reaction. Now think about the discoveries that will never happen, great literature that will never be written, and moral and theological insight that will never be know because of the more than 52 million babies aborted in the United States alone since Roe v. Wade.

Eighteen years later saw the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision, which paved the way for millions of legal abortions to take place in the United States over the following years. In 1955, abortion was nowhere near as prevalent as it is today. It was primarily rejected by society as the termination of innocent life.

   Rest in peace, Steve Jobs, and thank you for your contributions to soceity. More importantly, just as Mary said "May it be done to me according to your word,” (Lk 1:38) thank you to your biological mother, Joanne Simpson, and your adoptives parents, Paul and Clara Jobs, for their yes to life. God does have a plan for each of us, we just have to be ready to respond.

Be Blessed!

Small Miracles

For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD.
As high as the heavens are above the earth,
so high are my ways above your ways
and my thoughts above your thoughts.

Isaiah 55:8-9

I've been away from the blog the for a couple of weeks. If you missed my posts, I'm sorry. If you're sorry I'm back, then why are you reading this?

  
I had planned a reflection of the tenth anniversary of September 11 and the blessings that came out of that unspeakable act of terror. Reading some retrospectives over the past month, I've marveled at the stories of courage and survival that in themselves are miraculous. I was going to post that article fittingly on 9/11/2011 as well as either watch or attend some of the memorial activities that were happening on that day. However, in His perfect plan, God wanted me to commemorate this day of tragedy with the miracle of new life.

   I mentioned previously that we were expecting baby number five this September. In the early morning darkness on September 11, 2011, my wife informed me it was "time." It took me a few hours to even realize that our son's birthday would be on 9/11, mainly due to being caught up in the moment and lack of coffee. "What a day for a birthday," I thought. Then, my wife reminded me that our good friend's son also has a birthday today.  At 11:25 AM, we welcomed Andre Augustine Morin into our family.

   Was God trying to teach me something here? I think so. God wanted me to know that even in the darkest of days, He is still there and the miracle of new life continues. Every moment of every day, God is working miracles. Of course we will never forget the tragedy of 9/11, nor the men and women who lost their lives. But, in a beautiful way, my family will now associate this infamous date with our own miracle- our son Andre.

Be blessed!

The Real Cure for the Economy?

Having a large family means I'll have plenty of visitors in the nursing home while you sit alone and miss your big house and boat!





This comment gave me a chuckle when I read it a few weeks ago. But can it be possible that we can have large families and have them be engine(s) of economic prosperity?x No, this isn't a get rich quick scheme nor as a father of five (almost) do I think I'll be able to buy a boat anytime soon. It is however, what God commanded us to do from the beginning. (see Gen 1: 26-28)




We're constantly told by soceity that we need to reduce, reuse, and recycle which is true to an extent. We do need to be good stewards of God's Creation and of God's Providence. The following article in the National Catholic Register highlights the problem that Europe, Israel, Japan, and other developed nations face with an aging, declining popuation and fewer children to support them. These countries will also have to contend with a birthrate below replacement level which means the very fabric and identity of their culture is in danger if disappearing.

Large Families a Cure for Economic Woes?

But some couples are choosing to go against the trend and are welcoming and embracing the gift of human life with which God has blessed their marriages. While the challenges are many, the blessings are far greater, they say, so long as they maintain a strong faith in God, work hard and accept the sacrifices required of their vocation.

It can be scary to fully rely on God for our needs. Not to say that every family have to number 8-plus nor does God doesn't intend us all to do so. But, Jesus told us: So do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear?’  All that matters is to seek first the kingdom (of God) and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides. (Mt. 6: 31, 33) It's all about trust.

As we hopefully take a break this Labor Day weekend, it's a good time to reflect on where our treasure may lie, depend on God, and  focus on His will for our lives. Have a great weekend.

Be blessed!





Read more: http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/large-families-a-cure-for-economic-woes/#ixzz1WosCjaJB



"Why Are You Terrified?"

Being in the path of Hurricane this weekend, we're taking precautions just in case the worst happens. Of course, we leave it in God's hand since on He has the power to affect the storm's outcome. All we can do is prepare as best we can and be vigilant. Of course, it is this way with all the "storms" in our lives. We can do everything in our earthly power to get through, but ultimately, God is in charge!

On that day, as evening drew on, he said to them, “Let us cross to the other side. Leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat just as he was. And other boats were with him. A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up. Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!” The wind ceased and there was great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” They were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?”. Mark 4:35-41

I'm sure Peter, Andrew, and James, as experienced fishermen, tried everything they could to get the boat to safety ahead of that storm. It was only when they realized that they were not in control and asked the Lord for help, that they were saved. Keep all us us in the path of the storm in your prayers ove the next few days. I expect to lose electricity and internet tomorrow, so I plan on taking advantage of the quite time to enjoy my family. Who knows, being "unplugged" may be a blessing in disguise. Stay safe and be blessed!

The "Big Deal."

Just in case you question what the big deal is about the "Birth Control Mandate," here is another perspective. Yes, this is real science. * * http://www.chastity.com/chastity-qa/birth-control/abortion/do-birth-control-pills-ca