Friday, 1/11/18 – Resting in God

The world entices us with beautiful things; however, our hearts will not fully rest until we find ourselves resting in God’s beauty. We seek “kings” (leaders) who we believe will deliver the happiness and prosperity we long for; however, there is only one true king who can fully fill our hearts with the happiness and prosperity we desire – our Triune God.  Throughout history mankind has placed its hope in worldly kings and pain has often followed. The subsequent pain cuts deep and we must go through struggle and strife on our return journey home to our true heavenly king.

Worldly Kings

In our first reading we see that the Jewish people rejected God in favor of a worldly king. They wanted to be under the leadership of a human king just like the other nations – falsely believing that such a king could give deliver happiness and prosperity. We may find this hard to believe. After all, they had as their king God himself. God the creator of all life, the only one who can truly deliver everything the human heart desires, was in their midst and yet they rejected his kingship.

God warned the people that the cost of choosing a worldly king over the one true king would be high. A worldly king will take all that the people held near and dear to their hearts; their children, their property, and their hopes and dreams. This king will leave them yearning for more, and yet, they still chose him. They rejected God’s kingship and suffering followed. From this point on human rulers would be set over the Jewish people. Some were good God loving leaders, while others had their hearts orientated away from God. All were subject to sin and all fell short of perfection.

God Comes To Us

Sometimes I sit in awe as I reflect on Sacred Scripture. The simple truth is this – God will never turn away from us. He created us out of his love, in his image, and God loves what he has created. There is nothing we could ever do that has the power to stop God from loving us. Yet, we must choose God as our king above all other kings if we are to be truly happy. God is not a dictator king.

God knows the human heart and he understands our longings. Our hearts will never rest until we rest in him. This is why God came into the world in human form as the second person of the Holy Trinity – Jesus Christ. Now we have a king we can really relate too! Human like us in every way except sin, and fully divine. This king is the true King of the Jews – a king for the entire world.

Returning Through Suffering

Human suffering enters the world through sin and sin darkens a part of our interior. This darkness makes it difficult for us to see who we really are – creatures created in the image of a perfect all-loving God. Our return journey home to God is an internal journey through our suffering. On this journey we will need to forgive (ourselves and others) and we will need to learn how to love more – especially those individuals who are difficult to love. As we forgive and grow in love our interior becomes filled with greater light.

Sometime it’s hard to seek God when times are hard. I understand. Worldly allures look oh so promising when we are hurting. However, looking for happiness outsides of ourselves will not lead to happiness. Our king and healer is inside each and every one us.

Like the Jewish people in our first reading today, it is tempting for us to desire a worldly leader when we falsely believe that he (she) can fix our internal brokenness. We sometimes hope, and often expect, that our political leaders will heal our internal pain. However, all worldly leaders are subject to sin and they cannot bring light into our interior – only our true King can do this.

Resting in God Our King

Today’s Gospel reading shows us how to return to our King. We must stop at nothing to reach him. Can you imagine what it took to open the roof and lower the paralytic down on his stretcher in front of Jesus? Wow, what an act of brotherly love. The men loved their paralytic “brother” so much that they took extreme measures to place him in front of Jesus. What a risky ordeal. Climbing on top of the roof, cutting a hole, and lowering this poor man down! Talk about love of brother. Imagine for a moment what all of these men must have felt when the eyes of the paralytic met Jesus’ eyes for the first time.

Our Gospel reading also shows us where we will find our King. He will be among many who love him – in a very crowded house. The house is crowded because so many want to be near him – how beautiful. There may not even be room “around the door” to see him. We will likely need perseverance and a “little” help from our brothers to get in. We are in this together with our brothers. One for all and all for one – and all for Jesus. Together we can find a way into the crowded house where Jesus is.

Forgiveness of Sin

The men who delivered the paralytic to Jesus loved God above all others and they loved their brother as themselves – perhaps more so. They honored Jesus’ two commandments and in return the suffering man received healing as only a true King can offer. In seeking and finding Jesus Christ righteousness (right relationship with God) was restored for the paralytic. The paralytic, who was at the mercy of both his brothers and God, received the greatest gift of all – forgiveness and true healing. Sometimes it may be hard to carry one another, yet, like the men and the paralytic, we too must persevere and find our way to Jesus. A pathway through love and mercy is the only road.

Modern Day Leaders

Our modern day worldly leaders need our aid too. They are human beings subject to sin and we are called to offer them brotherly love. Prayer is a stretcher we can offer them when they are ill – and we are all ill to one degree or another. Also, while they can never be our true king, they can be our brother and carry our stretcher from time to time. They can do this by leading the people to God through praise and adoration of the one true King. Godly leaders, pointing the people to our Triune God, are leaders pleasing to God.

Lectio Divina

If you are looking for a way to find inner peace and healing I invite you to experience Lectio Divina. Maybe you are already familiar with it. On my blog I have shared how I practice this beautiful meditation. I invite you to visit it here: Lectio Divina

Prayer Intentions

Let’s pray together for our leaders, praying that they become holy leaders, seeking the aid and counsel of the one true King. Also, let’s pray for all who suffer pain, praying that they are assisted by brothers who are willing to take the steps necessary to help them come face to face with Jesus Christ. And let’s pray for all who struggle with oppression, addictions, and brokenheartedness, asking God that they may find Christ through their struggles.

If you would like me to pray for you this upcoming week please leave your prayer request below or email me privately. Also, I invite you to join with me in prayer for all of the intentions shared here – mine included.

God bless all of you. See you next week Friday! – Carolyn


Sacred Heart of Jesus – have mercy on us.

Father God – consume us.

Holy Spirit – enter into us.

Blessed Virgin Mary – pray for us.


Today’s Readings: 1 Samuel 8:4-7, 10-22 A; Responsorial Psalm 89: 16-17, 18-19; Allwluia Luke 7:16; Gospel Mark 2:1-12

About the Author

Carolyn Berghuis MS, ND, CTN is a best-selling author, inspirational speaker, traditional naturopath, and free-lance Catholic writer. Carolyn is currently pursuing an MA in Pastoral Theology at Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology. Carolyn also holds a BS in Mathematics, a MS in Holistic Nutrition and a doctoral degree in Naturopathy. www.CarolynBerghuis.com

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38 Comments

  1. Please pray for my son Immanuel, 25 years old, has been suffering from depression and addiction and low self-esteem. Sometimes he is violent towards us parents. He is facing upcoming court hearing on 31/1/18 because of drug possession. Thanks Carolyn

  2. Please pray for me, a widow for six years, as I enter a new relationship, that I be able to maintain holiness, and bring my companion to more depth in his faith walk.

  3. Please pray for some of my niece are wandering away from the path that lead to righteousness. Most of them had relationship outside their marrieds and a lesbians. I believe and I keep praying that they need our prayers to bring them back on right path to the Lord..

  4. Thanks be to God, as for me this reflection is prayers enough, our lady of perpetual help come to our aid o loving mother amen

  5. Please pray for me as I am going through a ‘bad patch’ in my life especially my current job. I have been victimised and deprived of my money remuneration and also career growth in terms promotion. Today I am having a ‘discussion’ with my ex-supervisors on my Performance Appraisal 2017, which they have graded my low compared to my contributions and result orientated. I have asked and prayed to GOD that my PA 2017 will be upgraded to a minimum 3.5 and maximum 4.

  6. A lovely reflection Carolyn. l loved the part that they all wanted to be near Jesus. How wonderful it will be to see him face to face. God willing. Please pray for my son for a great healing both spiritually and also his health. God Bless.

  7. Thanks Carolyn. You really make the readings easily to be absorbed.

    Joining all of you in this communal prayers. Offering the intentions on every daily mass I attend to, every work I do, in the ministry I cultivated and in every praise I give to Him.

    May God send consolation in all your prayer requests! God bless you.

  8. Please pray for my wife, NINA, that she finds peace and overcome her wounded feelings. Thank you and GOD bless you.

  9. Thanks for a lovely reflection. Please pray for my family particularly those who have really turned away from God. That they may seek God and find Him. Also pray for me that i may have peace of mind.

  10. thanks for this wonderful reflection please pray for my family for God’s mercy and favor for miracle baby for my sister in-law Nnenna. good health for my mum.

  11. Please pray for my son Steven who is sick in hospital that he may receive healing of body, mind and soul and that he may find his way back to God.

  12. Lovely reflection.Join me and my family in prayers as we pray for clarity of God’s purpose in our lives.We also pray for increase in faith in our Spiritual lives and a deeper understanding of our Catholic faith.
    I also pray for you that God will continue to keep you and yours in the Hollow if His hands,Amen.

  13. Thanks Carolyn for this reflection. May we remain with Jesus always. Please pray for my husband, that God will provide him a viable and profitable business to earn an income and take care of the family. May the Lord hear our prayers.

  14. Thankyou for this reflection. I like to read them before going to Mass, especially on the days I’m doing the reading, like today. The Old Testament is so full of poetry, and of power, that like you, I am awe struck: God speaking to us! over the centuries. And today’s reading means a lot to me personally, as like everyone, I suppose, I fall in to thinking that given this thing or that, I could solve a given problem. There is only one solution, One King, and putting ourselves in the power of any thing else, enslaves us. God bless you, always love your insights.

  15. Carolyn,
    Thanks for the reflection. Will join you in prayer to pray for the above intentions. Please pray for me too, I am going through a kind of stagnation that is deeming the light of my faith

  16. I am contemplating suicide. Because of my son’s poor choices in life, he has had two children out of wedlock. And, because of his relationships with these children’s mothers, I have been shut out of their life. I am tired of having to suffer the consequences of my son’s poor choices and lack of responsibility. My grandchildren are my life. They are the only reason I have been here for the last seven years. My life sucks. Again, I am tired of continuing getting up after being knocked down by life only to be knocked down again. I am sick of it. I am not depressed, just had enough.

  17. Dear Anonymous – your are precious to God and your life is precious. Please call a suicide lifeline right away. Here is a website: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/. Here is a number: 1-800-273-8255.
    My heart feels your pain. I too suffer from being cut out of my grandchildren’s life – it breaks one’s heart. I also understand the pain of having a child out of wedlock. I was a single teenage mother at age 18 without family support and many times I had thoughts of escape because life was so hard. However; through it all God was there and he saved my life. He can save yours too. Feel free to email me directly if you want. I am praying for you and I know our prayer community is praying for you too. You are not alone in your pain.

  18. Dear anonymous,
    Your life matters dearly to Jesus. You being on this page shows that your relationship with him matters to you. Lean into that eternal love. Get help to help you through. A good first step is to call a suicide prevention hotline, here is one 1-800-273-8255. I’m praying for YOU.

  19. Dear mother who is contemplating suicide, first off, I am sorry for your pain and despair. Please trust in Jesus who suffered too
    Share your life as a beautiful light for your grandchildren to behold . If they don’t get to see your love and light now they will get to know if in the future. I don’t think you want to leave a legacy of hopelessness and despair for those children you love? Once suicide enters a family it increases the likelihood that another family member will fall to suicide. A family member that I deeply love succumbed to suicide. This solved no problems but only left a big empty void in or hearts where their should have been a light of life. I’m sure you only want what’s best for your grandchildren so choose life. We ALL will be praying for you.

  20. Please pray for my teenage son that keeps getting lost with temptations in society. please pray for him to truely find God, and to realize that following God’s path is the one and only way, pray for all teenagers struggling with these temptations. Lead them to God. Please pray for his chance to change and make it right.

  21. Please pray for me as I am in a process of editing my 35 marital relationship due to infertility and unresolved differences.
    Thank you for your prayers.

  22. Dear Carolyn, I am very grateful about your very wonderful and insightful reflection. On our friend anonymous my prayer is God will give her strength to overcome whatever she is undergoing. My dear anonymous remember that God has always been faithful and will bring your problems to an end at His own time. Be patient and hope in Him as He will surely come to your aid. Be strong and keep hoping.
    I promise to pray for you
    God bless

  23. Thank you Lord, for never leaving us even though we are not worthy. Thank you for your patience and for seeking us. Thank you for all your miracles in our lives. For your miracles in my dad, brother, nephew. Please watch over my family specially the children. Deliver them from all evil. Open our eyes so we can see you. For the soul of father Dalton and all priest. For all our brothers who have addictions. Deliver them from slavery. For families as they are the foundation of any country. For your light to shine in every home

  24. Dear mother who is contemplating suicide, please don’t do it. I know life sucks right now but your life is still so very, very precious. I am in tears. You are special. You are loved. You are not alone. God is with you. Give your pain to him. I will be in constant prayer for you and your family. I will say a rosary for you. Please don’t end your life. Offer your suffering up for others. I will be thinking of you all day. Be with God dear sister in Christ.

  25. To the woman contemplating suicide: I add my prayers for you to the those offered above. You say you aren’t depressed, so try to seriously consider your actions and their consequences. You say your grandchildren are your life. What would their life be without you? How would their lives change? You say you’ve just “had enough.” Many of us have felt that way at one point—you’re not alone—but truly know that life is worth living and, with God’s help, we can get through a period of suffering, regardless that it may last years and years. For the love of your grandchildren whom you say you love, if nothing else, please call the suicide lifeline number in your area. They are worth at least that.

  26. Carolyn, thank you for the beautiful image of finding Jesus in a crowded room. I love that kind of search. It is like All of These Prayer Requests From So Many in the same crowded room. Suddenly My Problems Are Manageable And My Heart Is Full Of Prayers For Each Of The Requests Above. I promise all of you that God is answering you in a power ful way!.

  27. years! We recently a Retrovuille weekend and plan to follow up with post meetings. However, I feel my husband isn’t putting all of himself into this. He has his superior demands and doesn’t want to give up his time to spend on us. I keep praying as he says he does to make this marriage work but I haven’t seen much change.

  28. Thank you Carolyn, for your prayers and care! I would ask that you include my 19-year-old daughter, Celine, in your intentions. Away at college, she struggles with anxiety and panic attacks. She is a confirmed believer but has fallen away from turning to her relationship with God. She recently told me that she wants to begin attending Church again and my heart leapt for joy! I pray that she will be drawn through the Holy Spirit to renew her commitment to relying on God’s grace for strength and peace in her heart. God bless you! Mo

  29. Thanks Carolyn. It’s really hard to detach ourselves from the material world. Thus we chase things to make our stay on Earth comfortable when in fact our stay here is just a passing to the GREATER PRIZE: ETERNAL LIFE WITH GOD. Thanks for affirming the faith that indeed we must have a paradigm shift.

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